Medicinal Plants

Indigenous Knowledge on Medicinal Plants, Village Barali Kass and its Allied Areas, District Kotli Azad Jammu &Kashmir, Pakistan

By
Ejaz Ur-Rehman
Director Press for Peace UK
E-Mail. ejazrehman78@gmail.com

Fig: Berginia ciliata (Common Name Zakhm-e-Hayat)

ABSTRACT
An ethnobotanical exploration carried out during the years 2001 and 2002 in the Village Barali Kass and its allied areas, District Kotli Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, revealed that 66 species were used as folk medicine for the curing of several diseases. The data was collected from the local peoples including reliable hakims (local doctors), physicians and old villagers. Plant species with their botanical names, local names, status and folk medicinal uses have been collected and enlisted.


INTRODUCTION TO THE AREA

Location
The Village Barali Kass and its allied areas are situated at a distance of 20Km from the district head quarters of Kotli, which is situated in the southern side of city. The altitude of the area ranges from 740m to 1200m. It is included in the sub tropical zone.

Climatic Factors
Temperature is very hot in summer and cool in winter. June and July are the hottest months (max.37C and Min.25C), while December and January are the coldest months (Max.17.50 C and Min.40 C) of the area.

Wind
The velocity of the wind is high in the morning and in the evening. The wind blows from north-east to south-west.

Rain Fall
The average annual rainfall of the study area is 114.42 millimeters.

Humidity
The average annual humidity at 8am is 77.16%; whereas at 5pm it is 56.66%.

Geology
The study area falls within the Nagri formation of the Siwalik group of rocks which contain sand stones and shale (Saleem, M.1999-2000).

Soil
Mostly the soil is loamy, clay and sandy clay. The soil is acidic with pH ranges from 6.1 to 6.4. The percentage of Phosphorus varies from 10—20 ppm, and potassium ranges from 40—120 ppm.

Culture
The area has a mixed culture (i.e. rural and urban). Many people of the area seem to have some empirical knowledge of nature. They have acquired knowledge about the natural resources of their area through communication with others in their culture. The most common occupations of the people are farming and cattle rearing.

Hydrograph
The main sources of water are from natural drainage areas and rainfall. There is one river Poonch, many nullahs and springs. People of the area make use of these sources of water for irrigation, drinking and other household purposes.

Biotic Factors
The vegetation of the area is under biotic pressure due to erosion, fire, deforestation, overgrazing and browsing.

METHODOLOGY
Field work in the study area was carried out between 2001 and 2002. Plants were collected and interviews were conducted of the local people, the latter resulting in the gathering of indigenous medicinal knowledge for 66 plant species. Several trips were made for this purpose. Only wild plants growing in the flowering stage were collected. Data relating to folk medicinal knowledge was collected by interviewing local inhabitants of several different professions, such as hakims (local Doctors), local physicians, pansaries and old people of the village. The collected plants were identified with the help of literature available in the Department of Botany at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, including Nasir and Ali (1970-1987), Bhattacharjee, S.K. (1998), Raju, R.A. (1998), Kirtikar, K.R.and B.D. Basu (1999), and Joshi, S.G. (2002. Further identification and confirmation were done in the herbarium, Department of Biological Sciences, Quid-e-Azam university, Islamabad, Pakistan. The collections were recorded and documented according to their Families, Botanical names, Local names, Status, Parts used, and Folk medicinal uses.


RESULTS
The plants are listed alphabetically in the following table by family, genus and species. Local names, status and folk medicinal uses are given for each species. Of the 27 families treated here, all are angiosperms.

Botanical Names and Family names
Common Names
Status Parts Used
Folk Medicinal Uses
Acanthaaceae
Adhatota zelanica Medik
Dasi Bailkar
Shrub
R.L
Roots and leaves are used in cough, bronchitis and dysentery

Barlaria cristata Linn
Kaloo
Herb
W.P
Paste of whole plant is stimulant and demulcent

Agavaceae
Agave Americana Linn
Kaiwra
Shrub
L
Fresh leaves are roasted in the ghee or oil and applied on the swelling parts of the body.

Amarantaceae
Achyranthus aspera Linn.
Puthkanda
Herb
W.P
The powder of the whole dried plant is useful for lumbago and whooping cough. Decoction is very useful in phenomena,cough and kidney stone. Root paste is given in stomach pain and toothache.

Amaranthus spinosus Linn.
Surkh Ganar
Herb
R.L
The root of the plant is diuretic. The leaves are eaten as vegetable, which are febrifuge.

Amaranthus viridis Linn.
Safed Ganar
herb
L
Leaves are emetic, laxative and diuretic

Celosia argentia Linn.
Tandoola
Herb
W.P.
The paste of the plant is useful in dysentery and it also facilitates delivery.

Apocynanceae
Carissa opaca
stapf-ex-Haines


Nerium oleander Linn.
Garinda

Gandeera
Shurb

Shurb
Fr.l.

R.L.Br,Ba
Fruit and leaves are cardiac and stimulant.

Branches are used in toothache and as toothbrush. Extracted oil from the bark is used to destroy maggots infesting wounds.

Araceae
Arisaema intermedium Bl.
Samp ki much.
Herb
L.R.Tb.
Powder obtained from the root and tuber is applied on snake bite and scorpion sting.

Asclepiadaceae

Calotropis procera Willd. R.Br.
Aak
Herb
L.
Fresh leaves area roasted in the ghee or oil and applied on the swelling part of the body

Asteraceae Maleen
Herb
W.P.
Whole plant is diuretic and astringent. Root paste is useful in snakebite.

Helianthus annus Linn.
Sooraj mukhi
Under Shrub
WI.Sd
Flower is crushed, missed with oil and is applied in skin diseases. Seeds are diuretic and expectorant

Saussuea heteromalla
(D. Don) hand. Mazz


Gurana
Herb
Sd.
The seeds are carminative.

Sonchus asper (Done) seh.
Dodal
Herb
W.P.
The whole plant is pounded and applied to wounds or boils.

Taraxacum officinale Webr.
Mithi hund
Herb
W.P.
Juice of the fresh plant is effective against liver disease and chronic hepatitis. Roots powder is used for the flow of urine.

Berberidaceae
Berberis lycium Royle.
Komal
Shrub
R.L.Ba. Br. Fr.
The watery extract from the roots and stem is used in opthalmia, fruit is cooling and laxative. Bark is used for internal wounds, throat infection, against diabetes and toothache. Root powder is used in bones fracture. The leaves are administrated as cure for jaundice.


Bombaceae
Bombax ceiba Linn.
Simal Tree

St
The gum bleeding from the stem is very useful in toothache and sores in mouth.

Boraginaceae

Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forrsk
Laindri
Herb
R
The powder obtained from the roots is used for bronchitis and eruption.

Tricodesma indicum R.Br.Prodr
Andoosi
Herb
W.P
The plant has depurative properties, beneficial in disease of eye.

Brassicaeae

Brassica varigiata Linn
Kalyar
Tree
Ba.Bd
Bark is used as alliterative. Dried buds are used in dysentery, piles, diarrhea and worms

Cannabinaaceae

Canabis sativa Linn
Phang
Herb
L
The decoction of the leaves is bitter, heating, astringent, for bowels, tonic, stomach ache and useful in leprosy. Dried and crushed leaves are taken as drink for their narcotic action. Locally fresh leaves are roasted in ghee or oil and applied on sexual organ (vagina) of women at the time of birth for pain relief.

Chenopodiaceae

Chenopodium album Linn
Bathwa
Herb
L.Fl
Powder of the leaves used externally as an antiseptic around genitals of the children. Flowers are used in stomach trouble.

Convolvolaceae

Convolvolus arvensis Linn
Taran wali Jari
Climbing Herb
L.R
Extract of the leaves is purgative and also used in skin diseases, root possesses cathartic properties.

Cucubitaceae

Leginaria siceraria Standl.
Dabri
Climbing Herb
Sd.
Seeds are nutritive and used in dropsy. Seed oil has cooling properties.

Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
Nila Tari
Climbing Herb
Sd.
The seeds are carminative

Cyperaceae

Cyperus rotundus Linn
Madani Gass
Grass
Sd.
Tuber is home remedy for indigestion, diarrhea and other intestinal problems of children and paste of the tuber is applied to wounds.

Euphorbiaceae

Emblica officinalis Gaerth
Amla
Tree
Fr.
The fresh fruit is tonic and useful in fever, indigestion, jaundice, anemia and heart complaints. Dried fruit is useful in diarrhea and dysentery.

Euphorbia helioscopia Linn
Dodal
Herb
W.P
Aqueous extract of the plant is wormicide and is applied for wound healing.

Euphorbia hirta Linn
Moti Dodal
Herb
W.P
The juice of the plant is given in dysentery and colic. The milk obtained from the plant is applied to destroy warts.

Euphorbia royleana Boiss
Danda Thor
Shrub
Bd.
The milky latex obtained from the buds is cathartic and anathematic, but poisonous and injurious to eyes.

Mallotus philippensis (Lam) Muel, Arg.
Kamial
Shrub
Fr.
The powder obtained from the fruit is used to destroy thread worms, hook worms and round worms.

Ricinus communis Linn
Harnoli
Shrub
Sd.L
Oil obtained from the seeds is a laxative, given to children in case of constipation and is also very useful in skin diseases. Heated and oiled leaves are placed on rheumatic joints, swelling and inflamed muscles. Few drops of oil doses are used in increase quantity of milk in nourishing women

Fumariaceae

Fumaria indica Linn
Papra
Herb
W.P
Aqueous extract is given orally in fever, mouth inflammation, throat infection and menses disorder. It is also used as ear drops in ear diseases. Fresh leaves are applied externally on skin for softness.

Genitaceae

Swertia spaciosa (D.Don) (lark)
Kori Jari
Herb
W.P
Aqueous extract is useful in typhoid and jaundice.

Lamiaceae

Colebrookea oppostifolia Smith. Exot. Bot
Chiela
Shrub
L
The leaves are applied to wounds and bruises.

Nepeta greta Linn
Ladori
Herb
W.P
Decoction of the whole plant is very useful in respiratory problems and chest infection

Mentah longifolia Linn
Chita Poodina
Herb
L.Fl.
Herbal tea is taken in abdominal disorder.

Salvia officinalis Linn
Noorchari
Herb
L.R.
Decoction of the leaves is used to treat cough, cold and sore throat. The root paste is very useful in scorpion sting and snake bite.

Liliaceae
Allium cepa Linn
Payaz
Herb
Bl.L.
Extract of the bulb is useful in vomiting, body pains and ulcer. Roasted scaly leaves are applied on joint eruption and these are also expectorant. Bulbs of the plant are very useful in jaundice, pneumonia and asthma.

Allium sativum
Thoom
Herb
Bl.
Bulb is carminative, stimulant, aphrodisiac and expectorant. It also very useful in fever, high blood pressure and respiratory problems.

Asparagus adsendens Roxb.
Ari
Herb
R
Tuberous roots paste is very effective in scorpion sting, snake bite, dysentery problems.

Aloe vera Linn
Kanwar gundal
Herb
L.Pl.
The resinous juice from the leaves is used for stomach ache, a tonic and purgative. The mucilaginous pulp is said to possess biogenetic stimulators and wound healing properties. Aloe meat is eaten to alleviate colds, keeps bloods in good condition and relieves constipation.

Lythraceae

Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz.
Dhavi
Shrub
Fl.
The powder of dried flowers is eaten with rice, which is very useful in dysentery.

Meliaceae

Melia ozedarach Linn
Darik
Tree
Ba.Br.
The gum obtained from the bark is used as tonic and stimulant. Branches are used as toothbrush for toothache.

Albezzia lebbeck Benth in Hook. Lond.
Sirin
Tree
L.Sd.
Dried leaves are smoked for relief of headache, wounds and joint eruption. Seed are astringent, given in piles and diarrhea.

Moraceae

Ficus bengalensis Linn.
Bohr
Tree
Fr.L.Bd.
The milky juice of fruit, leaves and bark is aphrodisiac. Also applied externally on skin for relief pains and bruises.

Ficus carica Linn
Toosa
Tree
L.St.
Fresh fruit used in anemia and constipation. Latex obtained from the stem and leaves for checking bleeding.

Ficus palmate Forrsk.
Phugwara
Tree
Free
Fruit is used as cooling, alterative and laxative.

Morus alba Linn.
Desi Toot
Tree
Fr.
Fruit is used in chest and throat infection.

Myrsinaceae

Myrsine Africana Linn.
Googal
Shrub
Fr.
Fruit is given to expel the tapeworms from the intestine.

Myrtaceae

Eugenia jambolana Lam, Encyl, Meth.
Jamoon
Tree
Fr.
Fresh fruit is very useful in snake bite and root powder is very effective in stomach ache.

Nyctaginaceae

Boerhavia repens Linn.
Chanati
Herb
R.
Root paste is useful in snake bite and powder is very effective in stomach ache.

Oleaceace

Olea ferruginea Royle. Kahoo
Tree
L.Fr.
Leaves are antiseptic, chewed for toothache, jaw swelling and throat infection. Oil obtained from the fruit is used for rheumatism.

Onagraceae

Oenothera rosa Soland. Safed Mohri
Herb
Fl.R.
Root powder is used as a drug for removing weakness. Flowers are use in diahorrea and fever.

Orchidaceae

Harbennaria digitata Lidle. Mohri
Herb
Tb.
Paste of the tuber is useful in snakebite. It is also used as a powder form, dilute it in water or milk and administrated in the body through mouth for relief of intestinal and chest irritation.

Oxalidaceae

Oxalis corniculata Linn Jandoro
Herb
W.P
Aqueous extract of plant is given in stomach trouble. Boiled with butter or milk, it is a remedy for indigestion and diahorrea in children.

Papaveraceae

Papaver somniferum Linn Posth
Herb
Fl.
Decoction of the flowers is very effective in vomiting, cold (pneumonia) and dysentery in children.

Papilionaceae

Astragalus gramianus Royle-ex.Benth Kala Kandayara
Shrub
L.Ba.
Decoction of leaves and bark is used to cure intermittent fever having cooling effects and applied for internal mouth infection.

Astragalus leucocephalus Grah-ex-Benth Kainthi
Herb
W.P.
Leaves are chewed for jaw swelling, toothache and throat infection. The decoction of the plant is used as a hair tonic for removing dandruff.

Indigofera heterantha Wall-ex-Brand Chitta Kandayara
Shrub
L.Ba
Barks are used for an internal wound, throat infection against diabetes and toothache. Leaves are also chewed for toothache and jaw swelling

Lotus corniculata Linn. Mukhan Booti
Herb
W.P.
It is antiseptic. Vegetative part of the plant is crushed and mixed with butter, and it is very useful in skin disease.

Plantaginaceae

Plantago lanceolata Linn. Chairan wali jari
Herb
Tb
The powder obtained from the tuber has anti-dandruff properties.

Rutaceae
Zanthoxylum aramatum DC. Timbber
Shrub
Fr.St. Br
Stem sticks are used for walking to heal piles. Fruit and sauce of fruit and branches are used for stomach ache and as a carminative. Branches are uses as toothbrush (Miswak).

Saxifragraceae
Berginia ciliata (Haw) sternb Zakhm-i-Hayat
Herb
L.St.
Extract of leaves is useful in dysentery, stomach ache, backbone pain, diarrhea, throat infection and fever. Dried leaves and stem are grained in to powder form and applied to heal wound and burns.

Schrophulariaceae
Digitalis purpurea Linn.
Gandoora
Herb
L.Sd.
The dried leaves are cardiac stimulant and tonic. Seeds are used in skin disorder. Leaves are also applied on wounds and burns.

Verbascum thapsus Linn.
Gandoora (Gangli Tobacco)
Herb
L.Fl.R.
The leaves are hot, useful in chest complaints, rheumatism and diarrhea; the leaves warmed and rubbed with oil are employed as an application to inflamed parts. Flowers and roots are demulcent and astringent.

Verbenaceae
Vitex negundo Linn.
Kala banna
shrub
L.Br.
The leaves are mixed with cow dung and are massaged in backache. Fresh branches are used as toothbrush Dried leaves are smoked for the relief of headache. Bathing in water boiled with the leaves benefits rheumatic patients, also used as insecticide and pesticide.

Violaceae

Viola odorata Linn.
Banafsha
Herb
W.P.
Plants have laxative, purgative and sedative properties. A herbal tea (coffee) of flowers is effective in fever, flu, cough, pneumonia and body pain.


Viola serpens Linn.
Banafsha (Bamira)
Herb
W.P.
The decoction of whole plant is anaphrodisiac and it also very effective in fever and lung trouble.


Key to Parts: L (Leaves); St (Stem); Fl (Flower); Ba (Bark); Tb (Tuber); R (Root); Br (Branches).

DISCUSSION
For an area of this size, there is very little information available about plant uses. However, the area has great floristic diversity and includes a number of medicinal plants.
The deterioration of the wild flora of this area is to be blamed on population pressure, forest fires and overgrazing and browsing. The present population has little knowledge about the medicinal plants of the area because most of the more knowledgeable, older persons have died and the younger ones are not as informed of traditional methods. However, as in the past, some empirical knowledge of medicinal plants among the tribes continues to be developed and transmitted orally from one generation to the next.
Medicinal plants of the area are widely employed by local healers for the treatment of various common and chronic diseases and disorders. Information on the uses of the above 66 plants species appears to be new to science. These plants are here recommended for further scientific investigation and screening.
There is great need to study and document this knowledge properly. If the people of this area can in the future manage to protect their natural resources from biotic interferences, their valley will then remain green, and will continue to present itself as a gift for future generations.


REFERENCES
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Published in Ethnobotanical Leaflets 10: 254-264. 2006.