An Ethno botanical Study for the Treatment of Cancer and Malaria Used by the People of Quetta City

Abstract

Cancer and Malaria are the common diseases affecting the citizens of both developed and poor countries. An ethno-botanical survey was conducted at Sardar Bahudar Khan Women’s university campus, From March to November,2010. Ethno-botanical information was collected from faculty and students of Sardar Bahudar Khan Women’s university campus and also interviewing local people. This study was mainly focused on indigenous knowledge about the fruits, vegetables and herbs used for the treatment of cancer and malaria. The attempt was endured to collect indigenous knowledge with details of their local names, part used, distributed and recipes of medicinal use etc. In this study 50 plants were recorded belonging to 32 species. It was observed that plants of the family Cucurbitaceae (4 Species) are most commonly used for the treatment of cancer. And family Lamiaceae (3 species) and family Rutaceae (3species) are most commonly used for the treatment of malaria. The most studied species used for the cancer treatment are Caralluma Tuberculate (Asclepiadaceae), Cucurbita maxima (Cucurbitaceae), Luffa acutangula (Cucurbitaceae), Fragaria vesca (Rosaceae), Spinacea oleracea (Chenopodiaeae). And the most studied species used for the malaria treatment are Citrus limonia (Rutaceae) Juniperus excelsa (Cupressaceae), and Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceaea). It is suggested that the use of herbs for cancer and malaria is more secure as compared to synthetic medicines.