Nepal, a Himalayan
country, has diverse topographical, geo-ecological and climatic gradients that
have distinct on distribution of various species of plants and animals as well
as the human settlements in its small domain of 1,47,181 sq.km. Biological
resources in Nepal represent a unique and enormous diversity of flora and fauna
due to variations in topography, altitude and climate. Nepal is renowned for
its richness in the natural flora and fauna distributed throughout its various
altitude.
Non Timber forest Products
are the valuable natural resource of our country. About 1590 genera and 231
families of flowering species of plants have been recorded in Nepal till 2006.
About 72 plants species have been regarded as of commercial value while 18
species have been banned by Government of Nepal for commercial trade.
Non Timber forest Products
are the main source of the income to rural people. Various medicinal and
aromatic plants (MAPs) are being collected and used by various ethnic groups of
Nepal. Since from the last decade various conservationists, various NGOs,
foresters have shown keen interest to conserve NTFPs of Nepal along with
conserving the forest.
A) Bojho
It is a semi-aquatic perennial
herb. It has creeping rhizomes. It is found in sub-tropical to temperate zone.
Nepali Name: Bojho
English Name: sweet Flag
S.N: Acorus calamus
Family: Araceae
Habit: Perennial herb
Chemical constituents: Asarone, acorin, calamanone
Uses:
Ø Rhizome is usually used to treat
cough, cold.
Ø Root is chewed in case of the
tooth ache and paste of root is also considered antiseptic to the wounds.
Ø Calamus oil extracted have
anti-spasmodic, anti-bacterial properties.
Ø Powdered rhizome are used as
insecticide to destroy lice, bugs, moths etc.
Ø It also helps in promotion of
memory and good voice.
B) Aloe vera
It is semi-wild perennial plant found in our country. Leaves are
about 30-60 cm in length which are full of yellowish juice.
Nepali Name: Gheu kumara
Eng Name: Indian aloe
S.N: Aloe vera
Family: Liliaceae
Habit: Perennial herb
Chemical constituents: Aloesin, Barbaloin
Uses:
Ø Leaves are used in the skin disease, bronchitis, eye disorders,
jaundice, liver problems, fever etc.
Ø Dye prepared from aloe gives purple color to silk and black color
to the wool.
Ø Flowers are used for anthelmentic purpose.
Ø It is used in ayurvedic as well as in veterinary medicine for
curing of various disorders and diseases..
C) Neem
Neem is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15–20 metres
(49–66 ft), rarely to 35–40 metres (115–131 ft). It is evergreen, but in severe
drought it may shed most or nearly all of its leaves.
Nepali name: Neem
English name: Paradise tree
S.N: Azadirachta indica
Family: Meliaceae
Habit: Evergreen Tree
Chemical constituents: Azadirachtin, Nimbinin, salanin
Uses:
Ø
The tender shoots and flowers of the neem tree are eaten as a
vegetable .
Ø Neem products are used by Ayurvedic practitioners as anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, contraceptive and sedative.
Ø Neem oil is also used for healthy hair, to improve liver
function, detoxify the blood, and balance blood sugar levels.
Ø Neem is a key ingredient in non-pesticidal management (NPM), providing a natural alternative to synthetic
pesticides. Neem seeds are ground into a powder that is soaked overnight in
water and sprayed onto the crop.
Ø Young branches are good for cough, asthma, piles etc.
