Plant Archives Vol. 18 No. 2, 2018 pp. 2759-2769 e-ISSN:2581-6063 (online), ISSN:0972-5210

TRADITIONAL WISDOM TO TREAT THE MOST COMMON AILMENTS IN CHOPAL REGION OF DISTRICT, ,

Jagdish Singh*, Joginder Singh and Drishti Sharma Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Panthaghati, Shimla - 171 013 (Himachal Pradesh), India.

Abstract A total of hundred ethnomedicinal plants belonging to 56 plant families were recorded from the Chopal region of which were used to treat the most common ailments viz. minor cuts, wounds, boils, fever, gastric, cough, piles and jaundice etc. The maximum numbers of sixteen plant species were used for treatment of minor cuts and wounds, followed by fifteen numbers of species for boils and pimples. While twelve species each was used for treatment of fever, gastric and constipation. The number of ethnomedicinal plants used for treatment of stomach-ache, bronchitis, piles, jaundice and sprain were 11, 10, 10, 8 and 8, respectively. Among growth forms, maximum were herbaceous plants (51 no.), followed by shrubs (21 no.), trees (20no.), climbers (6no.), fern and fungi (1 no.) each. Key words: Traditional wisdom, common ailments, treatment, Chopal and Himachal Pradesh.

Introduction in the traditional medicine as a treatment for various Medicinal plants are considered as health care ailments caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses (Kumar resource and commonly used in traditional medicine by and Vidyasagar, 2008). Considering the importance of rural population for treating various diseases. The use of ethnobotany, various workers have carried ethnobotanical herbal medicine is an age-old tradition and the recent studies on medicinal plants in Himachal Pradesh (Gupta, progress in modern therapeutics has stimulated the use 1964; Uniyal, et al., 2006; Chauhan, 1984; Jain and Puri, of natural product worldwide for diverse ailments and 1994; Chauhan and Chauhan, 1998; Chauhan, 1999; diseases (Eddouks et al., 2012). The World Health Sharma and Rana, 1999; Singh, 1999; Meenakshi, 2006; Organization (WHO) has estimated that as many as 80% Negi and Subramani, 2002; Chauhan, 2003; Sharma and of the world population is dependent on traditional Lal, 2005; Gautam and Bhadauria, 2008). However, there medicine for their primary health needs (Bannerman, are very meager studies on ethnobotanical aspects of 1982). Since ancient times, exploitation of plants continues medicinal plant species, of Chopal forest division. Very till the day for the benefit of mankind (Jain, 1967). At few studies have been carried out in Kiran pargana, a present, about 65% of the Indian population is dependent small region of the Chopal sub-division on traditional on the traditional system of medicine for their health care ethnobotanical knowledge (Singh et al., 2008). Similarly, needs (Alok, 1991). India is one of the leading countries studies on medicinal plants covering only part of the in Asia in terms of the wealth of traditional knowledge Chopal were also carried covering mainly phyto- systems related to herbal medicine and employs a large sociological aspect (Gupta, 2008). Therefore, the present number of plant species which includes Ayurveda (2000 study covers entire Chopal region and it is an attempt to species), Siddha (1121 species), Unani (751 species) investigate the various indigenous medicinal plants used and Tibetan (337 species) (Kumar et al., 2011). Many to treat the most common ailments by people of the Chopal hundreds of medicinal plant species worldwide are used region of Shimla district.

*Author for correspondence : E-mail: [email protected] 2760 Jagdish Singh et al.

Materials and Methods collected. The specimens medicinal plants were collected Study area and identified with the help of various floras (Hooker, 1872; Collett, 1921; Nair, 1977; Chowdhery and Wadhwa, Study area lies in subtropical to temperate zone and 1984; Polunin and Stainton, 1984; Dhaliwal and Sharma, has a rich treasure of medicinal plants wealth. It is a 1999). remote area of the district Shimla, located in south eastern part of Himachal Pradesh, has great archaeological, Results and Discussion ecological, religious, spiritual and mythological A total of hundred medicinal plants belonging to 56 significance. It is surrounded by and Kotkhai to plant families were recorded from the study area, which north, south-west by Sirmaur, east and south east by were used for treatment of most common ailments viz. Uttarakhand and North West of Chopal lies Theog tehsil. minor cuts, wound, boils, fever, gastric, cough, piles and It lies between 77°24' 30" to 77°49' 00'’ East Longitudes jaundice etc. The brief description of plants used to treat and 30°46’30'’ to 31°04’30'’ North Latitudes with the most common ailments, traditionally along with local elevation ranging from 712m to 3647m. Chopal Forest name, family, habit, part used and mode of uses is given division is divided into seven forest ranges (Bamta, in table 1. Bergenia ciliata, Cythula capitata, Capparis Chopal, Deiya, Kanda-Kupvi, Nerwa, Sarhan and spinosa, Kalanchoe integra, Origanum vulgare, Tharoch) and having twenty two forest blocks and Persicaria capitata, Urtica dioica and seventy three forest beats. The entire forest division is Urtica girardinia etc., were used to treat boils and minor spread over the Himalayan mountainous region covering skin eruptions. Roots of Salvia lanata and Thalictrum 2 2 an area of 830 km excluding 2.40 km disputed area on foliolosum were used to treat snake and dog bite. the boundary with Rajgarh forest division (Somal, 2004). Berberis spp and Hedera helix was used to treat The average annual rainfall in the study region is 1200 jaundice. For treating piles and its wound species like mm. Clematis vitalba, Dalbergia sissoo, B. aristata, B. Collection of ethnomedicinal information chitria, B. lycium, Cuscuta reflexa were used by local Ethnomedicinal information were collected between people. Delphinium vestitum (Kali-katti), Hedychium July 2015 to September, 2017 from the villagers by spp. (Kachoor) and Lactuca macrorhiza (Dudhiya conducting semi-structured interviews. A detailed moru) were three most important species used by local questionnaire was prepared for collecting the people to treat stomach ailment, headache and dysentery. ethnomedicinal information. Frequent visits to villages Soymida febrifuga (noon/rasnai) was used to treat bone were conducted throughout the Chopal forest division fracture. Some plants have two or more uses and they covering all seven forest ranges to investigate the various appeared in different use categories as well. The perusal medicinal plants used to treat the most common ailments of fig. 1 revealed that maximum numbers of sixteen in the study area. This involved reconnaissance survey medicinal plant species were used for treating minor cuts and interactions with the village headman and the people and wounds. Medicinal plants species used for treating in groups. After reconnaissance survey, villages were minor cuts and wounds included Achyranthes spp., selected from all seven ranges representing whole study Ajuga parviflora, Artemisia vulgaris, A. vestita, area. One village from each forest beat was randomly Erigeron bellidioides, Cryptolepis buchanani, Trillium selected for collection of ethnomedicinal information. govanianum and Rheum austral. Fifteen ethnomedicinal After selecting villages about ten per cent households plant species were used to treat boils and pimples. While including both genders of different age group were twelve species each was used for treating fever, gastric interviewed from each village from seventy three forest and constipation. The number of ethnomedicinal plants beats of seven forest ranges. Informants/households were used for traditional treatment of stomach-ache, bronchitis, first identified through informant referral by other piles, jaundice and sprain were 11, 10, 10, 8 and 8, informants as knowledgeable. Efforts were made to respectively. Six ethnomedicinal plants each were used contact aged people and traditional healers. In order to locally to treat eyes infection and kidney stone treatment verify the identity of plant species mentioned by the and five plants to treat minor burn ailments and four plants respondents, field visits were undertaken with the each were used to treat dog bite, ear-ache, herpes, snake- respondent. The plant specimens were collected and bite and mouth ulcers. verified from the respondents who mentioned the species When growth form of documented ethno-medicinal as medicinal. The information on local name of the plants was analyzed, it was found that out of total hundred medicinal plant, diseases treated, parts used, etc., were ethnomedicinal plants, maximum were herbaceous plants Traditional Wisdom to Treat the most Common Ailments in Chopal Region of Shimla District, H. P., India 2761 Table 1 continued... 1 Table Mode of use of Mode Fresh leaves pastefresh or and dry root slurry is applied externally paste/ on wounds and cuts till it heals Fresh leaves applied paste externallyaffected is part. on paste/slurry Whereas useable parts is used fresh of or otherdried. Part used Leaves Leaves Leaves & roots Leaves Leaves Roots Roots Roots Leaves Roots & leaves Leaves Roots Roots & leaves Tubers Roots Roots & leaves Leaves & roots Bark stem Leaves, & roots Roots Leaves Leaves Leaves Habit Herb Herb Herb Herb Herb Herb Climber Herb Herb Herb Shrub Herb Herb Herb Herb Herb Herb Tree Shrub Shrub Herb Herb Herb common ailments. common Local name Local Bhutkanda Uang Neelkanthi Chambar Chambari Daklamu Pathartod, Nirbhishi panja Salam panja, Hath Kungti phool Tulsi Van Katia, Pinguni Chiini Rewand and Archa palak Jangli Aloo Nagchattri and Pekhu Nihani Dhaklamu/Patthartod Simbal Ninai Seel Seerla, Kungti phool Auva, nunu Tambakhu Family Amaranthaceae Amaranthaceae Lamiaceae Asteraceae Asteraceae Saxifragaceae Apocynaceae Orchidaceae Asteraceae Lamiaceae Linaceae Polygonaceae Polygonaceae Solanaceae Melanthiaceae Valerianaceae Saxifragaceae Bombacaceae Capparaceae Amaranthaceae Asteraceae Crassulaceae Solanaceae

(D. Don) Soó. Blume (Buch.-Ham. ex D. ex (Buch.-Ham. Wall. ex D.Don ex Wall. (Bullock) Venter & R.L. & Venter (Bullock) Jones (Buch. Ham. Ex D. Don) D. Ex Ham. (Buch. L. Linn. Linn. Dumort. (Medik.) Kuntze Moq. L. Linn. Linn. Spreng. Benth. Wall. exBesser Wall. (Haw.) (Haw.) Sternb. D. Don D. (Haw.) (Haw.) Sternb. Linn. Medicinal plant used plant Medicinal Achyranthes bidentata Achyranthes aspera Ajuga parviflora Artemisiavulgaris Artemisiavestita Bergenia ciliata Cryptolepis africana Verh. Dactylorhiza hatagirea Erigeron bellidioides C.B.Clarke ex Benth. Don) Origanum vulgare Reinwardtia indica Rheum australe Rumex nepalensis Solanum tuberosum Trillium govanianum Valeriana jatamansi Bergenia ciliata Bombax ceiba Capparis spinosa Cyathula capitata Erigeronbellidiodes C.B.Clarke ex Benth. Kalanchoe integra Nicotiana tabacum

Ailments treated Ailments Wounds and cut healing pimples & Boils Table 1: Medicinal plants used by local people of Chopal, district Shimla for the treatment of most of treatment the for Shimla district Chopal, of people local by used plants Medicinal 1: Table 2762 Jagdish Singh et al. of leaves relieves Table 1 continued... 1 Table Root Root paste applied on forehead and body Rasont taken internally Rasont taken internally Rasont taken internally Root paste applied on forehead and body bark Decoction of taken Decoction taken Rhizome of Juice Root powder Decoction Chutney fever taken with mint Infusion leaves powder Juice Root powder taken or used as spices Roots Roots & Leaves Leaves Seed/nut Bark pericarp, Roots Roots & Leaves Roots Leaves & Roots Roots Roots Roots Roots Roots Roots Bark Roots Roots/Rhizome Roots & leaves bark & Flower Leaves Flowers leaves Leaves, roots Fruits & Roots Herb Herb Tree Shrub Herb Herb Herb Shrub Herb Shrub Shrub Shrub Herb Tree Shrub Shrub Herb Tree Herb Herb Tree Herb Katia, Van- tulsi Van- Katia, Ninai Adu Akhe palak Jangli Kantkari Karla Kukua, Bhabhar Shilboy/ Buch Kashmal Kashmal Kashmal Hath panja Kangeyu Fulchhidi Kela Katia,Vant-ulsi Buraas Almoda Vanaksha patar Bil Chora, Choreyi Lamiaceae Polygonaceae Rosaceae Rosaceae Polygonaceae Solanaceae Urticaceae Urticaceae Acoraceae Berberidaceae Berberidaceae Berberidaceae Orchidaceae Salicaceae Lamiaceae Musaceae Lamiaceae Ericaceae Polygonaceae Violaceae Rutaceae Apiaceae Merr.

Sm. Jacq. (D.Don) Soó . (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) ex (Buch.-Ham. Linn. Linn. L. Spreng. Linn. (Burm.f.) DC Edgew. Royle Linn. (L.) Corrêa (L.) D. Don D. Buch.-Ham. ex Lindl. ex Buch.-Ham. (L.) (L.) Batsch Benth Thunb Linn. Blume Origanum vulgare Persicaria capitata H.Gross Prunuspersica Rubus niveus Rumex nepalensis Solanum aculeatissimum Urtica dioica Urtica girardinia Acoruscalamus Berberisaristata Berberis chitria Berberis lycium Dactylorhiza hatagirea Flacourtiaindica Leucas lanata Musa paradisiaca Origanum vulgare Rhododendronarboreum Rumex hastatus Viola pilosa Aegle marmelos Angelica glauca

Fever & Gastric constipation Table 1 continued... 1 Table Traditional Wisdom to Treat the most Common Ailments in Chopal Region of Shimla District, H. P., India 2763 Table 1 continued... 1 Table Pinch of root Pinch powderof is buttermilk with taken Infusion of leaves Decoction/infusion Juice/ infusion taken Seed husk eaten Leaves as spices relives gastric Powder Powder Powder Powder Powder taken or katha Decoction or leaves with honey Decoction or seeds chewed Small amount of powderof of amount Small useable partInternally. isDecoction katti kali and Dudhiya-moru takenof is also Rhizome used. juice of banana Besides, relieves stomach ach Roots Leaves Roots & leaves Leaves Seeds Whole Plant Fruit Fruit Fruit Seed Roots Seeds and leaves Roots Roots Roots Roots Roots Roots Roots Roots/Rhizome Roots Bark Leaves Seeds and leaves Shrub Herb Shrub Herb Herb Herb Tree Tree Tree Herb Herb Herb Herb Climber Herb Herb Herb Herb Herb Shrub Shrub Tree Shrub Herb Dapne Pudina Kadipatta Tulsi Van Isabgoal Losar Aaleyi Ambla, Bahera Harad Methi Chamber Kaliziri Dhudhia Mohru Jari Naldhal Motha panja Salam panja, Hath Kalikatti Gote, Kale Karoo Kachoor Kela Karuain Khair Banseyi Kaliziri Thymelaeaceae Lamiaceae Rutaceae Lamiaceae Plantaginaceae Apiaceae Phyllanthaceae Combretaceae Combretaceae Fabaceae Asteraceae Asteraceae Asteraceae Menispermaceae Cyperaceae Orchidaceae Ranunculaceae Gentianaceae Zingiberaceae Musaceae Lamiaceae Fabaceae Acanthaceae Asteraceae

Linn Benth. ex C.B. ex Benth. (D.Don) Soó. (L.) (L.) Willd. (L.) Willd. Spreng.

Linn. Royle ex Wall. (Royle) Hook.f. (Royle) (Gaertn.) Roxb. (Gaertn.) Retz. Wall. ex G. Don. G. ex Wall. L. L. (L.) (L.) W.Theob. Linn. (L.) Royle Linn. Wall. exBesser Wall. L. Forssk (L.f.) Willd. (L.f.) (D.Don) Baill. (D.Don) Daphnepapyracea Mentha piperita Murrayakoenigii sanctumOcimum Plantago ovata Pleurospermum brunonis Clarke Phyllanthus emblica Terminalia bellirica chebula Terminalia foenum-graecumTrigonella Artemisia vestita Vernonia anthelmintica Lactuca macrorhiza Cocculus hirsutus Cyperus rotundus Dactylorhizahatagirea Delphinium vestitum Gentiana kurroo Hedychiumspp. Musa paradisiaca Roylea cinerea Acaciacatechu Justicia adhatoda Vernonia anthelmintica

bronchitis Stomachache Cough and Table 1 continued... 1 Table 2764 Jagdish Singh et al. Table 1 continued... 1 Table Root Root powder/ decoction galls powder Pinch of taken with honey or / flower Decoction powders with honey Decoction and chewing Juice Paste applied on wounds Paste applied on wounds Paste applied on wounds Decoction Seed husk is taken Root powder, decoction Rasont/ decoction taken Decoction immersed Overnight crushed plant juice taken Root powder immersed Overnight Rasont Rasont taken internally solution root of warmth and given to wounds Roots Roots Roots Roots galls Leaf Whole plant stem Leaves, & seeds Leaves, roots & Fruits & Leaves root Roots Roots Roots Leaves & Roots Leaves Leaves & Pods Seeds Roots Roots Roots Roots Seeds & leaves Whole plant Roots Leaves Herb Herb Herb Herb Tree Herb Shrub Tree Herb Shrub Shrub Shrub Herb Climber Tree Herb Herb Shrub Shrub Shrub Herbs Climber Herb Climber Dhudhia Mohru Kalikatti Gote, Kale Muhlatthi Kachoor Kakad-singhi Kakdeyi, Vanaksha Timur Trimiri, patar Bil Neelkanthi Kashmal Kashmal Kashmal Patthartod Dhaklamu, Beard man (Old Bale Shisham, Sissaun Isabgoal Kaansh Kashmal Kashmal Kashmal Kaliziri Amarbel Bel, Akash Karvi Karoo, (Bail) Kanauri Asteraceae Ranunculaceae Fabaceae Zingiberaceae Anacardiaceae Violaceae Rutaceae Rutaceae Lamiaceae Berberidaceae Berberidaceae Berberidaceae Saxifragaceae Ranunculaceae Fabaceae Plantaginaceae Poaceae Berberidaceae Berberidaceae Berberidaceae Asteraceae Cuscutaceae Gentianaceae Araliaceae integerrima (L.) (L.) Willd. Retz. DC. Wall. ex Royle, ex Wall. (Royle) Hook.f. Linn. subsp. Royle Benth. DC. DC. Roxb. Linn (Haw.) (Haw.) Sternb. Forssk Royle (L.) Corrêa (L.) Royle Buch.-Ham. ex. Lindl. ex. Buch.-Ham. Lindl. ex. Buch.-Ham. Roxb. L. Blume Lactuca macrorhiza Delphiniumvestitum Glycyrrhiza glabra Hedychiumspp. Pistacia chinensis f. Rech. Brandis) ex Stewart L. (J. Viola pilosa Zanthoxylum armatum Aegle marmelos Ajugaparviflora Berberisaristata chitria Berberis Berberis lycium Bergenia ciliata Clematis vitalba Dalbergiasissoo Plantago ovata Saccharum bengalense Berberisaristata chitria Berberis Berberis lycium Vernonia anthelmintica Cuscutareflexa Gentiana kurroo Hedera helix

Piles Jaundice Table 1 continued... 1 Table Traditional Wisdom to Treat the most Common Ailments in Chopal Region of Shimla District, H. P., India 2765 Table 1 continued... 1 Table crushed crushed leaves juice taken Decoction Root paste applied on affected part Paste applied on affected part and taken internally milk with Leaves paste with butter applied for shoulder pain/ dislocation externally applied Resin Massage of seed oil Seed paste applied or massage of seed oil Bark pasteapplied and also tied with cloth on sprained part Leaves boiled and bath of hot water taken Root boiled and solution/ rasont usedin eye flue Leaves paste applied on lid eye Leaves juice drops is put into eyes improve to Powder taken eye sight and Vegetable soup Root powder taken Roots Roots Roots/Rhizome Leaves Resin Seeds Seeds Bark Leaves Roots Roots Roots Roots Leaves Fruit Roots Roots Herb Herb Herb Tree Tree Tree Shrub Tree Shrub Shrub Shrub Shrub Herb Herb Tree Herb Herb Pili Jari Pili Buch, Shilbog Shiboy, Haldi Fedu, Fegda Saral Chir, Chuli Airand, Ardeyi Rasanayi, noon Vana Shuwaleyi, Kashmal Kashmal Kashmal Doob ghaas Katiyari mithi, Khati Aaleyi Aambla, Sakchalai cholai, Apmari, Patthar and Dhaklamu Toad Ranunculaceae Acoraceae Zingiberaceae Moraceae Pinaceae Rosaceae Euphorbiaceae Meliaceae Lamiaceae Berberidaceae Berberidaceae Berberidaceae Poaceae Oxalidaceae Phyllanthaceae Amaranthaceae Saxifragaceae DC. L. Rox. (Juss.) Rox. L. (L.) (L.) Pers. Linn. Linn. Sarg. DC. Buch.-Ham. ex Lindl. ex Buch.-Ham. (Haw.) (Haw.) Sternb. Linn. Linn. Forssk. Linn spp. Thalictrum foliolosumThalictrum Acoruscalamus Curcumalonga Ficus palmata Pinus roxburghii Prunusarmeniaca Ricinuscommunis Soyamidafebrifuga negundoVitex chitriaBerberis Berberis lycium Royle Berberisaristata Cynodon dactylon Oxalis corniculata Phyllanthus emblica Amaranthus Bergenia ciliata

Joint Sprain& fracture Eye-ache Kidney-stone Table 1 continued... 1 Table 2766 Table 1 continued... Hordeum vulgare L. Poaceae Joe Herb Seed Seed boiled and soup taken

Lathyrus sativus L. Fabaceae Jangli-matri Herb Leaves Vegetable and soup

Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. Fabaceae Kulath Herb Seed Soup is taken

Quercus semecarpifolia Sm. Fagaceae Kharshu Tree Bark Decoction Burns-minor Cannabis sativa Linn. Cannabaceae Bhang Herb Leaves & Seeds Burnt in mustard oil and applied on affected part

Aesculus indica (Wall. Ex Cambess) Hook. Sapindaceae Khanor Tree Fruits/nut Paste is applied externally on affected part

Agave americana Linn. Asparagaceae Kawarpatha Shrub Leaves

Solanum tuberosum Linn. Solanaceae Alu Herb Root/Tuber

Rumex nepalensis Spreng. Polygonaceae Jangli palak Herb Roots & leaves Dog bite Geranium wallichianum D.Don Ex.Sweet Geraniaceae Jadi, Ang Jadi Herb Roots Paste of root is applied

on bite Singh Jagdish

Verbascum thapsus Linn. Scrophulariaceae Jangli tambakhoo Herb Roots

Salvia lanata Roxb. Lamiaceae Gaani Herb Roots

Cryptolepis africana ( Bullock) Venter & Apocynaceae Nirbhishi Climber Roots

R.L. Verh al. et Ear ache Ocimum sanctum Linn. Lamiaceae Tulsi, Van -tulsi Herb Leaves Leaves juice drops put in ear

Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambess.) Hook. Sapindaceae Khanor Tree Fruits/nut Drops of slurry put in ears

Rabdosia rugosus (Wall. ex Benth.) Lamiaceae Chichdi Shrub Leaves Leaves juice drops put in ear

Prunus armeniaca Linn. Roasaceae Chuli Tree Seeds Oil drop put in ear Herpes Phegopteris connectilis (Michx.) Watt Thelypteridaceae Brahmsutri ki Zari Fern Leaves & roots Useable part paste or slurry

Solanum nigrum Linn. Solanaceae Banchulli, Jangli-tamater Herb Roots is applied on affected part till recovery. Solanum aculeatissimum Jacq. Solanaceae Kantkari Herb Roots

Oxalis corniculata Linn. Oxalidaceae Khati mithi, Katiyari Herb Leaves & roots Tonic & vitality Morchella esculenta Fr. Morchellaceae Chiyaun, Guchhi Fungus Fruiting bodies Eaten as vegetable

Polygonatum verticillatum (L.) All. Asparagaceae Salam misri Herb Roots Root powder taken with Asparagus adscendens Roxb. Liliaceae Shatabar Shurb Roots milk Headache Gentiana kurroo Royle Gentianaceae Karoo, Karvi Herb Roots Root powder taken

Table 1 continued... Table 1 continued... Valeriana jatamansi Jones Valerianaceae Pekhu, Nihani Herb Roots & leaves Leaves are crushed and tied around forehead and Traditional Wisdom to Treat the most Common Ailments in Chopal Region of Shimla District, H. P.,Ind H. District,Shimla of Region Chopal inAilments Common most the Treat to TraditionalWisdom on head

Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. Poaceae Doob ghaas Herb Roots Mouth ulcer & Quercus floribunda Lindl. ex A.Camus Fagaceae Mohru Tree Bark & Leaves Bark infusion gargle sore throat

Rubus ellipticus Sm. Rosaceae Hisar Shrub Leaves Leaves chewed

Bombax ceiba Linn. Bombacaceae Shaimal, Simbal tree Bark Bark infusion gargle

Bauhinia variegata L. Fabaceae Kachnar, Karyal Tree Bark Snake bite Salvia lanata Roxb. Lamiaceae Gaani Herb Roots Small root powder is eaten and paste of root is applied on sting. Nirbishi is not eaten

Thalictrum foliolosum DC. Ranunculaceae Pili jari Herb Roots

Cryptolepis africana ( Bullock) Venter & Apocynaceae Nirbhishi Climber Roots R.L. Verh

Cocculus hirsutus (Linn.) W. Theob Menispermaceae Naldhal Jari Climber Roots Toothache Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Rutaceae Trimiri, Timur Shurb Leaves, stem & Chewing Seeds

Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand. Capparaceae Aak, Anok Shrub Leaves and Latex applied with cotton branches latex swab on affected teeth

Juglans regia Linn. Juglandaceae Akhrot Tree Leaves & bark Chewing/brushing Contraceptives Dioscorea deltoidea Wall. ex Griseb. Dioscoreaceae Shingli Mingli Climber Tubers Small amount of root powder taken the country (Kandaricountry the of researchersfromparts different have also been reported purposes by various medicinal for species 1). medicinalplants of parts different (table diseases common most treating for used were species plant medicinal of as such fruiting body, parts leaf-gall, resin, latex Different each). (n=6) flowers, nuts and whole fruits/pods plants (n=2 each), (n=10 seeds and bark (n=30), leaves by followed maximum roots/tubers, its for used were (n=50) that plants of numbers reveals also (1 fungi no.’s) and each (fig. 2). fern Analysis of data and (6no.’s) climbers (20no.’s), trees no.’s), (21 no.’s), followed by(51 shrubs ih f nlnto oad the towards inclination of light plants is of great significance in the the about knowledge indigenous traditional their of conservation westernization. Documentation and to duechanging rapidly is species plant medicinal of use the about knowledge their including region the that the cultureof people oftraditional observed been has It development. drug pharmacological, possible order toxicological and clinical studies area in the from through materials plant in reportedthecurrentstudy using the evaluate specific uses of the medicinal plants scientifically to medicinal plants. The It on is also knowledge important indigenous the on stored data of wealth forests. the to data of documentation contributes primary vicinity the in people by to plants medicinal of uses important traditional the is document it Therefore, developing in countries (Verma and Singh, 2008). especially care health their for medicine herbal on depends population world the Pal et al et codn o H,8% of 80% WHO, to According ., 2015). ., et al et

sg of Usage ia ., 2012; ., 2767 2768 Jagdish Singh et al.

Fig. 1 : Number of ethno-medicinal plants of Chopal region used for treating various common ailments. biochemical and pharmaceutical aspects of these traditional systems of medicine need to be taken up. Acknowledgements Authors are thankful to Himachal Pradesh forest department for providing financial assistance to carry out the studies. Special thanks to villagers/traditional healers from study area for sharing their knowledge regarding medicinal plants and its uses in their traditional healthcare Fig. 2 : Growth form of ethnomedicinal plants used to treat different ailments. practices. Also thanks are due to field staff of Chopal forest division, who helped during field visits and guided herbal medicines as side effects of allopathic medicines us to villages for collecting ethnobotanical information. are of big concern. The problem of side effects of allopathic medicine is likely to be increased in near future. References This will compel human to use more herbal medicines Alok, S. K. (1991). Medicinal Plants in India : Approaches to thus need of conserving, protecting and developing herbal Exploitation and Conservation, (Cambridge University plants will be felt more. Such studies on documentation Press), 295-303. of traditional knowledge on use of medicinal plants will Bannerman, R. H. (1982). Traditional medicine in modern health act as baseline data for further investigations. Erosion care, World Health Forum, 3(1) : 8-13. of traditional knowledge is taking at fast pace, due to Chauhan, N. S. (1984). Medicinal plants of Una Forest Division, lack of interest among the new generation as well as Una District, Himachal Pradesh. Nagarjun, 31-39. their curiosity toward urban areas for lucrative jobs. Chauhan, N. S. (1999). Medicinal and aromatic plants of Hence documentation of tradition knowledge about use Himachal Pradesh. (Indus Publishing Company, New of ethnomedicinal plants is important. However, to Delhi.), 632. establish the scientific authenticity of traditional uses of Chauhan, N. S. (2003). Important medicinal and aromatic plants various ethnomedicinal plants, further investigation on of Himachal Pradesh. Indian Forester, 129(8): 979-998. Traditional Wisdom to Treat the most Common Ailments in Chopal Region of Shimla District, H. P., India 2769

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