ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY LOCAL INHABITANTS IN THE PREVENTION OF GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS IN LOW HILLY AREAS OF F.R. BANNU, PAKISTAN

The study was conducted to highlight those information regarding medicinal plants used to treat gastro intestinal troubles in certain areas of FR Bannu, Pakistan during 2015. A total of 29 plants belonging to 25 different families were collected that were used to treat gastro intestinal disorders by the local farming community. Among them, the Poaceae, Lamiaceae, Zingiberaceae and Amaranthaceae were the leading families having two species each while Brassicaceae, Moraceae, Malvaceae, Alliaceae, Asclepidiaceae, Solanaceae, Apiaceae, Meliaceae, Liliaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Fumiraceae, Oxalidaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Papevaraceae, Plantaginaceae, Portulacaceae, Punicaceae, Polygonaceae, Adiantaceae, Thymeleaceae and Scrophulariaceae having only one species. Most of the plants were used for stomach problems (93.75%), abdominal pain (81.25%), body cooling (18.75%), gas problems (18.75%) and dysentery (18.75%). The plant species collected were widely used in the region region to cure abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, stomach problems and gas troubles. The documentation of these plants comprises of botanical names, family names, local names, parts used and mode of administration.