Abstract
The aim of this research work was to file medicinal uses of local medicinal plant species and to develop an ethnobotanical inventory of medicinal plants used by the inhabitants of Shergarh, Mardan district, Pakistan. Semi- structured interviews were conducted from 54 inhabitants of different ages (25 to 70 years). Analyzed the data using Informant consensus factor (ICF), Direct matrix ranking (DMR), Percentage and Fidelity level (FL) indices. Total of 61 plant species belonging to 35 families was interviewed. Family Asteraceae was the most leading family with 8 species (13%). The informant consensus factor (0.93) was noted high for antidiarrheal and lowest (0.63) for anthelmintic. Fidelity level was noted high (94.11%) for Cannabis sativa and lowest (56.52%) for Fumaria indica. High Direct matrix ranking was noted (22) for Dalbergia sissoo and lowest (7) for Lepidium sativum. Herbs (78.68%) were prominent for the preparation of ethnomedicines. Part used (54.10%) was observed as the whole plant. Crushing (52.46%) was the most prominent method for preparation of ethnomedicine with oral intake (91.80%). The dose of ethnomedicines (50.82%) was found high twice a day. The study highlighted that these medicinal plant species are under practice for children, mother, adult and aged people for primary health care. Medicinal plant species with high Informant consensus factor and fidelity level need further chemically and pharmacologically exploration for further drug discovery. Further in this study could be useful in biodiversity conservation.