#tracheophytes

The ethnomedicinal exploration was conducted in the area of Hangrai which falls in Tehsil Balakot of District Mansehra. Balakot is located between 34°33′N 73°21′E Latitude and 34°33′N 73°21′E Longitude. It is the gateway to Kaghan valley of the Northern Pakistan. The study area harbors rich ethnobotanical resources being the part of Western Himalaya. Extensive field visits were made in the study area during years 2015 and 2016. Data was collected from aboriginal peoples by questionnaire method comprising of open-ended and close-ended interviews. Three hundred informants (180 male and 120 female) were interviewed for various medicinal uses of plants. A total of 143 plant species belonging to 70 families were recorded which were used as medicinally by the local rural inhabitants. Habit wise categorization of plants showed 73.33% herbs, 16% trees and 10.66% shrubs. This study first time not only revealed unique ethnomedicinal uses of plants but also side effects of traditional herbal remedies. Furthermore this study will help to discover novel drugs from medicinal plants and it will also set guidelines for conservation of local flora.