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Ethnobotanical Leaflets 10: 254-264. 2006.
Indigenous Knowledge on Medicinal Plants, Village Barali Kass and its Allied Areas, District Kotli Azad Jammu &Kashmir, Pakistan
Ejaz Ur-Rehman
Department of Botany, University of Azad jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Currently, M.Sc. Student, Habitat Creation and Management, Staffordshire University, UK
E-Mail.
Issued 23 September 2006
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.
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Botanical Names and Family names
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Common Names
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Status
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Parts Used
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Folk Medicinal Uses
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Acanthaaceae
Adhatota zelanica Medik
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Dasi Bailkar
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Shrub
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R.L
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Roots and leaves are used in cough, bronchitis and dysentery
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Barlaria cristata Linn
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Kaloo
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Herb
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W.P
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Paste of whole plant is stimulant and demulcent
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Agavaceae
Agave Americana Linn
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Kaiwra
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Shrub
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L
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Fresh leaves are roasted in the ghee or oil and applied on the swelling parts of the body.
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Amarantaceae
Achyranthus aspera Linn.
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Puthkanda
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Herb
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W.P
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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.
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Amaranthus spinosus Linn.
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Surkh Ganar
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Herb
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R.L
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The root of the plant is diuretic. The leaves are eaten as vegetable, which are febrifuge.
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Amaranthus viridis Linn.
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Safed Ganar
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herb
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L
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Leaves are emetic, laxative and diuretic
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Celosia argentia Linn.
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Tandoola
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Herb
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W.P.
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The paste of the plant is useful in dysentery and it also facilitates delivery.
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Apocynanceae
Carissa opaca
stapf-ex-Haines
Nerium oleander Linn.
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Garinda
Gandeera
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Shurb
Shurb
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Fr.l.
R.L.Br,Ba
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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.
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Araceae
Arisaema intermedium Bl.
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Samp ki much.
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Herb
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L.R.Tb.
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Powder obtained from the root and tuber is applied on snake bite and scorpion sting.
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Asclepiadaceae
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Calotropis procera Willd. R.Br.
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Aak
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Herb
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L.
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Fresh leaves area roasted in the ghee or oil and applied on the swelling part of the body
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Asteraceae
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Maleen
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Herb
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W.P.
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Whole plant is diuretic and astringent. Root paste is useful in snakebite.
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Helianthus annus Linn.
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Sooraj mukhi
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Under Shrub
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WI.Sd
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Flower is crushed, missed with oil and is applied in skin diseases. Seeds are diuretic and expectorant
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Saussuea heteromalla
(D. Don) hand. Mazz
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Gurana
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Herb
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Sd.
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The seeds are carminative.
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Sonchus asper (Done) seh.
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Dodal
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Herb
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W.P.
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The whole plant is pounded and applied to wounds or boils.
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Taraxacum officinale Webr.
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Mithi hund
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Herb
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W.P.
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Juice of the fresh plant is effective against liver disease and chronic hepatitis. Roots powder is used for the flow of urine.
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Berberidaceae
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Berberis lycium Royle.
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Komal
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Shrub
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R.L.Ba. Br. Fr.
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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.
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Bombaceae
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Bombax ceiba Linn.
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Simal Tree
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St
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The gum bleeding from the stem is very useful in toothache and sores in mouth.
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Boraginaceae
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Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forrsk
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Laindri
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Herb
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R
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The powder obtained from the roots is used for bronchitis and eruption.
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Tricodesma indicum R.Br.Prodr
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Andoosi
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Herb
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W.P
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The plant has depurative properties, beneficial in disease of eye.
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Brassicaeae
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Brassica varigiata Linn
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Kalyar
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Tree
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Ba.Bd
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Bark is used as alliterative. Dried buds are used in dysentery, piles, diarrhea and worms
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Cannabinaaceae
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Canabis sativa Linn
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Phang
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Herb
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L
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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.
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Chenopodiaceae
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Chenopodium album Linn
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Bathwa
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Herb
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L.Fl
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Powder of the leaves used externally as an antiseptic around genitals of the children. Flowers are used in stomach trouble.
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Convolvolaceae
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Convolvolus arvensis Linn
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Taran wali Jari
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Climbing Herb
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L.R
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Extract of the leaves is purgative and also used in skin diseases, root possesses cathartic properties.
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Cucubitaceae
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Laginaria siceraria Standl.
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Dabri
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Climbing Herb
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Sd.
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Seeds are nutritive and used in dropsy. Seed oil has cooling properties.
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Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
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Nila Tari
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Climbing Herb
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Sd.
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The seeds are carminative
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Cyperaceae
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Cyperus rotundus Linn
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Madani Gass
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Grass
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Sd.
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Tuber is home remedy for indigestion, diarrhea and other intestinal problems of children and paste of the tuber is applied to wounds.
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Euphorbiaceae
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Emblica officinalis Gaerth
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Amla
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Tree
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Fr.
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The fresh fruit is tonic and useful in fever, indigestion, jaundice, anemia and heart complaints. Dried fruit is useful in diarrhea and dysentery.
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Euphorbia helioscopia Linn
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Dodal
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Herb
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W.P
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Aqueous extract of the plant is wormicide and is applied for wound healing.
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Euphorbia hirta Linn
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Moti Dodal
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Herb
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W.P
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The juice of the plant is given in dysentery and colic. The milk obtained from the plant is applied to destroy warts.
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Euphorbia royleana Boiss
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Danda Thor
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Shrub
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Bd.
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The milky latex obtained from the buds is cathartic and anathematic, but poisonous and injurious to eyes.
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Mallotus philippensis (Lam) Muel, Arg.
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Kamial
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Shrub
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Fr.
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The powder obtained from the fruit is used to destroy thread worms, hook worms and round worms.
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Ricinus communis Linn
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Harnoli
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Shrub
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Sd.L
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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
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Fumariaceae
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Fumaria indica Linn
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Papra
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Herb
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W.P
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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.
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Genitaceae
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Swertia spaciosa (D.Don) (lark)
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Kori Jari
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Herb
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W.P
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Aqueous extract is useful in typhoid and jaundice.
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Lamiaceae
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Colebrookea oppostifolia Smith. Exot. Bot
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Chiela
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Shrub
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L
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The leaves are applied to wounds and bruises.
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Nepeta greta Linn
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Ladori
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Herb
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W.P
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Decoction of the whole plant is very useful in respiratory problems and chest infection
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Mentah longifolia Linn
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Chita Poodina
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Herb
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L.Fl.
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Herbal tea is taken in abdominal disorder.
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Salvia officinalis Linn
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Noorchari
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Herb
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L.R.
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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.
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Liliaceae
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Allium cepa Linn
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Payaz
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Herb
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Bl.L.
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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.
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Allium sativum
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Thoom
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Herb
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Bl.
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Bulb is carminative, stimulant, aphrodisiac and expectorant. It also very useful in fever, high blood pressure and respiratory problems.
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Asparagus adsendens Roxb.
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Ari
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Herb
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R
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Tuberous roots paste is very effective in scorpion sting, snake bite, dysentery problems.
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Aloe vera Linn
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Kanwar gundal
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Herb
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L.Pl.
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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.
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Lythraceae
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Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz.
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Dhavi
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Shrub
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Fl.
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The powder of dried flowers is eaten with rice, which is very useful in dysentery.
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Meliaceae
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Melia ozedarach Linn
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Darik
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Tree
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Ba.Br.
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The gum obtained from the bark is used as tonic and stimulant. Branches are used as toothbrush for toothache.
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Albezzia lebbeck Benth in Hook. Lond.
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Sirin
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Tree
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L.Sd.
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Dried leaves are smoked for relief of headache, wounds and joint eruption. Seed are astringent, given in piles and diarrhea.
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Moraceae
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Ficus bengalensis Linn.
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Bohr
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Tree
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Fr.L.Bd.
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The milky juice of fruit, leaves and bark is aphrodisiac. Also applied externally on skin for relief pains and bruises.
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Ficus carica Linn
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Toosa
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Tree
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L.St.
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Fresh fruit used in anemia and constipation. Latex obtained from the stem and leaves for checking bleeding.
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Ficus palmate Forrsk.
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Phugwara
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Tree
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Free
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Fruit is used as cooling, alterative and laxative.
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Morus alba Linn.
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Desi Toot
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Tree
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Fr.
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Fruit is used in chest and throat infection.
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Myrsinaceae
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Myrsine Africana Linn.
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Googal
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Shrub
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Fr.
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Fruit is given to expel the tapeworms from the intestine.
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Myrtaceae
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Eugenia jambolana Lam, Encyl, Meth.
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Jamoon
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Tree
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Fr.
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Fresh fruit is very useful in snake bite and root powder is very effective in stomach ache.
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Nyctaginaceae
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Boerhavia repens Linn.
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Chanati
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Herb
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R.
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Root paste is useful in snake bite and powder is very effective in stomach ache.
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Oleaceace
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Olea ferruginea Royle.
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Kahoo
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Tree
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L.Fr.
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Leaves are antiseptic, chewed for toothache, jaw swelling and throat infection. Oil obtained from the fruit is used for rheumatism.
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Onagraceae
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Oenothera rosa Soland.
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Safed Mohri
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Herb
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Fl.R.
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Root powder is used as a drug for removing weakness. Flowers are use in diahorrea and fever.
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Orchidaceae
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Harbennaria digitata Lidle.
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Mohri
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Herb
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Tb.
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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.
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Oxalidaceae
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Oxalis corniculata Linn
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Jandoro
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Herb
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W.P
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Aqueous extract of plant is given in stomach trouble. Boiled with butter or milk, it is a remedy for indigestion and diahorrea in children.
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Papaveraceae
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Papaver somniferum Linn
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Posth
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Herb
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Fl.
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Decoction of the flowers is very effective in vomiting, cold (pneumonia) and dysentery in children.
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Papilionaceae
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Astragalus gramianus Royle-ex.Benth
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Kala Kandayara
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Shrub
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L.Ba.
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Decoction of leaves and bark is used to cure intermittent fever having cooling effects and applied for internal mouth infection.
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Astragalus leucocephalus Grah-ex-Benth
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Kainthi
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Herb
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W.P.
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Leaves are chewed for jaw swelling, toothache and throat infection. The decoction of the plant is used as a hair tonic for removing dandruff.
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Indigofera heterantha Wall-ex-Brand
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Chitta Kandayara
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Shrub
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L.Ba
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Barks are used for an internal wound, throat infection against diabetes and toothache. Leaves are also chewed for toothache and jaw swelling
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Lotus corniculata Linn.
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Mukhan Booti
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Herb
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W.P.
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It is antiseptic. Vegetative part of the plant is crushed and mixed with butter, and it is very useful in skin disease.
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Plantaginaceae
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Plantago lanceolata Linn.
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Chairan wali jari
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Herb
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Tb
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The powder obtained from the tuber has anti-dandruff properties.
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Rutaceae
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Zanthoxylum aramatum DC.
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Timbber
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Shrub
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Fr.St. Br
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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).
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Saxifragraceae
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Berginia ciliata (Haw) sternb
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Zakhm-i-Hayat
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Herb
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L.St.
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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.
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Schrophulariaceae
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Digitalis purpurea Linn.
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Gandoora
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Herb
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L.Sd.
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The dried leaves are cardiac stimulant and tonic. Seeds are used in skin disorder. Leaves are also applied on wounds and burns.
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Verbascum thapsus Linn.
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Gandoora (Gangli Tobacco)
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Herb
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L.Fl.R.
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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.
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Verbenaceae
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Vitex negundo Linn.
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Kala banna
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shrub
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L.Br.
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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.
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Violaceae
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Viola odorata Linn.
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Banafsha
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Herb
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W.P.
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Plants have laxative, purgative and sedative properties. A herbal tea (coffee) of flowers is effective in fever, flu, cough, pneumonia and body pain.
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Viola serpens Linn.
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Banafsha (Bamira)
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Herb
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W.P.
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The decoction of whole plant is anaphrodisiac and it also very effective in fever and lung trouble.
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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.
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Dastagir, G. (2001). Medicinal Plants of Mai Dhani Hills, Muzaffarabad Azad Jammu and Kashmir, hmdard Medicus, 1: 29-35.
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