The Thal Desert in Pakistan harbors unique, endemic plant diversity, with species remarkably adapted to extreme conditions. These plants are vital for local livelihoods and healthcare. This chapter presents an ethnobotanical case study of Noor Pur Thal, documenting 63 plant species and their traditional uses. The study characterizes these species with essential diagnostic traits for identification, emphasizing their medicinal, nutritional, and ecological value. Key medicinal plants include Corchorus depressus, a cooling tonic; Citrullus colocynthis for digestive and skin disorders; and Cistanche tubulosa, noted for aphrodisiac and anti-aging properties. Momordica balsamina has antidiabetic effects, and Leptadenia pyrotechnica addresses diarrhea and respiratory issues. Ecologically, species like Prosopis cineraria, Tamarix aphylla, and Saccharum spontaneum aid soil stabilization and erosion control. Nutritional plants such as Asphodelus tenuifolius and Brassica campestris are integral to local diets, while Capparis decidua and Portulaca oleracea provide culinary and medicinal benefits. The study emphasizes the significance of preserving this traditional knowledge, contributing to sustainable healthcare and conservation efforts. By linking this biocultural heritage to global initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it advocates for the international exchange of traditional wisdom, promoting sustainable practices and ecological resilience.  

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Ethnobotanical Wisdom: Exploring Indigenous Plant Resources of Thal Desert of Pakistan

  • Hafiz Muhammad Wariss,
  • Saeed Ahmad,
  • Muhammad Imran,
  • Muhammad Riaz,
  • Karuppusamy Arunachalam,
  • Wen-Jun Li

摘要

The Thal Desert in Pakistan harbors unique, endemic plant diversity, with species remarkably adapted to extreme conditions. These plants are vital for local livelihoods and healthcare. This chapter presents an ethnobotanical case study of Noor Pur Thal, documenting 63 plant species and their traditional uses. The study characterizes these species with essential diagnostic traits for identification, emphasizing their medicinal, nutritional, and ecological value. Key medicinal plants include Corchorus depressus, a cooling tonic; Citrullus colocynthis for digestive and skin disorders; and Cistanche tubulosa, noted for aphrodisiac and anti-aging properties. Momordica balsamina has antidiabetic effects, and Leptadenia pyrotechnica addresses diarrhea and respiratory issues. Ecologically, species like Prosopis cineraria, Tamarix aphylla, and Saccharum spontaneum aid soil stabilization and erosion control. Nutritional plants such as Asphodelus tenuifolius and Brassica campestris are integral to local diets, while Capparis decidua and Portulaca oleracea provide culinary and medicinal benefits. The study emphasizes the significance of preserving this traditional knowledge, contributing to sustainable healthcare and conservation efforts. By linking this biocultural heritage to global initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it advocates for the international exchange of traditional wisdom, promoting sustainable practices and ecological resilience.