Descriptive study of plant

resources in context of
the ethnomedicinal
relevance of indigenous
flora; a case study from
Rajouri-Poonch region of
Himalaya
Zishan Ahmad Wani, Shreekar Pant and Bikarma Singh

Research officinale (0.82), Raphanus sativus (0.68) and Allium

sativa (0.67). Informant Consensus Factor for each
disease category ranges from 0.94 to 0.97. The
Background: The study is an attempt to document results reveals that there is a strong positive
the medicinal plants used in traditional health care correlation between age and citations (r=0.64) and a
systems in Rajouri-Poonch region of Himalaya. The negative correlation between the level of education
study also highlights some direct relationships of and citations (r = -0.34).
botanical diversity with various social and cultural
aspects, along with quantitative indices to validate
the data investigated. This study presents the Correspondence
pioneering attempt to analyze the effect of various
variables (age, gender, and education) for Zishan Ahmad Wani1, Shreekar Pant1* and
ethnobotanical data in Jammu and Kashmir. Bikarma Singh2

Methods: Convenience sampling has been used by 1

Conservation Ecology Lab, Department of Botany,
selecting a total of 128 informants. Questions Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri,
regarding the utilization of different plants, their parts J&K
used, diseases treated, and mode of administration *Presently Coordinator, Centre for Biodiversity
were asked through using questionnaires prepared Studies, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University,
for the purpose. Data was analyzed through different Rajouri, J&K
quantitative ethnobotanical indices. 2
NBRI, Botanical Garden Division, CSIR National
Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, Uttar
Results: A total of 92 plant species belonging to 86 Pradesh, India
genera and 48 families investigated to be used in the
traditional health care system of the region. *
Corresponding Author: shreekarpant.2@gmail.com
Rosaceae is the most dominant family followed by
Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae. Most of the Ethnobotany Research & Applications
documented species were herbs (37.5%) followed by 21:47 (2021)
shrubs (17.96%), trees (11.71%), and climbers
(4.68%). Leaves were the most common part used
in herbal preparations followed by roots, whole Conclusion: Traditional knowledge is draining of
plants, seeds, fruits, ariel parts, rhizome, flowers, rapidly because of modernization and urbanization.
cloves and bark. The main method of preparation There is an immediate need to draft policies for
was decoction followed by extract, paste, powder, documentation and preservation of such knowledge.
chewed, cooked, infusion, poultice and roasted. Further, plants with high Relative Frequency of
Species with the highest RFC were Taraxacum Citations and Fidelity should be prioritized for

Manuscript received: 15/05/2021 - Revised manuscript received: 22/06/2021 - Published: 25/06/2021

http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.21.47.1-22
 2
bioprospection studies like phytochemical Panwar, 1988) with 2, 500 km length and 240 km
investigation, pharmacological studies, width, it covers an area of approximately 4, 19, 873
microbiological and toxicological enquires to draw km2. Jammu and Kashmir, a part of the Northwest
general conclusions on ethnopharmacological Himalaya is well known for its unique biological and
relationships. cultural diversity and supports a rich diversity of
angiosperms, gymnosperms and pteridophytes.
Keywords: Rajouri-Poonch, Variables, Quantitative, Further, the region is also culturally rich and various
Traditional, Correlation ethnic communities viz. Gujjars, Bakerwals and
Paharis reside within the region. Medicinal plants
Background and their traditional usage have been an integral part
Ethnobotany primarily refers to the practices, of social, cultural and religious aspects of ethnic
innovations, and knowledge gained over the civilizations (Folke 2004). Therefore, an attempt was
centuries for documentation, utilization, and made to highlight some direct relationships of
management of plants by human societies and it traditional knowledge with various social and
directly deals with the botanical, social, and cultural demographic aspects like age and gender in the
diversity (Panday & Tripathi 2017). By its nature, Rajouri-Poonch region of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)
ethnobotany recognizes the value of the traditional along with some quantitative indices to validate the
knowledge related to bioresources and presently data and also try to compare the data with the
appreciation of such traditional knowledge is growing previous published ones and with the other ethnic
fast. However, most of the ethnobotanical studies groups of India. Further, it is the pioneering attempt
still highlight the traditional knowledge associated to analyze the effect of various variable (age, gender
with plants without taking care of its quantitative and education) concerning ethnobotanical data in
assessment with several other aspects of society. J&K.
Therefore, now-a-day ethnobotanists are mainly
focusing on the application of different quantitative Materials and Methods
approaches to understand the relationship with Study Area
social parameters. It is a contemporary precise The twin districts, Rajouri and Poonch of Jammu
approach that confirms the precision of data with province are located in the southeastern foothills of
statistical support and the use of quantitative indices Pir Panjal Range of Jammu and Kashmir residing in
of the data. Further, these indices estimate the the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Rajouri lies
utilization of plant bioresources for different purposes between 32⁰57' to 33⁰33'N latitudes and 74⁰00 to
and thus determine the prominence of plants for the 74⁰48 E longitude, whereas Poonch region is located
local popùlation (Hussain et al. 2019). Traditional between 33⁰28' to 34⁰ 00' N latitudes and 74⁰56' to
knowledge is dynamic and changes with time, 74⁰32' E longitudes (Fig. 1). The climate and
generation, culture, and resources, and further the vegetation of the study area are sub-tropical,
new generation is diverted towards the allopathic temperate, sub-alpine, and high-altitude areas with
medicines, so the accurate documentation of this hilly and montane terrain (Pant et al. 2021). The two
knowledge is both timely and necessary because districts are inhabited by people of different linguistic
ethnomedicinal knowledge now remained restricted groups but are mainly inhabited by Gujjars and
to the old people only (Amjad et al. 2017). The Bakerwals. Both the tribes are nomadic and
ethnobotanical information is affected by many ethnically are more or less the same, speak a
elements and the variables known to affect common language (Gojri) and share a common
knowledge about medicinal plants include education, ecosystem to accommodate their day-to-day needs.
occupation, age, gender, and psychosocial The only difference is that Bakerwals rear sheep and
variables, but age and gender are commonly studied goats while Gujjars rear buffaloes and cows. Both
for their influence on knowledge about medicinal the communities possess herbal knowledge healers
plants (Shaheen et al. 2017). to cure their day-to-day health problems and oral
dissemination is the only means of transmission of
The Himalayas hosts a rich biological diversity and this traditional knowledge.
hence considered as Biodiversity Hotspot
(Mittermeier et al. 2005), due to its unique Data collection
topography, climatic conditions, and diverse Field assessment which involved plant collection,
habitats. The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is photography, and data recording was carried out
divided into five biogeographic regions i.e., Trans from March 2018 to October 2019. Convenience
Himalaya (Ladakh), Northwest Himalaya (Jammu sampling has been used by selecting a total of 128
and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh), West informants based on their easy access and
Himalaya (Kumaun and Garhwal), Central Himalaya availability. Out of the total 128 informants, 72 were
(Sikkim and Darjeeling hills of West Bengal) and males and 52 were females. The age group of
East Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh) (Rodgers & respondents varies from 30 to above 60 years,
 3
having a different level of education from illiterate to allows a large number of respondents to be cross-
above college level. Young persons were not examined in a relatively short period by asking the
interested in the work and thus refused to participate same questions within a flexible framework.
in the interviews. The information of the respondents Questions regarding the utilization of different plants,
has been collected through direct interviews (Table their parts used, diseases treated, and mode of
1). Open-semi structured questionnaires were used administration were asked through using
for collecting ethnobotanical data, as this method questionnaires prepared for the purpose.

Figure 1. Map of the study area

Table 1. Demographic data of the Informants

Variable Category No. of respondents Percentage

Gender Male 72 56.25
Female 56 43.75
Age (in years) 30 – 40 33 25.78
41 – 50 38 29.68
51 – 60 34 26.56
Above 60 23 17.96
Education level Illiterate (0 years) 29 22.65
(in Years) Primary (5 years) 26 20.31
Middle (8 years) 18 14.06
Secondary (10 years) 14 10.93
Intermediate (12 years) 19 14.84
College (15 years) 15 11.71
Higher (> 15 years) 07 5.46

Routine herbarium practices were carried out RRLH). The botanical nomenclature of the collected
following standard SOP (Jain & Rao 1976) for species was authenticated using the International
preparing and preserving herbarium specimens. Plant Name Index (http://www.ipni.org), GRIN
Fresh plant samples were collected from the field (http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-
and were pressed, dried, and mounted on herbarium bin/npgs/html/queries.pl) and Plants of the World
sheets for preservation. Collected plant samples Online (http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org).
were identified following standard references (Singh Further, a literature survey was carried out in order
et al. 2002; Swami & Gupta 1998; Sharma & Kachroo to relate the study with the previously published
1981-82 and consultation of voucher samples ones. Data was retrieved from Google Scholar,
housed at Janaki Ammal Herbarium (acronym Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science by
 4
searching for the following keywords; ethnobotany, Jaccard Index (JI)
ethnomedicine, traditional knowledge, medicinal JI is calculated to compare the data recorded with
plants, and folk use. The present study was related the previously published data from other regions. JI
with the studies carried out in regions having similar is calculated by using the formula following Majeed
as well as diverse floristic and cultural diversity. et al. 2020

Quantitative data analysis 7 × 588

60 =
The data has been analyzed by using the following (9 + ;) − 7
quantitative and similarity indices:
Where ‘a’ is the number of species unique to the
Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) study area, ‘b’ is the number of species unique to the
RFC is used to calculate the proportion of the aligned area and ‘c’ is the number of species
informants that cited a particular species, assigning common to both the areas.
a use-value to that species. RFC was calculated
following Amjad et al. 2017. Rahman’s Similarity Index (RSI)
RSI is calculated to compare the present study with
!"# = "#/& the studies previously published from allied, regional,
national, and global levels through the percentages
where FC is the number of informants reporting the of plant species analyzed and commonly cited with
use of a particular species and N is the total number the same cultural medicinal uses (Rahman et al.
of informants. 2019). In the present study, RSI has been used to
compare the study with the other ethnic and tribal
Fidelity Level (FI) communities at the regional, national, and global
It is used to determine the most preferred species levels. RSI is calculated by using
used in treatment of particular ailment (Musa et al.,
2011; Friedman et al., 1986). It is calculated by using >
<=0 =
following formula; 9+;+7−>

,! where, “a” is the number of species unique in an area

'((%) = × 100 (our study area), “b” is the number of species unique
,
in an area B (studies already done), “c” is the number
Where ‘Np’ is the number of use reports cited for a of common species in both A and B areas and “d” is
given species for a particular ailment and ‘N’ is the the number of common species used for the similar
total number of use reports cited for any given ailment in both A and B areas. While a & b ≠ 0 and c
species. & d ≥ 0.

Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) Results

To calculate ICF, diseases treated are grouped into Demographic of the informants
disease categories and it is used to estimate the Out of the total 128 informants, 56.25% were males
agreement of the community regarding the use of and 43.75% were females. Based on age, the
different plant species in each disease category. Its informants were divided into four age groups, 30–40
value ranges from 0 to 1. ICF values are greater yrs (25.78%), 41–50 yrs (29.78%), 51–60 yrs
when only one or few plant species are used to cure (26.56%) and above 60 yrs (17.96%) (Table 1).
a specific disease while its value is lower when many Concerning education, 22.65% were illiterate, and
plant species are used to cure a specific disease and 22. 65% have attended school up to primary level,
the informants have contradiction over which plant to 14. 06% up to middle level, 10.93% up to secondary
use against that particular disease. ICF is calculated level, 14.84% up to intermediate level, 11.71% up to
by using the following Heinrich et al. 1998. college level, and 5.46% up to university level.

3"# − 3$%&
012 = Medicinal plant diversity and utilization pattern
3"# − 5 A total of 92 plant species belonging to 86 genera
and 48 families were documented (Table 2). The
Where ‘Nur’ refers to the number of use reports and most dominant family was Rosaceae with eight
‘Ntax’ number of taxa used for a particular use species (15.09%) followed by Lamiaceae and
category by all informants. Fabaceae with six species (11.32%) and Asteraceae
with five species each (9.43%) (Table 3). Herbs were
the most commonly used life form (Fig. 2).
 5

Table 2. Ethnomedicinal plants used by Gujjar and Bakerwal tribes of Rajouri-Poonch Region of Jammu and Kashmir
Part Disease Method of Mode of
Taxon Family Local Name LF FC RFC
used Treated Preparation Application
WP Hair care Extract External
Abrus precatorius L. Fabaceae Ratie H 26 0.20
L Skin diseases Paste External
Acer caesium Wall ex. Brandis. Sapindaceae - T W Skin infection Extract External 38 0.29
L Toothache Chewed Internal
AP Fever Decoction Internal
Achillea millefolium L. Asteraceae Sultani booti H 48 0.37
WP Tonic Decoction Internal
WP Cold Decoction Internal
Aconitum heterophyllum R Tonic Powder Internal
Ranunculaceae Patrees H 28 0.21
Wall. ex Royle Rh Cough Powder Internal
Rh Gastritis Paste Internal
Acorus calamus L. Acoraceae Bachh H 36 0.28
R Diarrhea Extract Internal
Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Camb.) Hook. Sapindaceae Ban Khori T L Fever Extract Internal 27 0.21
WP Lice Decoction External
Ajuga integrifolia Buch-Ham. ex D. Don Lamiaceae Neel kanthi H 33 0.25
WP Tonic Decoction Internal
Ailanthus altissima (Mill) Swingle. Simaroubaceae - T Bk Diarrhea Decoction Internal 42 0.32
Allium cepa L. Amaryllidaceae Piyaaz H Bl Bee Sting Paste External 68 0.53
Cl Hypertension Edible Internal
Cl Stomachache Roasted Internal
Allium sativa L. Amaryllidaceae Thoom H 86 0.67
Cl Boils Paste External
Cl Alopecia Paste External
Amaranthus caudatus L. Amaranthaceae Ganar H L Fever Extract Internal 22 0.17
Amaranthus retroflexus L. Amaranthaceae Ganari H S Measles Powder Internal 34 0.26
Chhuma - AP Worms Decoction Internal
Artemesia absinthium L. Asteraceae H 58 0.45
Jom L Stomachache Paste Internal
Asparagus racemosus Willd. Asparagaceae Safed musli S R Weakness Extract Internal 42 0.32
Aucklandia costus (Falc.) Lipsch. Asteraceae Kuth H R Arthritis Extract External 70 0.54
R Fracture Powder External
Berberis aristata DC. Berberidaceae Kala Simloo S 42 0.32
R Jaundice Powder Internal
Fr Wounds Paste External
Berberis lycium Royle Berberidaceae Simloo S Fr Constipation Edible Internal 61 0.47
R Jaundice Decoction Internal
Bat-mevo,
Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. Saxifragaceae Zakhm-i- H R Gastritis Extract Internal 55 0.42
hayat
Scrophulariacea
Buddleja asiatica Lour. Batti S L Skin disease Extract External 18 0.14
e
Calotropis procera (Aiton.) Dry. Apocyanaceae Aak S L Joint pain Paste External 21 0.16
Cannabis sativa L. Cannabaceae Bhang H L Wounds Paste External 52 0.40
 6

Fr Tonic Edible Internal

Celtis australis L. Cannabaceae Khirak T 54 0.42
S Allergy Paste External
Gastric
Chenopodium album L. Amaranthaceae Bathuo H L Decoction Internal 38 0.29
disorders
JangliHaand R Stomachache Paste Internal
Cichorium intybus L. Asteraceae H 40 0.31
h R Typhoid Extract Internal
Clematis montana Buch. – Ham. ex DC. Ranunculaceae Chamba S F Fever Extract Internal 49 0.38
Coriandrum sativum L. Apiaceae Tandhel H L Stomachache Extract Internal 32 0.25
WP Cold Decoction Internal
Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Convolvulaceae Neelatheri CL 45 0.35
WP Hair fall Decoction External
S Boils Decoction External
Cydonia oblonga Mill. Rosaceae Baie T 43 0.33
S Throat infection Chewed Internal
Daphne papyracea Wall. ex Sm. & Cave Thymelaeaceae Chavan S L Skin infection Extract External 28 0.21
Datura stramonium L. Solanaceae Tatoora S L Dandruff Extract External 30 0.23
Dicliptera chinensis (L.) Juss. Acanthaceae Churu H R Wounds Extract External 33 0.25
Rh Gastritis Extract Internal
Dioscorea deltoidea Wall. Dioscoreaceae Kalo-mazo CL 42 0.32
L Weak eyesight Extract External
Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. Elaeagnaceae Kankoli S Fr Mouth ulcers Edible Internal 35 0.27
Equisetum arvense L. Equisetaceae Tarutkah H WP Urine infection Powder Internal 22 0.17
WP Boils Extract External
Euphorbia helioscopia L.
Euphorbiaceae Dhodul H L Fungal infection Paste External 62 0.48
L Wounds Paste External
Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Dhoduli H WP Jaundice Powder Internal 51 0.39
Ficus auriculata Lour. Moraceae Tussi T Fr Constipation Edible Internal 38 0.29
S Abdominal pain Decoction Internal
Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
Apiaceae Saunf H Blood 70 0.54
S Decoction Internal
purification
Fragaria nubicola Lindel. ex. Lacaita Rosaceae Kanichi H Rh Tonsillitis Powder Internal 38 0.29
Fumaria indica (Haussk.) Pugsley Fumariaceae Pit papadda H S Back pain Extract Internal 36 0.28
Hedera nepalensis K.Koch Araliaceae Batulo CL L Dyspepsia Extract Internal 36 0.28
Indigofera heterantha Wall.ex Baker Fabaceae Kenthi S Tw Toothache Chewed External 41 0.32
Isodon rugosus (Wall. ex Benth.) Codd. Lamiaceae S L Snake bites Decoction Internal 13 0.10
-
Jasminum humile L. Oleaceae - S L Worms Decoction Internal 26 0.20
Juglans regia L. Juglandaceae Khorhi T BoR Plaque Chewed External 84 0.65
Dhoodi
Lamium album L. Lamiaceae H AP Wounds Paste External 49 0.38
bhooti
Malva sylvestris L. Malvaceae Sochal H L Weak eyesight Cooked Internal 31 0.24
Medicago sativa L. L Kidney problem Cooked Internal
Fabaceae RaariMaari H 33 0.25
L Arthritis Paste External
Melia azedarach L. Meliaceae Drek T L Stomachache Decoction internal 24 0.18
 7

Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. Lamiaceae Putna H L Fever Decoction Internal 75 0.58
Morus nigra L. Moraceae Toot T L Wounds Paste External 48 0.37
L Diarrhea Extract Internal
Nepata cetaria L. Lamiaceae - H 43 0.33
L Nausea Paste Internal
L Toothache Decoction External
Olea ferruginea Royle Oleaceae Kao T 32 0.25
L Stomachache Chewed Internal
WP Abdominal pain Extract Internal
Oxalis corniculata L.
Oxalidaceae Shataali H WP Blood purifier Decoction Internal 56 0.43
L Fever Extract External
Pinus roxburghii Sarg. Pinaceae Cheerrh T Rn Skin rashes Paste External 52 0.40
Chamchepat
Plantago lanceolata L. Plantaginaceae H L Urine infection Extract Internal 51 0.39
ar
Chamchepat
Plantago major L. Plantaginaceae H L Acidity Decoction Internal 38 0.29
ar
L Hypertension Decoction Internal
Polygonum hydropiper (L.) Delarbre
Polygonaceae H L Jaundice Decoction Internal 53 0.41
-
L Gastric problem Edible Internal
Blood
Populus ciliata Wall. ex Royle Salicaceae Safedo T Bk Decoction Internal 32 0.25
purification
Princepia utilis Royle Rosaceae Phulwarho S L Abdominal pain Powder External 26 0.20
Headache &
Fl Decoction Internal
Fever
Prunella vulgaris L. Lamiaceae Sir motio H 48 0.37
AP Wounds Paste External
WP Body pain Paste External
Prunus armeniaca L. Rosaceae Khubani T S Constipation Powder Internal 55 0.42
Punica granatum L. Lythraceae Dharhuni S Fr Jaundice Extract Internal 72 0.56
Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don Rosaceae Batangi T L Hair fall Extract External 50 0.39
Ranunculus arvensis L. Ranunculaceae Khandbaria H WP Diarrhea Decoction Internal 61 0.47
R Jaundice Edible Internal
R Urinary problem Edible Internal
Raphanus sativus L. Brassicaceae Muli H 88 0.68
R Indigestion Edible Internal
R Diarrhea Extract Internal
Rheum australe D. Don Polygonaceae Revand H Rh Boils Paste External 76 0.59
Gastric
Robinia pseudoacacia L. Fabaceae Keekar T L Infusion Internal 36 0.28
disorders
Rosa moschata Herrm. Rosaceae Phulwari S Fl Fever Extract Internal 55 0.42
Rubus ellipticus Smith Rosaceae Gracho S Fr Constipation Edible Internal 51 0.39
Rubus fructicosus L. Rosaceae Pakana S L Diarrhea Infusion Internal 39 0.30
Rumex nepalensis Spreng. Polygonaceae Hulla H R Cough Paste Internal 52 0.40
Rubia cordifolia L. Rubiaceae Kai bel CL R Stomachache Extract Internal 51 0.39
 8

Senegalia catechu (L.f) P. J. H. Hunter &

Fabaceae T L Sore throat Decoction External 52 0.40
Mabb
Khair
L Stomachache Decoction Internal
Solanum nigrum L. Solanaceae Kachmach H 62 0.48
L Jaundice Decoction Internal
WP Fracture Paste External
L Weakness Cooked Internal
Taraxacum officinale F.H.Wigg.
Asteraceae Handh H R Jaundice Decoction Internal 106 0.82
L Back pain Paste Internal
R Fever Decoction Internal
Triticum aestivum L. Poaceae Kanak H S Worms Decoction Internal 76 0.59
R Headache Paste External
Valeriana wallichii Jones Caprifoliaceae Balo H 35 0.27
R Wounds Paste External
AP Migraine Decoction Internal
Verbascum thapsus L. Verbenaceae Giddar H 43 0.33
R Swelling Paste External
Verbena
Verbenaceae - H AP Worms Decoction Internal 24 0.18
officinalis L.
Scrophulariacea
Veronica persica Poir. - H WP Dermatitis Powder External 34 0.26
e
Viccia sativa L. Fabaceae Jangli Matar H WP Skin disease Poultice External 46 0.35
WP Cold Decoction Internal
Viola odorata L. Violaceae Banafsha H WP Throat infection Decoction Internal 66 0.51
R Constipation Edible Internal
Fr Epilepsy Powder Internal
Viscum album L. Santalaceae Aal H 54 0.42
WP Fracture Poultice External
R Fever Extract Internal
Vitis jacquemontii R. Parker Viticaceae Daakh CL 34 0.26
R&L Jaundice Extract Internal
Vitis vinifera L. Viticaceae Angoor CL L Skin rashes Paste External 62 0.48
Vitex negundo L. Verbenaceae Bana S L Worms Extract Internal 37 0.28
Ashwagandh
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal Solanaceae S R Impotency Powder Internal 86 0.67
a
Fl Constipation Powder Internal
Woodfordia fruticosa (L.)Kurz Lythraceae Dataki S 45 0.35
FL Loss of appetite Decoction Internal
Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Timer Fr Body pain Decoction Internal
Rutaceae S 70 0.54
Timbro L&S Jaundice Powder Internal
Zea mays L. Poaceae Mak H FL Kidney stones Decoction Internal 65 0.50
Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Rhamnaceae Singli S S Jaundice Decoction Internal 63 0.49

Abbreviations used: H = Herb; T = Tree; S = Shrub; C = Climber; WP = Whole plant; L = Leaves; AP = Ariel portion; R = Root; Rh = Rhizome; W = Wood; Bk = Bark; Bl = Bulb;
Cl = Cloves; S = Seed; Fr = Fruit; Fl = Flower; Tw = Twig; BoR = Bark of Root; Rn = Resin; FC = Frequency of Citation; RFC = Relative Frequency of Citation
 9
Table 3. Family wise contribution to the ethnomedicinal flora of Rajouri – Poonch Region of Jammu and Kashmir

Family No. of Percentage Contributing species Disease/Ailments

species contribution treated
Acanthaceae 01 1.88 Dicliptera roxburghiana Wounds
Acoraceae 01 1.88 Acorus calamus Gastritis and Diarrhea
Amaranthaceae 03 5.66 Amaranthus retroflexus, Fever Measles and
Amaranthus caudatus and Gastric disorder
Chenopodium album
Amaryllidaceae 02 3.77 Allium cepa and Allium sativa Bee Sting, Hypertension,
Stomachache, Boils,
Alopecia
Apiaceae 02 3.77 Coriandrum sativum and Abdominal pain, Blood
Foeniculum vulgare purification
Apocynaceae 01 1.88 Calotropis procera Joint pain
Araliaceae 02 3.77 Hedera nepalensis Dyspepsia
Asparagaceae 01 1.88 Asparagus racemosus Body weakness
Asteraceae 05 9.43 Achillea millefolium, Artemesia Toothache, Tonic, Fever,
absinthium, Cichorium intybus, Cold, worms,
Taraxacum officinale and stomachache, typhoid,
Aucklandia costus fracture, jaundice, back
pain, fever and arthritis
Berberidaceae 02 3.77 Berberis aristata and Berberis Fracture, Jaundice,
lycium Wounds and
Constipation
Brassicaceae 01 1.88 Raphanus sativus Jaundice, Urinary
problem, Indigestion and
Diarrhea
Cannabaceae 02 3.77 Cannabis sativa and Celtis Wounds, tonic and
australis allergy
Caprifoliaceae 01 1.88 Valeriana wallichii Headache and Wounds
Convolvulaceae 01 1.88 Cuscuta reflexa Cold and hair fall
Dioscoreaceae 01 1.88 Dioscorea deltoidea Gastritis and weak
eyesight
Elaeagnaceae 01 1.88 Elaeagnus umbellata Mouth ulcers
Equisetaceae 01 1.88 Equistum arvense Urine infection
Euphorbiaceae 02 3.77 Euphorbia heliscopia and Boils, Fungal infection,
Euphorbia hirta Wounds and Jaundice
Fabaceae 06 9.43 Abrus precatorius, Indigofera Hair care, Skin diseases,
heterantha, Medicago sativa, Toothache, kidney
Robinia pseudoacacia, Senegalia problems, arthritis,
catechu and Viccia sativa gastric disorders
Fumariaceae 01 1.88 Fumaria indica Back pain
Juglandaceae 01 1.88 Juglans regia Plaque
Lamiaceae 06 11.32 Ajuga bracteosa, Isodon rugosus, Headache, body pain,
Lamium album, Mentha longifolia, diarrhea, nausea, fever,
Nepata cetaria and Prunella wounds, snake bites, lice
vulgaris and tonic
Lythraceae 02 3.77 Woodfordia fruticosa and Punica Constipation, Jaundice
granatum and Loss of appetite
Malvaceae 01 1.88 Malva sylvestris Weak eyesight
Meliaceae 01 1.88 Melia azedarach Stomachache
Moraceae 02 3.77 Morus nigra and Ficus auriculata Constipation and
Wounds
Oleaceae 02 3.77 Olea ferruginea and Jasminum Toothache and
humile Stomachache
Oxalidaceae 01 1.88 Oxalis corniculata Abdominal pain, Blood
purifier and Fever
Pinaceae 01 1.88 Pinus roxburghii Skin rashes
Plantaginaceae 02 3.77 Plantago lanceolata and Plantago Urine infection and
major Acidity
Poaceae 02 3.77 Triticum aestivum and Zea mays Kidney stones and
Worms
Polygonaceae 02 3.77 Polygonum hydropiper and Rumex Cough, Hypertension,
nepalensis Jaundice and Gastric
problems
 10
Ranunculaceae 03 5.66 Ranunculus arvensis, Clematis Tonic, Cough, Fever and
montana and Aconitum Diarrhea
heterophyllum
Rhamnaceae 01 1.88 Ziziphus jujuba Jaundice
Rosaceae 08 15.09 Cydonia oblonga, Fragaria Diarrhea, Constipation,
nubicola, Princepia utilis, Prunus Fever, Hair fall,
armeniaca, Pyrus pashia, Rosa Abdominal pain,
moschata, Rubus ellipticus and Tonsillitis, Boils and
Rubus fructicosus Throat infection
Rubiaceae 01 1.88 Rubia cordifolia Stomachache
Rutaceae 01 1.88 Zanthoxylum armatum Body pain and Jaundice
Salicaceae 01 1.88 Populus ciliata Blood purification
Sapindaceae 02 3.77 Acer caesium and Aesculus indica Skin infection and Fever
Saxifragaceae 01 1.88 Bergenia aristata Gastritis
Scrophulariacea 03 5.66 Verbascum thapsus, Buddleja Skin diseases, Migraine
e asiatica and Veronica persica and Swelling
Simaroubaceae 01 1.88 Ailanthus altissima Diarrhea
Solanaceae 03 5.66 Datura stramonium, Solanum Dandruff, Stomachache,
nigrum and Withania somnifera Jaundice and Impotency
Thymelaeaceae 01 1.88 Daphne papyracea Skin infection
Verbenaceae 02 3.77 Vitex negundo and Verbena Worms
Officinalis
Violaceae 01 1.88 Viola odorata Cold, Throat infection
and Constipation
Viscaceae 01 1.88 Viscum album Epilepsy and Fracture
Vitaceae 02 3.77 Vitis jacquemonti and Vitis vinifera Fever, Jaundice and
Skin rashes

50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Herbs Shrubs Trees Climbers

Figure 2. Life form of the plant species

Twenty-six families were represented by single 3). Plants and their parts are administrated through
species. In traditional health care systems, different different modes of preparation. The main method of
parts of plants were used in different ways preparation was decoction (30.3%) followed by
depending on the inherited knowledge and extracts (23.7%), paste (20.7%), powder (11.1%),
availability of those plants and plant parts to the chewed (3.7%), cooked (2.2%), infusion and poultice
inhabitants. In the present study, leaves were the (1.48%) and roasted (0.74%) (Fig. 4). Preparations
most common part used in herbal preparations are applied both externally and well as internally.
(34.53%) followed by roots (19.42%), whole plants 31.6% of preparations are administrated externally
(13.66), seeds (7.91%), fruits (6.47%), ariel parts, while 68.4% of preparations were administrated
rhizome, and flowers (3.59 each), cloves (2.87%), internally.
bark (2.15%) and bulb, resin and twigs (0.71%) (Fig.
 11
Quantitative Analysis Quantitative Analysis
Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC)
RFC shows the local importance of each species RFC shows the local importance of each species
about informants who cited these medicinal plant about informants who cited these medicinal plant
species. Species with the highest RFC were species. Species with the highest RFC were
Taraxacum officinale (0.82) and Raphanus sativus Taraxacum officinale (0.82) and Raphanus sativus
(0.68) and Allium sativa (0.67). Species with the (0.68) and Allium sativa (0.67). Species with the
lowest RFC were Isodon rugosus (0.10) and lowest RFC were Isodon rugosus (0.10) and
Buddleja asiatica (0.14). Buddleja asiatica (0.14).

Twigs
Resin
Bark
Flowers
Fruit
Seeds
Cloves
Bulb
Roots
Rhizome
Ariel parts
Leaves
Whole plant

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Figure 3. Utilization pattern of the plant species

2,20% 1,48% 0,74%

3,70%
Decoction
Extract
11,10%
30,30% Paste
Powder
Chewed
20,70%
Cooked
Poultice
23,70% Roasted

Figure 4. Methods of preparations

Fidelity Level (FL) Fidelity level were associated with digestive system
FL is used for most preferred medicinal plant species related problems plants and these species include
cited by the local formants for treating particular Acorus calamus, Ailanthus altissima, Ficus
diseases (Majid et al. 2019). In the present study, auriculata, Artemesia absinthium, Ranunculus
Fidelity Level ranges from 12.7% to 100% (Table 4). arvensis, Verbena officinalis, Woodfordia fruticosa,
Most of the plant species (22 species) with highest Vitex negundo, Triticum aestivum, Nepata cetaria,
 12
Chenopodium album, Rubia cordifolia, Jasminum Amaranthus caudatus, Mentha longifolia, Rosa
humile, Coriandrum sativum, Melia azedarach, moschata, Rumex nepalensis and Clematis montana
Princepia utilis, Plantago major, Hedera nepalensis, for Fever, cold and headache, Withania somnifera,
Robinia pseudoacacia, Rubus fructicosus, Rubus Populus ciliata and Asparagus racemosus for Body
ellipticus, Prunus armeniaca. Some other plant weakness, tonic, blood purification, Aucklandia
species with 100% FL were Equisetum arvense, costus and Calotropis procera for Skeletal &
Plantago lanceolata and Zea mays for Urinary muscular problems, Fumaria indica, Ziziphus jujuba,
problems, Acer caesium, Amaranthus retroflexus, Punica granatum and Euphorbia hirta for Jaundice &
Buddleja asiatica, Veronica persica, Vitis vinifera, typhoid, Allium cepa and Isodon rugosus for
Viccia sativa, Daphne papyracea, Pinus roxburghii, antidote, Fragaria nubicola, Elaeagnus umbellata,
Rheum australe, Dicliptera chinensis, Cannabis Indigofera heterantha, Juglans regia and Senegalia
sativa, Lamium album, Euphorbia helioscopia and catechu for oral problems and Malva sylvestris for
Morus nigra for skin diseases, Pyrus pashia and Other (hypertension, weak eye sight etc.) disease
Datura stramonium for hair care, Aesculus indica, categories.

Table 4. Fidelity Level (FL) of the plants used by the local people of Rajouri-Poonch region of J&K

Disease Category Plants used Np N FL%

Digestive system related problems Acorus calamus 36 36 100
Ailanthus altissima 42 42 100
Allium sativa 19 86 22.09
Ficus auriculata 38 38 100
Artemisia absinthium 58 58 100
Ranunculus arvensis 61 61 100
Viola odorata 35 66 53.03
Verbena officinalis 24 24 100
Berberis lycium 35 61 57.3
Woodfordia fruticosa 45 45 100
Vitex negundo 37 37 100
Triticum aestivum 76 76 100
Foeniculum vulgare 41 70 58.5
Olea ferruginea 14 32 43.7
Nepata cetaria 43 43 100
Solanum nigrum 26 62 41.9
Chenopodium album 38 38 100
Rubia cordifolia 51 51 100
Jasminum humile 26 26 100
Coriandrum sativum 32 32 100
Melia azedarach 24 24 100
Princepia utilis 26 26 100
Bergenia ciliata 55 55 100
Dioscorea deltoidea 24 42 57.1
Plantago major 38 38 100
Hedera nepalensis 36 36 100
Robinia pseudoacacia 36 36 100
Rubus fructicosus 39 39 100
Rubus ellipticus 51 51 100
Prunus armeniaca 55 55 100
Oxalis corniculata 17 56 30.3
Polygonum hydropiper 14 53 26.4
Raphanus sativus 38 88 43.1
 13
Cichorium intybus 18 40 45
Urinary problems Equisetum arvense 32 32 100
Medicago sativa 18 33 54.5
Raphanus sativus 24 88 27.2
Plantago lanceolata 51 51 100
Zea mays 65 65 100
Skin diseases Abrus precatorius 16 26 61.5
Acer caesium 38 38 100
Amaranthus retroflexus 34 34 100
Allium sativa 11 86 12.7
Berberis lycium 26 61 42.1
Buddleja asiatica 18 18 100
Celtis australis 30 54 55.5
Veronica persica 34 34 100
Vitis vinifera 62 62 100
Viccia sativa 46 46 100
Daphne papyracea 28 28 100
Pinus roxburghii 52 52 100
Rheum australe 76 76 100
Valeriana wallichii 13 35 37.1
Dicliptera chinensis 33 33 100
Cannabis sativa 52 52 100
Prunella vulgaris 25 48 52
Lamium album 49 49 100
Euphorbia helioscopia 62 62 100
Morus nigra 48 48 100
Cydonia oblonga 22 43 51.1
Hair care Abrus precatorius 10 26 38.4
Ajuga integrifolia 19 33 57.5
Allium sativa 24 86 27.9
Cuscuta reflexa 19 45 42.2
Pyrus pashia 50 50 100
Datura stramonium 30 30 100
Fever, cold and headache Achillea millefolium 29 48 60.4
Aesculus indica 27 27 100
Aconitum 17 28 60.7
heterophyllum
Cuscuta reflexa 26 45 55.5
Prunella vulgaris 23 48 47.9
Valeriana wallichii 22 25 88
Oxalis corniculata 18 56 32.1
Verbascum thapsus 23 43 53.4
Taraxacum officinale 32 106 30.1
Amaranthus caudatus 22 22 100
Mentha longifolia 75 75 100
Viscum album 26 54 48.1
Vitis jacquemontii 16 34 47
Rosa moschata 55 55 100
 14
Rumex nepalensis 52 52 100
Clematis montana 49 49 100
Body weakness, tonic, blood purification Aconitum 11 28 39.2
heterophyllum
Ajuga integrifolia 14 33 42.4
Oxalis corniculata 21 56 37.5
Foeniculum vulgare 29 70 41.4
Celtis australis 24 54 44.4
Zanthoxylum armatum 37 70 52.8
Withania somnifera 86 86 100
Populus ciliata 32 32 100
Taraxacum officinale 41 106 38.6
Asparagus racemosus 42 42 100
Skeletal & muscular problems Aucklandia costus 70 70 100
Berberis aristata 17 42 40.4
Taraxacum officinale 21 106 19.8
Verbascum thapsus 20 43 46.5
Viscum album 28 54 51.8
Calotropis procera 21 21 100
Medicago sativa 15 33 45.5
Jaundice & typhoid Berberis aristata 25 42 59.5
Fumaria indica 36 36 100
Cichorium intybus 22 40 55
Zanthoxylum armatum 33 70 47.1
Ziziphus jujuba 63 63 100
Punica granatum 72 72 100
Raphanus sativus 26 88 29.5
Euphorbia hirta 51 51 100
Vitis jacquemontii 18 34 52.9
Solanum nigrum 36 62 58
Taraxacum officinale 13 106 12.2
Polygonum hydropiper 21 53 39.6
Antidote Allium cepa 68 68 100
Isodon rugosus 13 13 100
Oral problems Achillea millefolium 19 48 39.6
Cydonia oblonga 21 43 48.8
Fragaria nubicola 38 38 100
Viola odorata 31 66 46.9
Elaeagnus umbellata 35 35 100
Indigofera heterantha 41 41 100
Juglans regia 84 84 100
Senegalia catechu 52 52 100
Olea ferruginea 18 32 56.2
Others (hypertension, weak eyesight etc) Allium sativa 32 86 37.2
Dioscorea deltoidea 18 42 42.8
Malva sylvestris 31 31 100
Polygonum hydropiper 18 53 33.9
 15
Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) disease category. In the present study, ICF for each
It is also known as Respondent’s Agreement Ratio disease category ranges from 0.94 to 0.97 (Table 5).
and Ali et al. (2018) have used a new term ICF value is high for all disease categories that
‘Participant Agreement Ratio’ (PAR) and is used to reveal that the informants agree on which plants to
estimate the agreement of the community use in the treatment of common diseases.
concerning the use of different plant species in each

Table 5. Information Consensus Factor or Participatory Agreement Ratio of informants of Rajouri-Poonch Region
of Jammu and Kashmir

Disease category Nur Ntax ICF Most used plants

Acorus calamus, Artemisia absinthium, Berberis
Digestive system related
1051 34 0.97 lycium, Bergenia ciliata, Chenopodium album,
problems
Coriandrum sativum, Foeniculum vulgare
Equisetum arvense, Medicago sativa, Plantago
Urinary problems 178 5 0.96
lanceolata, Zea mays
Morus nigra, Pinus roxburghii, Rheum australe, Vitis
Skin diseases 763 22 0.97
vinifera
Hair care 200 6 0.96 Allium sativa, Cuscuta reflexa, Datura stramonium
Cuscuta reflexa, Mentha longifolia, Prunella
Fever, cold & headache 429 14 0.97
vulgaris, Viola odorata
Body weakness, tonic, Aconitum heterophyllum, Oxalis corniculata,
324 10 0.96
blood purification Taraxacum officinale
Skeletal & muscular Fumaria indica, Aucklandia costus, Taraxacum
197 9 0.95
problems officinale
Berberis lycium, Euphorbia hirta, Punica granatum,
Jaundice & typhoid 337 12 0.96
Raphanus sativus,
Antidote 25 2 0.94 Isodon rugosus, Allium sativa
Juglans regia, Senegalia catechu, Indigofera
Oral problems 320 9 0.96
heterantha

Others (hypertension, weak

149 6 0.96 Allium sativa, Dioscorea deltoidea, Withania
eyesight etc)
somnifera

Jaccard Index Rahman’s Similarity Index

The data recorded from the present study were In the present study, RSI has been used to compare
compared with the findings carried out at regional, the traditional knowledge of the Gujjar and Bakerwal
national, and global levels and the observed tribe with the other ethnic and tribal groups. No or
percentage of similarity ranges from 1.4 to 32.2 with least similarity was observed in comparison to the
an average value of 10.69 (Table 6). results with the previously published work on other
ethnic groups (Table 7).

Table 6. Percentage Similarity, Dissimilarity and Jaccard Index of Rajouri-Poonch Region with other areas
Species enlisted only

Species enlisted only

Species common in
Plants with similar
No. of Recorded

% of plants with

% of plants with
in aligned area
dissimilar use

dissimilar use

Jaccard Index
plant species

in study area
Plants with

similar use
Study year

both areas

Citation
Area

use

Gulmarg region of J&K 2015 59 19 8 27 32 65 32.20 13.55 38.57 Kumar et

al. 2015
Guldara district of 2017 68 10 9 19 49 73 14.70 13.23 18.44 Amini and
Kabul, Afghanistan Hamdan
2017
Kishtwar district of 2009 71 5 16 21 50 71 7.04 22.53 21 Kumar et
J&K al. 2009
Poonch valley Azad 2016 169 9 14 23 146 69 5.23 8.28 11.97 Khan et al.
Kashmir 2011
 16
Hathazari Chittagong, 2015 71 1 5 6 65 86 1.4 7.04 4.13 Sakib and
Bangladesh uddin
2015
Ramnagar J&K 2015 45 5 10 15 30 77 11.11 22.22 16.30 Kumar et
al. 2015
Hezar mountain, 2012 92 2 5 7 85 85 2.17 5.43 4.11 Rajaei and
Southeast of Iran Mohamadi
2012
Bandipora district of 2013 42 8 9 17 25 75 19.04 21.4 20.48 Lone et al.
J&K 2013
Tarai region of 2013 206 7 10 17 189 75 3.39 4.85 6.88 Mathur
Kumaun, Uttarakhand and Joshi
2013

Table 7. Rahman’s Index showing similarity of ethnic knowledge of Rajouri-Poonch Regions with other ethnic
groups

Tribal community Species Species Common Species Rahman’s Citation

unique to unique to species used for index
our study aligned similar
area area ailments
Malaiyali 86 55 6 3 2.12 Kannadhasan
et al. 2016
Manipuri, Bangladesh 91 31 1 0 0 Rana et al.
2010
Irular tribe of Redhills, 89 32 3 0 0 Bosco and
Tamil Nadu, India Arumugam
2012
Kani tribe of Thudu hills 89 32 3 0 0 Xavier et al.
of Kerela 2014
Tharu tribe, Nepal 85 64 7 0 0 Dangol and
Gurung1991
Bheel and Sahariya 89 28 3 0 0 Samar et al.
tribes of Guna district 2015
Madhya Pradesh
Bodo tribe , Assam 90 18 2 1 0.9 Saikai et al.
2016

Discussion several studies (Pant & Samant 2010; Kumari et al.

Rajouri-Poonch region is a remote area and local 2013; Ajaz & Ahmad 2017; Dhal et al. 2014; Faruque
inhabitants are dependent on natural resources for et al. 2018; Bhattacharyya et al. 2020) have also
fulfilling their daily requirements of food, medicine, reported herbs to be used frequently in traditional
fodder, fuel, and timber (Nabi & Afsar, 2020). Results medicinal systems. The reason for the dominance of
of the present study in terms of floristic diversity herbs in traditional and indigenous medicinal
patterns are comparable with the earlier studies systems may be their easy modes of extractions and
carried out in Himalayan as well as other regions. preparations due to presence of soft tissues (Yaseen
Plant families recorded to be dominant during the et al. 2015). Leaves of medicinal plants are often
present study have been reported to be dominant in used in herbal preparations due to the presence of
other studies also (Yineger et al. 2007; Khattak et al. active secondary metabolites like alkaloids,
2015; Amjad et al. 2017; Sharafatmandrad & Mashizi flavonoids, terpenoids, etc in leaves (Shoaib et al.
2020). The reason for the dominance of these 2017).This may be the reason for several other
families may be attributed to the presence of studies (Bose et al. 2014; Dolatkhani et al. 2014;
secondary metabolites having biological activities. Faruque et al. 2018; Malik et al. 2019), reporting
Plants of family Lamiaceae are known for their leaves as the most highly exploited plant parts for
essential oils and many active essential oils have medicinal purposes. Besides leaves, roots are also
been isolated from members of this family (Iwalokun preferred in many cases probably as they also
et al. 2003; Okach et al. 2013). Further, plants from contain a higher concentration of phytochemicals
the family Asteraceae are well known for their than other plant parts (Asif et al. 2021). In the present
ethnopharmacological importance (Rodriguez- study, decoction was found to be the most frequent
Chavez et al. 2017; Tewari et al. 2017; Saleh & Van mode of herbal preparations and the reason for the
Staden 2018), and this family is widely distributed use of decoction in most of the cases may be their
and is considered to be the largest family of flowering easy preparations and because heating can cause
plants in the world (Gao et al. 2010) and in the study increased activity of many bio-active compounds.
area also (Dar et al. 2014). In terms of life forms,
 17
The plant species documented during the present Torres-Avilez et al. 2016). However, no studies have
study with highest RFC are dominant in the study analyzed the effect of these variables on the
area and are also being cultivated, so these species distribution of ethnomedicinal knowledge in Jammu
are known to the local people for a long period. Thus, and Kashmir to date. In the present study, it was
their particular properties for curing different found that there is a strong positive correlation
diseases and ailments have become popularized between age and citations (r=0.64) (Fig. 5) and
and well recognized among the indigenous people. indicated that older persons have provided more
Plant species having high RFC and FL values could citations about the medicinal plant uses than the
be subjected to pharmacological, phytochemical, younger ones. A study by Tefera & Yihune (2018)
and biological studies to assess and verify their also reported that the older persons have more
validity for the development of novel pharmaceutical knowledge regarding traditional health care practices
products. According to Aziz et al. (2017), the low in comparison with younger persons. Negi et al. 2017
financial state of the human population is the main also reported that lower age groups knew lesser
reason for using plants for health care instead of medicinal plants as compared to the higher age
synthetic medicines. According to a report, 23% of group. The reason for this may be that the younger
families in the Rajouri-Poonch region are without generation is diverting from their traditional culture
water drinking facilities, 79% of families are without and are not interested in learning or understanding
flush latrines and 73% of families are residing in their traditional knowledge, not only regarding the
kaccha houses. Further, people living in this region use of medicinal plants but other aspects too. The
are backward in education and other sectors (Nabi & difference may be due to the experience that a
Afsha 2020). These statics confirms the unhygienic person gains with age. Older persons have
conditions of the people of the Rajouri-Poonch experienced more than the younger ones, and this
region, so the ICF is high for digestive diseases, skin may also be the reason why older persons are more
diseases, and oral diseases, which are caused by knowledgeable regarding the use of medicinal plants
unhygienic conditions. than the younger ones. The gender ratio was also
compared, and it was found that females are more
Based on the similarity of the finding of the present knowledgeable than males regarding the use of
study with the previous ones, the maximum level of medicinal plants to cure day-to-day diseases.
similarity was found with the study conducted by
Kumar et al. (2015) in the Gulmarg region of J&K with On average, each man gave 28 citations and each
a JI value of 38.57. The reason for this may be that woman gave 40 citations regarding the use of
the local population of the Rajouri-Poonch region medicinal plants. Also, males mentioned 79 plant
used to migrate to Gulmarg and vice versa, as species and females mentioned 86 plant species. Six
Gulmarg is in close vicinity with that of the Rajouri- plant species were mentioned only by males and 13
Poonch region. A high level of similarity might be plant species were mentioned only by females.
attributed to the fact that the communities living in There is no consensus in the literature about the
adjoining areas have the same socio-cultural values effect of gender on traditional knowledge, though
and have more chances to interchange their women are generally shown to hold a wider
traditional knowledge (Amjad et al. 2018). The lowest competence regarding medicinal plants than men
index of similarity was found in the study conducted (Shaheen et al. 2017; Tng et al. 2021). Further, a
by Sakib & Uddin 2015 in Hathazari, Bangladesh. negative correlation was found between the level of
Similarly, no or least similarity in terms of RSI education and the number of citations (r = - 0.34)
revealed that different tribal communities have their (Fig. 6) and highlighted that more educated persons
traditional knowledge systems, and they use plant have less knowledge regarding the traditional uses
bioresources in their unique ways. The reason for of medicinal plants. Similar results have been
this may be that due to geographic and other provided by researchers from different areas (Khan
barriers, there is no transmission of knowledge from et al. 2014; Gedif & Hahn 2003; Adnan et al. 2014).
one community to another. Further, these indigenous The reason for this may be that educated persons
groups live in different areas and the vegetation of are more influenced by urbanization and
these areas also diverges due to climatic and modernization. And, as there is lack of quality
edaphic variances, which in turn decreases the education in rural areas, the students must shift to
similarity among the different tribal communities. urban areas for higher and better education, so a
vacuum is created between the educated and
Medicinal knowledge and previous reports uneducated persons. Educated persons prefer to
Many studies have shown that age and gender are use other allopathic drugs instead of their traditional
the two important factors to study while assessing medicines.
the distribution of traditional knowledge within a
group of informants (de Albuquerque et al. 2011;
 18
60
y = 0.5619x + 6.1665
50
R² = 0.408

40
Citations

30

20

10

0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Age
Figure 5. Correlation between age and number of citations (r = 0.64)

60 y = -0.7367x + 37.809
R² = 0.118
50

40
Citations

30

20

10

0
0 5 10 15 20
Level of Education

Figure 6. Correlation between level of education and number of citations (r = -0.34)

Conclusions pharmacological, microbiological, and toxicological

The present study provides comprehensive enquires to draw general conclusions on
information on the traditional information ethnopharmacological relationships. Further, such
knowledgebase that the local people of the Rajouri- species should also be prioritized for conservation as
Poonch region have developed with a certain cultural these species have more anthropogenic pressure,
domain of plant use. A total of 92 plant species so conservational strategies and resource
belonging to 86 genera and 48 families were management should be adequately considered for
documented. Rosaceae was the dominant family the sustainable use of these precious and valuable
with 14 species. Leaves were the most common resources. Further, it was found that there is a strong
plant parts and decoction as frequent mode used in positive correlation between age and citations
herbal preparations. It is also found that all plant (r=0.64) and a negative correlation between the level
species are not equally utilized but some species are of education and the number of citations (r = - 0.34).
more versatile and have significantly more impact on Thus, the study clearly shows that the traditional
the ethnobotanical culture of the region. Such plants knowledgebase is eroding day by day and serious
with high RFC and FL indicate the existence of efforts should be taken to preserve this valuable
valuable phytochemical compounds. Thus, these information not only in the study area but throughout
plants should be prioritized for phytochemical, the Indian Himalayan Region.
 19
Declarations Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
List of Abbreviations: Not Applicable 198:268-281.
Funding: Not Applicable Bhattacharyya R, Medhi KK, Borthakur SK,
Conflicts of interests: The authors have no conflict Borthakur S. 2020. An ethnomedicinal study of
of interests. medicinal plants used against jaundice by Tea Tribes
Ethics approval: Participants provided oral prior of Morigaon district, Assam, India. Journal of Natural
informed consent. Remedies https://doi.org/10.18311/jnr/2020/23879
Consent for publication: Not Applicable
Author’s contributions: All the authors have Bosco FG, Arumugam R. 2012. Ethnobotany of Irular
contributed equally. tribes in Red hills, Tamil Nadu India. Asian Pacific
Availability of data and material: Data are Journal of Tropical Disease 874-877.
available from the corresponding author.
Bose MFJ, Aron S, Mehalingam P. 2014. An
ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the
Acknowledgments Paliyars aboriginal community in Virudhunagar
Authors are thankful to the Head, Department of district, Tamil Nadu India. Indian Journal of
Botany, BGSB University, Rajouri, J&K for Traditional Medicine 13(3):613-618.
encouragement. Author1 is also grateful to Mr.
Sheikh Mohmad Arif for his help and support during Dangol DR, Gurung SB. 1991. Ethnobotany of the
the analysis of the data. The authors thank all Tharu tribe of Chitwan district, Nepal. International
participants for sharing their knowledge. Journal of Pharmacognosy 29:203-209.

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