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Ethnobotanical Leaflets 13: 1029-41, 2009.
Ethnomedicinal Plants Used Against Jaundice in Dir Kohistan Valleys (NWFP), Pakistan
Gul Jan*, Mir Ajab Khan* and Farzana Gul**
*Department of Plant Sciences Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad ** Department of Micro Biology Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad Correspondence Address: [email protected]
Issued August 01, 2009
Abstract
The paper enumerates the traditional uses of 42 plant species belonging to 28 families, which are used by the village communities of Dir Kohistan Valleys, (NWFP, Pakistan) for the treatment jaundice. Asteraceae is the leading family with four species. It is followed by Malvaceae, Solanaceae and Rhamnaceae with three species each. Some of useful species are under serious threat due to unsustainable activities. Hence, a proper documentation of useful plants with their present status and local traditional knowledge as well as practices is urgently needed. Effort should also be initiated to implement appropriate conservation measures for preservation and sustainable uses of these useful species. Introduction Dir Kohistan Valley NWFP, (Pakistan) covers 1 40,351 acres of the coniferous forests situated between latitude 350- 9΄ to 350-47΄ and longitude 710-52΄ to 720-22΄ in the northern position of the watershed of Panjkora river. The Hindu Raj range bound the area generally known as Dir Kohistan on the north and northwest, by the Torwal and Gabral range on the east, by Dodbah Sarghar on the south, and by Btarai ghar on the Southwest. Pangkora is a pashtu word meaning five streams; the five tributaries of the rivers are Azgologh, Zandrai, Shandoor, Gwaldai and Dokdara khwars. Territories adjoining the tract are Chitral on the north as well on the West, Swat Kohistan and Upper Swat on the east, and Painda khel and Dir on the South. The total area of Dir Kohistan is 4, 12,570 acres i.e., 645 squares miles. Of this, an area of 1, 40,351 acres covered with coniferous forests. (Source: District Census Report of Kohistan, NWFP Pakistan) The rural communities of Dir Kohistan Valley (NWFP, Pakistan) are still dependent upon wild plants for their primary healthcare and treatment of diseases. They collect the useful plants from various habitats such as forests, scrub, grassland, cultivated fields and use these plant materials as raw drugs. These communities have acquired good knowledge on the useful and harmful properties of the useful plant resources in course of their constant association with forest and agro-ecosystems. However, at present, this vast store of information is being eroded as a result of human’s unsustainable activities. The loss of traditional knowledge within cultures undergoing rapid change is just as irreversible as the loss of species (Joshi and Joshi, 2005). Hence efforts should be made to document the various uses of plants before some of these plants are eliminated from the area, or before these inhabitants shift over to modern remedies. In this context, the rich and diverse forest ecosystems and vast tribal population with traditional knowledge systems due to cultural and environmental diversity in the country have attracted a number of workers for ethnomedicinal studies in the past (Shinwari and Khan, 1998, Hamayun, 2003, Ahmad et al., (2004, Ahmad, 2005). However, the vast store of ethno-medicinal information of these study areas has not been fully documented. In the present paper an attempt has been made to present indigenous knowledge and uses of the wild plants which are used by local communities for treatment of Jaundice. The study is carried out in some villages of Dir Kohistan Valley (NWFP, Pakistan). The land forms of the study areas are characterized by moderate to steep sloppy mountainous terrain. The study areas are endowed with rich and varied vegetation types due to their diverse topography and variable climatic conditions. The human pressure on these vegetative resources is very heavy except on very steep, almost vertical and inaccessible rock faces near the river. The villages are inhabited by different ethnic tribes which are rich in folk lore.
Materials and Methods Several field trips in and around the study areas were undertaken during the years 2006-2008 with a view to collect plant species of ethnomedicinal value and to document the indigenous practices. The information was gathered using various techniques such as open and structured interview, and discussion with local informants, such traditional healers and experienced village elders including midwives and by direct observations. About 100 informants were interviewed in this regard. On the way different plant materials were being collected and used. The plant specimens were identified with the help of floras. Voucher specimens are deposited in the Department of plant sciences Quaid-I-Azam University. Nomenclature used in this report follows Nasir and Ali (1972).
Result During the field survey, ethnobotanical information of 42 species of medicinal plants belonging to 28 families was compiled from various habitats of the study areas. The study shows that among the jaundice, pneumonia, asthma, digestive problem, dysentery, dyspepsia, diabetes and eye problems are the major diseases in the village. During the treatment of the diseases, various forms of preparation are used. In the following enumeration, the species are arranged alphabetically. Botanical name followed by family, uses of the plants and their parts as reported by the local inhabitants and habitat along with the information collected areas.
Botanical Name Adiantum incisum L. Local Name Phunka Family Adiantaceae Habit and Habitat Perennial herb Part used Leaves Local Uses Leaves are used for the extraction of juice which is recommended for jaundice.
Botanical Name: Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet Family: Malvaceae Part Used: Leaf Local Use: The leaves are dried, powdered and boil in water. The filtrate is used for jaundice.
Botanical Name: Adiantum Capillus veneris L. Local Name: BeBe Ayesha Sanra Family: Pteridacea Parts Used: Frond Local Uses: Syrup is made from its fronds and rhizomes. It is flavored with orange flowers and uses it for gallstones and jaundice.
Botanical Name: Ajuga bracteosa Wallich ex Benth. Local Names: Kori booti Family: Lamiaceae Parts used: Leaves Local Use: Decoction of the leaves is used in jaundice.
Botanical Name: Allium cepa L. Local Name: Pyaz Family: Liliaceae Habit: Herb Local Uses: Bulbs of the plant are very useful in jaundice.
Botanical Name Althea rosea L. Local Name Gul e Khaira Family Malvaceae Habit & Habitat Shrub Part used Roots Flowering Period July-September Ethnomedicinal Uses: Roots are dip in new earthen pot for whole night. In the following morning the water juice is drunk for jaundice.
Botanical Name Artemisia absinthium L. Local Name: Jaukay Family Asterceae Habit Herb Parts used Whole plant Local uses The powdered herb in small amount mixed in soup, will serve to relieve the yellow hove of jaundice from skin.
Botanical Name Asparagus adscendens L. Local Name Musli sufaid. Family Liliaceae Habit and Habitat Climber Flowering Period July-September Part used Rhizome. Local uses The clean rhizome is boiled in water then filtrate is used for jaundice.
Botanical Name: Berberis lycium Royle Family: Berberidaceae Local Name: Ziar Largay Habit: Shrub Part Used: Root bark Local Use: Decoction of the root bark is used in jaundice.
Botanical Name: Chenopodium murale L. Family: Chenopodiaceae Part Used: Leaves pot. It is used for the treatment of jaundice it is usually taken early in the morning.
Botanical Name: Chenopodium album L. Local Name: Sarmay Family: Chenopodiaceae Habit: An annual wild weed of fields. Part Used: Root and Vegetative portion. Local Uses: Roots used in jaundice.
Botanical Name: Cucurbita maxima Duch.ex Lam. Local name: Wun Family: Cucurbitaceae Parts Used: Fruit Local Uses: Unripe and ripe fruits are used as vegetable and used for jaundice.
Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo L. Local Name: Gharangy Kadoo Family: Cucurbitaceae Habit: An annual prostrate to climbing cultivated herb. Part Used: Fruit Local Uses: It is diet for patients suffering from jaundice.
Botanical Name: Clematis grata Wall. Family: Ranunculacaeae Parts Used: Whole Plant Local Uses: The decoction of plant is used for jaundice.
Botanical Name: Calotropis procera L. Local Name: Aok Family: Asclepiadaceae Part Used: Whole Plant Local Uses: The whole plant is used for jaundice.
Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum L. Local name: Nasky Family: Umbelliferae Parts Used: Fruits and leaves Local Uses: Fruits and leaves are used in jaundice
Botanical Name Cuscuta reflexa Roxb Family Cuscutacea Local name Maraz botay Habit Herb, which climb the host plants. Parts used Shoots Local uses Juice extracted from plan is used in jaundice, Flowering period Aug.-September
Botanical name Cynodon dactylon L. Family Poaceae (Graminae) Local name Drab Habit Herb Prostate grass Parts used Whole plant Local uses It is used along with Rose flowers in Jaundice. Flowering period April-October
Botanical Name: Evolvulus alsinoides L. Family: Convolvulaceae Habit: Herb Part Used: leaf Local Use: The fresh leaves are boiled in water and the decoction is used for jaundice.
Botanical Name: Gallium aparine L. Family: Rubiaceae Part used: Leaves Local Use: Leaves are used in jaundice.
Botanical Name Jasminum humile L. Local Name Peeli chembaili. Family Oleaceae Habit and Habitat shrub Part used Flowers. Flowering Period April-May Ethnomedicinal Uses Flowers are sun dried and powdered and boiled in water. The decoction is used for blood purification and jaundice.
Botanical Name Melia azedarach L. Local Name: Shandai Family: Meliaceae Part Used: Leaves Ethnomedicinal uses The decoction obtained after crushing and squeezing the leaves is used in jaundice.
Botanical Name: Malva sylvestris L. Local name: Sonchal Family: Malvaceae Parts Used: Whole Plant Local Uses: The whole plant is boiled in water and the decoction is used in jaundice.
Botanical Name: Oxalis corniculata L. Family: Oxalidaceae Local Names: Khutkorla Parts used: Whole plant. Local Use: Fresh leaves are crushed, extract is mixed with water, and sugar is mixed and syrup “Sharbat” is used in jaundice.
Botanical name Peuced palustre L. Family Umbelliferae Habit Herb Parts used Seed Local uses The seeds are mild and gentle and given in powder form in jaundice. Flowering period July-Sep.
Botanical Name: Pistacea integrima J. L. Stewart ex Brandis Family: Anacardiaceae Local Name: Shnai Habit: Tree Part Used: Fruit Local Use: Fruits and galls extract is given in jaundice.
Botanical Name: Phyllanthus amarus Schum. Family: Euphorbiaceae Part Used: Whole plant Folk Use: The whole plant is used for jaundice.
Botanical Name: Physalis minima L. Family: Solanaceae Part Used: Leaf Local Use: Fresh leaves are boiled in water and filter. The filtered water is used for jaundice.
Botanical Name: Pistacia integrrima J. L. Stewart ex Brand. Local Name: Shnai Family: Anacardiaceae Part Used: Wood, leaves, fruits Local Uses: These entire component are crushed together, little water is added and then exposed to night dew in a vessel. Then filtered through a cloth and used early in the morning as a useful remedy for jaundice.
Botanical Name: Podophyllum emodi Wall. ex Royle Local Names: Bankakri Family: Podophyllaceae Parts used: Roots and rhizomes. Local Uses: The dried fruits or seeds crushed and mixed with root bark of Berberis lycium is taken with water in jaundice.
Botanical Name: Rumex acetosa L. Local name: Churkuy Family: Polygonaceae Parts Used: Whole plant Local Uses: Decoction of the whole plant is used for jaundice.
Botanical name Solanum nigrum L. Family Solanaceae Local name Tore danie Habit Perennial rhizomatous weed/herb. Parts used Vegetative Parts. Local uses Vegetative parts is used in jaundice. Flowering period Throughout the year
Botanical Name: Raphanus sativus L. Local Name: Mooley. Family: Cruciferae Habit: Cultivated herb. Part Uses: Root. Local Uses: It is also used as salad in jaundice.
Botanical Name: Sonchus asper L. Family: Asteraceae Habit: Herb Parts Used: Whole Plant Local Uses: Juice of the plant is reported its use in jaundice.
Botanical Name: Swertia spaciosa (D.Don) Local Name: Kori Jari Family: Genitaceae Habit: Herb Parts Used: Whole plant Local Uses: Aqueous extract of whole plant is useful in jaundice. Other Uses: Also used in typhoid.
Botanical Name: Solanum miniatum Benth. Ex Wild Local Name: Kachmachu Family: Solanaceae Habit: A wild herb Parts Used: Lleaves. Local Uses: Leaves are used in jaundice.
Botanical Name Taraxaium officinale webber. Family Asteraceae Local name Ziar Gulae Habit Herb Parts used Flower, root and leaves Local uses Its decoction is used in jaundice. Flowering period Feb.-April
Botanical Name: Taraxacum stenolepium Hand.-Mazz. Local name: Dado Family: Asteracese Parts Used: Roots and leaves Local Uses: Powdered roots are used for jaundice.
Botanical Name: Viola canescens Wall ex Roxb. Local Name: Binawsha Family: Violaceae Habit: Herb Part Used: Whole plant Local Uses: Decoction of Root is thought useful in jaundice.
Botanical Name Viola serpens Wall.ex.Roxb Local Name Binafsha Family Violaceae Habit and Habitat It is common small size herb Part used Flowers Flowering Period November-December Local Uses: Flowers are dried under shade and ground to make powder. The decoction of the flower is used against jaundice. Other Uses Botanical Name: Ziziphus oxyphylla Edgew. Family: Rhamnaceae Local Name: Sezen Habit: Shurb Part Used: Fruits and root Local Uses: Roots are used in curing jaundice.
Botanical Name: Zizyphus mauritiana L. Local name: Ashar Family: Rhamnaceae Habit: Shrub Parts Used: Leaves Local Uses: The juice of fresh leaves is given in Jaundice.
Botanical Name: Zizyphus oxyphyla Edgew. Family: Rhamnaceae Local Name: Elanai Habit: Shurb Part Used: Roots, fruits Local Uses: Roots are sun dried and boil in water and filter. The filtered water is used in curing jaundice.
Discussion
The use of plants for the existence of human being is as old a practice as the human race itself. The accumulation of knowledge of plant use however co-evolved with human civilization through the experiential use of plants, generation after generation. People would have remained exposed to epidemic, endemic and chronic diseases, besides acute ailments (Hamayun, 2003).
In Dir Kohistan valley the percentage of traditional knowledge about the use of medicinal plants is clear from Graphs 1 and 2. Old aged people, women and hakims add 50% of it and use that much (about 50%) to cure their ailments. Elder have 30% knowledge and use 5% of the local drugs. Young people know about 15% of it but they use little (about 1%) or none at all of the local medicinal plants in case of illness. Children know about 5% of the uses but they were forced to take 40% of the folk medicinal recipes for the treatment of diseases (Graphs 1 and 2). The results of the present study revealed that wild plants and their parts are widely used for jaundice in the Dir Kohistan Valleys (NWFP, Pakistan). Local people have remarkable detailed knowledge of species identity and characteristics. As more than 60 percent of plant species useful for jaundice appear to be restricted to shaded forest habitats in the forests, the anthropogenic unsustainable activities such as deforestation, habitat destruction, urbanization etc. may pose a serious threat to the species. Hence, priority should be given to the following three measures: 1) Investigation related to taxonomy, chemical screening and documentation of the useful species and their habitats; 2) Initiation of conservation action works with appropriate measures involving local participation; 3) Implementation of awareness activities with integrated approach for sustainable development.
Acknowledgements Special thanks are due to Dr. Rizwana Aleem, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad and M. Zafar (Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad) for their valuable help in identification of many plants collected from the study area.
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