Plant species found in GB
Introduction
According to the researchers
of Gilgit-Baltistan Thymus Bergenia, stracheyi, saussurea hetermalla, saussure
lappa, carthaamus tinctorious, Peganum
harmala, Rheum emodi, Mentha longifoila, Mentha arvensis are some of the plants
species that are found in Gilgit-Baltistan and the list goes on up to
thousands. Fruit trees like Apricot, Almond, Apple, Walnut, Peach, Fig,
Cherries are some trees that are commercially grown in this part of the world.
Gilgit-Baltistan is popular for its rich taste dry fruits.
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Traditional medicinal uses of plants in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
Ghizer district of
Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan is rich of tremendous natural resources. plants
resources have been used to different purpose of human as well as livestock
aliment in this part like others in the world. Many studies have been conducted
to find out and document the indigenous and traditional use of medicinal plant.
The status of traditional
knowledge with the advancement of technology and modern healthcare facilities
to find out the mode, part, and way of usage and more importantly to know the
threats for the plant resources. Although many conservational activities and
project are currently going. To gain some good results I believe these projects
needs to include local people for a long-term run, making them believe that
these conservations will upgrade the uplift the lives of the local community
with that the major stake holder should be the people of that area.
The information on
local name and uses were collected from the local communities and herbalist
through direct interview, questioner and showing photographs.
The identification
and nomenclature of the plant species was made by consulting different
taxonomists and available literature especially following the flora of Pakistan.
The leaves are most common part of plants used as medicine. Medicinal plants
are in severe under pressure of over grazing, cutting and climate change
impacts. so, the leaves of the plants are used for the treatment of different
diseases and provide large amount of oxygen.
Plants found in different areas of GB
1- Skardu Region
Most of the medical plant’s families are found in Skardu. such as
Asteraceae about 7 species been discovered and some believe that many more species can be found the region if more research has been done.
Lamiaceae about 6 species are being reported.
polygonaceae about 4 species are known till
now.
Rosaceae about 4 species are being reported.
The most dominant
life form of species including herbs (38), followed by shrubs and subshrubs (12), the most frequent used part was leaves (41%) followed by root (26%) flower (41%).
2- Hunza Valley
Hunza has the large area of Gilgit Baltistan and has one of the diverse plant species. The people of that area used the plants in different purposes, such as treatment for different diseases, used for the construction of building, roads, furniture, making paper, factories and etc.
The plants found in
Hunza are following
° Apricot
° pears
° cherries
° walnuts plants
° Apple plants
° grapes
° Almond
°Abiespindrow
° Artemisia absinthium
° Artemisia indica
wild
° Berberislycium Royle
° Flora
° Cannabis plant in Hunza
° Alpine flowers
So, these are dome of the plants that found in
Hunza, and these plants have different usage.
Flora
The flora of the Gilgit
Baltistan contain many plants with therapeutic values i.e., used to cure different
diseases treatment, bone and muscular problem, hypertension, sugar etc.
Thyme
The thyme as a medicine.
Thyme contains many chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal
infections. It also helps to relieve coughing and have antioxidant effect.
Most of the people commonly used thyme for coughing, hairs losing and
many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support
these uses.
Common Thyme and lemon thyme are the variety most often used in cooking.
lemon thyme looks like common thyme but offers a distinctive lemon and flavor. These
thymes are mostly found in mountainous areas and high altitudes of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Thyme can used in whole form, or by packing individual leaves from the
stem with a gentle pinching motion at the base of each cluster.
Thyme leaves can be added, whole or cropped, to a dish at any stage of
cooking. The longer they cook, however the more flavor they will provide thyme
stem or fibrous and won't break down during cooking, so during using whole
thyme stem pick them out and discard before serving. If baking with thyme removes
the small individual leaves from the stem beforehand are used dried thyme
(which has already been the stem).
Fruit crop-livestock
Quality delicious fruits like cherry, apricot mulberry, plum, peach, apples, pomegranate, and grapes etc.
The apricots of Hunza and Shigar is believed the most
delicious and very high in quality. The main crop includes maze, wheat, barley,
millet, potato, peas, beans, and various types. While livestock comprises of
sheep, goats, cows, horse, and yak. These natural resources play and extremely
important role in the region’s economy, providing the main source of households
in come for many. These natural resources offered great opportunity for
tourists and visitors to enjoy their leisure time.
The alpine flowers of the region or aster potentias, delphiniums,
daffodil, daisy, parsley, mustard honey sucklie, carnation, gentain, mint, peas,
Lilly, evering primrose, poppy, plantan, clavender, butter cups, rose. The trees
are of fir, birch, cadre, juniper, spruce, chilgoza, chir, blue, pine, deodar, willosycamor.
Common bush and shrubs include phaedar rose, tamarisk, uiburnartemisia.
Buckwheat
Buckwheat is a pseudo
cereal which is the type of grains that does not grow on grasses but is used similarly
to other cereal it is gluten free a good source of fiber and rich in
minerals and various plant compound especially
Rutin.
Buckwheat or common
buckwheat a plant cultivated for its grain like seeds and as a cover crop. The
name buckwheat is used for several other species, such as Fagopyrum tataricum a
domesticated food plant raised in Asia.
The buckwheat has a
great amount of fiber in it. Fiber allowed for the regular bowel movement and
reduced the potential for experiencing symptoms such as constipation.
A diet high in fiber
is sure to protect your digestive health. buck wheat can play a valuable role
in controlling blood sugar level. Buckwheat is a highly nutritious whole grains
that many people considered to be a superfood. Among its health benefit,
buckwheat may improve heart health benefits promoted health loss and help to
manage diabetes the buck wheat is good source of the protein and energy.
Although buckwheat
has 335 calories per 100g, it’s good for weight loss most noteworthy, buckwheat
flour keeps you healthy and protect you from disease.
Paper Birch
Commonly called paper
pin belongs to the family Betulaceae and scientifically known as Betula
papyrifera is also found in western part of GB. The paper is derived from the
silver-white bark of birch tree which is removed in sheet and rolls after
drying and pressing sheet are rubbed smooth with shell. Due to its waterproof
and insect repellent properties it is used as insulating material in the roof
of wooden huts. Construct maneuverable canoes, dishes, durable wigwams cooking
pots, needle cases and leak proof containers for storage of butter maple syrup
and water.
Cosmos
Cosmos are herbaceous
perennial pheut which is grow faster and the height is o.3 -2m tail. Their
leaves are simple and arranged in opposite pairs. which are used for different
purpose such as used as a medical treatment and as well as instruction the oil from
the cosmos plants.
Gilgit Baltistan is
blessed with wide variety of flora. Flora of the area appears to change color
with change with the change of weather. In winter it completed get covered with
snow, their greenery time is start taking roots in end may after melting of
snow and reach it's bloom in July when the whole area is covered by green
carpet, it end in august month, again due to drop in temperature, the flowers
and grasses start turning brown and finally turn black giving way to winter.
The famous tree
fruits of the area are walnut, apricots, cherry, and apple. The area is also
famous for its potato crop which is one of the best in Pakistan and is the
major source of income for the local of the area shellu sag a local grass. (vegetables)
is a common food among local of the area. The area is home to many herbs used
in allopathic, homeopathic, and herbal medicine.
Chamomile
These plants are the
best known for their ability to be made into an infusion which is commonly used
to help with sleep and is often served with honey and lemon large number of
other wildflowers not found anywhere can also be seen in the area.
Sea Buckthorn
Sea buckthorn is the
rich of many nutrients and may improve the health of your skins, immune system
liver and heart .it may also help in protection of many diabetes and even
certain type of cancer. Its oil has been used in traditional medical purpose.
Every few sides effect from sea buckthorn have been reported .in some people
who had high blood pressure, swelling, headache, dizziness, and palpitation
were noted. when this is used on the skin to treat burns.
It sometime caused a rash Consumption of it for
five weeks decrease fasting blood glucose in prediabetes consumption of sea
buckthorn fruits puree for five weeks has been found to decrease fasting plasma
glucose level in people prediabetes. The juices to the sea buckthorn have been administered
in volume up to 300ml daily over 8 weeks.
So, these are the
plants of Gilgit Baltistan which are used in our daily life for different
purposes such as in the field of industrial development, medical purposes and
also as a source of income.
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