Download - GJRMI - Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
Indexing links of GJRMI
GJRMI has been indexed in the Following International Databases
Google Scholar, ProQuest, DHARA online; DOAJ; Index Copernicus; NewJour; ScienceCentral;
getCITED; RoMEO; Geneva Foundation for Medical Education & Research ; Catalog ebiblioteca;
Ayurbhishak; Medicinal plants (Dravya Guna); Indianscience.in; Necker; Hong Kong University
of Science and Technology Library; University of Zurich; University of Kansas; Western
Theological Seminary; CaRLO; Mercyhurst University; University Library of Regensberg; WZB;
Jadoun science; University of California, San Fransisco (UCSF Library); University of
Washington; University of Saskatchewan; University of Winnipeg; Universal Impact Factor;
Global Impact factor, Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory, New York Public Library, WISE, Cite factor,
DRJI, Miami University Libraries,
AYUSH RESEARCH PORTAL - Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family welfare,
Govt. of India
-
All types of Keraliya Ayurvedic treatments available for all the diseases)
Ayurvedic Treatments in the following diseases: Eye diseases, Asthma, Skin diseases, Joint
diseases, Diseases of the nervous system, Gynaecological & Obstetric diseases, Obesity, Asthma, Stress,
Anxiety, Insomnia, Depression, Loss of Memory & Concentration, Piles, digestive tract diseases,
Infertility etc.
Address: No. 40, IInd cross, KV Pai Layout, Konanakunte,
Near Silicon city school, Bangalore – 62, Karnataka, India.
Contact: Mobile: +919480748861
Chakradatta Ayurveda Chikitsalaya, Mysore. (Panchakarma & Netra Roga Chikitsa Kendra)
Consultant Physician: Dr. Ravi Kumar. M.
(Specialized in different types of Keraliya Ayurvedic treatments especially in ENT & Eye diseases)
Get treated through Ayurveda, at our Hospital. (Exclusive Panchakarma Therapy available with accommodation)
Address: Beside Vikram Jyothi Hospital, Temple Road, V V Mohalla,
Mysore – 12, Karnataka, India.
Contact: Mobile: +919980952358, +919035087999
E- mail: [email protected]
Arudra Ayurveda, Bangalore
(A PANCHAKARMA TREATMENT CENTRE)
An International, Peer Reviewed, Open access, Monthly E-Journal
ISSN 2277 – 4289 www.gjrmi.com
Editor-in-chief
Dr Hari Venkatesh K Rajaraman
Managing Editor
Dr. Shwetha Hari
Administrator & Associate Editor
Miss. Shyamala Rupavahini
Advisory Board
Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya Dr. Dinesh Katoch
Dr. S.N.Murthy Dr. Mathew Dan Mr. Tanay Bose
Dr. Nagaraja T. M.
Editorial board
Dr. Nithin Ujjaliya Mr. Sriram Sridharan
Dr. Ashok B.K. Dr. Madhu .K.P
Dr. Sushrutha .C.K Dr. Vidhya Priya Dharshini. K. R.
Honorary Members - Editorial Board
Dr Farhad Mirzaei Dr. Sabarinath Subramaniam
Dr. Yogitha Bali
INDEX – GJRMI - Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015
MEDICINAL PLANTS RESEARCH
Ethno-Medicine
ETHNOMEDICINAL SURVEY OF HERBACEOUS FLORA TRADITIONALLY USED IN HEALTH
CARE PRACTICES BY INHABITANTS OF DHUNDSIR GAD WATERSHED OF GARHWAL
HIMALAYA, INDIA
Sumati Rathore, Tiwari J K, Zubair A Malik* 65–78
COVER PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY: DR. HARI VENKATESH K R, PLANT ID – FRUITS OF MOORVA BHEDA – DREGEA VOLUBILIS (L.F.) BENTH. EX HOOK.F.*
OF THE FAMILY APOCYNACEAE PLACE – KOPPA, CHIKKAMAGALUR DISTRICT,
KARNATAKA, INDIA *BOTANICAL NAME VALIDATED FROM www.theplantlist.org AS ON 30/04/2015
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
ISSN 2277-4289 | www.gjrmi.com | International, Peer reviewed, Open access, Monthly Online Journal
ETHNOMEDICINAL SURVEY OF HERBACEOUS FLORA
TRADITIONALLY USED IN HEALTH CARE PRACTICES BY
INHABITANTS OF DHUNDSIR GAD WATERSHED OF GARHWAL
HIMALAYA, INDIA
Sumati Rathore1, Tiwari J K
2, Zubair A Malik
3*
1,2,3Department of Botany and Microbiology, HNB Garhwal University Srinagar (Garhwal) Uttarakhand-
246174 3High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre (HAPPRC), HNB Garhwal University Srinagar (Garhwal)
Uttarakhand-246174
*Corresponding Author, e-mail: [email protected]; Tel. +91 9634899743
Received: 12/02/2015; Revised: 25/03/2015; Accepted: 30/03/2015
ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to document the indigenous and traditional knowledge of
medicinal plants used by local inhabitants in Dhundsir Gad watershed area of Garhwal Himalaya.
The intensive field surveys were carried out for collection and ethno-medicinal surveys of
herbaceous flora of the study area. The ethno-medicinal data was gathered through interviews and
semi structured questionnaires from the local people especially from women and elderly people. A
total of 79 medicinally important herbaceous species belonging to 75 genera and 32 families were
recorded in the study area. The leaves were used more frequently (37%) as compared to roots (24%),
whole plants (23%) and seeds (8%). The plant species were used by local inhabitants for treating
various ailments like asthma, cough, cold, fever, constipation, cuts/wounds etc. The precious
traditional knowledge along with the phytochemical and pharmacological investigations to find out
the active ingredients in the plants used by local people, may be a step ahead towards the new drug
development.
KEY WORDS: Ethnobotany, Traditional Knowledge, Medicinal Plants, Garhwal Himalaya.
Research article
Cite this article:
Sumati Rathore, Tiwari J K, Zubair A Malik (2015), ETHNOMEDICINAL SURVEY OF
HERBACEOUS FLORA TRADITIONALLY USED IN HEALTH CARE PRACTICES BY
INHABITANTS OF DHUNDSIR GAD WATERSHED OF GARHWAL HIMALAYA, INDIA,
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med., Volume 4(4): 65–78
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
INTRODUCTION:
The term ethnobotany was coined by John
W. Harsberger in 1896 and was considered as
the art of collection of useful plants by a group
of people and the description of the uses of
plants. Over the last century, ethnobotany has
evolved into a scientific discipline that focuses
on the people-plant relationship in a
multidisciplinary manner, incorporating not
only collection and documentation of
indigenous uses but also ecology, economy,
pharmacology, public health, and other
disciplines (Gomez-Beloz, 2002).
Ethnomedicine, a branch of ethnobotany, is a
set of empirical local practices embedded in the
indigenous knowledge of a social group often
transmitted orally from generation to
generation with intent to understand social,
cultural, and economic factors influencing
health problems and to overcome such
problems (Bussmann and Sharon, 2006). The
use of plants and plant products as medicine
can be traced as far back as the beginning of
human civilization. The earliest record of
medicinal plant use in the Himalayas is found
in the Rigveda. This work was written between
4500 BC and 1600 BC, is supposed to be the
oldest repository of human knowledge and
describes 67 plants (Rahul et al., 2010).Total
60% of the population of world and 80% of the
population in developing countries rely on
traditional medicine, mostly plant drugs, for
their primary health care needs (Shrestha and
Dhillion, 2003). An account of 70% of the
population of India is dependent on traditional
plant based medicines (Singh et al., 2013). The
dependence on herbal resources to cure
different types of diseases is well known. It has
been estimated that there are between 3,500
and 70,000 plant species that have been used
around the world, at one time or another, for
medicinal purpose. At least 65,000 species are
used in Asia alone as home remedies for
various ailments (Karkri and Williams, 1999).
In India, the importance of plants as
medicine has not diminished in any way in
recent times, and traditional medicines are still
the most important health care source for the
vast majority of the population living in remote
and rural areas. India has the ancient
indigenous knowledge of medicinal and herbal
medicines accumulated through many
centuries. This knowledge of curing human
illness is based on different Indian systems of
medicine, practiced by various communities
such as Ayurveda, Unaniand Siddha (Gadgil,
1996). It is estimated that in India, traditional
healers use around 2500 plant species in the
preparation of traditional medicine (Pei, 2001).
Garhwal Himalaya occupies an important
place in Indian subcontinent and has a peculiar
topography, vegetation, people and traditions.
About 80% of the total population is rural and
the inhabitants are called the Garhwalis or
Paharis. Due to limited means of
communication, poverty, and unavailability of
modern health facilities, many people,
especially in rural areas, still relies on
traditional medicines to treat common ailments
(Tiwari et al., 2010). However, this traditional
knowledge about the use of medicinal plants is
vanishing day by day and young generations do
not pay any attention towards this vanishing
knowledge. Ethnomedicinal studies that
explore and help to preserve knowledge are
therefore urgently needed before traditional
folklores are lost forever.
During the recent time, there has been an
increasing interest in the study of medicinal
plants and their traditional use in different parts
of the world. The documentation of traditional
knowledge aids in the preservation of
indigenous culture, identifies threatened species
and contributes to the conservation and
management of plant diversity. The precious
indigenous knowledge when supplemented and
validated by the latest scientific incites can
offer new holistic models of sustainable
development that are economically viable,
environmentally benign and socially acceptable
(Shinwari and Gilani, 2003). Keeping the
aforesaid facts in view, the present
ethnomedicinal study was carried out in a part
of Garhwal Himalaya to document the
indigenous knowledge about the use of
medicinal plants used by local inhabitants for
curing various ailments.
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area: Garhwal Himalaya occupies
central part of the western Himalaya between
the latitude and longitude of 30°-31° N and
78°-81° E, respectively. The present study was
carried out in a watershed called Dhundsir Gad
in Garhwal Himalaya (Figure 1). The
watershed is extended in a geographical area of
about 50.5 sq. km and is located between 30°
13’ to 30° 23’ N latitudes and 78
° 44’ to 78
° 49’
E longitudes with the elevation ranging from
530 m to 2350 m asl. The study area is
characterized by undulating topography.
Agricultural fields are often terraced with less
area and with various degrees of slopes. The
study area is a remote and rural area of
Garhwal Himalaya. There are 22 villages in the
watershed with 1325 households. The greater
concentration of population is between 1200-
1600 m asl and the minimum inhibition is in
the lower altitudinal zones because of deep and
narrow valleys with steep slopes. Because of
the limited employment opportunities, people
of this region are dependent on the adjacent
forests for their basic requirements, such as
fuelwood, fodder, timber, medicinal plants,
small timber for agricultural implements and
other non timber forest products (NTFPs).
Methodology: The study area was frequently
visited for collection and ethnomedicinal
surveys of herbaceous flora of Dhundsir Gad
watershed. The ethno-medicinal data was
gathered through interviews and semi
structured questionnaires from the local people
especially from women and elderly people
having much traditional knowledge about use
of medicinal plants. The questionnaires were
used to obtain information on medicinal plants
with their local names, parts used, ailment
treated and mode of preparation. The collected
plant specimens were identified with the help
of local floras (Naithani, 1984-85; Gaur, 1999)
and deposited in the Herbarium, Botany
Department, HNB Garhwal University Srinagar
(GUH).
Figure 1: Map showing the location of study area
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
RESULTS
A total of 79 medicinally important
herbaceous species belonging to 75 genera and
32 families were recorded in the study area
(Figure 2 and 3). The complete list of the
recorded plant species with ethnomedicinal
properties is given in Table 1.
Most of these species (86.06%) belonged to
dicots and monocots were represented by only
a small percentage (13.92%) as depicted in
Figure 4.
The most privileged family used for the
curing of disease was the Asteraceae (17%)
followed by Lamiaceae (7.89%), Brassicaceae
(6.57%), Fabaceae and Scrophulariaceae
(5.26% each) etc. (Figure 5).
Although all plant parts were used in
various remedies (Figure 5) however, the
leaves were used more frequently (37%) as
compared to roots (24 %), seeds (8%), fruit
(6%) and flowers (2%, Figure 6).
The plant species were used by local
inhabitants for treating various ailments like
asthma, cough, cold, cholera, constipation,
cuts/wounds, digestive disorders, fever, eye/ear
diseases, rheumatism, toothache, etc. (Figure
7). It was observed that a particular disease
(e.g. digestive disorder) was cured by many
different plant species and, further, many plant
species were reported to cure more than one
ailments (Table 1). The disease that was cured
by maximum number of plants (20) was “Cuts
and Wounds”, followed by fever and skin
ailments (11 each), asthma/bronchitis and
digestive disorders (by 8 plants each) and so on
(Figure 6). The disorder of “Hair fall” was
cured by minimum number of plant species (3).
Figure 2: Total numbers of families, genera and species of plants having medicinal values
Families Genera Species
32
7579
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
Figure 3: Medicinal Plants in the study area
1: Anagalis arvensis, 2: Iris kumaonensis 3: Verbascum Thapsus, 4: Tridex procumbens , 5: Ajuga bracteosa,
6: Capsella bursa-pastoris, 7: Mentha arvensis, 8: Sauromatum pedatum.
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
Figure 4: Percentage of various taxonomic categories of dicots and monocots in the study area
Figure 5: Major families used for ethnomedicinal purpose
0 20 40 60 80 100
Monocots
Dicots
18.75
81.25
13.33
86.66
13.92
86.06
Species Genera Families
Percentage (%)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Am
ara
nth
acea
e
Ap
iacea
e
Ara
cea
e
Ast
era
cea
e
Bo
ra
gin
acea
e
Bra
ssic
acea
e
Ca
ry
op
hy
lla
cea
e
Cra
ssu
lacea
e
Cu
cu
rb
ita
cea
e
Eu
ph
orb
iacea
e
Fa
ba
cea
e
Fu
ma
ria
cea
e
Gera
nia
cea
e
Hy
po
xid
acea
e
Irid
acea
e
La
mia
cea
e
Lil
iacea
e
Ma
lva
cea
e
Men
isp
erm
acea
e
Ox
ali
da
cea
e
Pa
pa
vera
cea
e
Po
acea
e
Po
lyg
on
acea
e
Prim
ula
cea
e
Ro
sacea
e
Ru
bia
cea
e
Sa
xif
ra
ga
cea
e
Scro
ph
ula
ria
cea
e
So
lan
acea
e
Urti
ca
cea
e
Vio
lacea
e
Zin
gib
era
cea
e
Families
Percen
tag
e(%
)
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
Figure 6: Statistics of plant parts used
Figure 7: Number of plants used for treating various diseases
24%
37%
8%
6%
23%
2%
Roots Leaves Seeds Fruit Whole plants Flowers
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Diseases
Nu
mb
er o
f P
lan
t S
pec
ies
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
Table 1: List of medicinal plants traditionally used by the inhabitants of Dhundsir Gad
watershed of Garhwal Himalaya, India
Botanical Name of the plant Local Name Altitude Parts used Ailment used for
Dicotyledons Amaranthaceae
Aerva sanguinolenta (L.) Bl.
Bijdr.
Sufed phulia 600-1000 Whole
plant
Urinary disorders and
inflammation
Apiaceae
Centella asiatica L. Brahmi -
butti
800-1000 Whole
plant
Skin ailments
Asteraceae
Ageratum conyzoides L. Gundrya 1000-1500 Whole
plant
Cuts and wounds, skin
ailments
Anaphalis adnata Wallich ex
DC.
Bugla 1500-2000 Whole
plant
Cuts and wounds, boils
Bidens pilosa L. Kumur,
kurei
600-2500 Whole
plant
Cough and bronchitis
Circium wallichi DC. Kandra 1300-3000 Roots Dysentery and chest pain
Echinops cornigerus DC. Kandara 1500-2200 Roots Fever, emergence of
teeth in infants
Eupatorium adenophorum
Sprengel.
Basha /
Bakura
500-1800 Leaves Cuts and wounds
Gnaphalium hypoleucum DC. Buglya 600-1000 Whole
plant
Cuts and wounds,
supposed to increase
lactation when applied
on breasts
Inula cappa (Buch – Ham. ex
D. Don) DC.
Athhu /
Tamagari
1200-2000 Roots Urinary disorders
Saussurea heteromalla
(D.Don) Hand.-Manz.
Murang 1200-1800 Leaves,
roots
Fever, cuts and wounds
Senecio graciliflorus DC. Kikret 2500-3500 Whole
plant
Insect bites, cuts and
wounds
Sonchus asper (L.) Hill. Pili - dudhi 1000-3000 Leaves Cuts and wounds
Tagetes erecta L. Genda 500-1800 Flower,
leaves
Cuts and wounds
Tridex procumbens L. Kumra 600-1000 Leaves Cuts and wounds
Boraginaceae
Cynoglossum glochidiatum
Wallich ex Benth.
Lichkura 1500-2500 Roots Digestive disorders
Brassicaceae
Capsella bursa-pastoris L. Tuntkya 400-1800 Roots,
leaves
Gonorrhoea, urinary
troubles, cuts and
wounds
Coronopus didymus (L.) J.
Smith
- 600-1300 Leaves Cuts, wounds and
inflammation
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
Nasturtium officinale R. Br. - 900-2000 Whole
plant
Constipation
Raphanus sativus L. Muli 800-1000 Whole
plant
Fever, bronchitis and
liver disorders
Thlaspi arvense L. Maula 1500-2500 Leaves Cuts and wounds
Caryophyllaceae
Gypsophila cerastioides D.
Don
Bakarchee 1500-2700 Whole
plant
Boils, cuts/wounds
Silene conoidea L. Tumriya –
ghas
700-2100 Leaves Skin infections
Stellaria media L. Badyalu 600-1650 Whole
plant
Boils, cuts/wounds
Crassulaceae
Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam. Bish -
Khapru
800-1500 Leaves Cuts, wounds and
inflammation
Cucurbitaceae
Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt,
Hort.
Kaduri 900-1400 Leaves,
roots, fruit
Diabetes, skin ailments
and gonorrhoea
Trichosanthes anguina L. Chachinda 1000-1800 Leaves,
roots
Diarrhoea
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia pilosa L. Chuplya 1600-2800 Roots,
fruits
Constipation
Fabaceae
Crotolaria albida Heyne ex
Roth.
Ban-methi 1300-1700 Seeds,
roots
Constipation and blood
purifier
Crotolaria juncea L. Jhun –
jhunia
700-1200 Seeds Blood purifier
Melilotus indica (L.) Allioni Ban – Methi 1200-1500 Seeds Diarrhoea and dysentery
Trigonella corniculata L. Ban – Methi 1800-4000 Young
plants,
fruits
Abdominal pains and
diabetes
Fumariaceae
Fumaria indica
(Haussknecht) Pugsley
Pit- papra 400-1500 Leaves Cuts and wounds
Geraniaceae
Geranium wallichianum D.
Don ex Sweet
Ratanjot,
Laljari
2300-3000 Roots Ophthalmia and hair fall
Lamiaceae
Ajuga bracteosa Wallich ex
Benth
Neelkanthi 1000-1500 Leaves Fever
Leucas cephalotes (Roth)
Sprengel.
Gumba 1200-1500 Whole
plant
Antidote to snake bite
Mentha arvensis L. Pudina 500-1500 Leaves Digestive disorders
Micromeria biflora (Buch.-
Ham. ex D.Don) Benth.
Ban -
Ajwain
800-2000 Leaves Cold and digestive
disorders
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
Nepeta ciliaris Wallich ex
Benth.
Nueet 600-2000 Leaves,
seeds
Fever
Ocimum tenuiflorum L. Tulsi 1500-2000 Leaves Fever, cough cold,
urinary disorders
Malvaceae
Malva parviflora L. Soncheli 1500-2000 Leaves,
seeds
Gonorrhoea, cuts and
wounds
Malvastrum coromandelianum
(L.) Garcke
Suchi 600-1300 Leaves Dysentery, cuts and
wounds
Sida rhombifolia L. Bhinuli 700-1000 Leaves Boils, cuts/wounds and
joint pains
Menispermaceae
Cissampelos parerira L. Pahre 500-2000 Roots Constipation and gastric
troubles
Oxalidaceae
Oxalis corniculata L. Chalmori 1600-2700 Leaves Cataract and
conjunctivitis
Papaveraceae
Argemone mexicana L. Pili Kateli 400-1200 Seeds,
roots
Seeds used as narcotic,
root used as wormicide
and chewed in
leucorrhoea
Polygonaceae
Fagopyrum tataricum (L.)
Gaertn.
Phaphar 1800-2700 Leaves,
seeds
Abdominal pains
Polygonum recumbens Royle
ex Bab.
Oglya –
Jhar
1200-2800 Roots Hair fall
Rumex hastatus D.Don. Kilmori 600-1600 Leaves Cuts and wounds
Ranunculaceae
Delphinium ajacis L. Nirbishi 1000-3000 Roots Toothache
Ranunculus arvensis L. Whole
plant
Fever, asthma, skin
ailments
Thalictrum foliolosum DC. Kirmuli 1200-2500 Roots Ophthalmia, fever and
abdiminal pains
Primulaceae
Anagallis arvensis L. Jonkmari 600-1000 Whole
plant
Leprosy
Rosaceae
Duchesnea indica (Andr.)
Fock.
Bhiun –
kaphal
600-1500 Leaves,
fruits
Diarrhoea and dysentery
Fragaria nubicola Lindley ex
Lacaita.
Gand –
Kaphal
1600-3500 Leaves,
fruits
Earache
Rubiaceae
Galium aparine L. Kuri,
Khuskusa
1000-2700 Leaves Skin diseases
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
Saxifragaceae
Berginia ciliata Haworth Silpara 1000-3000 Rhizome,
leaves
Digestive disorders and
skin ailments
Scrophulariaceae
Bacopa monnieri L. Ban - Brahmi 700-1200 Whole
plant
Rheumatic pains
Kickxia ramosissima
(Wallich) Janchen.
- 1500-2500 Whole
plant
Diabetes
Mazus pumilus Burm.f. Mastyar 700-2500 Leaves Burns, cuts and wounds,
Abdominal pains
Verbascum thapsus L. Akulbir 800-2800 Whole
plant
Asthma, bronchitis
Solanaceae
Solanum nigrum L. Makoi 1600-2200 Whole
plant
Piles, dysentary,
diarrhoea, fever, eye
ailments
Urticaceae
Girardinia diversifolia (Link)
Friis.
Jhir –
Kandali
1500-1800 Leaves Gonorrhoea
Pouzolzia zeylanica (L.)
Bennett & Brown.
1000-1800 Leaves Gonorrhoea,
stomachache, cuts and
boils
Urtica dioica L. Bicchu -
ghas
1000-3000 Leaves Hair fall
Violaceae
Viola biflora L. Vanafsa 2800-3000 Whole
plant
Cold and cough
Viola canescens Wallich Vanafsa,
Kauru
2000-3000 Whole
plant
Malarial fever,
bronchitis, asthma,
cuts/wounds
Viola pilosa Blume. Vanafsa 2500-3000 Flower,
leaves
Cough, cold, headache
and jaundice
Monocotyledons
Araceae
Sauromatum pedatum Willd. Bhasma –
Kand
500-1800 Tuber Cuts, wounds and
inflammation
Hypoxidaceae
Hypoxis aurea Lour. Golkya 1800-2500 Leaves Used as an aphrodisiac
Iridaceae
Iris kumaonensis D.Don ex
Royle
2000-3500 Rhizome Constipation
Liliaceae
Allium cepa L. Pyaz 400-1800 Whole
plant
Digestive and skin
ailments
Allium sativum L. Lehsun 500-2100 Bulb,
leaves
Respiratory and digestive
disorders
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
DISCUSSION
The present study documented 79 medicinal
plants traditionally used in health care practices
by inhabitants of Dhundsir Gad watershed area
of Garhwal Himalaya. It reveals that the
denizens of the area prefer using herbal drugs
for primary health care, even the health
facilities are available nearby. The study has
confirmed the fact that ethnomedicine presents
an alternative source of healthcare for most
rural dwellers. The local people have good
knowledge of medicinal plants. Since such
knowledge is still mostly taught orally without
written records, there is need to conduct a
similar survey in as many rural areas as
possible. Due to the changing perception of
local people and the ever-increasing influence
of global commercialization and
socioeconomic transformation, indigenous
knowledge of plant resource use is constantly
diminishing. The younger generation does not
seem much interested in keeping this traditional
knowledge alive. With the passage of time,
knowledge about these valuable medicinal
plant resources will vanish. In the future, the
information will be completely lost, thereby
greatly weakening traditional medical practices.
Therefore, this valuable information needs to
be systematically collected and documented, so
that it can serve mankind for generations to
come and may also conserve the precious plant
resources of high economic utility. Further,
phytochemical and pharmacological
investigations about the medicinal use of
plants, along with the precious traditional
knowledge may be a step ahead towards the
new drug development.
The most commonly used parts of
ethnomedicinal plants in the present study
comprised of leaves (37%), roots (24%), whole
plants (23%), seeds (8%), fruit (6%) and
flowers (2%). Bhat et al., (2013) while
studying the ecological status and traditional
knowledge of medicinal plants in a protected
area of Garhwal Himalaya, also reported that
most frequently used parts of medicinal plants
were leaves (32%), roots (24%), whole plants
or plant (13%), followed by fruits (9%) and
seeds and flowers (6% each). Based on their
studies from east African equatorial country,
Keter and Mutiso (2012) reported that leaves
were the most frequently used plant parts
(48%) followed by stem bark (16%), roots and
root bark (10%), while the fruits, whole plant,
and aerial parts accounted for less than 10% for
each. Akhtar et al., (2013) also reported from
Pakistan that the most frequently used plant
parts in the preparation of herbal remedies were
leaves (29%), followed by fruit (18%), roots
and rhizomes (17%), and whole plants (7%).
Uttarakhand state of India is the hub of
medicinal plants species due to its rich
biodiversity. The state has tremendous potential
for medicinal plants cultivation and it can
become one to the important options for
Lilium wallichianum J.A. &
J.H. Schultes
Findura 500-1800 Flowers Fever
Poaceae
Cynodon dactylon L. Bhoob 400-1800 Roots Fever and internal injury
Phalaris minor Retz. Phulla 700-1300 Roots Cuts and wounds
Saccharum spontaneum L. Munj 400-1200 Leaves Asthma and cholera
Zingiberaceae
Curcuma domestica Valeton Haldi 900-1500 Rhizome Digestive disorders and
skin ailments
Hedychium spicatum Buch. –
Ham. ex J.E. Smith
Ban-Haldi 1000-1800 Root Asthma, cold cough,
tuberculosis. Seeds
believed to cause
abortion
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
sustainable livelihood for the hilly area. About
300 medicinal plants species have been
documented from Uttarakhand, indicating its
potential as an herbal state and for
strengthening herbal-based industry in this
region (Kala et al., 2004). New approaches of
biotechnology and conservation strategy can
help preserve and utilize the indigenous
knowledge of medicinal plants for humankind.
CONCLUSION
The study provides comprehensive
information about the degrading indigenous
and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants
used by local inhabitants in a part of Western
Himalaya, India. Indigenous knowledge
systems are culturally valued and scientifically
important. The identification of the active
ingredients of the plants used by the local
people may provide some useful leads for the
development of new drugs.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are thankful to the residents of
study area for sharing their knowledge and
cooperation during the field surveys and
interviews.
REFERENCES
Akhtar N, Rashid A, Murad W, Bergmeier, E
(2013). Diversity and use of ethno-
medicinal plants in the region of Swat,
North Pakistan. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed ,
9:25.
Ballabha R, Singh D, Tiwari JK, Tiwari P
(2013). Diversity and availability status
of ethno-medicinal plants in the Lohba
range of Kedarnath Forest Division
(KFD), Garhwal Himalaya, Global J
Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med., 2(4):
198–212.
Bhat JA, Kumar M, Bussmann RW (2013).
Ecological status and traditional
knowledge of medicinal plants in
Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary of
Garhwal Himalaya, India. J Ethnobiol
Ethnomed, 9(1):1.
Gadgil M, Rao PRS (1998). Nurturing
Biodiversity: An Indian Agenda. Center
for Environment Education,
Ahamdabad, India.
Gadgil M (1996). Documenting diversity: an
experiment. Curr. Sci.,70: 36–44.
Gaur RD (1999). Flora of the district Garhwal
Northwest Himalayas (with
ethnobotanical notes). Transmedia:
Srinagar, Garhwal.
Kala CP, Farooquee N, Dhar U (2004).
Priorization of medicinal plants on the
basis of available knowledge, existing
practices and use value status in
Uttaranchal, India. Biodiver.
Conser.,13: 453–469.
Karki MB, Willians JT (1999). Priority Species
of Medicinal Plants in South Asia.
IDRC, New Delhi, India.
Keter LK, Mutiso PC (2012). Ethnobotanical
studies of medicinal plants used by
traditional health practitioners in the
management of diabetes in lower
eastern province, Kenya. J
Ethnopharma, 139:74–80.
Naithani BD (1984–85). Flora of Chamoli.
Vols. I-II: Botanical Survey of India,
Calcutta.
Pei SJ (2001). Ethnobotanical approaches of
traditional medicine studies: some
experiences from Asia. Pharm. Biol.,
39: 74–79.
Rahul C, Pankaj, P, Sarwan SK, Mahesh JK
(2010). Phytochemical screening and
antimicrobial activity of Albizzia
lebbeck. J. Chem. Pharm. Res., 2(5):
476–484
Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med. | Volume 4, Issue 4 | April 2015 | 65–78
Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine || GJRMI ||
Shinwari SK, Gilani SS (2003). Sustainable
harvest of medicinal plants at Bulashbar
Nullah, Astore (Pakistan). J
Ethnopharma, 84:289.
Shrestha PM, Dhillion SS (2003). Medicinal
Plant Diversity and Use in the
Highlands of Dolakha District, Nepal. J
Ethnopharm, 86:81–96.
Singh A, Singh MK, Singh R (2013).
Traditional Medicinal Flora of the
District Buxar (Bihar, India). J. Pharm.
Phytochem., 2(2): 41–49.
Tiwari JK, Radha Ballabha, Tiwari P (2010).
Ethnopaediatrics in Garhwal Himalaya,
Uttarakhand, India (Psychomedicine
and Medicine). New York Sci. J, 3(4):
123–126.
Source of Support: NIL Conflict of Interest: None Declared
Call for Papers – Vol. 4, Issue 6, June 2015
Submit your manuscripts (Research articles, Review
articles, Short Communications, Letters to the Editor,
Book Reviews) to Global Journal of Research on
Medicinal plants & Indigenous medicine – GJRMI
Submit it online through www.gjrmi.com or mail it to
[email protected] on or before
May 10th
2015.
To advertise on the Flip book Cover page freely,
write to
[email protected] or [email protected]
Or
Call - +919590574495