Guardians of Tradition: Exploring the Cultural Significance and Ethno botanical Wisdom in the Indigenous Use of Juniperus Excelsa among the Local Communities of Ziarat, Baluchistan

Abstract

The world's oldest juniper trees are found in Ziarat. This study documents the ethno botanical data of Juniperus excelsa in Ziarat, Balochistan. In Ziarat, Baluchistan, fieldwork was done in various habitats of J. excelsa to gather ethno botanical data about the species. The current study shows that the indigenous people of Baluchistan have long employed J. excelsa as a multipurpose tree for medicinal purposes. Different illnesses are treated with different sections of J. excelsa. The female cone berry is the most useful portion of the tree since it can be used for healing and its wood can be used as fuel during the cold months when they need domestic energy. It is recommended that these kinds of native ways of using plant resources be recorded and saved before they vanish for research and future generations. The purpose of this study is to have a better understanding of the traditional knowledge that rural Baluchistan people have regarding. J. excelsa and its traditional use for various ailments.