Historical Aspects Of The Use Of Nuts And Seeds For Health In Pakistan

Last Updated on Thu, 25 Oct 2018 | Nuts and Seeds

History relates the similarity in the cultural heritage of Pakistan and India. The Materia medica of the Greco-Arab (Unani system) that is utilized in the subcontinent contains an inventory of

Botanical Name

English/ Common Name

Nuts/Seeds

Indications/Uses/Activities

Abutilon indicum L. Amomum sabulatum Roxb.

Anemone nemorosa L.

Anethum graveolens L.or Anethum sowa Roxb. Apium graveolens L.

Areca catechu L. Artemisia parviflora Roxb.

Avena fatua L. Azadirachta indica A. Juss.

Bergenia stracheyi H &T. Engl. Brassica compestris L. Brassica juncea L.

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub Cannabis sativa L.

Indian mallow Seeds Black Fruit/nuts cardamom

Vulgaris Seeds

Dill

Karafs Betelnut

Neem, Indian lilac

Bergenia

Mustard plant

Brown mustard,

Indian mustard

Bastard teak

Cannabis

Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Heart pea Carthamus oxycantha Bieb. Carthamus

Carthamus tinctorious L.

Carum carvi L. Carum copticum L.

Bastards saffron, safflower

Caraway

Omum

Carum petroselinum (BENTH.) Parsley

Cassia fistula L. Chenodium album L.

Golden shower

Seeds Seeds

Nuts/fruit Seeds

Seed Seeds

Seeds Seeds Seeds

Seeds Seeds

Seeds

Seeds Seeds

Goose foot, Seeds lambs quarter, peg weed

Mucilaginous, and laxative (Hayat et al., 2008) Aromatic, and tonic to digestive system (Qureshi etal., 2009)

Chronic headache, excretion of nasal secretion, brain tonic, and analgesic (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003) Gastric disorders, facial palsy, and paralysis (Hayat et al., 2008)

Expectorant, antifebrile, lumbago, ascitis, dropsy, kidney, and bladder stones (Usmanghani etal., 1997; Rizvi et al., 2007)

Antidiarrheal, bleeding gums, and ophthalmia (Qureshi et al., 2009)

Abdominal pain, stomach ache, high blood pressure, diabetes, and anthelmentic (Ahmad et al., 2006; Hussain et al., 2007).

Nerve tonic, stimulant, and laxative (Islam etal., 2006) Blood purifier, anti-lice, vermicide, hemorrhoids, skin diseases such as scabies, wounds, leprosy, earache, and liver disorders (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009) Pimples, eczema, toothache, and bleeding gums (Ahmad et al., 2006)

Aphrodisiac, and skin infections (Hussain et al., 2007; Hayat et al., 2008)

Anodyne, rubefacient, stimulant, arthritis, footache, lumbago, rheumatism, skin eruptions, and ulcers (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009)

Rubefacient (Rizvi et al., 2007), anthelmintic (Anonymous, 1987)

Blood purifier, scabies, sedative, appetizer, anodyne, earache, malaria, anthrax, sore throat, and hemorrhoids (Ahmad et al., 2006; Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009)

Aphrodisiac (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003) Dressing of ulcers, and itching (Shinwari & Khan., 2000; Hayat etal., 2008)

Chicken pox (Ahmad etal., 2006), Respiratory tract ailments, aphrodisiac, and spermatopoetic (Rizvi etal., 2007; Hussain et al., 2007) Nausea, and stomach ache (Ahmad et al., 2006) Antifebrile, stomachic, gastrointestinal disorders, molluscicidal, menstruation problems, expectorant, antibacterial, and antidote to opium (Ali etal., 2003; Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009) Gastritis, antifebrile, constipation, and diabetes mellitus (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003) Asthma, cough, wounds, jaundice, bronchitis, menstrual problems, for the removal of umbilical cord, and to ease labor (Rizvi et al., 2007; Hayat et al., 2008) Antifebrile, jaundice, and hepatitis (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003), Gastrointestinal disorders, anthelmintic, and purgative (Shinwari & Khan, 2000; Qureshi etal., 2009)

Botanical Name	English/ Common Name	Nuts/Seeds	Indications/Uses/Activities
Cichorium intybus L.	Common	Seeds	Liver complaints like jaundice, typhoid, constipation,
	chicory		and nausea (Anonymous, 1987; Ahmad et al., 2006)
Citrullus lanatus (Thunb)	Water melon	Seeds	Stomachic, immunomodulator, jaundice, urinary
			blockage, and kidney stones (Hayat et al., 2008: 20)
Cocos nucifera L.	Coconut	Fruit/kernel	Anthelmintic (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)
Cordia obliqua Willd.	Geiger tree	Seeds	Cough, and stomach ulcers (Hayat etal., 2008)
Coriandrum sativum L.	Coriander	Seeds	Antiperoxidative (Rizvi et al., 2007)
Cotoneaster nummularia		Seeds	Blood purifier (Hussain et al., 2007)
Fisch & Mey.
Cucumis melo L.	Melons	Seeds	Liver disorders, skin infections, flexion, diuretic, and to
			treat kidney and bladder stones (Hayat et al., 2008)
Cucumis melo var.	Cucumber,	Seeds	Urethritis, spleen diseases, and jaundice (Hayat et al.,
utilissimus Roxb.	gourd, melon		2008)
Cucumis sativus L.	Cucumber	Seeds	Diuretic (Marwat et al., 2009)
Cucurbita maxima	Turban	Seeds	Cough (Hussain et al., 2007)
Duch. ex Lam.	squash,
	Turk's cap
Cuminum cyminum L.	Cumin/carum	Seeds	Expectorants, squamous cell carcinoma, digestive
			disorders, carminative (Shinwari & Khan, 2000;
			Kabirudin & Khan, 2003), ear ache, cough, toothache,
			chest infection, pneumonia, antidiabetic, allergy, acne,
			dysmenorrheal, and anticancer (Sabeen & Ahmad,
			2009)
Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.	Air creeper	Seeds	Hepatitis, gastritis, constipation, antifebrile,
			carminative, and anthelmintic (Shinwari & Khan, 2000)
Cydonia oblonga Mill.	Quince	Seeds	Antifebrile, respiratory ailments, cardiac problems,
			dysentry, and diarrhea (Marwat et al., 2009)
Dacus carota L.	Carrot	Seeds	Regulates menstruation, and high doses are
			abortificant (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009)
Datura inoxia Mill.	Thorn apple	Seeds	Aches, antifebrile, asthma, narcotic, anodyne, and
			antiseptic (Shinwari & Khan, 2000; Sabeen & Ahmad,
			2009)
Dolichos sinensis L.	Chinese doli	Seeds	Cough, menstrual cycle, and aphrodisiac (Kabirudin &
	kas		Khan, 2003)
Eruca sativa Mill.	Rocket	Seeds	Dandruff (Hayat et al., 2008)
Erysimum cheiri L.	Wall flower	Seeds	Spermatopoietic, glactagouge, and respiratory
			ailments (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)
Euphorbia helioscopia L.	Sun spurge	Seeds	Cholera (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009)
Foeniculum vulgare Mill	Fennel fruit	Seeds	Expectorant, stomachic, amenorrhoea, lactogogue,
			weak eyesight, toothache, and pneumonia (Ahmad
			et al., 2006; Hayat et al., 2008; Sabeen & Ahmad,
			2009)
Gossypium herbaceum L.	Cotton	Seeds	Aphrodisiac, spermatopoetic, lactagogue,
			expectorant, and liniment (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)
Helianthus annuus L.	Sunflower	Seeds	Seed decoction used to treat cough and fever (Hayat
			et al., 2008)
Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall.	Kurchi bark	Seeds	Chronic diarrhea (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)
Hordeum vulgare L.	Barley	Seeds	Headache, indigestion, liver complaints, antifebrile,
			antitussive, antidiarrheal, and jaundice (Hayat et al.,
			2008)
Hygrophila auriculata	Schumach	Seeds	Jaundice, hepatic obstruction, rheumatism,
(Schum.) Heine			inflammation, urinary infections, sexual vigor, gout,
			and asthma (Ali et al., 2003)

Botanical Name

English/ Common Name

Nuts/Seeds

Indications/Uses/Activities

Hyoscyamus niger L.

Henbean

Seeds

Ipomia nil L.

Kaladana

Seeds

Ipomoea pentaphylla L.

Greater yam,

Seeds

Yam

Juglans regia L.

Walnut

Nuts

Juniperus excelsa M.B.

Greek juniper

Fruit

Lactuca scariola L.

Salad lettuce

Seeds

Lallemantia royleana Benth

Lallemantia

Seeds

Lathyrus aphaca L.

Yellow-

Seeds

flowered pea

Linum usitatissimum L.

Common flax/ Seeds

linseed

Malva neglecta L.

Common

Seeds

mallow

Malva parviflora L.

Cheesewood/ Seeds

Egyptian

mallow

Mangifera indica L.

Mango

Seeds

Melilotus indicus Linn.

Sweet clover

Seeds

Mirabilis jalapa L.

Four 'o'clock

Seeds

flower or

marvel of

Peru

Nepeta cataria L.

Catmint

Seeds

Nigella sativa L.

Black seeds/

Seeds

black

cumin

Oxalis corniculata L.

Papaver somniferum L.

Basil

Creeping lady's sorrel, creeping oxalis,

Creeping wood sorrel

Opium

Seeds

Expectorant, analgesic, for burnps, toothache, cough, hemoptysis (Usmanghani etal., 1997), antispasmodic, anticolic, for irritable bladder, and antitumor (Rizvi et al., 2007)

Vermicide, blood purifier, warts, eczema, and other skin diseases (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003) Jaundice, intestinal pain, & worms (Qureshi etal., 2009)

Brain tonic, aphrodisiac, cold, and cough (Islam etal., 2006)

Anthelmintic (Hussain et al., 2007) Aphrodisiac, diuretic, tonic, stimulant, placental retention, anthelmintic, galactogogue, cough, scabies, headache, spermatorrhoea, sedative, and jaundice (Kabirudin &Khan, 2003)

Aphrodisiac, antiarrhythmic, mental diseases, insanity, griping, gingivitis, gleets, bronchitis, thirst, diuretic, and in urinary troubles (Rizvi et al., 2007) Narcotic, and resolvent (Shinwari & Khan, 2000)

Wound healing, burns, gonorrhea, dermatitis, enema, and lumbago (Ahmad et al., 2006; Hussain et al., 2007)

Nephritis, cough, bronchitis, ulceration of bladder, skin diseases, and in hemorrhoids (Shinwari & Khan, 2000) Purgative, anthelmintic, cough, influenza, and fever (Hayat et al., 2008; Qureshi et al., 2009)

Chronic dysentery and diarrhea (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)

Infantile diarrhea and bowel complaints (Shinwari & Khan, 2000)

Astringent, leukorrhea, gonorrhea, and menstrual problems (Hayat et al., 2008)

Injuries, and backache (Ahmad et al., 2006) Expectorant, diuretic, carminative, cleansing, deobstruent in renal stones, amenorrhoea, respiratory ailments, ulcerative scabies, vitiligo, antiphlegmatic attenuant, anthelmintic, antidyspeptic, local anesthetic, hypotensive, antibacterial, anticancer, aids, and antiparasitic (Rizvi et al., 2007) Bronchitis, rheumatism, pyrexia, urogenital diseases such as gonorrhea and syphilis, otitis, cardiotonic, stomachic, and analgesic (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003) Skin diseases, dysentery, and sensitive teeth (Qureshi et al., 2009)

Headache, fatigue, lumbago, toothache, eye ache, brain weakness, cold, analgesic, hypnotic, sedative,

Botanical Name

English/ Common Name

Nuts/Seeds

Indications/Uses/Activities

Peganum harmala L.	Syrian rue	Seeds
Phyllanthus emblica L.	Emblic	Seeds
	myrobalan
Phyllanthus	Kanocha	Seeds
maderaspatensis L.
Pinus roxburghii Sargent	Chir pine	Seeds
Pistacia vera L.	Pistachio	Culinar
Plantago lanceolata L.	Narrow leaf	Seeds
	plantain
Plantago major L.	Greater	Seeds
	plantain
Plantago ovata Forssk	Spoqal	Seeds
Podophyllm emodi Wall ex.	Royle	Seeds
Royle
Portulaca oleracea L.	Purslane	Seeds
Portulaca oleraceae L.	Purslane	Seeds
Prunus armeniaca L.	Apricot	Seeds
Prunus dulcis L.	Almond sweet	Seeds

Prunus persica L.

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L. Psoralea corylifolia L.

Punica granatum L.

Punica granatum Linn. Ricinus communis L.

Rosa indica L. Rumex acetosa L.

Rumex vesicarius LJSpinacea oleracea

Peach Seeds

Winged bean Seeds

Babchi Seeds

Pomegranate Seeds

Caster Seed oil

Rose Common sorrel Spinach

Seeds Seeds

Seeds spasmodic, antiperiodic, antipyretic, and antiabortive (Hayat et al., 2008)

Aphrodisiac, expectorant, asthma, gastric problems, mental diseases, paralysis, facial palsy, vaginal complaints, and toothache (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003; Hayat et al., 2008)

Asthma, bronchitis, and biliousness (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)

Carminative, laxative, tonic to the liver, diuretic, and useful in bronchitis, earache, headache, griping, ophthalmia, and ascites (Ali et al., 2003) Stimulant, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, and antibacterial (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009) Tonic for brain and heart, aphrodisiac, cough, phlegm, and kidneys (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003) Gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, loose motions, and diarrhea (Ahmad et al., 2006) Antidiarrheal, abdominal pain, antibleeding, phthiasis, bronchitis, and toothache (Ahmad et al., 2006; Hussain et al., 2007)

Antidysenteric, both laxative and as an antidiarrheal, colic disorders, decreases serum cholesterol level, spermatopoetic, antitussive, and carminative (Usmanghani et al., 1997; Rizvi et al., 2007; Hayat et al., 2008)

Liver and stomach disorders (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009)

Demulcent, diuretic, and vermifuge (Islam etal., 2006) Vermifuge, jaundice, typhoid, and skin allergy (Hayat et al., 2008; Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009) Stomachic, and health tonic (Hussain et al., 2007) Brain tonic, aphrodisiac, spermatopoietic, cardiotonic, immunostimulant, expectorant, skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, hemorrhoids, otosclerosis, and purgative (Ahmad etal., 2006) Skin infections (Ahmad et al., 2006; Hussain et al., 2007)

Expectorant, asthma, and cough (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)

Antiparasitic, blood purifier, scabies, constipation, hemorrhoids, diuretic and diaphoretic, and skin problems such as leukoderma, leprosy, and psoriasis (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)

Vermicide, headache, cold, influenza, menstruation problems, and jaundice (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009) Jaundice (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009) Paralysis, facial palsy, expectorants, dermatitis, eczema, purgative, anthelmintic, and mastitis (Usmanghani etal., 1997; Hayat etal., 2008) Heart disease (Hayat et al., 2008) Gastrointestinal problems, and as an antidote for scorpions' sting (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003) Tuberculosis, analgesic, and inflammation of urinary tract (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009)

Botanical Name	English/ Common Name	Nuts/Seeds	Indications/Uses/Activities
Salvadora oleoides Decne.	Toothbrush tree	Seeds	Rheumatism, postparturient infections (Hayat et al., 2008)
Salvia moorcroftiana Wall.	Wild sage	Seeds	Dysentery (Shinwari & Khan, 2000)
Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.	Chinese soap berry	Seeds	Hemorrhoids (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009)
Secale cereale L.	Rye	Seeds	Eye diseases, and in dissolving the opacity of the cornea (Shinwari & Khan, 2000)
Sida cordata (Burm. f.) Boiss.	Bhumibala	Seed	Aphrodisiac, laxative, demulcent, gonorrhoea cystitis, colic, and hemorrhoids (Shinwari & Khan, 2000)
Silene conoidea L.	Large sand catchfly	Seeds	For pimples, and backache (Ahmad et al., 2006)
Silybum marianum L.	Milk thistle	Seeds	Demulcent, used in hemorrhage and liver diseases (Shinwari & Khan, 2000)
Sisymbrium irio L.	London rocket	Seeds	Expectorant, stimulant, and restorative (Shinwari & Khan, 2000), bronchitis (Ahmad etal., 2006), and dropsy (Qureshi et al., 2009)
Solanum miniatum Benth.	Black nightshade	Seeds	Asthma, bronchitis, and biliousness (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)
Strychnos nux vomica L.	Nux vomica	Seeds	Paralysis, facial palsy, lumbago, stomachic, brain tonic, purgative, syphilis, decreases excessive urination in old age, and to alleviate urinary bladder weakness in children (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)
Syzigium cumini L. Skeels	Blackberry	Seed kernels	Antidiabetic (Hayat et al., 2008; Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009)
Syzygium aromaticum L.	Clove	Seeds	Brain tonic, cardiotonic, and aphrodisiac (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)
Thymus serphyllum L.	Wild thyme	Seeds	Used as a lotion to massage a woman's back after delivery (Ahmad et al., 2006)
Tinosporia cordifolia (Willd.)	Heart-leaved	Seeds	Tuberculosis (Hayat et al., 2008)
Miers	moon seed
Tribulus terrestris L.	Calotrops seeds, puncture vine	Seeds	Kidney and bladder stones, aphrodisiac, and backache (Hayat et al., 2008)
Trigonalla foenum-graceum L.	Fenugreek	Seeds	Antidiarrheal, and emmenegogue (Ahmad etal., 2006)
Trigonella foenum graecum L.	Fenugreek	Seeds	Antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic, asthma, backache, and nerve weakness (Hayat et al., 2008)
Urtica dioica L.	Stinging nettle	Seed	Diuretic, astringent, and tonic (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009)
Verbascum thapsus Linn.	Great or common mullein	Seeds	Aphrodisiac, narcotic, and used as a fish poison (Shinwari & Khan, 2000)
Vicis vinifera L.	Raisin	Seeds	Stomachic, and antidiarrheal (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)
Viola serpens Wall. Roxb		Seed	Purgative, and diuretic (Shinwari & Khan, 2000; Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009)
Vitex negundo L.	Five-leaved chaste tree	Seeds	Catarrah, allergy, tympany, galactogogue, flatulence, and cholera (Hayat et al., 2008)
Withania coagulens DUNAL.	Vegetable rennet	Seeds	Aphrodisiac, stomachic, and tympany (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)
Zanthoxylum armatum D.C.	Japanese pepper	Seed	Carminative, and stomachic (Sabeen & Ahmad, 2009)
Zyzyphus jujuba Mill.	Jujube fruit	Fruit/seeds	Influenza, cough, allergy, wounds, scabies, and whelm (Kabirudin & Khan, 2003)

about 30,000 plants (Kabirudin & Mahmood, 1937). Pakistan is blessed with a wide diversity of plants that can be grown in one or other seasons of the year, and have been cultivated since ancient civilizations. History reveals that Arabs brought a revolution in food items, leading to the inclusion of nuts and raisins in different dishes native to India. Valuable work on the pharmacology and phytochemistry of commonly used medicinal plants has been carried out in Pakistan (Ikram & Hussain, 1978; Usmanghani et al., 1997).

Most of the nuts and seeds used in health and disease in Pakistan are cultivated in the country, although some are partially imported from different regions — for example, almonds from Iran. Some plants grow wild, such as Tribulus terrestris L. (Bhakhda), and grasses along the banks of canals, rivers and in deserts. A number of plants are obtained as byproducts of different crops — for example, Hordeum vulgare L. (Jo) and Cichorium intybus L. (Kasni) from wheat crops. Nuts are seeds that are covered with a hard shell, and both nuts and seeds are a vital source of nutrients for human beings. Some fruit and vegetable seeds (melon, water melon, pumpkin, etc.) are stored by local people and used for the maintenance of health. Coconut, sunflower, safflower, rapeseed, corn, or sesame seed oils are used to treat skin problems, and are most often used as carrier oils.