Comparative Ethnomedicinal Knowledge and Medicinal Plant Use among Indigenous Communities in Southwestern China and Northern Pakistan

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants within specific communities constitutes an important component of traditional cultural knowledge, passed down through generations and preserved as a valuable cultural heritage. Although extensive academic literature exists on the use of medicinal plants within individual cultures or specific ethnic groups, comparative studies across different countries and cultures remain limited. Over recent decades, the cross-cultural significance of medicinal plants among diverse ethnic communities worldwide has become increasingly apparent. This comparative approach is both practical and essential, as it highlights differences in the use of medicinal plants across cultures and creates opportunities for further research.