Download Medicinal Plants

Medicinal Plants
s l
ci ts
t
in s
in
i
l
al
s
c
c
d
n
a
n
i
i
l
a
t
l
e
n
t
s
a n
an cina Med lan al Med ants nal edici ant l
l icin ts l Pl dici s M Pla cina s
l
a
d n
l
P i
i
i
e
t
l
P n
t
l
cin s Me Pla cina M lan ina Med lan al Med nts al dici nts l P edic s M l P cina ts
e a
t a di n
a M
i ts P ic s
t l
P in
la in
an ina Med lan al Med ant al edic nts l P edic ts M l Pl dicin ts Plan icin Me Pla nal s
i
n
d s
a
l in
n
a
ic
ed nts al Pedici nts l P edic ts Ml Pl icin s M Pla cina Me lan nal Me ant inal edic lant l
i
P i
a
t
a
s
a n
d
c
l
Pl dici ts M Pla icin s M lan cina s Me lan inal Med ant nal edic nts l P edi ts Mal P icin n
P
l
l
a a
d
e
M lan ina Me lant al edi ant al P edic ts l P dici ts M Pl icin ts M lan icin Med Pla
P dic ts
P icin s M Pl icin s M lan ina Me an nal ed lan al P ed ts al dici
l
l
e
na M lan ina Med ant nal ed nt l P edic ts l Pl dici s M l P cin s M lan icin Me
t a
t P d
i
n a
M la a
l ci
e
P c s
s
nt al edi ant l P edi ts l P dicin ts M Pla icin s M lan icin Med lan nal Me nts inal
n M
a
t
s
a
P d
n a
P i
ici ts l Pl icin ts MPla icin Me lan inal Med lan al Me nts al edic ant l Pl edic s
n s
a cin M Pl a M nt nal
n na ed an l ed ts l P dic ts
i
P
l
c
a
l ici M Pl na M n na e n al edi nt l P di ts
l icin ts Pla dici
a
e
i
a
i
a
n
M
a
d
l c
a
c
d
s
n
s
l
e
n n
i
s
l
e
M l
M ant ina edi ant al P edi nts l P edic ts l P icin ts MPla dici Me Pla inal s M ant i
Pl edic ts Ml Pl cin ts M Pla cina M lan ina Med lan al Me nts al edic ant l Pl edic
M ant
M an ina edi an al edi nts l P edic ts l P icin ts Pla icin M Pl na
i
l
s
a
l
l
a
d
n
s
d
n
n
t P dic s M P ici s M la cin s M la in Me la al Me nts na dic nt Pl
l d
t
P i
e
l
l
i
e
a
t
t
ic
P n
na s M lan cina Me lan nal Med lan al PMed nts al dici nts Pla edic s M l Pl cina ts
l M t a
P i s
t
n e la
i
i
a
P
P in
an nal Med ant al edic nts al edic nts l Pl edici s M l P cina ts lan icin Med lan al
P in s
i n P d
t a
i
l
in M a n
a
a
dic ants l P edic nts l Pl edici ts M Pl icin ts M lan icin Med Pla nal Me nts inal edic ant al
l
a
a
l
P
Pl icin s M Pla cina M lan ina Med lan al Med nts nal dici nts l Pl edic ts M l P icin t
P in s
e la a M n
P ic s
a ed n
di ts
la ci
ed nt l
M Pla ina Me lan inal Med ant inal edic ant l P edi ts M l P icin ts Pla dicin M Pla in
l edic nts l P dic ts Pl dic M Pl ina s M an ina ed lan al Me nts al dic
a
n M la na Me lan al Me nts al dic nt Pl dic s M P cin s
la icin Me
t
l
i
n
e
e
t
P
i
l
n
P
a
i
a
d
c
P
n
a
i
l edi nts l dic ts Pl ic
M Pl ina M la in Me lan al Med nts al
a
d
a
s
n
s P ic
e
a n
l
n
l
c
e t
a
P in
ici ts Ml Pl dicin s M Pla ina M lan cina edi lant al Med nts al edic nts l Pl edici ts l
s
t l
M
n
n
a a
i
a
in
e
ic
la cina M lan ina ed ant al PMed nts al P edic nts Pl dici ts M l Pl icin s M Plan cina
M l
l
i
e
i
ed nts al P edic ts l P dicin ts Pla icin s M Pla ina M lan ina Med lant al Med nts
M la in M an na e
n
a n
s
d
P c
c
n l
P dic ts Pl ici s M Pla ina Me lant inal edi ant al edi nts al P edici ts l Pl dici
n M
n
c
M l
e
M lan nal Med lant nal edi nts al P edic nts l P dici ts Pla icin ts M Pla cina Me lan
P ici s
P ici s M Pla cin M la ina Me lan nal ed an al edi nts l P edi
l
t
l
d
na s Me lan ina Med ant al edi nts al P edic nts l P dici ts Ml Pl icin s M Pla cina M
l cin s M la in M la na e n na ed nt l edi ts
t l P edic ts
P
n
M la ina M an al
a na M an al edi ant al P edic ts l P dici ts M Pla ici
l
n
P
d
s
n
i
e
n
n
l
M
a
l
ic nts l P ici s l P icin M la cin M la nal Me ant al edic nts l P dici nts l
a na Med ant na ed nts al P edi ts l P ici ts Pl icin M Pla ina Me la na
l
n a ed n l
P i
P ici ts Pl ici
d s
M a
ic s
d ts l Pl dicin ts M Pla icin M Pla ina Me ant inal Med ant nal edic ants
ed lan al
e
M P in
M lan na Me lan al ed nts al dic nts Pl dic ts Pl ici
M Pl in
M
e
s
i
s
c
c
n
e
d
l
n
l
l
n
t
i
P
c
i
t
a
a
P
a ed an l edi ts al dic ts Pl dici M Pl ina M la ina Me an nal edi
a
M Pl in M lan in Me lan al Me nts al dic nts l P dic s
Pl dici ts M l
t
c
s
c
l
e
a
e
n
i
l
n
i
t
a
a
P
P
n
d ts l ici ts Pl ici M Pl cin M la na Me an na
a ed an l
e
n
a
i
M lan ina ed an al
M Pl in
ed nts al edi nts l P dici ts Pl dici s
c
l
s
M
c
c
s
M
P cin s
t al edi nt l P edi s
la icin M la ina Me lan nal Me nt nal
n
l
P
t
i
n
a ci M la na M nt na ed n l
d ts l P ic ts l P ici s Pla ici
e
i
a
P
i
i
a
a
ed nts al dic nts Pl dic ts M l Pl cin s M lan cina Med lan ina Med ant al Med nts
e n a di
e a
l in s
P i
t
l
s
in
P ic
a in
a
Pl edic ts M l Pl cina ts MPla icin Me lan nal Med lant nal Med nts al P edic ant l Pl edic ts
la cin M Pl na M an
M an ina edi lan al ed ts al P dici nts l P dici ts
P
i
i
l
M
n
e
P edic ts M l P icin ts
a icin M la ina Me lan nal ed nts nal edic nts l Pl edi
l
M an ina Med lan l P ed nts al P edic nts l P dici ts M Pla dici M Pla ina M
Pl edic ts l P cina ts M Pla icin M la ina Me lan nal Me nts al edic nts
M an ina edi lan al ed ts al P edic nts l P dici ts Pla icin M Pla nal
n l
l ici ts
ed ts
a na e
Pl ic M P in M an in
a
1. Beddomes cycad/Perita/Kondaitha
Scientific Name : Cycas beddomei
Vernacular Name:Beddomes Cycad, Perita,
Kondaitha
Family & Distribution : Cycadaceae Cuddapah Hills
in AP, North West of Chennai in Eastern Peninsular
India.
W(P)A Schedule VI
CITES Appendix I
Uses
The male
cones of the plant are used by local herbalists as a
cure for rheumatoid arthritis and muscle pains.
Fire resistant property is also there.
2. Blue vanda/Autumn Ladies’ Tresses Orchid
W(P)A Schedule VI
Scientific Name : Vanda coerulea
CITES Appendix
Ivernacular Names: Blue Vanda, Autumn, Ladies’ Tresses Orchid, Vandar
Vandaka, Kwaklei, Bhatou Phul (Assamese) etc.
Family & Distribution : Orchidaceae
INDIA: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur,Meghalaya,
Nagaland. MYANMAR, THAILAND
Uses
This genus is one of the five most horticulturally important
orchid genera. Vanda coerulea is one of the few botanical
orchids with blue flowers (actually a very bluish purple), a
property much appreciated for producing interspecific and
intergeneric hybrids.
3. Kuth/Kustha/Pooshkarmoola/Uplet
W(P)A Schedule VI
Scientific Name: Saussurea lappa/Saussurea costus
CITES Appendix I
Vernacular Names: Kuth, Kustha, Pooshkaramoola, Uplet, Kashmjirja, Pokharmool,
Costus, etc.
Family + Distribution:Asteraceae/Compositae 2600-3600 M Altitude in the Himalayan
Region, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh.
Uses
Saussurea lappa is used as an anti-inflammatory drug, and a component of the traditional
Tibetan medicine The roots of the plant are used in perfumery. Dry roots (Kuth, Costus) are
strongly scented and yields an aromatic oil, which is also used in making insecticides. The
roots contain an alkaloid, 'saussurine', which is medicinally important.It is an antiseptic,
413
Used in chronic skin diseases, asthma and high blood
pressure and also good for stomach ailment. Also used as
carminative, stimulant, prophylactic and sedative. Dry roots
constitute the drug 'Saussurea'. The
roots have strong and sweet aromatic odour and a somewhat
bitter taste. In Kashmir the roots are used to protect woolen
fabrics. Kuth is also distilled for its essential oil. Approx. 100
kg of oil / resinoid is produced in India.
Commercial / EXIM data:
Roots used to be exported to China, Japan and Europe. Kulu
is the biggest centre of trade for Kuth. The kuth roots are
collected and supplied
to State Trading
Corporation by the
State Forest Department and the same from Lahul is
collected by Lahul Kuth Grower's Society, Manali and
supplied to State Trading corporation. Presently Kuth roots
are mostly exported to HongKong, France and Singapore. It
is also exported to Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Siberia and
Netherlands. Kuth exported to Europe, primarily France &
Netherlands is used for oil production. Export to France
started in 1964-65, whereas Japan in 1965-66 with steadily
increasing
t r e n d s .
Regarding price
of Kuth roots,
average export price during 1965-70 was Rs. 2.65/kg,
which later increased to Rs. 7.85/kg. Export price
varies during a particular period varies among
different countries. Export price to Thailand was
highest, Rs. 9.77/kg during 1970-74 and tothat of
Singapore was Rs. 6.44/kg.
Adulteration of Kuth oil:
Kuth oil is adulterated with oil of vetiver due to their
similar physico-chemical properties, which can be
detected by their odour. Oil from the roots of Inula
helenium is also used for adulteration of Kuth oil. True resinoid is sometimes adulterated with
resins from roots after extracting oil with steam.
4. Ladies Slipper Orchid
W(P)A Schedule VI
Scientific Name : Paphiopedilium spp.
CITES Appendix I
Vernacular Names : Ladies Slipper Orchid
Family & Distribution : Orchidaceae South China, India, South East Asia,
Pacific Islands.
414
Uses
These types of orchids are mainly used as collector’s items but lady’s
slipper is sometimes used today either alone or as a component of
formulas intended to produce treat anxiety / insomnia (scientific
evidence is not present). This is also sometimes used topically as a
poultice or plaster for relief of muscular pain.
5. Pitcher plant
W(P)A Schedule VI
Scientific Name : Nepenthes khasiana
CITES Appendix I
IVernacular Names : Pitcher Plant, Tiewrakot, Kset Phare, Memang
Koksi.
Family & Distribution : Nepentheceae Endemic to Khasi Hills, Isolated
populations are known to occur in Jarain Area of Jaintia Hills and the
Uses
The plant finds ethnomedicinal uses. Khasi and Garo tribes use the fluid
of unopened pitcher of the plant as eye drops to cure cataract and night
blindness, and also for treating stomach troubles, diabetes and
gynaecological problems.
6. Red vanda
Scientific Name : Renanthera imschootiana
Vernacular Names : Red Vanda, Imschoot’s
Renanthera Kwaklei Angangba, etc.
Family & Distribution : Orchidaceae Manipur,
Assam,Burma, Southern China, Laos, Vietnam.
7. Sarpagandha
W(P)A Schedule VI
CITES Appendix I
Uses
As a whole
orchids are
collected to
satisfy an ever demanding market of orchid fanciers,
especially in Europe, North America and Asia. The
trade is aimed at specially selected hybrids as well as
botanical species.
W(P)A Not Listed
Scientific Name : Rauvolfia serpentina
CITES Appendix II
Vernacular Names : Chandrabagha, Chota chand (Hind.); Chandra (Beng.); Asrel (Urdu);
Harkaya, Harki (Mar.); Paataala goni, Paataala garuda (Tel.); Chivan amelpodi (Tam.);
Sarpagandhi, Shivavabhiballi, Sutranavi, Patalagondhi (Kan.);Chuvanna-vilpori,
Suvapavalforiyan (Mal.); Patalgarur, Sanochada (Oriya).
Family & Distribution : Apocynaceae Sub Himalayan tract from Punjab eastwards to Nepal,
Sikkim, Bhutan and Assam, Lower Hills of Gangetic Plains, Eastern & Western Ghats, parts of
Central India & in theAndamans.
415
Uses
Rauvolfia roots are of immense medicinal value
and has steady demand. It is used for treating
various central nervous system disorders. The
pharmacological activity of rauvolfia is due to the
presence of several alkaloids of which reserpine
is the most important, which is used for its
sedative action in mild anxiety states and chronic
psychoses. It has a depressant action on central
nervous system produces sedation and lowers
blood pressure. The root extracts are used for
treating intestinal disorders, particularly
diarrhoea and dysentery and also anthelmintic. It
is used for the treatment of cholera, colic and
fever. The juice of the leaves is used as a remedy
for opecity of the cornea. The total root extracts exhibits a variety of effects, viz.,
sedation, hypertension, brodyeardia, myosis, ptosis, tremors, which are typical of
reserpine.
8. Ceropegia species.
Scientific Name : Ceropegia sp.
Vernacular Names : Lantern Flower, Parasol
Flower, Parachute Flower, Bushman’s Pipe,
String of Hearts, Snake Creeper, Wineglass
Vine, Rosary Vine, Necklace Vine, etc.
Family & Distribution : Apocynaceae Canary
Islands, Africa, Madagascar, Arabia, India, Sri
Lanka, Southern China, Indonesia, Philippines,
New Guinea, Queensland.
Uses
Since these plants are very popular houseplants,
these plants can be used as ornamental plants.
9. Shindal Mankundi
Scientific Name
: Frerea indica
Vernacular Names : Shindal Mankundi
Family & Distribution : Apocynaceae/Asclepiadaceae
INDIA: Junnar and Purandhar Hills, Pune, Maharashtra
Endemic.
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Not Listed
Ceropegia distincta.
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Appendix II
Uses
Freria indica with sherry flowers have demand as a pretty
succulent horticulture plant indoor decoration.
Freria indica
416
10. Emodi/Indian Podophyllum
W(P)A Not Listed
Scientific Name : Podophyllum hexandrum
CITES Not Listed
Vernacular Names : Emodi/Indian Podophyllum, Himalayan MayApple, Indian MayApple,
etc. Bakrachimaka, bhananbakra, papra,
papri (Hin.); Papra (Beng.); Padmel, patnel
(Mar.); Verivel (Guj.); Vaakakri, papri
(Punj.); Banwangan (Kash.); Indian
podophyllum (Eng.)
Family & Distribution : Berberidaceae
Lower elevations in and surrounding the
Himalaya.
Uses
Rhizomes and roots constitute the drug.
Freshly collected rhizomes are reported to contain more active principles which are lost on
prolonged storing. The dried rhizome from the source of medicinal resin. Podophyllin
obtained from the plant is cholagogue, purgative, alterative, emetic and bitter tonic and is
given in conjunction with belladonna and hyoscyamus. Podophyllin is toxic and strongly
irritant to skin and mucous membranes. Large dose causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea.
It is used in veterinary medicine as a cathartic for dogs and cats, also used in removing warts
in animals. Cardio-vascular effects of sub-lethal doses of podophyllin are reported to be wild
11. Tree Ferns
Scientific Name : Cyatheaceae spp.
Vernacular Names : Tree Ferns
Family & Distribution : Tropical and Subtropical areas as well
Temperate Rainforests in Australia, New Zealand
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Not Listed
Uses
The Soft Tree Fern can
be used as a food
source, with the pith of
the plant being eaten either cooked or raw. It is a good
source of starch.
12. Cycads
Scientific Name : Cycadaceae spp.
Vernacular Names : Cycads
Family & Distribution :Cycadaceae Stangeriaceae Zamiaceae South
and Central America, Mexico, the Antilles, southeastern USA, Australia,
Melanesia, Micronesia, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka,
Madagascar, and southern and tropical Africa
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Not Listed
417
Uses
The generic name refers to the starch obtained from the
stems which was used as food by some indigenous tribes.
Tribal people grind and soak the nuts to remove the nerve
toxin, making the food source generally safe to eat,
although often not all the toxin is removed. In addition,
consumers of bush meat may face a health threat as the
meat comes from game which may have eaten cycad nuts
and carry traces of the toxin in body fat. There is some
indication that the regular consumption of starch derived
from cycads is a factor in the development of Lytico-Bodig
disease, a neurological disease with symptoms similar to
those of Parkinson's disease and ALS. Lytico-Bodic and its
potential connection to cycasin ingestion is one of the
subjects explored in Oliver Sacks' 1997 book Island of the
Colourblind.
13. Elephant’s foot
Scientific Name : Dioscorea deltoidea
Vernacular Names : Elephant’s Foot, SingliMingli, etc.
Family & Distribution : D i o s c o r e a c e a e
Throughout the North Western Himalayas
extending from Kashmir and Punjab eastwards
to Nepal and China at the altitude of 900- 3000
meters above msl.
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Appendix II
Uses
Commercial source of Diosgenin (a steroid
sapogenin, is the product of hydrolysis by acids,
strong bases, or enzymes of saponins, extracted
from the tubers of Dioscorea wild yam. The sugar-free (aglycone), diosgenin is used for the
commercial synthesis of cortisone, pregnenolone, progesterone, and other steroid
products.)
14. Euphorbians
Scientific Name : Euphorbia spp.
Vernacular Names : Euphorbians, Spurge.
Family & Distribution : Euphorbiaceae Primarily
found in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa
and the Americas, but also in temperate zones
worldwide. Succulent species originate mostly from
Africa, the Americas and Madagascar.
418
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Not Listed
Uses
Plants sap used to purgative, several spurges are
grown as garden plants, among them Poinsettia
(E. pulcherrima) and the succulent E. trigona.
E. pekinensis; pinyin: d鄇 ǐ ) is used in traditional
Chinese medicine, where it is regarded as one of
the 50 fundamental herbs.
15. Orchid
W(P)A Not Listed
Scientific Name
: Orchidaceae spp.
CITES Not Listed
Vernacular Names : Orchids
Family & Distribution : O r c h i d a c e a e O r c h i d a c e a e a r e
cosmopolitan, occurring in almost every habitat apart from deserts
and glaciers. The great majority are to be found in the tropics, mostly
Asia, South America and Central America, but they are also found
above the Arctic Circle, in southern Patagonia and even on
Macquarie Island, close to Antarctica.
Uses
The genus Vanilla used as flavouring agent, underground tubers of
some orchids are powdered and used for cooking, cultivation for the
enjoyment of the flowers, some species used in perfumery
industries, collectors’ species.
Orchids are quite popular among professionals as well
as amateurs orchid lovers all over the world. Orchid
trade is sharing about 8% of international flower market
is a very productive with centres concentrated in
Europe (the Netherlands), America (California), Japan,
Thailand, Bangkok, Singapore. India has rich orchid
genetic resources. Orchid cultivation has been initiated
by some entrepreneurs at Bangalore, Chandigarh,
Gangtok, Mumbai, Chingelpet, Cochin, Ernakulam,
Quilon, Kalimpong, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram. Breeding work has also been initiated
at Orchid Research & Development Centre (ORDC); Tipi, Arunachal Pradesh; Tropical
Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; Indian
Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore, Karnataka and in some Indian
Universities. Orchid trade may be classified into four categories: Plants; species; (iii)
hybrids; and cut flowers. The value of orchid plants vary according to the quality of flowers
and rarity of occurrence. Some orchids have high demand in international market. Northeast
India has got tremendous potential of orchid cut flower trade which may prove to be a fruitful
industry in southeast Asia, Australia and Hawaii. The major threat to orchids are due to
extraction of wild plants for trade and habitat alteration or destruction. About 147 orchid
species are under threat of extinction worldwide, ca 35 species in Indian region (including
India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan) are considered extinct or on the
verge of extinction and over 100 species are threatened (Pradhan, 1996). In many north east
states particularly in Manipur and Meghalaya, rural people collect orchids from the wild and
sell them in the market at a very cheap rate for their livelihood.
419
16. Redsanders
W(P)A Not Listed
Scientific Name : Pterocarpus santalinus
CITES Appendix II
Vernacular Names : Raktachandan (Hind., Beng.);
Tambada chandana (Mar.); Ratanjali (Guj.); Rakta
ghandhamu, Agaru gandhamu (Tel.); Atti, Sivaffu
chandanam (Tam.); Agslue, Honne (Kan.); Patrangam,
Tilaparni (Mal.); Rad Sandal wood, Red Sanders (Eng.).
Family & Distribution : Leguminaceae
INDIA: Parts of Andhra Pradesh, Mysore, Chennai.
Uses
Pterocarpus santilanus
The wood is heavily
impregnated with reddish
brown gum and contains a red dye santalin. The timber is
immune to white ants and other insects and doesnot require
antiseptic treatment. The timber is
used for house posts, agricultural
implements, poles, shafts and
Log
bent rims of carts, boxes and
picture frames. They are also
carved into dolls and images. It is exported to Japan where it is
used in the manufacture of a musical instrument called
Shamisou. The wood yields charcoal and fuel obtained from
diseased and crooked trees. The ground wood, roots and
stumps is used for dyeing wool, cotton and leather. It is also
Chips
used for staining other woods. The dye is also used for
colouring pharmaceutical preparations and food stuffs. Paste
of the wood is cooling, astringent, tonic and diaphoretic, also useful in bilious affections and
skin diseases. Decoction of the fruit is used as an astringent tonic in chronic dysentery.
Leaves are used as cattle fodder.
17. Common Yew or Birmi Leaves
Scientific Name : Taxus wallichiana
Vernacular Names : Common Yew, Birmi, etc.
Family & Distribution : Taxaceae INDIA:
Himalayas, Meghalaya Naga hills, Manipur.
MYANMAR, AFGANISTAN, South West CHINA,
VIETNAM.
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Appendix II
Uses
Parts used commercially:
Used as hedge, also used in topiary in Europe.
In Britain it has been used for making bows
and for archery sports. In Ladakh the bark is
used in place of tea. It also used for ploughs and axils of carts. The wood is strong
and elastic All parts of the plant are highly poisonous except the scarlet aril.
Poisioning results in gastroenteritis, heart and respiratory failure. Sometimes death
occurs within 5 minutes.
420
18. Agarwood
Scientific Name : Aquilaria mallaccensis
Vernacular Names : Agarwood, Oud, Aloe wood, Eagle wood,
Aguruh, Krsnaguruh, etc.
Family & Distribution : Thymelaeaceae
INDIA: Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam, West
Bengal MYANMAR, extends through South East Asia to
PHILIPPINES.
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Appendix II
Uses
Wood is stimulant, tonic,
aphrodisiac, carminative,
Aquilaria
astringent, also used in
malaccensis-Logs
diarrhoea, constipation,
vomiting and snakebite. Agar
is a pathological product, formed due to a fungal
Aquilaria
disease on wound or boring in the trunk, the fluid
malaccensis
resin does not exude
naturally or on tapping.
Trees, about 50 yrs old, have the highest concentration of
agar. Sometimes all the tissues under the bark of the tree
may be converted into agar. True agar is heavier than
water, and is hard, brown and rich in resin. Agar is sold in
the market as chips, splinters and blocks. Sylhet agar has
Aquilaria
the highest price; Dhum, of inferior quality, is softer and
agallocha (agar)
yellowish-white, and is used distilling volatile oil called agar
attar. Clothes and skins dusted with agar powder repel fleas
and lice. Agar is a stimulant and carminative. The wood used for making bows and
sticks. It is also highly scented and yields on distillation, agar attar. The resinous wood
is used for making incense sticks. The wood is also used by cabinet makers and
inlayers for making beads, rosaries, crucifixes,ornaments, etc.
19. Aconite/Monkshood/Wolfsbane
Scientific Name :Aconitum sp.
Vernacular Names : Aconite, Monkshood, Wolfsbane, Atees,
etc.
Family & Distribution : Ranunculaceae Found in sub-alpine
and alpine regions; Himalayas from
Indus to Kumaon
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Appendix II
Uses
Monkshood root
Aconitum is a valuable herb for
combating debility after fevers. It is an
excellent tonic and aphrodisiac. It is
used as a remedy for diarrhea,
dysentery, acute inflammatory
affections, cough, and dyspepsia.
Aconitum heterophyllum Wall
421
20. Yunnan Goldthread
Scientific Name : Coptis teeta
Vernacular Names : Yunnan Goldthread
Family & Distribution : Ranunculaceae
It is endemic to a very small area in the
eastern Himalayas.
Uses
Rhizome is used as an antimicrobial and
anti-inflammatory
Coptis teeta
Coptis teeta
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Not Listed
Coptis occidentalis
Coptis teeta
21. Calumba wood (Coscinium fenestratum).
W(P)A Not Listed
Scientific Name : Coscinium fenestratum
CITES Not Listed
Vernacular Names : Calumba Wood, Jhar Haldi (Hindi),
Maradrashina (Kannada), Jhadehalade (Marathi), Darvi (Sanskrit),
Manu-pasupu (Telegu).
Family & Distribution : Menispermaceae Global: Indo-Malaya
(southern India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and West Malaysia).
National: Western Ghats of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional: In Karnataka, occurs in the dense semi-evergreen
forests of Coorg, Uduppi, Dakshina and Uttara Kannada districts. In
Kerala, found in semi-evergreen and evergreen forests of
Thiruvananthapuram,
Thrissur, Wynaad, Idukki and Coscinium fenestratum
Palakkad districts. In Tamil
Nadu, occurs in
Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Nilgiri districts.
Uses
Stem is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Used to treat
tastelessness, bleeding piles, cough, wounds, ulcers,
skin diseases, abdominal disorders, jaundice, liver
disorders, intrinsic haemorrhage, diabetes, snake bite,
Coscinium fenestratum fever and general debility.
422
22. Marsh Orchids
Scientific Name : Dactylorhiza hatagirea
Vernacular Names : Marsh Orchids Salem Panja (Kashmir),
Hatajari (Uttaranchal), etc.
Family & Distribution: Orchidaceae Temperate to alpine regions
(2500-5000 m asl) in India, Pakistan & Nepal.
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Not Listed
Uses
The tuber is used as nervine tonic,
aphrodisiac and to relieve hoarseness.
Salep, obtained from tubers of D.
hatagirea, is used as a sizing material
in silk industry.
Dactylorhiza hatagirea
Dactylorhiza hatagirea
23. Kuru/Kutki
Scientific Name : Gentiana kurroo
Vernacular Names : Kuru, Kutki, etc.
Family & Distribution : Gentianaceae E. Asia – N.W.Himalayas.
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Not Listed
Uses
The root is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter
tonic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, refrigerant,
stomachic. It is taken internally in the treatment of liver
complaints, indigestion, gastric infections and anorexia. It
should not be prescribed for patients with gastric or duodenal
ulcers.
24. Gnetum species.
Vernacular Names : Kuru, Kutki, etc.
Scientific Name : Gnetum spp.
Vernacular Names : Mamelet (Ass.); Thaulping-rhui (Lusai, Mizo);
Mailar-iong-une (Khasi); Ula (Mal.); Umlli (Mar.); Lolori (Ori).
Family & Distribution : Gnetaceae
INDIA: Eastern Himalayas from Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
Bihar, Orissa to the Andamans, western India and Tamil Nadu.
Thailand, China, Vietnam, Nepal.
Uses
Stem and roots are antiperiodic. Seeds produce oil for massage for
rheumatism. Plant is also used as fish poison.
Gentiana kurroo
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Appendix II
24 Gnetum sp.
423
25. Kencur/Aromatic Ginger
W(P)A Not Listed
Scientific Name : Kaempferia galanga
CITES Not Listed
Vernacular Names: Kencur, Aromatc Ginger, Zedoary, etc.
Family & Distribution : Zingiberaceae.
Open areas in southern China, Taiwan, Cambodia and
India, but is also widely cultivated throughout Southeast
Asia.
Uses
The rhizomes of the
plant, which contains
essential oils, have
been used in
Chinese medicine as
a decoction or powder for treating indigestion, cold,
pectoral and abdominal pains, headache and toothache.
Its alcoholic maceration has also been applied as liniment
for rheumatism.
26. Jatamansi
W(P)A Not Listed
Scientific Name : Nardostachys grandiflora
CITES Appendix II
Vernacular Names : Jatamansi (Sans.); Jatamansi, Bal-chir
(Hind.); Jatamansi (Beng.); Jatamanshi (Mar.); Jatamasi,
Kalichhad (Guj.); Jatamanshi (Tel., Kan. & Mal.); Bhutijatt,
Kukilipot (Kash.); Masi (Garh.); Haswa, Naswa, Jatamangsi
(Nepal); Pampe, Jatamansi (Bhutan), SPIKENARD
Family & Distribution : Valerianaceae
INDIA: Himalayas, Punjab to Sikkim. TIBET, BHUTAN, WEST
CHINA.
Uses
The rhizomes are used as a drug and also in perfumery. The
Nardostachys grandiflora
rhizomes are collected from wild
plants and sent to markets; about
18,650 kg of the drug are brought in to Punjab markets annually.
The roots and rhizomes of Cymbopogon schoenanthus and
Selimum vaginatum are often found as adulterants of valerin.
Spikenard oil obtained from the roots is used in many medicinal
preparations and is well known as a hair tonic and also imparts
black colour. It has antiarrhythmic activity with possible
therapeutical usefulness in cases of auricular flatter; it is less
effective than quinidine but has the advantage of being less toxic.
Jatamansi - Nardostachys
The
oil exerts hypotensive effects and in moderate doses it has a
grandiflora DC
distinct depressant action on central nervous system; lethal doses
cause deep narcotic and ultimately death within a few hrs. The
rhizome is a stimulant, antispasmodic, diuretic, stomachic, laxative and tonic. An infusion of
rhizome is useful in epilepsy, hysteria, palpitation of heart. A tincture is given in colic and
424
27. Ginseng
Scientific Name : Panax pseudoginseng
Vernacular Names : Notoginseng
Family & Distribution : Araliaceae
China & Japan.
Uses
It has acquired a very favorable
reputation for treatment of blood
disorders, including blood stasis,
bleeding, and blood deficiency
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Not Listed
28. Picrorhiza kurrooa.
W(P)A Not Listed
Scientific Name : Picrorhiza kurroa
CITES Appendix II
Vernacular Names : Kuru, Kutki (Hin. & Beng.); Kutaki (Mar.); Kadu (Guj.); Katukarogani,
Kadugurohini (Tel., Tam., Mal.); Kaur (Kash.); Karru (Punj.); Katuka katurohini (Sans.); Kuruwa
(Garh.).
Family & Distribution :
Scrophulariaceae
INDIA: Himalayas – Jammu &
Kashmir to Sikkim. NEPAL and
extending to the mountains of
YUNNAN in CHINA.
Uses
The drug Picrorhiza (Greek: picros
means bitter; rhiza means root),
obtained as dried rhizomes,
Picrorrhiza kurroa
consists of cylindrical, dark greyish
brown pieces, usually 3 – 6 cm long and 0.5 – 1 cm dia., longitudinally wrinkled with
annulations at the tip. It is a highly potential medicinal herb extensively used in various
ailments and diseases both in India and abroad since ancient times. Both white and
black varieties are used in herbal medicines and drugs. The drug is useful in cases of
dropsy. It is stomachic, cardiac and cerebral tonic, antipyretic, anthelmintic, laxative in
small doses, antiemetic, cathartic in large doses; useful in bilous fever, dyspepsia,
urinary trouble, asthma, hiccough, blood circulation,burns, liver complaints, paralysis,
epilepsy, ringworm infection, scabies and gout.
425
29. Charayatah
Scientific Name : Swertia chirata
Vernacular Names : Chiraytah
Family & Distribution : Gentianaceae Endemic to Khasi
Hills, Isolated populations are known to occur in Jarain Area
of Jaintia Hills and the Baghmara Area of Garo Hills, adjacent
to the Khasi Hills region of Meghalaya.
W(P)A Not Listed
CITES Not Listed
Uses
S. chirayita is used in British & American
pharmacopoeias as tinctures and infusions. According
to Ayurvedic pharmacology chirata is described as
bitter in taste. The thermal action of chirayta is defined
as cooling. Chirata is light, i.e. easily digestible and
“ruksha” i.e. dry. These characteristics drain heat from
blood and liver.
426
kiratatikta-Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Flem.)