|
Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 14: 259-67, 2010.
Wild Medicinal Plants Used by Local
Communities of Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India
Neena Rani Boktapa* and Avinash Kumar Sharma
Non Wood Forest
Products Division
Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248006
*Silviculture Division
Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248006
ninuboktapa@gmail.com
Issued: March 01, 2010
Abstract
An ethnobotanical study was carried out in adjoining areas of
Manali in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh during the month of April to May
2007. The information related to medicinal species which are used to cure
common ailments and diseases were gathered by personal interviews with
village headmen, local healers, and shepherds. A total of 33 plants belonging
to 24 families are listed in this paper. Details of medicinal plants are
described alphabetically with their botanical name, family, local name, part
used, disease/ailment and ethno medicinal uses.
Key Words: Medicinal plants, common
ailments, Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
Introduction
The Himalayas
have a great wealth of medicinal plants and traditional medicinal knowledge. Himachal
Pradesh, one of the pioneer Himalayan States is a rich repository of
medicinal flora. Because of its geographical position, hazardous means of
transport communication; the traditions, myths, legends and folklores of the
ancients are carefully persevered in the lores and mores; temples and
historical places in existence at various regions of this state. Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh is well known medicinal plants
hot spot in the western Himalaya that has
rich diversity of flora and fauna. Singh and Rawat (1998) have listed more
than 250 species as ethnomedicinal and about 50 of them are commercially
exploited which have been listed in the Red Data Book of IUCN (Singh and
Rawat, 1998 & 2000). Dhaliwal and Sharma (1999) recorded more than 900
species of angiosperms from Kullu valley. A brief ethnobotanical account of
109 plant species belonging to 41 families and 86 genera of Kullu district in
North Western Himalaya have been recorded by Singh (1999). Singh (2004) has
enumerated about 58 locally used medicinal plants from Great
Himalayan National
Park, Kullu
Valley. Negi and
Subramani. (2006) recorded 38 plants belonging to 23 families and 17 Red
listed species in the Naggar area of Kullu valley, Himachal Pradesh. A first hand information on 35 plant species was recorded from Malana,
located in Parvati valley of Kullu district by Sharma et.al.(2005).According to Rao (1996), there is an urgent need to document the
ethnobiological information presently existing among the diverse communities
before the traditional knowledge are completely lost. The importance of
recording the usage of plants in this region is especially imperative because
of rapid loss of forest wealth and traditional wisdom due to increase in
tourism and modernization.
Materials and
Methods
Study Area
The study comprised of
local villages in the Manali area of Kullu District (HP) lying between 32058'00"
North latitude and 77006'04" East longitude. On the North and North - East, it is
bounded by Lahaul - Spiti and Kangra districts, on the East and South -East
by Kinnaur and Shimla districts. The altitudinal range of this area lies
between 1,300 m to 6,000 m above mean sea level. Climate of the district is
cool and dry. The region receives moderate rainfall during monsoon of which
the bulk is received during the months of July - August. Snowfall is received
during the month of December - February.
Methodology
The study was conducted
during the month of April and May 2007 in villages of Manali area of Kullu
district. The information on local use and diseases cured was collected using
structured questionnaire from the respondents of both sex and age groups
ranging from 22 – 82 yrs. Several village headman, local healers, and
shepherds were consulted to verify the information on indigenous use of
important plant species. The plant collections were identified with the help
of Flora of Himachal Pradesh and herbarium at Forest Research Institute,
Dehradun. A total of 33 species have been recorded and enumerated with its
family name, local name, part used, disease/ailment and uses (Table 1).
Table 1: Medicinal Plants and their uses.
|
Sr. No.
|
Botanical Name
|
Family
|
Local Name
|
Part Used
|
Disease/ailment
|
Uses
|
|
|
01
|
Aconitum
heterophyllum Wall.
|
Ranunculaceae
|
Atish
|
Root
|
Fever
|
The dry root is powdered and taken orally with
lukewarm water twice a day for 3-4 days.
|
|
02
|
Aconitum balfourii Stapf.
|
Ranunculaceae
|
Patish
|
Root
|
Acidity
|
The dry root is powdered and taken orally with
lukewarm water twice a day for one week.
|
|
|
Aconitum balfourii Stapf.
|
Ranunculaceae
|
Patish
|
Root
|
Stomachache
|
A decoction of dry roots of patish and karu (Picrrorhiza kurroa) is prepared and
taken orally at bed time
|
|
03
|
Acorus calamus Linn.
|
Araceae
|
Boz, Bach
|
Rhizome
|
Cuts and wounds
|
The dried rhizome is powdered and mixed with water.
A thick paste is applied on affected areas.
|
|
|
Acorus calamus Linn.
|
Araceae
|
Boz, Bach
|
Rhizome
|
Stomachache
|
The dry root is powdered and taken orally as such
with lukewarm water once a day.
|
|
|
Acorus calamus Linn.
|
Araceae
|
Boz, Bach
|
Rhizome
|
Stomachache
|
The dry roots are burnt on charcoal. Smoke is
exposed
to the belly at bed time.
|
|
04
|
Ainsliaea aptera DC.
|
Asteraceae
|
Sath jeri
|
Root
|
Stomachache
|
A decoction of dry root is prepared and taken
orally once a day.
|
|
|
Ainsliaea aptera DC.
|
Asteraceae
|
Sath jeri
|
Root
|
Stomachache
|
The dry root is powdered and mixed with jaggery.
The dose is taken orally with lukewarm water.
|
|
05
|
Allium humile Kunth.
|
Amaryllidaceae
|
Faran, Duno
|
Leaves
|
Tonsillitis
|
The fresh leaves are crushed and taken orally with
milk.
|
|
06
|
Anemone
obtusifolia Don.
|
Ranunculaceae
|
Mingooa
|
Root
|
Toothache
|
The small piece of fresh root is put between aching
teeth. The root piece is chewed for 4-5 minutes.
|
|
07
|
Angelica glauca Edgew.
|
Umbelliferae
|
Chora
|
Root
|
Stomachache
|
Roots are powdered and taken orally as such with
water twice a day.
|
|
08
|
Arnebia
benthami (Wall. Ex G.
Don.) Johnston
|
Boraginaceae
|
Ratanjot
|
Root
|
Arthiritis
|
Dry roots are soaked in mustard oil for more than
one week and the warm oil is massaged on the affected part(s) at bedtime.
|
|
|
Arnebia
benthami (Wall. Ex G.
Don.) Johnston
|
Boraginaceae
|
Ratanjot
|
Root
|
Hairfall
|
The dry roots are soaked in mustard oil for more
than one week till its color changes to reddish pink. The oil is massaged.
|
|
09
|
Artemesia capillaris Thunb.
|
Asteraceae
|
Jhaoo
|
Leaf
|
Earache
|
Leaf juice is extracted. Leaf juice is used as an
ear drop. The Treatment is undertaken once a day.
|
|
10
|
Berberis aristata DC.
|
Berberidaceae
|
Kshamal
|
Flower
|
Acidity
|
The flowers are boiled in water and filtered. The
extract is taken orally.
|
|
|
Berberis aristata DC.
|
Berberidaceae
|
Kshamal
|
Flower
|
Eye infection
|
Roots are boiled in water and filtered. The
filtrate is used as an eye drop. The treatment is undertaken twice a day
for one week.
|
|
11
|
Cannabis
sativa Linn.
|
Cannabinaceae
|
Bhaang
|
Seed
|
Arthiritis
|
Seed oil is extracted by expulsion and is warmed by
heating. The warm oil is massaged on the affected part(s). The treatment is
undertaken at bedtime once a day.
|
|
12
|
Cassiope
fastigiata (Wall.) D.Don
|
Ericaceae
|
Hieun -sheli
|
Leaf
|
Minor burns
|
Fresh leaves are crushed and a thick paste is made.
A thick paste is applied externally on the affected parts.
|
|
13
|
Dactylorhiza
hatagirea (D. Don.) Soo
|
Orchidaceae
|
Panja,
Salampanja
|
Rhizome
|
Fever
|
The rhizome is powdered. The powder is taken orally
with lukewarm water. The powder is taken twice a day for three days.
|
|
|
Dactylorhiza
hatagirea(D. Don.) Soo
|
Orchidaceae
|
Panja,
Salampanja
|
Rhizome
|
Cuts and wounds
|
The dry rhizome is powdered and mixed with water. A
thick paste is applied on affected areas.
|
|
|
Dactylorhiza
hatagirea(D. Don.) Soo
|
Orchidaceae
|
Panja,
Salampanja
|
Rhizome
|
Cold and cough
|
The dry rhizome is boiled in water and decoction is
prepared. The decoction is taken orally. The decoction is given twice a day
for 4-5 days.
|
|
14
|
Datura metel Linn.
|
Solanaceae
|
Dhatura
|
Seed
|
Arthiritis
|
Dried seeds are roasted on iron pan and powdered after
cooling. The powder is mixed with hot mustard oil to make a paste. A thick
paste is applied on the affected parts at bed time.
|
|
15
|
Ficus palmata Forsskal
|
Urticaceae
|
Fagad, Fagar
|
Stem
|
Toothache
|
The latex of the stem is squeezed out.2-3 drops of
latex are applied on aching teeth and gums.
|
|
16
|
Gentiana
kurooa Royle
|
Gentianaceae
|
Neelkanthi
|
Leaf
|
Fever
|
The leaves are boiled in water and filtered. The
extract is taken orally.
|
|
17
|
Gerardinia heterophylla Decne.
|
Urticaceae
|
Zaran,
Bichoo Ga
|
Whole
plant
|
Snakebite
|
The whole plant is swept on the affected part.
Until the patient feels relaxed and improved
|
|
|
Gerardinia heterophylla Decne.
|
Urticaceae
|
Zaran,
Bichoo Ga
|
Leaf
|
Muscles sprain
|
Fresh leaves are crushed and mixed with cow dung.
The mixture is warmed by heating. The mixture is wrapped in a cotton cloth
and tied on affected portion. The Treatment is undertaken at bedtime.
|
|
18
|
Hedychium spicatum Buch.-Ham.
|
Zingiberaceae
|
Kachoor
|
Rhizome
|
Acidity
|
The dry rhizome is powdered. The powder is taken
orally with lukewarm water once in a day.
|
|
19
|
Heracleum
lanatum Michx.
|
Umbelliferae
|
Patrala
|
Root
|
Leucoderma
|
The dry root is powdered and mixed with water. A
thin paste is applied on the affected parts. The treatment is undertaken
once a day for 1-2 week.
|
|
20
|
Mesua ferrea Linn.
|
Guttiferae
|
Nagkesar
|
Seed
|
Fever
|
A decoction is taken orally once in a day.
|
|
21
|
Morchella
esculenta (L.) Pers.
|
Morchellaceae
|
Gucchi
|
Fruiting
Body
|
Fever
|
The Gucchi is mixed with eggs of fish. The
preparation is taken orally once a day.
|
|
|
Morchella esculenta(L.) Pers.
|
Morchellaceae
|
Gucchi
|
Fruiting
Body
|
Cold &
cough
|
The fruiting body is boiled in water and decoction
is prepared. The decoction is given at bedtime for 2-3 days.
|
|
22
|
Picrorrhiza
Kurooa Royle ex Benth.
|
Scrophulariaceae
|
Karu
|
Root
|
Jaundice
|
The dry root is boiled in water and decoction is
prepared. The decoction is taken orally.
|
|
|
Picrorrhiza
kurooa Royle ex Benth.
|
Scrophulariaceae
|
Karu
|
Leaf
|
Cold &
cough
|
Dry leaves are boiled in water and decoction is
prepared. The decoction is taken orally once a day.
|
|
|
Picrorrhiza
kurooa Royle ex Benth.
|
Scrophulariaceae
|
Karu
|
Root
|
Stomach-ache
|
The dry root is powdered and mixed with jaggery.
The dose is taken once a day
|
|
23
|
Plantago
major L.
|
Plantaginaceae
|
Dunsua
|
Seed
|
Constipation
|
Dry seeds are powdered and mixed with sugar. The
dosage is taken orally at bed time.
|
|
24
|
Pleurospermum
brunonis Benth
|
Umbelliferae
|
Losar
|
Flower
|
Skin disease
|
The dry flower is powdered and mixed with water to
make a thick paste. A thin layer is applied on the affected parts. The
treatment is undertaken once a day regularly.
|
|
|
Pleurospermum
brunonis Benth
|
Umbelliferae
|
Losar
|
Flower
|
Stomatitis
|
The dry flower is powdered and mixed with butter to
make a thick paste. A thin layer is applied on the affected parts. The
treatment is undertaken once a day regularly.
|
|
|
Pleurospermum
brunonis Benth
|
Umbelliferae
|
Losar
|
Flower, leaf
|
Small pox
|
The flower and leaf is crushed to make a paste. A
thick paste is applied externally on the affected parts. The Treatment is
undertaken once a day for one week.
|
|
|
Pleurospermum
brunonis Benth
|
Umbelliferae
|
Losar
|
Flower, leaf
|
Cold &
cough
|
A decoction is prepared. The decoction is taken
orally to warm up body during cold. The decoction is given once a day.
|
|
25
|
Podophyllum
hexandrum Royle
|
Podophyllaceae
|
Bankakdi
|
Root
|
Snakebite
|
The dry root is powdered and mixed with water. A
thin layer is applied on the affected parts. The treatment is undertaken
twice a day for one week.
|
|
|
Podophyllum
hexandrum Royle
|
Podophyllaceae
|
Bankakdi
|
Flower,
Leaf
|
Jaundice
|
Juice is extracted and mixed with butter. The juice
is taken orally. The Treatment is undertaken at bedtime.
|
|
|
Podophyllum
hexandrum Royle
|
Podophyllaceae
|
Bankakdi
|
Root
|
Stomach-ache
|
The dry roots are powdered. The root powder is taken
orally as such with lukewarm water. The dose is taken once a day
|
|
26
|
Prinsepia
utilis Royle
|
Rosaceae
|
Bhekal
|
Seed
|
Arthritis
|
The seed oil is extracted by expulsion and is
warmed by heating. The warm oil is massaged on the affected part(s) at
bedtime.
|
|
27
|
Prunus
armeniaca L.
|
Rosaceae
|
Khubani,
Khurbani,
Khumani
|
Seed
|
Arthritis
|
Seed oil is extracted by expulsion and is warmed by
heating. The warm oil is massaged on the affected part(s) The massage is
done at bedtime.
|
|
28
|
Rhododendron
campanulatum D. Don.
|
Eriaceae
|
Shalgar
|
Leaf
|
Small pox
|
Fresh leaves are crushed to make a paste. A thick paste
is applied externally on the affected parts. The Treatment is undertaken
twice a day for one week.
|
|
29
|
Rheum australe D.Don.
|
Polygonaceae
|
Chuchi
|
Root
|
Small pox
|
The dry root is powdered and mixed with water. A thick
paste is applied externally on the affected parts. The Treatment is
undertaken once a day.
|
|
|
Rheum australe
D.Don.
|
Polygonaceae
|
Chuchi
|
Root
|
Muscles sprain
|
The dry root is powdered and mixed with water. A thick
paste is applied externally on the affected parts. The Treatment is
undertaken at bedtime.
|
|
30
|
Saussurea
gossypiphora D.Don
|
Asteraceae
|
Guggibaan
|
Flower
|
Cuts &
wounds
|
The flower is dried. The wool of the herb is applied
to fresh cuts and seals the wound. The dry wool is applied per day.
|
|
31
|
Solanum
surattense Burm. F.
|
Solanaceae
|
Kantkari
|
Leaf
|
Arthritis
|
The fresh leaves are heated mildly on iron pan and made
into poultice. The warm leaves are tied on the affected part(s) using
muslin cloth. The poultice is applied at bedtime. sufficient relief is
observed after one application
|
|
32
|
Viola
serpens Wall.
|
Violaceae
|
Banfsa
|
Leaf
|
Cold &
cough
|
A decoction is prepared. The decoction is given
orally twice a day.
|
|
33
|
Zanthoxylum armatum DC.
|
Rutaceae
|
Timber,
Timru
|
Bark
|
Toothache
|
The bark is removed from the stem. Small piece of
bark is chewed for 4-5 minutes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Figure 1. Plant parts used for the treatment of common ailments and diseases.
Results
and Discussion
Present study reports 33
medicinal plants which are commonly found in the study area. These plants with
medicinal properties are being used by the local communities in their day to
day health care. It is reported that underground parts (44%) are used in most
of the formulations of the medicines followed by flowers/seeds (25%), leaf
(23%) and remaining other parts. The destructive harvesting of the medicinal
plants by the maximum use of underground parts from the wild may lead to
extinction of the species in the future. Plants growing in high altitudinal
regions are of immense use in herbal and pharmaceutical industries as well.
As demand for medicinal plants are ever increasing and these resources
depleting from the nature. Therefore, there is a need to generate awareness
among the local communities towards the sustainable utilization and
conservation of medicinal plants.
Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to the local
people for sharing their knowledge regarding plants and their uses in day to
day healthcare practices.
References
Chauhan, N.S. (2006). Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Himachal Pradesh. 2nd
Edition. Indus Publishing Company, New
Delhi.
Dhaliwal, D.S. and Sharma, M.
(1999). Flora of Kullu District. BSMPS, Dehradun.
Negi, P.S. and Subramani, S.P.
(2006). Ethnobotanical study in the Naggar area of Kullu Valley,
Himachal Pradesh. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot.
30(2):349-358.
Rao, R.R. (1996). Traditional
knowledge and sustainable development. Key role of ethnobotanists. Ethnobotany 8:14-24.
Sharma, P.K. et.al. (2005). Studies on plant associated indigenous knowledge
among the Malanis of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. Vol. 4 (4): 403-408.
Sharma, P.K. et.al.
(2004). Observations on the traditional phytotherapy among the
inhabitants of Parvati valley in Western Himalaya, India. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol.
92(2-3): 167-176.
Singh, S.K. and Rawat, G.S. (1998).
Traditional verses commercial use of wild medicinal plants of Great Himalayan National Park.
Proceedings International Mountain
Meet 98, Rishikesh.
Singh, S.K. and Rawat, G.S. (2000).
Flora of Great Himalayan National Park.
Himachal Pradesh. Bishen Pal Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun.
Singh, G.S. (1999). Ethnobotanical
study of useful plants of Kullu District in north western Himalaya, India.
J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 23(1):185-198.
Singh, S.K. (2004). Ethno-medicinal plants of Kullu
valley, Himachal Pradesh. Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products. Vol. 11(1):74-79
|
