Ethnobotanical Study of Some Important Wild Plants in Tehsil Ekkaghund, District Mohmand, Merged Areas, Pakistan
Ethnobotanical Study of Some Important Wild Plants in Tehsil Ekkaghund, District Mohmand, Merged Areas, Pakistan
Muhammad Farooq*, Shahab Momand, Salim Saifullah and Sanam Zarif Satti
ABSTRACT
The present study of ethnobotany conducted in July- August 2023, in Tehsil Ekkaghund, District Mohmand, Merged Areas, Pakistan, which aimed at exploring the traditional knowledge and utilization of medicinal plants by the local communities. Data was collected through questionnaire and interviews with local members of community who possessed knowledge about medicinal plants. Information was gathered in the local language (Pashto) and covered various aspects, including plant names, parts used, traditional applications, and availability. A total of 44 plant species were collected to find their ethnobotanical status which belongs to 29 families from study area, being used traditionally for various daily requirements. Among them the Asteraceae and Apocynaceae were dominant families having 6 species (13.6%) and 4 species (9%) respectively followed by Solanaceae and Lamiaceae containing 3 species (6.8%) and Zygophyllaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae having 2 species each (4.5 %). Rest of families represented by one species each. Maximum plant species were used for Diabetes/sugar control (13 species 29.5%) followed by Fever/malaria (14 species 31.8&), forage (13 species 29.5%). Vermifuge (11 species 25%), Skin problems (9 species 20.4 %), Laxative/purgative (9 species 20.4%), Cough/dry cough (10 species 22.7%), Stomach problems (7 species 15.9%), Diuretic (8 species 18.1%), Anti inflammation (6 species 13.6%), Body pain and Abdominal pain (4 species 9.0 %). 11 species 25% were also used as a food. 18.1% species were used as a fuel and 22% species were used for other uses. Rest of specie identified were less used. The common plant parts used for the different ethnobotanical purposes were leaves (31 species 70.4%), followed by seed (21 species 47.7%), fruit and stem (7 species 16%), gum/latex (4 species 9.0%) and root (3 species 7%). Additionally, some plants were used for non-medicinal purposes such as forage, fuel, and food. The documentation of these practices can help in conserving plant biodiversity, promoting sustainable resource management, rehabilitation of degraded habitats of plants to give more yields for future generation.
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