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Pak. J. Bot., 45(SI): 253-261, 2013. |
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Updated: 01-02-13 | ||||
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PHYTOTHERAPY AMONG THE RURAL WOMEN OF DISTRICT ABBOTABAD
GHULAM MUJTABA SHAH*, ZAFAR JAMAL AND MANZOOR HUSSAIN
Abstract: The present communication highlights the scope of ethnomedicinal plants for women’s health care in Abbottabad district, Northern Pakistan. Participatory Action Research (PAR) and field visits were planned to elicit information on the uses of various medicinal plants by women. Field trips were undertaken covering different rural and tribal populated areas of the district to document ethnomedicinal plants used by women for the treatment of various diseases. The women chieftains were accorded a significant role in discussions since they possess more cognizances about the utility of local herbal products in curing various diseases. The study revealed that 67 plant species belonging to 65 genera and 47 families are used in women’s folk medicinal system. The medicinal plants are mostly used to cure amenorrhoea, skin allergies, and leucorrhoea, as abortifacient, post delivery pain, dandruff, eczema, tonic after delivery and for breast milk secretion. All these herbal medicines belong to 65.67% herbaceous ground flora, 8.95% shrubs, 22.38% trees and 2,98% climbers. Resins, exudates, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds, bark, tubers and roots are the plants components which are utilized as medicinal ingredients. Plant components are used fresh, dried or both. Further research in needed to isolate the compounds responsible for the observed biological activity.
Department of Botany Govt. Postgraduate College Abbottabad *Corresponding author’s e-mail: gmujtabashah72@yahoo.com |
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