Comprehensive studies of Head Maralla, Punjab, Pakistan vegetation for ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical uses and their elaboration through quantitative indices

Head Maralla is a non-recognized wetland with diversified flora that becomes focus of current studies. Whole plant or their parts are being used for treating various maladies and they are the integral part of livelihood in the area. Unique species including Osmunda regalis is used for blood and renal diseases purifier. Wild plant resources are key to traditional ethnobotanical knowledge based practices and industrial applications. Current study reports Head Marala inhabitant’s interaction with these resources and identify priorities at species and habitat level for conservation. Four sites viz., River Tavi, Upstream Chenab, River Manawarwala Tavi and Bhalolpur were designated to record traditional knowledge through questionnaire and interviews during field trips. One hundred nineteen (119) plant species were identified belonging to 54 families, of which 87 species were of dicot, 12monocots, 05ferns, and 4 species of bryophytes. Fifty percent of the plant species were utilized as a whole for therapeutic purposes, followed by leaves which had more than 20% usage of total consumption. Ailments viz., urination (14%) followed by cough (8%), cold (7%), stomach (6%), asthma (6%), constipation (5%), laxative (5%), diarrhea (4%) etc., were associated with vegetation. Bronchial disorders, pneumonia, dyspepsia, anthelmintic and kidney stones, etc., were also among other diseases commonly cured by traditional knowledge. Fifteen percent of vegetation contributes as fodder species consumed by local community for livestock while almost 17% of local plants were utilized for industrial purposes like timber, fuel, furniture, wooden pots and sports goods. In conclusion the ecosystem of Head Maralla is a complex of aquatic, terrestrial and agricultural land that is located on climatic and geographical divides, which further add to botanical interest as included many wetland habitats with unique diversity of plants. It is suggested to devise comprehensive conservation strategies to safe indigenous knowledge in systematic way for comprehending ecological services.


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Along local inhabitants, many hakims, practioners and healers were also consulted and 247 discussed about various plants, their collection methods, recipes, formulation, trade, their 248 availability and multiplication and even preservation. Rapid appraisal approach (RAA) was 249 conducted to collect the indigenous knowledge. Survey was based on direct interaction with 250 indigenous people through group discussions, corner meetings and semi-structured interviews 251 following the method by Martin [22]. Hundred local informants were contacted formally to obtain 252 information, in which informants were belonged to different age groups i-e., 40 Interviews were conducted after obtaining informed consent (IC) from the interviewees.  349 Because the flow of water is being controlled by Indian side and they released water as per their 350 will [27]. Whereas on the other hand, in spite of increase in prices for allopathic, they would also 351 like to enjoy herbal plant wealth in the shape of variety of different products such as food, fodder, 352 vegetables, medicines, fibers and aromatic plants, that means it intact with their culture and at any 353 mean few of them wouldn't like to avoid [28].

Application of whole plant and plant parts used as preparatory material
As presented in figure 4, different plant parts are being used in addressing ailments. Whole plant or their parts are being used for various medicinal as well as industrial purposes and they are the integral part of livelihood in the area. Their applications were recorded in herbal medicine, pharmaceutical, food, fodder, grazing, timber and fuel. Further, other provisional services are furniture manufacturing, wooden pots, sports, goods, sheltering, home making and wharfs as wooden bridge, transportation, boats, ships and in railway tracks and so on.

Phytotherapeutic uses and remedies
Across globe, 20% of plant species are being used in health care system [29].  [30]. Figure 5 showed detail about plants used as digestive, urinary, respiratory, circulatory and general body problems.

Informant Consensus Factor (ICF)
ICF depends on the availability of plants within the study area to treat diseases. The product of the consensus factor is 0 to 1 and further, it showed the categories of ailments and informant consensus factor for each category (Table 3). ICF calculated for 12 ailments viz., respiratory system, throat disease, liver disease, digestive system, constipation, wound healing, kidney disorders, Jaundice, fever, diarrhea, inflammatory problems and laxative. ICF for these 12 ailments In addition to respiratory disorders these species were also reported from other areas of

Use values (UVs)
UVs ranged from 0.2 to 6.0, the highest UVs were recorded for Lepidium didymus L., (6.0), (2), respectively (Table 4). Plants with high UVs were also reported to be used in various parts of Pakistan, these plants have potential to develop herbal drugs along/after proper phytochemical Alternanthera pungens Kunth (0.3) [38]. It was noted that number of informants was not familiar with these plant species as far as their ethnobotanical uses are concerned. Lower UVs indicated existence of poor knowledge about particular species in the study area [40,41].    muricatus L., Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Anagallis arvensis L., and Oxalis corniculata L. Kashmir) [47]. It is evident that screening of potential antimicrobial agents is prerequisite for evaluating therapeutic potential leading isolation of new bioactive compounds [48]. A study based on ethnobotanical data of Morgah Biodiversity Park, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, was conducted on 40 species belonging to 39 genera of 32 families also showed local inhabitants are benefiting themselves [49]. Furthermore, lifestyle changes now modify living by the availability of alternatives to local herbs along, it declines herbal uses. Numbers of synthetic materials are available in market as substitute to natural products. Likewise, furniture was earlier made up of wood obtained preferably from Delbergia sessio DC., now replaced by synthetic material like plastic, iron, plywood etc., the demand for such type of furniture and households reduces now is not only due to shortage of raw material but also of high cost. While interestingly still today, Gujrat and Chiniot districts are famous for furniture manufacturing in Pakistan and attracts markets of Europe.

Impact of wild plants on local community health and well being
Windows and doors made of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don., are also very popular but cost raises many folds. Therefore, young generation is shifted to use synthetic material. Another picture is Sialkot which is very famous for manufacturing of sports goods and musical instruments but now shifted to alternative material. One solid reason is cutting of wood trees and reduction in forests' timber and lumber lack of capacity to support local industry. So, threats to loosen traditional knowledge and skill labor are also at the verge of extinction. Such paradigm shift complies with documenting ethnobotanical knowledge of the concerned area. It is therefore important to document the ethnobotanical data before the information is lost.

Informants Consensus Factor (ICF)
Respiratory system disorders and throat diseases were prevalent in the study area which could be attributed to limited availability of hygienic food and drinking water [50][51]. Plants are being used frequently to treat such disorders based on fact that active ingredients are available in these plants. Various ethnic communities across globe are employing traditional knowledge to treat respiratory and throat disorders [32,34,35]. Ethno pharmacological studies have shown that in some parts of the world, respiratory system disorders and throat diseases are come under a ß category [32,33]. Although, Head Maralla have never been studied ethnobotanically and ethnomedicinally, current findings little bit agrees with previous reports related to adjacent areas [32,52], while particularly supporting the results of Kayani et al, 2014 [34], that respiratory disorders and throat infections were dominant diseases in Gallies of Abbottabad, a city in Himalyan range of Northern Pakistan.
High ICF values obtained in this study indicated a reasonable high reliability of informants on the use of medicinal plants particularly for respiratory system disorder and throat diseases complaints, while low ICF values for laxative indicated that informants have little knowledge [53].
Frequently a high ICF vale is allied with a few specific plants with high use reports for treating a single disease category while low values are associated with many plant species with almost equal or high use reports, suggesting a low level of agreement among informants or the use of reported plant species to treat a particular disease category [54].

Use values (UVs)
In present studies, Lepidium didymus, Nelumbium nuciferum Gaertn., Albizzia lebbek, Cyprus rotundus were found with high UV. It is found that plants having high use reports (UR) always have high UVs while those plants having fewer URs, reported by informants carry lower UV. It is also observed that plants that are used in some repetitive manner are more likely to be biologically active [55].  One tea spoon amaltas fruit pulp and an equal amount of tamarind in one cup of water, left overnight mashed and strained is used for stomach problem. Similarly, one plant specie can be used against more than one disease like Amaranthus spinosus is used as antidote and as well as for constipation. Moreover, a single ailment can be treated with a list of plant species like asthma.

Many wild plant species possess medicinal as well as industrial applications. Eucalyptus globulus
Labill. is used both as ingredient in food items, part of medicinal formulations and also for manufacturing furniture and sport goods. Results of present study revealed that Saccharum spontaneum L., of family poaceae was one of the specie explored for the first time for various medicinal uses, diseases such as laxative, burning sensation, phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis) and in diseases of blood. This specie has not been reported before such medicinal properties from any region of the Pakistan, India, Nepal, Iran, Morocco, Singapore and Kenya [62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69]. Eight species belonged to family leguminosae were recorded from different sites of Head Maralla. This family is well known for pharmaceutical and food purposes for both man and livestock. Members of this family are rich in phytochemicals like tannins, phenol, alkaloids, conmarins, glycosides, lignin, quinones and steroids. Along with ethnomedicinal properties it is also a source of protein, timber, fiber, gums, resins, coloring matters, insecticides and molluscicides [70,71]. Fodder species of this family were also employed for treatment of livestock during fever, stomach diseases, blood purification and cough, respectively. Current findings might lead to the discovery of new drug.
Moreover, they might also use for exploration of active phytochemicals to give alternative to properties, this is a new finding from current study [75]. There is needed to further investigate it for active constituents of pharmaceutical significance. Likewise species Artemisia scoparia Waldst. & Kitam., Xanthium stromarium, Eclipta alba, Eclipta prostrata, Carthemus oxycantha (family compositae) known to be used against skin diseases, as fodder, ornamental, stomach disorders, demulcent, in small pox, malaria, tuberculosis, kidney diseases, allergy, athlets's foot and ringworm. Further, bleeding disorders, jaundice, fever, toothaches, ulcer and also air tonic. This family is rich in many active compounds like saponin, glycosides, steroids, tannins, diterpenoids, triterpenoids and flavonoids [76]. This means subject family members are being used against ailments of humans and animals as well. Only one study reported the uses of Carthamus oxyacantha M. Bieb., as its leaves in small doses are being used for curing intermittent fever, against wounds, ulcers and chornic sores, poultice of slightly roasted leaves administered to reduce inflamed swellings and rheumatism. Fermented leaves relieves chest pain and cure tympanitis whereas current studies found new applications like seed oil is being used for addressing ulcer, toothache, and itch. Therefore, new sources of medication could be explored for preparing new drugs singly or in combination [77].
Commonly grown species like Mentha spicata (podina), Mentha longifolia (L.) and Leucas aspera belong to family lamiaceae used as stimulant, carminative, anti-inflammatory, in digestive/gastric disorders, asthma, jaundice, chronic diseases and in addition to that as salad and fodder. The family is well known to contain various alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and carbohydrates [78]. These species were reported to be used since centuries and a part of local culture. Previous studies found that fresh leaves are edible, and could be used as carminative, against diarrhea, dysentery and colics [79]. Whereas Current studies find first report from Head Maralla and new applications of Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link, which showed that it was being used against asthma, jaundice and chronic diseases. Present investigation provides baseline information to screen out biological activities of these valuable plants in order to develop new antiseptic and insecticidal medicines. At Head Maralla Chrozophora tinctoria (family Euphorbiaceae) was being used for wound healing while in literature, it was reported for jaundice, typhoid, seeds cause vomiting and plant yields coloring matter [80]. In another study it was being used as stomachic for chest burning [81]. Present study indicated that Artemisia scoparia is used for skin diseases, as fodder and ornamental, whereas it is found diuretic in nature [32], however it has been reported for earache, cardiac problem, fever and blood pressure [71,82,83]. People were using Erigeron bonariensis L. for treatment of diarrhea, bleeding and hemorrhoids. Further leaves were used treating dysentery and diabetes. While it is reported to be used against asthma and ulcer in the area of Navapind and Shahpur Virkan [32]. In literature it is reported for hemorrhage and as diuretic [6,71,84]. E. prostrata was discovered as treating allergy, athlete's foot and ringworm. It is also used in blood purification and urticarial. In literature it is found to be used as antidote of scorpion, and as laxative [32,85]. Parthenium hysterophorus L. is used for skin disorder and often taken internally as a remedy for wide range of aliments. While in previous studies it is found that it can be used as blood purifier, backache, dysentery, fever, and toothache [32,84,86,87]. Another plant specie S. marianum was used in liver disorders, chronic inflammatory and in heart burn complaints.
Moreover it is found effective as anticancer, wound healing and for tuberculosis [32,41]. E.
helioscopia member of family Euphorbiaceae expected to have large number of alkaloids was used for eruption and cholera treatment but in the study Shahpur Virkan and Navapind, it is reported as used for cancer and cholera treatment [32].
Ficus religiosa was locally used against constipation, vomiting, asthma, and urinary problems, as in literature it was reported as laxative, and wound healing, diarrhea, ulcer, molar pain and cardiac problems [32,88,89]. Ficus benghalensis is reported to be used as in the treatment of sexual weakness and in hepatitis whereas previous literature mentioned that it is an important rubber yielding specie could be used for diarrhea, blood purifier and for diabetes [32,90,91].  [92]. It was found that Digeria arvensis Forssk., was used in headache, burning, dyspepsia, urination and in constipation. Moreover, it is used as salad, vegetable and as fodder.

Current investigation found another important plant
Whereas the foliage of the Digeria arvensis was used as potherb for treating constipation at Khushab areas [93]. It is interesting to note that the area of Head Maralla is climatically different from Khushab that is more or less arid and semi-arid area, therefore the local people used these Baluchistan, Pakistan revealed that ripened fruit is eaten and reported as mild laxative, used in constipation [94]. On the other hand current studies find that C. melo was used in tonic and as fodder for livestock in the area of Head Maralla. This report may lead toward discovery of new fodder source.
Published data revealed Adiantum capillus-veneris is valued for various ailments like decoction of leaves, also prescribed in cold, cough, flue and asthma [36]. Whereas current studies unveiled that it was used for bronchial disorder in the region of Head Maralla. It is also a discovery

Recipes used in Head Maralla area
There were number of recipes used by local people for their day to day needs. Crushed leaves of Mentha spicata L. and their extract are recommended to use two to three times orally for removing stomach and digestive disorders. Crushed leaves are also used as 'chatni' for eating purposes, keeping digestion efficient, and aroma that developed from small pieces of the mentha.
Chatni is used as coolent and digestive which also included pieces of unripend mango fruits to develop taste. Leaves of Mentha longifolia L. are boiled in water and used as effective in reducing mouth smell. Crush fruit/seeds of Melia azedarach (Dherak) were also being used against bowls and to remove swelling. Leaves paste is also used against skin disorders. Another common recipe of this plant is as, whole leaves boil for half an hour and then rape in piece of cloth, may applied on wound for healing and removing effects of insect bites. In some cases crushed seed extract was also used as tonic against pimples and other long term skin infections and diseases. Chenopodium album L. (bathu) is being used to make vegetable known as 'saag', just like Brassica campestris. Crushed leaves are mixed with palak (Spinch) and add spices and then boiled for one and half hour to make paste like vegetable, saag. The taste can be enhanced with the use of butter. Another recipe was of Justicia adhatoda L., according to traditional knowledge, take about ten leaves and then boil them in water for about half an hour. Juice may be obtained from mixture and then mix one teaspoon of honey into it. It is recommended to take one teaspoon for three times in a day. It will provide relief against cough. Its root ash along with honey can be used as best remedy against asthma. Best results could be obtained while using it at sleeping time.
Another wild plant Achyranthes aspera belongs to family Amarantheceae can be effectively Another specie was Ipomoea carnea Jacq., which was used in Jaundice, according to literature. Its seed mixed with sugar and castor oil to treat intestinal pain and worms. Seeds mixed with vinegar were used against swelling [7]. Current findings revealed the anti-carcinogenic and oxytoxic properties, remedy for asthma, bug bites and burns. Whole plant extract, roots, leaves and seeds have biologically active ingredients like Alkaloids, phenolic compounds and glycolipids that have strong impact when applied separately or in a mixture against poisonous insect bite, dog bites, in boils and carbuncles. Poultice of leaves could be used to cure boils, sore and pimples.
Cichorium intybus L. had also number of benefits by using various recipes like leaves were being used as a vegetable. The roasted root was used as a coffee adulterant. The root and the leaves were used as appetizer, depurative, digestive, diuretic, laxative and tonic. A decoction of the freshly harvested plant was used for treating gravel; the latex in the stems was applied to warts in order to destroy them. Blood glucose can also be controlled by using powder of dried roots of Cichorium intybus L twice in a day. Likewise 4 to 5 leaves of Zizypus jujube Mill., were suggested to be chewed daily may help to control blood glucose level. Moreover, powder of Melia azedarach L.
was proved effective against diabetes if a teaspoon of it used daily before breakfast, for a month.  The extract of the leaves was used for reducing swelling and redness of eyes and to relieve the pain.
The paste of the fresh leaves was used to stop bleeding from wound. These recipes have strong potential to first evaluate them on scientific basis and then transferred them to healthcare products.

Uniqueness/Novelty of the findings and future prospectus
The study area, Head Maralla is a junction of three Rivers (Jammu Tavi

Impact of anthropogenic activities on the area
Since last three decades, different environmental issues have been raised that are resulted by anthropogenic activities as well as natural calamities that affect the plant diversity badly [97]. The anthropogenic activities including urbanization and housing schemes affect the plant community structures. New trends cause ecological changes in vegetation. The increase in human population laid heavy demands such as food and shelters, consequently in the shape of degradation and destruction of floral diversity have observed [98]. Resultantly, agricultural land is gradually reduced which is also one of the causes of the green belt shrinkage. These green belts or patches are now used as built-up areas or commercially available land as a part of urbanization [99]. Moreover, different human malpractices such as blockage of sewage system, irregular garbage dumping, addition of agro-chemicals and many other pollution causing agents are adversely effected biodiversity. These factors have notable severe impact on soil environment, ultimately effected the vegetation [100]. The area is observed with high diversity even contained many unique plant species. Importantly, the area is also unprotected wetland and the birds coming from Siberia, West Asia, Karakorum and Himalayas helps in the seed dispersal and a source of addition of new plant species diversity. There is need to declare the area as protected and to conserve biodiversity for future generations. Current observation declares that population increase, expansion of agricultural lands across river and canal banks, over grazing, fish hunting and over exploitation of resources make it difficult to find biodiversity in safe form and size.
In another study anthropogenic activities have strong influence on the vegetation in the western Himalayas like Naran Valley by plant collection, forest cutting, expansion of agricultural land and grazing pressure [101]. Researchers advocated that indigenous knowledge is culturally

Conservation of local knowledge and cultural drivers
Conservation of biodiversity is helpful not only for mankind services but also for other organisms, too [103]. For conserving species various protected areas have been declared to conserve species and their habitat. Increase in greenhouse effect, species composition and their habitats are constantly becoming threat to reduce in number [104]. It is noted that protected areas play fundamental role in the safeguarding, protection and longstanding of the biological diversity [105]. Useful plant species required various cultural practices and agronomical requirement for their cultivation, which are difficult to accomplish by one or few institutes only [106]. Further, many of the plants are playing role as cultural drivers and they are used in the form of food, medicine, fodder, timber wood, fuel, cosmetics, spiritual and veterinary purposes. Among 400, 000 total plant species present on the earth, more than 7000 species of higher plants exists in Pakistan, are vascular plants including about 2000 medicinal plant species indicated the potential for benefits concerning next generations [107,108]. The area is ecologically situated in the Irano-Turanian Region and designated as Western Himalayan Province by Takhtajan [109]. Additionally, the Pakistan possesses a diversity of biotic communities and a relatively rich flora due to great variation in elevation, temperature, precipitation, and other physical parameters [110]. Various studies of ethnobotanical knowledge of Pakistani medicinal plants also supported that old age people showed more folk love for herbal medicines as compared to young ones. The plants were mainly used for stomach, anti-allergic, anti-neuralgia, vermifuge, narcotic and laxative purposes etc., [111].
Study of the 31 trees, herbs and shrubs belonging to 21 families of Chitral Gol National Park (CGNP) Pakistan, revealed the uses as fuel, fence, and as medicine by the local inhabitants.
Prominent one are including Artimisia maritima, Artemisia brevifolia, and Rosa webbiana as dominant species suitable for harvesting, while Ephedra gerardiana and Ferula narthex are also useful [112].
The local government should take steps to stop illegal collection and trade of such valued plants and their seeds. The area is situated in between two districts where a research station and a small scale production unit may be installed to get maximum utilization of the resources, that would be used as revenue generation, along this, postharvest management lacking might be required to safe guard the herbal products and value addition for timber and lumber products.

Ethics approval and consent to participate
Prior consent of participation was taken (supplementary file attached)

Availability of data and materials
All data generated and/or analyzed during this study are included in this article and its supplementary information files.

Competing interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests

Funding source
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not for profit sectors.