The historic town of Charsadda, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, holds significant archaeological importance, with evidence of ancient civilizations such as the Gandhara and Mauryan periods. Its diverse flora, thriving in the fertile lands and along the Kabul River banks, consists of crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane, and fruit orchards, contributing to biodiversity and supporting local livelihoods. The lotus plant, Nelumbo nucifera, native to the region, thrives with its unique adaptations, symbolizing purity and spiritual enlightenment in various religions. Beyond its cultural and spiritual significance, the lotus holds medicinal properties, with its leaves, seeds, and rhizomes utilized for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. This plant's enduring influence is evident not only in its practical applications but also in its depiction in art, literature, and architecture across cultures. The study of the nutritional composition of the lotus rhizome reveals its moisture content (2.65%), ash (3.45%), crude fat (1.15%), crude protein (15.15%), crude fiber (3.70%), crude carbohydrates (13.23%), starch (8.7%), vitamin C (29.3 mg), calcium (40 mg), iron (0.9 mg), phosphorous (53 mg), and potassium levels (273 mg), offering insights into its potential health benefits. This study provides a condensed overview of Charsadda's historical significance, diverse flora, the cultural importance of the lotus plant, its medicinal and nutritional value, and its enduring impact on human creativity and well-being.

Keywords: Ethnoecological, Nutritional analysis, Nelumbo nucifera, Rhizome, Crude protein, Charsadda, Pakistan.