Table 2.
Ethnobotanical profile of plants from the area. Plants with novel medicinal uses are highlighted in bold
| Family | BN. Acc. | LN | PU | Rec | App | Uses | N | UV | CSI | Previously reported uses | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acanthaceae | Dicliptera roxburghiana Nees. FK-5006 | Aerial parts | Fodder | Oral | Used to treat sun stroke in buffaloes. | 1 | 0.023 | 1.70 | The powder is used as a general tonic | [20] | |
| Justicia adhatoda L. FK-5022 | Bhekar | Leaves | Wrap | Topical | Used with onion, turmeric and oil for papules and pimples. | 3 | 0.103 | 8.86 | Used for wound infections. Decoction is antispasmodic, expectorant and abortifacient | [21] | |
| Nerium oleander L. FK-5038 | Kneera | Shoots/flowers | Powder, aerial parts | Oral | Used to treat diabetes. Used to treat gum bleeding and toothache. | 7 | 0.139 | 7.25 | Used to treat stomach pain. Used to treat ear pain and eyes problems. Considered poisonous. | [22] | |
| Strobilanthes attenuata Nees FK- 5065 | Malol | Flower | Used to prepare local dyes. | 1 | 0.007 | 2.40 | The decoction is used for the treatment of boils. It is also laxative and anti-helminthic. | [23] | |||
| Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus spinosus L. FK-4986 | Ganar | Aerial parts | Vegetable | Oral | Cooked as vegetable Effective against constipation and obesity. Used as fodder. | 8 | 0.103 | 2.40 | Seeds are cooked with rice and given for joint pain. | [24] |
| Apocynaceae | Carissa spinarum L. FK-4995 | Granda | Fruit | Fruit is edible | 2 | 0.021 | 3.00 | Fruit is used as a blood purifier. | [25] | ||
| Araliaceae | Hedera helix L. FK-5019 | Batkal | Leaves | Infusion | Oral | Used to treat diabetes. | 6 | 0.029 | 1.60 | Used for benign warts | [26] |
| Asteraceae | Achillea millefolium L.FK-4984 | Kangi | Root | Infusion | Oral | Root extract is used to treat gum problems. Infusion is used to remove kidney stone. | 4 | 0.022 | 3.60 | Used for fever, colds, and urinary disorders. Aerial parts are used to improve bile flow. | [27] |
| Artemisia vulgaris L. FK-4988 | Chaoo | Aerial parts | Vegetable | Oral | Cooked as vegetables. Decoction is used for fevers. | 6 | 0.044 | 2.00 | Kills parasitic worms. Leaf extract is used for malaria and fever. | [28] | |
| Artemisia absinthium L. FK-4989 | Isanteen | Whole plant | Powder | Oral | Dried ground powder of whole plant is used as hypoglycemic. | 8 | 0.120 | 4.00 | Leaf powder is used for gastric issues. Paste is applied on teeth for pain relief | [28] | |
| Cichorium intybus L. FK-4998 | Kasni | Leaves | Vegetable/decoction | Oral | Cooked as a vegetable; decoction is used to treat liver inflammation. Laxative, effective against constipation. | 0.059 | 6.00 | Leaves are used as vegetables. Roots and leaves are used as a diuretic, laxative and tonic. Used for fever, gas trouble, and body swelling. Effective for stomach problems. | [29] | ||
| Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist. FK-5000 | Gandi booti | Reported as allergic. Causes skin irritations. | 1 | 0.01 | 0.24 | Uses as fodder | [10] | ||||
| Oplismenus compositus (L.) P. P.Beauv. FK-5041 | Chura kaha | Aerial parts | Fodder grass | 4 | 1.290 | 1.37 | Fodder grass | [22] | |||
| Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. FK- 5071 | Hand | Leaves | Vegetable | Oral | Cooked as vegetable for women after child birth. Used as antidiabetic and for jaundice. | 6 | 0.260 | 8.00 | Used to treat bone fractures. Used for cattle after delivery for 15 days for strengthening bones and muscles. | [30] | |
| Tagetes minuta L. FK- 5072 | Satbarga | Inflorescence | Ointment | Topical | Used as ointments for skin care by females. | 4 | 0.135 | 2.60 |
Used for skin disease. Effective against fungal infections. Used in fevers and fits, for piles and earache. |
[31] | |
| Berberendiaceae | Berberis lycium Royle FK-4992 | Sumblo | Root bark | Decoction | Oral | Decoction of root bark is boiled and used for wound healing and as anti-infective. | 10 | 0.163 | 9.60 | Used to treat external injuries and to stop bleeding. | [32] |
| Boraginaceae | Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk. FK-5003 | Infusion | Oral | Aphrodisiac, demulcent | 4 | 0.140 | 3.41 | Infantile diarrhea, heals sores, wounds, joins cracked and fractured bones and relieves swollen limbs | [33] | ||
| Trichodesma indicum (L.) Lehm. FK- 5075 | Roots | Oral | Used for inflammation | 2 | 1.331 | 1.87 | Ethno-veterinary uses | [34] | |||
| Brassicaceae | Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. FK-4994 | Trepatri | Whole plant | Infusion | Oral | Whole plant is used for intestinal problems, i.e. vomiting. Used as fodder. | 3 | 0.014 | 3.00 | Decocotion of the plant is used to lower blood pressure and abdominal pain, bile secretion, obesity and hemorrhages. | [35] |
| Sorghum halepense FK-5037 | Leaves | Vegetable | Oral | Cooked as vegetable for its carminative effect. | 2 | 0.014 | 6.60 | Rhizome is used by “hakeems” for stomach pain and indigestion | [27] | ||
| Buxaceae | Sarcococca saligna (D.Don) Müll. Arg. FK-5059 | Naidroon | Leaves | Infusion | Oral | Root extract is used to treat toothache. Leaves are antipyretic. Used for thatching | 5 | 0.022 | 5.0 | Used for hypertension, hypoglycemia. | [36] |
| Convolvulaceae | Convolvulus arvensis L. FK-4997 | Aerial parts | Vegetable | Oral | Used as fodder. | 4 | 0.088 | 1.80 | |||
| Cypraceae | Eriophorum comosum (Wall.) Nees FK-5012 | Smakh | Aerial parts | Fodder grass | 8 | 0.074 | 0.93 | Used for abdominal pain care. | [37] | ||
| Dryopteridaceae | Dryopteris ramose (C. Hope) C. Chr. FK-5008 | Leengri | Aerial parts | vegetable | Oral | Used as a vegetable to treat ulcer and constipation. | 6 | 0.037 | 1.70 | Plant juice is used for stomach pain. Fronds are used as fodder for horses. | [38] |
| Ebenaceae | Diospyros lotus L. FK-5007 | Amlook | Fruit/ leaves | Food | Oral | Fruit eaten to cure stomach troubles, leaves used as fodder and wood for fuel. | 4 | 0.111 | 4.80 | Juice of unripe fruit in used to lower blood pressure. Fruit is used as a remedy for hiccups. | [20, 38] |
| Eleagnaceae | Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. FK-5009 | Kankooli | Fruit | Juice | Oral | Fruit is edible and fruit juice is taken as a treatment for chronic liver problems including hepatitis. | 7 | 0.177 | 9.10 | Root is edible. Green parts are used as a source of forage. Wood is used for fuel. | [20, 39] |
| Euphorbiaceae | Euphorbia helioscopia L. FK-5011 | Dodhal | Aerial parts | Latex | Oral | Used to treat constipation. | 7 | 0.070 | 3.20 | Roots are used as anthelmintic. Aerial parts are used for constipation. Seeds are used for cholera. | [10] |
| Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mill Arg. FK-5029 | Kamella | Fruit | Considered toxic due to its purgative effects. Fruit was used to extract red dye previously. | 2 | 0.092 | 1.80 | Anthelminthic effects are reported | [40] | |||
| Fabaceae | Astragalus psilacanthus Boiss. FK-4990 | Kanda | Aerial parts | Used as fodder. | 5 | 0.031 | 1.13 | Leaves are used for flu and toothache. | [28] | ||
| Indigofera heterantha Wall Brandis FK-5020 | Jand | Aerial parts | Infusion | Used for stomach disorders. Used to make baskets. Used as fodder. | 3 | 0.074 | 2.50 | . | |||
| Lespedeza juncea Wall FK-5023 | Jandi | Aerial parts | Fodder grass | 4 | 0.170 | 0.79 | Used to treat a variety of skin diseases | [9] | |||
| Lotus corniculatus L. FK-5024 | Trepatri | Aerial parts | Fodder | 5 | 0.195 | 0.69 | |||||
| Melilotus indica L. All. FK-5033 | Sree kaha | Leaves | Vegetable | Oral | Cooked as vegetable. Seeds are used to treat genital infection | 1 | 0.07 | 2.0 | Infusion is used in cough and bronchial disorders. | [3] | |
| Trifolium repens L. FK- 5074 | Shatahl | Leaves | Vegetable | Oral | Used to treat gout. Used as fodder. | 3 | 0.037 | 3.48 | Anti-rheumatic and depurative, used in cough, cold, gout and leucorrhoea. | [41] | |
| Fagaceae | Quercus incana W. Bartram. FK- 5050 | Erruti | Seeds | Powder | Oral | A major source of fuel wood. Seeds are used to treat dysentery. Used to make traditional plough. | 3 | 0.109 | 1.30 | Astringent, used in diarrhea and indigestion, wood is used to make agriculture Tools. | [12, 38] |
| Gentianaceae |
Gentiana olivieri (Griseb) FK-5017 |
Neel kanth | Leaves | Decoction | Oral | Decoction is used for cough. Roots are used to treat infection of genitals in male child. | 6 | 0.051 | 7.80 | Used for cardiac ailments. Root is used for stomachache | [42] |
| Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. FK- 5066 | Chraita | Leaves | Infusion | Oral | Used against fevers i.e. typhoid and malarial fevers. | 3 | 0.213 | 5.40 | The decoction is used for the treatment of boils. Laxative and anti-helminthic | [10] | |
| Swertia alata C.B.Clarke. FK- 5067 | Chraita | Whole plant | Decoction | Oral | Used for fever and liver inflammation | 4 | 0.201 | 3.33 | |||
| Geraniaceae | Geranium wallichianum D. Don ex Sweet FK-5015 | Leaves | Paste | Topical | Leaf paste is used for joint pain. | 4 | 0.044 | 1.60 | Root extract is used in chronic diarrhea. Rhizome is used in powder form for backache, mouth ulcers and chronic diarrhea | [43] | |
| Geranium nepalense Sweet FK-5016 | Roots | Tea | Oral | Gives relief from pains, i.e. migraine. Used to treat renal disorders. | 7 | 0.022 | 3.50 | Astringent, used to cure renal problems. | [44] | ||
| Juglandaceae |
Juglans regia L. FK- 5021 |
Khour | Bark | Chewing stick | Oral | Bark is used as chewing sticks to cure gum sores and colorize lips as a traditional cosmetic item. | 4 | 0.150 | 8.80 | Plant is astringent. Used for toothache, bark is used as chew stick. Fruits is edible and sold in market. | [10, 12] |
| Lamiaceae | Colebrookea oppositifolia Lodd. FK-4999 | Muskana Bhekar | Leaves | Wrap | Topical | Paste is wrapped on injury site. | 3 | 0.19 | 2.92 | Antibacterial, antifungal | [28] |
| Mentha longifolia (L.) L. FK-5031 | Jangli pondna | Aerial parts | Powder | Oral | Carminative. Used as an ingredient of sausage | 5 | 0.190 | 9.80 | Used against diarrhea. Used as tonic to cough, flu and asthma. Anti-cholera and anti-dyspepsia effects. | [10] | |
|
Mentha arvensis L. FK-5032 |
Podna | Aerial parts | Sauce | Oral | Carminative. Used for its cooling effects; considered good for digestive system. | 7 | 0.99 | 9.90 | Used to cure bronchial disorders and abdominal pain. | [10] | |
| Micromeria biflora (Buch - Ham. ex D. Don) Benth. FK-5035 | Roots | Infusion | Oral | Used for a muscular itching of the stomach; locally known as “naar”. | 1 | 0.012 | 3.80 |
Used to treat kidney stone. Used as an herbal tea ingredient. Used to treat toothache. |
[10, 45, 46] | ||
| Otostegia limbata (Benth), Boiss. FK-5040 | Chitti sumbal | Aerial parts | Paste | Topical | Used to cure open wound infections | 4 | 0.341 | 2.48 | Antibacterial | [47] | |
| Lilliaceae | Tulipa stellata Hook. FK- 5073 | Goggar | Bulb | Bulb locally known as “gogger” is edible. | 3 | 0.038 | 3.50 | It has toxic effects on the CNS of animals resulting in high fever, abdominal cramps, violent tremors and twitching of the muscles | [43] | ||
| Lythraceae | Punica granatum L. FK-5048 | Drunni | Fruit peel | Powder | Oral | Fruit is edible, used to prevent infection and to heal wounds. | 9 | 0.111 | 5.50 | Powder made from fruit is used for diabetes and gastric ulcer. Ground rind of dried flower is given for leucorrhea. | [48] |
| Malvaceae | Grewia optiva Drumm. ex Burret FK-5018 | Tahamman | Aerial parts | Fodder | Oral | Effective for childbirth in cattle. Fruit is edible. Used to make ropes. Used as forage. | 5 | 0.133 | 2.20 | Used for smooth delivery and quick discharge of afterbirth, given to young animals to induce puberty. | [9] |
| Moraceae | Broussonetia papayrifera (L.) L'Hér. ex Vent. FK-4993 | Jangli Toot | Used as fuel and leaves as fodder. | 5 | 0.066 | 4.20 | The plant is toxic and causes allergies. It is also used for fodder and fuel purposes. | [11] | |||
|
Ficus palmata Forrsk FK-5013 |
Tussa | Leaf | Ash | Nasal | Fruit is edible. Leaves are used as fodder, wood as fuel. Ash of leaves is sniffed as expectorant. | 7 | 0.190 | 7.0 | Latex is applied on viral warts present on skin. Fruit is used to cure respiratory disorders | [43] | |
| Onagraceae | Oenothera rosea L’Her ex Aiton. FK-5039 | Nashtar | Whole plant | Infusion | Oral | Used to treat whooping cough and asthma. | 3 | 0.014 | 2.00 | Used to reduce thrombosis, menopause and other degenerative diseases. Plant is used as fodder. | [10, 49] |
| Oxalidaceae | Oxalis corniculata L. FK-5042 | Used as fodder | 2 | 0.040 | 0.98 | Reported for antioxidant and antitumor activity. | [50] | ||||
| Pinaceae | Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don FK-4996 | Used as furniture wood. | 7 | 0.148 | 1.39 | Used as anti-inflammatory, analgesic,anti-hyperglycemia, antispasmodic, insecticidal, anti-apoptotic, anti-cancer, immmuno-modulatory, molluscidal, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant properties. | [21] | ||||
| Plantaginiaceae | Plantago lanceolata L. FK-5043 | Batti | aerial parts |
Dried Husk |
Oral | Used for the treatment of constipation and hemorrhoids. | 4 | 0.007 | 0.10 | Used in rheumatism and griping pain of bowels. Astringent. Leaves used in fevers and dysentery and to prevent prolonged bleeding after giving birth. Chopped leaves are used to color skin. | [10, 51–53] |
| Plantago major L. FK-5044 | Salathee | Leaves | Paste | Oral | Used for wound healing and constipation. Used as fodder also | 5 | 0.004 | 2.00 | Used in rheumatism and griping pain of bowels, astringent, leaves. Used in fevers dysentery and to prevent prolonged after birth bleeding. | [51] | |
| Poaceae | Arundo donax L. FK-5036 | Nal | Whole plant | Pipes | Used to make pipes and thatching material. | 4 | 0.145 | 4.40 | |||
| Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. FK-5002 | Aerial parts | Paste | Topical | Paste of aerial parts is applied on broken bones for healing | 5 | 0.133 | 1.20 | . | |||
| Poa annua L. FK- 5046 | Malla | Aerial parts | Grazed on by cattle. | 2 | 0.034 | 1.80 | Used as fodder | [10] | |||
| Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem & Schult FK- 5064 | Whole plant | Used as fodder | 2 | 0.071 | 0.21 | Chewed for toothache and infection. Powder is applied for infection. | [54] | ||||
| Polygonaceae | Rumex hastatus D. Don. FK-5056 | Chukhree | Aerial parts | Infusion | Oral | Used for jaundice and antidote for allergies caused by weeds. | 3 | 0.051 | 2.40 | Used as antirheumatic, tonic and laxative. Antioxidant, antitumor and antimicrobial Antioxidant, and to cure dental problems. | [55–58] |
| Rumex nepalensis Spreng FK-5057 | Khoh | Aerial parts | Infusion | Oral | Used as antidote for allergic reaction of other weeds. Cooked as vegetable | 5 | 0.074 | 3.40 | Leaf extract is used as antiseptic, cooked as vegetable. | [10] | |
| Pteridaceae | Adiantum capillus-veneris. L. FK-4983 | Kakwai | Whole plant | Infusion | Oral | Infusion of whole plant is used to treat flu and urinary tract infection (UTI). | 6 | 0.029 | 2.40 | Used to treat bronchitis, hair loss, inflammatory and skin diseases. | [59] |
| Pteris cretica L. FK-5045 | Koochi | Aerial parts | Used to clean milk utensils as an antifungal agent. | 2 | 0.083 | 2.40 | The paste wrapped in a bandage is applied on External wounds. | [10] | |||
| Ranunculaceae | Clematis grata Wall FK-5001 | Aerial parts | Decoction | oral | Aqueous extract of aerial parts is used as to treat worms. | 6 | 0.050 | 6.00 | Used to treat intestinal worms in man and cattle. | [32] | |
| Ranunculus laetus Wall. Ex Royle. FK. 5051 | Mleeth | aerial parts | Paste | Topical | Used for skin conditions, rashes and burns. | 2 | 0.035 | 2.40 | Paste of fresh leaves is germicidal, applied once a day. | [3] | |
| Ranunculus arvensis L. FK- 5052 | Chochumba | Aerial parts | Vegetable | Oral | Used to cure infections Part of a traditional vegetable | 2 | 0.093 | 1.50 | Used to treat gout, fever and asthma. | [23] | |
| Rhamnaceae | Ziziphus jujube Mill. FK- 5085 | Tukbair | Leaves | Powder | Oral | Considered sacred, leaves and fruit are used as pain healers. | 0.091 | 5.50 | Pain healer, gum problems, stomach disorder, heart burn, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, emoilient, skin disease | [60] | |
| Rosaceae |
Fragaria vesca L. FK-5014 |
Ammal budha | Fruit | Tea | Oral | Fruit is edible and used to treat heart burn. Diarrhea in children is treated with leaves. Used to make tea. | 8 | 0.125 | 9.70 | ||
|
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch FK- 5047 |
Arwari | Fruit | Fruit is edible, wood is used for fuel. | 6 | 0.186 | 8.00 | Antiseptic, used for external wounds. Used for fuel wood and fodder | [12] | |||
| Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham ex D. Don. FK- 5049 | Tangi | Leaves | Decoction | Oral | Used for hepatitis B and C. Wood is used in agriculture for tools and as lumber wood. | 4 | 0.191 | 4.50 | Used as forage. Wood is used for making sticks, leaf extract is used for hair loss. | [10] | |
| Rosa brunonii Lindl FK- 5053 | Jangli gulab | Leaves | Paste | Oral | Flower is used against scabies. Used as fodder. | 4 | 0.098 | 5.40 | Decoction is taken internally for constipation | [20] | |
| Rubus ellipticus Sm. FK-5054 | Akhray | Used for fencing. Leaves are used as fodder. Fruit is edible. | 5 | 0.220 | 8.80 | The fruits is edible and laxative. Used in fencing and hedges. | [61] | ||||
| Rubus fruticosus L. FK-5055 | Pamnar |
Fruit/ leaves |
Food | Oral | Used for paling. Fruit is used for chilling effect. Leaves used as fodder. | 5 | 0.066 | 3.50 | Fruits are edible and have cooling effect. Spiny branches are used for fencing. | [10] | |
| Rubiaceae | Rubia manjith Roxb. ex Fleming FK- 5063 | Tharyat | Used as fodder. | 2 | 0.191 | 1.00 | |||||
| Rutaceae | Zanthoxylum armatum DC. FK- 5084 | Timber |
Seed/ shoots |
Sauce | Oral | Shoot is used to make tooth stick for treatment of oral infections. | 5 | 0.267 | 8.85 | Ground leaves used for digestion. Fruit is carminative and is used in sauce. Fruit is also used for piles. | [10] |
| Sapindaceae | Dodonaea viscoa Jacq. FK-5005 | Sanatha | Woody parts | Used as fuel wood and roof thatching in mud houses. | 7 | 0.430 | 3.80 | ||||
| Saxifragraceae | Bergenia stracheyi Auct. FK-4991 | Bhatphary | Tuber | Powder | Oral | The plant is used to remove kidney stone. Tuber powder is used for wound healing and diabetes. | 3 | 0.014 | 4.00 | Root extract is used to cure ulcers, coughs and colds. Bark is antiseptic and used to heal cuts and wounds. | [43] |
| Simaroubaceae | Ailanthus altissimus (Mill) Swingle. FK- 4985 | Drave | Woody parts | Used for fuel and timber. | 6 | 0.029 | 3.00 | Used for timber and fuel. | [27] | ||
| Solanaceae | Solanum villosum Mill FK-5060 | Kachmach |
Fruit/ aerial parts |
Vegetable | Oral | Fruit is edible and effective for mouth sores. Cooked as vegetable and used to treat stomachache. | 3 | 0.480 | 5.40 | Fresh leaves are applied Externally for swelling joints. Decoction is drunk for constipation. | [62] |
| Solanum pseudocapsicum L. FK-5061 | Marcholi | Leaves | Paste | Topical | Used to treat boils. Excessive use may cause vomiting. | 3 | 0.014 | 0.30 | Fresh leaves are applied externally for swelling joints. Decoction is drunk for constipation. | [10] | |
| Solanum surattense Burm. f. FK- 5062 | Mokri | Whole plant | Vegetable | Oral | Cooked as vegetable that is effective for menstrual problems. | 2 | 0.180 | 0.30 | |||
| Ulmaceae | Ulmus wallichiana Planch. FK- 5077 | Mannu | Leaves | Used as fodder. Wood is used to make furniture and fuel. | 4 | 0.170 | 4.20 | Used as fuel, and for making furniture, branches for fencing and thatching. | [63, 64] | ||
| Urticaceae |
Debregeasia longifolia (Burm.f.) Wedd. FK-5004 |
Fruit | Food | Oral | Fruit is used to treat bloody diarrhea. Used for fodder and fuel. | 3 | 0.110 | 4.20 | The fruits are grinded and are used against bloody diarrhea. Used as fodder. | [10] | |
| Verbenaceae | Verbascum thapsus L. FK-5080 | Jangli tmako | Leaves | Wrap | Topical | Used in combination with mustard oil and salt to treat physical trauma. | 3 | 0.140 | 2.20 | Leaves are smoked to treat asthma and sore throat. Leaves are applied to inflamed body parts | [65] |
| Verbena officinalis L. FK- 5079 | Choro | Used as fodder. | 2 | 0.037 | 2.50 | ||||||
| Viburnaceae | Viburnum grandiflorum Wall. Ex DC. FK- 5081 | Jammar |
Fruit/ leavs |
Infusion | Oral | Infusion is used to treat typhoid fever. Extract of flower is used to treat respiratory problems. | 5 | 0.207 | 1.60 | Extract of leaves is used for whopping cough and also to relieve abdominal pain. Fruits are used to treat constipation. | [65] |
| Violaceae | Viola odorata L. FK- 5082 | Gul naksha | Flower | Decoction | Oral | Decoction has cooling effect. Juice is used to treat earache. | 6 | 7.70 | Leaves are taken internally to treat respiratory problems. used in “kahwa” to treat cough and headache. | [61] |
Abbreviations: BN botanical names and accession number (Acc.), Fam family, LN local name, SN scientific name, PU part used, Re. recipe, App. mode of application, UV use value, CSI cultural significance index, N absolute number of informants