%0 Journal Article
%A Sobia Sarwar
%A Shabnum Shaheen
%A Mushtaq Ahmad
%A Muhammad Waheed
%A Abeer Hashem
%A Graciela Dolores Avila-Quezada
%A Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah
%T Ethnobotanical knowledge and medicinal plant diversity in mountain region of district Bhimber, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
%D 2025
%J Taiwania
%V 70
%N 4
%P 740-754
%U https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2134
%X Medicinal plant diversity and traditional ethnobotanical knowledge were investigated among marginalized populations inhabiting a transboundary border region. Despite their ecological richness and cultural depth, such areas remain understudied due to political sensitivities and restricted access, resulting in the loss of valuable knowledge about medicinal plants. The research focused on documenting wild medicinal plant diversity, recording traditional uses, and evaluating their relevance for conservation based on indigenous knowledge systems. Fieldwork was conducted from December 2021 to March 2022 across selected sites in the Samahni subdivision of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 133 medicinal plant species belonging to 58 families were documented. The most dominant families were Asteraceae (12 species), Fabaceae (9 species), and Lamiaceae (7 species). Herbs accounted for most growth forms (64%), followed by trees (18%), shrubs (15%), ferns (2%), and a single climber (1%). Leaves and whole plants were the most frequently used parts, and the infusion was the most common preparation method. Plants were used to treat 17 disease categories, with the highest number addressing digestive issues, respiratory problems, and liver ailments. Quantitative indices showed strong cultural consensus for some species, including <i>Citrullus colocynthis</i> (L.) Schrad, <i>Ziziphus jujuba</i> Mill, and <i>Morus nigra</i> L, showing their ethnomedicinal consistency. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) values were most prominent for hypertension (0.89), pain (0.89), diabetes (0.88), and blood disorders (0.85), showing strong agreement among local knowledge bearers. The research concludes that mountain communities possess rich yet under documented ethnomedicinal knowledge, highly attuned to their environment and healthcare needs, and guided by informal conservation practices such as the selective use of aerial parts and minimal harvesting of roots to ensure plant sustainability.
%M doi:10.6165/tai.2025.70.740