An ethnobotanical assessment of medicinal, cultural and ritual uses of local flora of tehsil Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Local flora have played a vital role in human survival and cultural expression. Tehsil Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan, possesses a rich plant diversity due to its favourable climatic conditions. However, traditional knowledge regarding these resources, particularly for ritual and cultural significance remains unexplored. This study aimed to document this traditional knowledge, providing evidence-based data utilized by the local community of Tehsil Gujrat. METHODS: Ethnobotanical information was collected through structured and semi-structured interviews and questionnaires platform. Demographic information of the study area was recorded from 160 inhabitants. Quantitative indices were employed for the calculation of Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Informants Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity Level (FL). To assess the uniqueness of the data, cultural similarities were compared with neighbouring regions using Novel Percentage (NP) and Jaccard Index (JI). RESULTS: A total of 99 plant species belonging to 39 families were documented, with herbs (58 species) dominating the life forms. Demographic analysis revealed a diverse informant pool, 62.5% Punjabi speakers, 92.5% Muslims and 7.5% Christians with housewives (26.88%) constituting the largest occupational group. Of the documented flora, 61 species were used for medicinal purposes, primarily for digestive, respiratory and skin disorders. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Ocimum sanctum L. were frequently cited for respiratory ailments. Significantly, the study highlighted distinct ritual applications for seven species. Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth leaves were ritually hung at home entrance to protect newborns from the Evil Eye, while Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Leaves were integral to Islamic funeral rites (Ghusl). Ficus religiosa Forssk was identified as a botanical marker of sanctity near shrines, where as Ocimum sanctum L. was exclusively regarded as sacred by the local Christians community. Cultural uses included 8 species for festival, 12 for fuel and 7 for fodder. Quantitative analysis indicated Nerium oleander L. had the highest Use Value (1.17), while Achyranthes aspera L. showed the highest RFC (0.017). The highest ICF (0.44) was recorded for cardiovascular disorders. Comparative analysis showed the highest similarity (JI = 0.506) with broader Gujrat District and highest NP (56.14%). CONCLUSION: Tehsil Gujrat harbors a dynamic reservoir of ethnobotanical knowledge where local flora serves as a bridge between healthcare, spiritual protection and material culture. This study confirmed that while medicinal uses are widespread, specific ritual and cultural applications are preserved through distinct intra-cultural variations in age, gender and religious identity.