Maryam Akram Butt
Quaid- I -Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan.
Title: Traditional uses of medicinal plants against cancer by indigenous people of Azad Kashmir
Biography
Biography: Maryam Akram Butt
Abstract
The alpine and sub alpine area of Northern Pakistan are the hot spots for medicinal and endemic flora. Key goal of this study has been contributed to evaluate the traditional knowledge and provide important information both qualitative and quantitative on endemic medicinal plants of Northern Pakistan. A survey was performed, total of 197 informants were interviewed by using semi structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed by quantitative ethno-botanical indices such as Informant Consensus Factor, Use Value, Relative Importance, Cultural Significance Index and some other. The traditional medicinal uses of 69 endemic plant species belonging to 49 families were reported from the indigenous people to treat 17 categories of various diseases. The most common used family was Ranunculaceae (18% species), mostly consumed plant parts were leaves (34%), dominant life form was perennial herbs (68%). Decoction (32%) was the major mode of preparation while oral (54%) was most frequently used method of administration. Relative Frequency Citation ranges between 0.06 and 0.29. Consensus Index of Potentilla curviseta and Spiraea hazarica (29), being highest. Family Balsaminaceae dominated with highest FIV (81%). According to results of Fidelity Level calculations, nine endemic plant species yielded 100% FL. The research area is not fully explored this is the first attempt on the particular subject and will serve as a baseline for future phytochemical study. The endemic plants wealth is vanishing due to overexploitation, urbanization, and unsustainable harvesting. Sustainable utilization of endemic medicinal plants and organized cultivation technique is recommended to save this endemic wealth of Northern Pakistan.