Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 4(2), April 2005, pp. 199-207

,Traditionally used medicinal plants in Dharchula of district, Uttaranchal .

S S GarbyaJ, KK Aggarwal* & C R Babu' School of Biotechnology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Kashmiri Gate, Delhi 110006 'Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007 Received 17 August 2004; revised 19 October 2004

An attempt has been made to evaluate the traditionally used medicinal plants found in Dharchula areas of Kumaon Himalayas in , Uttaranchal, North . The reported plant species are also highly valued in the Indian, Tibetan and Chinese Systems of Medicine. Based on interactions with the locals and traders and considering the potentials of some species for developing new drugs, the value of the species of medicinal importance occurring in the area has been worked out. The value is high enough for taking appropriate measures to conserve these valuable species and use them sustainable for the economic upliftment of the region.

Keywords: Dharchula, Medicinal plants, Traditional medicine, Sustainable use, Economics, Economic upliftment, Ethnomedicine, Endangered plants, Medicinal Plants trade 7 IPC Int. C1 : A61K35178;A61PI/04; A61PlI06; A61PlIlO;A61PI1l4; A61Pl1104; A61PIll08; A61P13/04;A61Pl5/04; A61PI5/08; A61P17/00; A61P19/02; A61P27102; A61P3/06; A61P33110

A study was conducted to document the medicinal forskohlii Briq., Cordyceps sinensis Sacco (FigA), plants used traditionally in Dharchula areas of Conaria nepalensis Wall., Corydalis govaniana Kumaon Himalayas in Pithoragarh district, Wall., Dactylorhiza hatagirea Soo. (Fig. 5,6), Uttaranchal (Fig. la,b). Study areas comprised of Dioscorea deltoidea Wall., Duchesnia indica Focke., three valleys i.e. Darma, Chaundas and Byas covering Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb., Fagopyrum esculentum about 261 sq km. There are 50 inhabited villages in Moench, F. tataricum Gaertn., Fraxinus micrantha the area having a total population of 14664 (Table 1). Lingelscheim, Geranium wallichianum D. Don, Forest department has banned collection of some Gerardinia heterophylla, Hippophae salicifolia D. plant species (Table 2). Area is known for varieties of Don, H. tibetana Schldl., Hyoscyamus niger Linn., species of medicinal importance which are not only Impatiens scabrida DC., I. Glandulifera Royle, non used traditionally but also highly valued in Indian, Arn., I. Balsamina Linn., Iris kumaonensis Wall., Tibetan and Chinese Systems of Medicine. Species Juglans regia Linn., Lilium oxypetalum Baker., Malva that are traded most in the region and their value sylvestris Linn., Malva verticillata Linn., Mazus according to 2003 sale prices are given in Table 3. surculosus,Nardostachys jatamansi DC., Paris Naturally occurring plant species, which are used by polyphylla Sm.(Fig.7,8), Parnassia nubicola Wall. ex locals for treatment of general ailments, have been Royle, Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. (Fig. 9,10), enlisted (Table 4). Pinus roxburghii Sarg., Pinus wallichiana A..B. During the study, over 70 plant species were Jackson, Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, Polygonum documented for their traditional uses. These were amplexicaule D. Don, P. recumbens,P. rumicifolium Abies spectabilis Spach, Acer caesium Wall ex Royle ex Bab., P. viviparum Linn., Potentilla Brandis, Aconitum balfourii Stapf., A. ferox WaII ex sundaica Kuntze, Prunus cornuta Steud., Pyrus Ser., A. heterophyllum Wall ex Royle, Ainsliaea pashia Buch.-Ham.ex D. Don, P. pyrifolia Nakai, aptera DC, Angelica glauca Edgew., Allium Rheum emodi Wall. ex Meissn., Rosa sericea Lindl., stracheyii, A rnebia benthamii Johnston Berberis Roscoea alpina, Rubia cordifolia Linn., Rubus chitria Lindl., Bergenia ciliata Sternb. (Fig. 2,3), foliolosus, R. barbatus Edgew., Rumex nepalensis Carum carvi Linn., Cirsium wallichii, Coleus Spreng., Saussurea gossypiphora D. Don, S. lappa C.B.Clarke, Selinum vaginatum C.B.Clarke, Senecio *Corresponding author chrysanthemoides DC., Silene kumaonensis Williams, 200 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 4, No.2, APRIL 2005

o Non-forest

~ Water-bodies

g District boundary g State boundary

Fig. 1a - Forest cover Map of Uttaranchal (Source: Forest Survey of India, Dehradun)

Cbamoli District

Bagesbwar District

• Dense forest

Study area (in km' ) D Open forest Water bndies - 8.02 Scrub Non Forest area - 2035.44 (inclusive of area under snew) D Non·forest S<:mb area • 11.53 Open Forest area - 39.36 Dease Forest area - 127.40 ~ Water~ies

Fig. 1b - Forest cover Map of Pithoragarh district, Uttaranchal (Source: Forest Survey of India, Dehradun) GARBYAL et al : TRADITIONALLY USED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF PITHORAGARH DISTRICT 201

Fig. 2 - Bergenia ciliata Sternb. plant Fig. 3 - Bergenia ciliata Sternb roots

Fig. 4 - Cordyceps sinensis Sacco Plant

Fig. 5 - Oactylorhiza hatagirea Soo. plant Fig. 6 - Oactylorhiza hatagirea Soo. tubers 202 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 4, No.2, APRIL 2005

Fig. 8 - Paris polyphylla Sm. tubers

Fig. 7 - Paris polyphylla Sm. Plant

Fig. 10 - Picrorhiza kurroa roots

Fig. 9 - Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. plant GARBYAL et at: TRADITIONALLY USED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF PITHORAGARH DISTRICT 203

Table I-Details of the study area

S. Name of Village Revenue Area Area under Area under Area under Population o. (in ha) Civil Forests Panchayat Forests Reserve Forests (Figure within bracket as (in ha) (in ha) (in ha) per Census of India-200 1)

1. Sipu 206.40 169.01 456.60 143 (70) 2. Khimling 79.73 A NA 1 3. Marchcha 133.55 94.84 143 (90) 4. Tidang 417.25 370.91 94.00 92(115) 5. Go 398.22 286.61 235.60 268 (124) 6. Dangtu 292.19 238.28 24.80 139(66) 7. Filam 105.63 19.88 19.40 118 (37) 8. Dugtu 333.07 247.87 84.00 312 (170) 9. Bon 280.86 191.50 13.20 309 (152) 10. Baling 219.75 20.00 185.20 178 (83) 11. Chal 135.98 110.36 111.60 104 (117) 12. Nagling 221.37 170.43 202.80 269 (82) 13.Sela 177.66 148.99 217.20 146 (104) 14. Kuti 252.24 120.00 60.58 264 (III) 15. Nabi 242.01 149.26 106.00 217 (95) 16. Gunji 195.87 118.99 186.00 374 (96) 17. Rongkong 235.54 4000 8.00 177 (163) 18. Naplcheu 102.39 11.32 102.80 186 (58) 19. Garbyang 572.25 12.00 74.80 357 (210) 20. Budi 246.46 40.00 98.80 250 (285) 21. Bungbung 215.30 155.69 15.60 490 (390) 22. Gala 118.58 40.00 24.00 130 23. Jipti 160.67 29.95 10080 332 (392) 24. Sirkha 301.50 231.04 136.25 351 (310) 25. Sirdang 292.19 181.59 112.40 787 (667) 78.40(Kurila) 26.40(Lankari) 26. Himkhola 172.00 72.00 219 (240) 27. Pangu 133.55 14000 496 (183) 28. Sosa 329.43 260.80 349 (30 I) 42.00 (Jaikot) (Jaikot- 723) 29. Tantagaon Rongto 111.29 20.00 NA 150 (126) 30. Chalma Chilason 76.49 2.89 92.00 312 (333) 31. Baungling 171.14 40.00 117 (117) 32. Umchya 125.01 NA 292 (394) 33. Dar 309.19 19.33 994.40 517 (544) 34. Watan 178.07 1.56 58.80 72 (75) 35. Suwa 335.50 45.47 156.80 546 (648) 36. Khela 468.24 121.20 1612 (1957) 37.Syankuri 938.50 412.00 1164 (1384) 38. Tankul 124.24 NA NA 174 (289) 39. PangIa 127.48 16.00 21.60 721 (1010) 40. Sobla 209.23 NA NA 2804.00 199 (155) 41. Neu 376.37 NA NA 200 (231) 42. Khet 200.33 22.67 101.20 467 (644) 43.Jamku 214.90 40.45 71.20 447 (730) 44. Rung NA 51.58 25.10 473 (473) 45. Bidang NA 20.00 46. Dakar NA 8.00 47. Rungling 166.25 1135.10 48. Samari 2006 49. Sumdum 370.00 50. Jyungtigad 1862.00

Total 10887.62 3652.72 5734.39 5801.10 14664

Source:Divisional Forest Officer, Pithoragarh Forest Division, Uttaranchal Forest Department. 204 INDIAN J TRADITIONALKNOWLEDGE, VOL 4, No.2, APRIL 2005

Solanum nigrum Linn., Sorbus cuspidate Hedl., found in relatively good populations, though few of Swertia ciliata Burth., Taraxacum officinale Weber them have become rare in few localities that are easily ex Wiggers, Taxus baccata Linn., Thalictrum accessible. Some are endemic to the area e.g. Silene foliolosum DC., Thymus serpyllum Linn., Urtica kumaonensis Williams. dioica Linn., Urtica parviflora Roxb., Valeriana Richard Strachey was the first person to have jatamansi Jones, Viola pilosa Blume, Viburnum undertaken scientific survey of the area in around grandiflorum wall. ex DC.. All these species are 1846 and subsequently in 1848 with J. E. Winterbottom. They collected over 2000 species Table 2-List of species whose collection is banned by the Forest between the years 1846-49. Based on these Department in Pithoragarh district collections and observations made during botanical S. No. Local name Botanical name expedition to North-Eastern Kumaon in 1883, J. F. I. Akhrot chal (root bark) Juglans regia Duthie catalogued 2672 flowering plants, 201 ferns 2. Atees Aconitum heterophyllum and allies, 120 mosses and 50 lichens, i.e. a total 3043 3. Bach Acorus calamus 4. Ban kakri Podophyllum hexandrum species in Kumaon in 1906'-2. Kumaon then included 5. Banapsa Viola serpens Garhwal of today. A. E. Osmaston in his Forest Flora 6. Chirayta Swertia chirata for Kumaon in 1927 has described 816 species of 7. Dhoopjad Juniperus recurva trees, shrubs and climbers:'.K. L. arya in his Working 8. Kenjadi Dioscorea species Plan of Pithoragarh Forest Di vision (1991-92 to 2000- 9. Dolu Rheum emodi 10. Gandrayani Angelica glauca 01) has listed 509 species of trees, shrubs, climbers, II. Ginjaru Slifinia glabra bamboos, parasites, grasses, lichens, exotics and 4 12. Guchhi Morchella esculenta legumes occurring in Pithoragarh Forest Division . 13. Jatamansi Nardostachys grandiflora Apart from these any other flora written for Kumaon 14. Kaphal bark Myrica nagi 15. Kakolisir Lilium palifilum region is not available. 16. Kilmora Berberis aristata Extraction of plants depends upon the demands and 17. Kutki Picrorhiza kurroa price offered for the products, which vary each year. 18. Lahsunia Myreatylis beolhobee For instance, Picrorhiza kurroa (locally known as 19. Mahamaida Polygonum verticillatum 20. Meetha Aconitum [alconeri Katki) was not extracted much for almost five years 21. Nairpati Skimmia laureola prior to 2003 because of low demand and less price 22. Pasanbhed Bergenia ciliata offered. However, due to heavy demand and very 23. Patharlong Didimacarpus pedicilata attractive price offered its extraction was very heavy 24. Ratanjot Anemone obtusiloba 25 Ridhi-vridhi Habenaria intermedia during 2003, between 40-50 tons extracted in one 26. Salam misri Orchis latifolia year. Similarly, because of heavy demand from Tibet 27. Salampanja Dactylorhiza hatagirea and very high price (Rs 90,000-100,000 per kg) 28. Samewa Valleriana hardwickii offered, 250-350 kg of Cordyceps sinensis (locally 29. Somlata Ephedra gerardiana known as keeda) was extracted in 2003. The value of 30. Thuner Taxus baccata Source: Divisional Forest Office, Pithoragarh Forest Division, various species extracted and traded in Dharchula area Pithoragarh, Uttaranchal. during 2003 was in the range of Rs. 315-440 lakh.

Table 3-Value of Medicinal Plants extracted during 2003 in Dharchula area (Species that contribute maximum in the medicinal plants trade in the region)

S. No. Name of the plant Quantity (Approximate) Sale price Value (Approximate) in kg (2003, in Rs'/kg) Rs. in lakhs

I. Cordyceps sinensis (Keeda) 250-350 90,000 225-315 2. Picrorhiza kurroa (Katki) 40,000-50,000 170 68-85 3. Dactylorhiza hatagirea (Hathajari/Salam panja) 100-200 900 0.9-1.8 4. Rheum emodi (Dolu) 4,000-5,000 10 0.4-0.5 5. Allium stracheyii (Jambu) 500-600 120 0.6-0.7 6. Bergenia ciliata (Pashanbedi 40,000-50,000 13 5.2-6.5 7. Nardostachys jatamansi (Mansi) 10,000- 20,000 125 12.5-25 8. Juglans regia (Akhror root bark) 10,000-20,000 30 3-6

Total value 315.6-440.5 Source: Enquiries with the local collectors and traders. GARB YAL et al: TRADITIONALLY USEDMEDICINAL PLANTS OF PITHORAGARH DISTRICT 205

Table 4-Plant species used for general ailments

Ailments Species used for cure

Intestinal ulcers, wounds, tumors, cancer Coleus forskohlii To increase vitality & vigor, restoring Cordyceps sinensis, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Saussurea gossypiphora regenerative fluids Antidote for poison, Aconitum heterophyllum Gastric, acidity, flatulence, indigestion Angelica glauco, Senecio chrysanthemoides Wounds, cuts, fractures Rheum emodi, Daciylorhiza hatagirea, Thalictrum foliolosum, Parnassia nubicola Stomachache, cough, cold, sore throat Hippophae salicifolia, Potentilla kleiniana, Coleus [orskohlii, Duchesnia indica, Polygonum viviparum, Geranium wallichianum Tooth ache Hyoscyamus niger Stones in gall bladder and kidney Bergenia ciliata Liver related ailments, jaundice Fraxinus micrantha, Rubus foliolosus, Picrorhiza kurroa, Taraxacum officinale, Corydalis govaniana High fever, malaria, convulsions Picrorhiza kurroa, Swertia ciliata, Polygonum amplexicaulis rumicijolium, Corydalis govaniana, Urtica parviflora, Thalictrum foliolosum Fever and illnesses to women following Picrorhiza kurroa, Aconitum heterophyllum, Saussurea lappa,Viola serpens, child birth Thalict film [oliolosum Arthritis, joints pain, swelling in the limbs Impatiens sps., Lilium oxypetalum, Pill liS roxburghii, Pinus wallichiana Constipation Iris kumaonensis, Polygonum amplexicaulis Urinary problems Rubia cordifolia, Matus surculosus, Viola serpens, Rubus nutans Wormicide Valeriana wallichii Boils Cirsium wallichii, Paris polyphylla,Polygonum recumbens Eye problems Berberis chitria

For the purpose of valuation of area of traditionally two months. The amount earned by the locals by used medicinal plant species, following components extracting 800 pieces of (about 250 gm) Cordyceps were taken into consideration: sinensis is about the same as that earned by trading 150 kg of dry Picrorhiza kurroa. 1. Market value of species extracted because of their medicinal importance 2 Value of tradionally used medicinal plants 2. Value of traditional medicine to the local people Almost all the villages situated in the study area do 3. Value of new plant based drug, and not have hospitals and medical facilities. Everyone 4. Value of species lost due to extinction. has to depend upon wild plants and other species for treatment and for major illnesses the patients are 1 Market value of species extracted taken to Dharchula hospitals that may be up to three During the year 2003, Cordyccps sinensis (Keeda), days trek. The entire populations of 14664 are Picrorhiza kurroa (Katki) Dactylorhiza hatagirea dependant upon plant species for the treatment of (HathajarilSalam panjai, Rheum emodi (Dolu), various ailments. 01) an average each person saves Allium stracheyii (Jambu), Bergenia ciliata minimum of Rs. 50-100 every year by using plant (Pashanbed), Nardostachys jatamansi (Mansi) and species for treatment. On an average the locals save a Juglans regia (Akhrot) were the major species that total of Rs. 7.33-14.66 lakh annually using plant were traded extensively in Dharchula. Since species for the treatment of general ailments. This extraction is not legally permitted in India, these were indirectly gives the value of the traditionally used shown to have been bought from . However, wild species as medicine. almost all of them had come from Indian part of Dharchula as informed by the traders and extractors. 3 Value of new plant based drug The total value of all of these, considering 2003 Total number of flowring plants in Kumaon is 1 prices, was Rs. 315.6-440.5 lakh. Extraction and trade 2673 • Pithoragarh District in which Dharchula is in other species is not significant. Interestingly, of included is generally considered richest in western late, extraction of above mentioned species have Himalayas in terms of flora. Therefore, a total of 2500 come down significantly because of huge earnings flowering plants can be presumed to be in Dharchula from Cordyceps sinensis, extraction of which calls for areas. It is, however, agreed that no such considerably lesser physical effort in a short span of documentation was ever done. During field surveys 206 INDIAN J TRADITIONALKNOWLEDGE, VOL 4, No.2, APRIL 2005 undertaken in the year 2003-2004 about 70 species D = Value of a medicinal species that gives rise to were documented for their traditional uses, of which 5 new drug have shown potential and at least one is giving Y = Number of species giving rise to new drugs promising leads for a new active compound - 1.4% probability of hitting a new compound. The X:::: Value of potential plants lost due to extinction probability of a successful prescription drug lies 5 7 Considering the above values, the value of between 1:1000 and 1:10,000 - . Therefore, new plant based drugs expected from the area may be between medicinal species of Dharchula area would be 2.5-0.25, which agrees with 1.4% arrived at the V = Rs. l7890.48-18180.66 lakhs present study. Value of a medicinal plant in USA is 6 The extent of study area is 261 sq km $390 million . This value will vary from country to country. It is evident from the fact that market value Therefore, of single commercially useful species in USA is V = Rs 68.54-69.65 lakhlsq km considered to be $200 million and the corresponding Rs. 68540-69650/ha figure for the OEeD countries is $ 600 million. In Indian situation the value of medicinal plant is taken as 10% of Principe's estimate, i.e. $39 million Rs. Conclusion l7550 lakh ($I=Rs. 45). Therefore, considering that The study reveals that Dharchula area is highly plant wealth in Dharchula would lead to at least one valued from the point of view of medicinally new drug, its value would be Rs. 17550 lakh. There important plant species. Value of over Rs. 68,000/ha are estimates of considerably higher value of is sufficient enough reason for taking appropriate medicinal plants in other studies. For example, some measures to conserve these valuable species and use workers/" have estimated the value to be $449 million them sustainably for the economic upliftment of the per drug. region. Even if we take only the first two components the value comes to Rs. 322.93-455.16 lakhs i.e. Rs 4 Value of potential species lost due to extinction 1240-l740/ha, which is quite substantial. Besides, WWF and IUCN have estimated that during 60 value of the area in terms of ethics and other timber years (between 1991 and 2050), 25% of all the and non-timber benefits has not been taken into species would be lost due to extinction. It means 625 consideration. species would be lost in 60 years in Dharchula area, i.e. about 10 species each year. 0.01-0.001 new drugs Acknowledgement are expected from these 10 species (12robability being Authors acknowledge the invaluable inputs and 1:1000 to 1:10,000). Considering the value of Rs. assistance extended by "the villagers of Byas, 17550 lakh per plant in terms of formulation of new Chaundas and Danna valley and other villages of drug, the value of potential drugs lost due to Dharchula area. Authors place on record their sincere extinction would be Rs. l7.55-l75.5 lakh. There thanks for Dr N B Naithani, eminent taxonomist of would be no addition to the value from the extinction Forest Research Institute, Dehradun for identifying of species whose contribution towards development plant specimens collected from the region. Authors of new drugs has already been taken into thank Shri Moti Singh, Kharak Singh Garbyal, consideration. Dharam Singh Budiyal and many others who guided The value of medicinal plants of Dharchula area is: in trekking in the treacherous mountains and who helped in locating the species and providing V = PE + AR + DY + X specimens. Authors also wish to acknowledge Dr B R Hazari of University of Deakins, Melbourne, where Australia for his critical appraisal. P ::::Market price of medicinal species extracted References E = Quantity of medicinal species extracted annually IDuthie J F, Catalogue of Plants of Kumaon and adjacent A = Population using traditional medicine portions of Garhwal and Tibet based on the collections of Strachey and Winterbottom during the years 1846-1849, R = Rupee saved by one person annually by using London (rep. Ed. 1974), (Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, wild species for treatment Dehradun), 1906. GARBYAL et al: TRADITIONALLY USED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF PITHORAGARH DISTRICT 207

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