ETHNO MEDICINAL AND TRADITIONAL MEDICAL SYSTEM OF NUBRA VALLEY OF TRANS- HIMALAYAN COLD DESERT OF LADAKH

Dr. D. P. Nagar Division of Biotechnology Defence Research & Development Establishment, Gwalior-474 002 Email: [email protected] Area of Study Landscape Cold Desert LANDSCAPE Physical Factors affecting the vegetation Position :34.17° N, 77.58° E Altitude :10500 – 18833 ft Temperature :-35 to 35°C Humidity :03 to 85% Wind velocity :03 to 50 km/h Sun intensity :67056 lux (21000) Photoperiod :5 to 14 hrs

Precipitation :10 cm (SF) Thylacospermum caespitosum

Acantholimon lycopodioides Ethnic groups

Blending of various population groups

 Mongoloids: Boto, Balti Argons, Changpa (Pastoralists of highland), Tibetans

 Aryan: Dards, Drogpa, Mons and Bedas represent the Aryan elements Aamchi System of Medicine

Traditional form of healing which basically employs natural materials – herbs, animal products, minerals, precious stones for compounding medicines

Origin :  From Ayurveda spread to Tibet around the 5th century  living history of more than 2500 years  Sowa- Rigpa”, the science of healing  rGyud– bZhi (Chatus tantra), the fundamental text book of this medicine was first taught by Bhagwan Buddha and enriched in Tibet with its own folklore.  Practiced in:  Practiced in Tibet, Mangolia, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Bhurial republic of Russia and Himalayan region of H.P., Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Ladakh in India.

. Principles : It is based on sophisticated theory of Jung-Wa-Lna (Pancha Mahabhuta, five elements) and Nespa gsum (Tri- dosh, three humours), according to which all the animate and inanimate phenomena of this world are composed of Jung-Wa-Lna (five elements). Methods of Treatment

There are four methods of treatment

 Through diet

 Through behaviour modification

 Through medicine

 Through physical therapy Preparation  Pills . Herbal pills . Jewel pills  Decoction  Powder  Syrup  Oils  Wines (Chaang)  Buttery form  Ash  Smoke herbal pills are taken Spiked with boiled warm or hot water. Plants Used in Ethnic Medicines Sr. Botanical name Local Part used Uses Status No. name 1. Acantholimon Longze ash Plant ash with milk used in cardiac disorders. Rare lycopodioides(Girard) Boiss 2. Achilliea millefolium Linn. Chung Flower extract used as tonic by locals. Rare

3. Aconitum violaceum Jac. ex Stapf Yangtso Root Dried roots are boiled and used in cough in small Rare doses.

4. A. heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle Buma Root Tuberous roots used as Tonic. Root yields Rare alkaloids‘Aconite’ used as aphrodisiac & diarrhea.

5. Anaphalis contorta Hk. f. Telgang and flower Decoction of leaf and flower used in cold and cough. Common

6. Anaphalis cuneifolia Hk f. Simula Whole plant Plant extract used to treat skin disease. common

7. A. triplinervis (Sims) Clarke Var. Carpo Leaf Leaf used in septic wounds and eaten by cows and Common intermedia (D.C.) Airy Shaw. burche goats.

8. Androsace mucronifolia Watt. Zingsolo Whole plant Infusion of plant is used to treat abdominal pain. Common

9. Arabidopsis multiflorum Hk. f. Imantso Leaf Infusion of leaf & tender part are appetite stimulant. Frequent

10. Arabis glandulosa Kar & Kir Umnako Whole plant Whole plant used in diarrhea. Common 11. Arctium lappa L. Miah Root and fruit Root is diuretic; fruits are kept in home to keep away Rare the rats. 12. Arnebia euchroma (Royle ex Demock Root Root yield red dye, used for coloring sweets and as a Rare Benth.) I.M. Johnston cosmetics (Lipstick). 13. A. guttata Bunge. Demock Root do Frequent

14. Artemisia brevifolia Wallich Khamchu Leaf Leaf decoction used in stomach complaints. Drug Rare ‘Santonin’ isolated from leaf & flower used in worms and fever. Sr. Botanical name Local Part used Uses Status No. name 15. A. dracunculus Linn. Burtse Leaf Diuretic, controls Menstrual cycle also used in Frequent intestinal worms and toothache. 16. A. gmelinii Weber ex Steckm Khampa leaf Leaf decoction used in cold & cough. Frequent

17. Astragalus rhizanthus Royle ex Sarma Whole plant a decoction of whole plant is used in skin disease. Rare Benth. 18. A. tribulifolius Benth. Yanglo Whole plant Whole plant decoction is diuretic and used in kidney Rare complaints. 19. Berberis lyciun Royle Bark Lower bark used in jaundice by local Amchies. Common

20. B. ulicina Hk. f. & T. Barberry Root and bark Root & bark used in tonic. Fruits yield purplish dye. Common

21. B. zabeliana Schn. Barberry Root Root decoction used in fever by locals. Rare

22. Biebersteinia odora Stephan ex Khardung Leaf Leaf paste used in septic wounds. Common Fischer 23. Campanula aristata Wall. Tikta Leaf Decoction of used in fever, whole plant used Common in lever disorders.

24. Carum curvi L. Kosnyot Seed The extract made by boiling the seeds in water given Common to pregnant ladies to make delivery easy. Seeds also used as spice and in medicines by local. 25. Chrysanthemum pyrethroides(Kar. Serpan Flower Flower powder used in fever by locals. Common & Kir.) B. Fed. 26. Clematis tibetana Kuntze Zakzic Root and stem Boiled crushed root and stem used in itch. Common

27. Colchicum luteum Baker. Hirantutia Corm Corms are used in stomachache and gout by locals. Very rare (H) Corm and seeds are source of Colchicine used in inflammation of gout 28. Corydalis rutifolia (Smith) DC Chimlo Whole plant Plant extract used by locals to cure skin diseases. Common

29. Cremanthodium ellisii (Hk. f.) Luku Whole plant Plant extract used in headache. common Kitam. mentok Sr. Botanical name Local Part used Uses Status No. name 30. Crepis flexuosa (DC) Benth. Remang Leaf Leaf extract used in muscular pains. Rare

31. Cuscuta approximate Beib. Whole plant Whole plant paste is used in warts. Common

32. Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Angmolakp Root Root used in kidney complaints, as tonic by locals Very rare Soo. a 33. Delphinium cashmerianum Royle Ladar Flower Flower juice and infusion of whole plant is used in Rare mentok colic. Seeds & vegetative parts contain alkaloid ‘Delphinin’ used as insecticide. 34. Dracocephalum heterophyllum Zinkzer Flower and leaf Decoction of dry flower& leaf is used in cough & Common Benth. headache. 35. D. staminium Kar & Kir Ghiro- Whole plant Whole plant decoction used in cold, cough and Rare manko headache.

36. Echinops cornigerus D.C. Ekzema Leaf Leaf paste used in septic wounds, seeds as tonic, Common powdered leaf in jaundice. 37. Ephedra gerardiana Wallich ex Chhapat Stem Drug ‘Ephedrin’ used in asthma, bronchial asthma, Rare Stapf. hay fever, rheumatism and also a very effective cardiac stimulant.

38. Epipactis helleborine Linn. Penginlo Whole plant Whole plant infusion used as blood purifier by Very rare Amchis &in cold and cough. 39. alpinus Linn. Repan Whole plant Used in cold and cough. Common

40. Ermania lanuginosa (Hk. f. & T.) Measlo Leaf Leaf infusion used to treat cuts by locals. Rare O.E.S. 41. Euphorbia stracheyi Boiss. Tingling Latex Latex used in boils. Rare

42. Euphrasia officinalis Linn. Kangchuk Whole plant Infusion of plant used in conjunctivitis. Common

43. Galium serpilloides Royle ex Hk. f. Pemantso Leaf Leaf is diuretic, purgative and used in kidney Rare complaints. 44. Gentiana carinata Griseb. Root Roots used by locals in stomach complaints. Common Sr. Botanical name Local Part used Uses Status No. name 45. Geranium pretense Linn. Gugchuk Leaf Leaf decoction used in diarrhea. Rare

46. G. sibiricum Linn. Eyamlo Leaf Leaf decoction used in diarrhea. Common mentok

47. Herminium monorchis (L.) R.Br. Musk corm Bulb’s paste used in kidney problems. Very rare orchid 48. Humulus lupulus Linn. Hops Flower buds Introduced plant used in beer, stimulate appetite and Common promote sleep. Drug ‘Lupin’ isolated from it. 49. Hyoscymus niger Linn. Gyelamtag/ Whole plant Plant used in asthma and toothache. Drug Rare Hanbane ‘Hyoscamine’ yields by leaf used in painful spasmodic conditions of muscles. It also dilates pupil of the eye. 50. Hypericum leptocarpus Hk. f. & T. Meerong Leaf Leaf paste used in septic wounds. Common

51. Inula rhizocephala Shrenk. Var. Riamko Root Dry root used in cold, cough and chest pains by Rare rhizocephaloides (C.B. Clark) locals 52. Inula obtusifolia Kerner Ghandol Root Root contain ‘inuline’ reduce blood pressure and also Rare stimulate peristaltic movement of intestine. 53. Jurinea ceratocarpa (Decne.) Leaf Leaf paste used in wounds by locals. Common Benth. Var. depressa Cl. ex Hk. f. 54. Lancea tibetica Hk. f. &T. Raikse Whole plant Whole plant extract used as tonic by Amchis. Common

55. Leontopodium nanum (Hk. f.) Palu Whole plant Whole plant used in wounds, dry flower used in Common Hand. lighting by nomads. 56. Llyodia serotina (Linn.) Reichb. Kangkar Bulb Locals use the bulbs for blood purification. Rare

57. Lonicera spinosa (Jac. ex Decne.) Lamora Bark Lower yellow bark used in eye disorder (Redness of Common Walp. eye), jaundice and kidney complaints. Shade dried flower’s decoction used in asthma and headache. 58. Lycium ruthenicum Muvray Umila Leaf Leaves are diuretic. Common 59. Mattiastrum thomsonii (Cl.) I.M.J. Leaf Leaf juice is diuretic and used in intestinal worms. Common Sr. Botanical name Local Part used Uses Status No. name 60. Mentha longifolia (Linn.) Hudson. Phololing Leaf Leaf used in headache, stomach upset and in wounds. Common Leaves also used in chatanee and tea. 61. Nepeta coerulescens Maxim. Dembu Whole plant Used in dysentery. Very rare

62. N. discolor Royle ex Benth. Nyomalo Leaf Leaf decoction used in cold and cough. Rare

63. N. erecta (Benth.) Benth. Eripantso Whole plant Used in dysentery Rare

64. N. floccose Benth. Shamalolo Leaf Leaf decoction used in cold, cough and in Malaria. Common

65. N. glutinosa Benth. Gimaanko Leaf Decoction of dry leaf & flower used in diarrhea Rare by locals. 66. N. leucolaeana Benth. Beimtso Leaf Leaf decoction used in skin diseases. Rare

67. N. longibracteata Benth. Whole plant Plant decoction used in stomach complaints. Common

68. Oxytropis tatarica Jacq. ex Baker Staksha/ Leaf and flower Leaf and flower used in asitis ,leaf paste used in Common Shatmas wounds. 69. Peganum harmala Linn. Sepan/ Seed Seeds used in asthma, fever & rheumatism. Seeds Common Balti burnt to inhale the smoke which gives a feeling of exhalation, also used in eye complaints and are aphrodisiac, appetite stimulant, also yield red dye. Smoke of burning seed used for purifying the room before delivery and for newborn baby. 70. Perovskia abrotanoides Karelin Burchey Whole plant Aromatic and have medicinal properties. Lavender Common oil extracted from it. 71. Physalis alkekengi Linn. Shoklo Fruit Fruits used in fever, urinary disorders, gout and Very rare rheumatism. This plant is also considered sacred among the‘Drokpa’ community of Ladakh who usually adorn their heads with dried fruits of this plant. 72. Physochlaina praealta (Decne.) Langthang Seed Seeds with Artemisia brevifolia used in vermifuge. Rare Miers Seeds ash overcomes tooth decay. High does is poisonous, become made. 73. Plantago depressa Whole plant Whole plant used in stomachic. Common Sr. Botanical name Local Part useVery Uses Status No. name rare d 74. Podophyllum hexandrum Royle Demob Root Root used in skin diseases by locals. Root yields drug kusu ‘Podophyllin’ used in cancer. 75. Potentilla anserina Linn. Silver weed Leaf Leaf decoction used in diarrhea, kidney stones and Frequent arthritis. 76. Prangos pabularia Lindley Plans Root Plans Root is diuretic and regulates menses. Fruits Rare are stimulant, carminative and diuretic. 77. Primula macrophylla D. Don. Sulu Leaf and root Leaf and root decoction used in cough. Common mentok 78. P. rosea Royle Sulu Root Root used in muscular pains. Common mentok 79. Ranunculus lobatus Jacq. ex Zamtso Whole plant Plant used in toothache. Common Camb. 80 Ranunculus tricuspis Maxim. Sharchang Whole plant Whole plant used in eye inflammation& toothache. Common

81. Rhodiola imbricate Edgew Shrolo Root Roots are anti stress and used as brain tonic. Rare

82. Saussurea bracteata Dcne Phansi Flower bud Buds’s paste used in boils. Rare

83 Saussurea glacialis Panispa Flower bud Flower buds used in intestinal complaints Rare

84. Saussurea obvallata (DC) Edgew. Phansi Flower bud Paste made up of flower buds used in boils. Rare

85. Saxifraga oppositifolia Linn. Sasomantso Whole plant Plant juice used as tonic Common

86. Silene moorcroftiana Wall. ex Shrolo Leaf The fresh leaves used in T.B.,cough, and lung Common Benth. disorder. 87. Tanacetum fruticulosum Ledeb. Leaf Used in intestinal worms. Common

88. T. gracile Hk. f. & Thoms Khamchu Leaf Used in intestinal worms. Common

89. T. nanum Clarke Phulu Leaf Leaf used in intestinal worms. Rare mentok 90. T. tibeticum Hk. f. & Thoms. ex Leaf and flower Dried leaves & used in intestinal worms. Common C.B Clarke. Sr. Botanical name Local Part useVery Uses Status No. name rare d 91. Taraxacum officinale Web. ex Han Root Dried root is diuretic and used as a tonic. Common Wigger 92. Thalictrum foetidum Linn. Haichinsah Root and leaf Root and leaf decoction is diuretic and used in fever. Rare

93. Tribulus terrestris Linn. Fruit Fruits are diuretic and aphrodisiac. Common

94. Ulmus wallichiana Plachon Umbok Bark Bark used as a shampoo by local ladies. Common

95. Verbascum thapsus Linn. Dandashal Leaf Leaf smoke inhaling useful in asthma. Seeds are Common aphrodisiac.

50 Status of species

34

7 4

Common Rare Very rare Frequent Sr no. Ailments No of spp used 1. Intestinal tract disorder 27 2. Pains 12 3. Urinary complaints 12 4. Cold and cough 12 5. Tonic 10 6. Liver disorder 08 7. Respiratory disorder 08 8. Kidney complaints 06 9. Headache & toothache 06 10. Fever 06 11. Skin disorder 05 12. Menstrual complaints 03 Androsace mucronifolia (Zingsolo) (Primulaceae) Habit : A perennial cushion forming herb with pink white flowers Habitat : Alpine slopes Locality : Whole Ladakh Elevation : 10,000-16,500 ft. Status : Common Propagation: Roots and Seeds

Aconitum heterophyllum (Patis/Bona-karpo) (Ranunculaceae) Habit : A perennial herb with tuberous roots And purple flowers Habitat : Alpine slopes/ pasture land Locality : Suru valley/ Nubra Valley Elevation : 10,000-12,500 ft. Status : Endangered (IUCN) Propagation: Roots and seeds Acantholimon lycopodioides(Longze) (Plumbaginaceae) Habit : A perennial cushion forming herb with pink white flowers Habitat : Alpine slopes Locality : Whole Ladakh Elevation : 10,000-16,500 ft. Status : Common Propagation: Seeds

Ranunculus lobatus (Zamtso) (Ranunculaceae) Habit : A perennial decumbent herb with greenish purple flowers Habitat : Alpine slopes Locality : Whole Ladakh Elevation : 10,000-16,500 ft. Status : Rare Propagation: by roots and seeds Crepis flexuosa (Remang) () Habit :perennial, tufts herb Habitat : Open dry and moist slopes Locality : Whole Ladakh Elevation : 8500 -15,000 ft. Status: Frequent Propagation: Seeds and root

Biebersteinia odora (Khardung / Drakpose) (Geraniaceae) Habit : A strongly aromatic perennial herb with tufted roots. Habitat : High alpine rocky areas Locality : Indus valley/Nubra valley Elevation : 15,000-16,500 ft. Status : Rare Propagation: by roots Geranium pretense (Gugchuk) (Geraniaceae) Habit: Perennial herb with pink/purple flower Habitat : Rare on alpine slopes Locality : Whole Ladakh Elevation : 10000 to 16000 ft. Status: Rare Propagation : Root

Nepeta floccose (Shamalolo) Lamiaceae Habit : decumbent annual herb with purple flower. Habitat : common on dry and open slope. Locality : Whole Ladakh Elevation : 8,500-13,500 ft. Status : Common Propagation: by seeds Herminium monorchis (musk orchid) (Orchidaceae) Habit: greenish-yellow perennial rare orchid Habitat : Rare around cultivation and stremes Locality : Only Hunder village (Nubra valley) Elevation : 10000ft. Status: Very rare Propagation : Root

Hyoscyamus niger (Han ben) (Lamiaceae) Habit: Annual or biennial hairy herb with yellow flowers Habitat : Rare around cultivation and pastures Locality : Whole Ladakh Elevation : 8500-14000 ft. Status: Rare (EN) Propagation : Seeds Leontopodium nanum (Palu) (Asteraceae) Habit :Stem less, densely tufted, woolly, perennial herbs Habitat : High pasture land on open area Locality : whole Ladakh Locality : Alpine pastures Elevation: 13500- 18500 ft. Status : Rare Propagation: Seeds

Mentha longifolia (Phoololing) (Lamiaceae) Habit: Perennial aromatic herb, flowers yellow Habitat : commonly along marshes and streams Locality : Whole Ladakh Elevation : 8500-14000 ft. Status: common Propagation: root and seeds Astragalus rhizanthus (sarma) (Fabaceae) Habit: Perennial herb with yellow flowers Habitat : Subalpine to alpine meadows and stony slopes Locality : Indus & Nubra valley Elevation : 13000-17000 ft. Stattus: Rare Propagation : Seeds

Waldheimia stoliczkai (Pallu) (Asteraceae) Habit : An aromatic perennial herb with purple flower head Habitat : Alpine slopes Locality : Indus & Nubra valley Elevation : 1,200-17,550 ft. Status: Rare Propagation : Root and seeds Physalis alkekengi (Shrolo) (Solanaceae) Habit : Perennial erect herb Habitat : Waste land and open slopes Locality : Nubra and Kargil Elevation : 10,500-13,000 ft. Status : Rare Propagation: Seeds

Potentilla anserina (Silver weed) (Rubiaceae) Habit : A prostrate perennial herb with small succulent fruits. Habitat :Cultivated land, streams, around water courses Locality : Whole Ladakh Elevation : 8,500-17,000 ft. Status : Frequent Propagation: Root and seeds Peganum harmala (Repan) (Zygophyllaceae) Habit: Perennial herbaceous, flowers white Habitat : Dry and waste land Locality : Indus, Suru & Nubra valley Elevation : 10000-12000 ft. Status: common Propagation : Seeds

Ephedra gerardiana Chhapat) (Ephedraceae) Habit : A perennial succulent under shrub, fruit red. Habitat : Drier and rocky areas Locality : Whole Ladakh Elevation : 9,500-15,000 ft. Status : Rare (EN) Propagation: Roots and seeds Hippophae rhamnoides (Tsestalooloo) (Elaeagnaceae) Habit : A much-branched very thorny shrub with small yellow-orange succulent fruits. Habitat : Along river belts Locality : Throughout Ladakh Elevation : 8,500-13,500 ft. Status : Common Propagation: Seeds, cutting and roots

Meconopsis aculeata (Blue poppy/ Achak tsernon) (Papavareaceae) Habit : A delicate perennial hairy herb with blue flowers. Habitat : High alpine zones, rock –crevices Locality : Zanskar & Nubra valley Elevation : 13,500– 15500 ft. Status : Endangered Propagation : Seeds Podophyllum hexandrum (Demo kusu/Olmosay) (Berberidaceae) Habit : A perennial scapigerous herb with rhizome and solitary terminal white flowers. Habitat : Sub-alpine areas Locality : Suru, Nubra & Zanskar valley Elevation : 10,000-12,500 ft. Status : very rare Propagation: cutting of rhizomes and by seeds.

Dactylorhiza hatagirea (Angmo-lakpa) (Orchidaceae) Habit : A perennial herb with tuberous roots and purple flowers in spike. Habitat : Moist area around streams and cultivation Locality : Suru & Nubra valley Elevation : 9,000-12,500 ft. Status : Endangered Propagation: BY root and seed Threat to Natural Flora Infrastructure Development Over exploitation of natural resources

For Medicine

Timber

Fuel wood Overgrazing Tourism Diversion of Natural Water sources Conservation Concussion

 Highly fragile ecosystem

 High degree of endemism and uniqueness

 Most of the flora are under threat

 Immediate conservation major is required to protect the wild flora of the

region

 Wide publicity of effectiveness of medical system is required Julley