Ethnobotanical studies of some useful shrubs of dir kohistan valley, NWFP, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Field studies were carried out on the shrubs of Dir Kohistan valley, NWFP, Pakistan. Local medicinal uses of shrubs in this valley have helped people prevent and treat various diseases such as to purify blood, jaundice, internal wounds, and as diaphoretic, purgative, poisonous and cardiac, circulatory stimulant, febrifuge and for fuel wood, fodder, ornamental, agricultural tools, thatching, fencing, naming [folk lore] and fruit yielding purposes. In the present paper 41 shrubby plant species are reported on the basis of information gathered from local peoples of Kohistan Valley. Several species like Berberis iycium, Indigofera heterantha, Skimmia laureola, and Daphne oleoides are under severe pressure from local population and require protection, conservation strategies