MEDICINAL DIVERSITY OF WEEDS IN THE HISTORICAL VALLEY OF LANDIKOTAL, KHYBER AGENCY, PAKISTAN

In this instant research, some 31 taxa of weeds belonging to 30 genera and 18 families were evaluated for their local and medicinal uses. Asteraceae was represented by eight species (26.66%) followed by Poaceae and Polygonaceae with three (10%) species each. Caryophyllaceae and Euphorbiaceae were presented by two (6.6%) species each while the remaining families i.e. Apiaceae, Cannabaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cyperaceae, Fumariaceae, Malvaceae, Oxalidaceae, Papilionaceae, Plantaginaceae, Primulaceae, Ranunculaceae and Zygophyllaceae by one (3.3%) species each. Forty (40) informants belonging to different age groups and tribes were interviewed randomly for documentation of diverse information regarding the weed species. These species are used for various purposes including vegetable five (16.6%), pot herb two (6.6%), skin diseases three (10.0%), fodder three (10%), ornamental two (6.6%), increase lactation two (6.6%), fever four (13.3%), diarrhea two (6.6%), neurological disorders one (3.3%), urinary tract one (3.3%), dysentery two (6.6%), malaria two (6.6%), diuretic eight (26.6%), blood purifier one (3.3%), toothache one (3.3%), jaundice three (10.0%), constipation two (6.6%), narcotic one (3.3%), healing wounds two (6.6%), ulcer one (3.3%), boils one (3.3%), abdominal pain two (6.6%), laxative four (13.3%), stomach problem three (10%), stimulant two (6.6%) and one species was used in hypertension (3.3%). It is concluded from the present research that further studies are required for the proper management and utilization of weed species and documentation of indigenous and ecological knowledge regarding the weed flora of the area.