Some important medicinal plants and their
ethnopharmacology (benefits)
1) Cassia fistula
BOTANICAL NAME: - Cassia fistula (L)
ENGLISH NAME: - Golden Shower
URDU/ LOCAL NAME: - Amaltas
FAMILY: - Leguminosae
PARTS OF PLANT USED-
Dried leaves and fruit pulp
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
➢ Cathartic
➢ Anti–rheumatic
➢ Useful against skin diseases like leukoderma and pruritis.
Liver troubles, tuberculosis glands
➢ Treatment of wounds
➢ Diabetes
2) Trigonella foenum-graecum
BOTANICAL NAME:-Trigonella foenum-graecum (L)
ENGLISH NAME: - Fenugreek
URDU/ LOCAL NAME: - Methi
FAMILY: - Leguminosae
PARTS OF PLANT USED-
Dried seeds, Leaves
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
USES AS FOOD
HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECTS
CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING EFFECT
FOR GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES
ANTI-ULCER (Effective against peptic ulcer)
FOR COLIC
CARMINATIVE (stimulate digestive process)
FOR LOSS OF APPETITE
DYSENTERY and DIARRHEA
3) Carica papaya
BOTANICAL NAME: - Carica papaya (Linn)
ENGLISH NAME: - Papaya
URDU/ LOCAL NAME: - Papeeta
FAMILY: - Caricaceae
PARTS OF PLANT USED-
Fruit pulp, seeds, roots, leaves
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
1. Contraception (Unripe fruit)
2. Anthelmintic
3. Nutritional food supplement
Fruit
➢ Ringworm, the mature ripe fruit is used.
➢ For high blood pressure, seeds, and green fruit is used.
➢ Aphrodisiac
Seeds
➢ Anti-inflammatory
➢ Analgesic
➢ Anthelmintic
➢ Anti-fungal
4) Crocus sativus
BOTANICAL NAME: - Crocus sativus (L)
FAMILY: - Iridaceae
ENGLISH NAME: - Saffron
URDU NAME: - Zafran, Kesar
PARTS OF THE PLANTS USED
Dried flowers.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
1. FOOD (as a flavoring and coloring agent)
2. MEDICINAL:
• APHRODISIAC
• ANTI-DEPRESSIVE
• EXPECTORANT
• SEDATIVE
• STIMULANT
• ANTI-LEUKEMIC EFFECTS
• INSECICIDAL AND PESTICIDAL EFFECTS
5) Citrullus colocynthis
BOTANICAL NAME:-Citrullus colocynthis (L.) scared.
ENGLISH NAME: - COLOCYNTH
URDU/ LOCAL NAME: - Korhtumma
FAMILY: - Cucurbitaceae
PARTS OF PLANT USED-
Dried fruit pulp leaves.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
• Cathartic
• Treatment of parasitic diseases in livestock
• Diabetes
• Abortifacient
• Treatment of constipation
• Edema
• Bacterial infections
• Cancer
6) Aloe barbadensis Mill.
• BOTANICAL NAME Aloe barbadensis Mill.
• ENGLISH NAME Aloe vera
URDU/ LOCAL NAME Gheegwar
FAMILY Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae)
PARTS OF PLANTS USED
The green part of the leaf
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
• Help to boost the immune system
• Help in curing dermatitis
• Help in curing wounds
• Help in halting cancerous growth
• Reducing arthritis pain
• Delaying the aging process
• Alleviating nausea
• Soothes acid reflux symptoms
• Promotes hair growth
• Lowering cholesterol and triglycerides
7) Ocimum tenuiflorum
BOTANICAL NAME Ocimum tenuiflorum
ENGLISH NAME holy basil.
URDU/ LOCAL NAME Tulsi
FAMILY Lamiaceae.
PARTS OF PLANTS USED
Leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds, and oil.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
➢ Anti-inflammatory Beautifying
➢ Anti-stress Anti-aging
➢ Anti-allergic Anti-cancer
➢ Anti-diabetic Blood purifier
➢ Anti-fungal
➢ Anti-bacterial
➢ Anti-oxidant
➢ Analgesic
➢ Immune modulator
➢ Carminative
8) Ficus carica
BOTANICAL NAME Ficus carica
ENGLISH NAME Fig
URDU/ LOCAL NAME Anjeer
FAMILY Moraceae (Mulberry family)
PARTS OF PLANTS USED
Seeds, fruits, barks, leaves, shoots, and latex
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
• Anti-oxidant activity
• Anti-cancer activity
• Hepatoprotective activity
• Antidiabetic activity
• Hypoglycemic activity
• Alzheimer’s disease cure
• Antibacterial and antifungal
• Relieve constipation
• Lower blood pressure
• Antispasmodic
9) Olea europaea
BOTANICAL NAME Olea europaea
ENGLISH NAME Olive
URDU/ LOCAL NAME Roghan zaitoon
FAMILY Oleaceae
PARTS OF PLANTS USED
The fleshy part of the ripened fruit
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
• Reduce blood sugar
• Cholesterol and uric acid.
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Inflammation
• Diarrhea,
• Respiratory and urinary tract infections
• Stomach and intestinal diseases
• Asthma, hemorrhoids, rheumatism,
• Laxative, mouth cleanser, and as vasodilator.
• Help in preventing stroke
• Reducing breast cancer risks
• Curing acute pancreatitis
• Improve cardiovascular system
10) Coriandrum sativum
BOTANICAL NAME Coriandrum sativum
ENGLISH NAME Cilantro or Chinese parsley
URDU/ LOCAL NAME Dhania
FAMILY Apiaceae
PARTS OF PLANTS USED
The fresh leaves and the dried seeds
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
• Rich in immune-boosting antioxidants.
• Benefit heart health.
• Protect brain health.
• Promote digestion and gut health.
• Fight infections.
• Protect your skin.
• Easy to add to your diet.
• Constipation,
• Diarrhea, gas (flatulence), nausea,
• Athlete’s foot (Tinea pedis)
11) Allium schoenoprasum
BOTANICAL NAME Allium schoenoprasum
ENGLISH NAME Chives
URDU/ LOCAL NAME zera dan (sabz piyaaz)
FAMILY Amaryllidaceae
PARTS OF PLANTS USED
Leaves and flowers.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
Rich in flavonoid antioxidants help to fight cancer (lungs and mouth)
Improve heart health, and can even fight inflammation.
Detoxify the body and boost skin health.
To expel parasitic worms.
Maintain mineral density in bones
Aid digestion
12) Trachyspermum ammi
BOTANICAL NAME Trachyspermum ammi
ENGLISH NAME Ajwain, bishop's weed, or carom
URDU/ LOCAL NAME Ajwain
FAMILY Apiaceae
PARTS OF PLANTS USED
The leaves and the seed‑like fruit
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
• Stimulant, antispasmodic and carminative
• Remedial agent for flatulence
• Diarrhea, abdominal tumors,
• Abdominal pains, piles.
• Bronchial problems, lack of appetite, And Asthma
• Reduces premature greying of hair.
• Prevents hair fall, reduces dandruff and provides relief during scalp itching,
scalp irritation, and scalp rashes.
• Helps in reducing the scars caused by acne and pimples.
Miss Neelum iqbal
Lecturer botany
Department botany/zoology
GGDC Hayatabad no.2 Peshawar
