Indian Journal of Traditional KnowledgeVol. 4(2), April 2005, pp. 199-207

,Traditionally used medicinal plants in Dharchula Himalayas ofPithoragarh district, Uttaranchal .

S S GarbyaJ, K K Aggarwal* & C R Babu'School of Biotechnology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Kashmiri Gate, Delhi 110006

'Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007

Received 17 August 2004; revised 19 October 2004

An attempt has been made to evaluate the traditionally used medicinal plants found in Dharchula areas of KumaonHimalayas in Pithoragarh district, Uttaranchal, North India. The reported plant species are also highly valued in the Indian,Tibetan and Chinese Systems of Medicine. Based on interactions with the locals and traders and considering the potentialsof some species for developing new drugs, the value of the species of medicinal importance occurring in the area has beenworked out. The value is high enough for taking appropriate measures to conserve these valuable species and use themsustainable for the economic upliftment of the region.

Keywords: Dharchula, Medicinal plants, Traditional medicine, Sustainable use, Economics, Economic upliftment,Ethnomedicine, Endangered plants, Medicinal Plants trade

IPC Int. C17: A61K35178; A61PI/04; A61PlI06; A61PlIlO; A61PI1l4; A61Pl1104; A61PIll08; A61P13/04; A61Pl5/04;A61PI5/08; A61P17/00; A61P19/02; A61P27102; A61P3/06; A61P33110

A study was conducted to document the medicinalplants used traditionally in Dharchula areas ofKumaon Himalayas in Pithoragarh district,Uttaranchal (Fig. la,b). Study areas comprised ofthree valleys i.e. Darma, Chaundas and Byas coveringabout 261 sq km. There are 50 inhabited villages inthe area having a total population of 14664 (Table 1).Forest department has banned collection of someplant species (Table 2). Area is known for varieties ofspecies of medicinal importance which are not onlyused traditionally but also highly valued in Indian,Tibetan and Chinese Systems of Medicine. Speciesthat are traded most in the region and their valueaccording to 2003 sale prices are given in Table 3.Naturally occurring plant species, which are used bylocals for treatment of general ailments, have beenenlisted (Table 4).

During the study, over 70 plant species weredocumented for their traditional uses. These wereAbies spectabilis Spach, Acer caesium Wall exBrandis, Aconitum balfourii Stapf., A. ferox WaII exSer., A. heterophyllum Wall ex Royle, Ainsliaeaaptera DC, Angelica glauca Edgew., Alliumstracheyii, A rnebia benthamii Johnston Berberischitria Lindl., Bergenia ciliata Sternb. (Fig. 2,3),Carum carvi Linn., Cirsium wallichii, Coleus

*Corresponding author

forskohlii Briq., Cordyceps sinensis Sacco (FigA),Conaria nepalensis Wall., Corydalis govanianaWall., Dactylorhiza hatagirea Soo. (Fig. 5,6),Dioscorea deltoidea Wall., Duchesnia indica Focke.,Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb., Fagopyrum esculentumMoench, F. tataricum Gaertn., Fraxinus micranthaLingelscheim, Geranium wallichianum D. Don,Gerardinia heterophylla, Hippophae salicifolia D.Don, H. tibetana Schldl., Hyoscyamus niger Linn.,Impatiens scabrida DC., I. Glandulifera Royle, nonArn., I. Balsamina Linn., Iris kumaonensis Wall.,Juglans regia Linn., Lilium oxypetalum Baker., Malvasylvestris Linn., Malva verticillata Linn., Mazussurculosus, Nardostachys jatamansi DC., Parispolyphylla Sm.(Fig.7,8), Parnassia nubicola Wall. exRoyle, Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. (Fig. 9,10),Pinus roxburghii Sarg., Pinus wallichiana A..B.Jackson, Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, Polygonumamplexicaule D. Don, P. recumbens, P. rumicifoliumRoyle ex Bab., P. viviparum Linn., Potentillasundaica Kuntze, Prunus cornuta Steud., Pyruspashia Buch.-Ham.ex D. Don, P. pyrifolia Nakai,Rheum emodi Wall. ex Meissn., Rosa sericea Lindl.,Roscoea alpina, Rubia cordifolia Linn., Rubusfoliolosus, R. barbatus Edgew., Rumex nepalensisSpreng., Saussurea gossypiphora D. Don, S. lappaC.B.Clarke, Selinum vaginatum C.B.Clarke, Seneciochrysanthemoides DC., Silene kumaonensis Williams,

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

o Non-forest

~ Water-bodies

g District boundary

g State boundary

Fig. 1a - Forest cover Map of Uttaranchal

(Source: Forest Survey of India, Dehradun)

BagesbwarDistrict

TIBETCbamoliDistrict

Study area (in km' )

• Dense forest

DOpen forest

Scrub

DNon·forest

~ Water~ies

Water bndies - 8.02Non Forest area - 2035.44(inclusive of area under snew)S<:mb area • 11.53Open Forest area - 39.36Dease Forest area - 127.40

Fig. 1b - Forest cover Map of Pithoragarh district, Uttaranchal

(Source: Forest Survey of India, Dehradun)

GARBYAL et al : TRADITIONALLY USED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF PITHORAGARH DISTRICT 201

Fig. 2 - Bergenia ciliata Sternb. plantFig. 3 - Bergenia ciliata Sternb roots

Fig. 4 - Cordyceps sinensis Sacco Plant

Fig. 5 - Oactylorhiza hatagirea Soo. plant Fig. 6 - Oactylorhiza hatagirea Soo. tubers

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

Fig. 8 - Paris polyphylla Sm. tubers

Fig. 7 - Paris polyphylla Sm. Plant

Fig. 10 - Picrorhiza kurroa roots

Fig. 9 - Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. plant

GARBYAL et at: TRADITIONALLY USED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF PITHORAGARH DISTRICT 203

Table I-Details of the study area

S. Name of Village Revenue Area Area under Area under Area under Populationo. (in ha) Civil Forests Panchayat Forests Reserve Forests (Figure within bracket as

(in ha) (in ha) (in ha) per Census of India-200 1)

1. Sipu 206.40 169.01 456.60 143 (70)2. Khimling 79.73 A NA 13. Marchcha 133.55 94.84 143 (90)4. Tidang 417.25 370.91 94.00 92(115)5. Go 398.22 286.61 235.60 268 (124)6. Dangtu 292.19 238.28 24.80 139(66)7. Filam 105.63 19.88 19.40 118 (37)8. Dugtu 333.07 247.87 84.00 312 (170)9. Bon 280.86 191.50 13.20 309 (152)10. Baling 219.75 20.00 185.20 178 (83)11. Chal 135.98 110.36 111.60 104 (117)12. Nagling 221.37 170.43 202.80 269 (82)13. Sela 177.66 148.99 217.20 146 (104)14. Kuti 252.24 120.00 60.58 264 (III)15. Nabi 242.01 149.26 106.00 217 (95)16. Gunji 195.87 118.99 186.00 374 (96)17. Rongkong 235.54 4000 8.00 177 (163)18. Naplcheu 102.39 11.32 102.80 186 (58)19. Garbyang 572.25 12.00 74.80 357 (210)20. Budi 246.46 40.00 98.80 250 (285)21. Bungbung 215.30 155.69 15.60 490 (390)22. Gala 118.58 40.00 24.00 13023. Jipti 160.67 29.95 10080 332 (392)24. Sirkha 301.50 231.04 136.25 351 (310)25. Sirdang 292.19 181.59 112.40 787 (667)

78.40(Kurila)26.40(Lankari)

26. Himkhola 172.00 72.00 219 (240)27. Pangu 133.55 14000 496 (183)28. Sosa 329.43 260.80 349 (30 I)

42.00 (Jaikot) (Jaikot- 723)29. Tantagaon Rongto 111.29 20.00 NA 150 (126)30. Chalma Chilason 76.49 2.89 92.00 312 (333)31. Baungling 171.14 40.00 117 (117)32. Umchya 125.01 NA 292 (394)33. Dar 309.19 19.33 994.40 517 (544)34. Watan 178.07 1.56 58.80 72 (75)35. Suwa 335.50 45.47 156.80 546 (648)36. Khela 468.24 121.20 1612 (1957)37. Syankuri 938.50 412.00 1164 (1384)38. Tankul 124.24 NA NA 174 (289)39. PangIa 127.48 16.00 21.60 721 (1010)40. Sobla 209.23 NA NA 2804.00 199 (155)41. Neu 376.37 NA NA 200 (231)42. Khet 200.33 22.67 101.20 467 (644)43. Jamku 214.90 40.45 71.20 447 (730)44. Rung NA 51.58 25.10 473 (473)45. Bidang NA 20.0046. Dakar NA 8.0047. Rungling 166.25 1135.1048. Samari 200649. Sumdum 370.0050. Jyungtigad 1862.00

Total 10887.62 3652.72 5734.39 5801.10 14664

Source: Divisional Forest Officer, Pithoragarh Forest Division, Uttaranchal Forest Department.

found in relatively good populations, though few ofthem have become rare in few localities that are easilyaccessible. Some are endemic to the area e.g. Silenekumaonensis Williams.

Richard Strachey was the first person to haveundertaken scientific survey of the area in around1846 and subsequently in 1848 with J. E.Winterbottom. They collected over 2000 speciesbetween the years 1846-49. Based on thesecollections and observations made during botanicalexpedition to North-Eastern Kumaon in 1883, J. F.Duthie catalogued 2672 flowering plants, 201 fernsand allies, 120 mosses and 50 lichens, i.e. a total 3043species in Kumaon in 1906'-2. Kumaon then includedGarhwal of today. A. E. Osmaston in his Forest Florafor Kumaon in 1927 has described 816 species oftrees, shrubs and climbers:'. K. L. arya in his WorkingPlan of Pithoragarh Forest Di vision (1991-92 to 2000-01) has listed 509 species of trees, shrubs, climbers,bamboos, parasites, grasses, lichens, exotics andlegumes occurring in Pithoragarh Forest Division4

.

Apart from these any other flora written for Kumaonregion is not available.

Extraction of plants depends upon the demands andprice offered for the products, which vary each year.For instance, Picrorhiza kurroa (locally known asKatki) was not extracted much for almost five yearsprior to 2003 because of low demand and less priceoffered. However, due to heavy demand and veryattractive price offered its extraction was very heavyduring 2003, between 40-50 tons extracted in oneyear. Similarly, because of heavy demand from Tibetand very high price (Rs 90,000-100,000 per kg)offered, 250-350 kg of Cordyceps sinensis (locallyknown as keeda) was extracted in 2003. The value ofvarious species extracted and traded in Dharchula areaduring 2003 was in the range of Rs. 315-440 lakh.

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

Solanum nigrum Linn., Sorbus cuspidate Hedl.,Swertia ciliata Burth., Taraxacum officinale Weberex Wiggers, Taxus baccata Linn., Thalictrumfoliolosum DC., Thymus serpyllum Linn., Urticadioica Linn., Urtica parviflora Roxb., Valerianajatamansi Jones, Viola pilosa Blume, Viburnumgrandiflorum wall. ex DC.. All these species are

Table 2-List of species whose collection is banned by the ForestDepartment in Pithoragarh district

Table 3-Value of Medicinal Plants extracted during 2003 in Dharchula area(Species that contribute maximum in the medicinal plants trade in the region)

S. No. Local name

I. Akhrot chal (root bark)2. Atees3. Bach4. Ban kakri5. Banapsa6. Chirayta7. Dhoopjad8. Kenjadi9. Dolu10. GandrayaniII. Ginjaru12. Guchhi13. Jatamansi14. Kaphal bark15. Kakolisir16. Kilmora17. Kutki18. Lahsunia19. Mahamaida20. Meetha21. Nairpati22. Pasanbhed23. Patharlong24. Ratanjot25 Ridhi-vridhi26. Salam misri27. Salampanja28. Samewa29. Somlata30. Thuner

Source: Divisional Forest Office,Pithoragarh, Uttaranchal.

S. No. Name of the plant

Botanical name

Juglans regiaAconitum heterophyllumAcorus calamusPodophyllum hexandrumViola serpensSwertia chirataJuniperus recurvaDioscorea speciesRheum emodiAngelica glaucaSlifinia glabraMorchella esculentaNardostachys grandifloraMyrica nagiLilium palifilumBerberis aristataPicrorhiza kurroaMyreatylis beolhobeePolygonum verticillatumAconitum [alconeriSkimmia laureolaBergenia ciliataDidimacarpus pedicilataAnemone obtusilobaHabenaria intermediaOrchis latifoliaDactylorhiza hatagireaValleriana hardwickiiEphedra gerardianaTaxus baccata

Pithoragarh Forest Division,

I. Cordyceps sinensis (Keeda)2. Picrorhiza kurroa (Katki)3. Dactylorhiza hatagirea (Hathajari/Salam panja)4. Rheum emodi (Dolu)5. Allium stracheyii (Jambu)6. Bergenia ciliata (Pashanbedi7. Nardostachys jatamansi (Mansi)8. Juglans regia (Akhror root bark)

Total value

Source: Enquiries with the local collectors and traders.

Quantity (Approximate)in kg

Sale price(2003, in Rs'/kg)

90,000170900101201312530

225-31568-850.9-1.80.4-0.50.6-0.75.2-6.512.5-25

3-6

315.6-440.5

Value (Approximate)Rs. in lakhs

250-35040,000-50,000

100-2004,000-5,000

500-60040,000-50,00010,000- 20,00010,000-20,000

GARB YAL et al: TRADITIONALLY USED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF PITHORAGARH DISTRICT 205

Ailments

Table 4-Plant species used for general ailments

Intestinal ulcers, wounds, tumors, cancerTo increase vitality & vigor, restoringregenerative fluidsAntidote for poison,Gastric, acidity, flatulence, indigestionWounds, cuts, fracturesStomachache, cough, cold, sore throat

Species used for cure

Coleus forskohliiCordyceps sinensis, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Saussurea gossypiphora

Aconitum heterophyllumAngelica glauco, Senecio chrysanthemoidesRheum emodi, Daciylorhiza hatagirea, Thalictrum foliolosum, Parnassia nubicolaHippophae salicifolia, Potentilla kleiniana, Coleus [orskohlii, Duchesnia indica,Polygonum viviparum, Geranium wallichianumHyoscyamus nigerBergenia ciliataFraxinus micrantha, Rubus foliolosus, Picrorhiza kurroa, Taraxacum officinale,Corydalis govanianaPicrorhiza kurroa, Swertia ciliata, Polygonum amplexicaulis rumicijolium, Corydalisgovaniana, Urtica parviflora, Thalictrum foliolosumPicrorhiza kurroa, Aconitum heterophyllum, Saussurea lappa, Viola serpens,Thalict film [oliolosumImpatiens sps., Lilium oxypetalum, Pill liS roxburghii, Pinus wallichianaIris kumaonensis, Polygonum amplexicaulisRubia cordifolia, Matus surculosus, Viola serpens, Rubus nutansValeriana wallichiiCirsium wallichii, Paris polyphylla, Polygonum recumbensBerberis chitria

Tooth acheStones in gall bladder and kidneyLiver related ailments, jaundice

High fever, malaria, convulsions

For the purpose of valuation of area of traditionallyused medicinal plant species, following componentswere taken into consideration:

two months. The amount earned by the locals byextracting 800 pieces of (about 250 gm) Cordycepssinensis is about the same as that earned by trading150 kg of dry Picrorhiza kurroa.

2 Value of tradionally used medicinal plantsAlmost all the villages situated in the study area do

not have hospitals and medical facilities. Everyonehas to depend upon wild plants and other species fortreatment and for major illnesses the patients aretaken to Dharchula hospitals that may be up to threedays trek. The entire populations of 14664 aredependant upon plant species for the treatment ofvarious ailments. 01) an average each person savesminimum of Rs. 50-100 every year by using plantspecies for treatment. On an average the locals save atotal of Rs. 7.33-14.66 lakh annually using plantspecies for the treatment of general ailments. Thisindirectly gives the value of the traditionally usedwild species as medicine.

3 Value of new plant based drugTotal number of flowring plants in Kumaon is

26731• Pithoragarh District in which Dharchula is

included is generally considered richest in westernHimalayas in terms of flora. Therefore, a total of 2500flowering plants can be presumed to be in Dharchulaareas. It is, however, agreed that no suchdocumentation was ever done. During field surveys

Fever and illnesses to women followingchild birthArthritis, joints pain, swelling in the limbsConstipationUrinary problemsWormicideBoilsEye problems

1. Market value of species extracted because of theirmedicinal importance

2. Value of traditional medicine to the local people3. Value of new plant based drug, and4. Value of species lost due to extinction.

1 Market value of species extractedDuring the year 2003, Cordyccps sinensis (Keeda),

Picrorhiza kurroa (Katki) Dactylorhiza hatagirea(HathajarilSalam panjai, Rheum emodi (Dolu),Allium stracheyii (Jambu), Bergenia ciliata(Pashanbed), Nardostachys jatamansi (Mansi) andJuglans regia (Akhrot) were the major species thatwere traded extensively in Dharchula. Sinceextraction is not legally permitted in India, these wereshown to have been bought from Nepal. However,almost all of them had come from Indian part ofDharchula as informed by the traders and extractors.The total value of all of these, considering 2003prices, was Rs. 315.6-440.5 lakh. Extraction and tradein other species is not significant. Interestingly, oflate, extraction of above mentioned species havecome down significantly because of huge earningsfrom Cordyceps sinensis, extraction of which calls forconsiderably lesser physical effort in a short span of

206

D = Value of a medicinal species that gives rise tonew drug

Y = Number of species giving rise to new drugs

X:::: Value of potential plants lost due to extinction

Considering the above values, the value ofmedicinal species of Dharchula area would beV = Rs. l7890.48-18180.66 lakhs

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

undertaken in the year 2003-2004 about 70 specieswere documented for their traditional uses, of which 5have shown potential and at least one is givingpromising leads for a new active compound - 1.4%probability of hitting a new compound. Theprobability of a successful prescription drug liesbetween 1:1000 and 1:10,0005

-7. Therefore, new plant

based drugs expected from the area may be between2.5-0.25, which agrees with 1.4% arrived at thepresent study. Value of a medicinal plant in USA is$390 million6

. This value will vary from country tocountry. It is evident from the fact that market valueof single commercially useful species in USA isconsidered to be $200 million and the correspondingfigure for the OEeD countries is $ 600 million. InIndian situation the value of medicinal plant is takenas 10% of Principe's estimate, i.e. $39 million Rs.l7550 lakh ($I=Rs. 45). Therefore, considering thatplant wealth in Dharchula would lead to at least onenew drug, its value would be Rs. 17550 lakh. Thereare estimates of considerably higher value ofmedicinal plants in other studies. For example, someworkers/" have estimated the value to be $449 millionper drug.

4 Value of potential species lost due to extinctionWWF and IUCN have estimated that during 60

years (between 1991 and 2050), 25% of all thespecies would be lost due to extinction. It means 625species would be lost in 60 years in Dharchula area,i.e. about 10 species each year. 0.01-0.001 new drugsare expected from these 10 species (12robability being1:1000 to 1:10,000). Considering the value of Rs.17550 lakh per plant in terms of formulation of newdrug, the value of potential drugs lost due toextinction would be Rs. l7.55-l75.5 lakh. Therewould be no addition to the value from the extinctionof species whose contribution towards developmentof new drugs has already been taken intoconsideration.

The value of medicinal plants of Dharchula area is:

V = PE + AR + DY + X

whereP ::::Market price of medicinal species extracted

E = Quantity of medicinal species extracted annually

A = Population using traditional medicine

R = Rupee saved by one person annually by usingwild species for treatment

The extent of study area is 261 sq kmTherefore,

V = Rs 68.54-69.65 lakhlsq km

Rs. 68540-69650/ha

ConclusionThe study reveals that Dharchula area is highly

valued from the point of view of medicinallyimportant plant species. Value of over Rs. 68,000/hais sufficient enough reason for taking appropriatemeasures to conserve these valuable species and usethem sustainably for the economic upliftment of theregion. Even if we take only the first two componentsthe value comes to Rs. 322.93-455.16 lakhs i.e. Rs1240-l740/ha, which is quite substantial. Besides,value of the area in terms of ethics and other timberand non-timber benefits has not been taken intoconsideration.

AcknowledgementAuthors acknowledge the invaluable inputs and

assistance extended by "the villagers of Byas,Chaundas and Danna valley and other villages ofDharchula area. Authors place on record their sincerethanks for Dr N B Naithani, eminent taxonomist ofForest Research Institute, Dehradun for identifyingplant specimens collected from the region. Authorsthank Shri Moti Singh, Kharak Singh Garbyal,Dharam Singh Budiyal and many others who guidedin trekking in the treacherous mountains and whohelped in locating the species and providingspecimens. Authors also wish to acknowledge Dr B RHazari of University of Deakins, Melbourne,Australia for his critical appraisal.

ReferencesI Duthie J F, Catalogue of Plants of Kumaon and adjacent

portions of Garhwal and Tibet based on the collections ofStrachey and Winterbottom during the years 1846-1849,London (rep. Ed. 1974), (Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh,Dehradun), 1906.

GARBYAL et al: TRADITIONALLY USED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF PITHORAGARH DISTRICT 207

2 Duthie J F, Notes on some trees and shrubs observed during arecent botanical expedition to North-Eastern Kumaon, IndianFor, 11(1) (\885) 1-6.

3 Osmaston A E, A Forest Flora for Kumaon, (Rep. 1994),(Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh Publication, Dehradun),1927.

4 Arya K L, Working Plan of Pithoragarh Forest Division, 199 1-92 to 2000-0 I.

5 Kumar Pushpam, Valuation of medicinal Plants forpharmaceutical uses, Curr Sci, 86 (7) (2004) 930-937.

6 Principe P, Monetising the Pharmaceutical Benefits of Plants(ed Ballick, M J et at.), Medicinal Resources of TropicalForests, (Columbia University Press), 1996.

7 Principe P, Valuing the biodiversity of medicinal plants. Inthe Conservation of medicinal Plants (ed Akerele, 0, et al.),(Cambridge University Press, Cambridge), 1991.

8 Mendelsohn Rand Ballick M J, The value of undiscoveredpharmaceutical in tropical forests, Econ. BOI, Vol 49 (I995).

9 Mendelsohn Rand Ballick M 1., Notes on economic plants,Eco BOI, Vol 5 I (I 997).