cultivation plants bhabhar

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Int. J. Med. Arom. Plants, ISSN 22494340

RESEARCH ARTICLEVol. 1, No. 1, pp. 2327, June 2011

*Corresponding author: (E-mail) [email protected], [email protected] http://www.openaccessscience.com

2011 Open Access Science Research Publisher [email protected]

Shortlisting of cultivable herbal plants in the Bhabhar region of the

Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

Rakhi RAWAT*, D.P. VASHISTHA

Department of Botany, H.N.B. Garhwal University (A Central University), Srinagar Garhwal- 246 174, Uttarakhand,

India

Article History: Received 12th May 2011, Revised 24th May 2011, Accepted 28th May 2011.

Abstract: The success of any economically viable herbal cultivation programme lies in the appropriate selection of her-

bal plants. Many things will have to be considered in selecting herbs viz. adaptability in natural environment, economicdemand in herbal industry and agroclimatic aspects. The present work embodies the results of the scrutiny of herbal

composition of popular branded Ayurvedic medicines. In addition, with the help of field survey and available literature,plants were identified which are naturally growing in different habitats of the Bhabhar region of the Garhwal Himalaya,

Uttarakhand. On the basis of utility in herbal medicines and their ability to grow naturally, plants are further shortlisted

for the cultivation. The prominent herbs recommended are: Aloe barbadensis, Bacopa monnieri, Boerhavia diffusa,Plumbago zeylanica, Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera etc. The promotion of cultivation of these useful herbs

would ensure sustainable biodiversity conservation and alleviation in the economic conditions of the rural people of the

Bhabhar region of Garhwal Himalaya.

Keywords: Ayurvedic formulation; Herbal plants; Bhabhar; Garhwal; Cultivation.

Introduction

The success of any herbal cultivation pro-gramme lies in the appropriate selection of her-

bal plants. The various national and local agen-

cies have prioritized the herbal plants for culti-

vation. The National Medicinal Plant Board,

Government of India has published a list com-

prising of 32 herbal plants (CIMAP 2004), whe-

reas Herbal Research and Development Institute

in Uttarakhand has recommended 26 herbal

plants (HRDI 2005) for cultivation. However,

these guidelines are needed to be revised for dif-

ferent geographical regions and local traditions.Further, due consideration will have to be given

to the plants actually being used in the prepara-

tion of Ayurvedic prescriptions and ability of

these plants to grow in the particular region.

The prominent cultivable herbal plants of

high altitude of Uttarakhand Himalaya are ex-

tensively explored by various workers (Dhar et

al. 2002; Farooquee 1996; Kuniyal et al. 2003;

Nautiyal et al. 2002; Nautiyal and Purohit 2000;

Adhikari et al. 2010). However, little work is

done as far as plants of lower altitudinal region

of Uttarakhand are concerned. On the basis of

demand of medicinal plants in herbal industry

and their ability to grow in the region, in the

present study important medicinal plants areshortlisted for cultivation in foothills of Garhwal

Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India.

Material and methods

The extensive scrutiny of different herbal

drugs sold in the medical stores in Uttarakhand

was conducted and comprehensive list of the

herbal components used in these drugs was pre-

pared. A list of plants was prepared which areaboriginal and have recognized medicinal valuein drug industry. Other important information

about these shortlisted plants were collected

from the available literature. Plants were catego-

rized on the basis of their altitudinal distribution

and further shortlisted those grow in the Bhab-

har region of Garhwal Himalaya. The present

study was conducted in the Kotdwara (29 45'

N, 78 32' E) and Kalaghar (29 30' N, 78 45'

E) towns of the Bhabhar area of Uttarakhand

Himalaya. These are the representative towns ofBhabhar region and are the gateway for central
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Int. J. Med. Arom. Plants Shortlisting of cultivable herbal plants in the Bhabhar region

Rawat and Vashisthahttp://www.openaccessscience.com

[email protected]

and eastern parts of Himalaya. These areas are

situated at an elevation of 400 (Kotdwara), and

370 (Kalaghar) meters above mean sea level

(msl), respectively. Extensive field surveys were

conducted in these towns to find out the availa-

bility and distribution of the shortlisted plants.Every plant under the study was given complete

scientific description viz, botanical name, verna-

cular name, taxonomical details, etc. The speci-

mens of each species were collected and identi-

fied with the help of flora (Gaur 1999) and exist-

ing Herbarium of Botany Department HNB

Garhwal University (GUH). The shortlisted

plant species are alphabetically arranged in the

results table. Additional information about bo-

tanical name, vernacular name, and medicinal

properties were also collected from primary and

secondary sources for each plant species.

Results and discussion

A scrutiny of popular herbal drugs being

sold as Ayurvedic medicines in Uttarakhand has

revealed that the herbal prescriptions are being

derived from less than 100 plants. The most im-

portant plants being used in the preparation of

various drugs to treat different ailments areAloebarbadensis, Adhotoda zeylanica, Aegle marme-

los, Bacopa monnieri, Boerhavia diffusa, Eclipta

prostrate, Plumbago zeylanica, Mucuna pru-

riens, Pueraria tuberosa Ricinus communis, Ti-

nospora cordifolia and Withania somnifera.

It is strikingly evident that many herbal

plants, aboriginal to the Bhabhar region ofGarhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand are being used

in formation of herbal drugs and as such have

proven immense economic importance. There

are as many as 32 plants under this category

(Table 1, Figure 1).

The prominent plants included are Abutilon

indicum, Aloe barbadensis, Bacopa monnieri,

Boerhavia diffusa, Eclipta prostrata, Plumbago

zeylanica, Tinospora cordifolia, Withania som-

nifera etc. Among these plantsAloe barbadensis,

Boerhavia diffusa, Eclipta prostrate, Plumbagozeylanica, Tinospora cordifolia and Withania

somnifera, etc are regular constituents of various

herbal prescriptions. Many of these plants viz.,Bacopa monnieri, Plumbago zeylanica, Tinos-

pora cordifolia, Withania somnifera, etc are also

shortlisted by NMPB for cultivation in the re-

gion. However, many other herbal plants viz.,Boerhavia diffusa, Eclipta prostrata, etc. though

rank high in medicinal uses are left out from the

list of recommended cultivable plants by the go-

vernmental agencies so far.

Table 1: Prominent herbs from Bhabhar region (Kotdwara and Kalagarh) of Uttarakhand that are

currently being used in the popular branded herbal medicines.

Botanical Name Vernacular

Name

Family Parts used Habit Uses Ayurvedic formulation (Himalaya and

Cahrak, Ayurvedic drugs )

Abrus precatorious L. Ratti Fabaceae Seed and roots Climber Skin disease, ulcer, nervous

disease

Tranquil

Abutilon indicum (L.) Atibalaa Malvaceae Fruit, leaves,

bark, seed androots

Shrub Demulcent, aphrodisiac,

laxative, diuretic, diuretic,leprosy

Diabecon

Achyranthes aspera L Apamarga Amaranta-

caea

Roots and

leaves

Herb Fever Cystone

Adhatoda zeylanica

Medic.

Vasaka Acanthaceae Leaves and

roots

Shrub Whooping cough, skin dis-

ease, dysentery

Vasakamadu, Vasavaleha, Diakof, Vasakas-

va, Kasni, Kankasava Livomyn, M2-Tone,

Styplon, Geriforte (tablets & syrup)

*Aegle marmelos (L.)

Correa

Bael Rutaceae Fruit and root

bark

Tree Diarrhea, diabetes Bilvadi k wath, Bilava churn, Bilva-majjadi

yog, Dasamoolarist, Tentex forte, Lukol,Diarex, Sumento (Tablets)

Aloe barbadensis (Mil-

ler)

Kumari Liliaceae Leaves Herb Purgative, constipation Livomyn, Pigmento, Livosyp, Diabecon,

Herbolax, Reostra

Azadirachta indica

A.H.L Juss

Neem Meliaceae Leaves, wood,

seeds and

flowers

Tree Skin disease, ulcer , eczema,

diabetes

Livosyp, Hepatogard, Pilex

Boerhavia diffusa L. Punarnava Nyctagina-

ceae

Roots Herb Jaundice, asthma, bronchitis,

eye problems

Punarnava kwath, Punarnava -sova, Punarna-

vadi mandoor, Punarnavadi guggulu, Abana,

Crush, Lukol, Geriforte, Livomyne,(Tablets

& syrups)
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*recommended by NMPB (CIMAP 2004)

Bombax malabaricum

DC

Semal Bombaceae Bark , fruits

and seeds

Tree Demulcent tonic, stimulant,

expectorant, diuretic

Femiplex, M2-tone (Tablets & syrups)

*Bacopa monnieri (L.)

Pennell.

Jal birahmi Scrophula-

riaceae

Whole plant Herb Nervine tonic, diuretic blood

purifier

Bharmi churn, Bharmi ghrit, Brahmi rasayan

*Butea monosperma

(Lamk.)

Plash Fabaceae Gum, seeds

and flowers

Tree Diarrhea, dysentery Krmighna churn, Krimimudgar ras, Krmiku-

tharras, Plashbeejj churn. Plash ghrit, Crush,

Lukol (Tablets & syrups)

Cassia fistula L. Amaltas Caesalpinia-ceae

Fruits androots

Tree Fever, heart disease, urinarytrouble

Aragvadhadirsta, Aragvadhadi ghrita Arag-vadhadi tel, Agni- kumar churn, Kankayan

gutika

Cassia Occidentalis L. Kasonda LeguminosaeSeed, root and

flower

Herb Asthma, fevers, menstrual

problems, tuberculosis, ane-

mia, liver complaints, general

weakness and illness

Bonnisan, Geriforte, Liv 52, Herbolax

Cissampelos pareira L. Pahre Menisperma-

ceae

Roots Shrub Antiperiodic, diuretic, purga-

tive, dyspepsia, urinary

trouble

Pusyanug churn, Pathadi kwath, Mahayograj

guggulu Agnimukh churn

Datura stramonium L. Dhatura Solanaceae Leaves, flo-

wering tops

and seeds

Herb Control motion , sickness,

asthma, rheumatism, jaundice

Kankasava, Maha laxmi vilas ras, Asthma

relief Alarex, Spasmolin (Tablets & syrups)

Dioscorea bulbifera L. Genthi Dioscorea-

ceae

Roots Climber Bronchial cough, antiseptic

burn, wound

Chayavanpras, Mahamash tel, Narsingh tel,

Grabbdharin vati

Eclipta prostrata (L.)

L.

Bhringraja Asteraceae Whole plants Herb Intestinal parasites, anemia,

hepatitis, asthma, hair tonic

Bhringrajasava, Sutsekherras Anand bhairas,

Neo, Ojus, Acidocid syrup, Geriforte Mahab-hringraj tel, Gandhak rasayana, Livomyn,

M2-tone, Hepatogard

Eugenia jambolana

Lam

Jamun Myrtaceae Bark and seed Tree Diabetes M2-Tone

Ficus benghalensis (L.) Bargad Moraceae Fruits, barks

and leaves

Tree Rheumatism, dysentery, di-

abetes

M2-Tone

Holarrhena antidysen-

terica Wall. ex. A. DC

Karu Apocynaceae Barks and

seeds

Shrub Dysentery, dropsy, astringent,

fever, diarrhoca, intestinal

worm

Kutajarista, Kutajahan vati, Kutajawteha ras,

Karpur ras

Lawsonia alba Lam. Mehandi Lythraceae Leaves Shrub Blood dysentery, wounds, cut Femiplex

Mallotus philippensis

(Lamk.)

Kmbhal Euphorbia-

ceae

Ripe fruits Tree Tapeworm killer, skin

disease, snakebite, ulcer,

constipation, purgative,

external parasites

Krimikuthar ras, Krimighatini vati, Kshisadi

ghrit, Herbinol cream

Melia azedarach L. Daikan Meliaceae Leaves barks

and fruits

Tree Anthelmintic, diuretic, lepro-

sy, rheumatism, skin disease,cuts, wounds

Pigmento

Mimosa pudica L. Lajalu Fabaceae Whole plant Herb Piles, ulcers, fistula, scrofula,

hydrocele, conjunctivitis

Pilex, styplon

Mucun pruriens (L.)

DC.

Kauch Fabaceae Roots and

hairs on pods

Climber Eczema and diabetes Kawanch pak, Kawanch churn, Kamdev

ghrit, Ashwagandha churn, Musli pak, Dha-

tupaustic churn, Agstya haritaka, Badam pak,

Strenex, Tentax forte, Speman tab.

*Plumbago zeylanicaL.

Chitrak Plumbagina-

ceae

Roots Shrub Dyspepsia, piles, skin disease Chitrakadi vati, Chitrak haritake, Chitrak

ghrit, Mahasankh vati, Mahamritaunjay ras,

Pigmento, Liv-52, Alarsin, Vigiroll (Tablets

& syrups)

Pueraria tuberosa

(Roxb. Ex.Willd)

Siralu Fabaceae Tuber Shrub Fever Vidari churn, Laxamivilasras, Narsing churn,

Ashwagandha churn, Saraswatista, Chyvan-

pras.

Ricinus communis L. Arandi Euphorbia-

ceae

Roots, root

bark, leaves

and seeds

Tree Asthma , bronchitis, skin

disease, jaundice, nervous

disease

Erand pak, Erand tel Balarista, Pradrantak

lauh, Bishgorbh tel, Cibolic capsules

Solanum surattense

Burm. F.

Kantakari Solanaceae Whole plants Shrub Cough , asthma, chest pain,

fever, diuretic

Kantakariavleha, Kantakari ghrit, Vyaghiha-

ritaki, Chyavanpras, Dasamoolarist, Dasa-

mool kwath

*Tinospora cordifolia

(Willd.) Hook Fr

Giloy Menisperma-

ceae

Stem Climber Debility, leprosy, urinary

trouble, malaria

Giloy satva, Amritasava, Amritarista, Ash-

waganda churn, Chandraprabha Vati, Gudu-

chi tel, Livomyn, Calcury, Pigmento Li-

vosyp, Dibecon, Mentat, Rumalaga, Gasex,

Geriforte, Liv- 52. Diakof, Manoll, Apimare

Vitex negundo L. Siwain Verbenaceae Leaves, roots

and fruits

Shrub Rheumatism , arthritic, fever,

ulcer, cuts, wound, skin dis-

ease

Nirgundi ghrit, Nirgundi kwath, Nirgundi tel,

Bishagarbh tel, Rumalagy cream, Himcolin

cream

Withania somnifera*

(L.) Dunal

Aswagandha Solanaceae Roots Shrub Urinary disorders, fever, cold,

rheumatism

Asbwagandha churn, Ashwagnadha rasayan,

Ashwagandharista, Kamdev ghrit, Chyaran-

pras, Phalaghrit, Mahamash tel, Manoll, M2

tone (Tablets & syrups)


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A.Plumbago zeylanica B.Cassia fistula

C.Lawsonia alba D.Boerhavia diffusa

E.Withania somnifera F.Datura stramonium

Figure 1: Some of the important medicinal plants in their natural habitat.

It is strongly felt that there cannot be a gene-

ralized list of herbal plants for all climatic re-

gions but region wise amendments will have to

make. While considering the prospective culti-

vation of herbs in the Bhabhar region of Utta-

rakhand, ability of plants to grow under natural

conditions and its marketability should be of

foremost consideration. The present study has

revealed that seven aboriginal plants with impor-

tant medicinal uses can be used for cultivation in

the Bhabhar region (Table 2).


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However, agrotechnological data of only few

herbals plants are available so far (Sharma et al.

2004) and actually only few selected plants viz.,

Centella asiatica, Gloriosa superb and Aspara-

gus racemosus are under significant cultivation.

Therefore, before undertaking actual cultivationof the listed herbal plants, extensive agro tech-

nological studies will have to be undertaken.

Promotion of cultivation of these economically

important medicinal plants will also help in alle-

viating the economic conditions of the rural

people of the region.

Table 2: List of important medicinal plants rec-

ommended for the cultivation in the Bhabhar

region of the Garhwal Himalaya.S.No. Species Family Medicinal uses

1. Aloe barbadensis Liliaceae Purgative constipa-

tions.

2. Boerhavia diffusa Nyctagina-

ceae

Jaundice, asthma,

bronchitis, eye prob-

lems.

3. Eclipta prostrata Asteraceae Intestinal parasites

anemia, hepatitis,

asthma, hair tonic.

4. Plumbago zeylani-

ca

Plumbagina-

ceae

Dyspepsia, piles, skin

disease.

5. Tinospora cordifo-

lia

Menisperma-

ceae

Leprosy, urinary dis-

order.

6. Vitex negundo Verbenaceae Rheumatism, arthritic,

fever, ulcer, cuts,wound, skin disease.

7. Withania somnife-

ra

Solanaceae Hemorrhoids, Febri-

fuge.

Acknowledgements: Financial support pro-

vided by University Grants commission, New

Delhi, India is thankfully acknowledged.

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cultivation plants bhabhar

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