Ethnobotanical studies of herbs of Agra valley, Parachinar, Upper Kurram Agency, Pakistan
2015
Ajaib, M. (Government Coll. Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Dept. of Botany) | Haider, S.K. (Government Coll. Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Dept. of Botany) | Zikrea, A. (Government Coll. Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Dept. of Botany) | Siddiqui, M.F. (Karachi Univ. (Pakistan). Dept. of Botany)
Plants have complex biological and cultural relationships with mankind because of their reliance upon floral diversity to fulfill their needs. The present study was conducted in 11 villages of Agra Valley, Parachinar because despite of its rich floral diversity, almost no ethnobotanical research was carried out. 64 herbs of ethnobotanical importance including 1 Pteridophyte, 1 Gymnosperm and 62 Angiosperms having 3 monocot (Poaceae, Liliaceae, Asparagaceae) and 29 dicot families (predominantly Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Papilionaceae) were recorded, of which 31 (48%) single-usage, 14 (22%) two-usage and 19 (30%) multi-usage herbs were consumed as medicinal (40%), culinary (19%), fodder (14%), essential oil (5%), ornamental (4%), fuel (3%) and for miscellaneous purposes (15%). Different parts of plants were utilized either in powdered form, decoction or whole plant extract to cure various diseases. Unfortunately, the knowledge of beneficiary plants initially acquired by trial and error, inherited to generations is lost within the urge of industrialization as no written form of data exists. Therefore, the documentation of plants along with their important uses will be beneficial, not only for the indigenous people of the area but also for the country as a whole. Also, there is a need of sustainable use of the plants to preserve them for future generations and prevent their extinction.
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