Medicinal Plants Used Traditionally in Guldara District of Kabul, Afghanistan

International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Chinese Medicine ISSN: 2576-4772

1 2 Amini MH * and Hamdam SM Research Article 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kabul University, Volume 1 Issue 3 Afghanistan Received Date: October 09, 2017 Published Date: November 06, 2017 2Fifth year student, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kabul University, Afghanistan

*Corresponding author: Amini MH, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kabul University, Jamal mina, Kabul, Afghanistan, E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Medicinal plants are traditionally used in different parts of Afghanistan since long back. Guldara is one of the districts of Kabul province where numerous plants are traditionally used in treatment of a wide range of routine diseases such as; gastrointestinal disorders, urinary tract infections, respiratory problems, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and so on. But, published records of folk and traditional health approaches practiced in Guldara as well as other parts of Afghanistan are still very scarce. Ethnopharmacological field studies not only contribute in the public health domain but also serve as the basis for further pharmaceutical and medical researchers. In such context, present field study aims to record the plant crude drugs used traditionally in eight villages of Guldara district. Data were collected through questionnaires replied by local healers or Hakims, experienced elder individuals and patients using herbal crude drugs. Botanical name, family, common Dari/Pushto names, parts used, preparations and administration route, and indications of total 68 plants belonging to 30 families, and used by Guldara residents are reported in this paper. Herbarium specimens of 20 species were also prepared, and after being authenticated, were deposited in herbarium of Pharmacy faculty, Kabul University, for further use. Additional researches are emphasized for phytochemical and pharmacological studies of these plants to prove their rational usages by the rural people. Similarly, more works are required for reporting medicinal plants traditionally used in other parts of Kabul, and those of entire Afghanistan.

Keywords: Afghanistan; Guldara district; Medicinal plants; Traditional usage

Abbreviations: MPs: Medicinal Plants; KUFS: Kabul previous generation’s believes and practices of natural University Faculty of Science drugs, particularly of MPs. Traditional and complementary medicines are widely used in different Introduction countries of the world and valued for a number of reasons prominently for their cultural acceptability, Mankind has been using medicinal plants (MPs) for accessibility and affordability [3,4]. As far as ascertained, treatment of their diseases, even in time immemorial. As a large number of MPs used traditionally, have been per WHO, more than 80% of world population rely on investigated for their pharmacological potential and MPs and natural drugs to solve their primary health secondary metabolites [5-7]. problems [1,2]. Traditional medicine is used based on

Medicinal Plants Used Traditionally in Guldara District of Kabul, Afghanistan Int J Pharmacogn Chinese Med 2 International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Chinese Medicine

Around the world, people interest is growing toward Guldara district namely; Dehnaw-e-Guldara, Deh bedack usage of herbal remedies, since they are accounted as village, Jalwani village, Tulat village, Bagh ha-e-Dehnaw, safe, cheap and accessible health care approaches [8,9]. Nassiri village, Qol-e-nemat village, and Deh bala village. In Afghanistan, herbal medication or more commonly The specific objectives of this study are: natural medication is practiced under the name of Unani  To record the plant species traditionally used in the medication, since long buck. In different part of Kabul aforesaid villages of Guldara district. city, there are numerous Unani or Loqmani pharmacies  To study taxonomy of the used plants and record their .where Hakims are botanical families ”عطاری locally called “Attari or prescribing herbal crude drugs and herbal preparations  To assess which part of the plant is used, how it is to the patients referring them. prepared and for which ailment it is administered.  To assess the dominant health problems threaten the Afghanistan as a mountainous country has a unique local residents of Guldara district. plant flora comprising around 5000 species out of which 25 - 30% are endemic to this country [10,11]. Various Botanical name, common local names, parts used, MPs growing wildly in this country, and also some medicinal usages, and mode of preparation and imported crude drugs, has been traditionally used by administration of the plants used in eight villages of Afghan people for treatment of a wide range of routine Guldara district are reported for the first time in this diseases, since long back. As, 215 medicinal plants paper. However, similar researches are emphasized to be including some imported crude drugs used traditionally performed for local health documentation and enlisting in Afghanistan, have been already reported [12]. MPs used in other parts of Afghanistan, as well. Likewise, some MPs used by indigenous people of Tajik and Afghan Pamirs are also reported [8]. But Material and methods publications regarding MPs growing in different parts of Afghanistan are still very scarce. The long-lasting wars Information was attained from eight villages of and conflicts in this country could be accounted as the Guldara district. Local community healers called Hakims, main reason for lake of comprehensive researches and and old individuals having enough experiences of herbal publications regarding MPs diversity, and their folklore therapy and traditional medicines were interviewed and and traditional uses in different parts of the country. asked through open ended questions of a prepared questionnaire. Following information was gathered Guldara is one of the 15 districts of Kabul province, during the discussion or interview: Afghanistan. It is located at around 1800 m altitude from  Local name(s) (Dari or Pushto name) of the used sea level, in northwestern part at 20 km far from Kabul, plants (translation of the names are provided in Table at 69o, 1’, 48’’ eastern longitude, and 34o, 41’, 48’’ 1). northern latitude [13]. The district is called Guldara  Parts of the plant that are used as drug. (meaning valley of the flower) because of its beauty  Used form (preparation) and administration route of during spring season, when most of its land is covered by the drug (how the drug is prepared and used or wildly grown flowers such as tulips. Guldara hosts more applied). than 25000 residents, who are mostly farmers having  Indication of the drug (purpose of use of the drug). moderate economic condition. Common agricultural

products of the district are; wheat, maize, potato, apple, Convenient sampling and snowball sampling methods pear, peach, grape, mulberry, and walnut [14]. A diverse were used in selection of Hakims and experienced array of wild plants with high medicinal potential also individuals, respectively. Meanwhile, appropriate grows in Guldara. discussions were carried out with local villagers and

patients in respect of traditional use of plants in their Guldara residents are culturally very eager to use villages. If necessary, the informants were asked to herbal drugs for curing their routine ailments such as; indicate the target MPs growing in their surrounding gastrointestinal disorders, urinary tract infections, area. If required and applicable, specimens of the shown respiratory problems, skin diseases, cardiovascular plants were also collected for herbarium preparation diseases, etc. The people claim that MPs are easily and botanical authentication. Most of the common and accessible, freely available or of lower cost as compared known plants were botanically identified by the authors, with modern synthetic medicine (personal while the confused plants were identified by Prof. MN communication). Inevitably, in case of severe illnesses Sediqi, Head of Pharmacognosy Dept. faculty of people ought to refer to the hospitals located in Kabul Pharmacy, Kabul University. Voucher specimens of Kabul city, and would afford the high prices of synthetic University, Faculty of Science (KUFS) herbarium, the medicine. Present study was aimed to document the sheets existed in herbarium of Pharmacy Faculty, and the plants used in traditional system of eight villages of book Field Guide Afghanistan: Flora and Vegetation

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written by Breckle, et al. [10] were used as references for excel package was used for calculations and graphical botanical authentication of the collected plant samples. presentation of the collected data. After being authenticated, specimens of the plants were deposited in herbarium of Pharmacy Faculty, Kabul Results and Discussion University, for further use as references. Overall Results of the Number of Used Plants All of the collected data including plants’ local and their Botanical Families (Dari/Pushto) names, English name, botanical name and family, parts used, preparation mode, and indications Present study revealed that totally 68 plants were summarized and tabulated in Table 1. Microsoft belonging to 62 genera and 30 families are used traditionally and as folk medicines in Guldara district, as shown in Table 1.

Plant Local Dari/Pushto Preparations & No. botanical Family English name Parts used Indications names Administration route name Treatment of red-root Infusion is taken tonsillitis, and تاج ) Amaranthus Taj khorosak 1 Amaranthaceae amaranth, Flowers orally or gargled upper respiratory (خرّضک .retroflexus L redroot pigweed diseases Treatment of Achillea Zarsarak, flatulence, nausea, millefolium L. bomadaran, Zawal Flowering Powdered flowers dysentery, kidney 2 Asteraceae Yarrow ,tops taken orally stones زردضرک، تْهادراى، ) and Achillea ,hypertension (زّل sontolina dysmenorrhea Treatment of ascariasis, abdominal pain, indigestion, gastritis, constipation, Artemisia Mastar, afsanthin absinthe, Decoction is taken 3 Asteraceae Herb, leaves anorexia, wormwood orally (هطتار، افطٌطیي) .absinthium L diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, spasm, typhoid, anemia, and as general tonic Powdered drug is ترخ، ) Artermisia cina Terkh, drowna 4 Asteraceae Wormwood Flowering tops As anthelmintic taken orally (درًَّ .Berg Treatment of hypertension, Decoction/infusion pain, rheumatism, گل ) Chamomilla Gul-e-baboona 5 Asteraceae Chamomile Flowers of dried flowers is malaria, (تاتًَْ .recutita L taken orally abdominal pain, flatulence, joint pain, face spot As cholagogue, febrifuge, Decoction of roots, painkiller, for Cichorium macerates of dried treatment of Chicory Roots (کاضٌی) Asteraceae Kasni 6 intybus L. coarsely powdered kidney pain, roots is taken orally sunstroke, typhoid, jaundice, severe headache,

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and prevention of malaria Treatment of liver Berberis Decoction is taken diseases, common barberry Herb (زرک) Berberidaceae Zerk 7 vulgaris L. orally indigestion, and traumatic pain Treatment of Brassica hirta Decoction and as ,Mustard Seeds body pain (اّري) Brassicaceae Awri 8 Moench.. spice wounds Treatment of Brassica Cabbage or Condensed Uncooked leaves obesity, (کرم) Brassicaceae Karam 9 oleracea cauliflower leaves are eaten hyperlipidemia, hypertension As appetizer, Lepidium Cress or garden Fresh leaves are cholagogue, Leaves (تراتیسک) Brassicaceae Taratizak 10 sativumL. cress eaten aphrodisiac, and cleaning of blood Treatment of Raphanus Decoction is taken ,Turnip Root pneumonia (شلغن) Brassicaceae Shalgham 11 napus L. orally cough, cold, flu Treatment of ,Uncooked root is jaundice هلی ) Raphanus Moli safid, torb 12 Brassicaceae Radish Root ,eaten hepatitis (ضفیذ، ترب .sativusL anorexia, Treatment of Sisymbrium Infusion taken fever, sunstroke, Flixweed Seeds (خاکشیر) Brassicaceae Khakshir 13 sophia L. orally typhoid, dysentery Powder is taken Treatment of گٌذٍ ) Chenopodium Ganda shorak 14 Chenopodiaceae Jerusalem Oak Herb orally with some dysentery, (شْرک .botrys L water urticaria, Treatment of Convolvulus Infusion of herb Field bindweed Herb cardiovascular (پیچک) Convolvulaceae Peachak 15 arvensis L. taken orally diseases Tarbooz abojehl, Citrullus Decoction is taken Treatment of Colocynth Fruits ترتْز اتْجِل، ) Cucurbitaceae hanzal 16 colocynthis orally diabetes (حٌظل Treatment of sunburn, Elaeagnus Fruits, seeds, Decoction is taken ,Russian olive wounded skins (ضٌجذ) Elaeagnaceae Senjed 17 angustifolia L. roots, bark orally peptic ulcer, and dysentery Treatment of kidney disease, Infusion and gonorrhea, UTI, Herb, young powdered drug is ,Ephedra bleeding, wounds (تٌذک) Ephedra sp. Ephedraceae Bandak 18 stems taken orally, Locally hypotension, for wounds dressing gastrointestinal disorders Treatment of gastrointestinal Herb (young diseases Alhagi Shuturkhar, zoz Decoction of dried 19 Fabaceae Camelthorn stem and (dysentery, herb is taken orally (شترخار، زّز) .pseudoalhagi L leaves) diarrhea), kidney stones, jaundice, skin wounds, and

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as appetizer, cholagogue, Treatment of respiratory diseases, typhoid, jaundice, osteoporosis, Glycerrhyza Decoction is taken kidney pain, Licorice Rhizome (شریي تْیَ) Fabaceae Sherinboya 20 glabra L. orally diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, gastritis, and as general tonic and expectorant Treatment of Medicago Leaves and As poultice applied Alfalfa wounds, cuts, and (رشقَ) Fabaceae Reshqa 21 sativa L. herb topicallyc insect bites Treatment of Trifolium Shabdar, Shawtal Fresh herb 22 Fabaceae white clover herb dysentery and uncooked or cooked (شثذر، شْتل) .repens L abdominal pain Treatment of skin Infusion and diseases (acne, decoction, fresh rashes, skin Fumaria Leaves and ,Fumitory herb is grinded and spots), fever (شاُترٍ) Fumariaceae Shahtara 23 officinalis L. flowering tops applied on spotted hypertension, skin liver diseases, peptic ulcers As diuretic for Rhizome or Cynodon Decoction is taken treatment of Grass underground (کثل) Graminae Kabal 24 dactylon L. orally kidney stones, stolones gonorrhea Decoction, and Treatment of Hordeum Oat Seeds milky juice of the urinary tract (جْ) Graminae Jaw 25 vulgari L. fruits taken orally disorders Treatment of Decoction of dried جْار، ) Jwar, Jwari 26 Zea mays L. Graminae Maize Styles kidney pain and styles (جْاری as diuretic Treatment of Septa of fruit, Decoction and kidney pain and Walnut flowers and infusion of flowers, UTI, dental (چِارهغس) Juglans regia L. Juglandaceae Charmaghz 27 leaves leaves, and septa plaque, hyperlipidemia Treatment of Mentha Leaves and peptic ulcer, Peppermint Powder (ًعٌاع) Lamiaceae Nana 28 piperata L. young stem indigestion, anorexia, nausea Treatment of Mentha Poodina, welanay Leaves and Powder is taken nausea, peptic 29 Lamiaceae Pennyroyal ,young stem orally ulcer, diarrhea (پْدیٌَ، ّیلٌی) pulegium rheumatism As diuretic, and for treatment of ,Flowering tops Decoction is taken kidney pain گرتَ ) Gurbakhorak 30 Perovskia sp. Lamiaceae Russian sage and flowers orally kidney and (خْرک bladder stones, hemorrhoid,

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gynecological diseases, Treatment of respiratory Malangan, ailments Salvia rhytidea Infusionis taken ,Sage Flowering tops (pneumonia هلٌگاى، ) Lamiaceae Gandabaghal 31 Benth. orally cough), and as (گٌذٍ تغل expectorant and emollient Treatment of respiratory problems e.g. Fresh onion, cooked pneumonia, Bulb onion in the fire or cough, digestive ,Onion (underground under charcoal (پیاز) Allium cepa L. Liliaceae Piaz 32 upsets, common stem) decoction of fresh cold, flu, and as onion antibacterial agent and aphrodisiac Treatment of hypertension, Fresh bulb, cooked Allium sativum cardiac disorders, Garlic Bulb bulb (with egg) is (ضیر، ُْگَ) Liliaceae Seer, ooga 33 L. urination of eaten children during sleeping at night Treatment of stomachache, Infusionis taken ,Tulip Flowers constipation (گل اللَ) Tulipa sp. Liliaceae Gul-e-lala 34 orally earache, and gonorrhea Treatment of pneumonia, asthma, dry Decoction of Althaea Flowers and cough, typhoid, Marshmallow flowers and roots is (خطوی) Malvaceae Khatmi 35 officinalis L. roots kidney pain, taken orally hypertension,c gastritis, and as emollient Treatment of skin diseases (abscess Malva neglecta Leaves, stems, Decoction is taken and acne), dry Mallow (پٌیرک) Malvaceae Panirak 36 Wallr. and roots orally coughs, gastric diseases, constipation Treatment of skin wounds, ,Fruits and Decoction is taken abdominal pains اًجیر، ) Ficus johaniss Anjeer, enzer 37 Moraceae Fig ,leaves orally constipation اىځر( .Boiss kidney pains, dry coughs Treatment of black mulberry Fruits Fruit is taken orally diarrhea, and also (شاتْت) Morus nigra L. Moraceae Shahtoot 38 as stomach lavage Entire seeds or Treatment of زّف، ) Plantago major Zoof , barheng 39 Plantaginaceae Plantain Seeds, herbs decoctionof herb is pneumonia, flu, (تارٌُگ .L taken orally cough, gastritis

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and peptic ulcer, constipation. Nutrition for infants Poultice made of Treatment of skin Leaves and پٌجَ ) Platanus Panja chinar 40 Platanaceae oriental plane tree powdered drugs wounds and bark (چٌار orientalis used topically leishmaniosis Treatment of Decoction (root) diarrhea, kidney Rumex crispus Roots and and Infusion ,Curly Dock pain, sunstroke (شلخَ) Polygonaceae Shelkha 41 L. flowers (flower) ins taken typhoid, cold and orally fever Treatment of Punica Decoction taken Pomogranate Fruit peel diarrhea and (اًار) Punicaceae Anar 42 granatum L. orally ascariasis Treatment of Fruits and Decoction is taken عٌاب ) Ziziphus jujuba Aunab, chilan 43 Rhamnaceae Jujube diabetes, acne, seeds orally (چیالى .Mill dry cough Treatment of Amygdalus Entire kernel is Almond Seed kernel nervous weakness (تادام) Rosaceae Badam 44 communis eaten and dementia Treatment of Crataegus Fresh fruits and cardiovascular Asian Hawthorn Fresh fruits macerated dry (دّالًَ) songarica K. Rosaceae Dolana 45 diseases, diabetes, Koch. fruits are eaten constipation Treatment of Fresh fruit, and pneumonia, Cydonia Fruits, seeds, decoction of seeds bronchitis, cough, Quince (تِی) Rosaceae Bohi 46 oblonga Miller. and leaves and leaves taken flu, common cold, orally gastritis, diarrhea, vomiting Malus Fresh leaves are put As deodorant of Apple Leaves (ضیة، مڼَ) Rosaceae Seb, mana 47 domestica L. in shoes feet bad smell Treatment of Persica vulgaris Decoction is taken Leaves wounds, and as (شفتالْ) Rosaceae Shaftaloo 48 Mill. orally anthelmintic Infusion and To relief kidney Pronus cerasus Aalobaloo, Gilass decoction of the 49 Rosaceae Sour Cherry Fruits stalk pains, treatment grinded stalk of the (آلْتالْ، گیالش) .L of gonorrhea fruits is taken orally Treatment of Rosa abdominal pain, Flowers Infusion/decoction ,Rose anorexia (گالب) damascena Rosaceae Gulab 50 (Petals) for bathing Mill. pneumonia, earache Treatment of Citrus limonum Fruit and fruit Fruit juice, infusion Lemon gastrointestinal (لیوْ) Rutaceae Lemo 51 Risso. peel of peel taken orally diseases Treatment of digestive diseases, Citrus ,Orange Fruit Peel Powdered peel anorexia (ًارًج) Rutaceae Narenj 52 aurantium L. indigestion, anemia, diabetes great Infusion of leaves Treatment of Verbascum Leaves and 53 Scrophulariaceae mullein or common and stalks taken Cardiovascular thapsus L. young stalks mullein orally, sometimes diseases

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,(infusion and (hypertension گْظ ) Gosh kharak powder is used respiratory (خرک topically problems, common cold, and as emollient and wound healing agent Treatment of Capsicum Powdered fruits is ,Pepper Fruits anorexia (هرچ) Solanaceae Morch 54 annum L. eaten with meal dyspepsia Treatment of Hyoscyamus Bangak dewana Decoction is taken abdominal pain, 55 Solanaceae Henbane Leaves ,orally stomach spasm (تٌگک دیْاًَ) .nigra L toothache, Entire ripen fruits, ضگ ) Solanum Sag angoorak 56 Solanaceae Black Nightshade Fruits Decoction is taken As cholagogue (اًگْرک nigrum orally Treatment of Decoction, Datura Datura, Daltura Seeds and spasm, 57 Solanceae Datura powdered seeds is leaves constipation, and (داتْرٍ، دالتْرٍ) .stramonium L taken orally as aphrodisiac Treatment of hypertension, Anethum Decoction is taken Dill Fruits abdominal (شثت) Umbelliferae Shebet 58 graveolens L. orally flatulence, abdominal pain Infusion and Apium Celery Herb and fruits Decoction is taken As diuretic (کرفص) Umbelliferae Karafs 59 graveolens L. orally As digestive, Entire fruits is taken ,Caraway Fruits appetizer (زیرۀ ضیاٍ) Carum carvi L. Umbelliferae Zira syah 60 orally carminative Treatment of flatulence and Entire fruits is taken جْاًی، ) Carum Jwani, sperkai 61 Umbelliferae Ajouan Fruits other orally (ضپیرکی copticum gastrointestinal diseases Decoction, and juice Fruits and As diuretic and زردک، ) Daucus carota Zardak, gazar 62 Umbelliferae Carrot of fresh roots taken roots kidney pain relief (گازر .L orally Treatment of Decoctionis taken diarrhea, peptic گٌذٍ ) Dorema Ganda ferooza 63 Umbelliferae Ammoniacum Flowers orally ulcer, and other (فیرّزٍ ammoniacum gastric diseases Entire fruits, As carminative, Foeniculum Fennel Fruits powdered fruits, digestive and (تادیاى) Umbelliferae Badyan 64 vulgare Mill. decoction antitussive As diuretic, for treatment of Infusion and Sharanak, Gazenda Common nettle, Leaves and kidney and 65 Urtica dioica L. Urticaceae decoction taken ,Stinging nettle roots bladder diseases (شراًک، گسًذٍ تُتَ) bota orally leg pains, diabetes, Juice of grape fruits For treatment of Fruits, seeds, ,grape mixed with water is kidney pains (اًگْر) Vitis vinifera L. Vitaceae Angoor 66 terminal twigs drink. kidney infections,

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Infusion/decoction infusion of dried of dried twigs is twigs is used for taken orally treatment of cholera. Treatment of Peganum Espand, spelanai Harmal or Syrian Fruits and Decoction of seeds 67 Zygophyllaceae abdominal pain rue seeds and powdered (اضپٌذ، ضپیلٌی) .harmala L and worms Treatment of Khar mughelan, Caltrop, kidney stones, Tribulus Fruits and Decoctionis taken Puncturevine and and خار ) Zygophyllaceae markondai 68 terrestris leaves orally Goat's Head gastrointestinal (هغیالى، هارکًْذی diseases Table 1: Data showing the list of plants used in Guldara district for treatment of various routine ailments.

As shown in Figure 1. The dominant families were of the used plants. While each of the Fabaceae, found to be Rosaceae and Umbelliferae, each comprising Lamiaceae and Solonaceae families includes 5.88% (4 10.29% (7 species) of the used plants. Next dominant species) of the total plants. The remaining families stand family is Brassicaceae embracing 8.82% (6 species), in lower ranks in respect of plant species they embrace. followed by Asteraceae which includes 7.35% (5 species)

Guldara disctrict medicinal plants' Families 8 7 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Number of species plant Number

Vitaceae

Rutaceae

Fabaceae

Rosaceae

Liliaceae Liliaceae

Moraceae

Graminae Graminae

Urticaceae

Lamiaceae

Malvaceae

Asteraceae

Punicaceae

Solanaceae

Platanaceae

Fumariaceae Rhamnaceae

Ephedraceae

Brassicaceae

Umbelliferae

Juglandaceae

Elaeagnaceae

Polygonaceae

Cucurbitaceae Berberidaceae

Plantaginaceae

Amaranthaceae

Zygophyllaceae

Convolvulaceae

Chenopodiaceae Scrophulariaceae

Plants families Figure 1: Data showing taxonomy of plants used traditionally in Guldara district.

The data indicate that Guldara district would be more to 58 families are used traditionally. The important suitable for growth and cultivation of Rosaceae, botanical families were recorded to be Asteraceae, Umbelliferae, Brassicaceae, and Asteraceae members. Liliaceae, and Urticaceae [15]. As per another review, the Meanwhile, further studies would be necessary in order members of Asteraceae stand first, followed by Rosaceae to provide more accurate information regarding and Liliaceae, for the MPs used traditionally in boreal medicinal plants diversity of Guldara district. According forest of Canada [16]. An ethnobotanical survey of MPs to a similar study conducted in the northwest of the used in Zangelanlo district of Iran indicates that 52 herbs Basque Country, Iberian Peninsula, 139 plants belonging belonging to 48 genera and 26 botanical families are

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traditionally used by the people. The dominant families applications of an ideal medicinal plant could be justified are reported to be Lamiaceae (9 spp.), Asteraceeae (8 based on its diverse secondary metabolites. For instance, spp.), and Apiaceae (4 spp.) [17]. As per Naghibi, et al. licorice roots contain proteins, aminoacids, flovonoides, Asteraceae and Fabaceae were the frequent plant terpenoids, saponins, coumarins, vitamins B1., B2., B6., families for the MPs traditionally used in two villages of C., and E., and minerals such as; aluminium, calcium, Hamedan, Iran [18]. A recent study reported 60 MPs iron, magnesium, sodium, silicone, potassium, belonging to 30 families used traditionally in Qampaya phosphorus, cobalt, zinc, etc. Licorice roots have been District of Bolivia, where dominant families were used as expectorant, aphrodisiac, galactogogue, antiviral, Asteraceae (14 spp.), and Lamiaceae (7 spp.) [19]. ant-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-diuretic, laxative, Unsurprisingly, plants biodiversity could be diverse for and to relief gastritis, gout, sore throat, tonsillitis, different regions, based on geo-climatic variations bronchial catarrh, fever, bronchitis and cold, and skin therein. diseases [20,21]. As shown in Table 1 some of the plants serve as curing agent for different ailments. For instance, licorice root is Medicinal Use Categories used for treatment of respiratory diseases, dry cough (as As summarized, the plants listed for Guldara district expectorant), gastritis, jaundice, diabetes, typhoid, are used traditionally either in treatment or in osteoporosis, kidney pain, cardiovascular diseases, and prevention of 25 disease types, as shown in Figure 2. as general tonic. Scientifically, multidisciplinary

Relation between used plants and pathology in Guldara district 40 37 35 30 25 17 20 15 15 13 12 9 10 7 6 6 4 4 3 3 3 3 5 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1

… … …

Number of plants used Number

Pain

Fever

Spasm

Obesity

Earache

Sunburn

anurexia

Diabetes

Typhoid Typhoid

Anemia Anemia

Toothache

Hemorrhoid

Osteoporosis Osteoporosis

Dental plaque Dental

Liver problem Liver

Helminthiases Helminthiases

Cardiovascular Cardiovascular

Nervous weaknes Nervous

Skin diseases and diseases Skin

General weakness General

Digestive diseases Digestive

Dysmenorrhea and Dysmenorrhea

Sexual dysfunction dysfunction Sexual Respiratory diseases Respiratory Disease type Lithiasis and diseases UT and Lithiasis Figure 2: Data showing relation between used plants and pathology of Guldara district.

It was also found that, several herbs are used for Hence, the dominant disease in Guldara district could be treatment of a same type of ailment. As Figure 2 digestive system ailments, followed by kidney and indicates, 37 out of 68 plant species are used in urinary tract problems, respiratory diseases, skin and treatment of digestive system disorders. For curing wound problems, hypertension and cardiovascular kidney and urinary tract disorders, respiratory diseases, liver problems, diabetes, typhoid, pain, disorders, skin problems, and cardiovascular ailments, helminthiasis, anorexia, gynecological complaints, sexual 17, 15, 13, and 12 species of the listed plants are used, dysfunction, weakness, fever, anemia, obesity, and so respectively. Remarkably, the data shown in Figure 2 forth. Our finding is in close agreement with that show some clear relationship between the used plants reported by Younos, et al. who found digestive and and pathology in Guldara district. The more number of respiratory diseases, respectively as the first and second plants species used in treatment of a disease, will denote dominant health problems in Afghanistan [12]. However, the dominance of the same diseases, and the vice versa. in present study, urinary tract diseases were ranked

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second in term of dominance. This could be attributed to used in this form, as shown in Figure 4 The remaining either water pollutions in Guldara district, or to unfair preparation mode were respectively, infusion (16 items), hygienic condition of the local residence therein. Indeed, powdered form (10 items), juice (4 items), entire seeds further epidemiological studies are required to figure (4 items), cooked form (3 items), fresh fruits (3 items), out the pathological profile of Guldara residents. and so on.

Similar studies have been done in different countries. Our findings correspond with a study reported 546MPs used traditionally by Aboriginal peoples of the Canadian boreal forest for 28 ailment categories. Most of the plants were used as remedies for digestive problems [16]. However, our findings disagree with that reported by Spanish authors who recorded the most used plants for skin problems followed by digestive and respiratory systems disorders [15]. This could probably be attributed to both the more humid climate and to spread of skin diseases in those regions. Another study revealed

that most of the plants used traditionally in Dastena city of Iran were for treatment of digestive problems Figure 4: Data showing the preparation types of plants followed by respiratory disorders [22]. More recently, an used in Guldara district. ethnobotanical study of MPs used in a district of Bolivia reported that the predominant health problems treated In a similar study, infusion and decoction were by majority of the used plants were urological problems reported as the dominant preparation types for the ten and digestive disorders [19]. medicinal plants used traditionally in Imo state of Nigeria [25]. Uprety, et al. reported decoction and Parts Used, Preparation Mode and infusion as the major herbal formulations used in boreal Administration Route forest of Canada [16].

As analyzed, leaves were the most common used plant In term of routes of administration, out of the 68 part for the MPs used in Guldara district, followed by plants, 61 species were administered orally, 5 species fruits, roots/rhizome, herb, seed, flower, flowering tops, topically, 1 species as bathing and gargle, as shown in fruit peel, bulb, stem, bark, fruit stalk, stigma, seed Figure 5 Previous publications also indicate that the kernel, and twigs, as shown in Figure 3 Several previous principle mode of administration for herbal preparations studies also revealed that leaves are the abundant used is oral as drink, followed by topical application plant part [15,17-24]. Nonetheless, another review about [15,19,24]. MPs used in boreal forest of Canada, indicated that roots is the predominant used part, followed by leaves, whole plants, and fruits [16].

Figure 5: Route of administration of the plants used in Figure 3: Data showing the plant parts used in Guldara Guldara district. district. Talking about the rational use of medicinal plants, Taking into account the plant preparation types, some plants were found to be irrationally used by decoction was ranked first, since 39 crude drugs were Guldara people. For example; Guldara residents use

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Datura seeds as antispasmodic, aphrodisiac and for during the research work. Nonetheless, the data constipation. Similarly, they used henbane leaves for presented through this study would best serve for treatment of abdominal spasm and toothache. While performing further phytochemical and pharmacolgical both of the plants usage is limited in other countries research is to verify rational use of the listed plants used because of their toxicity due to tropan alkaloids present traditionally in Guldara district. Meanwhile, similar in these plants [26,27]. In another case, putting apple researches are also recommended for documentation of fresh leaves in shoes as a deodorant is practiced by the the local health traditions and MPs growing and used in local people of Guldara, but this application is not other provinces and districts of Afghanistan. scientifically proved so far. Interestingly, some strange cases are always found in traditional or folk medicine Acknowledgment systems of different countries, and it could be attributed to the cultural difference among diverse populations of The authors are highly thankful of Prof. M. N. Sediqi, the world. For example, we reported that the dried styles head of pharmacognosy department of Pharmacy of corn (Zea mays L.) is used for treatment of kidney and Faculty, Kabul University, who made his best efforts in urinary tract problems, but in Iberian Peninsula, located identification of the plants. in southwest corner of Europe, the same drug is used for relief of respiratory problems, while corn flour boiled in References wine is used for curing undefined urine and kidney disorders [15]. Cultural and religious issues would also 1. Sadeghi-Nejad B, Saki J, Khademvatan S, S Nanaei play a crucial role in evolution and practices of folk and (2011) In Vitro antileishmanial activity of the traditional system of medicines in different societies of medicinal plant - Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad. the world. As there are about 2000 ethnic groups all over Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 5(24): 5912- the world and every group may have different cultures 5915. and its own traditional medical knowledge and practices [28]. 2. Raju GS, Moghal MMR, Dewan SMR, Amin MN, Billah M (2013) Characterization of phytoconstituents and Indeed, Afghanistan owing to its diverse geo-climatic evaluation of total phenolic content, anthelmintic, condition, owns a diverse plant flora, hundreds of which and antimicrobial activites of Solanum violaceum are traditionally used. Unfortunately, because of the Ortega. Avicenna J Phytomed 3(4): 313-320. continuous war and conflicts, traditional medicine practiced in different parts of Afghanistan is not studied 3. WHO (2013) WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy: so far. Hence, publications regarding Afghans’ local 2014-2023. health documentation are still very scarce. However, 215 medicinal plants used traditionally in different regions of 4. Bhaargavi V, Jyotsna GSL, Tripurana R (2014) A Afghanistan were reported in 1987 [12], but the authors Review on hepatoprotective activity. Int J Pharm Sci failed to collect data from all provinces and districts of Res 5(3): 690-702. Afghanistan. Therefore, more efforts are required not 5. Shaaban HAE, El-Ghorab AH, Shibamoto T (2012) only for listing medicinal plants traditionally used in Bioactivity of essential oils and their volatile aroma different parts of Afghanistan, but also for their components: Review. Journal of Essential Oil phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation, as well. Research 24(2): 203-212. As few recent studies revealed that endemic plants of Afghanistan are rich in potent secondary metabolites 6. Al-Snafi, Esmail A (2015) Therapeutic properties of that would serve as promising precursors for developing medicinal plants: A Review of Plants with Antifungal potent medicines of plant origin [7,29]. Activity (Part 1). International Journal of Pharmacy Review & Research 5(3): 321-327. Conclusion 7. Amini MH (2015) Pytochemical and biological Traditional herbal medicines are, even in this modern evaluation of Heracleum afghanicum Kitamura, age, used for prevention and treatment of a wide range Master Thesis. Lovely Professional University, of ailments. Present study revealed that 68 plants are Punjab, India. used by Guldara residents for treatment of several routine diseases. However, some residents having more 8. Kassam KA, Karamkhudoeva M, Ruelle M, Michelle knowledge about traditional system of medication in Baumflek (2010) Medicinal plant Use and Health Guldara district might be missed during the data Soveriegnty: Findings from the Tajik and Afghan collection period. That is to say, all of the plants used Pamirs. Hum Ecol Interdiscip J 38(6): 817-829. traditionally in Guldara district would not be listed

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