Investigating Indigenous Knowledge and Application of Ethno- Medicinal Plants in Margalla Hills

Abstract

Ethno-medicine is a traditional mode of treating illness using plants and their extracts. This research is an attempt to explore the medicinal use of plants among people of Margalla Hills, Islamabad. The worldviews of natives about ethno-medicine is also examined. This study also analyzes the socio-economic factors that influence the use of ethno-medicine in research area. To conduct this research, twenty-five respondents were selected through purposive and snowball sampling method. Qualitative research methods such as case study method, indepth interviews and focus group discussion were used. Photography and audio recording tools were employed to record and capture the data extensively. The study revealed that natives of the research area use various types of ethno-medicinal plants to treat mild to chronic diseases and different types of illness. Ethno-medicine is widely perceived as an effective and economical mode of treatment influence by religion and tradition. A section of population perceived ethno-medicine as an obsolete treatment method with dearth of proper modern research. Case studies revealed that various social, economic and cultural factors including occupation and income, social influence, education and gender play pivotal role in determining the use of ethno-medicine