Ethnopharmacological Survey of Plants Used for the Treatment of Stomach, Diabetes, and Ophthalmic Diseases in Sudhan Gali , Kashmir , Pakistan

2006·0.76 MB·

by  Muhammad Waseem

云 南 植 物 研 究 2006, 28 (5): 535～542

Acta Botanica Yunnanica
Ethnopharmacological Survey of Plants Used for the Treatment
of Stomach, Diabetes, and Ophthalmic Diseases in
Sudhan Gali, Kashmir, Pakistan
1 2 2
Muhammad Waseem , M . Amin Ullah Shah , Rizwana Aleem Qureshi ,
Iqbal Muhammad3 , Rabia Afza1 , Saeeda Yousaf4
(1 World Wildlife Fund, Pakistan; 2 Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 3 Kohat University of
Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan; 4 University of Peshawar, Pakistan)
Abstract: The present paper represents the ethnopharmacological survey of Sudhan Gali, Kashmir, Pakistan . The study
revealed that 12 plant species belonging to 11 families were used for the treatment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic
diseases by the local people in SudhanGali . Achillea millefolium, Aconitum heterophyllum, Berberislycium, Polygonum
amplexicaule, Mentha longifolia, Paeonia emodi, Plantago lanceolata were locally used for stomach related problems
treatment; Berberis lycium, Skimmia lareola, Solanum dulcamara for diabetes and Geranium wallichianum, Artemisia
vulgaris, Solanum dulcamara, and Corydalis crassifolia used for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases . Two species Ber-
beris lycium and Solanum dulcamara have multipurpose value . Former is used to treat stomach as well as diabetes while
latter is used to treat not only to diabetes but also ophthalmic diseases . According to IUCN categories, out of these 12
plant species collected and marketed, Polygonum amplexicaule and Paeonia emodi are endangered, Aconitum heterophyl-
lum; Berberis lycium species are vulnerable while Plantago lanceolata and Skimmia lareola species are rare .
The availability of these medicinal plants has decreased during the past 20 years and these are facing a drastic biotic
pressure due to their extensive usage and non-scientific methods of collection . It is quite evident that these valuable native
medicinal plants species are going to decline in number and ultimately will become extinct if no timely proper conservation
strategies are adopted .
Key words: Medicinal plants; IUCN; Biotic pressure; Conservation; Ethnopharmacology
CLC number: Q948 Document Code: A Article ID: 0253 -2700(2006)05- 535 - 08
Introduction mum temperature in June is 20℃ to 26℃ while in win-
Sudhan Gali is situated at about 2 100 m above ter the temperature drops to freezing point . The mean
sea level and lies between latitude 34°3′35″- 34°6′35″ annual precipitation is between 370 to 650 mm, re-
and longitude 73°44′30″- 70°48′15″. It is 60 km away ceived mostly as monsoon showers from July to August .
from State Capital Muzaffarabad, Kashmir, Pakistan . Snowfall frequently occurs and mountains covered with
The highest point of Sudhan Gali is Ganga Choti . Its snow from December up to the end of February .
height is about 3 045 m, which is famous for its fasci- The Sudhan Gali is the starting point of district
nating landscape . Bagh, Kashmiy . Nearly 2000 inhabitants live in
The soil of Sudhan Gali varies from clay loam to Sudhan Gali village . Majority of the people are Sudhans
sandy loam and calcareous in nature . It is very shallow (1708 ), followed by Khwajas (107 ) and Abbassis
on slopes and deep in valley floors . The area has ex- (101), while the rest are Qureshi, Sheikh and Mu-
treme climate with very cold winters . The mean maxi- ghal . The number of household is 222 . The average
Correspondence author’spresent address: Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academyof Sciences, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650204, P . R .
China . E - mail address: [email protected] Tel: [phone]
Received date: 2005- 05-12, Accepted date: 2006-04-25
5 3 6 云 南 植 物 研 究 28卷
household size is about 6 - 7 persons . The basic eco- ment, Quaid-e-AzamUniversity Islamabad, Pakistan .
nomic activities of locals are shop keeping and farming . Documented the information about the medicinal plants used
for the treatment of stomach, diabetes, and ophthalmic diseases
However, good number of male are working in Pakistan
by the locals . Also collected information regarding the collection
or overseas, which is a major source of revenue for the
season, quantity, market value and threats associated to these
area with limited sources of employment . Since, the
plants . Furthermore, identified the conservation measures .
people cannot afford allopathic medicines, they rely on
local medicinal plants for their health problems . They
Results
are dependent on the traditional medicines for the reason
Ethnopharmacological study revealed that 12 plant
of poor communication means and unavailability of mod-
species belong to 11 families were used for the treat-
ern medical facilities (Shah, 2005) . Medicinal plants
ment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic disease by
also provide some financial support to the local people .
the locals in Sudhan Gali . Their botanical & vernacu-
Ethnobotany has introduced the numerous little known or
lar names, part used, quantity used per dose, treat-
unknown uses of plants (Jain, 1981) .
ment period, availability, collection method and
According to the Forest zone distribution, Sudhan
chemical constituents given are below:
Gali Compartment No . is 25 spreading over an area of
Medicinal plants used for the treatment of stomach
120 hectares . It comprised of three major ecological
1 . Achillea millefolium L .
zones viz; 1 . Humid zone; 2 . Temperate zone; 3 .
Family name: Asteraceae (Compositae)
Sub-alpine zone . Pinus roxburghii, Quercus dilatata,
Local Name: Sultani Butti
Acacia modesta, Ficus palmata, Berberis lycium are
Part used: Leaves
the dominant species of moist, humid zone . In temper-
Quantity used per dose: 6gms (1-3plants)
ate zone Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindrow occur while Treatment period: 2 days
Abies pindrow, Viburnum grandiflorum, Salix grandi- Dose administration: leaves chewing
falium, Gentiana kurroo, Impatient edgewerthii, Pa- Availability: June-August
lygonum nepalensis represent the sub alpine zone . Collection Method: Plucking
Chemical Constituents: Achillein, volatile oil tannin, and adullic acid
Study Objectives
Present study was conducted to resolve following
2 . Aconitum heterophyllum Wall . ex Royle
three objectives:
Family name: Ranunculaceae
1-Document medicinal plants used for the treat-
Local Name: Atees Patees
ment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseases
Part used: Roots
2-Identify threats associated to these plants by an-
Quantity used per dose: 30gms (1-2plants)
thropogenic activities
Treatment period: 2 days
3-Suggest measures for the conservationof these plants
Dose administration: Dried roots were chewed
Availability: July-November
Materials and Methods Collection Method: Digging
Chemical Constituents: Tannin, noncrystalline; amorphous alkaloid,
The present ethno-pharmacological study was conducted in
aconitenic acid, sugar, starch, fat, locic palmitic, stearic glyceride .
2002 . Extensive field tripswere arranged for collectingdata regard-
ing medicinal plants of the area using an integrated approach of bo-
tanical collections, group discussions, interviews and question- 3 . Berberis lycium Royle
naires . The helpof local traditional medical practitioners andphysi- Family name: Berberidaceae
cians was also taken . Plants were identified taxonomically by refer- Local Name: Kala Sumbal
ring to the“Flora of Pakistan”by (Nasir and Ali, 1981) . Identi- Part used: Roots, bark
fied specimens were later confirmed by matching the specimens with Quantity used per dose: 20gms (1-2plants)
authentic specimens available at the HerbariumofBiological Depart- Treatment period: 4 days
5期 Muhammad Waseem et al: Ethnopharmacological Survey of Plants Used for the Treatment of .. . 5 37
Dose administration: Use dried roots in crushed form . Treatment period: 2 days
Availability: April-June Dose administration: Dried leaves
Collection Method: Digging Availability: July-November
Chemical Constituents: Chief alkaloids of roots are unbellatine, Collection Method: Plucking
berberine, berbamine, starch grains, tannin Chemical Constituents: Tannin, flavonoids, mucilage, glyco-
cides, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, vitamin C &K,
4 . Polygonum amplexicaule D . Don . beta-carotene
Family name: Polygonaceae
Local Name: Mashloon Medicinal plants used for the treatment of Diabetes
Part used: Rhizome 1 . Berberis lycium Royle
Quantity used per dose: 5gm (1 -4 flowers) Family name: Berberidaceae
Treatment period: 2 days Local Name: Kala Sumbal
Dose administration: Part used: Roots barks
Availability: July Quantity used per dose: 20gms (1-2plants)
Collection Method: Picking Treatment period: 5 days
Chemical Constituents: Mainly Oxalic acid is present in this plant; Dose administration: Dried roots in crushed form
leaves contain vitamin A and C . Roots contain 21% tannin Availability: April-June
Collection Method: Digging
5 . Mentha longifolia (L .) Huds . Chemical Constituents: Chief alkaloids of roots are unbellatine,
Family name: Lamiaceae berberine, berbamine, starch grains, tannin
Local Name: Podina
Part used: Leaves 2 . Skimmia lareola (DC .) Sieb . & Zucc . ex Walp .
Quantity used per dose: 8gms (2plants) Family name: Rutaceae
Treatment period: 2 days Local Name: Neer Pattar
Dose administration: Leaves directly eaten Part used: Leaves
Availability: July-August Quantity used per dose: 2gms (1plant)
Collection Method: Plucking Treatment period: 3 days
Chemical Constituents: Mainly common mint, menthol oil Dose administration: Leaves extract
Availability: Evergreen
6 . Paeonia emodi Wall . ex Hk . f . Collection Method: Plucking
Family name: Paeoniaceae Chemical Constituents: Terpenes, 1-linaload, linalyl acetate,
Local Name: Mamakh anzulene & bergapatene, alkaloid skimianine, and a neutral
Part used: Rhizome substance skiminial
Quantity used per dose: 5gms (1 -4 flowers)
Treatment period: 2 days 3 . Solanum dulcamara L .
Dose administration: Crushed rhizomes extract is usually used Family name: Solanaceae
Availability: May-June Local Name: Kachmach
Collection Method: Picking Part used: Fruits
Chemical Constituents: Major constituents of this plant are; starch, Quantity used per dose: 20gms (1plant)
sugar, fat, oxalates, phosphoric acid, volatile oil and little tannin Treatment period: when ever it is available
Dose administration: Fruits are edible
Availability: September-October
7 . Plantago lanceolata L .
Family name: Plantaginaceae Collection Method: Plucking
Chemical Constituents: Mainly Solamargine and Solasonine other
Local Name: Chitti Buttii
Part used: Leaves are alkaloids, faronoids, sterole, saponin and their glycosides
are also present
Quantity used per dose: 4gms (1 -3 plants)
5 3 8 云 南 植 物 研 究 28卷
Medicinal plants used for the treatment of ophthal- Collection Method: Digging
mic disease Chemical Constituents: Corypalline, Protopine, Stylopine
1 . Geranium wallichianum D . Don . ex Sweet
Discussion
Family name: Geraniaceae
Local Name: Rattan Jot Nature has bestowed a great diversity of plant spe-
Part used: Rhizome
cies to Sudhan Gali . Round about 64 plant species are
Quantity used per dose: 3gms (3 plants)
reported to be occurring in this valley . Most of these
Treatment period: 3 days
plants are known to posses medicinal properties and
Dose administration:
economic values and local persons know their uses from
Availability: July-October
the past hundred years . Some of these plants are com-
Collection Method: Picking
mercially exploited for the extraction of various types of
Chemical Constituents: Citronellol, Geraniole
active ingredients (Ahmad et al ., 2003) . As a mat-
2 . Artemisia vulgaris L . ter of fact, the indigenous or eastern system of medi-
Family name: Asteraceae (Compositae) cines is entirely based on the properties of these plants .
Local Name: Chitti Choa Medicinal plants are not only used exclusively in
Part used: Leaves
the indigenous system of medicine but find extensive use
Quantity used per dose: 7gms (1plant)
in allopathic system of medicine also . Leading drug
Treatment period: 7 days
dealer’s of Pakistan import more than 90% of herbs
Dose administration: Leaves extract
from Sri Lanka, China, India and Afghanistan . Ten
Availability: July-Sep or (Jun-Sep)
leading Dawakhanas consumed 631.5 t of medicinal
Collection Method: Plucking
herbs worth 20million . As a matter of fact the actual
Chemical Constituents: 1, 8-cineol, beta-thujone, camphene,
consumption of medicinal herbs will be many times more
santonin
than this . When we consider that there are about 50000
3 . Solanum dulcamara L . registered Tabibs beside those who are unregistered of
Family name: Solanaceae
them will be using some quantity of medicinal plants .
Local Name: Kachmach
In international drug markets, few plants also have good
Part used: Leaves
demand for example Saussurea lappa, Glycyrrhiza gla-
Quantity used per dose: 10gms
bra, Aconitum heterophyllum, Mentha longifolia,
Treatment period: 3 days
Paeonia emodi, Berberis lycium, Plantago lanceola-
Dose administration: leaves extract
ta, Geranium wallichianum, Corydalis crassifolia etc .
Availability: July-October
All the plants have different uses beside medicinal prop-
Collection Method: Plucking
Chemical Constituents: Mainly Solamargine and Solasonine other erties for example, extracted oil from Skimmia lareola
are alkoloids, faronoids, sterole, saponin and their glycosides used in place of lave dour in soap and perfumes . Also
are also present used flavoring for food . Resonant is present in Berberis
lycium is very useful in acute conjunctivitis and in
4 . Corydalis crassifolia Royle
chronic ophthalmic disease besides using for unhealthy
Family Name: Fumariaceae
ulcer and sores in Pakistan and India . Menthol obtained
Local name: Mamaira
from Mentha longifolia, which contains 1.6% oil,
Part used: Stem
yielding 60%- 80% of menthol .
Quantity used per dose: 10gm (1plant)
Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ & K) always remain
Treatment period: 2 days
a major exporter of few medicinal plants . According to
Dose administration: Dried stem with milk
Availability: July-August a survey conducted by Khan A . A ., Pakistan Forest
5期 Muhammad Waseem et al: Ethnopharmacological Survey of Plants Used for the Treatment of .. . 5 39
Institute in 1989, AJ & K export 38 tons of crude me- April—August . Out of twelve, six plant species ( Aconi-
dicinal plants from wild exported to national and inter- tum heterophyllum, Berberis lycium, Paeonia emodi,
national markets . AJ & K always remains a major ex- Skimmia lareola, Geranium wallichianum and Corydalis
porter of Saussurea lappa . In the Forestry Statistics of crassifolia) were traded to National and International mar-
AJ & K 2001, there was an export of 165520Kgs Sau- kets while the rest are used locally . According to IUCN
ssurea lappa, 539460Kgs of resin, and 4270Kgs categories, out of these 12 species collected and market-
Morchella from forest area . ed, Polygonum amplexicaule and Paeonia emodi spe-
Some 2000 inhabitants, mostly of Sudhan origin cies are endangered, Aconitum heterophyllum and Ber-
live along the Sudhan Gali forest buffer zone, which beris lycium species are vulnerable and Plantago lan-
largely depends on forest resources for fuel wood, fod- ceolata and Skimmia lareola species are rare .
der, vegetables and for health care . Beside inhabita- Study revealed that 62% of local community de-
nts, shephards also live seasonally in the pastures of pends on traditional recipes use of these plants for
hotspot . Surroundingvillages of Sudhan Gali also dras- health care, followed by traditional practitioners
tically damage these forest resources and now depend (Hakims) (25%) and allopathic treatment (13% ) .
on Sudhan Gali forest for their subsidiary uses . Medic- The main reason to follow traditional use of plant
inal plants are collected for traditional uses as well as resources is poverty and lack of basic health facilities in
for trade . Local people because of poverty cannot af- the area . Without seasonal jobs (Hotspot for the tour-
ford to buy allopathic medicines; therefore, they rely ists) , there is no economic activity in the area . Few
on local medicinal plants to cope with diseases . villagers are engaged in other cities and oversee in dif-
Up to 1950, about 84% of Pakistan population ferent jobs . For three villages a single basic health
was dependent on traditional medicines for all or most unit is available in the area while the district Bagh was
of their medicinal need (Hocking, 1958) . Developing far from the area . A comparative analysis was conduct-
countries have a rich flora of medicinal plants that are ed to estimate the actual cost of the treatment of stom-
potential sources of new drugs and new biologically ac- ach, diabetes and ophthalmic disease through allopath-
tive substances (Kirthar and Basu, 1993) . ic treatment system, traditional practitioners or tabib
Ethnopharmacological study revealed 12 plant spe- and traditional use of plant resources .
cies belongs to 11 families used traditionally for the Results showed that; allopathic treatment cost for
treatment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseas- stomach diseases ranges from rupees (Rs .) 350 - 2350,
es in Sudhan Gali . Himalyan range of Pakistan is en- for diabetes Rs . 350 - 850 and for ophthalmic diseases
riched in medicinal plants and 300 plants that are used ranges from Rs . 650 - 950 per treatment . While tradi-
and traded . But the local people are using these plants tional practitioners treatment cost for stomach diseases
mercilessly and such natural resources are going to- ranges from Rs . 150 - 2000, for diabetes Rs . 150 -
wards depletion .(Shinwari et al, 2000, 2002) . 200 and for ophthalmic disease ranges from Rs . 50 -100
Achillea millefolium, Aconitum heterophyllum, per treatment . Treatment cost includes travel cost (TC),
Berberis lycium, Polygonum amplexicaule, Mentha treatment fee (TF) and medicine cost (MF) for Sudhan
longifolia, Paeonia emodi, Plantago lanceolata were Gali community . While in case of traditional use of plant
locally used for stomach related problems treatment, resources for the treatment of mentioned disease have zero
Berberis lycium, Skimmia lareola, Solanum dulcamara cost . That’s why poor people always prefer the use of
for diabetes and Geranium wallichianum, Artemisia vul- indigenous knowledge for the treatment of these diseas-
garis, Solanum dulcamara and Corydalis crassifolia used es . Comparative analysis was given in table 1 .
by locals for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases . Locals Another but the most important factor is the be-
collect these medicinal plants during the months of lief . Mountainous communities have their own culture,
5 4 0 云 南 植 物 研 究 28卷
ethics, and customs like wise they also have strong be- lief on traditional or indigenous system of treatment .
Table 1 Treatment cost of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic disease
Diseases Expenses
Treatment Stomach Diabetes Ophthalmic
TC TF MC Total TC TF MC Total TC TF MC Total
Allopathic 50 200-300 100-2000 350-2350 50 200-300 100-500 350-850 50 200-300 400-600 650-950 YQ'
Pansaries Nil Nil 150-2000 150-2000 Nil Nil 150-200 150-200 Nil Nil 50-100 50-100 Y
Local Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
Key: TC= Travel cost, TF= Treatment Fee, MC=Medicine cost
Availability of these medicinal plants has been de- mation each household require 0.346 t per annum .
creased during the past 20 years . It is suggested that Wastage quantity of these twelve medicinal plants is
proper provisions must be adopted to control the extinc- three times ( 0.963 t ) to usage household annum .
tion of these native species, otherwise these will be Traditional treatment prevails from one to three days,
wiped out if no conservation strategy is adopted for the in average each household using medicinal plant for the
area . Local staff, local stakeholders, plant collectors treatment of stomach disease 6 times per annum, 1
and local leaders should be aware about the conserva- time per annum for diabetes and 3 times per annum for
tion of these valuable plant resources of the area ophthalmic disease . Sixty-two percent community of
(Ameeruddy, 1996 ) . According to aged villagers, Sudhan Gali depends on traditional plants use for the
medicinal plants were abundant in the vicinities of hu- treatment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic dis-
man settlements some 20 years back . However, the ease, annual consumption is 47.7 t year, but they
populations of these medicinal plants at the moment collect 180.9 t year . Quantity collected per specie
facing a drastic biotic pressure by unsustainable har- given in Table 2 .
vesting methods like digging of whole plant, increased Six plant species ( Aconitum heterophyllum, Ber-
population pressure and absence of trade mechanism . beris lycium, Paeonia emodi, Skimmia lareola, Gera-
Survey results showed that medicinal plant collec- nium wallichianum and Corydalis crassifolia) are sold in
tors include women ( 65% ), men (20%) and chil- local market in fresh form, as the collectors are poor
dren ( 15% ) . Usually they collect whole plants for and needy . Usually male members involved in medici-
their use . Each household collect 1.311 t per annum nal plants collection for trade . They collect and sold on
plant species for the treatment of stomach, diabetes nominal prices or alternately to medicine on Pansaries
and ophthalmic diseases . According to the dose esti- or middleman . Who dried up the fresh material and
Table 2 Amount collected per household year for the treatment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseases
Amount Quantity used Quantity
No . Medicinal Plant Collected Plant details HH annum wastage
HH annum (kg) annum
(kg) (gms)
1 Achillea millefolium 1.73 Single dose: 6 plants, having4gm wt . each 0.86 0.87
2 Aconitum heterophyllum 10.08 Single dose: 4plants, having35gms wt . each 4.32 5.76
3 Berberis lycium 24.0 Single plant having12 Kgwt 2plant are enough for whole season 1.44 +0.24 =1.68 22.32 /!
4 Polygonum amplexicaule 0.72 Only flowers were collected 0.72 0.00
5 Mentha longifolia 1.73 Shootwas collected 1.15 0.58
6 Paeonia emodi 0.72 Only flowers were collected, but mostly people collect whole 0.72 0.00
plants for other uses
7 Plantago lanceolata 2.30 Single dose: 4plants, having4gm wt . each 0.57 1.73
8 Skimmia lareola 0.144 Only leaves are collected 0.072 0.00
9 Solanum dulcamara 0.96 Shootwas collected 0.72 +0.24 =0.96 0.00 !
10 Geranium wallichianum 4.86 Beside rhizomes, roots were also used 0.324 4.53 /
11 Artemisia vulgaris 3.788 Single dose: 1plant, having 15gm wt . each 1.76 2.02 /
12 Corydalis crassifolia 1.44 Single dose: 1plant, having 20gm wt . each 0.72 0.72 /
5期 Muhammad Waseem et al: Ethnopharmacological Survey of Plants Used for the Treatment of .. . 5 41
bring to the main markets of Lahore, Peshawar and as 709 species in Pakistan are at the risk of endanger,
Rawalpindi and sold at high prices . According to vil- being hardly wiped out or exterminated altogether .
lagers beside other plant species about 20 - 25 tons of Plant resources of Sudhan Gali are also increasingly go-
above six species exported through middle-man to the ing to decline and are at the risk of extinction . Local
national and international markets Market values of me- community has the right to collect medicinal plants in
dicinal plants is given in Table 3 . addition to other forest products but such rights are mis-
Table 3 Market Value of medicinal plants used for the treatment of used resulting in the loss of native wild plants . Ground
stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseases
vegetation (comprising of medicinal plants) is under no
No . Medicinal Plant Vernacular name Market Value
scientific management resulting in the degradation of this
(kg)
1 Achillea millefolium Sultani Butti 30-40 resource . Catalyze awareness of the value of biological V
2 Aconitum heterophyllum Atees Patees 800
diversity and support for its conservation among a broad
3 Berberis lycium Kala Sumbal 50-60 V
range of people (Balick, 1996) . In addition to these,
4 Polygonum amplexicaule Mashloon 10
5 Mentha longifolia Podina 40
improper species cultivation, agriculture encroachment,
6 Paeonia emodi Mamakh 100
forest fire, uncontrolled tourism, climate change, pol-
7 Plantago lanceolata Chitti Butti Unavailable in
the market lution and acid rains, diseases and insects pests prob-
8 Skimmia lareola Neer Pattar 40
lems and abuse of forests by staff of the management
9 Solanum dulcamara Kachmach 150
10 Geranium wallichianum Rattan jot 15 agencies are several other worse threats for the extinction #
11 Artemisia vulgaris Chitti Choa 80 #
of these valuable medicinal plant species .
12 Corydaliscrassifolia Mamaira 400 #
Conservation Strategies for the Area
Threats to medicinal plants In AJ & K no attention is being paid to the sys-
When, during the 1980s, the current biodiversity tematic cultivation and collection of medicinal plants
extinction crisis became a wide spread focus of scientific neither any authentic data is available except some lim-
and public attention (Wilson, 1988), biologist identi- ited information .
fied it as the first in the history of the planet to be, by Study revealed that the usage of knowledge and
and large, a human-made phenomenon, caused by the perceptions of local resource users is valuable for devel-
negative impacts of human activities on the environ- oping management guidelines for the MP’s and for over
ment . The main cause that has been identified for the all conservation approaches . Thus a key aspect of sus-
degradation of world’s ecosystems and the depletion of tainable use of plant resources in the area would be the
the biodiversity in them-from changes in land use toover integration of this knowledge and scientific knowledge
harvesting of natural resources, waste disposal, alien for developing formal community . Authors studied the
species invasion, extreme natural events and climate cultivation, collection seasons of these plants for the
change-all stem from human activities, or have a major on farm cultivation of these medicinal plants . Cultiva-
human activity component to them . The reduction of tion method and collection seasons of these medicinal
number of these unique species correlates with popula- plants are given in Table 4 .
tion density and with regional floristic diversity also . Government as well as non-government organizations
Dependence on medicinal plants for health care should have to come up with awareness and conservation
purpose is not a major threat to the population of medic- projects for the conservation of these medicinal plants .
inal plants but because of increasing population pressure On farm training programs for the cultivation of these pla-
from neighbor villages, timber mafia, encroachment of nts will ensured the survival of these economically as well
local community, free grazing of Shepard’s livestock as from conservation point of view important plant spe-
and illegal harvesting of medicinal plants for trade . cies . Through leading dawakhana’s collaboration this
Chaudhry and Qureshi (1991), reported that as many program can be extended in whole Kashmir valley .
5 4 2 云 南 植 物 研 究 28卷
Table 4 Cultivation and collection seasons of Stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseases Plants
No . Medicinal Plant Cultivation mechanism Seed collection season Seed sowing season Transplantation season
1 Achillea millifolium Seedling May May E
2 Aconitum heterophyllum Seedling May-June July, August E
3 Berberis lycium Seedling transplantation June-July July, August May, July E
4 Polygonum amplexicule Transplantation May July E
5 Mentha longifolia Transplantation May, June & July June-July E
6 Paeonia emodi Seedling May July E
7 Plantago lanceolata Seedling transplantation August August August E
8 Skimmia lareola Seedling Nov-Dec August E
9 Solanum dulcamara Seedling transplantation August July May-July E
10 Geranium wallichianum Transplantation July-Oct July X
11 Artemisia vulgaris Seedling transplantation May-July July May-July X
12 Corydalis crassifolia Seedling transplantation July July July X
Ex Situ Conservation Ahmad B, Ismail M, Zakir S, et al, 2002 . Phytochemical evaluation
of Eucalyptus citriodora [J] . Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 1
Ex situ conservation of plants is more feasible .
(1): 55—56
Ex situ conserved collections are recommended to be of
Ameeruddy Y, 1996 . Ethnobotany, linkages with conservation and develop-
two kinds . The first is material is grown in gardens ei-
ment [C] . In the proceedingsof first trainingworkshopon“Ethnobota-
ther institutional botanic gardens or private gardens .
ny and its application to conservation”, NARC, Islamabad, 152—157
The second is the material in stored state, commonly Balick MJ, 1996 . Transforming ethnobotanyfor the new millenium [J] .
as processed and packaged seed in long-term storage, Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 83 (1): 58—66
Chaudhry MN, Qureshi RA, 1991 . Pakistan endanger flora II . A
but conceivably as tissue cultures in meristem banks
checklist ofrare and seriously threatened taxa of Pakistan [J] . Pa-
(Hawkes, 2001) and possibly DNA libraries . These
kistan Systematics, 5 (12): 1—84
two kind of collections, the growing and the stored,
Hawkes JG, Maxted N, Ford-Lloyd BV, 2001 . The ex situ Conserva-
differ strikingly in the number of individuals and of tionof Plant Genetic Resources [M] . London: Kluwer Academic,
species that can be handled . The ex situ collection is Publishers, UK
Hockings GM, 1958 . Pakistan medicinal plants1 [J] . Qualities Plan-
then set up (1) by sampling seeds directly from original
tarum Material Vegetables, 9: 103—119
sites and processing and storing the natural seed, (2) by
Jain SK, 1981 . Glimpses of Indian Ethnobotany [M] . New Delhi:
growing the source material to maturity as plants in gar-
Oxford and IBH Publishing Co, 13—36
dens that are replanted as necessary to maintain the spe- Kirthar KR, Basu BD, 1993 . Indian Medicinal Plants [M] . Vol . II,
cies, or (3) by harvesting seed from the mature plants in India: Lali Mohan Basu
KhanAA, 1989 . Surveyof crude drugmarkets in Pakistan . Biological Sci-
gardens and processing this seed for long-term storage .
ence Research Div . Bulletin7 [Z] . Pakistan Forest InstitutePeshawar
In Situ Conservation
Nasir E, Ali SI, Flora of Pakistan [R] . National Herbarium, Pakistan
Proper management should be made for the con-
Agriculture Research Council, Islamabad, 1981-today date, 1—210
servation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the
Shah MA, 2005 . Ethnomedicinal plants of Bhakkar Teshsil in Punjab,
maintenance and recovery of viable populations of spe- Pakistan [J] . Ethnobotany, 17: 171—175
Shinwari ZK, Gilani SS, Kohjoma M, et al, 2000 . Status of medici-
cies in the natural surroundings . The area of naturally
nal plants in Pakistani Hindukush Himalayas [A] . Proceedings of
conserved populations must be increased and strict care
Nepal-Japan jointSymposiumon conservation andutilizationofHimal-
should be taken to avoid them from the risk of weed,
ayan medicinal resources [C]
herbivoes and other hazards for their life .
Shinwari ZK, Yilani SS, Shaukat M, 2002 . Ethnobotanical resources
and implications for curriculum [A] . In Shinwari ZK, HamiltonA,
Acknowledgements: We wish to thank the chief conservator of
Khan AA (eds .) . Proceedingsatworkshopon curriculumand devel-
the forest in Bagh, Kashmir, and gratefully acknowledge the fi- opment inApplied Ethnobotany [C] . Nathiagali, Abbotabad WWF-
nancial support provided by W . W . F . Pakistan . Pakistan, 21—34
Wilson EO, 1988, Biodiversity [ M] . Washington D.C: National
References: Academy Press