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A CONTRIBUTION TO THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SAHASTRADHARA, DISTRICT
DEHRADUN, UTTARAKHAND (WITH ETHENOBOTANICAL NOTES)
A.S.BISHT* and A.B. BHATT
Botany Department
HNB Garhwal University Srinagar (Garhwal) Uttarakhand 246174.
*email [email protected]
Abstract :The Himalaya with gushing rivers, alpine meadows, majestic snow claded
peaks, enhancing lakes and a rich diverse flora and fauna is rightly described as the "
abode of God'. Garhwal Himalaya provides enormous benefits to the human being in the
form of shelter, food, water, medicine, fuel and industrial products and fodder. Further it
has the potential for providing many more benefits still unknown. The plants protect
topsoil, ensure the quality of the water and provide food etc, for all other living beings of
the biosphere. Biological extinction has been a natural phenomenon in the geological past
however man's interference has speeded extinction at a faster rate. Human beings are
involved in destroying the vegetation at an alarming rate resulting in the loss of
biodiversity of the biosphere. Himalayan resources are being depleted and converted in to
ash each day through biotic pressure coupled with undisciplined exploitation, damage and
destruction
Key words: Ethnobotany , Garhwal Himalaya, Ayurvedic, Unani medicine.
Introduction : Himalaya represents one
uniqueness of the plant components in
of the most important mega centres of
various habitats retained sound and have
the biodiversity, sharing over fifty
maintained the aesthetic environment
percent of the vegetational wealth of the
and the serenity of the Himalaya.
Indian subcontinent. In the recent past
However in the recent past couple of
there has been a deep concern and
years,
awareness for the conservation of the
vegetation, unplanned land use, natural
fragile
The
disasters and several developmental
as
processes accelerated deterioration of
diversity,
Himalayan
ecosystem.
copiousness
as
well
1
excessive
exploitation
of
biodiversity
and
harmony
of
the
for
Himalaya ecosystem.
conservation,
of
these
Acorus
calamus Cinnamomum spp, Hedychium
Garhwal Himalaya possesses
spicatum Zanthoxylum alatum, Paris
luxuriant and varied vegetation within
polyphylla, Valeriana spp, Polygonatum
the Himalaya region. Almost every plant
spp.,
has economic value from either a
muscifera, are already facing severe
nutritional,
pressure.
aesthetic
or
medicinal
Roscoea
spp
and
Malaxis
viewpoint. In fact, a large percentage of
Himalaya is rich repository of
crude drugs in the Indian market come
important medicinal and aromatic plants.
from this Himalayan area1. According to
The efficacy of medicinal plants growth
cumulative
Garhwal
here is perhaps as old as these hills6.
Himalaya has more than 3500 species of
Several workers took interest in this
flowering plants, most of which are in
region
forest and alpine meadows2. In India out
preservation of medicinal and aromatic
of an estimated 15000 –16000 flowering
plants in past even before 19th century7.
plant species, about 1500 (10%) have
Alpine
already
various
Uttarakhand Himalaya is the largest
categories of threatened plants3. The
nursery of the medicinal plants among
same number of species is used in Indian
all the Himalayan hill state and provides
traditional system of medicine, that is,
matchless wealth of
600 species with more than 8000 herbal
medicinal and aromatic plants. The
remedies in Ayurvedic, 500 specie in
ethnobotanical
Unani, and 550 species in phyto-
Himalaya8 reveals that majority of
pharmaceutical industries. Nearly thirty
traders collect wild medicinal plants
species from the Garhwal Himalaya
from alpine and sub alpine zone
have been listed in various categories
especially before the onset of seed
under threat in the India Red Data
setting through untrained and unskilled
Books4&5 of which 24 species are from
labours from higher altitude and export
high altitude alpine regions. Recently2
them. This has led to the unscientific
listed 45 more species (excluding Red
extraction of entire plants. In addition,
data Books) which need special attention
the
evidence,
come
under
the
the
2
for
and
over
the
sub
collection
alpine
account
exploitation
area
and
of
highly prized
of
Garhwal
changed
the
environmental conditions and original
The climate of the area is
habitats that have led to gradual loss of
determined by less severe summer
plants. In many of the species the
months, higher precipitation and colder
exploitation pressure has gone to the
or more prolonged winters. The major
extent that these are at the verge of
output of precipitation is in the form of
extinction
been
rainfall. The rainfall pattern in study area
declared as threatened, rare, vulnerable,
is monsoon dependent. The Southeast
or
monsoon commences towards the end of
and
therefore
endangered
depending
has
on
the
frequency in the nature9.
June and it rains until mid of September.
Northeast monsoon causes occasional
winter showering during December to
STUDY AREA
February.
Survey and Selection of Research
During
summer
months
(April-July) the study area experiences
Area
moderately hot climate while December
After undertaking a survey of
to February months the area features the
various zones in district Dehradun, the
coldest climate.
Sahastradhara area was finally selected
for the present investigations.
Humidity represents the amount
The
of water vapour in the air. Absolute
Dehradun district lies between Lat. 29°
humidity is the actual amount of water in
55''37'- 31027''3' N and Long 78°54''3' -
the air expressed as weight of water per
80°2''3' 10' E.
unit of air. There is generally a daily
Climate
rhythm in humidity in nature i.e. high at
Climate of Garhwal Himalaya is
night and low during the day, etc.
strongly influenced by Indian monsoon.
Relative humidity is normally highest
Generally the climate depends upon
during rainy season (June-Sep.) and it
elevation,
gradually decreases to winter seasons
direction,
latitude,
precipitation and temperature. Humidity,
(Nov.-Feb.).
solar radiation and wind speed are the
METHODOLOGY
important variables interacting with each
The present investigation was a result of
other and determine the microclimate of
extensive and intensive field surveys,
a particular zone.
3
conducted during November 2009 to
the
April
were
practitioners however; occasionally the
collected by usual methods of collection,
information was also recovered by
preservation
housewives, rural old folk, and grazers
2011.
The
specimens
and
maintenance
of
local
vaidyas
specimen in the herbarium10 with field
of long experience.
notes viz. local names, habit, habitat,
RESULT
altitude range, color of flower, flowering
or
medicinal
Species Richness and Contribution of
and fruiting time, general availability,
families, genera and species
local use, etc.
The present study comprises total
The collected specimens were
58 species respectively 30 families,
identified with the help of recent and
11
54species
were
dicotyledons
(26
12
relevant floras i.e Gaur , Naithani .
families)
Information on medicinal properties and
monocotyledons (4 families) collected
qualities of various plant species have
during the study period. Out of the 30
been
angiospermic families,
gathered
through
personnel
interview with the local inhabitants.
and
4species
of
Detail statistics
is presented in Table 1and 2.
Usually the information collected from
Table:1
Brief
statistical
synopsis
of
number
and
percentage
families, genera and species of Angiosperms, Dicotyledons and Monocotyledones
Groups
Families
Genera
Number Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
26
86.67
51
92.72
54
93.10
Monocotyledons 4
13.34
4
7.27
4
6.89
Total
100
55
100
58
100
Dicotyledones
30
Species
Table:2 Contribution of family, genera and species in study area
S. No.
Family
Genera
Species
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
1
Ranunculaceae
2
3.63
2
3.44
2
Papaveraceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
3
Urticaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
4
of
4
Chenopodiaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
5
Amaranthaceae
5
9.09
6
10.34
6
Polygonaceae
2
3.63
3
5.17
7
Tiliaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
8
Malvaceae
2
3.63
2
3.44
9
Violaceae
2
3.63
2
3.44
10
Cucurbitaceae
2
3.63
2
3.44
11
Begoniaceae
2
3.63
2
3.44
12
Rosaceae
2
3.63
2
3.44
13
Mimosaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
14
Ceasalpiniaceae
2
3.63
2
3.44
15
Euphorbiaceae
6
10.90
6
10.34
16
Vitaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
17
Linaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
18
Oxalidaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
19
Geraniaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
20
Balsaminaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
21
Apiaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
22
Gentianaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
23
Solanaceae
2
3.63
2
3.44
24
Acanthaceae
2
3.63
2
3.44
25
Lamiaceae
2
3.63
2
3.44
26
Asteraceae
7
12.72
8
13.79
27
Cyperaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
28
Poaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
29
Liliaceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
30
Dioscoraceae
1
1.81
1
1.72
Total
55
100
58
100
Eco-Taxonomic Feature
5
The families were arranged according to
Vern. Kanjilu. Annual, Prickly herb, 20-
Cronquist
classification
100cm tall, with yellow latex, lower
(1981). The genera and species were
leaves petiole, in rosette, upper ones
arranged
Medico-
sessile, elliptic – ovate, base cordate or
ethnobotanical uses have also appended
semi – amplexicaule. Flowers whitish
wherever applicable those plants are
color.
medicinal used.
subtended by leaf like bract at the base.
RANUNCULACEAE
Fl. Apr. – Jun & Fr. July – Oct.
system
of
alphabetically.
sessile
or
shortly
stalked,
commonly in waste place. Yellow latex
Rannunculus trichophyllus Hook.
for skin diseases and The seed emetic
Vern.Simariya,
fennel.
Piryali.
Eng.
Water
and narcotic used as medicine; root
Perennial erect or decumbent
decoction as wormicide; root chewed in
Herb, root stock fibrous short stem 15 –
leucorrhoea.
25 cm long, addressed hairy. With
immersed leaves, multifid with capillary
division. Flowers 1 –1.5 cm across,
CANNABINACEAE
solitary several yellows during June –
Cannabis sativa Linn.
Aug., waysides. Plant paste used in
Vern. Bhang, Bhangula. Annual –
intermittent
Perennial erect aromatic herb or under
fever
rheumatism
and
asthma.
shrubs, to 2.5m high; bark fibrous.
Thalictrum foliolosum DC.
Leaves palmately 3-7 foliate or partite.
Vern. Mamiri. Erect branch herb, to 1 –
Fl. and Fr. May – Oct. commonly found
1.5 m high, leaves broadly orbicular or
in roadside and wastes places. Bark –
ovate oblong, obtusely crenate toothed.
fiber used for making ropes, sacs and
Flowers polygamous white or dull
rough clothes; stem as a fuel. Seed are
greenish purple. Flowering June – Aug.
used as condiment; seed – oil edible,
Root used in ophthalmia and also in
besides, its leaves and flowers used as
colic and fever.
an intoxicating agent.
PAPAVERACEAE
URTICACEAE
Urtica dioica Linn.
Argemone mexicana Linn.
Vern. Kandali, Eng. Stinging Nettle.
6
Perennial, erect, robust herbs or shrubs,
diusetic used in lithiasis and roots used
0.5-3m high, stem branched from the
in headache treatment.
base, bark fibrous, stem, branches,
Achyranthes aspera Blume
petioles and leaves covered with sharp,
Vern.
irritating, stinging hair. Flowers small,
perennial slender herbs or under shrubs
pale green, on long and tassel-like
stem woody at base, patently hairy.
dropping or spreading 2-10 cm long
Leaves
paniculate cymes. Fl. and Fr.: Aug.-Apr.
lanceolate, acuminate, thin, dull green
Common in waste places. Stem yild
above, sparsely pubescent on both
strong – shining fiber, used for sacs,
surfaces.
ropes and mass; young branches and
Common, on shady and moist places,
leaves used as delicious pot herb; seed
Root infusion taken in malarial fever.
oil edible as well as medicine in sciatica,
Leaf extract supposed to facilitate
rheumatism and several skin ailments;
delivery, root powder used in making
hair – wash leaf extract believed to
local beverage, plant decoction used in
avoid baldness.
dropsy and bronchitis.
CHENOPODACEAE
Ameranthus spinosa L.
Chenopodium album Linn.
Vern. Jaungali Chaulai. Erect glabrous
Chicheree,
opposite,
Fl.
Latjira.
Annual-
narrowly
and
Fr.:
ovate-
Aug.-Dec.
herb, hard radish stem many groved
Vern. Bathua. Annual glabrous, simple
branches with divert cat spines, leaves
or branched herbs 20 – 120 cm. high
ovate and lanceolate, Used to care
stem often red brown clothed with white
powdery mass. Fl & Fr.: June – Nov.
eczeni colic and gonorrhoea.
Leaves used as pot– vegetable; breads
Areva lantana Juss.
prepared from the grinned grains.
Vern. Gorkha bhindi, Erect, branched
AMARANTHACEAE
herbs leaves alternate acute and entire
flowers greenish white, forming globose
Aerua lentan. Juss.
clusters, Plant is diureatic used in
Vern. Gorkhabundi fam : Anaran thaceal
litchiasis and roots used in headache
Erect, branched herbs; leave alternte,
treatment
acute and entire; flowers greenish white
Areva javanica Juss.
yorming globose clusters. Plant is
7
Annual herb, erect branched stem, leaves
venom, while seeds as an antidote to
alternate
scorpion venom.
oblong
spathulate
densely
tomantos flowers in terminal. Decoction
Rumex nepalensis Spreng.
of plants useful in removing swelling.
Vern. Almora. Pahari Palak. Perennial,
Aletrnanthera sessilis (Linn.) R.Br.
robust,
A prostrate herb, flowers in small,
rootstock and hollow ribbed stem, 50 –
axillary sessile, long head, spike in
150 cm high flower pale green. Fl; April
florescence, flowers white, shiny. Used
- Aug and Fr; Aug – Oct. The sap of
as galactagogue, given in both for
leaves and stem is applied on cuts for its
phlyctena of young children.
astringent powder.
Celosia argentea Linn.
TILIACEAE
Vern. Sarwari. Annual herb, grooved
Corchorus capsularis Linn.
braches, leafs linear rarely ovate, acute,
Vern. Narcha. Annual, Branched
entire. Flowers at first pinkish then turn
glabrous stem: leaves acute with serrate
white with terminal spike. Seeds are
margin. Flowering stage occur in
efficacious remedy Diorrhoea.
November. Decoction of root and unripe
glabrous
herbs
with
thick
fruit given in Diarrhoea used as an
POLYGONACEAE
antiperiodic anthelmintic and intestinal
Polygonum recumbens. Royle
antiseptic also.
Prostate branching herbs; leaves broadly
MALVACEAE
ovate; stipules with 2- long bristles;
Sida acuta
flowers white or pink. Fl. & Fr. Aug. –
Vern. Kareta. Perennial shrubby, much
Sept. 2200m
branched
Rumex vesicarius Linn.
lanceolate, serrate, shorter then stipule,
Vern. Ambari. Annual, monoecious,
yellow flowers. Roots in fusion with
branched herb. Leaves acute or obtuse,
ginger in intermittent fever and cure for
elliptic, petiole as long as blade, fruits
rheumatism.
white or pink. The herb used in heart
Abutilon indicum
trouble, constipation and disease of
Vern. Pilli buti. A wild shrub, branched
spleen. Leaves as an antidote to snake
tape root, erract, solid branched stem,
hairy
stem,
leafs
long,
alternate, simple, petiolate leaf. Axillary
8
in florescence with yellow flowers. In
cordate, segment denticulate. Flowers
fusion of roots in fever, decoction of
white, fruits ellipsoid, with rounded,
leaves as an emollient.
rarely acute ends, green with white
VIOLACEAE
strips, orange red on ripening. Fl.: Jan.-
Viola biflora J. Smith in Rees.
Jul. and Fr.: Aug.-Oct., altitude 1800m.
Vern.
Banfsa.
glabrous,
Leaves and root juice given in diabetes,
acaulescent herbs, with stout slender
leaves also supposed to be antiseptic;
roots. Basal leaves in rosette. Flowers
fruit juice given in gonorrhea.
lilac or purplish white. Fl.: Mar.-Jun. and
BEGONIACEAE
Fr.:- Jul.-Sep. Common in moist shady
Begonia venusta
places, altitude 800m. The whole plant
Annual climber with the help of tip
either in the form of extract or powder
tendril, flowers brightly coloured and
taken as diaphoretic, useful in skin and
showy. Leafs and flowers are used as
blood diseases, flowers and leaves
antidote of snake bite.
boiled with tea, supposed to be good for
Tecoma stens Juss.
fever and cough.
Vern. Yellow bell (Eng.). annual tree,
CUCURBITACEAE
solid, erract, branched stem, pinnate
Trichosanthes palmate
leafs and large scarlet or orange flowers.
Vern. Indrayan. Annual, weak stemmed,
Roots as an antidote of snake bite and
climbing by means of tendrils, much
scorpion sting.
branced roots, alternate leaf divided
ROSACEAE
palmately,
Pyracantha
flowers
Perennial,
dioecious
in
large
flowers,
male
number
and
M.
Vern. Ghingaru. Evergreen, spinescent,
remedy for asthma and fruits and root
undershrubs or shrubs, 5m high, spines
boiled with mustard oil are used for
straight, stout, bark ashy grey. Leaves
headache.
crowded at the ends of short lateral
Coccinia grandis (Linn.) Voigt.
Kaduri,
(D.Don)
Roemer.
companulate. Fruit is smoked as a
Ver.
crenulata
Eng.
Ivoy
branches, shining green above, glaucous
Gourd.
beneath, and flowers white. Fl.: Mar.-
Perennial, climbing herbs with tuberous
May and Fr.: Jun.-Oct Branches used for
roots, tendrils simple. Leaves an ovate,
9
walking sticks and tool handles, fruits
Bauhinia veriegata Linn.
rarely
Vern.
edible,
flowers
useful
in
Kachnar.
Medium
sized
apiculture as bee forage and plant act as
decioduous tree, bark dark brown, leaves
soil binder.
deeply cordte, flowers with or pinkish in
Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don.
racemose. Dried flowers for diarrhea,
Vern. Malu or Mahel. Deciduous tree, to
bark is astringent and used as tonic in
15 cm in high; Flowers large, white
fever.
tinged – brownish, Feb – March. Leaves
EUPHORBIACEAE
and twig as fodder. Ripe fruits edible
Euphorbia hypericifolia Linn.
and also used in digestive disorders;
Vern. Dudhi Fam; Euphorbicicel Annual
wood made in to stick; flower use fuel in
herb, erect with obouate obtuse leaues;
apiculture;
flowers axillry branched, cymose.
believed
to
check
soil
erosion in landslide zones.
Infusion of dried leaves is romedy in
MIMOSACEAE
dysentery, dirrtoe and also given to child
Mimosa pudica
with milk as a tonic.
Euphobia microphyalla
Vern. Lajwanti. Annual prickly under
shrub, branched prickly stem, compound
Vern. Dudhi. Annual herb, numerous
leaf which is sensitive to touch, a
stem, spreading from the roots, leaves
globose, axillary head, pink flowers.
opposite rounded and sub trumcate at
Decoction of roots in leprosy, leafs as
apex with pink margin This Plant is
tonic.
given along with the cryptoletis spp. To
nursing mother in milk deficient.
CAESALPINIACEAE
Euphobia hirta Linn.
Cassia fistula
Vern. Doda The herbaceous erect solid
Vern. Amaltas. An annual herb or
hairy and branched or little branched,
medium sized tree, compound, alternate,
peripinnate
leafs,
racemose
cyathium inflorescence. Naked male and
in
female flower lack perianth. Decoction
florescence having pedicellate yellow
is used in asthma and chronic bronchial
flower. Pulp called cassia pulp (from
affections.
fruits) as a laxative admixture with
Phyllanthus amarus Schum & Thonn.
senna.
10
Vern.
Bumianwala.
erect,
elliptic-obovate, acute or rounded at
glabrous, shallow – rooted herbs, 30 –
apex and flowers yellow. Fl. and Fr.:
60 cm in high; branches soubrette or 3 -
Feb.-Jun. Common in moist localities,
gonous,
Petals
spreading.
Annual
Leaves
simple
chewed
as
tongue
wash,
appears or rounded ends glabrous often
considered sacred, as indicator of
overlapping; stipules subulate. Flower
pollutants.
yellowish. Fl & Fr. Jun – Nov.
OXALIDACEAE
commonly occurs in waste places. Herb
Oxalis corniculata Linn.
as an astringent stomachache diuretic
Vern. Bhilmori, Khati-Buti, Eng. Indian
and febrifuge; leaves said to bear
Sorrel. Perennial or annual prostates
antibacterial properties.
suberect herbs. Rooting at nodes, stem
pubescent, creeping. Leaves 3-foliate.
Riccirus conmunis.
Flowers 2-3 in subumbels and yellow
Vern. Arind, arand. Tall annual
or
with dark purplish streaks. Flowering
perennial shrub; erect, solid branched
stem;
terminal
inflorescence;
panicled
unisexual
and fruiting almost throughout the year.
cyme
Common in all study sites, at 800m.
monoecious
Leaves taken as salad or cooked as
flower. Castoroil is used s a tonic to
vegetable and leaf juice dropped in
pregnant women and also useful in
cataract and conjunctivitis.
urinary disorders
GERANIACEAE
Emblica officinalis Linn.
Geranium
Vern. Amla. Annual tree, solid, erect,
wallichianum
D.Don
ex
Sweet.
branched. Leafs opposite. Fruits are rich
Vern. Ratanjot, Kaphlya, Eng. Robert
in vitamin C and useful as an liver tonic.
Geranium. Perennial, erect or trailing,
LINACEAE
pubescent
herbs,
Reinwardtia indica Dumortier
rootstock
thick,
Vern. Phiunli. Perennial, erect or sub-
orbicular, palmately 3-5 lobed segments
erect, tufted, glabrous under shrubs or
deeply or irregularly toothed, tip acute,
herbs, with woody base. Stem branched
pubescent on both surfaces. Flowers
from the base, terete or angular, leaves
light purple, Fl.: Jul.-Sep. Root juice in
11
to
80
woody.
cm
long,
Leaves
diarrhea
and
ophthalmic,
red
dye
intermittent fever and headache.
obtained from the roots said to promote
SOLANACEAE
growth of hairs, as well as dye to woolen
Solanum nigrum Linn.
clothes.
Vern. Mako, An annual herb erect
BALSAMINACEAE
branched,
Impatiens thomsonii Hook.
alternate acute leaves flowers pedicilate
Vern.
Gulmehandi.
Annuals
cylindrical
stem,
white and cymose type.
herbs,
simple
Roots, leaves
flowers light yellow Fl & Fr. Jul - Oct.
and fruits after heating applied on
Common: shady as well as exposed
wounds and burns, extract chiefly used
localities road sides, waste land 500m.
in urinary troubles and skin diseases.
Seed edible powder of roasted seed with
Physalis minima. Linn.
honey given to relieve cough and cold.
Vern. Chirpoti. Annual herbaceous, erect
APIACEAE (UMBELLIFERAE)
stem, leaves ovate acute, flower solitary,
Apium gravelens Linn.
yellow in color. Fruits is considered as
tonic diuretic and purgative.
Vern. Ajmud. Biennial shrub erect,
branched stem radical leaves pinnate
LAMIACEAE (LABIATAE)
deeply segmented. Root used as diuretic
Nepeta laevigata Wallich ex Benth. in
and given as stimulant and liver and
Wallich.
spleen disorder.
Vern. Nueet, Eng. Catmint. Tall, erect,
GENTIANACEAE
branched herbs, 30-90 cm high. Leaves
Gentiana aprica Decne.
ovate-cordate. Flower lilac, Fl. and Fr.:
Vern. Chirotu. Annual, erect herbs, 2.5-
Jul.-Nov. Decoction of leaves and seeds
10 cm high, with simple or little
taken in fever. Leaves also yield
branched,
essential oil.
purplish
stem.
Leaves
opposite, basal leaves in rosettes, flower
Ocimum basilicum
2-sexual, blue-lilac, in terminal, stalked
Vern.
racemes. Fl.: Jan.-May and Fr.: Apr.-
Marjoram. Perennial, aromatic, hairy
Jun. Plant juice with flower decoction of
herbs. Leaves ovate rarely toothed,
Viola sp. is given in tea as a remedy of
pubescent on both surfaces. Flower pink
12
Bantulsi,
Eng.
Common
or purplish. Fl.: May-Aug. and Fr.: Sep.-
the root of Thallictrum foliosum made
Oct. Plant extract used in bronchitis,
into paste and applied on sores, cuts and
colic and diarrhea, leaves eaten as
various skin ailments.
vegetable and flavoring agent, flowering
Anaphalis
branches hung on the houses to get rid
Clarke in Comp. Indicae
of bad sprits.
triplinervis
(Sims)
C.B.
Vern. Buglya. Erect, rhizomatous herbs,
ACANTHACEAE
70 cm high. Leaves sessile, variable,
Peristrophae Bnalvis Nees.
ovate-lanceolate and acute with black
Vern. Pitpapra. Herbaceous, stem and
point at apex, hairy above, white
branches;
leaves
ovate,
densely-tomontose
linceiolate;
flower
in
densely
beneath.
Head
trichotomous
(flower) discoid, shining white and
cyme. Infusion of rice is good antidot for
brownish at base. Common in open
snake poison
places of oak forests, Leaf juice dropped
Adothoda vasica Ness.
in laceration of toes during rainy
Vern. Basingu. An annual herb woody
season. Paste of heads and leaves
below and herbaceous above branched
applied on cuts, wounds and boils. Fiber
solid green stem opposite extipulate
of leaves and stem used to lit the fire by
green herbaceous, leaves terminal spike
friction of stones.
inflorescence
Artemisia capillaris Thunb.
with
sessile
bisexual
flower. Roots and leaves are used in
Vern. Jhirun, Eng. Wormwood. Annual,
asthma cough and bronchitis.
glabrous or sparsely, hairy herbs to 70
ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE)
cm high. Stem purplish-brown, grooved
Ageratum conyzoides Linn.
Vern.
Gundrya,
weed.
pinnatisect, flowers small and green in
Annual, erect herbs, 40 cm high, stem
color. Fl. and Fr.: Jul.-Nov. Decoction of
hairy on nodes and young parts. Leaves
leaves taken as a bitter tonic for worms
ovate
and colic, twigs used as brooms.
to
Eng.
with woody rootstock. Leaves 1-3
Goat
sub-rhomboid,
sparsely
pubescent above, glandular-panculate
Artemisia roxburghiana
beneath. Flowers small, white or purple-
Besser
blue. Fl. and Fr.: Jan.-Dec. Plants with
13
Wallich ex
Vern. Kunjaa, Eng. Indian Wormwood.
leaf juice used in eye inflammation and
Perennial, pubescent, undershrubs, 1-2m
night blindness.
high. Stem ribbed or pale-yellow, leaves
Sonchus asper (Linn.) Hill.
2-pinnatifid, rachis and leaf surface
Vern. Pili-dudhi, Choplya, Eng. Rough
pubescent. Heads sessile or shortly
Sow
pedunculate and greenish-white. Fl. and
glabrous
or
Leaves hard, lanceolate, spinous-toothed
tonic and also rubbed on skin allergy.
and unequal, heads yellow. Fl. and Fr.:
Bidens pilosa Linn.
Kumra,
Annual,
sparsely-hairy herbs, 15-80 cm high.
Fr.: Sep.-Nov. Plant extract antipyretic,
Vern.
Thistle.
Mar.-Sep. The plant used as a tonic to
Eng.
Bur-Marigold.
purify blood and in hepatitis and leaf
Annual, glabrous or sparsely hairy erect
paste applied on wounds.
herb 120 cm high. Stem purplish-green,
MONOCOTYLEDON
tetra-gonous and striate, leaves opposite,
CYPERACEAE
pinnately, 3-5 lobed and toothed. Heads
Cyperus rotundus Retz.
radiate and white-yellow. Fl. and Fr.:
Mar.-Aug. Plant extract with honey used
Vern. Murya-ghas. Annual herb
in cough and bronchitis, the vegetable of
tufted
the
in
fibrous root.leaves basal, narrowly linear
leucoderma and plants browsed as
and half of the stem. Spikelets white and
fodder.
much compressed. Fl. and Fr.: Apr.-Nov.
herbs
considered
useful
Hirankuri,
Dudhi.
rhizome and creeping with
Inflorescence used in curing dysentery.
Emilia sonchifolia (Linn.) DC. in Wight.
Vern.
with
POACEAE(GRAMINEAE)
Annual,
diffused or erect-ascending, weak herbs
Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Persoon.
to 30 cm high. Stem pale-brown, much
Vern.
branched and glabrous. Leaves variable,
Perennial, rhizomatous grass, culms
coarsely toothed, heads purple and
prostate or ascending from the creeping
discoid.
Feb.-Jun..
base. Leaves linear-subulate, glaucous,
Occasionally upper leaves cooked as
sheath glabrous. Spikes digitate and
vegetable. Herbs used as febrifuge and
green or purplish. Fl. and Fr.: Jan.-Dec.
Fl.
and
Fr.:
Dubla,
Eng.
Dhoob
Grass.
Common in waste places, at 1800m.
14
Root juice taken in fever and in internal
Knowledge
of
flora
and
injury. Plant is believed pious and used
vegetation of any area is essential for the
in several religious ceremonies.
study of biodiversity, environment and
LILIACEAE
conservation of natural resources14. The
study area is rich in biodiversity
Asparagus racemosus Willd.
corresponding
Vern.
Satavari,
branched,
Jhirni.
scandent
Tall
or
much
to
the
climate
and
topography of the area, vegetation
somewhat
ranging from 500- 900 m altitude,
climbing shrubs, with tuberous rootstock
respectively.
and white flowers in April and Fruiting
Different
factors
have
influenced (lower or exceeded) the
in Nov. Root aphrodisiac, antiseptic,
normal limit of vegetation type and
refrigerant often used with fresh water
flowering seasons. Natural vegetation in
or milk. Root decoction with jaggery
vicinity of towns and villages in the sub
used an abortifacient.
tropical belt has been subjected to more
DIOSCORACEAE
biotic disturbances as compared to the
Dioscorea bulbifera Linn.
villages at high elevations. There is
Vern. Genthi . Eng. Potato Yam. Annual
abundance of grasses and annuals during
– Perennial, glabrous, slender, twining
monsoon, whereas perennials, shrubs
herbs; tuber solitary, globose or ovoid;
and trees mostly bloom during spring
stem
and summer.
angular
or
ribbed,
bearing
numerous, axillary, grey brown, warted
The most attractive part of
bulbils. Commonly found in waste
vegetation in the study area was the
places.. Flower unisexual small, pale
presence of numerous medicinal plant
green in colour. Fl: July – Nov. and Fr.;
species, the fact is generally ignored by
Sept – Jan.
Tuber arte cooked as
scientists. Each plant species has its own
vegetable. Dried tuber used as an
value in the form of fodder, fruits and
antiseptic, applied on burns and wounds,
vegetable, flowers as a bee forage, fibre,
flowers occasionally visited by bee.
resin, tannin, gum, dye, ornamentation,
psychomedicine and medicines, etc.
These plant species are used against
DISCUSSION
dropsy, bronchitis, boils and wounds,
15
insect and snake bite, relieve from
and dyes; Bergenia stracheyi roots used
suffering of nettle sting, malarial fever,
in kidney stone and genital disorders;
facilitate
pain,
Euphorbia Species tuberous roots used
rheumatism, fever, cold and cough,
in tonic febrifuge and in stomach
gonorrhoea,
diarrhea,
delivery,
body
colic
and
dyspepsia,
disorder; Dioscorea species- tubers are
digestive
and
respiratory
source of alkaloid; Oxalis corniculata -
disorders, diabetes and urinary ailments,
rhizome, carminative;
relieving earache, body swelling and
species
contusions, psychomedicines, treatments
febrifuge,
of migraines, hepatitis and headache,
(Summaya) whole plant, febrifuge and
dysentery,
tonic. The extinction of these medicinal
etc.
Vaidhyas.
by
villagers
Achyranthus
and
aspera,
whole
plants
plant,
tonic;
from
Areva lantana
antipyretic,
Valeriana
their
natural
Spp.
habitat
Adathosa vasica, Agrimone maxicana,
(particularly in this area) is a matter of
Anaphalis triplineris, Artemetia spp.,
great concern but it has not attracted the
Asparagus recemosus, Bidens pilosa,
attention
Begonia picta, Cassia fistula, Euphorbia
environmentalists12. This is probably
hypericifolia,
Oxalis
because the medicinal wealth of this area
corniculata, Ocimum sp., etc. were the
is little known hence no agency or
medicinally important species present in
related
the study area.
protection and management of these
Geranium
sp.
of
naturalists
departments
care
and
for
the
continuously declining species of drug
The study has incorporated large
number of plants fulfilling various
importance.
Changing
economic values based on timbers,
conditions and lack of knowledge,
fibers, dyes, tannins, resin, medicine etc.
infectious nature of some weeds are
Some of the rare and highly valuable
among the other factors responsible for
drug yielding plants of the study area,
the
include Artiemisia capillaries and - roots
medicinal plant species.
is stimulant, expectorant and yield
REFERENCES
extinction
of
these
atmospheric
important
aromatic oil and used in abdominal
problem; Thalictrum foliolosum root and
1. Badoni, A.K.. Remarks on the high
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Himalayan
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Regional Development. 1989-
7. Burkill, I.H.. Chapters on the
90. 13 &14: 37-45.
History of Botany in India.
2. Rawat, D.S., Bhandari, B.S. and
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Gaur R.D. Vegetational wealth.
8.
Atkinson,
E.T.
1882.
The
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alpine
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II
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Garhwal North West Himalaya
1994,
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1985, 2 Vols, BSI Calcutta.
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and
some
Biological
important
medicinal
herbs; their multiplication and
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conservation
Ramakrishan,
A.N.
Himalaya, India, 2005. Ph.D
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in
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18