Medicinal Flowers of Pakistan

Context: The use of medicinal plants from natural environment to alleviate suffering is perhaps as old in origin as man on this planet. All indigenous remedies, whether Eastern or Western have originated directly or indirectly from Traditional Medicines. The dominant Traditional System of Pakistan is the Unani System. Pakistan is located in South Asia and it is divided into nine major ecological zones, eighteen types of habitat along 6000 species of flowering plants. Only 12% of these species have multipurpose uses, such as with in nutrition, ornamental and local cottage industries. Flowers have always been natural reservoir of bioflavonoid, elements, vitamins and their reputed effects. For example Marshmallow flowers are used in intermittent fever, hematuria and constipation. The flowers are recommended for cough, boils and skin disorders. Dried Safflowers are used as cardiac and nervine tonic. Roselle calyx is used as a good source of Vitamin ?C?. Rose oil preparations helps to ease premenstrual tension. Alcoholic extract of Sesame flower demonstrate tumor growth. Objective: The objective of this paper is to review the literature regarding medicinal flower of Pakistan. Although, the value of medicinal flowers has been recognized worldwide, utilizing of species in Pakistan has not received much attention. Methods: The review has been compiled using references from Pub Med, Scientific Journals as well as classical literature from Bait al- Hikmah Library, Hamdard University. Results: The results showed that 145 Pakistani species distributed among 108 genera and 59 plant families were found to have medicinal flower values. Out of these the largest numbers of species were found in Asteraceae and Malvaceae (22 and 11 respectively) followed by Caesalpinaceae and Lamiaceae (7 and 7 species respectively) and Boraginaceae, Fabiaceae, Papilionaceae, Rosaceae (5 species respectively), Apocynaceae (4 species), Bignonaceae, Meliaceae, Mimoaceae, Solanaceae, Verbinaceae (3 species respectively).Other families contained only one and two species of medicinal flowers. Conclusion: A literature search was carried out to find which plants are used as flower therapeutic uses as well as biological activities. These could be used for edible food, medicinal preparations, cosmetic, and future utilization as alternative therapeutics. Keywords: Medicinal & Edible Flower, elements in flower, Tea, Cosmetic, Scent, Flowers availability in Pakistan, Hamdard University.