The ethnobotanical domain of the Swat Valley, Pakistan

Ali, Kishwar; Khan, Nasrullah; Rahman, Inayat-Ur; Khan, Waqar; Ali, Murad; Uddin, Nisar; Nisar, Mohammad

Abstract

This study contributes to the current ethnomedicinal knowledge of the Swat Valley, Pakistan. District Swat possesses remarkable biodiversity owing to its varied topographical and climatic conditions, prompting a distinct human-plant association. Our hypothesis is that the presence of such a great biodiversity has shaped into a formal ethnobotanical culture in the area transmitted through generations. We suspect that the versatility of some plant species has greater influence on the culture. Therefore, the prime objective of the study is to understand this unique human-plant relationship in the valley and to create scientific roots for the selection and practice of herbs in the ethnobotanical domain of the district.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 29, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Jun 8, 2018
• Publication Date: Jun 8, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jun 9, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 11, 2025
• Journal: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
• Electronic ISSN: 1746-4269
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 39
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-018-0237-4
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/14549955
• Additional Information: Received: 12 June 2017; Accepted: 29 May 2018; First Online: 8 June 2018; : Before conducting interviews, prior informed consent was obtained from all participants. No further ethics approval was required.; : This manuscript does not contain any individual person’s data and further consent for publication is not required.; : The authors declare that they have no competing interests.; : The Publisher remains neutral about jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.