A Cross-Cultural Ethnobotanical Knowledge Comparison About Local Plants Among Pashto, Punjabi, and Saraiki Communities Living in Southwest Pakistan

The study documented the indigenous uses of 68 medicinal plant species across Pashto, Punjabi, and Saraiki communities in Southwest Pakistan, involving 93 informants from 21 villages. The plants, used for food, herbal tea, and herbal drinks, were quantified using use value (UV) and cultural importance (CI) indices. Limonium cabulicum was the most important species based on use reports, Phyllanthus emblica had the highest UV (0.31), and Zingiber officinale had the highest CI (0.28). The findings highlight the ongoing use of traditional medicinal plants and suggest their potential for sustainable local development and fostering inter-ethnic relationships.