Ethnobotanical Knowledge and Folk Medicinal Significance of the Flora of District Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

DOI: 10.2478/hepo-2018-000

International journal edited by the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants Vol. 66 No. 1 2020

Received: 2020-02-20 DOI: 10.2478/hepo-2020-0004 DOI: 10.2478/hepo-2018-000 Accepted: 2020-03-15 Available online: 2020-03-31

EXPERIMENTAL PAPER

Ethnobotanical knowledge and folk medicinal significance of the flora of district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

SYED SAQIB ALI, KHALID HUSSAIN, KHALID NAWAZ, KHIZAR HAYAT BHATTI, ZOBIA BASHIR, ARIFA NAZEER, USMAN ARIF, SANA JAFAR, EJAZ HUSSAIN SIDDIQI

University of Gujrat Gujrat Pakistan

*corresponding author: e-mail: [email protected]

Summary

Introduction: Medicinal plants are the natural source of medicines used in treatment of many diseases among local communities of various countries. It is also the raw material for the pharmaceutical industry. Pakistan is a country with a variety of medicinal plants, comprehensively studied in some areas, while others still need more studies of their flora. Objectives: The study was performed to catalogue the flora of district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan and to assess its ethnomedicinal importance. Methods: A field survey was conducted in the Gujrat district (including Sarai Alamgir, Gujrat and Kharian) in 2019–2020 to collect the flora. Nearly 200 people of various age groups were interviewed and the ques- tionnaire was filled, the gender and professions of the participants were also noted. Results: The plant species collected belonged to 32 different Angiosperm families i.e. Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Moraceae, Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae, Solanaceae, Malvaceae, Eu- phorbiaceae and Lamiaceae. The obtained material consisted of 30 herbs, 20 shrubs and 22 trees. The floral parts used most often were leaves (63%) followed by: flower (41%), fruit (28%), stem (16%), seed (16%), bark (14%), root (13%), whole plant (12%), underground part (3%) and latex (3%). According to the study, the highest RFC (Relative Frequency of Citation) values were 0.1 in Cassia fistula L. (0.25) and the smallest RFC values were observed in Stellaria media (L.) Vill. – 0.025. The highest UV (Use Values) were noted for Achyranthes aspera L. at 0.9. In disease category, the highest value (0.67) of ICF (Informant Consensus Fac- tor) was observed for stomach and skin infections, while the lowest ICF value was noted for diabetes and gonorrhoea (0.27). Conclusions: It was concluded that the Gujrat district is rich in useful plants that can be used in the preparation of various medicines as well as be sold on the herbal market.

Herba Pol 2020; 66(1): 37-51 38 SS. Ali, K. Hussain, K. Nawaz, KH. Bhatti, Z. Bashir, A. Nazeer, U. Arif, S. Jafar, EH. Siddiqi

Keywords: District Gujrat, medicine, ethnomedicinal flora, survey, native people

Słowa kluczowe: prowincja Gujrat, lek, rośliny lecznicze używane w medycynie ludowej, badanie ankietowe, rdzenni mieszkańcy

INTRODUCTION This study was undertaken to explore the flora in district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan and its medicinal Gujrat is a district of Pakistan, situated between the importance through folk knowledge. Jhelum and Chenab rivers. It is spread over an area of 3,192 km2 and consists of three tehsils (town- ships): Sarai Alamgir, Kharian and Gujrat. It has a MATERIALS AND METHODS moderate climate but the temperatures vary signifi- cantly between seasons, with very warm summers Field surveys were conducted in three tehsils of district and cold winters. During summer, temperatures rise Gujrat: Sarai Alamgir, Gujrat and Kharian in 2019 and up to 46oC, though only for a relatively short period 2020, to collect the flora. Map of the selected area is given due to the nearby hills of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. in figure 1. A number of field tours were conducted. -Ap During winter temperatures drop below 2oC [1]. proximately 200 people of different age groups, genders In Pakistan, there is a significant diversity of cli- and professions were interviewed and filled a question- mate, geographical areas and conservation areas [2]. naire for the documentation. Plants collected during the They contain a variety of large, speckled and various survey were dried and preserved in herbarium sheets. other kinds of plants. Almost 600 species of angio- Plants were identified with the help of “Flora of Pakistan”. sperm flora are recorded in Kashmir and Pakistan [3]. It has been concluded in the study of ethnomedicinal flora, that these plants were utilized by the initial in- Data analysis habitants of these areas [4]. In developing countries, almost 80% of people are utilizing traditional eth- The data was analysed for different parameters to nomedicinal flora as cures for various ailments [5]. find the ethnomedicinal importance of the flora. There are a number of plant species exhibiting pharmaceutical properties growing in the wild, making it easy for people to gather and utilize them [6]. By Use value (UV) utilization of infective microorganisms, the flora and fauna act against bacteria and fungi by use of chemi- Use Value (UV) was used to determine the relative cals extraction from important deep enact flora [7]. importance of a given species collected from the There are approximately 6000 species which are area. It was calculated by the following formula: gathered and used as cures for various diseases and 600 species are used as pharmaceutical sources [8]. UV = ∑ U/N, For particular health disorders, the families of flora where: such as Apiaceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, Solanaceae and U – the number of citations per specific plant, Moraceae are consumed. They are involved in vari- N – the number of informants. ous cellular activities like radical scavenging, stimulant, alimentary canal, portliness diseases caused by microorganisms, inflammation, pain killers. They Informant consensus factor (ICF) are also a good source for collection of bio pesti- cides [9]. According to latest Pharmacopoeia, ap- Information of related homogeneity mixture of dis- proximately 25% of drugs are described due to its ease category obtained from informants was calcu- importance in medicinal plants. The chemicals that lated by this formula: are obtained from pharmaceutical flora are almost 25% in their number. Pharmaceutical flora is also ICF=(Nur-Nt)/(Nur-1), consumed by the native people of Gujrat to treat where: various ailments [10]. Nur – the number of citations from informants Ethnobotanical knowledge and folk medicinal signifi cance of the fl ora of district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan 39

Figure 1 Map of study area (district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan) for a particular plant-use category, FC – the number of informants using that species, Nt –the number of species or taxa utilized by all N – the total number of informants in the survey. the informants for that specifi c plant use category. Ethical approval: Th e conducted research is not re- ICF had ranged from 0 to 1, where ICF value of lated to either human or animal use. 1 indicated the highest level of informant consensus and 0 was the lowest value. RESULTS

Fidelity level (FL) Distribution of families Th e fi delity level was calculated to search out the value of the species related to medicines: During the surveys, it was found that plant species collected belong to 32 angiosperm families. Ranking FL(%)=(Np/N)x100, of families was based on the number of species pres- where: ent in the area, i.e. Poaceae was placed at 1st rank due Np – the number of species that is present in a to the presence of the highest number of species in specifi c category. the area which was 9 species. Brassicaceae and Faba- For accurate sum consumption for particular ceae had 6 species each, and Asteraceae had 5 species species, N was used. in the study area. Th ere were 4 species for families Moraceae and Relative frequency of citation (RFC) Amaranthaceae. Apiaceae, Myrtaceae and Rutaceae had 3 species, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, RFC was calculated by the given formula: Solanaceae, Amaryllidaceae and Apocyanaceae had RCF=FC/N, 2 plant species, while all the other identifi ed families where: had only 1 plant species (fi g. 2).

Vol. 66 No. 1 2020 40 SS. Ali, K. Hussain, K. Nawaz, KH. Bhatti, Z. Bashir, A. Nazeer, U. Arif, S. Jafar, EH. Siddiqi

Plant identifi cation and ethnomedicinal uses digestion. Poultice made from the leaves of Lepidium bonariense was used for body pain and diabetes. For Th e data related to botanical name, family, local digestive disorders, leaves of the Mentha arvensis was name, UV, RFC, local uses, part used, prescription, recommended thrice a day. For general body weak- dosage, form of use and diseases is described in table ness, people used Phoenix dactylifera twice a day with 1. All these medicinal plants are traditionally used in milk. Leaves of the Stellaria media were directly ap- healing, according to the informants. Th e most com- plied on the surface of a wound for healing. Th e roots monly collected plant at various locations was Acacia of Withania somnifera were used to control symptoms modesta which was used in healing wounds, once a of stress. Fruit obtained from the Ziziphus jujuba was day. Powder made from the bark of Achras sapota f. used for the treatment of stomach and hepatitis dis- asperma was used during childbirth to control pain. orders (tab. 1). Wounds and pimples were cured with the bulb of Al- According to this study, it can be concluded that lium cepa, Aloe vera was helpful in removing dandruff use value (UV) was 0.23–0.9. Achyranthes aspera from hair with other ingredients like yoghurt, egg showed highest UV (0.6) whereas Spinacae oleraece and oil. Stem and leaves of Amaranthus viridis were had lowest UV (0.23) among all the species collected mixed with rice and used to ease menstrual pain. from the area (tab. 2). Relative frequency of citation Seeds of Bombax ceiba mixed with black musli and (RFC) and UV were used to search fl oral species that sufeed musli were recommended in diarrhoea, used can be utilized for the manufacturing of medicines. It once a day. Oil obtained from the seeds of Brassica has been observed that the fl ora of the area showed campestris var. sarson. was helpful for colds, joints RFC value ranged from 0.025 to 0.1 (tab. 1). Floral and arthritis. For general body pain, oil from mus- species of low RFC value was Stellaria media (0.025) tard plant mixed with the leaves of Calotropis proc- whereas the highest value was in Cassia fi stula (0.25). era were rubbed on the body surface. Oil obtained from Carthamus oxycantha was the best for respiratory tract problems. Decoction made from the bark Parts used in ethnomedicine of Cassia fi stula was utilized for constipation. People used leaves of the Chenopodium album for the pain Th e plants parts used in medicines were leaves, roots, of joints and kidney. For fever, lemon water was used stem, latex, seeds and whole plant (tab. 1). For the as herbal tea with other spices. Herbal tea made from preparation of basic medications, fl oral species were the leaves of Cymbopogon citratus was used in cholera used in the form of herbal tea, distillation, decoction and stomach problems. Leaves of Eucalyptus globu- and paste powder. Percentage of the used parts was as lus were ground to make powder that was helpful in follows: leaves (63%), fl ower (41%), fruit (28%), stem

Figure 2 Family index with highest number of species used in study area Ethnobotanical knowledge and folk medicinal significance of the flora of district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan 41

Table 1 Identification of plants, medicinal values and methods of use

Botanical Common Time of Form name Family name UV RFC Local use Part use Prescription use of use Use of drug

Dry Acacia Teeth problems, Take bark and modesta Fabaceae Phulai, jangli 0.733 0.075 cure gastric Bark and and gum of 1 time also Use for wound Wall. kikar problems stem this plant and per day fresh make solution form

Pyrexia, digestive problems, Bark and Acacia Kikar, Gum gonorrhoea, Flower bark, sodium 3 times Fresh nilotica (L.) Fabaceae Arabic 0.66 0.055 antiseptic, seed, gum chloride heat per day form Toothache Delile. skin infections twinges up to make and blood mixture purification

Bark is use to Achras make powder sapota f. Diuretic and Bark, fruit, that is used 1 time Dry For delivery asperma M. Sapotaceae Chiku 0.33 0.045 useful in fever. seed on the body per day form purpose in Gómez of female after female birth

Cough, kidney problem, dysentery, Puthkanda Achyranthes Amaranthaceae Puth Kanda 0.9 0.08 skin disease, Whole plant leaves and 3 times Dry Cough aspera L rheumatism, body honey bee per day form stomach pain and toothache

Lung problems, blood purification abdominal Albizia tumours, boils, Leaves boil in 1 time Fresh Showering lebbeck (L.) Fabaceae Shrin 0.6 0.065 cough, hernia, Stem, bark water per day leaves baby after birth Benth secondary infertility, eye infections, flu and tonic

Diabetes, After boiling Allium blood sugar the bulb of 1 time Fresh Use form cepa L. Amaryllidaceae Piyaz, Onion 0.33 0.05 level, diuretic, Bulb onion use for per day form pimple arteriosclerosis wound treatment

Liver disorder, bronchitis, Use sap after Allium Amaryllidaceae Garlic, Thom 0.6 0.06 fever, cancer Leaves, gridding the 2 times Dry Eyes treatment sativum L. disease, low bulbils lassan per day form blood pressure

Skin disorders, inflammation, itchiness, Yoghurt, egg, Aloe vera Xanthorrhoeaceae Kawar gandal 0.42 0.1 skin disorder, Leaves Aloe vera 1 time Fresh Remove (L.) Burm.f. stomach jel and oil per week form dandruff problem and homogenize it gum bleeding

Fever, asthma, liver disorder, Stem and Green urinary, eye leaves after Amaranthus Amaranthaceae amaranth, 0.33 0.055 problem and Leaves and grinding are 1 time Fresh To control viridis L. Cholai menstrual stem mixed with the per day form menstruation problem in rice water female

Constipation, Avena cure of tension Gridding seed, 1 time Dry To control sativa L. Poaceae Jai, Oat 0.43 0.06 and skin Seed sugar and per day form temperature of allergies water body

Vol. 66 No. 1 2020 42 SS. Ali, K. Hussain, K. Nawaz, KH. Bhatti, Z. Bashir, A. Nazeer, U. Arif, S. Jafar, EH. Siddiqi

Snake bites, dysentery, inflammation, blood Seed combine Bombax purification, Bark, flower, with black 1 time per Dry Best for ceiba L. Malvaceae Simbel 0.7 0.08 genital organs roots and musli and day form diarrhoea, treatment, seeds sufeed musli dysentery stimulant, gonorrhoea and ulcer of bladder

Oil got from seeds of Brassica Skin disorders, mustard plant is 3-4 times Dry campestris L. Brassicaceae Musturd, Saag 0.46 0.04 cure of snake Flowers mix with leaf of per day form Abdominal pain bites akk plant and rubbed

Laxative, inflammation, Take 1 cup anticancer, of chopped Brassica Brassicaceae Cauliflower 0.43 0.045 antioxidant Leaves cauliflower 1 time per Fresh Control diabetes oleracea L. and neuro- leaves and week leaves degenerative then cooked disease properly

Stomach Take leaves, problem, seed and then asthma, boosts ground it to Brassica Gonglu, immune system, Leaves, fleshy make powder. 2 times Fresh Cancer rapa L. Brassicaceae Shalgam, turnip 0.46 0.055 atherosclerosis tap root, This power is per day also dry treatment and seed recommended form cardiovascular for cancer disease treatment

Oil obtained from the seed Brassica Cold, influenza, of toria plants campestris Brassicaceae Toria 0.56 0.07 fever, bronchitis Seed are used as 1 time per Dry Cold, joints and var. sarson. and rheumatic medicine to day form arthritis Prain pains treat number of diseases

Deafness, Oil got from piles, baldness, seeds of Calotropis Akk, Sodom wound healing, Leaves, seed, mustard plant is 3-4 times Dry For any type of procera (Ai- Apocyanaceae apple, rubber 0.66 0.095 toothache, pain flower root mix with leaf of per day from body pain ton) Dryand. tree reducing and and latex akk plant and skin disease rubbed

Intoxication, loss of appetite, control Cannabis inflammation of Seed and leaf Twice a Fresh For burn and sativa L. Cannabaceae Bhaang 0.8 0.075 body, asthma, Whole plant use to make day form muscular pain bronchitis, poultice headache, flu, cough and pains

Treat ulcer problems, Carthamus stomach oxyacantha Asteraceae Poli 0.5 0.058 infertility, Whole plant Oil is used as 1 time Dry Respiratory M. Bieb. ulcer, problems tonic per day form problem jaundice and also cure scabies

Pain, headache, immunity, anticancer, Take sada bhar Carthamus Sada bahar, antidiabetics, Root, shoot, leaves, boil Twice a Fresh Blood cancer, roseus L. Apocyanaceae Periwinkle 0.53 0.095 skin infection leaves them and make day leaves diabetes, and poultice Alzheimer cardiovascular disease

Skin infection, 5 g fruit, 2 g fever, ageusia, bark, 1g leaves Cassia fistula Fabaceae Amaltas, 0.66 0.065 constipation Bark, fruit, and roots to Twice a Fresh Constipation L. Golder tree purposes and for leaves roots make decoction day form pain reliving use with water Ethnobotanical knowledge and folk medicinal significance of the flora of district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan 43

Urinary problems, skin 3 g leaves and Chenopodium problems, Leaves mix with water Twice a Dry Kidney store, album L. Amaranthaceae Bathu 0.7 0.08 constipation, and stem and use for day form joint, skeleton jaundice and kidney stone laxative

Toothache, tonic, Cirsium diuretic, liver arvense (L.) Asteraceae California 0.5 0.05 disorder and Roots Scop. thistle, Lay treat worm in children

Take lemon Citrus limon Teeth infection, water 6 g and Twice a Fresh For fever control (L.) Osbeck Rutaceae Lemon 0.43 0.025 stomach Fruits add in herbal day form and hepatitis problem tea

Antiseptic, Citrus para- astringent and Whole plant Juice is use Twice a dise Macfad. Rutaceae Grape fruit 0.4 0.07 treat muscle body for fever day Fresh Fever control fatigue

Fever, scurvy, Citrus sinensis inflammation Thrice a For liver and (L.) Osbeck Rutaceae Orange, Malta 0.36 0.05 and nervous Flower Juice of orange day Fresh kidney disorders

Constipation, immunity, anti-diabetics, control anaemia, Dry form of For cough and Convolvulus Convulvulaceae Lali, Vahri, 0.63 0.075 menstrual Whole plant leaves use Twice a Fresh asthma, heart arvense L. Bind Weed problem, with milk day form problem laxatives, fever and also improve poor vision

Stomach problem, loss of appetite, Coriandrum diarrhoea, Stems and Dania leaves Twice a Increase memory sativum L. Apiaceae Dania 0.6 0.085 joints problem, leaves and seed day Fresh of human brain, toothache, and cool up body measles and haemorrhoids

Stomach problem, obesity control, Make herbal tea Cymbopogon headaches, from the leaves citratus (DC.) Poaceae Lemon grass 0.7 0.02 respiratory Leaves of lemon grass Twice a Fresh Cholera and Stapf problem, CNS in which also day leaves stomach problem problem, fever, add sabaz ilachi insect repellent and dal chini and indigestion

Laxative, wounds Cynodon problem, Paste of bham dactylon (L.) Poaceae Bermuda\bham 0.53 0.055 bronchial Whole plant grass plant is 2-3 times Fresh Peripheral Pers. grass disorders, and useful to cuts per day part bleeding also kidney and wounds disorder

Fever, tumours, Dactylis Poaceae Barnyard grass 0.43 0.035 kidney and Flower and Take leaves 1 time Fresh Fever glomerata L. bladder ailments stem fresh and dry per day

Nose bleed, Dalbergia gonorrhoea, stop Take 2 g leaves Twice a Fresh sissoo DC. Fabaceae Tali, Shisham 0.7 0.075 vomiting, boils Leaves and fruit day form Epilepsy and skin disorder

Allergy, athlete’s foot Eclipta White twin and ringworm, Plant juice 1 time Fresh prostrata Asteraceae head 0.56 0.52 constipation, Leaves mix with per day form Use for jaundice (L.) L. fever, body pain, essential oil bp problem

Vol. 66 No. 1 2020 44 SS. Ali, K. Hussain, K. Nawaz, KH. Bhatti, Z. Bashir, A. Nazeer, U. Arif, S. Jafar, EH. Siddiqi

Eucalyptus Common cold, globulus Myrtaceae Safeeda, 0.76 0.08 nose infections, Leaves Grind leaves to 1 time Dry Use for wounds Labill. Eucalyptus antiseptic make powder per day leaves and itchiness

Asthma, anthelmintic, throat, Leaves, Euphorbia anticancer stem, 2 g leaves of 1 time Fresh Intestinal helioscopia L. Euphorbiaceae Wolf’s milk 0.56 0.052 properties, roots, wolfs milk, 4 g per day form problem vermifuge, fever, seeds, oil sharbaty bazuri. cholera and tumours

Skin diseases, vermifuge, an Make For uterus pain Ferula Apiaceae Soyae 0.33 0.04 anti-hysteric, for Inflorescence, Joshanda 1 time Dry and pain of communis L. dysentery, and as root of soyae per day from kidney an aphrodisiac

Take latex 20 g, milk 10 g, gum Makes body Cough, flu, of kikar 20 g Two strong and Ficus Moraceae Bohar 0.6 0.045 chronic flu Latex and mosli tablets Dry enhances the benghalensis L. and influenza, safaid 20 g and per day form production of gonorrhoea satawar 20 g to sperm in male make tablets

Asthma, gonorrhoea, piles, heart Use two to Fresh Ficus Moraceae Fig 0.63 0.055 diseases, diabetes Leaf, bark, three piece 1 time and dry For constipation carica L. and ulcer and fruit of fruit per day form urinary tract infection

Milky latex obtained from To treat Ficus Nervous the bark of 1 time Dry impotency and religiosa Moraceae Peepal 0.66 0.095 problems, Bark peepal and mix per day form conceiving L. gonorrhoea with honey bee ability of female and ghee

Digestive problem, vomiting, A decoction Foeniculum heart burn of seed is 2 to 3 Dry Headache, vulgare Mill. Apiaceae Sonaf, Fennal 0.7 0.035 (Pyrosis) and Seed obtained by times per form laxative dyspepsia, breast boiling of 6- 7 day enlargement and seed with water cancer treatment

Diarrhoea, influenza, Take papra in Fumaria vomiting, blood fresh or dry Fresh Effective for indica Fumariaceae Papra 0.33 0.41 purification, Whole plant form and make Use twice or dry fever, cold (Hausskn.) skin disease, decoction and a day form dengue Pugsley constipation, boil with water fever and pimples

Oil make from Jasminum Removing the flower and Alleviates sambac (L.) Oleaceae Motia, jasmine 0.3 0.09 intestinal worms, Flower leaves of the 1 time Dry pain and Aiton jaundice and jasmine use to per day form inflammation venereal diseases alleviate pain

Asthma, bronchitis, cough, Poultice of the Lepidium Argentine enhancement leaves was used Twice a Croup, pain, bonariense L. Brassicaceae pepper 0.23 0.035 of memory, Leaves to applied on day Fresh diabetes skin and hair the treatment care, pain, of croup diabetes

Inflammation, scalds and Linum swellings, Take 2 teaspoon usitatissimum Linaceae Alsi 0.33 0.055 emollient, Seed of seed and 1 time Dry Cure L. demulcent, mix with water per day form constipation pectoral, and diuretic Ethnobotanical knowledge and folk medicinal significance of the flora of district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan 45

Skin problem, astringent, Leaves of this sedative and also plant applied Lycopus Lamiaceae Cut leaves 0.5 0.065 for tuberculosis, Flower, stem directly to 2–3 times Fresh Healing of exaltatus L.f. narcotic, and leaves healing of per day wound contraceptive wounds effect

Wound healing, ulcers Take leaves and and bladder, flower of this Malva Malvaceae Blue mallow, 0.33 0.095 indigestion, Leaves, flower plant and put 2–3 times Fresh Cough cure sylvestris L. Pick-cheese gastric mucus, into warmly per day form relaxing activity water for few and diuretic hour

Improper 1 seed pulp of digestion, ear mango and 1 Take one Mangifera Anacardiaceae Amm, Mango 0.4 0.085 pain, vomiting Leaf, seed teaspoon of time in Fresh To control indica L. and stomach corn flour morning form diabetes disorder mixed with it in a day

High cholesterol level and asthma, Take 10 g each Medicago Barseen, osteoarthritis, Flower and as ginsing, oat, Adult t To control sativa L. Fabaceae Shatala, alfalfa 0.43 0.045 diabetes, upset seed alfalfa and ake twice Fresh mental fatigue, stomach , use to make a day loss of appetite bleeding disorder syrup

Leaves of dareek, Gandak Melia Ulcer and skin Leaves and amla saar, jamal 4 times Dry azedarach L. Meliaceae Dareek 0.46 0.065 problems, gout, root gota of equal per day form Ulcer, itchiness inflammation volume to with milk prepare tablets

Take podina Cough, leaves and mouthwash, ajwain, ginger Mentha Lamiaceae Podina, Mint 0.63 0.06 herbal tea and Leaves and and noshadar Trice Dry For digestive arvensis L. digestive stem 10 g and black a day form purpose problem paper 10 g to make decoction

Colds, eye infections and nose bleeds, Morus Moraceae Shatoot 0.6 0.09 asthma, Bark and Shatoot fruit Trice Fresh Sore of throat nigra L. influenza, leaves and malathi a day form and for cough cough, bronchitis and diabetes

Dysentery, digestive problems, diuretic, Oxalis Miyan, diarrhea, Dry leaves 2 times Dry Use for snake corniculata L. Oxalidaceae Creeping 0.63 0.045 urinary tract Leaves grind to make per day form bite wood-sorrel infections, skin powder rashes, digestive problems, fever and influenza

Decoction of Parthenium Treat toothache, gandi booti is hysterophorus Asteraceae Santa maria, 0.36 0.07 kill tape worm, Leaves and use in 1 times Fresh Fever, urinary L. Gandi booti cure malaria flower traditional per day form track infection medicine

Take leaves of Cough, cold, pakhra and Dry or Pedalium Pedaliaceae Pakhra, 0.26 0.055 antiseptic and Leaves seed of two 2 times fresh Purification of murex L. Gokhru gonorrhoea gram grind to per day form blood make powder

Appetizer, tonic, heart Plant leave use Pennisetum Lynda, Barner diseases Leaves and to make 3 times Fresh mezianum Poaceae grass 0.33 0.055 and pimples, stem powder and per day form For cough Leeke cataracts and mix with honey wound healing

Vol. 66 No. 1 2020 46 SS. Ali, K. Hussain, K. Nawaz, KH. Bhatti, Z. Bashir, A. Nazeer, U. Arif, S. Jafar, EH. Siddiqi

Fever, diarrhea, general body Kajor, badam, weakness, pista, 2 times Take Phoenix Arecaceae Date, Khajur 0.7 0.075 respiratory Fruits karamphal per day dry Control general dactylifera L. diseases and also and sonaf are with milk sample weakness help to reduce homogenize blood pressure

Recent research observed that Cancerous eating of large Psidium disease and also amount of 3–4 times Control high guajava L. Myrtaceae Amrood, Guava 0.73 0.175 improve appetite, Fruit guava daily up per day Fresh blood pressure cure stomach to 12 weeks its prooblem lowering the blood pressure

12 g Japanese fruit, 12 g bark Stomach of anaar,12 g Punica Lythraceae Anaar, pome 0.63 0.058 disorders, Fruit, bark kutraj are mix 3 times Fresh Intestinal granatum L. granate menstural with 1 l water per day form infection irregularities to make 250 g solution

Liver and stomach problem, Take moli Raphanus weight loss, Underground leaves and 1 time Fresh sativus L. Brassicaceae Mooli, radish 0.33 0.05 antidiabetics, part sugar grind per day form Hepatitis intestinal it to get sap disease and for renal problem

Bowels problems, Ricinus Euphorbiaceae Andol, Castor 0.6 0.055 constipation Seed 6 g root 1 time Dry Liver and communis L. oil and stomach and milk per day form hepatitis problem

Heart disorders, eye infection, Gulgand 1 g, asthma, break Seed badam 50 g Only Dry For constipation Rosa indica L. Rosaceae Rose, Ghulaab 0.73 0.075 stone from and flower and sagmonia night form and appetizer kidney and 10 g time gall bladder

Skin, urinary tract infections, syrup, jaundice, Unripe fruit of One cup Saccharum Poaceae Shorgum, Gana 0.7 0.045 hemorrhage, Stem grapefruit and per day Fresh Dysentery officinarium L. baked product gana juice is for sample and other urinary mixed up disease

Appetite, Saccharum European antimicrobial, Leave grinder Twice a spontaneum L. Poaceae beach grass, 0.4 0.04 antibacterial and Whole plant to make day For constipation saroot antifungal. joshanda

Solanum lycopersicum Solanaceae Tomato 0.33 0.05 Skin disease, Fruit Gridded 1 time Fresh Produce RBCs L. toothache and leaves tomato per day

Anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial and liver treatment, Spinacia blood builder, 2 times Inflammation of oleracea L. Amaranthaceae Palak 0.23 0.04 promoting Leaves Salan of palak per day Fresh stomach growth in children and appetite stimulant

Cough, kidney irregularities, Take chickweed Stellaria Common treat itchy skin Leaves and leaves and 2 times Fresh Cure skin media (L.) Caryophyllaceae chickweed 0.36 0.025 conditions and flowers applied directly per day leaves problem and Vill. pulmonary to the surface ulcer diseases of skin

1 to 2 g powder of jaman seed Use in Syzygium Sore throat, Seeds, fruit mixed with 1 g the Dry cumini (L.) Myrtaceae Jamanu 0.5 0.08 diabetics and barks, leaves water for one morning form Diabetes Skeels ulcers night. Helpful for 15 days for high BP Ethnobotanical knowledge and folk medicinal signifi cance of the fl ora of district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan 47

Treat indigestion, pyrexia, earache, Paste of Tagetes erecta Asteraceae Marigold, gutta 0.43 0.045 intestinal Flower and marigold 2 times Fresh External L. parasites, leaves use for cut per day leaves bleeding muscular pain, of wound antifungal and cure piles

Take seed of Constipation, gandum and control colon then heat up 2 to 3 Triticum Poaceae Wheat, 0.26 0.06 diseases, Seeds in the oil. times Dry Cure wounds aestivum L. gandum reducing risk Obtained sab per day form of cancer and is rubbed on gallbladder the wounds

2 g leaves and 1 g water Vitis vinifera Fever, vomiting, to make one Use twice L. Vitaceae Angoor, grapes 0.33 0.065 weight loss and Fruit cup and then a day Fresh Hematemesis heart diseases mix fruit of angoor

Asthma, spasm, Take root of Withania Aksan, rheumatism, Leaves and aksan about Twice a Improves somnifera (L.) Solanaceae Ashwaghandha 0.63 0.035 artheroschlerois fl o w e rs 300 g daily day Fresh symptoms of Dunal and sedation aft er food stress

Zea mays L. Poaceae Makai, maize 0.66 0.095 Bladder, urinary Stigma of Makai is used Th rice a Dry Weakness disorders and female as fl our day overcome, kidney disorders fl o w er vomiting

Ziziphus Rhamnaceae Beri 0.63 0.057 Skin infection Leaves and Use fruit of Twice a Dry Hepatitis, jujuba Mill. and control fruits beri plant in day form stomach disorder defi ciency present form of iron

(16%), seed (16%), bark (14%), root (13%), whole plant values for gonorrhoea and diabetes (0.27), and the (12%), underground part (3%) and latex 3% (fi g. 3). highest values were noted in stomach and skin infection (0.67). Fidelity level was used to fi nd out the fl oral species for pharmaceutical purposes. Informant consensus factor (ICF) and fi delity Th e FL value ranged from 21 to 91. Magnifera in- level (FL) dica had the highest FL of 91, whereas Allium sativum had the lowest, at 21. Collected ethnome- According to this study it was noted that ICF value dicinal fl ora had numerous curative stuff s (tab. 3). ranged from 0.27 to 0.67 (tab. 2) with the lowest Achyranthes aspera was used mostly to treat cough,

Figure 3 Family index with highest number of species used in study area

Vol. 66 No. 1 2020 48 SS. Ali, K. Hussain, K. Nawaz, KH. Bhatti, Z. Bashir, A. Nazeer, U. Arif, S. Jafar, EH. Siddiqi kidney problems, dysentery, skin disease, rheuma- for Chenopodium album and Psidium guajava was tism, stomach pain and toothache. Mangifera indi- 69% which plays a vital role in the treatment of ca was recommended to treat improper digestion, various health disorders, i.e. jaundice, laxative and ear pain, vomiting and stomach disorder. Phoenix urinary problems and improving appetite. Phoenix dactylifera was used to cure fever, diarrhoea, gen- dactylifera exhibited 75% FL. It was widely used eral body weakness, respiratory diseases and to re- for reducing blood pressure, fever and respiratory duce blood pressure. Ricinus communis was medi- ailments. Syzygium cumini showed 81% FL, and cated in bowel, constipation and stomach diseases. was used for various purposes such as ulcer and According to respondent, these ethnomedicinal sore throat. Cannabis sativa exhibiting FL 84%, flora was also suggested in the treatment of dif- was used for the control of cough, pains, asthma ferent types of other diseases including: cardio- and bad appetite. It was noted from the data that vascular disorders, respiratory diseases, hepatitis, Cynodon dactylon had 86% FL and was utilized to gastric problems, kidney, urogenital problems, cure kidney, wound and respiratory disorders. The liver disorders, constipation, diarrhoea, cold, fe- fidelity level of Mangifera indica was 91% and it ver, cough, asthma, bronchitis, flu, intestinal prob- was used to cure stomach disorders, vomiting and lems, vomiting, headache, arthritis, hypertension, improper digestion. Rosa indica had the highest paralysis, malaria, cancer, allergies, tumor, male FL of 95% and was utilized in kidney, gall bladder infertility, piles, sexual disorders, snake bite, rheu- and heart diseases (tab. 3). matism, toothache, stomach problems, insect bite, body pain, nervous disorders infections, diabetes, swellings, eye problems, pneumonia, bone pain, DISCUSSION jaundice and joint swellings. It was observed that Achyranthes aspera had This study has shown that district of Gujrat is rich in the lowest fidelity level (FL) of 63% and was used a variety of plants which are used by native people to for kidney problems, cough, dysentery, rheuma- cure many diseases. They also can be used in phar- tism, skin disease, stomach pain and toothache maceutical industry. Local residents rely on floral but mainly recommended to get relief from cough species for the traditional ingesting. Consequently, using its leaves and honey thrice a day. Calotropis bulk of labours termed the diversity of species in procera had 68% FL and was used to cure piles, diverse zone and scrutinizes their pharmaceutical skin diseases, deafness and pain reducing. Ma- uses. Mahmood et al. [11] designated that Withania jority of people consume the leaves of this plant somnifera was recycled to treat spasms, sexual disor- mixed with mustard oil in wound healing and der, sedate patients and rheumatic. Amaranthus viri- body pain for 3 to 4 times a day. The FL calculated dis was very useful in curing eye disorders, urinary

Table 2 Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) by disease category in the study area

No. of use reports No. of species used Disease category Nur-Nt Nur-1 ICF (Nur) (Nt)

Flu, fever, cough, cold 22 13 9 21 0.42

Heart, kidney, urinary, ulcer and liver problem 26 15 11 25 0.44

Gonorrhoea, diabetes, diarrhoea 19 12 5 18 0.27

Nose, ear, eye and teeth problems 13 5 8 12 0.66

Asthma, rheumatism, lungs, bronchitis, 21 13 8 20 0.4 jaundice, blood problems

Appetizer, constipation, inflammation, hair 17 7 10 16 0.62 problem

Stomach problems, skin problems, sexual 35 12 23 34 0.67 problems

Piles, arthritis, atherosclerosis, female problems 10 5 5 9 0.55 Ethnobotanical knowledge and folk medicinal significance of the flora of district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan 49

Table 3 Fidelity Level (FL) value of commonly reported medicinal plants

Scientific name Common name Major ailment Fidelity level (FL) [%]

Cough, kidney problem, dysentery, skin Achyranthes aspera L Puth Kanda disease, rheumatism, stomach pain and 63 toothache

Calotropis procera (Aiton) Deafness, piles, baldness, wound healing, Akk 68 Dryand. toothache, pain reducing and skin disease

Intoxication, loss of appetite, control Cannabis sativa L. Bhaang inflammation of body, asthma, bronchitis, 84 headache, flu, cough and pains

Urinary problems, skin problems, Chenopodium album L. Baathu 69 constipation, jaundice and laxative

Laxative, wounds problem, bronchial Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Bermuda/bham grass 86 disorders, and also kidney disorder

Improper digestion, ear pain, vomiting and Mangifera indica L. Amm, Mango 91 stomach disorder

Fever, diarrhoea, general body weakness, Phoenix dactylifera L. Khanjoor, Date respiratory diseases and also help to reduce 75 blood pressure

Cancerous disease and also improve Psidium guajava L. Amrood, guava 69 appetite, cure stomach problem

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Jamaan Sore throat, diabetics and ulcers 81

Bowels problems, constipation and stomach Ricinus communis L. Andola, Castor oil 77 problem

Heart disorders, eye infection, asthma, break Rosa indica L. Rose, ghulaab 95 stone from kidney and gall bladder disorders and menstrual problems [12]. Mangifera a specific ethnomedicinal plants by the indigenous indica was useful for vomiting, ear pain and stom- people to treat a complex disease [18]. Amiri and Jo- ach disorders [13]. Calotropis procera was used for harchi [9] testified thatTagetes erecta was valuable to baldness, piles, deafness, wound healing, reduction cure earache, indigestion, pyrexia, intestinal washes, of pain, toothache and skin diseases [14]. intestinal parasites, antifungal, muscular pain and During ethnomedicinal study, it was observed cure piles. Syzygium cumini was used as a remedy that Cynodon dactylon was used to treat all types of sore throat, diabetes and ulcers [19]. Euphorbia of bleeding, laxative, bronchial disorders, wounds helioscopia was used for handling of breathing dis- problem, kidney disorder and also skin troubles orders including asthma, anthelmintic, bronchitis, [15]. Bombax ceiba was used against inflammation, chest congestion, throat, vermifuge. It has also anti- snake bites, blood purification, dysentery, as a stim- cancer properties, cures cholera, fever and tumours ulant, in gonorrhoea, genital organs treatment and [20]. The study of all these ethnomedicinal plants ulcer of bladder [14]. Avena sativa was useful in the showed the noteworthy value of innate inhabitants treatment of tension, constipation and skin allergies of the community. It shows that medicinal plants [16]. must be activated rather than to be left as surplus. Albuquerque et al. [17] conducted a study to This flora can be vended to several herbal industry show that the most common therapeutic prpoerties for the preparation of voluminous brands that are were performed by plants with the values (UV) as also favourable to get money [2]. It has also been de- follows: Psidium guajava (2.52), Cannabis sativa scribed that Gujrat district had many plants that are (0.98) and of Cordyline fruticose (0.03). The highest considered as weeds but are important medicinal fidelity level displayed the prominence of specific plants of the area used by local community [1]. floral species by instinctive persons to treat explic- it disease. The high FL value presented the use of

Vol. 66 No. 1 2020 50 SS. Ali, K. Hussain, K. Nawaz, KH. Bhatti, Z. Bashir, A. Nazeer, U. Arif, S. Jafar, EH. Siddiqi

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