Ethnopharmacology and phenology of high-altitude medicinal plants in Kashmir, Northern Himalaya

Abstract

Background: Traditional knowledge plays an important role in the conservation of floral diversity and is often used for the treatment of numerous diseases in local medicinal systems. Diverse cultural groups in the Himalayan regions have their own local indigenous healthcare systems, with medicinal plant applications that differ depending on geography and ecology. Therefore, it is important to understand plant ecological behavior for prioritizing conservation efforts and comprehending the impact of climate change on plant phenological traits. Methods: Ethnopharmacological data was collected through interviews and group discussions using semistructured and close-ended questionnaires from different ethnic groups i.e., Gujjar, Bakarwal, and Kashmiri. The data was subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis and ordination techniques (Principal Component Analysis) using multivariate software.Results: The present investigation documented a total of 32 plant species belonging to 31 genera in 23 families.Across the 23 families, the distribution of species was unequal, half of the species belonged to just 6 families (Asteraceae, Berberidaceae, Lamiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Solanaceae and Amaranthaceae) while the remaining half belonged to 17 families. Amongst the parts of plants, roots were the most utilized plant part with 25% of usage followed by whole plant (22%). Gastro-intestinal disorders were treated with most species (18%), followed by pulmonary infections (13%). A heat map showed two distinctly separated clusters based on the degree of intensity of flowering timing of the flora and month. Based on the conservation assessment, out 19% of all species observed fell in the Critically Endangered category of IUCN, followed by 6% in the Vulnerable category.Conclusions: This study provides the ethnopharmacological and ecological scope of the plants of the Kashmir in the northern Himalaya. There is need to develop strategies to conserve and sustainably harvest these plants in order to maintain their long-term benefits in the medicinal field.

Exploring the Use of Iris Species: Antioxidant Properties, Phytochemistry, Medicinal and Industrial Applications

“…The whole plant is dried and powdered and a decoction is made and consumed orally to increase appetite and treat stomach cramps, small and large intestinal obstruction and food-poisoning disorders [26]. Moreover, diverse ethnics groups in the same region use I. hookeriana Foster-based paste as an expectorant and to treat sore throats [27]. They grind the dried roots into a powder and blend it with ghee/butter to prepare an oral paste [27].…”

“…Moreover, diverse ethnics groups in the same region use I. hookeriana Foster-based paste as an expectorant and to treat sore throats [27]. They grind the dried roots into a powder and blend it with ghee/butter to prepare an oral paste [27]. Furthermore, the native tribes in the Lahaul and Spiti valleys take 10 g of seed powder orally to eliminate stomach worms and prevent the burning sensation [28].…”

“…Flavonoids are the most abundant group of phenolic compounds in the genus Iris. They are mainly represented by flavones and flavone glycosides (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28), isoflavones , flavanols , flavan-3-ols (104, 105), dihydroflavonol (107), flavanonol (110)(111)(112)(113), xanthones (114)(115)(116)(117)(118)(119)(120)(121)(122)(123)(124)(125)(126)(127)(128)(129)(130) and anthocyanins (131)(132)(133)(134)(135)(136)(137)(138)(139)(140) [79,…”

„Ad aspera ad astra – 40 Jahre (Ethno-)Botanik“: Ein Interview mit Rainer W. Bussmann, ERA Co-Editor in Chief

“…Gemeinsam haben wir eingehende ethnobotanische Studien insbesondere im westlichen Teil Nepals ducrhgeführt (Kunwar, Fadiman et al 2018, Kunwar, Baral et al 2016, Kunwar, Burlakoto et al 2010,b, Kunwar Chowdhary et al 2008, Kunwar, Katuwal et al 2010, Kunwar, Makhat et al 2012, Kunwar, Nepal et al 2006, Kunwar, Shresta et al 2010, Kunear, Uprety et al 2009, Kunwar, Sher et al 2021, Kunwar, Rimal et al 2021, Kunwar, Subedi et al 2021, Kutal, Kunwar et al 2021. Diese Forschung wurde später auf Nordindien ausgeweitet (Banday et al 2021, Bhat et al 2013, 2015, Debbarma et al, 2017, Hassan et al 2021a,b, Kumar et al 2011a, Mir et al 2021, Reang et al 2016, Semwal et al 2020, Singh et al 2017a,b, Tamang et al 2021, Tkakur et al 2014, Verma et al 2007 .…”

"Ad aspera ad astra - 40 years of (Ethno)botany": an interview with Rainer W. Bussmann, Co-Editor in Chief of ERA

“…Together we developed in depth ethnobotanical studies especially in the Far-Western part of Nepal (Kunwar, Fadiman et al 2018, Kunwar, Baral et al 2016, Kunwar, Burlakoto et al 2010,b, Kunwar Chowdhary et al 2008, Kunwar, Katuwal et al 2010, Kunwar, Makhat et al 2012, Kunwar, Nepal et al 2006, Kunwar, Shresta et al 2010, Kunear, Uprety et al 2009, Kunwar, Sher et al 2021, Kunwar, Rimal et al 2021, Kunwar, Subedi et al 2021, Kutal, Kunwar et al 2021. This research later expanded to Northern India (Banday et al 2021, Bhat et al 2013, 2015, Debbarma et al, 2017, Hassan et al 2021a,b, Kumar et al 2011a, Mir et al 2021, Reang et al 2016, Semwal et al 2020, Singh et al 2017a,b, Tamang et al 2021, Tkakur et al 2014, Verma et al 2007).…”