**6. Folklore of wild plants in medicine**

Azad Jammu and Kashmir is gifted with dynamic variety of medicinal plants. Below, we discuss some wild fruits and vegetables commonly used by indigenous people of AJK. Main wild fruits of the valley are *Ficus palmata Malus pumila, Prunus persica, Prunus cerasus, Morus alba, Diospyros lotus, Rubus fruticosus, Vitis vinifera, Viburnum foetens* and *Punica granatum*. Fruit of *Juglans regia* L. (Juglandaceae) is used as dry fruit. Fruit also remove gall bladder stones and is aphrodisiac. Fruits of *Morus nigra* L. (Moraceae) are dried and sold in market as a dry fruit. Fresh fruit is ground and used as tonic and for cough and throat irritation. Fruits of *Rubus ellipticus* Smith (Rosaceae) are edible. *Withinia somnifera* (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) is used in Ayurvedic medicinal purposes and fruits are edible. Fruits of *Zanthoxylum alatum* DC. (Rutaceae) are aromatic, condiment and carminative and are used in sauce. They are also used for the treatment of piles. *Ziziphus nummularia* (Burm.f.) Wight & Arn. (Rhamnaceae) fruit is edible and laxative and leaves are used as fodder for goat. *Punica granatum* L. (Punicaceae) is used as treatment for Cancer, Osteoarthritis and other diseases. It has been used in natural and holistic medicine to treat sore throats, coughs, urinary infections, digestive disorders, skin disorders, arthritis. *Pyrus pashia* L. (Rosaceae) fruit is superlative to eat when it is slightly decaying. It is set apart from the cultivated pears by having a grittier quality. The fully ripe fruit has a reasonable taste and, when bletted, is sweet and very pleasant to eat. *Viburnum grandiflorum* Wall. (Caprifoliaceae) fruit is edible used against malaria [24] (**Table 1**). Miscellaneous uses of plants in the area comprise spices and condiments, ornamental plant species, vegetables and pot herbs, s agricultural tools, basket making, cosmetics, dish cleaner, house decoration, feed, field fencing, furniture, narcotics, packing material, curing snake and scorpion bite, soil binder, sticks and handles, shade tree, herbal tea and for making utensils. Maswak made from the roots of *J. regia* and branches of *A. modesta, O. ferruginea* and *Z. alatum* is used for cleaning their teeth. Plants are used as a major source of veterinary medicine. Interest of such use in the veterinary sector has resulted primarily from the increasing cost of livestock maintenance and the introduction of new technology in the veterinary medicines and vaccines. The important medicinal plant species showed the highest fidelity such as: *Rumex nepalensis*, *Primula denticulata*, (100%) used for dysuria, red urination, *Skimmia laureola* (100%), *Swertia paniculata* (99%), and *Angelica glauca* (97%), used for ague, cold, shivering, gastric ailments, *Melia azedarach* (100%), used to reduce intestinal worm load in cattle showing the conformity of knowledge on these species (**Table 2**). Plant communities have been largely disturbed due to deforestation for fuel, over consumption of medicinal resources for the population explosion, treatment of diseases, increased tourism and lack of awareness. Vulnerable species include *Sorghum halepense, Acacia modesta* and *Solanum nigrum.* Medicinal species like *Cissus carnosa, Butea monosperma Ajugabracteosa, Mallottus philippinensis*


*Historical Evidence and Documentation of Remedial Flora of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96472*



*Historical Evidence and Documentation of Remedial Flora of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96472*

#### **Table 1.**

*Important medicinal plant species with traditional uses in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.*

and *Zanthoxylum armatum* are critically endangered. Among endangered species, *Juglans regia, Olean ferruginaea, Phyllanthus emblica, Viola canescens* are the notable species. Some medicinal plants like *G. wallichianum, J. dolomiaea, A. bracteosa,* 


#### **Table 2.**

*Ethno-veterinary practices of important plants in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.*

*B. amplexicaule, S. lappa, A. heterophyllum,* and *B. lyceum* are on the edge of extinction due to high rate of intake [25].
