Preprint / Version 1

Exploring the benefits of wild plants in dietary nutrition: investigating perspectives, choices, health impacts and sustainable practices

Authors

  • Tauseef Anwar Department of Botany, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100 Pakistan
  • Huma Qureshi Department of Botany, University of Chakwal, Chakwal, 48800 Pakistan
  • Sumbal Shahzadi Department of Botany, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100 Pakistan
  • Ejaz Siddiqi Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, 50700 Pakistan
  • Hayssam Ali Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Mohamed Abdelhamid Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Muhammad Nazim State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011 PR China

Keywords:

Traditional medicine, Ethnobotanical knowledge, Local food practices, Nutritional ethnobotany, Dietary benefits

Abstract

This ethnobotanical study in Dunyapur, District Lodhran, Pakistan, focuses on traditional medicinal knowledge, exploring 41 plants across 28 families. The research involves 496 informants from diverse backgrounds, including farmers, herbalists, housewives, teachers, and shopkeepers. The prevalence of herbs (68%) aligns with their accessibility and rapid regrowth, shaping the local medicinal landscape. The study investigates socio-demographic features, emphasizing the importance of considering the community's diverse perspectives. Methods The research employs quantitative ethnobotanical data analysis, introducing various indices like PPV, FUV, FIV, RFC, UV, and RI. The analysis of plant growth habits underscores the dominance of herbs, and the method of preparation evaluation identifies decoction as the most common (23%). Leaves (27%) are the most utilized plant part, and Resedaceae stands out with the highest FUV (0.38). FIV highlights the ecological and cultural significance of Poaceae, Boraginaceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae. Results The RFC values range from 0.016 to 0.032, with Cucumis melo having the highest value (0.032), indicating its frequent citation and cultural significance. The study reveals specific plants like Melia azedarach, Peganum harmala and Salvadora oleoides with high PR values for skin issues, reflecting their widespread acceptance and effectiveness. Oligomeris linifolia emerges with the highest UV (0.38), emphasizing its greater significance in local traditional practices. Leptadenia pyrotechnica records the highest RI (9.85), underlining its exceptional importance in the community's traditional pharmacopeia. Conclusion The findings offer a holistic understanding of ethnobotanical knowledge in Dunyapur, emphasizing the role of local contexts and ecological factors in shaping traditional plant uses. The study contributes valuable insights into the diverse practices within the community, laying the foundation for sustainable integration of traditional knowledge into broader healthcare frameworks. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-024-04379-4. Keywords: Traditional medicine, Ethnobotanical knowledge, Local food practices, Nutritional ethnobotany, Dietary benefits

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