Ethnobotanical survey and traditional knowledge of some medicinal

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International Journal of Applied And Pure Science and

Ethnobotanical survey and

aromatic plants of Himachal Pradesh

Savita Rani1*, Rakesh Kumar Chahota

1Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, CSK HPKV Palampur (HP)

The present study was focused on the analysis, documentation and interpretation of trad

knowledge and ethno-medicinal phyto

Mandi) of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Prades

repository of aromatic and medicinal plants.

locally for various purposes. All of th

reported as rare locally. Four new ethnobotanical uses are reported in

hamiltonii, Pinus wallichiana and Polygonum persicaria

Pradesh for the first time. Our findings suggest that

of the recipes. Majority of the recipes are prepared in the form of decoction from freshly collected

plant parts. Mostly a single species is used and are mainly taken orally. Unsustainable collection

methods, poor post harvest methods, soil erosion and intense deforestation are the main causes of

the depletion of local flora. Local

ailments, so loss of these plant resources will be certain extent to a

healthcare system in the studied area.

Key Words: Himachal Pradesh; Indigenous knowledge;

Indian Himalayan region, with its unique location, geography, glaciations and continued up

liftment (Mani 1974) is one amongst the biodiversity hotspots (

more than 9000 plant species, of which nearly 33 % are endemic (Dhar

number of studies on medicinal and aromatic plants have been carried out in the Indian H

Region (Jain 1991; Samant et al.,

Pradesh, such studies are incomplete and mainly focused on inventory (Chauhan 1996, 1999;

Samant et al., 2001; Badola 2001; Sood

1982; Samant and Pant 2006; Kala 2006

1984; Chauhan 1999; Aswal and Mehrotra 1994; Sharma and Singh

1999; Sharma and Dhaliwal 1997a, 1997b; Sing

mentioned medicinal uses of plants in ethnobotanical notes, floristic and biodiversity studies.

Medicinal plants are used in the Ayurvedic, Unani,

in plant-based pharmaceutical industries.

alternative for primary health care system (

allopathic medicine and inaccessibility of medicinal health care facilities especi

the locals are compelled to rely on medicinal plants.

identified as the main causes of decline in the population

the Himalayan region (Samant et al.

traditional ethnopharmacy, coupled with the increasing preference for natural substances in the

healthcare system, the natural stock of medicinal plants of Himachal Pradesh is under tremendou

pressure (Samant et al., 1998).

The field surveys were carried out

importance of medicinal plants in

information is gathered through several

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Scientific Journal Impact Factor: 1.205


Agriculture

www.ijapsa.com

e- ISSN: 2394

p- ISSN: 2394

Ethnobotanical survey and traditional knowledge of some medicinal and

Himachal Pradesh, North - West Himalaya

*, Rakesh Kumar Chahota1 and Tilak Raj Sharma

Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, CSK HPKV Palampur (HP) - 176 062 India.

Abstract

The present study was focused on the analysis, documentation and interpretation of trad

phyto-wisdom in four districts (Chamba, Kangra

Himachal Pradesh, a hilly state of North-West Himalayas is a

medicinal plants. A total of 47 plant species are reported as being used

locally for various purposes. All of these plant species are collected from the wild, 7 of which are

Four new ethnobotanical uses are reported in Clematis grata, Indigofera

and Polygonum persicaria from different parts of the Himachal

Our findings suggest that leaves are the major plant part used in most



ds, soil erosion and intense deforestation are the main causes of

people still depends on medicinal plants for majority of their

plant resources will be certain extent to a hamper the existing

area.

Himachal Pradesh; Indigenous knowledge; Medicinal Plants; Aromatic Plants.

I. Introduction

, with its unique location, geography, glaciations and continued up

is one amongst the biodiversity hotspots (Myers et al., 2000). It harbours

more than 9000 plant species, of which nearly 33 % are endemic (Dhar et al.,

number of studies on medicinal and aromatic plants have been carried out in the Indian H

1998; Rai et al., 2000). However, in particular


2001; Badola 2001; Sood et al., 2001; Badola and Pal 2003; Bhattacharya and Uniyal

Samant and Pant 2006; Kala 2006). Some workers (Collett 1902; Chowdhery and Wadhwa

1999; Aswal and Mehrotra 1994; Sharma and Singh 1996; Dhaliwal and Sharma

1999; Sharma and Dhaliwal 1997a, 1997b; Singh and Rawat 2000; Kaur and Sharma 2004) have


re used in the Ayurvedic, Unani, other traditional systems of medicine and

ceutical industries. In developing countries, medicinal plants provide a real

alternative for primary health care system (Buitron 1999). Due to the high cost of conventional

allopathic medicine and inaccessibility of medicinal health care facilities especially in rural areas,

the locals are compelled to rely on medicinal plants. Excessive anthropogenic pressures have been

identified as the main causes of decline in the populations and availability of the medicinal plants in

l., 1998). With increasing demand and renewed global interest in


healthcare system, the natural stock of medicinal plants of Himachal Pradesh is under tremendou

The field surveys were carried out to assess the consumption patterns and

in different areas of Himachal Pradesh. Present

gathered through several visits, questionnaires and group discussions with local


ISSN: 2394-5532

ISSN: 2394-823X

medicinal and

West Himalayas.

and Tilak Raj Sharma1

176 062 India.

The present study was focused on the analysis, documentation and interpretation of traditional

Kangra, Hamirpur and

West Himalayas is a

plant species are reported as being used

are collected from the wild, 7 of which are

Clematis grata, Indigofera

of the Himachal

plant part used in most



ds, soil erosion and intense deforestation are the main causes of

on medicinal plants for majority of their

hamper the existing

; Aromatic Plants.

, with its unique location, geography, glaciations and continued up

2000). It harbours

2002). A large

number of studies on medicinal and aromatic plants have been carried out in the Indian Himalayan

2000). However, in particular of Himachal


Bhattacharya and Uniyal

Chowdhery and Wadhwa

1996; Dhaliwal and Sharma

h and Rawat 2000; Kaur and Sharma 2004) have


other traditional systems of medicine and

medicinal plants provide a real

1999). Due to the high cost of conventional

ally in rural areas,

Excessive anthropogenic pressures have been

and availability of the medicinal plants in

1998). With increasing demand and renewed global interest in


healthcare system, the natural stock of medicinal plants of Himachal Pradesh is under tremendous

and traditionally

Present ethnobotanical

discussions with local

International Journal of Applied and Pure Science and Agriculture (IJAPSA)

Volume 01, Issue 12, [December - 2015] e-ISSN: 2394-5532, p-ISSN: 2394-823X

@IJAPSA-2015, All rights Reserved 2

peoples. The study provided valuable information on medicinal plants used in the treatment of

various diseases and also discussed the household remedies practiced by the local people in the

studied area.

Study area Himachal Pradesh is situated in the North- West Himalayan region between 30°22′40″-

33°12′40″ N latitude and 75°45′55″- 79°04′20″ E longitude, covering an area of 55,673sq km. It has

large altitudinal range (200–7,109 m), with diverse habitats, species communities and ecosystems.

Physiographically, the state consists of three discrete regions, the outer Himalaya (also called

Shivalik hills), mid hills and greater Himalaya. The outer Himalaya includes an area of different

districts as Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Una and lower part of Solan, Sirmaur, Chamba and Mandi.

It ranges from 350 to 1,500m amsl. The mid hills comprise the parts of Chamba, Kullu, Kangra,

Mandi, Sirmaur, Shimla and Solan districts and cover an area up to 3,500m. The greater Himalaya

also called as high altitude alpine zone generally starts from an elevation of 3,510m and above. It

includes higher altitude areas of Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti districts and Pangi valley of Chamba

district. Because of varied altitudinal variations and climatic conditions, the state is enriched by

diverse plant species, which includes around 3,400 species of flowering plants (Kaur and Sharma

2004) ranging from tropical to alpine zone.

Topography and Vegetation Tropical flora is distributed in the Shiwalik hills of the Himachal

Pradesh. It includes broadleaf deciduous and evergreen forests of Dalbergia sissoo, Shorea robusta

and Tectona grandis. Sub-tropical vegetation ranges from 500 to1,800m and is dominated by

evergreen coniferous forests of Pinus roxburghii and -Quercus leucotrichophora. Temperate

vegetation ranges from 1,801 to 2,800m and comprises Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Jacquem.)

Hook.f., Alnus nitida Endl., Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don, Picea smithiana Boiss.,

Pinus wallichiana A.B.Jacks. and Quercus floribunda Wall. forests. Sub-alpine vegetation ranges

from 2,801 to 3,800m and is dominated by Abies pindrow Royle, Betula utilis D.Don, Picea

smithiana Boiss. and Quercus semecarpifolia Sm., forests. Alpine vegetation is usually found above

3,800m but goes down to 3,300m in the valleys. While, it mainly comprises herbaceous species,

scattered in patches of shrubs such as Rhododendron campanulatum D.Don, Juniperus indica

Bertol., Rosa macrophylla Lindl., Rosa sericea Lindl. and Salix lindleyana Wall. are widespread.

II. Materials and Methods The field work was carried out from March 2009 to December 2013, by gathering

ethnobotanical information regarding the use of wild plants and in addition of some cultivated

plants. Data were obtained mainly through open informal interviews. All informants were residents,

belonging to families living in the study area since generations and involved at least partially in

agriculture. People of this region can easily understand and speak Hindi, amongst themselves they

communicate in pahari dialect.

The surveys were spread across seasons so as to get maximum information and also to cross

check the information provided by the local informants during the earlier visits. The investigation

was carried out where the population was dense. During the trips, the village heads, herbal

practitioners as well as elderly men and women of the different villages were interviewed. Specific

question based Performa were designed and information was recorded in the ethnobotanical field

notebook along with important medicinal uses (Figure 1). Intensive ethnobotanical exploration were

undertaken in selected places of Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra amd Mandi districts to find out various

medicinal plants used for different ailments either in flowering or fruiting stage (Figure 2).

III. Results The study reveals that in absence of modern day-to -day health facilities people in the area

depends on plants for medicinal and other domestic purposes. Based on the initial investigations, it

was found that, information on the medicinal uses of plants now seems to be restrained to elder

people (above 50 years of age) only. Younger generation is ignorant about the vast medicinal




resources available in their surroundings and is more inclined towards market resources. The

knowledgeable persons were identified in the age group of 50-55 years and all of them familiar with

the medicinal plants growing in their vicinity. It was also found that men knew comparatively more

than females. The information on scientific name, local name of the plant species, family, locality,

altitude, habit, flowering & fruiting period, distribution and field photographs has been provided in

alphabetical order in Table 1. However, the data regarding part used, mode of utilization &

preparation, active compounds, and known reported uses of studied species has been mentioned in

Table 2.

Diversity, distribution and status During the present study, 47 plant species belonging to 43 genera and 32 families have been

studied from different districts of Himachal Pradesh. Out of 32 families, Fabaceae are represented

by 5 species followed by Laminaceae with 4 species and Rosaceae, Ranunculaceae by 3 species

each. However, families Balsaminaceae, Apiaceae, Pinaceae and Poaceae having 2 species and rest

of families represented by one species each (Table 1).

It is very important to underline that great majority of the plants grow wild. Only two wild

plant species; Asparagus officinalis L. and Berberis aristata DC. are domesticated and cultivated

for medicinal or commercial purpose. However, people also try to grow some medicinal plants such

as Medicago polymorpha L., Ocimum sanctum L., Rosa brunonii Lindl., Rosa macrophylla Lindl.

and Thymus linearis Benth. as kitchen garden plants. Out of 47 medicinal plant species, 26 herbs,

11 shrubs, 9 trees and 1 climber were reported (Figure 3).

Utilization pattern and indigenous uses

Among the plant parts, use of leaves (39.28%) is most common, followed by flowers

(19.64%), whole plant (16.07%), roots (8.92%) and bark (5.30%), branches, seeds and fruits are

rarely used (3.57%) (Figure 4). The plant uses can be divided into 5 main categories, medicinal use

(68.51%), fodder (11.11%), human food, fuel and fibers (7.40%) and religious purpose (5.55%)

(Figure 5).

Various parts of the medicinal plants were used in treatments of ailments/diseases of different

body parts such as bones, eyes, gums, intestine, joints, skin, stomach, teeth, etc. Maximum species

were used for stomach problems (11species), followed by skin problems (6 species) and gum &

teeth problems (4 species). Aerial parts of the plants (78.72%) are most frequently used than

underground parts (21.27%).

Highest extent of use was reported in Calotropis procera W.T.Aiton (30%) which curing

stomach pain, cold & cough and used as blood purifier and also in religious purpose. It was

followed by Rosa macrophylla Lindl. and Medicago polymorpha L. (25%) used to cure dysentery,

indigestion and also used as human food. The lowest use extent value was recorded for Acorus

calamus L., Ajuga bracteosa Benth., Boenninghausenia albiflora Rchb., Clematis grata Wall.,

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Impatiens sulcata Wall. and Vicia tetrasperma (L.) Schreb. (Table 2).

IV. Discussion The Himalayas, one of the world’s biodiversity hot spots, have an about 9000 species of

plants (Murti 2001; Misra and Gokhale 2003). The herbal medicines are considered to be of great

importance among different rural or tribal communities in many developing countries (Gosh 2003).

During the last few years, the use of herbal supplements increased from 2.5% to 12% (Misra and

Gokhale 2003). Today approximately 80% of the world’s population uses traditional medicine for

healthcare and therapeutic purposes (WHO 2008). The cultural diversity in tribal regions of

Himachal Pradesh is closely linked to biodiversity, as there is a symbiotic relationship between

habitats and cultures and between ecosystems and cultural identity (Negi 2010).

The information collected on traditional use of the plants to cure various ailments/ diseases

revealed that people of inhabiting Himachal Pradesh have a great respect for vaidas and faith in

auyvedic system. The present study shows that 47 species belonging to 43 genera and 32 families




are employed for curing a total of 20 aliments/ diseases. Many plants are used to cure most common

diseases such as cold and cough, fever, skin problems, stomach problems and gums problems.

Among these diseases, stomach disorders and fever are the main causes of death in tribal areas of

Himachal Pradesh (Jain 1996).

It was observed that most plants were used as single herbal preparations. Most of the

preparations were prescribed for oral consumption because most of the formulations were in

powder and decoction forms. Maximum use of leaves and flowers for medicinal purpose indicates

either easy availability of these plant parts or they may have strong medicinal properties. Powder

forms of the plant parts from leaves, flowers and roots were also used commonly to cure ailments

like stomach problems, skin problems, gum troubles, etc.

Among the stomach problems, indigestion and dysentery are more common in the tribal

communities of Himachal Pradesh. Out of 47 plant species, Acorus calamus L., Calotropis procera

W.T.Aiton, Catharanthus roseus G.Don, Cannabis sativa L., Cassia fistula L., Medicago

polymorpha L., Pimpinella diversifolia DC., Rhododendron campanulatum D. Don, Terminalia

bellerica Roxb. and Thymus linearis Benth. were found to cure maximum stomach problems. All

above plant species are already used against indigestion and dysentery in different parts of Western

Himalayas by Joy et al., (1998); Rani et al., (2013); Shukla et al., (2013).

Of the total plants, Cannabis sativa L., Impatiens balsamina L., Ranunculus sceleratus L.,

Rosa brunonii Lindl., Rosa macrophylla Lindl. and Vitex negundo L. were found to be to cure

more than on skin problems which indicates that these species are relatively more effective. Against

various skin diseases, Rosa macrophylla Lindl. was reported by maximum numbers of informants

to be used to cure many skin problems such as pimples, acne, boil, itching, etc. Flower decoction

and powder form of this plant was reported by several workers (Rani et al., 2013). In the present

discussion, significant secondary information on indigenous herbal therapy from Western

Himalayas was used for the validation of the tradition knowledge recorded in the present study.

V. Conclusion This ethnobotanical and traditional knowledge contributes to the conservation of biodiversity

and provides resource of economic and ecological interest. Further, many potential medicinal

benefits and number of locally developed systems are presently not well documented in the study

area. Such types of studies are also required in other parts of the North-Western Himalayas so that

complete database of the medicinal and aromatic plants could be developed and utilized in

identification and notification of medicinal plant conservation areas and develop location and region

specific management plan. Further, these explorations may lead to the discovery of novel bioactive

molecules and may provide leads in searching of new prospective drugs. It is greatly needed to

assess these plants for phytochemical analyses and ethnopharmacological screenings so as to

validate the efficacy of indigenous herbal medicines.

VI. Acknowledgement The authors are grateful to the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) of the

Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, for providing financial assistance under Young

Scientist Fellowship Scheme [Registration No. SERB/LS-527/2013] to Dr. Savita Rani. Authors

greatly acknowledge the support and cooperation received from the local inhabitants during field

surveys. We are highly thankful to the Head, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, CSK

HPKV Palampur, for providing the necessary facilities.

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Table: 1 Data showing botanical /local name/family, locality, altitude, habit, flowering & fruiting period, distribution and field photographs of 47 plants species from different parts of the

Himachal Pradesh use for medicinal purposes.

Sr.

No

Botanical Name/

Local Name / Family

Locality, Altitude(m) with

Longitude and Latitude

Habit Flowering and

Fruiting Period

Distribution Field Photograph

1. Acorus calamus L./ Barya /

Acoraceae

Sundernagar;

District Mandi (1100m)/

31º 32' N, 76º 54’ E.

Herb June - August Plant is a native of Europe. It is distributed throughout the

tropics and subtropics, especially in India and Sri Lanka. It

is found in marshes, wild or cultivated, ascending the

Himalayas up to 1800m.

2. Adhatoda vasica Nees /Basutti /

Acanthaceae

Sarkaghat;

District bandi (963m)/

31º 42' N, 76º 43' E.

Shrub December - May It is distributed all over India up to an altitude of 2000m.

This plant grows on

wasteland and sometimes it is cultivated also.

3. Ajuga bracteosa

Benth./Neelkanthi/ Lamiaceae

Sundernagar;

District Mandi (1100m)/ 31º 32'N,

76º 54' E.

Herb March -

December

It is found as a weed in field borders, along roadsides and in

open slopes up to 1500m.

4. Asparagus officinalis

L. / Sarphya / Asparagaceae

Rehlu;

District Kangra (900m) /

32°13′N, 76°10′E

Herb; May -November. The plant is found wild in tropical and subtropical India

including Andaman and

Nicobar Islands. It is distributed from sea level up to 1500m

in the Himalayas from Kashmir eastwards.

5. Azadirachta indica A.

Juss./ Neem / Miliaceae

Nurpur;

District Kangra (550m)/ 32º 17' N, 75º 52' E.

Tree March – August Neem is a native of the shivalik deccan parts of South India.

It grows wild in the dry forests of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil

Nadu and Karnataka.

@IJAPSA-2015, All rights Reserved

6. Bambusa bambos Backer ex K.

Heyne / Bans/ Poaceae

Jogindernagar;


31º59' N, 76º 47' E.

7. Berberis aristata DC. /Kashmal/

Berberidaceae

Dalhousie;

District Chamba (2000m)/

32º 32' N, 75º 58' E

8. Boenninghausenia albiflora

Rchb./

Pichumarbuti/

Rutaceae

Chotta-bhangal;

District Kanrgra (2,300m)/

32°02′ N, 76°50′ E

9. Bombax ceiba Linn. /Simbal/

Bombaceae

Shahpur;

District Kangra (700m)/

32º 13' N, 76º 10' E

10. Calotropis procera W.T.Aiton /

Aak / Asclepiadaceae

Gagret;

District Hamirpur (500m)/

31º 39' N, 76º ' E

11. Catharanthus roseus G.Don/

Sadabahar/

Apocynaceae

Prashar;


31º 45' N, 77º 06' E.

12. Cannabis sativa L. /Bhang/

Cannabaceae

Hatli;


32º 13' N , 76º 10' E


Volume 01, Issue 12, [December -

8


Shrub Flowers

gregariously once

in 30-45 days.

Throughout India, in areas up to 2,100m.


Shrub May-September. Temperate Himalayas: 2,000

Nilgiri hills.

District Kanrgra (2,300m)/

Herb August-

September

Commonly found in North-West Himalaya at 2300m and

growing in shady forest.


Tree; February-May. Throughout India in forests u

plantations.


Herb February-May. Throughout India, ascending to 1,350m.


Herb June – December The plant is a native of Madagascar and hence th

Madagascar Periwinkle. It is distributed in West Indies,

Mozambique, South Vietnam, Sri Lanka , Philippines

Australia. It is well adapted to diverse agro climatic

situations prevalent in India and is commercially cultivated

in the states of Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Assam.


Herb April-September A very adaptable species from plains to 10000 feet

abundantly on roadside especially in Northern regions.


2015] e-ISSN: 2394-5532, p-ISSN: 2394-823X

Throughout India, in areas up to 2,100m.

Temperate Himalayas: 2,000-3500m (Kullu-Kumaon),

West Himalaya at 2300m and

Throughout India in forests upto 1,500m; also rose in

Throughout India, ascending to 1,350m.

The plant is a native of Madagascar and hence the name

is distributed in West Indies,

Mozambique, South Vietnam, Sri Lanka , Philippines and

Australia. It is well adapted to diverse agro climatic

situations prevalent in India and is commercially cultivated

in the states of Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Assam.

species from plains to 10000 feet grows

abundantly on roadside especially in Northern regions.




13. Cassia fistula L. Palampur;


32º 06' N, 76º 32' E

Tree May – September Common in Himalayas up to 1,400m.

14. Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Louden

/ Devdar /Pinaceae

Barmour;


32º 26' N,76º 31' E

Tree September-

December

It is commonly found in the altitude ranges from

2000‑3000 m.

15. Centella asiatica Urb.

/Handumalu/ Apiaceae

Rewalsar;


31º 37' N, 76º 49' E

Herb April - October. Wild in wet places.

16. Centratherum anthelminticum

(L.) Gamble /Brahmgiree/

Asteraceae

Barmana;


31º 24' N, 76º 51' E

Herb July-September It is distributed throughout India up to 1650 m altitude in

the Himalayas.

17. Clematis grata Wall./ Santai/

Ranunculaceae

Holi;


32º 19' N, 76º 33' E

Herb August- October The species is generally growing in the altitudinal range of

800-3000m in tropical, subtropical and temperate region of

Himalayas.

18. Colchicum autumnale L./ jagli

pyaz/ Colchicaceae

Sarkaghat;


31º 42'N, 76º 43ꞌ E.

Herb August-June It grows in wild area and waste land of altitude between

700 and 1500m.




19. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb./ Amar

beal/Convolvulaceae

Nurpur;

District Kangra (550m)/ 32º 17'N, 75º 52' E.

Climber October-January. Throughout India, ascending up to 2,600m.

20. Cynodon dactylon

(L.) Pers./Dhrub grass/ Poaceae

Sarkaghat;

District Mandi;(963m)/

31º 42' N, 76º 43ꞌE.

Herb All year round. Tropical and warm temperate regions throughout the world.

21. Equisetum arvense L./

Gggal/Equisetaceae

Bhanala;

District Kangra;(800m)/

32°12′N, 76°10′E

Herb ---- Found at high altitudes in the Himalaya.

22. Geranium wallichianum D. Don

/Ratan jot/ Geraniaceae

Tisa;

District Chamba;( 1,220m)/

32º 32' N, 76º 08' E

Herb July-September. Common as a forest undergrowth from 1600-3300 m.

23. Grewia glabra Mast.

Dhaman/Tiliaceae

Leg Valley;

District Chamba; (1,720m)/

31º 58' N, 77º 06' E

Tree July-October. North-Western Himalayas eastwards to Burma, Malaya

Islands and Indo-China.

24. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.

/Jasut/Malvaceae

Rewalsar;


31º 37' N, 76º 49' E

Shrub Throughout Year It is native of India and it grows in the tropical subtropical

and hilly regions of the country; particularly in the states of

Maharashta, Gujarat, Madhyapresh, Tamil

Nadu and Kerala.




25. Indigofera gerardiana

Graham/Araal/

Fabaceae

Chamba;


32º 33' N, 76º 07'E

Shrub May-July. It is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of

Western Himalayas.

26. I. hamiltonii Graham/Araal/

Fabaceae

Sarkaghat;


31º 42' N, 76º 43ꞌ E.

Shrub March-April. It is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of

Western Himalayas.

27. Impatiens balsamina L.

/Guldudhu/

Balsaminaceae

Hamirpur;


31º 41' N, 76º 31'E

Herb August-

September

It is cultivated as an ornamental in tropical and sub-tropical

regions of India.

28. I. sulcata Wall /Guldudhi/

Balsaminaceae

Rewalsar;

District Mandi (1,360m)/

31º 38' N ,76º 50' E

Herb July-August. The temperate Himalayas from 2000-3900 m.

29. Medicago polymorpha

L./Babphunu Fabaceae

Neri;

District Hamirpur (800m)

31º 40' N, 76º 31'E

Herb March-May. It is distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate parts

of India up to 2800m.

30. Ocimum sanctum L. /Tulsi/

Lamiaceae

Sundernagar;

District Mandi (1100m)/ 31º 32'N,

76º 54' E.

Herb July-February. Throughout India as well as cultivated.




31. Pinus wallichiana A. B Jackson/

Kail/Pinaceae

Karsog;

District Mandi (2500m)/ 31º 22' N, 77º12'E

Tree July to March It is found in moist and dry temperate forest

with the altitudinal zonation of 1500 to 3700 m

32. Psidium guajava L./

Amrodhu/Myrtaceae

Kangra;

District Kangra (735m)/ 32º 06'N, 76º16'E

Tree July-September Cultivated & naturalized throughout India.

33. Polygonum persicaria

L./Kandhari/

Polygonaceae

Tal Mata;

District Kangra (1365m)/ 32°14′N, 76°12′E/

Herb June to

September

It is distributed in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Chattisgarh,

Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

34. Potentilla nubicola

Lindl. ex Lacaita/ Dhul-

akhre/Rosaceae

Banikhet;

District Chamba (1700m)/ 32º 32'N, 75º 56'E

Herb May-October It grows in wooded valleys, forest margins and meadows on

mountain slopes, 1500-3600 m.

35. Pimpinella diversifolia DC./Jungli

saunf

Apiaceae

Chotta-bhangal;

District Kangra (2,300m)/

32°02′N,76°50′E

Herb May – November A common and a very variable species found in the hills

from 1500-3000 m.

36. Ranunculus diffusus DC./ Jaldhar/

Ranunculaceae

Triund;


32°16′N, 76°22′E

Herb March-June It grows in moist shady and humus rich soil in the forests at

altitudes 2,300-2,600m.




37. R. sceleratus

L./Jal Dhaniya

Ranunclaceae

Neri;

District Hamirpur (800m)

31º 40' N, 76º 31'E

Herb February-June It grows as a weed in cultivated fields and on wastelands

between altitudes of 700-2,000m.

38. Rhododendron campanulatum

D.Don /Palsh/ Ericaceae

Salooni;

District Chamba(1,900m)/

32º 43' N,76º 03' E

Tree July–September It is mainly distributed in the periphery of the north west

Himalayas in the range of 3000- 40000m.

39. Rosa brunonii Lindl./

Jangli Gulab/

Rosaceae

Karsog;

District Mandi (2500m)/ 31º 22' N, 77º12'E

Shrub July –November The species commonly grows on the periphery of forests at

an altitude of 2,800-3,000m.

40. R. macrophylla Lindl/

Gulabdhi/Rosaceae

Salooni;

District Chamba (1,900m)

32º 43' N,76º 03' E

Shrub June-July It grows wild in between the altitudes ranging from 850 to

2,800m.

41. Terminalia bellerica

Roxb./ Bahera/ Combretaceae

Rehlu;


32°13′N, 76°10′E

Tree April-December. Throughout the plains, sub-Himalayan tracts.

42. Thymus linearis Benth./Ajwana/

Lamiaceae

Banikhet;

District Chamba (1700m)/ 32º 32'N, 75º 56'E

Herb May-July. It is a variable species widespread in the North – western

Himalayas.




43. Trifolium alexandrium L./

Basrim/Fabaceae

Bhota;

District Hamirpur (730m)/ 31º 36'N,

76º 33'E

Herb April –June It is cultivated as a fodder crop in Haryana, Punjab Uttar

Pradesh.

44. Urtica dioica L./

Piterbchu/

Urticaceae

Mandi;


31º 42'N, 76º 55' E

Shrub May-September. It is wildly distributed in the altitude of 2000m to 3500m

45. Vitex negundo L./Banna/

Lamiaceae

Bhota;

District Hamirpur (730m)/ 31º 36'N,

76º 33'E

Shrub June- November Scrub-jungles & roadsides in the warmer parts throughout.

46. V. tetrasperma (L.) Schreb/jagali

mater/Fabaceae

Palampur;


32°07′N, 76°31′E

Herb March-May It is mainly found in waste places and on grasslands and

hilly slopes between altitudes of 900-1,900m.

47. Zizyphus jujuba

Mill./Jangli Ber/

Rhamnaceae

Sarkaghat;


31º 42' N, 76º 43ꞌ E.

Shrub April-October It is widely distributed in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and

Madhya Pradesh.




Table 2: Description of 47 medicinal & aromatic plant species used by people of Himachal Pradesh to cure different ailments/diseases.

Botanical Name Part

used

Aliments/

Other uses

Mode of

Utilization

Mode of Preparation Active Constituents Earlier reported

Ethnobotanical uses

Acorus calamus L. Roots,

Leaves

Indigestion Decoction,

Juice

Decoction is prepared by boiling nearly about 200

gram roots in water with one teaspoon of sugar.

One glass of this decoction is taken empty

stomach daily early in the morning for one week

to cure indigestion. Juice of fresh leaves to cure

skin infection.

The rhizomes contains

coradin with 2, 4, 5 trimeth oxy-

benzaldehyde, 2, 5-

dimethoxybenzoquinone, galangin and

sitosterol.

It is reportedly useful in

improving digestion, clearing

speech and curing

diarrhoea, dysentery (Joy et al.,

1998; Khare, 2007).

Adhatoda vasica

Nees

Leaves Whopping

cough

Decoction Fresh/dried leaves are boiled in water and filtered.

The extract is taken in small doses in 2-3 times in

a day. The leaves of this plant are also utilised as

green manure.

Chief constituents are ascicine, vasinone,

vaciconetritriacontane, vasicinine,

vascicinol, quinazoline vasciolinone and

anistone.

Leaves and roots are useful in

rheumatism (Kumar and Choya

2012) and also cure pyorrhoea

and bleeding gums (Khare,

2007).

Ajuga bracteosa

Benth.

Leaves Fever Decoction The leaves are bitter in taste. Firstly leave washed

with water and made the decoction by boiling

250g leaves in 2 litter water. Near about 1 small

cup of decoction is taken once a day. Leaves are

also used to kill lice, regarded as depurative.

It contains glycoside and tannin and also

yields ceryl alcohol Y- sitosterol, cerotic

and palmitic acids.

Mouth ulcer (Uniyal et al.,

2006; Kaur et al., 2011); blood

purifier (Khare, 2007).

Asparagus

officinalis L.

Roots,

Whole

plant

Lactation,

Religious

purpose

Powder Dried roots are powdered and taken orally with

milk at night time to increase lactation in female.

Whole plant is also used in Hindu Marriages and

Hawan ceremonies.

Root contains asparagines, saponin and

fruits contain sitosterol, sarsasapogenin

and diosgenin.

Diuretic, laxative, cardio-

tonic, sedative, galacta-

gogue; used for neuritis and

rheumatism (Khare, 2007).

Azadirachta indica

A. Juss.

Young

branches

Gum

troubles

Raw Young branches are used for scouring teeth. The bark contains penta-nortriterpene,

nimbin and leaves have quercetin.

Antiviral, anthelmintic,

insectcide, antiseptic (Joshi et

al., 2011).

Bambusa bambos

Backer ex K.

Heyne

Leaves Human

Food,

Fodder and

Fuel &

Fibre.

Raw Young shoot mixed with mustered oil and added

salt, turmeric powder to make local recipe called

“Achar”. Leaves and wood are also used as

fodder, making baskets and roof of houses.

In Stem 2,6-Dimetho-

xybenzoquinone,p hydroxybenzaldehyde

,1,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6 methyl

anthraquinone, allantoin,

cinnamic acid and fucosterol are found.

Anthelmintic, astringent,

stimulant (Joy et al., 1998)

dysmenorrhoea (Khare, 2007);

cuts, boils, wound and fever

(Sharma & Devi 2013); fodder

(Gautam et al., 2011).

Berberis aristata

DC.

Roots Eye diseases Infusion

and

Decoction

Roots are boiled in water, strained and evaporated

till a semi-solid mass is obtained; this is called

‘Rasault’, Rasault mixed with butter and alum, or

with opium and lime juice is applied externally on

eye lids to cure ophthalmia.

Berberine is the principal alkaloid and

also contains oxycanthine and fat, resin

and tannin. The fruits contain malic acid,

citric acid and tannins.

Acidity (Kaur et al., 2011);

Antiprolific, anti-psoriatic

(Sharma et al., 2012); and also

used against bites of rates,

sankes, boils, eye complients




(Samant et al., 2007); Piles

(Rani et al., 2013).

Boenninghausenia

albiflora Rchb.

Leaves -- Fresh and

Dried

Leaves

Fresh and dried leaves used as fungicides and

pesticides

Myrcene, Guaiene, Ocimene β-

caryophyllene, β-copaene

bicyclogermacrene, α-terpinyl acetate,

geijerene.

The leaves are used to kill the

bed beg (Singh 2008);

Antiseptic (Gaur 1999); Flea

repellent (Sood et al., 1966).

Bombax ceiba L. Bark Wound Paste Paste of the fresh bark is used to cure any wound

infection.

Roots possess glycoside-3′, 4′,5,7-

tetrahydroxy-6-methxy-flavan-3-O-β-

D glycol-pyranosyl-α-D-xylopyranoside

along with triacontanol and β-sitosterol.

Astringent, demulcent,

diuretic, aphrodisiac, emetic

(Joy et al., 1998); Wood is

used in roofing (Gautam et al.,

2011).

Calotropis procera

(Aiton) W.T.Aiton

Roots,

Leaves,

Flowers

Blood

Purifier,

Stomach

Pain, Cold

and cough,

fever,

Religious

purpose

Paste,

Decoction

Paste prepared by grinding the roots with water

and taken orally once a day acts as blood purifier.

Decoction of leaves is used against stomach

problem. Powdered form flowers taken with milk

once a day to cure cold and fever. Besides these

uses flowers are offered to the Hindu god ‘Shiva

& Hanuman’ and wood are used in a Hindu’s

religious ceremony called ‘Hawan’.

Cyanidin-3-rhamnoglucoside are isolated

from flowers.

Stomachic, bechic,

antiasthmatic (Khare, 2007).

Catharanthus

roseus G. Don

Leaves,

Flowers

Asthama

and stomach

cramps

Decoction,

Juice

Decoction is prepared by boiling of near about

500g leaves in one litter of water. One glass of

decoction is taken once a day help to cure stomach

cramps. Decoction of flowers used for asthama.

Besides the juice of fresh leaves is used for bee

stings.

Voncapusine isolated from leaves. Diabetes (Joy et al., 1998);

leukaemia (Khare, 2007).

Cannabis sativa L. Leaves,

Flower

Dysentery

and Skin

problems.

Powder,

Juice

Dry leaves are powdered and taken orally once a

day to cure dysentery and dry leaves paste is

applied on skin to reduced dryness and any type of

fungal infection.

Plant contains resin, volatile

oil, cannabinol, pseudo-cannabinol,

cannabinin, canin, cannabine,

cannabinon, gum, sugar and potassium

nitrate.

Paralysis and joint pain (Uniyal

et al., 2006); Arthiritis (Kaur et

al., 2011). Hallucinogenic,

hypnotic, sedative,

analgesic, anti-inflammatory

(Khare, 2007).

Cassia fistula L. Flower,

Leaves

Dysentery Paste Dried leaves and flowers are powdered and taken

orally at morning with warm water to cure

dysentery.

Various constituents are rhein, glucose,

sucrose & fructose in fruit pulp,

galactomannan in seeds, vernolic,

sterculic & malvalic acids in seed oil.

Anti-viral, anti-cancer,

Hypoglycaemic (Joy et al.,

1998); chlorosis and urinary

disorders (Khare); Jaundice

(Rani et al., 2013); stomach

problems, fever, ring worm

(Gautam et al., 2011).

Cedrus deodara Bark Wounds, Paste Bark of plant is crushed with mustard oil to make Wood oil contains oleo-resin and Rheumatism, ulcers, boils,




(Roxb.) Louden Fuel & Fibre a paste. The paste is applied at infected area of

foot of animals. The paste should not be kept for

more than 10 min and is applied only once a day

for 2 days. Dried needles are also used as fuel and

stifling of pillows

essential oil while the needles contain

ascorbic acid.

bone fracture (Samant et al.,

2007); astringent, anti

diarrhoeal and febrifuge (Khare

2007). Indigestion (Rani et al.,

2013).

Centella asiatica

Urb.

Leaves Nervine

tonic, Eye

disease

Decoction Leaves are grinding with amla to make decoction.

The decoction taken 2 times of the day to increase

mental powder

Triterpene acids, Thankunie acid,

brahmiz and isobrative are the active

constituents of the plant.

Nerve tonic, brain tonic (Joy et

al., 1998; Gautam et al., 2011).

Centratherum

anthelminticum

(L.) Gamble

Seeds Blood

purifier

Powder Seeds powder is used as blood purifier.

Active constituents as

stearic, palmitic, myristic, oleic, mono-

hydroxy-oleic acids, linoleic acid and

vernolic acid.

Leprosy (Kaur et al., 2011);

diuretic; used in skin Diseases

(Khare, 2007).

Clematis grata

Wall.

Leaves Wounds Paste Dried leaves powder is mixed with mustard oil

and applied on any wound for the relief of pain.

Clematoside-S, and triterpenoid saponin

obtain from the roots.

------

Colchicum

autumnale L.

Rhizome Poison in

Animals

Paste Paste is prepared by grading fresh corn with

turmeric powder, azwayan and salt. The Paste is

given in small doses once a day.

It contains demecolcine, 2-demethyl-

colchicine, lumicornigerine, and

autumnaline.

Antigout (Sharma et al., 2012).

Cuscuta reflexa

Roxb.

Whole

Plant

Joint pain Decoction Whole plant is boiled in water and filtered then

fomentation of this water for 1 hour at night.

Cerotic, linolenic, linolic, oleic, stearic

& palmitic acids, are found in seeds,

abscisic acid in leaves, dulcitol, luteolin,

glycoside, quercetin, cuscutin are found

in stem), amino acids, cusculatin,

cuscutin (plant).

Rheumatism (Kumar and

Choyal 2012); itching and

Swelling (Gautam et al., 2011).

Cynodon dactylon

(L.) Pers.

Leaves Religious

Purpose

Fresh Young leaves use in all the religious ceremonies

of Hindus. They also offered to Lord Gansha.

Sitosterol, beta-carotene, vitamin C,

palmitic acid and triterpenoids.

Antiseptic, aperient, astringent,

cyanogenetic, demulcent,

depurative (Suresh et al.,

2008).

Equisetum arvense

L.

Whole

Plant

Bone Pain Whole

plant

Nodes and internodes of the separate out and

taken orally with water once a day.

Isoquercitrin isolated from herb. Acidity, dyspepsia (Khare,

2007).

Geranium

wallichianum D.

Don

Flowers Pain, Fodder Whole

Plant,

Roots

Whole plant is used as fodder. The root is dried

and is crushed then it is mixed with milk and

sugar and is used in backache, gout and also used

in strengthening of the body muscles and bones.

Sitosterol, stigmasterol, b-

sitosterol galactoside, erniarin and 2,4,6-

trihydroxyethylbenzoate.

Backache (Qureshi et al.,

2009); Hepatitis (Mahmood et

al., 2011).

Grewia glabra

Mast.

Leaves

and

Branches

Fuel & Fibre

and Fodder

Bark The fresh leaves are used as fodder and bark is

used as to making ropes and baskets.

Pelargonidin, quercetin, 3,5-diglucoside,

naringenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,

quercetin, 3-O-β-D-glucoside, catechins

Joint pains (Rani et al. 2013)

Hibiscus rosa-

sinensis L.

Flowers,

Bark

Aborifacient

, Fuel &

Powder Dried flowers are ground with henna and taken

with water once a day for 3 to 7 days. Bark is

Active properties due to quercetin-3-

diglucoside 3,7-diglucoside, cyanidin-

Diuretic, laxative, lowering

blood pressure and curing




Fibre

used for making ropes and baskets. 3,5-diglucoside and cynidin-3-

sophoroside-5-glucoside (deep yellow

flower) and kaempferol-3-

xylosylglucoside (ivory white flowers).

cough (Joy et al., 1998; Khare,

2007); Ornamental Hedges

(Seth).

Indigofera

gerardiana

Graham

Flowers Gum

troubles

Powder Dry powder of seeds applied on gums once a day

reduces the gum troubles. Whole plant is also used

as fodder.

Indicine apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin

are present in different plant parts.

Chest pain (Mathur and Joshi

2013); Fodder and fuel (Kumar

and Singhal 2013).

I. hamiltonii

Graham

Leaves

and

Flowers

Fodder Powder Dried flowers are cursed make power to used as

dying agents. Fresh leaves are used as fodder.

Indicine and apigenin ----

Impatiens

balsamina L.

Leaves Boils Paste Paste of the fresh leaves is used to cures boils.

Leaves are also used as dye or colouring agent.

The naphthoquinones lawsone or

hennotannic acid, and lawsone methyl

ether and methylene-3, 3'-bilawsone are

some of the active compounds in I.

balsamina leaves.

Rheumatism (Khare, 2007).

I. sulcata Wall Leaves Fodder Fresh

Leaves

Paste made by mixing it with lichens and Rumex

sp. is used as nail polish. This plant species are

also used as fodder.

Lawsone or hennotannic acid, and

lawsone methyl ether.

Rana et al. 2013

Medicago

polymorpha L.

Whole

plant

Dysentery,

indigestion,

Human Food

Leaves Decoction of leaves taken orally twice a day for 3

days to cure dysentery, indigestion and other

stomach problems. They are eaten as vegetable.

The herb contains carotinoids, triterpene,

saponins, isoflavonoids coumarins.

Dysentery and indigestion

(Shukla et al., 2013).

Ocimum sanctum

L.

Whole

Plant

Fever Decoction Decoction of leaves is prepared, concentrated,

allowed to cool and taken twice a day to cure

fever. Local people grow tulsi as the religious

plant and worship it. Its leaves are used in temples

for the worship purposes and also on the several

occasions such as marriage, birth of a child etc.

β-carotene and ursolic acid isolated from

leaves.

Mosquito repellent malarial

fever, cold, cough & dysentery

(Gautam et al., 2011);

carminative,

hepatoprotective,

antipyretic and diaphoretic.

(Khare, 2007).

Pinus wallichiana

A. B. Jackson

Bark Pimples Paste Bark powder is used for healing of Pimples. The essential oil fromoleoresin contains

chiefly alpha-and beta-pinene; carene

and longifoline.

Psidium guajava L. Leaves Cold and

Cough

Decoction Fresh leaves are boiled in water and decoction is

prepared which is used

as tea to cure cough and cold.

Chief constituents are sesquiguavaene,

ellagic acid, ellagitannin-guavin b,

guavin A, C & D,

galacturonic acid,galactose, arabinose,rh

Haemostatic,

Antiemetic (Joy et al., 1998);

Diabetes (Khare, 2007).




amnose.

Polygonum

persicaria L.

Leaves Joint Pain Paste Paste prepared by grinding the leaves with

mustard oil is applied on joints at night time.

The herb contains

polygonal, isodrimeninol,

isopolygodial and confertifolin in the

seeds.

---

Potentilla nubicola

Lindl. ex Lacaita

Whole

plant

Cold and

cough

Decoction Decoction is prepared by boiling nearly about 200

g whole plant in 1 litter glass of water with one

teaspoon of sugar.

The flowers and young shoots

contain flavonoids, quercetin, terniflorin,

tribuloside. The plant also contains

stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol and

campesterol;

Fever, cold and cough (Rani et

al., 2013).

Pimpinella

diversifolia DC.

Whole

Plant

Gas troubles Powder Dried leaves are grinded along with salt and

powder is taken orally once a day for 2-3 days.

Santene, myrcene, carvon, sesquiterpene,

geranyl acetate, pulegone, a-terpinol,

terpinolic acid, coumarins, ammirin, and

oxypeucedanin

Gas trouble and indigestion

(Abbasi et al. 2013).

Ranunculus

diffusus DC.

Leaves Joint pain Powder Powdered form of dried leaves is taken with milk

at bed time for 1-2 days.

Alkaloid, Phenol, Flavonoid,

Saponin.

Joint pain (Rani et al. 2013)

R. sceleratus

L.

Leaves Skin

Diseases

Powder Powder form of leaves is taken with water daily

for few days.

5-hydroxy tryptamine, apigenin,

apigenin 4′-O-α-rhamnopyranoside,

tricin,

Apigenin, isoscopoletin,.

Skin diseases (Rani et al. 2013)

Rhododendron

campanulatum D.

Don

Flowers Indigestion,

Human Food

Paste,

Powder

Fresh flowers are taken orally morning to cure

indigestion and also prepare a local dish called

‘Chatani’.

Alkaloid, Flavone

aglycones,Tannin, Saponin

and Terpenoid.

Skin diseases (Rani et al. 2013)

Rosa brunonii

Lindl.

Flowers Pimple Flowers Fresh flowers are crush with milk or curd and

apply daily on face.

Minerals, fatty acids, ascorbic acid,

phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and sugar.

---

R. macrophylla

Lindl.

Flowers Cold and

cough, fever,

Pimples and

skin

problems

Decoction Flowers are boil nearly 1-2 hours prepared

decoction which is used against cold & cough,

fever and various skin problems.

Minerals, fatty acids, ascorbic acid,

phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and sugar.

Cold and cough, skin problems

(Rani et al. 2013)

Terminalia

bellerica Roxb.

Fruits Indigestion Powder Dried fruit are powdered and taken orally to cure

Indigestion.

Fruits afford β-sitosterol, gallic acid,

ellagic acid, ethylgallate, galloyl glucose

and chebulegic acid.

Indigestion (Gautam et al.,

2011).

Thymus linearis

Benth.

Seeds Indigestion Powder Powder form of dried seed taken with hot water at

early morning for 3-4 days.

Cineole,pinene, geraniol nepetalactone,

thymol, carvacrol.

---

Trifolium Whole Fodder Whole It is used as a fodder. Quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin 7-O-β- Fodder (Kumar et al., 2013)




alexandrinum L. Plant Plant D-glucoside and the nucleoside

xanthosine.

Urtica dioica L. Leaves Human Food Leaves Young leaves taken as vegetable. Neophytadiene, Phtaleic acid,

Dibutyl phtaleate, Bis(2‐ethyl hexyl)

maleate and 1,2‐ benzenocli carboxylic

acid.

Blood Purifier, Jaundice

(Sharma and Devi 2013); Joint

pain and swelling (Singh

2012).vegetable, Skin diseases

(Rani et al., 2013).

Vitex negundo L. Leaves Skin

infection

Decoction Fresh/dried leaves are boiled in water and filtered.

The extract is taken in small doses.

Iridoid glycosides, cucubin, agnuside

nishindaside and negundoside have been

reported to occur in leaves.

Spermatorrhoea (Khare

2007);Arthritis (Kumar and

Choyal 2012); Astringentand

anthelmintic (Joy et al., 1998;

Khare, 2007).

Vicia tetrasperma

(L.) Schreb

Whole

Plant

Fodder -- The whole plant used as fodder. --- Mental disorder (Acharya and

Pokhrel 2006); Fodder (Dangol

et al., 2012).

Ziziphus jujuba

Mill.

Fruits Cold and

Cough

Powder Dried fruits are powdered and taken orally to cure

cold and cough.

Leaves gave protopine and berberine and

exhibited anticholinergic activity.

Digestive disorders (Gupta and

Sharma 2013); Timber

resource (Kharwal and Rawat

2009); against Hair fall

(Vashistha and Kaur 2013).




Figure Legends:

Figure 1: Performa used in survey of medicinal plants.

Figure 2: Map of the study area showing localities visited.

Figure 3: Medicinal and aromatic plant species by category of parts used in different districts

of Himachal Pradesh.

Figure 4: Diseases /ailments cured by the plants in the study area.

Figure 5: Five main categories of plants used in study.




Documents

Ethnobotanical survey and traditional knowledge of some medicinal