 for primary health care. People utilize different parts of the plant for medicinal purposes. For instance, the powder of leaves and bark of Caryopteris odorata is sprinkled on the wounds for speedy cures. The drug is highly effective on cancerous tumors. Similarly the paste of bark and leaves of Daphne papyracea is used as poultice for tumor and swellings.
An ointment of the bark of stem and root is used to promote discharge from indolent ulcers, and it is also used for snake and other venomous bites. It is taken internally for chronic rheumatism. The tincture is used to cure neuralgic pain and toothache. Similarly, Hamayun et al. (2003) reported that medicinal plants collected in district Buner (Pakistan) are used by the inhabitants to cure various ailments. For instance leaves decoction of Ajuga bracteosa used for the treatment of jaundice, hypertension and sore throat. Root of Justicea adhatoda is used in rheumatism, pneumonia and cough, while leaves are used as antiseptic, expectorant, antispasmodic and demulcent. As pointed out by local people the roots of Adhatoda vesica emerged as the excellent remedy for rheumatism. Further research is required on this aspect. Gum of Acacia modesta is used as tonic and stimulant. Leaves of Datura innoxia is used in toothache, headache and epilepsy.
The seeds are antipyretic and narcotic. Similar reports were also documented by Shinwari et al; (2002), Sadaqat (1995) and Ahmad et al; (2004) from other parts of Pakistan.
In study area 30 medicinal plants out of 56 had been found as the most commonly utilized plants which had been collected during different months of the year. Only 8 of them are traded in national market while the rest are used locally. Trade of medicinal plants in the valley could be promoted through selection of good quality and easily cultivated medicinal plants in large amount in local conditions of the area. Folk knowledge on medicinal plants would be helpful in this respect. In my opinion Bergenia ciliata, Caryopteris odorata, Gallium elegans, Desmodium podocarpum, Ceterach dalhousiae, Agrimonia pilosa, Lygodium japonicum, Daphne papyracea, Geranium wallichianum and Asparagus filicinus plant species would prove to be useful if they have been brought into cultivation in this area.
A survey conducted during present study shows that the number of medicinal plants declined during the past 15 years. It was observed that commercial gatherers (Gypsy and local people) collect medicinal plants in large amount from remote areas of the valley. One can see a person coming from hill top with a bundle of fuel wood on his head and a bag of medicinal plants in his hands. He hands over this bag of medicinal plants to local Pansaries (Herbal shopkeepers) and put in his pocket whatever money he gets for it. Such activity is causing a rapid depletion of medicinal plant resources in the area.
Majority of medicinal plants collected are rhizomatous. These plants are primarily collected in summer and during this period the plants utilize the root chemistry and nutrition for the development of aerial parts and fruit yield. As a result the rhizomes collected are depleted of active chemical constituents. The ideal time for the collection of these plants is winter or early spring when the plants are dormant. During this period the plants convert the nutritional chemistry of aerial parts into alkaloidal contents and store it in the underground parts. Beside this the rhizome collection has resulted in a drastic decrease of these medicinal plants in the area. Similar results were reported by Shinwari (2003).
The current investigation showed that leaves are the most collected plant parts for medicinal purposes and this situation can be a severe threat for some rare and slowly reproducing medicinal plants. However, the collection of the roots for medicine preparation could be regarded as harmful as for as some roots are left on the parent plant which proves to be a hindrance for the growth of the plant. Similar results were also reported by Tabuti et al. (2003) and Debela Hunde et al. (2004).
The majority of medicine preparations were drawn from mixture of different species for the treatment of a single ailment and similar result was reported by Hamayun (2004). Various methods of medicine preparations were apparent in this study. However, the most frequently used methods were aqueous extract followed by powdering as well as decoction. Similar result was reported by Shinwari (2002).
The results of this study revealed that medicinal plants were collected and utilized in fresh forms due to the fear of decline or loss in their medicinal properties. Habitat loss and degradation as well as agricultural expansion, deforestation and forest occupation are the most serious threats to medicinal plants as a whole and recurrent drought for herbaceous plants species specifically.
In conclusion it is necessary to point out that what remains of folk uses of medicinal plants survives and still plays a role in public health of the study area must be preserved and documented.
Acknowledgement: Authors are grateful for the traditional medical practitioners of the study area for their dedicated contribution in sharing their accumulated indigenous knowledge. The field assistant and computer technician Mr. Wajid Hussain is truly thanked.
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