Use of medicinal Plants for (Covid-19) Management in Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Since ancient times contagious diseases has been affecting human health in terms of viral, bacterial and other, microbial infections. But to combat and fight against such infections human beings always keep themselves prepare most likely by using herbal remedies at their homes. Viral infection (COVID-19) caused by corona viruses, affected a huge population of human beings around the globe and also affected the socio-economic life of the people throughout the world. It affects the respiratory system of human beings mostly, symptoms related to (COVID-19) includes fever, cough, respiratory tract infection, flu and in severe cases pneumonia. This study was conducted in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the aim to document the ethnobotanical knowledge of the local residents for the treatment of (COVID 19). The study documented 100 plant species belonging to 52 families that were used by inhabitants of the area for (COVID-19) treatment. Family Asteraceae remained dominant family with 13 species followed by Lamiaceae with 10 species, Fabaceae with 6 species and rosaceae with 5 species. Leaves were the mostly plant part used (31%) for the preparation of herbal remedies. Medicinal plants were mostly used in the form of powder (41%). The quantitative analysis of the documented plants revealed the highest FC values for Citrus medica (35), and least was recorded for Fumaria indica (6). Highest RFC value was reported for Cassia angustifolia (0.20) and lowest for Emblica officinalis (0.03). highest UR was reported for Canabis sativa, Ephedra intermedia, Adiantum capillus and nigella sativa (6) each, whereas 26 species were reported with (1) UR. Highest UV was documented for Adiantum capillus (0.35) and lowest for Calotropis procera (0.02). Highest FIV was reported for Cassia angustifolia (20.55) and least for Fumaria indica (3.33). Medicinal plants with 100% FL was Piper nigram (used for cough and chest congestion), Curcuma longa (used for respiratory tract infections and cough). The reported plants of the study should be tested clinically for their potential to fight against (COVID-19) and also be tested for their antiviral potential to use in synthetic drugs used for (COVID-19) treatment.