Ethnomedicinal applications of animal species by the local communities of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors
Muhammad Altaf
Department of Zoology, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh, Pakistan
Muhammad Umair
School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Abdul Abbasi
Statistical Wing, Department of Mathematics, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh, Pakistan
Noor Muhammad
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Punjab, Pakistan
Arshad Abbasi
Department of Environment Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Keywords:
Animal species, Traditional therapies, Local communities, Pakistan
Abstract
Different species of animals are being utilized in traditional therapies by various cultures for a long time and such uses still exist in folk medicine. The present study aimed to document animal-based traditional therapies used by the local communities of Jhelum and Lahore districts of the Punjab province, Pakistan.
Methods
Field surveys were conducted in 2015–2016 in six different sites of the study areas. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and face to face conversation with local informants.
Results
The ethnomedicinal uses of 57 species of animals including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibian, and invertebrates (30, 25, 25, 7, 3.5, and 3.5%, respectively) were documented. Meat, oil, brain, fats, milk, eggs, and skin were the most utilized body parts. Ovis orientalis punjabiensis, Francolinus francolinus, Sperata sarwari, Channa punctata, Oreochromis niloticus, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita, and Carassius auratus were reported for the first time to treat human diseases, i.e., allergy, epilepsy, fever, joint pain, and backache, to act as aphrodisiac, and to enhance memory. Streptopelia decaocto and S. tranquebarica were the most frequently utilized species with highest frequency of citation (32 for each). Columba livia depicted highest fidelity level and used value of 92.86% and 0.89, respectively.
Conclusions
Being agro-pastoralists, the inhabitants of Jhelum possess more traditional knowledge compared to Lahore. The present study could be important for conservation and sustainable use of animal biodiversity in this region. Additionally, detailed study on chemical profiling and bioactivities may lead to animal-based novel drug discovery.
Keywords: Animal species, Traditional therapies, Local communities, Pakistan
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