Abstract
Human beings are dependent on plants to fulfill various life accessories. Plants and various fungi are also a significant part of
healthcare. Traditional system of medicine based on plants and herbs is gaining grounds today. Cholistan desert is enriched
with various plant species of medicinal value. The objective of the study was to enlist the traditional use and folklores of two
Haloxylon species by the local dwellers of Cholistan desert rangeland. Detailed questionnaires were used to interview the
local inhabitants from 16 villages and medicinal plant experts/ herbal medicinal practitioners of the area. Both plant species
were also chemically analyzed for various nutritive and secondary metabolite attributes. It was found that local people used
these plants for treating various human and livestock diseases (total 20) in different traditional recipes. During this study, the
use of Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge is first time recorded in treating eye infections (fresh juice of green leaves),
diarrhea, skin diseases and piles. Similarly, Haloxylon recurvum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss use in wounds (burned plant is
externally applied), ear infections and in sciatica pain is not reported yet in other parts of the world. Both species were found
rich in Nitrogen, Protein, Total Ash, Crude Fibre, Ether Extractable Fat other salts like Potassium, Phosphates and Secondary
metabolite components.
