1

WILD EDIBLE PLANTS USES

By

ATIQ ULLAH

MUHAMMAD IDREES

IRFAN ULLAH

MUHAMMAD IDREES

MUHEEB UR REHMAN

Department of botany

University of Balochistan

Session 20-21
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Contents
S.No Title Page No
1 Abstract 1
2 Introduction 1-3
3 Literature of review 3-6
4 Conclusion 7
5 Reference 8-10
===
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Abstract

Wild edible plants (WEPs) refer to edible species which are not accustom to life with
mankind . These plants play a Important role in the obliteration of poverty, agriculture
diversification, food availability and security, revenue generation and getting rid of
malnutrition. Now it is very hard to provide nutritious, healthy and safe food to
undernourished and low income group of the developing world. Due to less availability,
unreliable supply and souring costs of healthy food the developing world is desperately
looking for alternate sources of food to feed their population. Some plants that are yet less
explored and utilized (such as Mucuna, Rhynchosia, Canavalia, Brachystegia, Detarium
and Afzelia, for example) are thought to be very nutritious. After detail review and
analysis it is found that most of the plant species are a valuable source of nutrition and
even they provide medicinal cure. The wild edible underutilized wild plants can help to
cope with the malnutrition and problems related to it, and can certainly help to increase the
status of health in the people living in rural communities. Under this review the
commercial exploitation of underutilized edible plants such as source of diet related
supplements, bio-frotication, new food formulation and product developments is also
focused.

Introduction
The wild edible plants are those plants that are not accustom to life with mankind but are
accessible for utilization as food from various natural habitates to meet the need of a
particular community. WEPs can be found in fields of the forests, even in and around
areas like by the side of a road and wet lands. It is estimated and somehow calculated that
a very large proportion of population residing in developing countries get a large portion
of their diet from these wild edible plants. Humans have historically utilized more than
8000 wild plants amongst the large lot of around 100000 plants available to them in
various parts of the earth. These WEPs are used for food, shelter, fiber, industrial and
medicinal purposes. But despite their food value and relatively easily availability a small
number of plants are widely utilized, the underutilized plants can significantly contribute
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as source of food and serve as source of food during hard times such as droughts and crop
failures. And can also meet the nutritional requirements due to their natural composition
and nutritional values. Despite the fact that most of the communities completely rely on
agriculturally grown crops the value and utilization of the WEPs are still in practice in
various parts of the world, According to the statistics released the Food and Agriculture
organization (FAO) at least 10000 of people around the world have use these wild plants
as important part of their food requirements. They also say that these wild edible plants
are playing a major role in poverty eradication, diversification of agriculture, revenue
generation, fighting malnutrition and security of food. The high nutrition and vitamin
value of many wild plants that are edible make them a perfect source of food for those
people that are low income and live away from urban centers. The susceptibility of local
societies to food insecurity thereby furnishing safeguard in times of food security
famine WEPS have by traditional occupied an important position in the religious, health
sector and culture of rural and ethnic lives of people. AROR and ANGULA back in
1996 have given detail account of Wild edible species found throughout the India. the
long history of using WEPS as medicinal plant resulted in development of formal system
of medicine particularly in China, Pakistan, Africa, India some parts of rural Europe. In
Pakistan union system also largly plants based about 6000 out of pakistan , total flora of
3,000 species are used as in traditional Pakistani medicine. The utilization of these wild
edible plants for medicinal purposes continues to grow as traditional source of cure for
diseases as the population grows who cannot afford the expensive western medicines
especially in the developing and underdeveloped world. And the other important thing
associated with the medicines generated using WEPs is that they are traditionally thought
to be harmless to human body. As a result the industry related to traditional plants based
medication has significantly has grown throughout the developing and under-developed
world. Even in some African countries the process of traditional medicine is financed and
supported at governmental level and forms one of the largest sector of their economy.
This is because the import of western medicen requires a large sum of financial resources
which are not easily available in the developing countries. As a result some countries not
only promote such medication but also help in producing such medicines on commercial
basis. The financial consideration of promoting traditional medicine affirms the value of
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local culture recommended research includes tests on effectiveness’ and toxicity and
guideline for insuring standard levels of active in gradients.

Literature of review

(Hadjichambis, 2001). Clarify that Wild edible plants have always in very
important place in the folk traditions of the Med region.(Khafagi ,2001) illustrated that It
is very important to collect data about the uses of wild edible plants in region and
population situating around the Mediterranean sea until we lost this knowledge. Since in
many Mediterranean areas these traditions are at severe risk of disappearing from usage
due to the availability of western medicine and hence the i need to study such knowledge
systems and find new and innovative ways of saving it for future generations. (Rivera et
al., 2002) explains that During the past few decades, different studies have been collected
to systematically analyze the utilization, processing and gathering of wild edible plants
specific countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. (Ali- Shtayeh, 2002) spell out that
For this study fifteen small communities that are distributed in five different areas in the
northern West Bank of the Palestinian Authority (PA) were selected for this
investigation. There were several villages or communities in each district. Each of them
was located within homogenous mountainous and rural living mathod. The prevailing
socio-economy is agro-pastoral consultation to confrontationclimate of the study area is
mainly little-arid. Though the west bank has a small geographical area but have great
variation in land representation. As a out come the west bank has diversified patterns of
natural vegetation and crop patterns, from irrigated agriculture in the Jordan Valley (the
lowest area in the world) to rain-fed farming in the mountains. (Ahmad & Javed 2007)
point out that conducted research in Ayubia National Park Pakistan on selected useable
plant species. They found six most prominently used medicinal and food species named
as Galium aparine, Artemisia scoparia, Hedera nepalensis, Adhatoda vasica, ,
Amaranthus viridis, and Urtica dioica these plants till now have gain little attention in
scientific research and also in local population residing there. These were selected as
underutilized Species. Diversity of the underutilized and neglected crop Species of
Benin (West Africa) was studied by (Dansi et al., 2007) explains that both of them
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reported that there are 41 such underutilized and drop plant species (NUCS) in which 19
species were identified as of Priority base on 10 criteria among which included their
Extent and degree of using of . (Abubakar et al.,2007). Clarify studied that sixty dropped
and underutilized flowering plant Species as vegetable from the field in the Federal
Capital area Abuja of Nigeria. (Osewa et al.,2008) explains further that studied uses of
underutilized and neglected plant Species in akinyele local government area of Oyo state,
Nigeria. (Tebkew et al., 2008) recorded 33 dropped and underutilized wild Edible plants
northwestern Chilga areas of Ethiopian highlands. Amongst the observed and studied
plants, 33% were trees Fruits (67%) were the Mostly used plant part (Nayagum et
al.,2008). Illustrated that Studied around 37 such species of less known wild edible fruits
with distinct local name given by the inhabitants people by focusing on habit and uses.
( Singh and Gupta 2008). and (Jain & Sinha,2008). Spell out and studyed species that
helps life, used by villages people who were inhabitants under very hard climatic and
financial conditions.(Sundriyal and Sundriyal 2008) defined and recorded 6 plant species
who were considered to be underutilized wild edible plants as a food i.e. Eriolobus
indica, Elaeagnus latifolia, Spondias axillaris, MachilusEdulis, Baccaurea sapida and
Diploknema butyracea. A very detailed analysis and survey of less known wild edible
plants that were widely utilized by Gujjar tribe Of Jammu and Kashmir state in the
district Rajori, was carried out By (Rashid et al.,2009).(Bhatt et al.,2009).added and
reported that Buds and flowers of Crotalaria tetragona is used as vegetable, cooking and
in green colour of food produced locally for preparation of meals especially in Non-
vegetarian resident’s of the north- hill areas of India. Spread and varieties of such
underutilized wild edible plants and little amount of vegetable crops types in the areas of
the North- East India was studied and recorded by (Singh et al.,2009). ( Terangpi et
al.,2009) recorded that Rhynchotechum ellipticum and Gnetum gnemon are less known
plants. But both of these Plants were used an racials known as Karbi who resides in the
Assam in the Northeast of Asia. (Deb et al.,2009). Explains 85 species of such crops that
were used for medicinal and food purposes in four districts of Nagaland. (India). They
also estimated and calculated the nutritional value of these underutilized wild edible
plants (Onweluzo et al.,2010). Spell out that charactersof protein contents and isolation of
little knon tropical legumes such as Brachystegia eurycoma, Afzelia Africana, Mucuna
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flagellipes, and Detarium microcarpum. The proteins of Mucuna flagellipes and

Detarium Microcarpum constitutes globulins of relatively higher molecular weight.
Albumin protein was found in prominence in Afzelia Africana legumes. (Sena et Al.,
2010). Highlights the Systematically examine the nutrient contents of different plants,
inhabitants to rough and famine, in the republic of Niger. They observed nutrient content
found in the Leaves of Ceratotheca sesamoides Ziziphus mauritiana, Moringa oleifera
Leptadenia hastate, Adansonia digitata, Amaranthus viridis and Hibiscus sabdariffa.
(Barminas et al.,2010) studied chemical and mineral composition of six leafy vegetables
that are considered nonconventional i.e. Colocasia esculenta, Corchorus tridens,
Amaranthus spinosus Moringa oleifera, Adansonia digitata, and Cassia tora. According
to their chemical analysis and findings the highest Iron content are found in Adansonia
digitata and Amaranthus spinosus when we compare it to the commonly used vegetables
in Nigeria. (Freiberger et al.,2010). disclose and examine and sreched the nutritional
contents and role of wild Underutilized plants that are part of the Nigerian diet. (Dolezal
et al.,2010). Spell out and exemine the chemical composition of less Known wild Fruits
such as Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) Russian olives (Elaeagnus Angustifolia), Rowan
berry (Sorbus aucuparia), Barberrry (Berberis vulgaris), chokeberry (Aronia
melanocarpa) Scarlet Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea), Madlar (Mespilus germanica),
Mayhaw (Crataegus monogyna), Rose Hips (Rosa canina) and Sloe berry (Prunus
spinosa). (Pugalenthi et al.,2010) highlights the potential of being used for nutrition, of
an Underutilized plant Mucuna pruriens and current present situation of its utilization as
food and feed for both human beings and livestock throughout the world. (Ng et
al.,2011). Examine several Underutilized vegetables found in wild namely
Crassocephalum Crepidioides, Monochoria vaginalis, Ceratopteris thalictroides,
Etlingera elatior, Limnophila, and Aromaticoides. These plants were also analysed for its
antioxidant activities, phenolic components and nutritional value. These wild green plants
were found to have high ash (14 – 18g / 100g ) fiber (12 – 20 g /100g) and contents as
compared to Commercialized species, Brassica juncea (Maikhuri .,2012). Demonstrated
and observed nutritional importance of less familiar known wild food plants and their
importance in providing nutrition to tribes in northern Asia. They worked on Alpinia
malaccensis, Sphenoclea zeylanica, Dioscorea bulbifera Antiporter’s evecta, Cyathea
8

gigantea, Dendrocalamus Hamiltonii, Wallichia densiflora, Pinanga gracilis, , and

Calamus tenuis. They recored that Cyathea gigantean, Dioscorea Bulbifera and
Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, forms a very important components of food table
there.According to their calculations the maximumfood energy was provided by
Dioscorea bulbifera (21.27 mj kg-1) and little From Wallichia densiflora (6.6 mj kg-1).
Sphenoclea Zeylanica was a plant that was able to provide almost important minerals as
contrast to other plants found there. According to studies the dried bamboo shoots can
give energy 400 Kcal, fiber12 g, fat 5 g, protein 25 g, calcium 200 mg, carbohydrate
42.6 G, , phosphorus 579 mg, iron 12.7 mg, niacin 3.2 mg per 100g and Riboflavin 0.08
mg. Mohan and Kala (2013) further explains the anti-nutritional Potential and nutritional
of genus Mucuna. They found that they contain higher amounts of lipid and protein
when compared to the most commonly used pulses. Its fatty acid profiles showed that the
seed lipids contained a More concentration Of linoleic acids and palmitic acid. Amino
acid profiles of Mucuna pruriens show that the seed protein have relatively high amount
of certain amino Acids essential and filled amount of minerals such as calcium,
potassium, Magnesium, iron phosphorus and manganese are found in there.
Antinutritional substances such as total free phenolics, tannins, 3, 4-
dihydroxyphenylalanine, , hydrogen cyanide, Trypsin inhibitor activity, phytic acid, ,
Phyto haemagglutinating activity and oligosaccharides and were investigated by
Kallidass and Mohan (Nazarudeen.2013) spell out and observed that chemical and
nutritional composition of little familiar fruits used by local folks and ethnic
communities .They highlights that around 200 wild edible fruit Plants species are found
in forest of India. Out of them 20 wild edible fruits, based on their individual merit and
desirability were analyzed for their nutritional value and compared with 10 common
cultivar fruits. (Paulsamy et al.,2013) demonstrated and observed that the Elaeagnus
kologa its nutritional properties and mineral values, which is Underutilized edible and
indegenous fruit plant in Western in the Nigerias areas. (Tiwari & Jain. 2014) clarify
nutritional value and chemical composition of several traditional edible plants used in
times of emergency i.e. during rareness of food by Sahariya and Gond tribes residing in
central parts of Asia. (Mohan & Tresina,. 2014) spell out that mineral profile, calculated
roughly chemical composition, protein, vitamins fractions, amino acid profiles, Fatty
9

acid profiles and of total seed Protein, in vitro protein, ant nutritional Potential,
digestibility and of legume Mucuna.

Conclusion
The present review attempts to explore study and analyze WEPs species as a source of
food, essential nutrients, minerals and bioactive that categories it as a functional food.
This review compiles and gathers pharmacological date and traditional on different plant
species. Studies carried out on experimental basis on edible parts of plant suggested that
most of the plants posses pharmacological properties like antibacterial, antifungal effects,
ant-inflammatory, anti-carcinog, anti-aging and immune-modulatory properties. The
presence of phytochemicals with different biological properties and pharmacological
aspects also determine in medicinal value of WEPs as fruitful and useful sources of
drugs in traditional and ethnomedicine. The antioxidant records on WEPs are therefore an
essential investigation tool to further clarify the potential health effects of phytochemicals
antioxidant in the diet from the review, it can be concluded from the discussion above
that several species of wild plants are used as medicine or nutraceutical by the people in
almost all parts of the world especially the developing world. It is worthy to note that all
the plants have uses and utilization similar one and other upto some extent.
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