Review Article

THE SCITECH JOURNAL ISSN 2347-7318 ISSN 2348-2311 Online SAMANTHI Status of cultivated & wild Allium species in : A Review N.C.Shah. Ex-Head of the Division of Botany & Pharmacognosy CIMAP (CSIR) & Founder Director, Herbal Research &Development Institute, Govt. Of U.P.(now in ) MS-78; Sector-”D”;Aliganj, Lucknow -24

Abstract

The Allium species cultivated or found wild in India for economic use has been studied. An effort has been made to deal with the exotic and indigenous Allium species, which have been used variously as vegetable, culinary, salad, as a spices & condiment and for seasoning purpose, and occasionally as a medicine.

Keywords : Allium ascalonicum, A.consanguineum, A.hookeri, A. humile,A.Macleanii,A. porrum, A. Schoenoprasum, A.stracheyi, A.govanianum, A.tuberosum, A.wallichii, Chives, 'Duna, 'Ek Kali Lahsun', 'Faran', 'Jambu', Leek, Badshah Salab, Seasoning, Shallot. Spice & Condiment

Introduction Among these species, the main are; A. cepa () and A.sativum (garlic) cultivated as a vegetable and for culinary purpose within the country and Allium genus has been studied by a number of botanists of the world throughout the world. The introduction of Garlic and Onion in India and under different families, viz., Liliaceae or Alliaceae, or Amaryldiaceae. from the middle–east countries, has been lost in antiquity. The region of diversity(origin) for Allium is stated to be Central Asian However, an efforts has been made by Shah, (2014) to trace the time of region, Esquinas- Alcazar (2004). As per The List (2010) there are introduction in India. 881 species of Allium (under Amaryldiaceae) found in the world and out of which, Santapau & Henry,(1973) reported only 30 and Karthikeyan, Allium cepa L. (Onion)- et al., (1989) have enumerated 36 species from India. In this study, an It has been cultivated since time immemorial, it is stated to be originated effort has been made to nd out, the uses of the exotic and indigenous in the Near East and Central . These are known not only for the use in Allium species, which have been used variously as vegetable, culinary, cooking, but also for their antiseptic properties, in Egypt, were salad, as a spices & condiment and for seasoning purpose, and used in the process of mummication. Presently, these are used in two occasionally as a medicine. stages, the fresh onion, also called “sweet” onions and has a milder taste In the present communication the Allium species of India are studied as used as vegetable and salad. The dry onion, also called “storage,” onions, under: have a stronger avor mainly used for culinary purpose to make gravy and for salad. In India it is extensively cultivated for trade purpose in i. The most common species of Allium, found through out India Nasik(Maharashtra). under cultivation and trade; A. cepa and A.sativum Allium sativum L. (Garlic) ii. The introduced and cultivated species, for the use of the westerners and later also adopted by the local people, for culinary A native to Central Asia, and has historically been prized for both and salad purpose. culinary and medicinal uses. However, Thorwald Jurgan (1962,p.92-93) had stated, that it was used to keep humans free from diseases like; iii. The wild species of Allium growing wild in the montane & dysentery, typhoid, fever, and cholera. A combination of garlic, onion and submontane regions, in the Indian Himalayas and used by the local radish were distributed among the Pyramid workers for prophylactic people as spice & condiment and for seasoning purpose, mainly in used based on empirical knowledge. Garlic has the strongest avor of all Uttarakhand, , Darjeeling and Sikkim. the Alliums. A hardy perennial, garlic grows as bulbs, which are made up of cloves. The plant has been dealt in detail, Shah,(2014). iv. The species which were earlier imported as crude drug and were well used in Unani and Ayurvedic medicines and were sold in Indian ii. The introduced and cultivated Allium species for the use of the Bazars. westerners and later also adopted by the local people, for culinary and salad purpose. v. The Allium species, which grow wild but their uses if any are yet not known. In this category the Allium species earlier introduced and cultivated in India either for culinary purpose and salad mainly, by the westerners, who vi. The Allium species earlier reported to found in India (British India) but now these are not recorded. Recieved: July 2014 Accepted: August 2014 I. The most common species of Allium, which are commonly cultivated and traded through out India *Corresponding Author E mail: shainc [email protected]

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THE SCITECH JOURNAL ISSN 2347-7318 ISSN 2348-2311 Online introduced it for their own use in the British period. These are only seen aphrodisiac. At one time, it was used through out India as it is not much in the vegetable markets of metropolitan cities in India mostly used by foul-smelling like common garlic. It lowers down high blood pressure, the western hoteliers The species are; A.ascalonicum, L. ( Shallot); A. and gives strength to the body. Its oil is also used in medicine in arthritis. porrums Linn. A. ampeloprasum L. var. porrum.(L.) Leek. Chemical constituents & Pharmacology A.ascalonicum, L. Shallot Asolkar et al., (1992) report that it contains fructose and other sugars, Earlier, in India, it was known with number of vernacular names such glucosamine and uronic acid, lysine. The brown skin of bulb contains as; Arabic- Kirath; Hindi-Ek kanda, Lahshun, Ek poti Lahshun; quercetol and its glucosides. Fresh leaves contain avones. It is anti- Bengali-Paru or Gandham; Panjab-Gandana, Gandhan; Kashmiri- cogulant, brinolytic and hypocholestremic and shows signicant Praan; Nepal-Chyapi; Malayalam- Cheriya ulli or Chuvanna ulli; activity against P388 lymphocytic leukaemia in mice. Tamil- Chinna vengayam or (sambhar vengayam or the onion of Sambhar) as it is an important ingredient of Sambhar. It is reported that it Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz): Carbohydrates- 16.8 g; Sugars-7.87 is native of Palestine and believed that shallots came to Europe through g; Dietary ber- 3.2 g; Fat-0.1 g; Protein-2.5 g; Thiamine (vitamin B1)- the Crusaders from Ascalon, an ancient Israeli city and such, it is named 0.06mg; Rivoavin-(vitamin B2)-0.2%; Niacin(Vitamin B3)-0.2mg; after that city as Allium ascalonicum, Pantothenic acid (vit.B4)-0.29mg; Vitamin B6-0.345mg; Folic acid (Vitamin B9)-34 μg; Vitamin C-8mg; Calcium-37 mg; Iron-1.2 mg; Usually, it may have two cloves, and occasionally as many as ten. Shallot Magnesium-21 mg; Mangnese-0.292 mg;Phosphorus-60mg; bulbs grow in clusters and have a distinctive tapered shape that sets Potassium-334 mg; Zinc-0.4mg, (www. free wikepedia shallot,); them apart from other members of the onion family. Most often these are of copper brown color or reddish. Their avor, sometimes described Collet, (1921) reported that A.ascalonicum, L. (the shallot) was as a blend of sweet onion and garlic. It is the favourite of gourmet chefs. cultivated in Simla hills. Santapau & Henry,(1973) reported that it is It is about 30- 60 cm. high and perennial plant. No seeds are produced cultivated in South Indian gardens and there are earlier reports that it was and propagate only by cloves or bulblets. Its morphology resembles both not only cultivated in South India but also exported to Sri Lanka & with the onion and garlic. The bulblets resembles garlic and its texture Malaysia,(Pruthi,1976). Now, it has to be conrmed, whether it is still and color with onion. cultivated in South India, if so the exact places are to be recorded and also to get information about its export. However, the leak and chives are Earlier, Dymock & Hooper, (1891, p.492) described it, and stated that it seldom used and cultivated in Indian culture. The small bulbs are is called by the natives (Indians) Ek-dana-lasun or Ekla-kali' lasan, variable and sold in crude drug market from Rs. 20/-to 100/-per kg in meaning 'one-clove garlic," and is used by them to cure ear-ache; when a crude drug market, Negi,(2006). small piece being placed in the meatus. It is also fried in butter and preserved in honey as an aphrodisiac.The shallot was also adopted in Allium porrum L. syn. A. ampeloporasum L .var. porrum (L.). Regel Ayurveda as a medicinal herb. In South India, as a culinary, it is used as Leek. or the Egyptian Garlic. These are the largest member of the an especial ingredient of Sambhar. Allium family and are big in size. These are cultivated and also found However, most of the Ayurvedic physicians mis-identify the shallot with wild. The wild plant is commonly known as 'wild leek' or 'broadleaf wild the leak. In Nepal, shallots are used as one of the ingredients for making leek.' distribution: southern Europe to Western Asia. Wild populations momo. In Kashmir shallots are widely used in preparation of Wazwan produce bulbs up to 3 cm across. Now being cultivated in many countries Kashmiri cuisine due to their distinct avour shallots are also used in and naturalized. It is stated to be native of Crimea. The species may have South Eastern countries. been introduced to Britain by prehistoric people. Plant up to 1 m. tall. bulb ovoid, 3-4 cm. broad, scaly. and scape arising from the centre of the bulb. Leaves 6-12, linear ,1-2 cm. broad, at. globose and many owered. France, Belgium, and the Netherlands lead the world in leek production, and leeks are often featured in French, Belgian, and Dutch cooking. Also called “poor man's asparagus,” leeks are a good complement to potatoes to prepare, potato-leek soup, etc.It is also cultivated in some parts of India to cater the needs of the big western hotels. However, there are reports that it is cultivated in Maharashtra ( The places yet to be located and identied).

Figure 1. Fresh bulblets of Shallot, A.ascalonicum, L. which looks like an onion but smells like garlic. Cultivated in India only at few places

Medicinal uses

According to Garga, et al., (1971,p.151) in Ayurveda it is used as an Figure 2. Leek.Allium porrum Cultivated at few places in India

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Allium schoenoprasum Linn. Chives or (Kashmir Garlic ) : not only re-identied botanically 'Jambu' ' and 'Faran' sold and cultivated in Uttarakhand but also undertaken anatomical and It is found growing wild. The bulb narrowly ovoid, up to 2 cm long, 0.5 pharmacognositcal studies of leaf & stem part of A. consanguineum cm broad, scaly; membranous scales. Leaves 1-2, cylindrical, stular, 1-2 syn. A. stracheyi Baker; and A.wallichii, which would help the future mm broad, 10-15 cm long; leaf sheaths membranous, glabrous. Scapes workers in identifyig the bazar samples sold as 'Jambu' and 'Faran'. It up to 30 cm long. It looks like a tall tufts of grass. sub-globose, would also helps in differentiating and distinguishing, Allium wallichi ca. 3 cm across. Flowers condensed. Unequal pedicels. pink, 10- from A.stracheyi anatomicaly possessing polyarch roots, mycorrhizal 12 mm long, lanceolate, acute. Filaments about half the length of the fungi in the outer cortical cells and triangular leaf midrib. Now a days, tepals, entire, narrowly triangular, connate at the base. Flowering : June- due to shortage of material and increasing high cost of commodity, day August. Distribution: Temperate and Arctic regions in Europe, by day, there is every likely hood of adulteration the product with allied Caucasia, Siberia and Asia, Middle East, Iran, Central Asia, species of Allium or with grass. The present cost of the seasoning , and India( Dras (Ladakh), Kishen ganga material is about 2000/- to 2500/ per kg. (Rs.20/- to 25/- per 10 gms). Valley,Kashmir) It is further to be noted that the Bhotias and Kumaonis use 'Jambu' and Pharmacology : 'Faran' in the same way as the South Indian people use 'Kari patta' It has been reported that, the essential oil from Allium schoenoprasum L Murraya koeinigii Speng. This is also to be mentioned that "Jambu' A. give high activity of anti-tubercular substances. The activity of the wallichii used in Nepal under the name of 'Jimbu' in Ayurvedic system substance isolated is reported to be slightly lower than that of of medicine, Waworosch, (2001). It is to be noted that now a days, in streptomycin. The substance obtained from the Allium cepa was found Uttarakhand, the main use is as a spice & condiment and as a seasoning about ve times less of streptomycin, Gupta et al 1955 quoted Chopra et material and for which only A. consanguineum syn. A. stracheyi Baker al., (1965, p.873.). and A.wallichii, are available in the market, however, the latter is much used. The author had had observed during 1984-1986 that that both the In number of countries' in traditional folk medicine, Chives were eaten to species were being brought to cultivation by the Bhotias in Milam, treat and purge intestinal parasites, enhance the immune system, Mana and Niti, Munsiyari, etc. and which is still being continued. stimulate digestion, and treat anemia. Garlic and scallions, along with onions, leeks, chives, and shallots, are rich in avonols, substances in However, Negi (2006) without ascertaining the basic facts has reported and have shown to have anti tumor effects. New research from that the following species under the name of ' 'Jambu' or 'Faran' are China conrms that eating vegetables from the Allium group can reduce being sold in the Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand) bazar and has also quoted the risk of prostate cancer. their selling rates. The species which he has mentioned are: A.chinense G.Don syn A.bakeri Regel syn. A.splendens; A.carolinianum, DC; iii. The wild species of Allium growing wild in the montane & A.clarkei Hook.f.; A.roylei Stern syn. A.liliaceum Royle.; Allium submontane regions, in the Indian Himalayas and used by the local grifthianum Boiss. A. rubellum M.Bieb. var. grandiorum; people as spice & condiment and for seasoning purpose, mainly in Alliumtuberosum Rottler ex Spreng. syn. A.clarkei.Hook.f. syn. Uttarakhand, Nepal, Darjeeling and Sikkim. A.odorum sensu Hook.f.; even the the species only growing in Ladakh, viz., Allium przewalsklanum Regel. syn A.stoliczki Regel syn. A. The Allium sps. as spice & condiment and for seasoning purpose in jacquemontii Regel. This information is traditionally and scientically Uttarakhand: incorrect and needs verication.

About 60 yrs ago, Allium consanguineum syn. A. stracheyi Baker; and Description of Allium species used as 'Jambu' and 'Faran' A.wallichii Kunth, were found growing wild in abundance in Tibet and its adjoining border region of Kumaon & Garhwal now in Uttarakhand. Allium consanguineum syn. A. stracheyi Baker- A foetid scapigerous These were either collected mainly by the Lamas and by the local Bhotias small herb up to 35 cm.tall. The stem is leafy at the base, terete, and brought to India to be sold and used by the people as spice & glabrous. Leaves 3-5, linear linear 11-30 cm x 1-2 mm. attened narrow. condiment and for seasoning purpose and occasionally, in medicine. The Heads globose, 1.0 – 1.5 cm in diam., pedicel shorter than the ower. aerial parts collected consisted of leaves and stem and some time, the Tepals pale-rosy or rosy in colour. Bulbs brous small, cylindrical or inorescence of the plant from which it was collected. This commodity narrowly ovoid , oblong-ovoid. Earlier occurring in wild state above locally known as 'Jambu' 'Adhuna' in Kumaon or 'Faran' in Garhwal. 3500 m and now brought under cultivation. Flowering: July to August. After the Chinese War 1961 with India . The trade with Tibet was Fruiting: September to November. completely ceased. Before 1961 'Jambu' or 'Faran' were not sold in any shop but were only purchased from the Lamas coming from Tibet and the Distribution Bhotias living near Tibet border. In Kumaon, certain cooking Throughout, the Indian Himalayas. Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and preparations of Black Soya Bean like; Thatwani, Dubka, Churkani,etc. Burma.In Uttarakhand it is known as Jambu, Adhuna (Kumaon), Faran and fried potatoes (Alu Gutuka) were always seasoned by 'Jambu'. (Garwal); Himalayan Seasoning Allium (.A new name given by the 'Jambu' is a cultural & traditional seasoning commodity of the Kumaoni author Shah,1987). As earlier stated Its cultivation is being taken at people. Shah & Joshi, (1971) and Shah (1987), identied the material, Milam, Niti and Mana valleys by Bhotias from where it is traded to the collected from the wild and later from the cultivation and it consisted, rest part of Kumaon Himalaya, (Shah 1987). Analysis of the sample only above stated two species. Recently, Tiwari, et al (2014) has also sold in bazar show that it contains, the stem, leaves and sometime the well conrmed that A. consanguineum syn. A. stracheyi Baker; and inorescence Anonymous (1998 p.29-30) report about the promotion of A.wallichii constitute the 'Jambu' and 'Faran' of Kumaon and Garwhal. cultivation of A. stracheyi in the border region of Kumoan and estimate Earlier, it was difcult to identify the species of Allium species used as that in a Nali about 5 to 6 kg of dry material (leaves & inorescence) can 'Jambu' or 'Faran' unless these species were taken from the cultivated lot be obtained. Allium species used in alpine region of Uttarakhand personally as Tiwari et al., (2014) has also done and identied. They had require further botanical chemical and pharmacological studies,

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Chemistry: altitude sickness. The young leaves are used vegetable and the dried one as spice. The bulbs boiled and fried in Ghee used in cholera & diarrhoes The chemistry of Allium consanguinum syn. A. stracheyi . It would be and it is used in Ayurvedic System in Nepal used in various ailments and quite interesting to know the foetid aromatic compounds, the avour of diseases like, tuberculosis, nerve defects and for long life and which is liked by the people of Uttarakhand and also used in medicine. rejuvenation and where it has become threatened and efforts were made Kattel, & Maga, (1995) had reported A total of 96 different compounds grow it in vitro. In Darjeeing and Sikkim Himalayas known as Dungs- were identied from the three different cryogenic traps, in dried dungs and used for avouring food, which help in digestion. material in which twenty-seven were sulfur compounds. and among the the sulfur volatiles, 1,2 bis (methylthio) ethene, 2,4 dimethyl thiophene, dimethyl disulde and dimethyl trisulde were found to be the major volatile components.

Figure 4A. A Bazar sample of'Jambu' or 'Faran' Allium wallichii dried aerial part of leaves and stem. Received from Mana village (Chamoli) With courtsey of Dr. Harish Singh, BSI,Howrah (2014)

Figure 3. 'Jambu' or 'Faran' Allium consanguineum syn. A. stracheyi . A costly traditional spice & condiment and a seasoning material in Uttarakhand. Presently, sold at Nainital and other places in Kumaon about Rs. 20/to Rs.25/- per 10g.

A.wallichii Kunth:

Leaves linear to oblong-lanceolate or lanceolate, shorter than to subequaling scape,(2 )5-20 mm wide, mid vein distinct, base narrowed into a petiole or not. Scape lateral, (10)20-50(110) cm, triangled, sometimes narrowly 3-winged, covered with leaf sheaths only at base or for ca. 1/2 of its length. Flowering:July to August. Fruiting:September to November.

Distribution

This species occurs in Kumaon Himalaya, N.E Himalaya Darjiling and Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, China and . This species is mostly distributed in Tibet and its border region. The species is also used in Figure 4B. A Bazar sample of'Jambu' or' Faran' Allium consanguineum Ayurvedic medicine in Nepal according to Wawrosch, et al., (2001), the syn. A. stracheyi Dried leaves are linear and thin more foetid than bulbous rhizomes are used for the treatment of cough & cold and against A.wallichii (1986)

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Uses : In the Kumaon Himalayan region, the above stated species are used as spice & condiment and for seasoning purpose. The aerial parts with owers are dried and crushed and used for seasoning purpose, in curries, and other food preparations, (Shah & Joshi 1971) and (Shah 1987); the people of district Tehri in Bhilhangana valley, Pawali valley, etc., use the leaves as vegetable, (Uniyal 1977 p.225); the aerial parts is used in stomach-ache and as an spice, (Nautial et al., 2000-2001).

Allium humile Kunth syn. A. govanianum Wall. ex Baker: 'Duna' (strictly in Kumaon). Found at high elevations (4000–4500 m) in the Indian Himalayas in India, Pakistan, Xizang (Tibet) and . It has a narrow, cylindrical bulbs. Scape is up to 15 cm tall, slightly compressed. Leaves are at, eshy, linear, about 5 mm wide. Umbel is hemispheric, crowded with many owers. Tepals are white with yellowish-green mid-veins. It is grown throughout the submontane region, in kitchen gardens for purpose of seasoning and also as vegetable, (Shah 1987). According to Nautiyal et al, (2000) it is locally known in Kumaoni and Garhwali as 'Duna' the aerial part is used in stomach ache and as condiment. In Kumaon the leaves are ground with salt and capsicum prepared salt, known as 'dun a loon' (salt of duna) and occaisonally used for seasoning purpose and mostly preparation of 'seasoned-salt' in which salt is ground with leaves of 'Duna' and chilly pepper. In Ladakh it is given with milk to ladies after delivery. The roots Figure 6. A. chinense restricted to North East region of India and leaves are also used as vegetable, Raghunathan, (1978). The plant can be well grown at Lucknow climate It contains aurantiamide acetate and -sitosterol, (Talpatra et al., 1989). Chemistry and Pharmacology and clinical uses : About 72 constituent have been reported, Kameoka et al., (1984) and the important ones are; sulphide (30.57%), 2-3 dihydro-2-hexyl-5- methylfuran-3-one (19.32%), methyl disulphide (6.40%), methyl rentyl disulphide (4.81%), methyl propyl disulphide (4.46%) and hexanal (4.01%). In China A.chinenese is used as anti tumor agent in indigenous system of medicine; The active constituents contained in the ethylacetate soluble fraction was an acid amide, which give remarkable inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation in humans, (Okuyama et al., 1986). Further, isolated, a new furostanol glycoside named chinenoside- I and its structure was elucidated, (Maatsura et al., 1989). The anti tumour substances surveyed in Allium species and the tuber extract showed the highest antitumour activity and steroid laxogenin-I identied as one of its active principle, (Nishino et al, 1990).

Figure 5. Kunth syn. A. govanianum 'Duna' or 'Sedum' Grown by the author at Lucknow

The other Allium species growing wild in Indian Himalayas and their uses :

A. Chinense G. Don syn. A. bakeri Regel. A.splendens Miq., A high altitude species restricted to N.E. Region, where it is cultivated upto 2000 m , and where the bulbs are pickled and cooked. In North East Figure 7. In Meghalaya and in NE India the bulbs of A.chinense are region of India it is sold Rs. 80/-to 100/- per kg., (Negi,2006) pickled and used like common onion.

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Allium przewalsklanum Regel. syn A.stoliczki Regel syn. A. jacquemontii Regel.:

Nasir & Ali (1975) state that it is used as vegetable in Ladakh and also recorded from Ladakh, Raghunathan,(1978).

AlliumtuberosumRottler ex Spreng. syn. A.clarkei.Hook.f. syn. A.odorum sensu Hook.f.:

Bulbs cylindrical, 4-6 cm long, light brown when dried, Umbel dense owered. tepals white, rarely pink,6-10 mm long, elliptic. Bulbs cylindrical, 4-6 cm long, light brown when dried, Umbel dense owered. tepals white, rarely pink,6-10 mm long, elliptic.

Distribution- Indian Himalayas, Pakistan Himalaya, China and Japan. Commonly known as Garlic chives, Chinese chives, Oriental garlic, Chinese leek, In China known as kow cho and in Japan nira vegetable related to garlic as it smells like garlic. In South -Asian countries it is used as vegetable, the

Tender leaves with a light taste of garlic can be used, nely chopped, to avor vegetables, salads, omelets, etc. The owers are also used for the same purposes. Figure 9. from North East grown at NBRI Lucknow ( Photo: Courtsey Dr. A.K.Goel)

Figure 10. Allium hookeri sold in Meghalaya

Allium stulosum L. commonly known as 'Japanese Bunching Onion'. Negi (2006) reords that it owers and fruits March- to November and commonly cultivated in backyard in the Western Himalayas up to 3800 m. altitude. But the specie is neither recorded by Nasir & Ali (1975) or by Karthikeyan,et al (1989) from any part of the Himalayas. The species is used in Japan. Figure 8. Allium tuberosum, Chinese chives vegetable related to garlic as it smells like garlic. and distributed in North East India iv. The Allium species which were earlier imported and used in medicine are discussed below: Allium hookeri Thwaites syn A. tsoongii Wang et Tang : a. , Baker.: A medium size herb leaves 12-19. It is common in Eastern Himalaya, Meghalaya. common at 1200-1500 m.leaves and bulbs cooked as It was a tuberous bulb was sold in India in Bombay market as Badshah or vegetable. Distributed in Assam, Eastern Himalayas, Indo China, Sri Padshah Salab. It was also known as Royal Salep. It grows wild in Persia Lanka, Mynmar. In Meghalaya, Mawphlang and Lailyngnkot is in the Badghis. The bulbs were scalded (steam dried).This plant species is commonly grown as cash crop and loclly known as 'Jaynaut' (Khasi). found at high elevations in Pakistan, , , Bulbs used in same way as onion, Chhetri (2006). , Afghanistan, Nepal, and . It is a perennial herb up

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THE SCITECH JOURNAL ISSN 2347-7318 ISSN 2348-2311 Online to 100 cm tall, with a spherical umbel up to 7 cm in diameter. The umbel as 'Badshah salab'. It was reported that the species are not at all available in is crowded with many purple owers. Dymock & Hooper(1891) state the market of Iran. that it was brought to India by Afghans in small parcels along with the dried fruit and other articles for which they nd a sale in the Indian V. The Allium species, which grow wild but their uses if any are yet Bazars. unknown:

Description. — Royal salep consists of dried bulbs whose dimensions There are about 22 Allium species the uses of which still are not known. from base to apex vary from 1 to 2 inches. The largest specimens And, out of which 10 are reported from North West Himalayas; 6 reported weigh 730 grains : the average weight, taking twenty ulbs, was found from West Himalaya including Himachal Pradesh and Uttaralkhand and 6 to be 337 grains. Allowing for con- siderable irregularity occasioned by have been either reported from Central Himalayas and from North East drying, the form of the dried bulbs may be described as usually nearly Himalayan region. spherical, some- times ovoid or nearly oblong, always pointed at the Vi. The Allium species earlier reported to found in India (British upper extremity. India) but now these are not recorded.:

There are many species which were earlier reported from British India, and included from Pakistan, Baluchistan, mostly from Tibet, Burma, etc. But, these species were not recorded again. This requires further oristic survey and investigation

Unidentied bulbills of Allium species:

If you visit to Vaishono Devi at Jammu or Katra you would nd people selling pkts of different ranges and weight ranging from 200 gm. and above having bulbils of small sizes (see photo no.11) amounting from Rs. 40/- and above and claiming if it is boiled in oil and massaged on the paining joints with arthritis or rheumatism, it allays pain and cures the disease. It is claimed to be an excellent aphrodisiac.

It is known by different names such as; 'Ek Kali Lahsun'; 'Kashmiri lahsun' or 'garlic' and claimed to be 7 times stronger than the average garlic in terms of its medicinal properties. Many people state it is garlic, Allium sativum, which in higher elevations start producing bulbils however, oristic literature do not mention it any where. Chopra et al (1965) mention 'Kashmir Garlic' as Allium schoenoprasum. Any reader knows the correct botanical identication of this plant part or any other Figure 11. Allium Macleanii about 100 yrs ago bulbs were imported comments or additions on the plant species of this article may contact the from Persia (Iran) and sold at Bombay Bazar under the name Badshah author Their comments and additions would be highly appreciated and or Royle Salep used in Unani & Ayurvedic systems of medicine. Now, welcomed and would be published. neither seen in Indian bazars nor in Iran. In the website it is claimed to cure a number of ailments and diseases as Chemical composition. — The powdered bulbs, unless kept in well- follows: stoppered bottles, readily absorb moisture from the air. A decoction  Enhances immune system and improves health state. is not coloured with iodine, but is precipitated with solutions of ferric chloride and plumbic acetate. No reaction for glucose is produced by  Accelerates recovery from common cold, high blood pressure, boiling with Fehling's solution. The ash contained manganese. The rheumatism, tuberculosis,cholesterol and respiratory problems. powdered bulbs afforded moisture 811 per cent^, mucilage (water extract) 80'80, cellulose 7*14, and mineral matter 3*95 per cent,  Known to improve blood circulation, cleanse the blood, and increase Dymock & Hooper, (1891).. red blood corpuscles a. Allium xiphopetalum, Aitch, et. Baker. According to Dymock &  Refreshes cells by promoting oxygen circulation; claimed to be a Hooper, (1891)It was known in Arabic " Thum-el-bari" or wild garlic. powerful antioxidants! It has a bulb resembling Badshah Salep in shape and appearance but  Protects the liver from toxic substances and normalises liver much smaller, a powerful garlic odour, and is much used for pickling funtioning. by the natives. Large quantities are imported. It appears to have been sometimes also known as 'Badshe Salep.' In Persia it is known as "Sfr-  Stimulates the nervous system, stabilizes blood pressure. i-piazak" meaning, onion garlic." Aitchison found it growing abundantly in the Badghis (Arab). In Bombay, where it was sold about  Lowers down cholesterol and fatty substances inside blood vessel. 100 yrs ago it was known as 'Muscat garlic,' as itwas shipped from the Musakt port,  Promotes and regulates the secretion of gastric juices.

However, an enquiry was made by the author in present Iran (Persia)  It helps in constipation and diarrhea about the availability above stated Allium species which were used  Lowers Blood Sugar level for patients suffering with diabetes

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Traditional Knowledge, 6(2)-April : 352-357.

Kameoka, H., Iida, H., Hashimoto, S., and Miyazawa, M. (1984). Sulphides and furanones from steam volatile oils of Allium stulosum and A. chinense. J. Biol. Chem., 176, 657-664.

Karthikeyan,S.,Jain,S.K,,,,Nayar, M.P. & Sanjappa, S. 1989. Flora Indicae Enumeratio: Monocotyledonae.Flora Indica 4. Botanical Survey of India. Howrah.

Kattel, A, Maga, JA 1995- Volatile compounds from dried Jimbu (Allium wallichii). Developments in Food Science, 37: 919-928.

Matasura, et al 1989. A Furostanol glycoside from A. chinense G.Don. Chem.Pharm.Bull.37: 1390-91.

Nasir,E. & Ali,S.I. 1975. Alliaceae No.83. Flora of Pakistan, Stewart Herbarium, Gordon College, Rawalpindi (Pakistan)

Nautiyal S., Rao, K.S., Maikhuri, R.K., Semwal, R.L. and Saxena, K.G. 2000. Traditional knowledge related to medicinal and aromatic Figure 12. Allium species grown in Kashmir and sold in Jammu & plants in tribal societies in a part of Himalaya. Journal of Medicinal Katra(VaishniDevi) as a medicine. and Aromatic Plant Sciences. 22/4A & 23/1A : pp. 528-541.

 It is claimed to be a strong aphrodisiac for both men & women. Negi,K.S 2006. Allium species in Himalayas and their uses , with special reference to Uttaranchal. Ethnobotany 18(!&@):53-66. References : Nishino, Hoyoku, Nishino, Atsuko, Satomi, Yoshiko et al., 1991. Anonymous 1998. Workshop papers 'Uttaranchal mei jari bootiyan Antitumour Promotor Principles in Allium species Rapid paridrishya wa sambhaonaye. Centre for Development Studies, U.P. Communication. Kyoto Furitsu Ika Daigaku Zasshi. 99(10) : pp. Academy of Administration Nainital. 2(4) : pp. 1-132. 1159-64. (Chem. Abstract 1991, 114, 135660).

Asolkar, l.V.,Kakkar,K.K. and Chakre,O.J. (1992). Second Supplement to Okuyama, T., Shibata, S., Hoson, M., Kawada, T., Osada, H. & Glossary of Indian medicinal Plants with Active Principles. Part-I (A-K) Noguchi, T. 1986. Effect of oriental plant drugs on platelet Covering 1965 to 1981 references. National Institute of Science aggregation; III. Effect of Chinese drug “xiebai” on human platelet communication (CSIR),New Delhi-12pp.-1-414 aggregation. Planta Medica. 52(3) : pp. 171-175.

Chhetri,R.B. 2006. Trends in ethnodomestication of some wild plants in Plant List (2010). Version 1. Published on the Internet; Meghalaya, Northeast india. Indian Journal of Traditional http://www.theplantlist.org/ (accessed 1st January). Knowledge,5(3): 342-347. http://www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Amaryllidaceae/Allium/

Chopra, R.N.,Badhwar,R.L. and Ghosh,S 1965.Poisnous plants of India. Pruthi,J.S. 1976 Spices and Condiments. National Book Trust, India, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.Part IInd pp.633-972 New Delhi.pp.1-269.

Collet, Henry 1921. Flora Simlensis, Thacker,Spink & Co.London. Raghunathan (ed) 1978.Preliminary Techno Economical survey of Natural Resources & Herbal Wealth of Ladakh.CCRIMH.,( Min. of Duthie, J.F. 1906. Catalogue of the Plants of Kumaon and of the adjecent Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India), New Delhi.pp.1-84. portion of Garhwal and Tibet based on the Collections made by Strachey & Winterbottom during the years 1846-1849. Santapau,H. & Henry,A.N. 1973. A Dictionary of the Flowering plants in India. Pub. & Inf. Directorate CSIR, New Delhi London : Lovell Reeve & Co. Shah, N.C. & Joshi, M.C. 1971. An Ethnobotanical Study of the Dymock, W. , Warden, C.J.H. & Hooper, D. 1891 Pharmacographica Kumaon Region of India. Economic Botany 25(4) : pp. 414-422. Indica. Thacker, Spink & Co., Calcutta.. vol.1-3 vol.1.599p.vol. 2.643p.,vol. 3.643. p. (pp. 233-238). Shah, N.C. 1987. Ethnobotany in the Mountainous Region of Kumaon Himalaya. Thesis submitted to the Kumaon University, Esquinas-Acazar,Jose 2004. Cultivated plants and their region of Nainital for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Botany. pp. 1-255. diversity.International Treaty on Plant Genetics Resources for Food & Agriculture. Plant Genetic Resources News letter, No.132;1-6. Shah,N.C. 2014. Allium sativum (Garlic): The Folk and Modern uses- Part II.The Scitech Journal vol.1(8): August:30-35. Garga, Devisaran 1969. Dhak. Dhanwantri Vanaushidhi Visheshank. Vijayagarh, Aligarh.p. p.142.287-298. Talpatra, S.K., Karmacharya, B., De., S.C. & Talpatra, B. 1989. Chemical Investigation of Medicinal Plants of Nepal. Indian Journ. of Hussain,S & Hore, DK (2007) Collection and conservation of major Chemistry 28(B) : pp. 356-357. medicinal pants of Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas. Indian Journal of Thorwald ,Jurgen 1962 Science and Secrets of Early

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Citation: Shah.N.C ( 2014) Status of cultivated & wild Allium species in India : A Review. The Scitech Journal. Vol. 01 (9): 28-36.

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