Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used for the Treatment of Skin Diseases in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Skin conditions are among the most common health problems that affect people. Modern, allopathic, and natural medicine can all help to promote healthy skin.  Human skin problems can be successfully treated using medicinal herbs because they contain a wide variety of bioactive molecules. The goal of this research is to look into the dermatological properties of medicinal plants used by different ethnic communities in southern Punjab, Pakistan and it seeks to establish a foundation for the development of novel medications with anti-skin activity. The snowball sampling method was employed for expert sampling in the southern Punjab districts of Multan and Vehari. Direct interviews with traditional herbalists (Hakeem) and shopkeepers selling medicinal plants (pansar) were done between August and December 2021. After gaining their prior informed agreement, 120 experts from southern Punjab were interviewed. 21 medicinal plants were recorded to be utilized in the treatment of skin problems. Plants are largely members of the Asteraceae and Piperaceae families. Leaves (62%) are the plant portion most frequently used as a treatment for skin conditions. Decoction (23%) is the most frequently used method in the study area. Aloe barbadensis miller having the highest Relative Frequency Citation (RFC) value while the frequency citation (FC) value ranged from 20 to 60. The highest value of FC was also recorded for Aloe barbadensis. The fidelity level (FL) ranged from 66 to 100%. The documented 15 medicinal plants have a higher FL value than 85%.