WEEDS AS A SOURCE OF MEDICINES FOR THE DESCENDANTS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT IN KALASH VALLEY, DISTRICT CHITRAL, HINDUKUSH RANGE, PAKISTAN

The Kalash valley of district Chitral is famous for its inhabitants considered to be the descendants of Alexander the Great, which are practicing an unique religion and culture and spoke an indigenous language for thousands of years. The present survey was carried out in all the three sub-valleys viz: Bumburet, Birir and Rumbor of Kalash valley during 2014 to 2015 to record the medicinal weeds of wheat crops. The result indicated 27 species of weeds belonging to 23 genera and 17 families used by locals for treatment of different diseases. The leaves of 15 (55.55%) species, shoots of 5 (18.52%), fruits and seeds of 3 (11.11%), flowers of 2 (7.41%) and the roots and whole plant of one (3.70%) species each were used as medicines locally. Similarly, 17 (63%) species were used in abdominal problems, 3 (5.43%) each as blood purifier and in jaundice, 2 (7.41%) each for fever and wound healing and one (3.70%) species each was used to treat cardiac problems, eye pain, kidney pains, mouth diseases and sunburn. Asteraceae was dominant family with 6 (6.66%) species followed by Chenopodiaceae with 3 species (5.43%). Brassicaceae, Polygonaceae and Plantaginaceae had 2 species (7.41%) each. All other families have contributed with one species each. The present findings provide first hand information about medicinal weeds of the area and their local uses and might also be helpful for proper management and control of these weeds.