Some Medicinal Plants and their Uses.

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.

References:

 Bhattarai, D, (2002) Jadibuti Manjari, Man publishers, Kathmandu, Nepal

Bista, M.S. (1976) Notes on the cultivation of some important medicinal plants in Hetauda.      Forestry – Journal, Institute of Forestry, Pp.5: 18-20

Dutta, I.C. (2007) Non timber Forest products of Nepal. Hill side press (P) Ltd. Kathmandu, Nepal