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Defence Life Science Journal, Vol. 2, No. 1, January 2017, pp. 37-45, DOI : 10.14429/dlsj.2.11107  2017, DESIDOC

Medicinal Plant Growing under Sub-optimal Conditions in trans-Himalaya Region at High Altitude

Pooja Bhadrecha!, Vivek Kumar#,*, and Manoj Kumar# !Department of Biotechnology, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar - 144 411, India #Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University, Noida - 201 313, India *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Supporting people’s culture, income and healthcare, medicinal plants are of a great importance in Himalayas. Trading these herbal formulations worldwide is earning billions. But since the demand of such splendid plant and plant products has tremendously hiked in past two decades, and because of the unstable environmental changes due to global warming and industrialisation, these significant species are in threat of extinction. To preserve these treasures, several technical steps have been adopted by the government. A successful establishment of plants sector will raise rural empowerment, boost international commerce and contribute to health of millions worldwide. Alongside highlighting the major medicinal plant species and their uses, this review also foregrounds traditional medicinal practitioners, regions of trans-Himalayas rich in medicinal plants, major threats to these plants, significant biomolecules and detection techniques, threats to these plants, and government bodies and their responsibilities for their conservation. Keywords: Amchi; Bio-diverse; Agronomist; Enthobotanist; Horticulturist; Plant pathologist; Taxonomist

1. Introduction health consequences3. Treeline ecotones are the transition Medicinal plants have acquired immense popularity zones between adjacent subalpine forest and open alpine worldwide, resulting in a tremendous hike in consumption tundra4. Shrestha5, et al., investigated the treeline dynamics of herbal medicines. India, particularly the trans-Himalayan of two environmentally contrasting areas of Himalayas region, a habitat to thousands of useful medicinal plant in Nepal and discovered that in spite of varying climate, species, has been a major part of India’s rich medicinal plant environment, tree species and seasonal climate changes, the heritage. Physical features of these high altitude cold deserts treeline dynamics were similar. A team of experts including include coarse and porous sandy soil prone to wind and water agronomists (improved cultivation technology), conservation erosion; dense influx of ultraviolet and infrared radiations; campaigners (sway public for conservation), ecologist (plant lower oxygen levels; low atmospheric carbon dioxide; short growth ecosystem), enthobotanist (identification of plant), cultivation seasons; prolonged freezing winters; temperature health policy-maker (includes conservation and utilisation of variations from 40 °C to - 40 °C; low relative humidity and plants in policy and planning), horticulturist (cultivation of negligible rainfall. Therefore, only those plant species which medicinal plant), legal experts (effective legal mechanism to have adopted to adjust in such harsh climatic conditions can ensure collection sustainable medicinal plants), park manager grow in these areas. Sikkim is reported to inherit nearly 424 (conservation of plants within park and reserve vicinity), park species of medicinal plants, used in Ayurveda, Homeopathy, planner (maintaining maximum diversity of medicinal plants Siddha, Amchi, Unani and other folk medicines. With about in the park and reserve), pharmacogenosist (application of 4,000 species and around 40,000 herbal formulations, 12 medicinal plants), plant breeder (breed improved strains of per cent of world’s medicinal plant requirement is supplied medicinal plants), plant genetic resource specialist (assessing by India, 90 per cent of which are found in forest habitats1. and mapping of genetic variation in medicinal plants and With growing demand for plant based medicines, health maintenance of seed banks), plant pathologist (protection products, pharmaceuticals, food supplements, cosmetics etc. of cultivated medicinal plants from pests and diseases), in the national and international markets2. The urge to alternate religious leader (promotion of respect for nature), resource artificial antioxidants like butyl hydroxyl toluene, butyl economist (evaluation of patterns of used and economic value hydroxyl anisole, gallic acid, etc. with naturally occurring of medicinal plants), seed biologist (germination and storage antioxidants has increased because of the several negative requirement of seeds), taxonomist (accurate identification of plant) and traditional health practitioner (informs about the use Received : 19 January 2017, Revised : 08 February 2017 and availability of medicinal plants)6,7. Accepted : 13 February 2017, Online published : 28 March 2017

37 Bhadrecha, et al.: Def. Life SCI. J., Vol. 2, No. 1, January 2017, DOI : 10.14429/dlsj.2.11107

2. traditional Medicine Practitioners Ladakh. Exploiting these species, Dvorsky9, et al., were able Indians have traditional knowledge of these plants and to conclude that vascular plants in these regions are able to the local denizens use various herbal remedies for treatment maintain elevation limits, and are capable of continuing of a vast variety of diseases. Since physicians are not easily under adverse conditions and propagation limitations. Also approachable for populations of remote and village areas, they known as ‘Rhubabr’, Rheum webbianum Royale, is also an prefer to visit the traditional health practitioners who use herbal important medicinal plant containing ample amounts of free preparations for ailments and to conserve these beneficial anthraquinones, stilbene glycosides, tannins, sennosides, species, local inhabitants cultivate these plants. ‘Amchis’ in catechins, gallic acid, cinnaminic acid etc. These compounds Tibet are skilled traditional medicine practitioners with good make the plant an expert cure of health problems like knowledge of biology, ecology and herbal formulations. indigestion, abdominal diseases, boils, wounds, flatulence, Amchi medicines have 80 per cent of plant origin substances. gastritis and cancer12. These are based on Jung-wa-Lna (five elements) and Nespa- gsum (three humours) theories8. ‘Amchis’ in Tibetan language 3.2 Spiti, Kashmir means ‘superior to all’. They have developed three methods for Arnebia euchroma found in Spiti cold deserts in examining the patients: inspection, palpitation (by examining western Himalayas is an important medicinal plant the pulse-rate) and interrogation. The treatment techniques species. It cures body aches, has antimicrobial activities include ‘moxibustion and puncturing the veins’ (generally for and possesses anti-HIV properties13. Damianakos14, et al., skin and blood disorders); ‘cold and hot water bath’ (generally isolated nine isohexenylnaphthazarins from the n-hexane for backache and sciatica). Amchis have their own specific extracts from callus and suspension culture of Arnebia ‘medical formulations’, generally made with combination of euchroma. These were deoxylkannin, alkannin, acetylkannin, plant parts from several species. The end product is generally in isobutyrylalkannin, β-hydroxyisovalerylalkannin, 2’’-(S)-α- form of powder, paste, tablet, decoction or ointment. ‘Minerals’ methylbutyrylalkannnin, propionylalkannin, teracrylalkannin and stones, in combination with animal and plant parts are and acetylshikonin; and their structures were determined by used for ailments. Rock extract ‘Shilajit’ is used individually. MS and NMR spectroscopy. Other minerals used are sulphur, borax, sodium sulphate, antimony sulphate, sodium bicarbonate, antimony sulphate, 3.3 Mustang, Nepal sodium bicarbonate, yellow arsenic, serpentine, quartz. Amchi Mustang district, located in the trans-Himalayan Arid associations like the Traditional Medico-Cultural Association Zone, covers 3,639 sq. Km, has vegetation of mixed forest and the Yuthog Foundation deal with the preservation and and grasslands. Around 90 per cent of Nepal’s population promotion of Tibetan medicines. There is a Tibetan Medical reside in rural areas with deficient health care facilities, one Centre in Darjeeling, Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, TMAI physician/6500 people. So the residents rely on traditional, in Dharamshala (established by His Holiness, the 14th Dalai herbal formulation medicines. Traditional practitioners in Nepal Lama in exile)9. have vast knowledge of medicinal plants and people preserve these plants in home gardens. The major medicinal plant 3. regions of trans-Himalayas Rich in species are Alliaceae, Amarnathaceae, Apiaceae, Araceae, Medicinal Plants Asparagaceae, Asteraceae, Berberidaceae, Betulaceae, 3.1 ladakh, Kashmir Bignoniaceae, Boraginaceae, Cannabaceae, Caprifoliaceae, The highest geographical region in the trans-Himalayan Chenopodiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Crassulaceae, region of India, Ladakh, the land of high rising passes, Cupressaceae, Elegnaceae, Ephedraceae, Ericaceae, is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir (32°15’ - Fabaceae, Gentianaceae, Juglandaceae, Lamiaceae and 36°N; 75°15’80°15’E). Ladakh is popularly known for Liliaceae. With more than 80 per cent people relying on herbal its rich vegetation, medicinal flora and endemic diversity. medicines in developing countries, the thousands of medicinal Consumption of medicinal plants has increased worldwide, so plant species in Upper Mustang, Himalayas, add to its treasures the medicinal plants of Ladakh open approaches of economic in health sector. Pandey17, has enlisted a wide range of plant growth in the aggressing world market. Some important species species from Tibet and Nepal regions, which serve wonderfully from Ladakh region are Saussurea lappa, Inula racemosa, to cure health problems like wound healing, cough, cold, fever, Oxytropis chiliophylla, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Rubia cordifolia, gastritis, skin problems, bone diseases, menstrual disorders, Aconitum violaceum, Hippophae rhamnoides, Hypecoum as antiseptics, eye problems, tooth decay, body aches, tumors, leptocarpum, Rheum spiciforme, Rhododendron sp., Carum hypertension, kidney problems, food poisoning, anaemia, liver curvi and Hyoscymus niger. Several conservation techniques problems, asthma, sinusitis, oral diseases, blood pressure, are being employed for the conservation and cultivation of dysentery, indigestion, diarrhea, rheumatism etc. Major these marvellous species. Vegetative propagation through root medicinal plant families from Mustang are Amaryllidaceae, divisions, tubers, division of bulbs, rhizome cuttings, tuber Araceae, Berberidaceae, Betulaceae, Bignoniaceae, division, root cuttings, rootstocks, sucker cutting, stem cutting Boraginaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Compositae, etc. is adopted for improved results2. Few other important Cupressaceae, Dipsacaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Ephedraceae, plant species like Desideria pumila, Ladakiella klimesii, Ericaceae, Gentianaceae, Geraniaceae, Hypocreaceae, Stellaria decumbens and Waldheimia tridactylites are also Labiateae, Leguminosae, Liliaceae, Malvaceae, Orchidaceae, capable of surviving in extreme climate and environment of Papaveraceae, Plantagiaceae, Polygonaceae, Primulaceae,

38 Bhadrecha, et al.: Def. Life SCI. J., Vol. 2, No. 1, January 2017, DOI : 10.14429/dlsj.2.11107

Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae, Scrophulariaceae, acids; ICP-OES (Inductively coupled plasma optical emission Solanaceae, Thymalaeaceae, Umberlliferae, Valerianaceae spectrometer) for mineral profiling. and Violaceae15. Rich in biodiversity, Mustang is very well known for timber plantation. This trans-Himalayan region is 5. tHreats a unique ethno-ecological area of Nepal, and is enriched with But unfortunately, these treasuries are facing various non-timber plantations also, including food, spices, medicines threats. A major decline in the population and availability of etc. raising popularity of natural resins, dyes, handicrafts, medicinal and aromatic plants has been noted, which may food etc. and providing raw material for such industries, these be because of the climatic changes, high demand but low non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have drawn attention of production, fast pace of tourism in high altitude areas damaging various multinational companies. Important medicinal plants this bio-diverse ecological system20. Banerji and Basu20, have like Cordyceps sinensis, Arnebia benthamii, Thymus linearis, highlighted some major threats to the endangered species. Polygonatum cirrhifolium and Allium fasciculatum have There are habitat degradation and impacts of climate change; drawn attention of national and multinational pharmacists16. high demand levels and unsustainable extraction for herb trade; But such NTFPs have to tackle other situations also. With endangerment of species; impacts on host communities; lack of highly distinguishing and unsure affects of global changes, R&D and policy neglect; lack of protection and conservation. small-scale farmers in the diverse Himalayan region depend on flexibility to adapt agricultural production to uncertain 6. Government Initiatives for production conditions. The rising temperature and changing Preservation of Medicinal Plants patterns of precipitation, combined with high and volatile food Along with providing natural healing these plants also prices in international markets, these small scale farmers get provide employment to the populations of these remote areas. bound to adapt new practices. Defining this ‘flexibility’ as Therefore state government also has introduced the several ‘uncommitted potential for change’, Homelin & Aase16, have programmes for medicinal plants1: argues that farming system flexibility may be analysed in terms • The ‘State Medicinal Plants Board’ established in June of the three aspects: flexibility of scope, flexibility of type and 2002, creates herbal gardens, and registers medicinal temporal flexibility. plants’ farmers, collectors, traders and manufacturers. • The ‘Forest Development Agency’ looks after the 4. bIomolecules and their Detection plantation of medicinal plants. Significant pharmaceutical compounds from the plants • The ‘Integrated Watershed Development Project’ are morphine (first pure medicinal substance from plants), encourages employment propagation in the rural areas. diosgenin, aspirin (now mostly prepared synthetically), The STNM hospital, Gangtok, The Sikkim Manipal alkaloids, polyphenols, glycosides, terpenes7. Good sources of Institute of Medical Sciences and Central Referral Hospital, natural antioxidants are stems, leaves, barks and/or other parts Department of health, Department of Horticulture and of the plants Saussaria lappa, Rheum webbanium, Arnebia Department of Science and Technology are among the major euchroma, Inula racemosa. With major content constunolide bodies which have played significant roles in research initiatives dehydrocostus, Saussaria lappa is used as an anti-ulcer and in the medicinal plant sector, in these areas. Along with the anti-carcinogenesis agent. Ample sources of drugs rhein, latest research programmes on these herbal treasures, these emodin and rutin are present in the roots of Rheum webbanium, institutes also avail the former traditional health practitioners serve as laxative, tonic and purgative. Arnebia euchroma have for the local populations1. Research collaborations of areas anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-tumor activities. rich in these useful medicinal species with government Inula racemosa plant parts are utilised for severe health research bodies like CSIR, DBT etc. has proved beneficial for problems like hyperglycaemia, hypercholesterolemia, cough, in-situ preservation and propagation of these species through dyspnea, asthma, pleurisy, tuberculosis and cordial pain. optimised protocols. Also, the certification, preservation and Tiga3, et al. employed techniques like DPPH assay, ABTS knowledge of these useful plant species are crucial. The National diammonium salt assay, FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant Gene Bank is primarily responsible for the conservation of power), TPC (total phenol content) to show ample amounts of unique accession on long-term basis, as base collections for phenol, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidin contents posterity, predominantly in the form of seed15. The Ministry and exhibit antioxidant activities. Dhar18, et. al. has estimated of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Govt. of India the nutritive values, vitamin content, amino acid composition, has ongoing projects for collection of oil crops, pulse and fatty acid content and mineral profile of three plants medicinal plant material for enrichment of Botanical Gallery; Hippophae rhamnoides (seabuckthorn), Prunus aemeniaca Micropropagation, phytochemical screening of medicinal plants (apricot) and Rhodiola imbicata (roseroot). They used all and molecular characterisation of selected species; inventory of the latest techniques. RRLC-MS/MS (rapid resolution liquid ethno-medicinally important plant at West Kameng; Medicinal chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry) for analysis of free and edible mushroom cultivation for income generation in vitamin forms; RP-HPLC (reversed phased high performance rural areas of Uttrakhand; Studies on diseases of economically liquid chromatography) with pre-column derivatisation for important medicinal plants of Assam through organic approach; identification and quantification of amino acids; GC-FID (as Survey and mapping of Ashtavarga group of medicinal plants chromatography coupled with a flame ionisation detector) in HP; ‘National Medicinal Plants Board’ funded projects with fatty acid methyl esters derivatisation, to quantify fatty in Shimla; A training programme titled ‘Cultivation of High

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Valued Temperate Medicinal Plants and related Issues’ in awareness and sustainable use of NTFPs, including Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla; Development of medicinal plants. Agro-techniques for organic cultivation of Tribulus terrestris L. and Cissus quadrangularis L. medicinal plants22. Defence 7. future Aspects Institute of Higher Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh has Such research organisations, when coupled with few an herbal garden where they have standardised the methods more specialised modes can bring out even better results. seed germination trials and root cutting for the propagation These can be proper maintenance of gene banks, seed banks, of Rheum webbianum Royale12. By providing training and proper documentation; extensive network system in every state support in cultivation of medicinal plants, The Mountain for effective dissemination and documentation of information; Institute (TMI), Nepal, increased the income of over 12,500 organised central pool of information by corroborating several farmers. TMI established nurseries to plant millions of seed of medicinal plant conservation activities and their consequences; native tree and fodder species over 500 hectares forestland and micropropagation parks employing local people. Rising meadows, which resulted in a hike in population of medicinal demands, creating heavy pressure on some selected high-value plants by upto 80 per cent, and these wild species have also medicinal plants, increasing rarity, relatively low cultivation, been preserved23. A collaborated set of three projects in India, bio-piracy add to the challenges faced by medicinal plants and on each in Nepal, China and Pakistan, were launched under sector25. ‘Plant Conservation and Livelihoods Programme’, with initial emphasis on medicinal plants, funded for ‘Plantlife’ from the References ‘Allachy Trust’. Objectives of the project were to collect and 1. Medicinal plant resources. In State of Environment. consider the information on medicinal plants, their habitat and Sikkim Forest Government, India, 2007. pp. 61-67. threats; Conservation of the existing plant species in Himalayan 2. Kumar, G.P.; kumar, R.; Chaurasia O.P. & Singh, S.B. regions; Identification and maintenance of important plant Current status and potential prospects of medicinal plant areas; and Future progress and initiative technologies for sector in trans-Himalayan Ladakh. J. Med. Plant. Res., conservation of the species and important plant areas. Another 2011, 5(14), 2929-2940. part of the project was to overcome some common threat 3. Tiga, S.; Sarangi, P.P.; Chaurasia O.P. & Kumar, B. problems faced in Himalayas, viz., habitat loss by extremely Antioxidant potential of selected medicinal plants of harsh climatic conditions, climate change, deforestation, trans-Himalayan region. Int. J. Sci. Res., 2016, 5(5), habitat fragmentation, burning, overgrasing and unsustainable 1123-1128. harvesting. Below mentioned organisations have also been in a 4. Zeng Yu. Modeling complex dynamics at alpine treeline regular action for the conservation of the important medicinal ecotones. University of Lowa, 2010. (PhD Thesis) plant species in Himalayas24: 5. Shrestha, K.B.; Hofgaard, A. & Vandvik, V. Recent • ANSAB: The Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture treeline dynamics are similar between dry and mesic areas and Bioresources is active since 1922 and has followed an of Nepal, central Himalaya. J. Plant Ecology, 2014. enterprise oriented approach for conservation of medicinal doi: 10.1093/jpe/rtu035. plants. 6. India’s fourth national report to the convention on • Dabur, Nepal: A part of an international company, biological diversity. Edited by Goyal, A.K. & Arora, S. Dabur conducts domestication of medicinal plants for Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. of India, New commercial cultivation by maintaining a large nursery in Delhi, 2009. Kathmandu. 7. Gopal, N.M.; Tejaswini, J.; Mantry, S. & Kumar, S.A. • ESON, Rasuwa: Funded by an Allachy Award from International standards of medicinal plants. International Plantlife International, it is a community-based J. Innovative Pharmaceutical Sci. Res., 2014, 2(10), pp. conservation project on medicinal plants, near Langtang 2498-2532. National Park. 8. Chaurasia, O.P.; Khatoon, N. & Singh S.B. Field Guide- • HNCC/DPR, Nepal: The Herbal and NTFP Coordination Floral Diversity of Ladakh. DIHAR, Leh. Ministry of Committee, Development or Plant Resources, is Defence, Govt. of India. 2008. responsible for conservation of medicinal plants and other 9. Kala, C.P. Health traditions of Buddhist community and non-timber forest products in Nepal. role of amchis in trans-Himalayan region of India. Current • ICIMOD, Kathmandu: The International Centre for Science, 2005, 89(5), pp. 1331-1338. Integrated Mountain Development conserves the 10. Dvorsky, M.; Chlumska, Z.; Altman, J.; Capkova, K.; Himalayas and hosts Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Rehakova, K.; Macek, M.; Kopecky, M.; Liancourt, Programme in Asia. P. & Dolezal, J. Gardening in the zone of death: an • IAAS, Chitwan: The Institute of Agriculture and Animal experimental assessment of the absolute elevation limit of Sciences runs 3 courses on medicinal plants and has vascular plants. Nature: Scientific Reports, 2016,6 :24440. several related research and development activities. doi:10.1038/srep24440. • Tribhuvan University: In collaboration with ESON, they 11. Tayade, A.; Dhar, P.; Ballabh, B.; Kumar, R.; Chaurasia, compile database on medicinal plants. O.P.; Bhatt, R., P. & Srivastava, R.B. Rheum webbianum • The World Conservation Unit (IUCN): It works with Royale: A potential medicinal plant from trans-Himalayan several communities in Nepal to elicit the conservation cold desserts of Ladakh, India. Plant Archives, 2012,

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12(2), 603606. for conservation and development. Pre-Congress 12. Singh, K.N.; Lal, B.; Chand, G. & Todaria, N.P. Ecological workshop of 1st Indian Forest Congress. Pragya, India features and conservation of Arnebia euchroma-A critically (www.pragya.org), August 2011. endangered medicinal plant in western Himalaya. Int. J. 21. Annual Report 2014-2015, Ministry of Environment, Conserv. Sci., 2012, 3(3), 189-198. Forests and Climate Change. Govt. of India. Environment 13. Damianakos, H.; Kretschmer, N.; Baranek, K.S.; Annual Report Eng. Pietrosiuk, A.; Bauer, R. & Chinou, I. Antimicrobial 22. Klatzel, F. Conserving the Sacred Himalayan Landscape. and cytotoxic isohexanylnaphthazarins from Arnebia The Mountain Institute, Nepal. Himalayan Program, euchroma (Royle) Jonst. (Boraginaceae) callus and cell 2011. 2011. suspension culture. Molecules, 2012, 17, 14310-14322. 23. Identification and conservation of important plant areas for doi: 10.3390/molecules171214310 medicinal plants in the Himalaya. Ethnobotanical Society 14. Bhattarai, S.; Chaudhary R.P.; Quave C.L. & Taylor of Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal. Plantlife International- R.S.L. The use of medicinal plants in the trans-Himalayan The Wild Plant Conservation Charity, UK. March, 2007. arid zone of Mustang district, Nepal. J. Ethnobiology ISBN: 1 904749-70-4. Ethnomedicine, 2010, 6(14). 24. Kala, C.P.; Dhyani, P.P. & Sajwan, B.S. Developing the doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-6-14 medicinal plants sector in northern India: challenges and 15. Chhetri, H.B. & Gupta, V.N.P. A survey of non-timber opportunities. J. Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine, 2006, forest products (NTFPs) in upper Mustang. Scientific 2(32). World, 2007, 5(5), pp. 89-94. 25. Siwach, M.; Siwach, P.; Solanki, P. & Gill, A.R. 16. Holmelin, N. & Aase, T.H. Flexibility of scope, type Biodiversity conservation of Himalayan medicinal plants and temporality in Mustang, Nepal. Opportunities for in India: A retrospective analysis for a better vision. Int. J. adaptation in a farming system facing climatic and market Biodiversity Conservation, 2013, 5(9), pp 529-540. uncertainty. Sustainability, 2013, 5, 387-1405. doi: 10.3390/su5041387 Contributors 17. Pandey, M.R. Use of plants in traditional Tibetan therapy system in upper Mustang, Nepal. Our Nature, 2006, 4, Ms Pooja bhadrecha received her MS and M.Phil from 69-82. Lovely Professional University Punjab. Presently pursuing PhD 18. Dhar, P.; Tayade, A.B.; KumarJ.; Chaurasia, O.P.; in Lovely Professional University. Her research interests are Srivastava, R.B. & Singh, S.B. Nutritional profile of in the medicinal plants and its sustainability factors under low atmospheric pressure at high altitude of trans-Himalaya. phytococktail from trans-Himalayan plants. Plos One, 2013, 8(12). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083008 Dr Vivek Kumar received his PhD from CCS Haryana Agricultural 19. Sharma, P.K.; Thakur, S.K.; Manuja, S.; Rana, R.K.; University, Hisar, Haryana in Microbiology. Presently working Kumar, P.; Sharma, S.; Chand, J.; Singh, A. & Katoch, as Associate Professor in Amity University Uttar Pradesh, K.K. Observations on traditional phytotherapy among Noida. His research interests are plant-microbe-interactions, the inhabitants of Lahaul valley through Amchi system bio-remediation and environmental microbiology of medicine- A cold desert area of Himachal Pradesh in north western Himalayas, India. Chinese Medicine, 2011, Dr Manoj Kumar received his PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru 2, 93-102. doi: 10.4236/cm.2011.23016 University, New Delhi. Presently he is working as Associate Professor in Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida. His 20. Banerji, G. & Basu, S. Sustainable management of the research interests are plant developmental biology and bio- herbal wealth of the Himalayas: prioritising biodiversity remediation.

41 Bhadrecha, et al.: Def. Life SCI. J., Vol. 2, No. 1, January 2017, DOI : 10.14429/dlsj.2.11107

Appendix-A

Medicinal plants in trans-Himalayan regions used by traditional health practitioners1,8

Medicinal Plant Species Used in Medicinal Plant Species Used in Acantholimon lycopodioides Cardiac disorders Astragalus multiceps Colic problems Achillea millefolium Cough and cold, toothache Astragalus rhizanthus Skin disease Aconitum heterophyllum Rheumatism fever, body pain, Astragalus strictus Diuretic antipyretic Astragalus tribulifolius Diuretic Aconitum violaceum Antipyretic, fever Berberis ulicina Tonic Aconogonum tortuosum Abdominal pain Bergenia ciliata Oral inflammation, infection, Actinocarya tibetica Fever diarrhea Allium carolinianum Indigestion Bergenia stracheyi Tonic, kidney problems Aesculus indica Mumps Biebersteinia odora Antiseptic, skin sores Alstonis scholaris Diabetes Capparis spinosa Rheumatism, liver problems Anaphalis busua Cold and cough Capsella bursa-pastoris Stomach problems, lung problems Anaphalis cuneifolia Skin disease Carum carvi var. gracile Carminative, digestive, febrifuge Anaphalis triplinervis var Chronic diseases Centaurea depressa Fever monocephala Cerastium cerastioides Headache Anaphalis triplinervis var Skin disease, genital problems Chaerophyllum reflaxum Stomach problems intermedia Chenopodium botrys Laxative, stomach problems Androsace rotundifolia Tonic Chrysanthemum griffithii Menses regulation Androsace villosa Tonic Chrysanthemum purethoides Fever, rheumatics Anemone rivularis Indigestion Chrysanthemum tibeticum Antiseptic Anemone rupicola Stomach problems Cicer microphyllum Adaptogenic Aquilegia fragrans Anti-scorbutic, diuretic and diaphoretic Cirsium wallichii Stomach problems Arabidopsis multiflorum Diarrhoea Citrus sp. Worms in children Arabis glandulosa Abdominal pain Clematis tibetana Indigestion Arctium lappa Diuretic, depurgative and lung Codonopsis clematidea Rheumatism, stimulant diseases Codonopsis ovata Rheumatism, stimulant Arenaria bryophylla Kidney problems Colchicum luteum Colchicines and gout Arenaria griffithii Menstrual problems Corispermum hyssopifolium Kidney problems Arnebia euchroma Hair tonic and blood purification Corydalis cashmeriana Anti-periodic, diuretic Arnebia guttata Hair tonic and blood purification Corydalis crassissima Lung problems Artemisia annua Anti-malaria Corydalis flabellata Skin disease Artemisia biennis Obesity, stomach problems Corydalis govaniana Anti-pyretic, diuretic Artemisia brevifolia Anti-worm, stomach problems Corydalis meifolia Diuretic Artemisia desertorum Intestinal problems Corydalis thyrsiflora Skin disease Artemisia dracunculus Diuretic, toothache Cousinia falconeri Diuretic Artemisia gmelinii Cold and cough Cousinia thomsoni Diuretic Artemisia laciniata Toothache Cremanthodium ellisii Contagious disease, fever Artemisia salsoloides Intestinal complaints Cremanthodium reniforme Contagious disease, fever Artemisia scoparia Intestinal problems Crepis flexuosa Muscle pain Artemisia sieversiana Antimicrobial, intestinal worms Cuscuta approximata Sin disease Artemisia starcheyi Toothache Cuscuta capitata Kidney problems Artemisia tournefortiana Intestinal worms Cuscuta europaea Kidney problems Asperugo procumbens Stomach problems Cuscuta gigantea Antiseptic Asperula oppositifolia Tonic Cuscuta reflexa Purgative, warts Aster flaccidus Cough and cold Curcuma zedoaria Jaundice

42 Bhadrecha, et al.: Def. Life SCI. J., Vol. 2, No. 1, January 2017, DOI : 10.14429/dlsj.2.11107

Medicinal Plant Species Used in Medicinal Plant Species Used in Cynoglossum wallichii Vomiting Halerpestis tricuspis Stomach ache Dactylorhiza hatagirea Energetic, health tonic, nervine Heracleum lanatum Leucoderma, menses regulation tonic Heracleum pinnatum Leucoderma, menses regulation Delphinium brunonianum Colic, insecticidal Herminium monorchis Health tonic Delphinium cashmerianum Colic, insecticidal Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. Source of multi-vitamins, Dianthus anatolicus Stomach problems turkestaica carotenoids, anti-oxidants Dianthus deltoides Stomach problems Hippophae tibetana Source of multi-vitamins, Dianthus jacquemontii Stomach problems carotenoids, anti-oxidants Draba tibetica Tonic Hippuris vulgaris Antiseptic, febrifuge Dracocephalum Cold and cough Humulus lupulus Nervine tonic, sedative effect heretophyllum Hyoscyamus niger Asthma, toothache Dracocephalum moldavicum Intestinal problems Hyoscyamus pusillus Asthma, toothache Dracocephalum stamineum Cold and cough Hypecoum leptocarpum Septic wounds Dipazium polypodioides Dysentery Hypericum perforatum Sciatic neuralgia Echinops cornigerus Septic wounds Inula falconeri Sprains Ephedra gerardiana Asthma, hepatic disease Inula obtusifolia Internal wounds Ephedra intermedia Asthma Inula racemosa Anthelmintic, bronchial asthma, Epipactis helleborine Blood purification expectorant Erigeron alpinus Cold and cough Inula rhizocephala var. Cough, chest pains rhizophaloides Ermania albiflora Fever Inula royleana Dermatitis Ermania lanuginosa Diuretic, purgative Juniperus communis Purgative, anti-inflammatory Euphorbia hispida Skin eruption Juniperus macropoda Purgative, anti-inflammatory Euphorbia stracheyi Boils Juniperus recurva Purgative, anti-inflammatory Euphrasia laxa Eye complaints Jurinea ceratocarpa Bronchitis Euphrasia officinalis Eye complaints Jurinea macrocephala Stimulant, fever Euphrasia vulgaris Eye complaints Lactuca lessertiana Skin diseases Ferula jaeschkeana Rheumatics, septic wounds Lancea tibetica Tonic, wound healing Galium aparine Urinary complains Leontopodium leontopodium Septic wounds Galium pauciflorum Intestinal problems Leontopodium nanum Septic wounds Galium serpylloides Diuretic, purgative Linum perenne Emollient, expectorant Gentiana algida Analgesic, bronchitis Lloydia serotina Blood purification Gentiana aquatica Health tonic Lomatogonium rotatum Fever Gentiana carinata Stomach complains Lonicera spinosa Asthma, headache Gentiana humilis Fever Lychnis himalayensis Cold and cough Gentiana squarrosa Diuretic Lychnis nutans Dysentery Gentiana starcheyi Tonic Lycopsis arvensis Tonic Gentianella moorcroftiana Febrifuge Malva verticillata Liver tonic Gentianella paludosa Febrifuge, tonic Mattiastrum thomsonii DIuretic Geranium collinum Stomach problems Meconopsis aculeate Ulcer, liver, lung problems Geranium pratense Analgesic Medicago lupulina Cough, lung disorders Geranium sibiricum Dysentry Mentha longifolia Headache, stomach ache Geranium tuberaria Kidney problems Mesua ferrea Inflammation and septic condition Geum eletum Health tonic Microula tibetica Pulmonary disorders Gnaphalium stewartii Skin disease Minuartia kashmirica Liver tonic Goodyera repens Health tonic Morina longifolia Worm infection Gypsophyla cerastioides Cold and cough Myricaria squamosa Febrifuge, poison Hackelia uncinata Cough and cold Nardostachys jatamansi Anticonvulsant, cholera, palpitation Halenia elliptica Stomach problems

43 Bhadrecha, et al.: Def. Life SCI. J., Vol. 2, No. 1, January 2017, DOI : 10.14429/dlsj.2.11107

Medicinal Plant Species Used in Medicinal Plant Species Used in Nepeta coerulescens Dysentery Rheum spiciforme Laxative, purgative, source of Nepeta discolour Cold and cough anthraquinone Nepeta erecta Dysentery Rheum webbianum Laxative, purgative, source of anthraquinone Nepeta eriostachya Eye problems Rhodiola crenulata Anti-stress, restores memory, Nepeta floccosa Cough and cold health tonic Nepeta glutinosa Diarrhea Rhodiola heterodonta Anti-stress, restores memory, Nepeta laevigata Pneumonia health tonic Nepeta leucolaena Skin disease Rhodiola imbricata Anti-stress, restores memory, Nepeta longibracteata Stomach ache health tonic Onosma hispidum Cardiac tonic, stimulant Rhodiola tibetica Anti-stress, restores memory, health tonic Orchis latifolia Body-ache, cuts and bruises Rosa webbiana Vitamin C, hepatitis Orobanche hansii Boils Rubia cordifolia Anthelmintic, blood purifi cation, Oxyria digyna Digestive, purgative leucoderma Oxytropis lapponica Antiseptic Rumex acetosa Laxative Oxytropis macrophylla Antiseptic, fever Rumex patientia ssp Purgative, vermifuge Papaver nudicaule Pains tibeticus Parnassia laxmanni Diuretic Saussurea bracteata Boils Pedicularis brevifolia Sedative Saussurea glaciales Intestinal problems Pedicularis cheilanthifolia Stomach complaints Saussurea gnaphaloides Kidney problems Pedicularis longiflora ssp. Diuretic Saussurea jacea Diuretic tubiformis Saussurea lappa Asthma, anthelmintic, carminative Pedicularis mollis Antiseptic, febrifuge Saxifraga cernua Tonic Peganum harmala Asthma, diuretic, rheumatic Saxifraga jacquemontiana Liver tonic Perovskia abrotanoides Laxative Saxifraga pulvinaria Liver tonic Pimpinella tenera Carminative, diuretic Saxifraga stenophylla Blood purification Plantago depressa Anti-diarrhoeal, anthelmintic, Scorzonera virgata Intestinal problems stimulant Scrophularia dentata Appitizer Plantago major Anti-diarrhoeal, anthelmintic, stimulant Scrophularia koelzii Joint pain Physalis alkekengi Gout, rheumatic, vermifuge Scutellaria prostata Jaundice Physochlaina praealta Narcotic, vermifuge, source of Sedum ewersii Dysentery atropine drug Senecio chrysanthemoides Rheumatism Picrorhiza kurrooa Dyspepsia, appetizer, malaria fever Senecio tibeticus Diuretic Podophyllum hexandrum Vermifuge, emetic, blood purifier Silene vulgaris Skin disease Potentilla ambigua Tonic Solanum nigrum Appetizer, diuretic, laxative Potentilla anserina Astringent, diarrhoea, leucoderma Sophora moorcroftiana Blood purifier Potentilla atrosanguinea Fever Statice macrorrhabdos Stomach problems Potentilla fruticosa Fever Swertia chirata Fever, acidity Potentilla multifi da Insomnia Swertia cordata Fever Prangos pabularia Carminative, diuretic, stomach Swertia petiolata Fever, tonic complaints Swertia thomsonii Fever, febrifuge Primula microphylla Cough Tanacetum dolichophyllum Intestinal worms Primula rosea Muscular pains Tanacetum fruticulosum Stomach ache Ranunculus brotherusii Digestive, ulcer Tanacetum gracile Intestinal worms Ranunculus laetus Stimulant Tanacetum nanum Intestinal worms Ranunculus lobatus Gum inflammation, toothache Ranunculus trichophyllus Diarrhea Tanacetum tibeticum Khamchu Ranunculus tricuspis Eye inflammation Taraxacum offi cinale Analgesic, diuretic, liver disorders, Rheum nobile Blood clot, swelling tonic

44 Bhadrecha, et al.: Def. Life SCI. J., Vol. 2, No. 1, January 2017, DOI : 10.14429/dlsj.2.11107

Medicinal Plant Species Used in Medicinal Plant Species Used in Taraxacum sikkimensis Febrifuge, Analgesic Tribulus terrestris Diuretic, sexual weakness, tonic Terminalia belerica Cough Ulmus wallichiana Wounds, hair tonic Terminalia chebula Cough Urtica hyperborea Rheumatism Verbascum Thapsus Asthma, frost bite Thalictrum alpinum Fever Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Dysentery Thalictrum foetidum Diuretic, fever Viola biflora Tonic Thermopsis barbata Pains Viscum album Bone fracture Thlaspi alpestre Digestive problems, fever Waldheimia glabra Septic wounds Thlaspi arvense Digestive problems, fever Waldheimia stoliczkai Septic wounds Thymus serpyllum Carminative, expectorant, stimulant Waldheimia tomentosa Septic wounds Tragopogon gracilis Wound healing Youngia glauca Health tonic Tragopogon pratensis Wound healing Youngia tenuifolia Health tonic

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