Ethnobotanical study and quantitative analysis of medicinal plants used by the people of Kargil district, UT Ladakh India

Abstract

Introduction: The study conducted in the Kargil district of UT Ladakh shed light on the invaluable ethnomedicinal practices deeply rooted within indigenous communities. The present research endeavors to document the ethnomedicinal practices of Kargil district. It is also to establish a baseline data in continuing studies aimed at detailed investigation on active principles of indigenous medicinal plants.
Methods: Over the course of May 2020 to October 2022, an exhaustive compilation of ethnomedicinal data was conducted across many villages using semi-structured interviews, guided fieldwork. The quantitative analysis involved calculating the Informant Consensus Factor (Fic), and Use value (UV) to assess the significance of each medicinal plant and recognize its acceptance.
Results: The study identified 149 medicinal plant species from 44 families and 107 genera used to treat around 60 ailments. The focus was notably on stomach-related issues, with 41 species, including 14 for gastrointestinal disorders and 9 for female genital disorders. High informant consensus (Fic > 0.85) was observed for blood purification, diarrhea, and jaundice, while poisoning had the lowest consensus (Fic = 0.61). Use value (UV) calculations ranged from 0.02 to 0.56, with Carum carvi having the highest UV (0.56) and Gentiana squarrosa the lowest (0.02).
Conclusion: The study area showcased a considerable repository of plant resources, indicative of the profound indigenous knowledge possessed by local inhabitants concerning medicinal plant application, but insufficient documentation and threats to conservation threaten these species. Scientific validation of high Fic and UV plants can protect this cultural legacy and aid novel drug development.