Diversity, Distribution and Conservation of Economically Important Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Indian Himalayan Region

0926-A1

Mohinder Pal and S.S. Samant^[1]

Abstract

In the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) form one of the important components for the socio-economic development of native communities. Most of the MAPs are used in the Indian systems of medicine, pharmaceutical and oil industries and have great potential as an income-generating resource. In view of the importance of MAPs, the present study was conducted to: study the diversity, distribution and utilization patterns; identify nativity, endemism, indigenous uses, rarity and propagation methods; review phytochemistry; and suggest phytochemical investigations, and conservation measures.

Some 131 species of economically important MAPs have been reported from the IHR. Various plant parts (whole plant: 25 spp.; fruits: 20 spp.; roots: 46 spp.; seeds: 8 spp.; bark: 17 spp; leaves: 11 spp.; flowers: 4 spp.) were used for the treatments of ailments. Maximum MAPs (109 spp.) were found < 1800 m, 28 MAPs were native to Himalayan region, 7 MAPs were native to Himalayan region and adjacent countries together, 1 species (i.e., Angelica glauca) was endemic and 19 MAPs were near endemic. Some 32 species of MAPs have been categorized as Critically Endangered (12 spp.); Endangered (7 spp.); Vulnerable (9 spp.); Low Risk- Near- Threatened (3 spp.); and Low Risk- Least Concern (1 sp.). Available information on phytochemistry and propagation methods has also been given. Conservation of rare MAPs, chemical analysis of MAPs for active ingredients and establishment of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Conservation Areas (MAPCAs) have been suggested.

Introduction

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) comprises of five biogeographic provinces i.e., Trans, North West, West, Central and East Himalaya and covers approximately an area of 591 thousand km² (Rodgers & Panwar, 1988). It has a large altitudinal range (300-8000m, amsl) and supports a unique flora and fauna. About 18, 440 species of plants (25.3% species endemic), 1748 species of medicinal plants (Samant et al., 1998) and 675 species of wild edibles (Samant & Dhar, 1997) have been reported from the IHR. The vegetation mainly comprises of tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, sub-alpine and alpine types. A large number of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) have been distributed within different forests along an altitudinal gradient. Most of the MAPs are used in the Indian Systems of Medicines, and pharmaceutical and oil industries. About 118 species of MAPs of IHR yield essential oils (Samant & Palni, 2000). With the increasing demand of MAPs in the Indian Systems of Medicines, and pharmaceutical and oil industries, the wild populations of the MAPs are facing high pressures.

In general, various studies have been conducted in different aspects of the MAPs (Pangtey et al., 1989; Paliwal & Badoni, 1990; Jain, 1991; Rai & Sharma, 1994; Badoni, 1996; Sarin, 1996; Kaul, 1997; Samant et al., 1998, 2001; Samant & Palni, 2000; Joshi et al., 2001; Dhar et al., 2002; Uniyal et al., 2002, etc.). However, in view of the importance of MAPs for the socio- economic development of native communities, there is an urgent need to; identify economically important MAPs growing in different forests and alpine meadows; study their distribution and utilization patterns, nativity, endemism, and indigenous uses; identify rarity; review the phytochemistry and propagation methods; and suggest MAPs rich areas to conserve as Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Conservation Areas (MAPCAs).

Methodology

Extensive and intensive surveys were conducted to collect information on commercially viable MAPs. Information on local names, altitudinal ranges, life forms, part/s used, indigenous uses, phytochemistry and propagation methods was gathered from primary and secondary sources (Chopra et al., 1956; Jain, 1991; Samant et al., 1998; Samant & Palni, 2000). For the nativity and endemism of the MAPs Samant et al. (1998) and for the rarity of the MAPs Samant & Pal (2002) have been followed. Indigenous uses of the MAPs are based on the interviews of the native communities as well as secondary sources (Jain, 1991; Samant et al., 2001; Joshi et al., 2001).

Results

Diversity, distribution and utilization pattern

The present study deals with 131 species (i.e., trees: 39 spp.; shrubs; 28 spp.; and herbs: 64 spp.) of economically important MAPs. Various parts such as whole plant (25 spp.); fruits (20 spp.); roots (46 spp.); seeds (8 spp.); bark (17 spp.); leaves (11 spp.) and flowers (4 spp.) were used for the treatement of various ailments.

Maximum MAPs (i.e., 109) were distributed and utilized in the zone < 1800m, followed by the zones 1801-2800m (44 spp.), 2801-3800 (28 spp.), and > 3800m (23 spp.), respectively. The notable MAPs of the altitude zone < 1800m were Azadarachta indica, Bacopa monnieri, Boerhaavia diffusa, Calotropis procera, Pholidota articulata, Zanthoxylum armatum, Aegle marmelos, Terminalia bellerica, Syzygium cuminii, Rauvolfia serpentina, Withania somnifera, etc.; zone 1801-2800m were Berberis aristata, Bergenia ligulata, Delphinium denudatum, Hedychium spicatum, Paris polyphylla, Potentilla fulgens, Taxus baccata subsp. wallichiana, Valeriana wallichii, etc.; zone 2801-3800m were Hyoscymus niger, Podophyllum hexandrum, Polygonatum verticillatum, P. cirrhifolium, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Corydalis govaniana, Swertia chirayita, Angelica glauca, etc.; and zone > 3800m were Fritillaria roylei, Ephedra gerardiana, Cimicifuga foetida, Nardostachys grandiflora, Rheum australe, etc.

Nativity and Endemism

Of the total MAPs, 28 MAPs were native to Himalayan region; 7 MAPs were native to Himalayan Region and adjacent Countries, together; and 96 MAPs were non-natives. Of the natives, Angelica glauca was endemic and 19 MAPs (Corydalis govaniana, Meconopsis aculeata, Pholidota articulata, Swertia chirayita, Aconitum heterophyllum, Berberis aristata, Bergenia ligulata, Delphinium denudatum, Fritillaria roylei, Hedychium spicatum, Rheum australe, Cinnamomum tamala, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Skimmia laureola, etc.) were near endemics. Considering the whole Himalaya as a biogeographic unit (sensu lato), the near endemics are endemics to the Himalaya (Samant et al., 1998).

Indigenous uses

The native communities of the IHR have been using plants to cure various aliments (Appendix 1). For example, whole plant of Boerhaavia diffusa is used in cold, epilepsy, heart disease, liver complaint, menstrual complaints and rheumatism; Ephedra gerardiana in asthma, blood purification, headache, hepatic disease, and rheumatism; fruits of Terminalia bellerica in asthma, bronchitis, constipation, cough, diabetes, dropsy, fever, intestinal complaints, leprosy, piles, respiratory disease and stomach ache; roots of Angelica glauca in dysentery, gastric complaints, menorrhoea, stomach complaints and vomiting; and Podophyllum hexandrum in cancer, cough, cuts, wounds, diarrhoea, fever, gastric ulcers, hepatic disease, purgative, skin disease, and tumor; seeds and seeds oil of Celastrus paniculatus were used in backache, eye sore, lung disease, rheumatism and stiffness of limbs; bark of Myrica esculenta was used in asthma, cholera, cough, diarrhoea, dysentery, malaria, fever, and rheumatism; and leaves of Adhatoda zeylanica in asthma, bronchitis, cough, dislocation of joints, malaria, rheumatism and swelling.

Rarity

Using new IUCN criteria, 32 species of MAPs have been categorized as Critically Endangered (CR) (Aconitum heterophyllum, Acorus calamus, Angelica, glauca, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Delphinium denudatum, Fritillaria, roylei, Nardostachys grandiflora, Podophyllum hexandrum, Saussurea costus, Swertia chirayita, Taxus baccata subsp. wallichiana, and Valeriana wallichii); Endangered (EN) (Berberis aristata, Betula utilis, Ephedra gerardiana, Gloriosa superba, Meconopsis aculeata, Picrorhiza kurrooa, and Rauwolfia serpentina); Vulnerable (VU) (Bergenia ligulata, Clerodendrum serratum, Curculigo orchioides, Hedychium spicatum, Malaxis muscifera, Paeonia emodi, Polygonatum verticillatum, Rheum australe and Thalictrum foliolossum); Low Risk- Near Threatened (LR-NT) (Celastrus paniculatus, Hyoscyamus niger and Cinnamomum tamala); and Low Risk- Least Concern (LR-LC) (Evolvulus alsinoides).

Phytochemistry and Propagation

Of the total MAPS, phytochemistry of 78 MAPs is known and 53 MAPs require detailed phytochemical investigations (Appendix 1). 98 MAPs propagate through seeds, and 22 MAPs through roots and seeds; and 05 MAPs through seeds and tubers and others (6 spp.) either through seeds and runners, seeds and cuttings, seeds and bulbils or seeds and rhizomes.

Appendix 1. Diversity, distribution, indigenous uses and chemical composition of some economically important MAPs of IHR

Discussion

The present study provides comprehensive information on the diversity, distribution and utilization patterns, nativity, endemism, rarity, indigenous uses, part/s used, phytochemistry, and propagation methods of 131 economically important MAPs of the IHR. Occurrence of maximum number of species in the zone < 1800m may be due to mild climatic conditions and diverse habitats supporting a large number of terrestrial and epiphytic plants, also, due to a large human population with diverse culture and communities using most of the species as medicine and for their socio-economic benefit. The most of the MAPs are used in the Indian Systems of Medicines, pharmaceutical, and oil industries. Their increasing demand has increased pressure to a great extent. The over exploitation and habitat degradation have caused decrease in the wild population of these plants. 32 MAPs have been recorded in the various categories of rarity by IUCN. Hence these MAPs merit priority attention for conservation. Most of the MAPs are traded. However, to maintain the trade linkages chemical analysis of MAPs for the identification of active ingradients is essential.

The richness of non- native MAPs indicates habitat degradation in the region leading to changes in the vegetation composition. On the other hand native species are well adapted to the environmental conditions and can play a vital role in tracing the evolution of the species in the region (Samant et al., 1998).

The IHR represents 28 National Parks, 98 Sanctuaries and 5 Biosphere Reserves covering approximately an area of 51899.238 km². These protected areas (PAs) have been distributed in the tropical, sub- tropical, temperate, sub- alpine and alpine zones and supports the MAPs growing their respective altitudinal ranges (Samant & Pal, 2002). Such a Protected Area Network (PAN) has helped in the in- situ conservation of MAPs to a great extent along with other natural resources. However, information on the MAPs of most of the protected areas is not available. Similarly, there are a large number of reserve forests distributed in different zones of the IHR. Comprehensive inventory and monitoring of MAPs of the PAs and reserve forests are urgently required. Further, the MAPs rich reserve forests need to be declared as Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Conservation Areas (MAPCAs) in participation with the native communities and Forest Department for in- situ conservation. This would not only help in maintaining the population of MAPs in in- situ conditions but also, meet out the growing demand of Indian Systems of Medicines, and pharmaceutical and oil industries.

Acknowledgement

Authors are thankful to Dr. U. Dhar, Core Head, Conservation of Biological Diversity for suggestions. Mr. Shreekar Pant and Mr. S.C. Arya are acknowledged for their help during the preparation of this manuscript.

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