Ethnomedicinal documentation of plants used for gastrointestinal disorders in Sahiwal District Pakistan

The gastrointestinal tract is regarded as vulnerable due to frequent exposure to a variety of foods. Diarrhea, ulcers, constipation, and parasitic infections are considered to be the most prevalent disorders worldwide. The present study was conducted in the District Sahiwal to appraise the local flora for the treatment of a diverse range of gastrointestinal disorders (GIDs) for the first time. The interviews of 125 respondents were conducted during August 2021-January 2022 via a semi-structured questionnaire. Floristic analysis yielded a total of 73 plant species in 65 genera and 35 families. Fabaceae (n = 9), Cucurbitaceae (n = 5), Apiaceae (n = 5), Malvaceae (n = 5), and Moraceae (n = 5) were observed as the most prominent ethnomedicinal families. The gastrointestinal disorders were categorized into diarrhea, dysentery, stomach burn, abdominal pain, constipation, ulcer, intestinal problems, indigestion and stomachache. The maximum times reported gastrointestinal category was indigestion and stomachache (Informant Consensus Factor = 0.69.). Most of the plants were herbs (50%) and wildly (52%) available in this region. Local people prefer to use their leaves (43%) in the form of decoction or powder (37%). Quantitative data analysis reported Cymbopogon citrates and Musa paradisiaca most utilized medicinal taxa (Used value = 2.25). Furthermore, the study documented two new medicinal species i.e. Alstonia scholaris and Gardenia jasminoides, that were never been identified GID ethnopharmacology. These medicinal plants play a vital role in the development of our pharmaceutical industry for the better livelihoods of future generations. Documenting medicinal flora that was used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in district Sahiwal would be helpful in the development of low-cost, effective, safe, and appropriate medications against gastrointestinal disorders.