Keeping Healthy in Your Skin-Plants and Fungi Used by Indigenous Himalayan Communities to Treat Dermatological Ailments

Ethnodermatology is a branch of Ethnobiology that deals with the identification and management of skin conditions and infections, as well as skincare and aesthetics in ethnically diverse populations. The aim of the current research was to contribute to an improved understanding of wild ethnomedicinal plant uses to treat dermatological disorders from the remote area (administrative district Kupwara) of Kashmir Himalayas. The main objectives were: (a) collection of medicinal plants used in the treatment of dermatological disorders; (b) to enlist the administration of different disease categories; and (c) to record the medicinal plants used to treat dermatological disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is set against the backdrop of limited access to modern healthcare in high-altitude regions, encouraging reliance on traditional plant-based remedies.

Study area: Kupwara district in the Kashmir Valley (Jammu & Kashmir, India), an isolated border area in the northern part of the valley (34°01′60″ N, 74°15′60″ E), total area 2379 km² with 368 villages. Population 870,354 (2011 census). Multiple ethnic communities reside here (Bakarwals, Kashmiris, Gujjars). The region experiences severe cold winters and mild summers. Field survey: 35 field trips were conducted during spring and summer of 2020–2021 to document medicinal plants used for dermatological ailments and associated indigenous knowledge. Data were collected via open-ended semi-structured interviews (n = 53) and group discussions (n = 33) with local communities, hakims, and tribal people (Gujjar and Bakarwal). Informed consent and ethical guidelines followed the International Society of Ethnobiology code; Nagoya Protocol considerations were observed. Interviews were conducted in local languages. Data handling and taxonomy: Skin diseases and wound healing were categorized into 15 ailment groups (wound healing, dandruff, skin burns, skin boils, hair tonic, scabies, pimples, skin allergy, skin rashes, insect sting, skin acne, blisters, warts, eczema, skin irritation). Collected specimens were identified with a taxonomist at the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, and deposited there; plant names were authenticated using POWO (accessed 1 March 2022). Quantitative analysis: Use Value (UV) was calculated as UV = Ui/N, where Ui is the number of use reports per species by each informant and N is total number of informants. Overall trends in total citations and UV were visualized using Generalized Linear Regression Models (GraphPad Prism 9). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) using the vegan package in R 4.0.0 explored associations among provisioning services and plant parts used; ternary plots (Origin Pro) and chord diagrams (circlize package in R 3.6.1) displayed species’ percentage contributions to parameters (life form, plant parts, preparations, disease categories). Modes of preparation and routes of administration were recorded (e.g., paste, poultice, infusion, decoction; topical vs oral).

- Species diversity: 64 medicinal plant species (and fungi) from 34 families used against dermatological ailments. Dominant families included Asteraceae (11 spp.), Lamiaceae (5 spp.), Boraginaceae and Caryophyllaceae (4 spp. each). - Life forms: Herbs were most common (80%), followed by trees (8%), ferns (6%), shrubs (4%), and fungi (2%). - Plant parts used: Leaves were most used (n = 32; 51%), followed by roots and whole plant (n = 12; 19%), whole plant only (n = 6; 9%), seeds (n = 5; 8%), latex (n = 4; 6%), tuber (n = 2; 3%), fruits and flowers (n = 1; 2% each). - Preparations and administration: Paste was the most common preparation (n = 25; 38%), followed by poultice (n = 19; 29%), infusion (n = 6; 9%), cooked (n = 5; 8%), juice (n = 4; 6%), powder (n = 3; 5%), decoction (n = 2; 3%), oil (n = 1; 2%). Most applications were topical (n = 54; 84%), with fewer oral uses (n = 10; 14%). - Disease categories treated: Wound healing involved the most species (18), followed by skin burns (11), skin boils (8), skin rashes (6), acne and hair tonic (5 each), scabies, dandruff, pimples, skin allergy (4 each), eczema (3), insect sting and skin irritation (2 each), warts and blisters (1 each). - Cosmetic uses: 12 species (18.75%) had cosmetic applications (e.g., Jurinea dolomiaea, Rheum webbianum, Rheum spiciforme roots with turmeric for glowing skin; latex of Ficus carica and Euphorbia wallichii topically; Coriandrum sativum, Adiantum spp., Chenopodium album as hair tonics/anti-dandruff). - COVID-19 period: 20 species (31.25%) were used for dermatological disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Ficus carica, Cichorium intybus, Euphorbia wallichii, Achillea millefolium, Anthemis cotula, Jurinea dolomiaea, Silene coronaria, Prunella vulgaris, Morchella esculenta, Adiantum venustum, Pinus wallichiana, Rheum webbianum, Bergenia ciliata, Verbascum thapsus, among others. - Cross-cultural comparison: Only 14 species (22%) of uses were common across Gujjar, Bakarwal, and Kashmiri groups. Highest homogeneity was between Gujjar and Bakarwal (23 species; 36%), followed by Gujjar and Kashmiri (14 species; 22%). Bakarwal and Gujjar reported the most uses, reflecting shared pastoral lifestyles and exposure to diverse landscapes. - Use Value (UV): Highest UV for Ficus carica (0.49), followed by Cichorium intybus (0.42) and Euphorbia wallichii (0.41). Lowest UV reported for Adonis aestivalis (0.11). High UV associated with common distribution and familiarity. Notably cited species included Ficus carica, Cichorium intybus, Euphorbia wallichii, Pinus wallichiana, Plantago major, Jurinea dolomiaea, Artemisia absinthium. - Supporting pharmacology: Literature indicates relevant bioactivities in highly cited taxa: Ficus carica (anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial; latex proteases for warts/wounds), Euphorbia wallichii (antibacterial), Cichorium intybus (antibacterial, anti-allergic), Pinus wallichiana (antifungal), Plantago major (anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory), Artemisia absinthium (antifungal/antibacterial; cosmetic applications).

The study documents extensive traditional knowledge of dermatological ethnomedicines in a remote Himalayan district, directly addressing the research question of which plants and fungi are used locally for skin-related ailments. The prominence of herbs and leaf-based remedies reflects both ecological availability and sustainable harvesting practices. The dominance of topical applications and paste/poultice preparations aligns with direct treatment needs for wounds, burns, and infections common in agrarian and pastoral settings. Cross-cultural analyses show substantial knowledge overlap between Gujjar and Bakarwal communities, consistent with shared transhumant pastoralism and similar environmental exposures, whereas Kashmiris reported fewer uses, likely due to greater urbanization and access to biomedical care. High Use Values for widely distributed, easily accessible species (e.g., Ficus carica, Cichorium intybus, Euphorbia wallichii) suggest strong local efficacy perceptions and frequent use. The literature-supported pharmacological activities of several highly cited plants provide plausibility for reported uses and identify promising candidates for further validation. Overall, the findings underscore continued reliance on plant-based treatments for skin diseases in areas with limited healthcare access, while highlighting risks to knowledge transmission as younger generations show reduced interest in traditional practices.

This ethnodermatological survey recorded 64 medicinal species across 34 families used by indigenous communities of Kupwara (Kashmir Himalayas) for managing skin ailments. Herbs and leaves dominate, with topical pastes/poultices being the main preparations. Wound healing is the most frequently treated category. Knowledge is richest among pastoral groups (Gujjar and Bakarwal), with moderate overlap across ethnicities. Species with high Use Value—such as Ficus carica, Cichorium intybus, and Euphorbia wallichii—are strong candidates for future phytochemical and pharmacological studies. The study preserves valuable traditional knowledge and indicates an ongoing dependence on medicinal plants amid concerns over habitat degradation. Future work should prioritize bioactivity validation of high-UV species, conservation of vulnerable taxa, and documentation and transmission of traditional knowledge to younger generations.