A comparative ethno-botanical study of Cholistan (an arid area) and Pothwar (a semi-arid area) of Pakistan for traditional medicines.
BACKGROUND
The present study is intended to compare and document the therapeutic flora, their remedial use, and the traditional knowledge used frequently by the residents of the Cholistan desert and Pothwar (Potohar) Plateau of Punjab, Pakistan. The old endemic remedies of these areas are diminishing due to lack of qualitative and quantitative research.


METHODS
The data was generated by unstructured-interviews, informal meetings, open-ended conversations and group discussions with local people and traditional health healers of the study area. Reported literature was also utilized.


RESULTS
The study recorded a list of various medicinal plants used as traditional medicines by local people. Total 86 numbers of plant species belonging to 38 families and 67 plant species belonging to 29 families have been reported in the Pothwar and Cholistan respectively. Only 10.5% of similar plant species were present in the studied areas.


CONCLUSIONS
The investigation revealed that the local people of study areas inherit a rich traditional knowledge but there is great danger of losing this wealth of knowledge in the near future. Documentation of the knowledge exclusively from desert area of Cholistan, Pakistan is unique information in its nature. The study presents the undocumented knowledge worth recognition that will not only help in conservation of medicinal plant species but will highlight the pharmacological capacity for improved human healthcare regarding many common ailments.
Medicinal Plant Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. sadia.11.dirphd.52@asab.nust.edu.pk.
Sadia
S
Malik
University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan. saeedpirzada75@gmail.com.
Saeed
S
Ahmad
Medicinal Plant Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. aliasadiq55@hotmail.com.
Alia
A
Sadiq
Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies (CIDS), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. mkalam25@gmail.com.
Khurshid
K
Alam
Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies (CIDS), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. wariss0709@gmail.com.
Hafiz Muhammad
HM
Wariss
Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies (CIDS), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. imtiub@gmail.com.
Imtiaz
I
Ahmad
Medicinal Plant Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. m.qasim@asab.nust.edu.pk.
Muhammad Qasim
MQ
Hayat
Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies (CIDS), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. anjumshazia@yahoo.com.
Shazia
S
Anjum
Department of Biotechnology, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, PO Box 10021, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. mukhtar.muhamad@gmail.com.
Muhammad
M
Mukhtar
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003889:Desert Climate; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D055815:Young Adult