Ethnomedicinal uses of the Ferns of Shishikoh Valley, District Chitral, Pakistan

Abstract

The indigenous communities of Shishikoh valley are often using various ferns taxa regularly. The current research work was intended for document-ing the ethnomedicinal knowledge of ferns. A total of 18 taxa were recorded that belonged to 9 genera and 6 families being used in the treatment of different ailments. Pteridaceae was the leading family with 6 taxa (33.33%), followed by Aspleniaceae with 4 taxa (22.22%), Athyriaceae and Equiseta-ceae each with 3 taxa (16.67%) followed by Dryopteridaceae and Marsile-aceae each with 1 taxon (5.56%). The reported ferns taxa were used as an-thelminthic, anti-rheumatic, astringent and wound healing agents and in the treatment of different ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, diarrhea, dysentery, gonorrhea, hepatitis, infertility, influenza, kidney disorders, mea-sles, oral ulcer, oral thrush, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, pharyngitis, scorpi-on bite, sinusitis, tonsillitis and tuberculosis. Ethnomedicinal knowledge is a valuable source for the innovation of different allopathic, homeopathic and herbal drugs that are used for the treatment of different ailments. The fern species may be used commercially for medicinal purposes through sustain-able way. Their proper cultivation and awareness about medicinal values among local communities leads to discover new drugs.