Pakistan Herbal Medicine - A Powerful Portal to a World of Healing

In Pakistan, herbal medicine has become a powerful portal into a world of healing, a testament to people’s resilience and resourcefulness. These traditional cures are passed on orally from generation to generation and are widely used.

A variety of medical substances from plants, animals and minerals are utilized to treat ailments. These treatments are largely self-medication, though different medicinal and ritual specialists may be consulted.

Medicinal Plants of Pakistan

Pakistan has a rich diversity of medicinal plants, which local people use to treat different health conditions. These ethnology herbal medicine are easy to access, cost-effective and have low side effects. However, they are increasingly threatened by unsustainable levels of harvesting and habitat degradation.

There is a need to develop new methods for identification of medicinal plants in order to ensure that the herbal products we purchase meet international quality standards. These methods will include DNA barcoding and DNA fingerprinting of plants, as well as nutrient analysis.

Medicinal plant use in Pakistan is declining due to factors such as deforestation and increased use of pathological medicine. This is especially true in rural and less developed areas, where folk medicines are still widely used for treatment of a variety of diseases.

Affordability

Pakistan is a country where a large proportion of people depend on traditional medicine for their health needs. They have faith in spiritual healers, clergymen, Hakeem’s or homeopaths for various ailments like infertility, epilepsy, psychosomatic troubles and depression etc.

The Unani system of medicine, which originated in Hellenistic Greece, is widely practiced by people in Pakistan. It is considered a reliable source of healing and has a long history. Nevertheless, the use of these medicines is threatened by unsustainable levels of harvesting and habitat degradation. There is a need for regulating and sustainable management of these resources (34).

Herbal medicine has been used in the past as a treatment for diseases because of its affordability, availability and accessibility. In remote areas of Pakistan, traditional medicine is a mainstay in the healthcare systems, where people depend on it for their health needs.

Accessibility

Traditional medicine is one of the most popular ways to treat common health problems in Pakistan. It is also widely used in rural areas, where there is a lack of access to primary healthcare services. Medicinal plants are a valuable resource in this regard, yet they are under threat from unsustainable levels of harvesting and habitat degradation. They are also subject to a lack of regulation and enforcement.

The Pakistan Herbal medicine is often the most accessible way to treat ailments in rural and remote areas. This is because it is inexpensive and readily available, so it's a popular choice among local people. A variety of medicinal substances from plants, animals and minerals are used for treating different diseases depending on the severity and availability of the substance. For example, turmeric is a well-known treatment for multiple ailments, while ghee is used to induce labor. Likewise, eggshells are used to ward off lizards and ginger is a remedy for fever.

Availability

Traditional medicine is a significant health care sector in Pakistan, and herbal medicines are a major part of this sector. Herbal medicines are based on the Unani system of medicine, which is derived from Greek and Arab medicine and is still widely practiced in rural areas (35).

A large number of plants with unique uses are available in Pakistan. These plant species are a source of income for local communities and are used to treat a range of ailments including hypertension, glottis disorders, skin infection, joint pain and throat diseases.

The use of traditional medicinal plants in the treatment of neurologic diseases is gaining momentum. These plants can be a promising source of new drugs to fight neurologic disease and are a good option for research. A study on the phytochemicals from these plants is required to identify their pharmacological properties and develop better drugs to treat neurological diseases.