Traditional practices of the ethnoveterinary plants in the Kaghan Valley, Western Himalayas-Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: Indigenous people in a far-flung mountainous area without basic facilities, mainly rely on medicinal plants to cope with various veterinary health problems. Objective: The present study was carried out to explore the traditional knowledge of ethnoveterinary practices in Kaghan Valley, district Mansehra, Western Himalayas-Pakistan. Method: Ethnoveterinary data were collected between February to October 2014 from nine villages of the Kaghan Valley by involving 80 local people include traditional healers using a semi-structured interview. Results: A sum of 41 plant taxa of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants was documented for treating livestock ailments. Out of which, herbaceous plants were recorded with high percentage (27 species, 65.8 %). Most of the species were used to treat gastrointestinal diseases (12 taxa), followed by health improvement (7 taxa). The widely used part of plants for livestock aliments was the whole plant (9 species) followed by leaves (7 species), and preparation were paste (18 species) followed by powder with 10 species. The highest used values were recorded for Arisaema costatum (0.82), Primula denticulata (0.76), and high relative frequency citations for Berberis lyceum and Dryopteris ramosa with 0.37 each. Among the plant species Skimmia laureola, Thymus linearis and Phytolacca latbenia were among the taxa with cent fidelity level. Conclusion: The flora used in traditional remedies of the valley was found mostly endemic due to excessive utilization. Thus, further chemical investigation, better utilization and conservation of indigenous use of the reported species should be considered for future work.

Documentation of veterinary practices from Gujjar and Bakarwal tribes of District Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir: A boon for animals from our ancestors

“…In contrast, the root decoction of B. lycium was previously reported to treat jaundice in cows, goats, and buffaloes from the Doda district of J&K (Khateeb et al 2015). The bark of B. lycium was also used to treat foot and mouth disease of cattle in Western Himalaya (Shoaib et al 2020). The present study reported the use of rhizomes of Bistorta amplexicaulis as a galactagogue.…”

Indigenous knowledge and quantitative ethnobotany of the Tanawal area, Lesser Western Himalayas, Pakistan

“…Due to these characteristics the territory is also a famous tourist attraction. Presently, these Districts are experiencing escalating human population, increase in tourism infrastructure, developmental projects (roads, dams), efforts of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and high outmigration trends [ 5 , 6 ]. Consequently, rapid geo-physical changes can be seen, leading to the displacement of human population, high land-use for construction, destruction of agricultural lands and vegetation.…”

Exploring Traditional Veterinary Practices from Gujjar and Bakarwal Tribes of District Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir: A Boon for Animals from Our Ancestors

“…In contrast, the root decoction of B. lycium is previously reported to treat jaundice in Cow, Goats, and Buffalo from the Doda district of J&K [44]. The bark of B. lycium is also used to treat mouth and foot disease of cattle in Western Himalaya [53]. The present study reported the use of rhizome of Bistorta amplexicaulis as a galactagogue.…”