Abstract: Indigenous plants are indirectly associated to the culture and traditions of the local peoples. About 36 plant species, distributed in 26 families were used to treat sexual diseases and control birth rate, in Samahni valley (A.K.) Pakistan. The most of these plants grow wild (55.55%), are indigenous (61.11%) and herbs (52.77%). The plant parts frequently used are seed (22.72 %), root (20.45%), fruit, leaf and whole plant (9.09%) each. Medications are mostly prepared as decoctions and infusions. Most of curative species reported here are directed to control family size and treat sexual diseases; syphilis, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, amenorrhoea, blennorrhoea, haemorrhoids, hydrocoele and regularise menses. The results of this study showed that people are still dependent on medicinal plants in this rural area of Samahni valley. The study enlightens how data of ethnomedicinal inventory of medicinal plants can be used effectively at local and regional level for phytochemical and pharmacological research. The study area due to unplanned exploitation had resulted in loss of medicinally important plant species. It was concluded that afforestation programme followed by proper protection is need of time.
INTRODUCTION
Ethnopharmacology is the branch of knowledge dealing with interaction between local people and. indigenous vegetation for their use as medicines and in curing common ailments. The use of medicinal plants treasure plays an important role in the lives of rural people, (Ahmad, 2003) especially in the developing countries of the world, which are poorly served with modern health facilities. Much of world’s population depends upon traditional medicines to meet daily health requirements, usually more than 80% in developing countries of the world (Eddouks et al., 2002). As human behavior has a direct impact on the plant communities with which they interact. These interactions are the focus of ethnobotany (Pei, 1995). Shinwari et al. (1996) discussed the present status of ethnobotany in Pakistan. He emphasized on the need of investigation, documentation and application of traditional knowledge in the use of natural resources. Shinwari and Khan (1999) reported ethnobotanical conservation status of Margalla hills, Islamabad. They described that the inhabitants of park have always used medicinal plants for various ailments and been dependent on surrounding plant resources for their food, shelter, health and other cultural purposes for centuries. Leooratti and Lattanzi (1994) studied medicinal plants ethnobotanically in Makran. They also discussed their traditional medicinal uses. Goodman and Ghafoor (1992) conducted ethnobotanical study in Balochistan province. It is the region where a heterogeneous cultural group known as Baloch lives. They collected information about 114 plant species used by nomads and village dwellers. For area like Samahni no information about the plants used in medicines by the local inhabitants is available. The objectives of this study were to document this treasure, also to enlist and confirm the species of special concern. For this we have to stay with local people for participatory approaches.
Systematic explorations of traditional herbal medicines are urgently required in Samahni valley of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan; especially in this area for its geographical, historical reasons and hilly terrain (relatively isolated) and where industrial development has not completely lead a complete decline of traditional knowledge. In early 1950’s up to 84% Pakistani population was dependent on traditional medicines for all or most of their medicinal uses (Hocking, 1958). In Himalayan ranges at least 70% of medicinal plants and animal species in the region consists of wild species, 70-80% population depend on these traditional medicines for health care (Pie and Manandhar, 1987). Shinwari (1996) focused on information regarding traditional uses of plants of Kaghan valley. Shahzad et al. (1999) reported vegetation composition of Samahni valley (AJK). Shahzad and Qureshi (2001) have described the common ethnomedicinal uses of plants in Jatlan area district Mirpur (AJK). Dastagir (2001) reported the medicinal plants of Mai Dhani hill, Muzaffarabad (AK). Bukhari (1996) reported that as many as 69 plant species are used as crude drugs by the local people and folk lore for treating various diseases in National Park Machayara Muzaffarabad (A.K). Khan (1996) reported phytosociological study in Babusar valley and recorded five plant communities in Babusar valley, district Diamer. He also described the vegetation type, range management and medicinal plants of the area. Rasool (1998) studied the medicinal plants conservation status of Northern areas and recorded 60 medicinal plants from different locations of Northern areas. Gorsi and Shahzad (2002) reported the medicinal uses of plants by the local community in Dhir Kot, district Bagh (AK). Muhammad Ishtiaq Ch et al. (2006) reported the ethnoveterinary medicinal uses of plants of Samahni valley, Azad Kashmir. Local people collect medicinal plants for use as home remedies at large. Information about the collection, quantities and uses of the plants are badly needed to be documented. The present study can serve as the foundation for further investigation because no detailed ethnobotanical exploration has been carried out in this area so far.
Pakistan located in south Asia, has landlocked soil with mountainous terrains having variable climatic habitats. Samahni Valley is one the Tehsil of district Bhimber, state of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Geographically it is located between 33.05° latitude and 74.82 ° longitude. It covers ca.1270 km2 and has 12 towns viz. Jandichontara, Dab, Bandala, Samahni, Chowki, Bindi, Jandala, Poona, Chaai, Baroh, Haripoor and Jajooha. It has north facing and south facing high mountains, with 1080-18975 ft altitude and variable topography. The valley is inhabited by these major ethnic tribes; viz; Jat, Rajpoot, Gujar, Bokarwals, Malik, Mirza, Arrain, Syed and Butt (Kashmiries). The people are mainly dependent on agriculture and forest products (timber and herbs). There are only few towns which have well-trained doctors, while it is too insufficient number for such big population viz.45 thousands. The surrounding plants for these people form an integral part of their culture and the informations about the plants get pass on from generation to generation only through oral folk lore, major way of learning and teaching ethnomedicinal (EM) knowledge.
The local tribes harbour the vast diversified flora which is mainly coniferous and tropical forest. These herbal medicines are used for population (birth) control and to treat sexual diseases. Traditional sterilization method based on ethnomedicines is used to control population growth rate; including abortion at initial weeks, preventing conception or making the either member of the couple sterile. The tribal people also use the local herbal remedies to cure sterility and enhance the chances of conception and to cure sexual diseases leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea, menorrhagia, galactorrhoea, and regularise menses on daily basis.
Why EM knowledge of the area is documented: In many developing countries people mostly rely on EM to treat diseases, because western-based health care system is inefficient due to poor staffing or because western drugs are expensive. EM is system of maintaining health and curing diseases based on folk beliefs and traditional knowledge (TK), skills, methods and practices. As EM knowledge is being disappearing because of rapid socio-economic, environmental and technological changes. Therefore, EM knowledge must be documented and conserved through systematic studies before it is lost forever. To date there has been no systematic recording of EM knowledge used to control birth rate and sexual diseases in Samahni valley. Systematic studies on the area are justified for important reasons, they can: (1) generate concise information which can be used to develop birth control practices and methods that are locally suitable in Samahni valley, (2) if developed systematically EM can be a key birth control and sex-related diseases cure resource, (3) can also add new drugs to modern population control and sex-related pharmacopoeia. The main aim of this study was to document the plant’s ethnomedicinal uses, being used to control birth rate and cure sex diseases. So it is important to study how these tribal people have been using local herbs for control of family size and cure of many diseases by their traditional EM knowledge, which profound the aim of this study project.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The field work for this study was conducted between June 2001 and June 2003. For collection of data pertinent to ethnobotany, conservation and plant diversity of the area we used semi-structured interviews, questionnaire and direct observations to collect data (Martin, 1995). Each study trip was well planned and executed effectively. Prior to any contact with the local people, the study and its objectives were introduced to the town chairman/officer; this introduction was always repeated when entering a new administrative area (e.g., town or village). The timings for fieldwork were selected according to the growth and collection season of the plants. Six key informants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule consisting of checklist of questions. Household respondents were chosen through stratified sampling. In each town, a respondent was randomly chosen from at least one village from each parish from the town. In this way 140 household respondents were interviewed. Population size and its distribution, languages, ethnic affiliation, history of settlement, major social groups or classes, productive activities, subsistence crops, migration trends etc. were also explored during the field work.
We administered a questionnaire consisting of mixture open- and closed-ended questions in face-to-face interviews. Some of the farmers and local hakims (ethnomedicine practitioner) were a little hesitating and reluctant to tell us their local ethnomedicine based treatment methods used for control family size and cure sex diseases. The asked questions focused on determining (1) which sex diseases are common in community (2) which herbs are mostly used for birth control and how these are mostly used. The interviews were conducted in local language, Pahari and Panjabi. The interviews were direct supplemented by direct observations. Plant voucher specimens (ISB) were collected and deposited at Quaid-e-Azam university herbarium, Islamabad. Data from the field study were reviewed and all uncompleted responses were excluded. This left 110 valid respondents. The data were both analyzed by qualitatively and quantitatively; responses from open-ended questions were grouped into classes that expressed similar ideas, while percentages based on valid responses only, were calculated from closed-ended questions. So these results comprise on use of questionnaire open- and closed- ended methodology and ethnomedicinal study of plant specimens after comparison with literature, Flora of Pakistan series 1-205 (Stewart, 1982; Nasir and Ali, 2002).
ENUMERATIONS
Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet.
Family: Malvaceae
Ln: Kangi
ISL: 118
Habit: Undershrub
Disease: Syphilis
Plant part used: Roots and seeds.
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Root extract is taken orally while seeds are
crushed and mixed with egg albumin and applied to penis to cure syphilis.
Acacia modesta Wall.
Family: Mimosaceae
Ln: Phulai
ISL: 38
Habit: Tree
Disease: Birth pain and body ache.
Plant Part used: Gum and bark
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Women use its gum with Desi Ghee (Butter obtained
from buffalo and cow) and Papaver (Papaver somniferum) seeds (mixed together)
to make ‘Punjoori’ after child birth, which give relief of labour
pain and it provides potency to women. The tribal ladies also use its bark decoction
and oil of Setaria italica in mixture as conceptive tonic.
Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex Benth.
Family: Lamiaceae
Ln: Hari booti
ISL: 99
Habit: Herb
Disease: Vomiting due to pregnancy
Plant Part used: Whole plant
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Plant extract is taken in interval to prevent
unusual vomiting in initial days of pregnancy.
Allium sativum L.
Family: Liliaceae
Ln: Lassan
ISL: 203
Habit: Herb
Disease: Enhance conception
Plant part used: Bulb
Status: C, I
Preparation and administration: The bulb extract is applied in uterus to enhance
conception and fertility.
Amaranthus viridis L.
Family: Amaranthaceae
Ln: Chulair
ISL: 168
Habit: Herb
Disease: Amenorrhoea
Plant Part used: Root
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Its root decoction is used thrice a day to control
menstruation problems in females.
Anethum graveolense L.
Family: Apiaceae
Ln: Soya
ISL: 28
Habit: Herb
Disease: Galactogogue and indigestion
Plant part used: Seeds
Status: C, Int.
Preparation and administration: Women chew the seeds after delivery for easy
digestion of food and it is also useful as lactogogue.
Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
Family: Meliaceae
Ln: Neem
ISL: 31
Habit: Tree
Disease: Emmenogogue and contraceptive
Plant part used: Leaf and seeds
Status: SW, Int.
Preparation and administration: Leaf extract is made and is used twice a day
to stop excessive bleeding during menstrual period, while seed oil is used as
contraceptive, 2 h before copulation.
Bombax ceiba L.
Family: Bombacaceae
Ln: Simbal
ISL: 82
Habit: Tree
Disease: Hydrocoele, leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea and menstrual disorders
Plant part used: Bark and flower
Status: SW, Int.
Preparation and administration: Its extract of bark is given for few days to
cure sexual diseases like hydrocoele, leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea; its flowers are
ground as powder and taken by women with milk to cure menstrual disorders.
Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.
Family: Fabaceae
Ln: Chichara
ISL: 171
Habit: Tree
Disease: Leucorrhoea and after birth bleeding
Plant part used: Bark and gum
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Fried gum is used in making Halwa’ (a mixture
of wheat flour and gum and oil) and given to women during leucorrhoea. Its ¼th
cup of warm extract of bark is given to ladies as haemostatic after childbirth.
Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb.
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Ln: Glut
ISL: 04
Habit: Herb
Disease: Weak fertility
Plant part used: Tubers
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Its raw tubers are cooked and eaten by ladies
to enhance fertility and vitality.
Corchorus trilocularis L.
Family: Tiliaceae
Ln: Kaunti
ISL: 55
Habit: Herb
Disease: Syphilis
Plant part used: Seeds and roots
Status: SW, Int.
Preparation and administration: To cure syphilis decoction of roots is used
for several days, while seeds are powdered and used with root extract of Clematis
sp. for 1 month.
Coriandrum sativum L.
Family: Apiaceae
Ln: Dhania
ISL: 43
Habit: Herb
Disease: To control birth rate
Plant part used: Seeds
Status: C, Int.
Preparation and administration: Its seeds soaked in water over night and given
to male to produce sterility as an effective and cheaper method of population
control.
Crateva magna (Lour.) D.C.
Family: Capparaceae
Ln: Maimana
ISL: 78
Habit: Tree
Disease: Abortifacient
Plant part used: Stem
Status: SW, Int.
Preparation and administration: The stem twig is put inside uterus for abortion,
which occurs
within 2-3 h.
Daucus carota L.
Family: Apiaceae
Ln: Gajar
ISL: 173
Habit: Herb
Disease: Abortifacient and emmenogogue
Plant part used: Seeds
Status: C, Int.
Preparation and administration: Its seeds decoction is used to regularise menstruation
and its high dose is effective as abortifacient.
Echinops echinatus Roxb.
Family: Asteraceae
Ln: Oont booti
ISL: 186
Habit: Herb
Disease: Easy delivery
Plant part used: Roots
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Roots are kept in hand for easy delivery and
relief of labour pain by tribal ladies.
Euphorbia caducifolia Hains.
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Ln: Danda Thor
ISL: 176
Habit: Tree
Disease: Abortifacient
Plant part used: Roots
Status: W, Int.
Preparation and administration: Its root decoction is used as effective abortifacient
at initial stages.
Ficus bengalensis L.
Family: Moraceae
Ln: Bar, Bargad
ISL: 55
Habit: Tree
Disease: Male sterility and semen
Plant part used: Latex
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Five or ten drops of latex are taken with sweet
(patasa) by men up to one or two months to make semen thick and regain sexual
potentiality.
Ficus racemosa L.
Family: Moraceae
Ln: Pakwari
ISL: 280
Habit: Tree
Disease: Birth rate control
Plant part used: Bark
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: The decoction of bark is used to check spermatogenesis
and oogenesis for few weeks to control the population growth.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.
Family: Malvaceae
Ln: Gul Khaira
ISL: 15
Habit: Undershrub
Disease: Genital irritation/ Urithritis
Plant part used: Root
Status: SW, Int.
Preparation and administration: Its root decoction is used to cure urithritis
and genital irritation in penis of men.
Justicia adhatoda L.
Family: Acanthaceae
Ln: Baiker
ISL: 136
Habit: Shrub
Disease: Abortifacient.
Plant part used: Root
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: It’s root decoction is taken twice daily
as powerful abortifacient for 7 days.
Nerium oleander L.
Family: Apocynaceae
Ln: Gandera
ISL: 131
Habit: Shrub
Disease: Abortifacient
Plant part used: Roots
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Roots extract is taken in minute quantity for
abortion at initial stages, but its high dose is poisonous.
Ocimum basilicum L.
Family: Lamiaceae
Ln: Baburi
ISL: 101
Habit: Herb
Disease: Sexual sterility and strangury
Plant part used: Seeds
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Its seed extract is taken orally by men to increase
sexual potency, while its juice (made from mixing its seed extract and raw sugar)
is used to cure strangury.
Onosma bracteatum Wall. (Syn: O. macrocephala D. Done)
Family: Boraginaceae
Ln: Gao zaban
ISL: 213
Habit Herb
Disease: Syphilis and sexual potency
Plant part used: Whole plant
Status: C, I
Preparation and administration: The decoction of whole plant is orally taken
for relief of syphilis and with gum of Phulai (Acacia modesta) is eaten
for one month to gain sexual potency by women.
Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jacks.
Family: Pinaceae
Ln: Chir
ISL: 65
Habit: Tree
Disease: Gonorrhoea, blennorrhoea and Potency
Plant part used: Leaves and Seeds
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Its leaves decoction is used to cure gonorrhoea,
blennorrhoea and as blood purifier also. Its seeds called chalkgoza, are eaten
to get potency and vigour.
Putrangiva roxburgii Wall.
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Ln: Jia-putra
ISL: 233
Habit: Tree
Disease: Weakness of neonate
Plant part used: Fruit
Status: SW, Int.
Preparation and administration: A garland of fruit is put around neck of pregnant
lady to produce healthy baby and then put it around neck of neonate for few
months to recover neonate’s weakness.
Solanum surattense Burm. f.
Family: Solanaceae
Ln: Mokari
ISL: 93
Habit: Herb
Disease: Abortifacient
Plant part used: Fruit and root
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Its fruit is used as abortifacient at initial
stages. It is boiled and two cups of soup are taken at night, while its root
decoction is used to treat haematuria.
Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv
Family: Poaceae
Ln: Kangni ISL: 11
Habit: Herb
Disease: Sexual potency.
Plant part used: Seeds
Status: C, Int.
Preparation and administration: Its seeds crushed and mixed with ghee as in
form of a cake, and eaten to get sexual vigor and potency.
Solanum nigrum L.
Family: Solanaceae
Ln: Mako
ISL: 12
Habit: Herb
Disease: Abortifacient
Plant part used: Whole plant
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Whole plant is boiled and extraction is taken
orally as abortifacient and foetus is discharged in short time.
Tecomella undulata (Roxb.) Seem.
Family: Bignoniaceae
Ln Rohira/Palwana
ISL: 264.
Habit: Tree
Disease: Abortifacient and haemorrhoids
Plant part used: Bark and seeds
Status: SW, Int.
Preparation and administration: The bark is powdered and is used with hot milk
for few days for abortion. Its seeds are crushed with extract of Pinus
leaves, and taken to cure haemorrhoids.
Trachy spermumammi (L.)Sprague. ex. Turrill.
Family: Apiaceae
Ln: Ajwain
ISL: 176
Habit: Herb
Disease: Scanty menstruation
Plant part used: Seeds
Status: SW, Int.
Preparation and administration: The powdered seeds are mixed with Gor (Raw sugar)
and Desi ghee (Butter) and taken orally once a day for three days by ladies
having scanty menstruation and to regularise it. It is also used to clear uterus
and regularise menstrual cycle after birth.
Tribulus terrestris L.
Family: Zygophylaceae
Ln: Bakhara
ISL: 188
Habit: Tree
Disease: Impotency
Plant part used: Mucilaginous infusion
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Its mucilaginous infusion is boiled with milk
and taken at to cure sexual impotency and weakness.
Vitis vitiginea (L.) Theob.
Family: Vitaceae
Ln: Gangl angoor
ISL: 198
Habit: Herb/climber
Disease: Leucorrhoea, menorrhagia
Plant part used: Tuber
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Extract of tuber is taken in sexual diseases.
For men, it increases potency, in females it is given in leucorrhoea and menorrhagia.
Withania coagulans (Stocks.) Dunal.
Family: Solanaceae
Ln: Paneer dodi
ISL: 149
Habit: Herb
Disease: Swellings pain of testis and emmenogogue
Plant part used: Fruit and Leaves
Status: SW, I
Preparation and administration: Its fruit infusion is used by women as emmenogogue
and galactogogue. Leaves are crushed and pasted on testis to get relief from
swellings pain.
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal
Family: Solanaceae
Ln: Asgand
ISL: 30
Habit: Herb/under Shrub.
Disease: Abortifacient, haemostatic, hydrocoele, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, sexual
impotency and sterility.
Status: SW, I
Plant part used: Leaves, roots and whole plant.
Preparation and administration: Leaves extract one cup three times a day is
used to stop blood flow from uterus after delivery. Its root powder is used
to give power to body and lumber. But over dose may be abortifacient. Some times
whole plant decoction with root of Aspergus officinalis, seeds of Phaseolus mungo and silageet stone are mixed and given to treat hydrocoele, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia and it also increases sexual potency and fertility.
Zingiber officinale Roscoe.
Family: Zingiberaceae
Ln: Adrak
Habit: Herb
Disease: Delivery pain
Plant part used: Tuber
Status: C, Int.
Preparation and administration: Its dried tuber powder is given to women after
delivery as tonic to relief flatulence and delivery pain with all dishes in
first two weeks.
Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight. and Arn.
Family: Rhamnaceae
Ln: Koken ber
ISL: 181
Habit: Tree
Disease: Scanty Oogenesis
Plant part used: Fruit
Status: W, I
Preparation and administration: Its fruit is powdered and dipped in water and
kept over night. Women take this extract at morning to increases oogenesis
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Plant species used for family planning: Thirty six plant species distributed in 26 families are used as ethnomedicines to control birth rate and sex-related diseases. Most of these families are dichotomous except Pinaceae (Gymnosperm), Liliaceae and Poaceae (monochotomous). The families with the largest plant species used for birth control as used in ethnomedicinal prescriptions are Solanaceae and Apiaceae with four species each, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Moraceae, Malvaceae have two plants each, while remaining families are represented by one plant each. The two families Solanaceae and Apiaceae have the highest diversity of species used as ethnomedicines because they contain relatively more species than other families in the area. In the present traditional EM study of local plants as; Daucus carota, Solanum surrattense, Solanum nigrum, Tecomella undulata and Justicia adhatoda are usually used as abortifacient to control birth rate in initial stages, while Amaranthus viridis, Trachyspermum ammi are used to regularize menstrual cycle. The tribal ladies use decoction of bark of Acacia modesta and oil of Setaria italica as conceptive while Azadirachta indica oil is effective as contraceptive. Ficus racemosa is used to check spermatogenesis and oogenesis, Coriandrum sativum seeds are used to check spermatogenesis. Some plants as Setaria italica, Tribulus terrestris, Ceropegia bulbosa and Ficus bengalensis are used to increase fertility both in male and female. Ziziphus nummularia is used to increase oogenesis and Ceropegia bulbosa is used by women to increase potency, Ficus bengalensis and Tribulus terrestris are used to enhance sexual potency in men.
Common sexual diseases and treatment: The local people mentioned some sex-related diseases as; gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, syphilis, hydrocoele, vomiting due to pregnancy, menstruation disorders, genital irritation (Urithritis), swelling of testis, weakness of neonate, scarcity of milk and sexual impotency and their conditions.
| Table 1: | Some sex-related diseases of the study area |
Frequency (f) refers to the number of respondents who reported
the disease (total 110) |
|
Some of these diseases described by tribal people indicated the symptoms/local names of diseases (Table 1). The naming of diseases by local people when compared to western medicines system, at times did not distinguish between diseases and symptoms of diseases. This is because that local disease nomenclature is based on symptoms of diseases, where as under western system, diseases are named according to aetiological information. For treatment tribals use; Hibiscus rosa-sinensis to cure genital irritation of penis in men, Withania somnifera, Bombax ceiba and Vitis vitiginea are used to cure sexual diseases such as hydrocoele, leucorrhoea, and menorrhagia while Zingiber officinalis is useful to cure of flatulence and delivery pain. Trachyspermum ammi is used for regularising menses after delivery, Setaria italica is good for sexual weakness, Onosma bracteatum, Corchorus trilocularis and Abutilon indicum are effective against syphilis, Ocimum basilicum for sex-potency, Ajuga bracteosa for cure of vomiting at initial days of pregnancy, while for treatment of leucorrhoea and hydrocoele Butea monosperma and Bombax ceiba are oftenly used.
The main attributes of plants used for birth control and sex diseases treatment are that the plants grow wild (55.55%), are indigenous to Samahni (61.11%) and are mainly herbs (52.77%; Fig. 1). The most frequently employed plant parts are seeds (22.72%), followed by roots (20.45%) and leaves and fruit (9.090%) each (Fig. 1).
| Fig. 1: | Characteristics of plants used as ethnomedicines in Samahni
valley (n = 36). (a) Management status. (b) status of origin (c) growth
habit (d) plant parts used (sd = seed, rt = root, lf = leaf, fr = fruit,
w.pl = wild plant, tbr = tuber, bk = bark, g/m = gum/mucilage, st = stem,
lx = latex, bb = bulb, fl = flower) |
The practice of exploiting perennial plant parts, such as roots of slow growing woody species, can result in a decline, both the size and distributions of populations of exploited plants species, and ultimately results in local extinction of these populations (Cunningham, 1993; Sheldon et al., 1997; Dhillion and Amundsen, 2000). Generally aims at conserving plants can be improved, if the species selected has many different uses, as multiple uses can motivate people to conserve species (Aguilar and Condit, 2001; Etkin, 2002).
Ethnomedicinal treatment and human health: The majority of the respondents interviewed (68%) employ herbal treatment as first line treatment. If the patient does not improve then medical practioner is consulted. While other (32%) seek proper services of doctor when they fell sick. Thus majority of people mostly rely on EM as their first line of defense in treatment of sex-related (and other) diseases and control birth rate, this may be as EM is effective, freely and locally available. Using these plants the people of valley can treat diseases/conditions namely; gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, amenorrhoea, blennorrhoea, haematuria, urithritis, syphilis, hydrocoele, vomiting due to pregnancy, menstruation disorders, genital irritation, swelling of testis, weakness of neonate, scarcity of milk and sexual impotency. EM practices are employed as mostly infusions, powdered, decoctions and some times applied topically.
CONCLUSION
There is much EM knowledge concerning about birth control and sexual diseases treatment within the community of Samahni valley. In the present study, it is recorded that thirty six ethnomedicinal plants of twenty six families are used by tribals to cure sex-related diseases; syphilis, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, gonorrhoea, genital irritation of penis, hydrocoele, to regularise menstruation, to reduce delivery pain, to increase fertility in men and women, and for family planning either to check spermatogenesis or to check oogenesis. The EM knowledge of inhabitants of area on abortifacient, sexual fertility and female contraceptives, which is one of the important informal innovations used by them and is quite relevant to present day situation. This EM knowledge on Samahni valley is not reported in literature. The other issues needed to be addressed are efficacy, quality, safety and standardization of doses. It appears that exploitation of some of wild plants for EM is unsustainable and might threaten the local plant population. These purported ethnomedicinal and ethnobotanical informations of plants require further research, while efficacy of various indigenous practices and folklore uses should be subjected to pharmaceutical and phytochemical investigations in order to identify how these can be of practical advantage in medicine development. For local communities, this research should stimulate the implementation of re-collected data inside concrete eco-sustainable inter-disciplinary project, involving natural, social, cultural and economic aspects.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
One of authors, Muhammad Ishtiaq Chaudhary is thankful to Prof. Dr. Mir Ajab Khan and Prof. Dr. Rizwana A.Q. Quaid-e-Azam University and all informants who shared their EM knowledge, for their excellent co-operation in collection, identification of plant specimens and verification of some of collected ethnomedicinal informations by comparison with literature, Flora of Pakistan in Herbarium (ISL) of Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan.