traditional practices of herbal medicines in the...

Traditional practices of herbal medicines in the Lahaul valleys,Himachal Himalayas

Virendra Singh* & N.S.ChauhanC S K Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Hill Agriculture Research and Extension Centre

Bajaura 175 125, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

Department of Forest Products, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and ForestryNauni 173230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh.

E-mail: [email protected]

Received 24 February 2004; revised 7 February 2005

Observations on the traditional practices of herbal medicines were recorded in the villages of Lahaul, a semi-arid regionof district Lahaul-Spiti, a dry temperate region of Himachal Himalayas. The information was recorded for the habitat, plantcharacteristics, plant part used of 43 plant species, belonging to 25 families and diseases treated in the Lahaul valley.

Key words: Traditional practices, Herbal medicine, Lahaul valley, Himachal PradeshIPC Int. C17: A61K35178; A61PI/02; A61P1I04; A6IPIIl2; A61PI1l4; A61P3/02; A61P11I04; A61P11I06; A61P111l4;

A61P13/02; A61P131l2; A61P15/02; A6IPI7/02; A6IPI9/02; A61P27/02; A61P33110

Indian Journal of Traditional KnowledgeVol. 4(2), April 2005, pp. 208-220

Ethnobotany is a multidisciplinary science that dealswith a direct relationship between man and plants.Ethnobotanical studies have led to the introduction ofnew or less known potential medicinal herbs andprovided materials for the pharmacological andchemical research and new data on the locations anduses of drugs 1. Organized ethnobotanical studies inIndia, have received attention only during the last fewdecades"!'. The area of the present study lies in andaround the valleys of rivers, Chandra, Bhaga, Chenaband Mayar in the Lahaul region of district LahaulSpiti of Himachal Pradesh state. The presentinformation on the 43 medicinal plants used by thelocal people of Lahaul region has been collectedduring past 2 years. This information on these plantswere compared with the available literature and onlynew uses that have not been published earlier arereported.

Study areaThis is a mountainous area located between Ladakh

and Tibet in the North and the Kullu valley in theSouth. Lahaul begins 51 km North of Manali rightafter crossing the Rohtang Pass (3978 m). Lahaulcomprises an area of 6097 sq km and is situated onthe western side of the district. Spiti is the subdivision of Lahaul & Spiti district with its headquarterat Kaza. It is called "Little Tibet" because it has

*Corresponding author

almost the same terrain, vegetation & climate. It liesamong Tibet, Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahaul & Kulu.Lahaul Spiti (North latitude 31°44' 57" and 33°42'54/1and East longitude 76°56'29/1 and 78°41'34/1), a drytemperate Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh.The region is mountainous. and rugged with the innerHimalayas lying on the North and mid Himalayaslying to the South with connecting ranges in East andWest except for small opening in the West throughwhich the Chenab river passes. The rise of mountainsaverages about 5480 msl highest peak reaching 6400m. The river Chenab starts from Baralacha pass at4891 m where the two sources of rivers Chandra andBhaga are about 1.6 km apart and start off in oppositedirections making Chandra and Bhaga valleys till theymeet at Tandi (2958 m) making a common river,Chandra Bhaga or Chenab which flows down throughChamba district to Kashmir (Fig. 1).

Lahaul is enclosed between high mountains whichforms a barrier against monsoon rains. Rainfallfluctuates from 100-700 mm yr-I depending on placeto place. The region experiences heavy snowfall (200-400 cm') during winter (November-March). Thetemperature of headquarter of the district, Keylongvaries from a maximum of 2rC' in July and aminimum of -16°C in February. The soil of the regionis sandy loam and varies from few cm to about onemetre. The dry conditions of the region areresponsible for the occurrence of the patches ofBetula utilis D. Don, Abies pindro Royle, Pinus'

SINGH & CHAUHAN: HERBAL MEDICINES OF THE LAHAUL VALLEY

'_I DistrictHead-quarter

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wallichina A. B. Jackson, Picea smithiana Boiss.,Cedrus deodara Loud. and Juniperus macropodaBoiss .. Farmers have also raised plantations of Salixdaphnoides ViII., Populus nigra Linn. and Juglansregia Linn. Important shrubs of Lahaul areHippophae rhamnoides Linn., Rosa webbiana Royle,Fraxinus xanthoxyloides Wall., Cotoneaster spp. andLonicera quinqualocularis Hardw. Pea potato andhops are important cash crops which are cultivated byover 14,000 tribals of the region"

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photographs of the plants (Fig. 2-21). Thequestionnaires included the questions for local nameof the plant, habitat, plant and method of preparingthe mixture, treatment and diseases treated. Most ofthe people were reluctant to share the information onmethods of use or doses as they felt it would bemisused commercially; they felt it goes against theirinterests. All the persons interviewed were well-respected male and trusted for their experience andexpertise. The observations on the habitats of theplants were also taken by visiting the site of growingplants which were further confirmed from thesetraditional doctors. In the following enumeration themedicinal plants are arranged alphabeticallyaccording to their botanical names followed by thelocal names and family. It is followed by a brief detailof distribution, characteristics and local medicinal uses.

Observations1. Aconogonum alpinum (All.) Schur.

(Polygonaceae)Locality: Darcha (Altitude 3260 msl)

Distributed on the river sides and irrigatedareas. A tall (1-2 m) herbaceous plant with

MethodologyThe surveys on the traditional application of herbal

medicines were conducted during 1999-2002 coveringall five valleys i.e. Chandra, Bhaga, Pattan, Mayarand Tindi valleys of Lahaul. In each valley, study wascarried out in three villages. With the help of villagechief (Pardhan) persons were contacted who werewell known for their expertise in the traditionalmedicines. Generally, each village of 25-80 familieshas such 3-5 persons who utilize the plants for curingvarious diseases. Questionnaires prepared in Hindilanguage were distributed to these traditional doctors,who were provided the specimens along with the

210 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 4, No.2, APRIL 2005

Fig. 2 -Aconogonum alpinum Schur.

Fig. 4 - Anemone rivularis Buch.-Ham. ex DC.

Fig. 3 - Anaphalis triplinervis Sims ex CB.Clarke

Fig. 5 - Artemisia dracunculus Linn.

SINGH & CHAUHAN: HERBAL MEDICINES OF LAHAUL VALLEY 211

Fig. 7 - Caltha palustris Linn.

Fig. 9 - Cercium falconeri

Fig. 6 - Berberisjaeschkeana Schneid.

Fig. 8 - Chenopodium foliosum Asch.


Fig. 10 - Geranium wallichianum D. Don

Fig. 12 - Meconopsis aculeate Royle

Fig. 11 - Heracleum lallii Norman

Fig. 13 - Myricaria squamosa Desv.

SINGH & CHAUHAN: HERBAL MEDICINES OF LAHAUL VALLEY 213

Fig. 15 - Phlomis bracteosa Royle ex Benth.

Fig. 17 - Rheum emodiWal1. ex Meissn.

Fig. 14 -Pedicularis oederi Vahl.

Fig. 16 - Plectranthus rugosus Wall.


Fig. 18 - Rosa foetida Herrm.

Fig. 20 - Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wiggers

Fig. 19 - Sedum ewersii Ledeb.

Fig. 21 - Verbascum thapsus Linn.


narrow lanceolate and long pointed leaves.Flowers are white 1-2 rnrn and in clusters of10-40 ern.Flowering: June-AugustUses: Flowers and leaves are crushed to makejuice for relieving the kidney pain.

2. Anaphalis triplinervis (Sims) C. B. Clarke(Asteraceae)Locality: Rohtang Pass (Alt 3978 m)

Distributed on high altitude pasture lands(3100-4200 m). A dwarf plant (20-50 em) withnarrow lanceolate white wooly leaves of 4-8 ernsize. It has solitary or few white flowers head of1-1.4 em across with shinning white paperyspreading bracts.Flowering: June-SeptemberUses: Leaves and flowers are dried in sunlightand ground. The powder is taken orally to treatacidity.

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Plant grows on grasslands cultivated area. Aslender erect herbaceous perennial with large 2-3ternate leaves and large terminal pyramidalbranched cluster of tiny pinkish-white flowers.Flowering. July-AugustUses: Leaves and flowers are boiled in water andthe extract is orally taken to treat dysentery.

6. Berberis aristata DC. (Berberidaceae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt 2730 m)Local name: Kerpameto

A shrub usually 2 m in height grows incultivated areas and grasslands. It has archingpale yellow branches, yellow flowers and leavesof 2.5-5 ern, which turn often red in October.Stem highly thorny. Flowers of 6 rnrn size bornein clusters.Uses: An important plant for curing eye diseasesand other health problems. Root is crushed, boiledand the extract is used to treat lungs' problemslike vomiting of blood. Fruit is used to treatdysentery.

7. Caltha palustris L. (D.Don) (Ranunculaceae)Locality: Sakoli (Alt 2760 m)Local name: Charmaphool

Plant grows in open places grazing groundsalong the water channels on the slope. Plant ischaracterized by heart shaped leaves and terminalyellow shinning flowers of 2-4 ern across. Leavesare long stalked, blade 3-15 ern size and finelytoothed.Flowering: June-AugustUses: Leaves and flowers are sun dried, powderedand taken to cure cough.

8. Chenopodium foliosum (Moench) Asch.(Chenopodiaceae)Locality: Tindi (Alt 2573 m)

A plant of 25-90 em grows in open places andcultivated areas. Plant is easily distinguished byits bright red fleshy fruit borne in dense stalk lessclusters. Leaves are triangular and irregularlytoothed and 2-5 ern in size.Flowering: June-SeptemberUses: The whole plant is sun dried and powderedto use for treating the urination disorders.

9. Cerciumfalconeri (Hoon.f.) Petrak. (Asteraceae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt 2730 m)Local name: Dhuwa and Kimali

3. Anemone rivularis Buch-Harn. ex DC.(Ranaunculaceae)Locality: Trilokinath (Alt 2790 m)Local name: Talpal

Growing along the water channels andgrasslands. Plants of 20-100 em in height, silkypubescent herbs with basal leaves with roundedblade of 7-15 em, deeply 3-lobed, shallowlytoothed. Flower 1.3-3 em, white.Flowering: May and JulyUses: Whole plant is dried and made powderwhich is taken orally to cure asthma.

4. Artemisia dracunculus Linn. (Asteraceae)Locality: Gemur (Alt 3125 m)Local names: Chamarya, Pharmung

Grows on the eastern aspect of Bhaga valleyalong with Juniperus macropoda (2900-3300 m).The perennial herb of 30-70 em has anise-likeodour. Leaves oblong acute green of 2.5-3.7 ern,Flower head globular 3 mm, short stalked formingspikes.Uses: Seeds are eaten by horses. Leaves are madeinto paste and applied to treat wounds on the legsof animals. Also useful in treating dysentery andstomachache.

5. Aruncus dioicus (Walter) Fernald (Rosaceae)Locality: Urgos (Alt 2890 m)Local name: Nalo

216 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 4, No.2, APRIL 2005

Grows in cultivated area and open places. Atall (0.5-1.0 m) perennial, whole plant coveredwith whitish spines showing a silvery appearance.Leaves liner acute with triangular toothed orlobed margins with spines. Flower head globular,cream coloured 7-9 em across with several spinesof 2-3 em length.Uses: Leaves and flowers sun-dried andpowdered. Powder is taken orally to cure swellingof head due to acidity.

10. Codonopsis clematidea (Schrenk) C.B. Clarke(Campanulaceae)Locality: Darcha (Alt. 3260 m).

Plant grows on riversides and cultivated places.A perennial aromatic herbaceous plant of 30-100em height with short leaves of 1.5-2.7 ern, bluishwhite solitary, bell-shaped flower with pink orbrown rings within and 1.4-2.5 ern long corollawith recurved lobes.Flowering: July-SeptemberUses: Leaves and flowers are crushed in waterand the extract is applied to kill the lice of sheep.Leaves are used to cure the joints' pain. Fruit ismade into paste and applied on the abscess.

11. Colchicum luteum Baker (Liliaceae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt. 2730 m)Local name: Kukum

The small plant (10-30 em) grows In openplaces cultivated places and forests. Flowerssolitary or two with golden yellow, petals of 2 emlong, appearing from the ground with the youngnarrow oblong blunt leaves of 15-30 em in length.Corm cylindrical and covered with several brownscales.Flowering and Fruiting: March-JuneUses: Flower and corm are sun dried, powderedand used in treating weakness.

12. Convolvulus arvensis Linn. Field Bindweed(Solanaceae)Locality: Urgos (Alt. 2850 m)Local name: Dhechigmendo

Plant grows in open places, cultivated areas andgrasslands. Plant (1-2 m) is a slender spreading orclimbing perennial with distinctive arrow shapedlanceolate leaves and broadly funnel-shapedpurple flowers with white or pale yellow centersFlower solitary, axillary, borne on stalks. Leaves2-7 ern, ovate or lanceolate with two spreadingtriangular basal lobes.

Flowering: May-SeptemberUses: Leaves and flowers are sun dried and boiledin water. The extract is used in curing the kidneypain and cleaning the hands.

13. Cotoneaster microphyllus Wallich ex Lindley(Rosaceae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt 2730 m)

It is a prostrate shrub. White flowers, 8 mmacross, solitary, Leaves 6-13 mm, ovate toelliptic, fruit scarlet. Much branched stems.Flowering: June-AugustUses: The fruits are used to regulate themenstruation cycle.

14. Cynoglossum glochidiatum Wallich ex Benth(Boraginaceae)Locality: Kukumseri(Alt 2730 m)Local name: Gava

Plant grows in cultivated places and grazinglands. An erect plant with simple or branchedstems of 20-40 ern in height. Flowers bright blueand 8 mm across with spreading rounded lobes.Lower leaves lanceolate and upto 5 ern or moreand stalked. Upper leaves smaller and stalkless.Flowering: June-AugustUses: Leaves are made into a paste and applied totreat abscess.

15. Delphinium cashmerianum Royle(Ranunculaceae ).Locality: It grows on sloppy lands. In Chaling(3100 m)

Leaves deeply lobed, 3-5 ern across. Flowersbluish-purple with a stout spur of 1.5-cm.Flowering: August-SeptemberUses: Leaves and flowers are crushed in theboiling water and the extract is used to curedysentery and fever.

16. Dipsacus inermis Wallich (Dipsacaceae)Locality: Gispa (Alt 3100 m)Local name: Ghati

Grows in shrub beries, open places andcultivated areas. A robust perennial plant withopposite pinnately lobed leaves and globularheads of 2-3 em across, numerous cream-colouredflowers borne on long leafless stalks. Leaves of10-25 ern, elliptic toothed, stem angled, up to 180em in length.Flowering: June-September

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Uses: Flower is pounded in to a paste withrapeseed oil and applied on the abscess.

17. Epilobium latifolium L.(Onagraceae)Locality: Urgos (Alt 2900 m).Local name: Chama Chung Chu

Plant grows along the water channels and stonyplaces. Pink flowers up to 5 em across withrounded short stalked petals, leaves narrow-elliptic, 4-8 em having stems usually to 40 em andspreading or straight.Flowering: July- SeptemberUses: Flowers and leaves are pounded into a pasteand applied for joint pain, abscess and to cureheadache.

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2l. Geranium pratense L. (Geraniaceae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt 2750 m)

Plant is found in meadows and cultivatedplaces. A herbaceous plant of 15-50 em length.Bluish purple flowers are in pairs, 2.5-4 emacross. Leaf blade 3-5 ern across, divided deepupto base into 5-7 ovate toothed lobes.Flowering. : June-AugustUses: Roots and flowers are powdered and usedto treat asthma and lungs pain. The paste is usedto blacken the hair.

22. Gnaphalium affine D. Don (Asteraceae)Locality: Sansha (Alt 2900 m)Local name: Parvah

The plant is a common weed in the farmers'fields. A plant of 30 cm, flower head globular,bright glistening yellow 3 mm across, in denserounded solitary or branched clusters, borne onerect wooly stems with wooly-haired leaves.Leaves are oblong,2-5 em, gray or white felted,half clasping several stems and tufted.Flowering: April-October.Uses: Leaves are pounded into a paste and appliedon bums.

23. Heracleum lallii Norman (Umbelliferae)Locality: Trilokinath (Alt 2780 m)Local name: Rawah, Padava.

Plant grows in open places, cultivated placesand grasslands. A perennial plant up to 2 m inheight, large pinnately lobed leaves of 15-65 emin size, with leaf blade upto 18 cm long andleaflet of 6 em. Flowers white. Fruit oblong,margin normally winged.Flowering: May-JuneUses: Flowers and leaves are pounded into a pasteand applied on forehead to cure headache.

24. Lespedeza gerardiana Graham ex Maxim(Leguminosae)Locality: Urgos (Alt 2870 m)Local name: Nakesar.

Plant grows in cultivated area and grasslands.A small under shrub up to 1 m with many denseclusters of yellow flowers with purple tipsarranged along the stem.Flowers several, petals 1-l.5 ern, calyx silkyhaired, leaflets oblanceolate to linear- oblong.Flowering: August-OctoberUses: The whole plant is pounded into a paste andapplied on burns and abscess.

18. Fraxinus xanthoxyloides Wallich (Oleaceae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt. 2730 m)Local name: Sanjal

Small tree grows on lower slopes and openfields (2000-2700 m) in Lahaul. Leaves with 5-11small ovate-lanceolate 3-4 em long leaflets.Flowers in dense stalk less clusters. Petals absent.Fruit in clusters of each of 3-4 ern; wood hard andused in making agricultural implements.Flowering: AprilUses: Bark of the main branches is removed andboiled in water. The extract is used to treatstomachache in the livestock. It is also used totreat fractured bones.

19. Galium verum L. (Rubiaceae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt.2730 m)

Grows in cultivated areas. A herbaceous plantof 30-110 em height, leaves 1-2 em, 6-8 in each,whorled, leaner acute, usually hairy above.Flowers yellow, 2-4 mm across, numerous in arather dense branched terminal cluster.Flowering: June-AugustUses: Flowers are sun dried and powdered.Powder is taken orally to cure fever and cold.

20. Gentianella moororoftiana Wallich ex. G.Don(Gentianaceae)Locality: Urgos (Alt 2880 m)Local name: Tikta

Plant is found in open places and cultivatedareas. Leaves l.5-3 ern. Plant 5-25 em with manypale blue flowers of 3 ern. Corolla tube funnelshaped.Uses: Flowers and leaves are pounded and used incuring backache and headache. The extract isuseful in treating fever, cough and acidity.


25. Lonicera quinquelocularis Hardw.(Caprifoliaceae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt 2730 m)

A tall shrub, 2-3 m in height grows incultivated areas, open areas and grasslands.Leaves 3-6 ern, ovate to broadly lanceolate andwith pairs of cream-coloured flowers turningyellow in axillary stalk less clusters and whitetranslucent fruits.Flowering: August-OctoberUses: Fruits are crushed, made into a paste andapplied on the boils.

26. Meconopsis aculeata Royle (Papavaraceae)Locality: Rohtang (Alt 3978 m)Local name: Kahiharu

Grows in stones, meadows and high altitudepastures. Plant up to 65 ern in height, leaves deeppinnately lobed. Flowers few, light blue 5-7 ernacross. Capsule ovate to oblong, 1.5 cm across,bristly and haired.Flowering: June-AugustUses: Leaves are ground into a paste and appliedto treat the swelling of legs due to long walk.

27. Mentha longifolia L. (Labiatae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt 2730 m)Local name: Chrup

Plant is distributed in irrigated fields along withwater channels. A plant of 25-95 em highlyaromatic with blue flowers in many distant whorlsin a terminal spike. Flowers 2.5 ern long. Leavesoblong-lanceolate, 7-15 ern in size, obscurelycurved. Flowering: July-AugustUse: Leaves are pounded into a paste and appliedon the wound. The paste is wormicide.

28. Myricaria sqamosa Desv. (Tamaricareae).Locality: Darcha (Alt 3250 m)Local name: Humbo, Dona

An under shrub grows on river beds and sides.Plant up to 2 m in height, has small pink flowersin lateral spikes of 3-5 em. Leaves 2-6 mm longand glaucous. Stem light brown.Fiowering: June-JulyUses: Leaves are pounded into a paste and used totreat the absciatic pain.

29. Nepata laevigata D. Don (Labiatae)Locality: Gemur (Alt 3175 m)Local name: Neugra

A plant of 25-100 ern in height with bluepurple flowers in dense whorls crowded into longterminal spikes of 5-10 em length. Flower of 7-11mm. Leaves of 2-5 ern, stalked, ovate acute totriangular, lanceolate, coarsely saw-toothed.Flowering: July-SeptemberUses: Flowers are sun dried, powdered and areorally taken to treat cough and weakness. Flowerextract is also used to treat the eye problems.

30. Oxytropis mollis Royle (Legunimosae)Locality: Gemur (Alt 3175 m) Local name: Sanna

Plant grows in stony places or slopes. Aerialstems very short, flowers 10-15 mm, often purplefading to blue in long stalked clusters. Leafletsovate elliptic or lanceolate, 6-17 mm, silky haired.Flowering and fruiting: May-JuneUses: Leaves are pounded into a paste and appliedto treat the swelling of hands and abdomen.

31. Pedicularis oederi Vahl (Scrophulariaceae)Locality: Gemur (Alt 3175 m)

Plant grows along the Juniperus macropodatrees in Bhaga valley. Plant of 30-70 em in height,with pinnately cut leaves, stalked, the blade 5-10em with numerous toothed lobes. Flowers lightyellow to purple; borne in a dense oblong, cluster.Corolla tube up to twice as long as calyx, theupper lip oblong with a rounded apex and longerthan the broad 3 lobed lower lip.Flowering: July-SeptemberUses: Leaves and flowers are sun dried, powderedand taken orally to relieve kidney pain. Roots arealso used same way to treat the pain in lungs.

32. Phlomis bracteosa Royle ex Benth (Labiatae)Locality: Trilokinath (Alt 2800 m)Local name: Ghasangsan

Plant is found in the cultivated fields andgrasslands. Plant of 15-90 em in size with 4-9 cmlong leaves, stalked, hairy, heart shaped toothed.Pink flowers forming an interrupted spike.Flowers crowded in to large whorl of 2.3-4.2 cmacross.Flowering: July- AugustUses: Leaves and flowers are sun dried, powderedand used to treat arthritis.

33. Plantago tibetica Hook f. (Plantaginaceae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt 2730 m)

Small plant grows in cultivated areas andmeadows. Leaves ovate-Ianceolate, usually 5


ribbed, toothed tapering downwards in a shortstalk. Spike cylindrical, stamens protruding.Capsule containing 2-4 seeds.Flowering: May-SeptemberUses: Besides the traditional use in treating theconstipation, the leaves are also used in treatingthe abscess.

34. Plectra nth us rugosus Wallich ex Benth (Labiatae)Locality: Tindi (Alt 2575 m)Local name: Pasak

Found in cultivated fields and grasslands. Anerect branched leafy shrub or under shrub up to150 ern with ovate wrinkled hairy leaves andmany small white 2-lipped flowers. Leavescoarsely toothed 2-4 em, conspicuously white orgray-wooly beneath in contrast to the greenwrinkled upper surface.Flowering: May SeptemberUses: Leaves are sun dried, powdered and takenorally for the purification of blood, stomachacheand acidity.

35. Polygonum amplexicaulis D.Don (Polygonaceae)Locality: Urgos (Alt 2890 m)Local name: Rambha and Raja ka phool

Plant is found growing in shrubberies, openplaces or slopes and alpine pasturelands. Aslender erect perennial plant of 100 ern, withovate, heart-shaped clasping upper leaves taperingto a long point and slender terminal 5-15 em longspikes of pink, deep red 3-6 cm long flowers.Flowering: July-AugustUses: The whole plant is sun dried, powdered andtaken orally to treat the physical weakness andacidity.

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Grows in cultivated areas. A herbaceous plantof 1-2 m I height, with a leaf of 30-50 em stalkand broadly ovate, blade with a heart-shapedbase. Much branched clusters of small radish-purple flowers borne in an inflorescence of 15-30em in length.Flowering: June-JulyUses: Flowers are sun dried, powdered and takenorally to cure the indigestion.

38. Rosafoetida Herrm (Rosaceae)Locality: Keylong (Alt 3000 m)Local name: Gulab

Plant is liked for its beautiful rich scentedyellow flowers. A native of western Asia, hasnow naturalized in the cultivated areas ofKeylong.Flowering: June-SeptemberUses: Fruit is used to treat dysentery andweakness. Fruit is also taken orally to treat.

39. Salvia campanulata Wallich ex Benth (Labiatae)Locality: Tindi (Alt 2575 m)

Plant is distributed in forests, shrubberies andopen places. A plant of 25-75 em, flowers large,yellow, 2-3 ern, 2-liped. Ovate, heart-shapedtoothed long stalked leaves.Flowering: June-JulyUses: Leaves and flowers are sun dried, powderedand taken orally to cure fever and cough.

40. Scorzonera virgata DC (Asteraceae)Locality: Urgos (Alt 2880 m)Local name: Chatis

Plant grows in cultivated areas and grasslands.It is a small slender perennial, much branched,forming a large clump with narrow grey-green,entire 1-4 mm broad, 5-15 em long with margininrolled leaves. Solitary terminal long stalkedbright yellow heads with narrow cylindricalinvolucres. Floret 5-8, 2.5-3 ern long, involucrebracts slender, blunt with papery margins.Flowering: July-AugustUses: Flowers are sun dried, powdered and takenorally to cure cough and weakness.

41. Sedum ewersii Ladeb (Crassulaceae)Locality: Tindi (AIt 2525 m)

Plant grows in stony slopes and cultivatedfields; plant of 10-70 ern can be identified by itssmall (1.2-2.5 ern) flat fleshy, blue-green leavesborne on spreading stems. Leaves are ovate to

36. Ranunculus difJusus DC (Ranunculaceae)Locality: Urgos (Alt 2890 m)Local names: Falangja ka phool, chesa

Distributed in shrubberies, open places andforests. A softly hairy spreading plant with yellowflowers of 1.0-1.5 em across. Leaf blade heart-shaped 2-5 em long, stalked, deeply 3-lobed withacute teeth.Flowering: April-JulyUses: Leaves and flowers are powdered and usedto treat swelling of tongue, bums, cough and cold.

37. Rheum emodi Wallich (Polygonaceae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt.2730 m)Local name: Chukri

region, which is likely to benefit the tribal people ofthe state. Some of the important wild medicinal plantsof this region are Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. exRoyle, Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, Picrorhizakurroa Royle ex Benth and Dactylorhiza hataginea(D. Don) Soo., which are being illegally collectedfrom the region. However, these plants are highlyunder pressure due to over-exploitation,' illegalcollection, agricultural expansion, deforestation andgrazing. Already some plants like Meconopsisaculeata Royle are facing extinction and rarely seen.Further, opening of a tunnel under the Rohtang passin next 4-5 years to reduce the journey from Manali toLahaul by three hours, is likely to put these rare andimportant plants under more pressure due to moreinflow of tourists. It is high time that appropriate stepsbe taken on the scientific cultivation, conservationand economic utilization of this important wealth ofnature which will also benefit the poor tribals of thispart of Himalayas.


opposite. It also bears dense domed clusters ofnumerous pink flowers of 5-8 mm in size.Flowering: July-SeptemberUses: Flowers are pounded into a paste andapplied on forehead to treat the headache Leavesand flowers are sun dried, powdered and taken totreat the pain in lungs and weakness.

42. Taraxacum officinale Wigg (Asteraceae)Locality: Kukumseri (Alt 2730 m)Local name: Quathi

A small plant of 10-30 em grows in cultivatedareas, open slopes and alpine pastures.Uses: Root is sun dried, powdered and takenorally to cure backache.

43. Verbascum thapens L. (Scrophulariaceae)Locality: Tindi (Alt 2575 m)

Plant grows on rocky slopes and, cultivatedareas. It has an erect leafy stem with a slenderwooly spike of many yellow flowers of 2-2.5 emand oblanceolate pale yellowish -gray woolyleaves.Flowering. : June-SeptemberUses: Leaves and flowers are sun dried, powderedand taken orally to treat vomiting.

DiscussionThe Lahaul is a part of cold desert Himalayas

which is considered a remote and hard region ofHimachal Pradesh. The present study is a briefaccount of some plants traditionally used in localmedicines by the tribals, farmers and local doctors.They generally use different plants in a particularratio to treat various types of the health problems andavoid giving the complete details about the methodsas well as the composition of the mixture. Theyexplained that many people are contacting them toknow about these plants and exploit themcommercially. Instead, they suggest proper action inthe conservation of these rare plants of high medicinalvalues. However, such surveys conducted on thetraditional uses of plants in treating various diseasesby these village folks have proved very beneficial asthis is their precious knowledge which is of course onthe verge of disappearance along with these rareplants. One medicinal plant Kuth (Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarke) had been successfully cultivated andexported to China up to 1962. Recently, based on thetraditional knowledge of the village folks cultivationand commercial utilization of sea buck thorn(Hippophae rhamnoides Linn) have started in the

AcknowledgementThe authors are thankful to tribals, farmers, village

elders and local doctors (Vaidhs) of Lahaul, in sharingtheir precious knowledge on local uses of the plants intreating various diseases.

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