‘INSIGHT’ an International Journal of Science(ISSN: 2394-0360); Volume 2 2015-16

Few medicinal plants of family Labiatae and Scrophulariaceae in the high altitude cold desert
areas of Lahaul-Spiti and its adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh (India)

*1Devendra Kumar Srivastava and 2Manjit Inder Singh Saggoo

1
Department of Biology, D.A.V. College, Hoshiarpur-146001, Punjab (India);
2
Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002, Punjab, India);

(*Corresponding author: devsrivastv@gmail.com)

(Received: Sep-28, 2015; Revised: Nov-21, 2015; Accepted: Dec-07, 2015)
ABSTRACT
An attempt has been made to explore traditional medicinal knowledge of cold arid zone of of
Lahaul-Spiti and its adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh. Ethnomedicinal information were gathered
through several visits, group discussions and cross checked with local medicine men (amchis). The study
identified 40 plant species belonging family Labiatae and Scrophulariaceae have been used to cure
various diseases and ailments. Maximum number of 12 species was recorded to be used in cold and
cough; 5 species have the medicinal property against skin, 4 species are being used in treating eye
diseases, other plants of ethno-medicinal importance have the property for curing wide range of diseases
and disorders related to digestive system, liver ailments, blood purification, antibacterial, rheumatism,
diseases of ear and teeth etc. Leaves in 21 species; whole plant extract of 16 species, flower in 7 plant
species along with the seeds of 4 species and root in one species were reported to be used mostly. Juice,
raw items, paste and decoction of plant species were the common method of usage. Over-exploitation of
medicinal herbs can lead to the local extinction of the valuable herbs indicating an urgent need to draw up
the necessary plans for medicinal plant utilization and conservation.
Key words: Ethnomedicinal, Labiatae, Scrophulariaceae and conservation.

INTRODUCTION cosmopolitan in distribution and well represented

The great and unique importance of food
plants to the mankind is well known to all of us.
All the food crops have been derived from their
wild ancestors and man had domesticated them in
ancient times. Like wild animals, human beings
too, instinctively use plants for food, shelter and
even for curing their many maladies. With the
progress of civilization from the dim past to the
present day, the man’s need and dependence on
plants have increased to a great extant besides the
basic needs for food, shelter and clothing. Today,
the human race in general, is indebted to plants,
particularly the Angiosperms, for meeting their
innumerable needs of day to day life.
Families Labiatae and Scrophulariaceae,
two important families of series Bicarpellatae of
Angiosperms (Bentham and Hooker, 1876), are
in the world as well as in the Indian floras. Large
number of economically important and medicinal
plants belongs to these two families. These
families are particularly rich of biodiversity and
since ancient times it was the object of a great
variety of uses by humans.
The Himalayan and trans-Himalayan
flora is well known as a source of traditional
medicines, and the Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha,
Tibetan and other non-formal traditional systems
of medicine have been using these plant species
from time immemorial.
The high-altitude cold desert in Indian
Himalaya that includes Ladakh, Lahaul-Spiti,
parts of Sikkim and Uttaranchal, and generally
known as Indian trans-Himalaya, is a repository of
such useful plant species and knowledge systems.

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 ‘INSIGHT’ an International Journal of Science(ISSN: 2394-0360); Volume 2
Fig.1. Map showing the collection areas in Lahaul-Spiti and adjoining areas.
However, much knowledge derived over
centuries of experiments has been lost in recent
years (Kala 2006). The use of plants by amchis of
the Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh regions of trans-
Himalaya has been studied by Chaurasia and
Singh (1996), Balodi and Singh (1997),
Manjrekar (1998), Kala and Manjrekar (1999),
Chaurasia et al. (1999), and Kala (2000 &2002),
yet, so far, a comprehensive list of medicinal
plants and their distribution is lacking from
Lahaul-Spiti. This paper attempts to survey and
document the medicinal plants found in the study
area and to put forward measures for their
conservation and management.
Study Area: Lahaul and Spiti, an integral
part of Indian cold desert area of North West
Himalaya, is situated between 31044’57’’-
32059’57’’ North latitudes and 76046’29’’-
78041’34’’ East longitude covering an area of
13,835 sq. Km. This district of Himachal Pradesh
has two subdivisions and two Valleys, Lahaul
Valley and Spiti valley. Lahaul-Spiti is bounded
by four districts of Himachal Pradesh namely
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Kinnaur in the east, Kullu in the south, Kangra in
the south west and Chamba in Northwest. It also
shares the boundary with Jammu & Kashmir on
North and Tibet on East. The detail about the
locations are shown and listed in figure 1 and
table 1 & 2, respectively. More than 800 vascular
plant species have been recorded from the area
(Aswal and Mehrotra 1994), of which many are
used in medicine. The people of Lahaul-Spiti are
predominantly Buddhists. Their own culture and
social customs, similar to those of the Tibetans. In
these areas, the treatment using Amchi medicine
is very popular. Mostly they dependent on Amchi
medicine due to the remoteness, high prices of
allopathic medicine and unavailability of modern
medical facilities.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The medicinal plants were surveyed and
plant specimens were collected during the springs
from various localities in and around of Lahaul-
spiti. Questionnaire surveys were conducted
among 27 amchis living in Lahaul-Spiti and adjoi-
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 Table 1. Table showing the taxa, localities/ distribution, plant part used and medicinal properties of plants of family Labiatae.
S.No. Taxon Localities/ Distribution Plant part* Local or Medicinal uses/ properties*
used
1. Clinopodium umberosum (M. Bieb) Chamba: Pangi valley, Hole; Whole plant Astringent, carminative, heart tonic
Koch. Lahaul: Trilokinath, Keylong,
Udaipur, Tandi, Udaipur, Zero-
point.
2. Dracocephalum heterophyllum Spiti: Kibber Whole plant Cold, cough and hypertension
Benth.
3. D. speciosum Benth. Spiti: Key; Leaf Source of essential oil, Cold, cough
Parvati Valley: Rudarnar, Tosh
4. Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hyland. Keylong Leaf, seed Skin disease, diuretic, antipyretic, carminative,
stomachic and astringent.
5. Elsholtzia polystachya Benth. Manali: Solang. Leaf, seed Stomachache, nausea, bleeding nose, headache.
6. Lamium album L. Parvati valley: Malana; Whole plant Fever, menorrhagia, leucorrhoea, cystitis,
Lahaul: Udaipur; prostatitis, bleeding piles, diarrhea and respiratory
pt: . catarr .
7. Lamium amplexicaule L. Lahaul: Trilokinath; Whole plant Fodder, stimulant, laxative, diaphoretic, cephalic,
Chamba: Pangi valley, Killar. antirheumatic.
8. Leonurus cardiaca L. Chamba: Manimahesh, Dhancho, Leaf, seed Stomache, diaphoretic
Gaurikund.
9. Leucas lanata Benth. Parvati valley: Malana, Tosh. Whole plant Antidote to snakebite, Antiseptic, carminative,
digestive, on wounds to kill maggots.
10. Mentha longifolia (L.) Hunds. Lahaul: Udaipur, Kukumsari, Zero- Whole plant Antiseptic, digestive, flavoring, Headache,
(Jungli pudina or Safed pudina) point, Kishori, Darcha; stomachache, kill maggots
Parvati Valley: Tosh, Kasol;
Spiti: Key, Tiling, Mudh.
11. Micromeria biflora (L.) Hunds. Spiti: Pooh, Tabo. Whole plant Toothache, nose bleeds, sinusitis, vomiting,
(Ban-ajwain or Gorakhopan) indigestion, stomach and liver problems
12. Nepeta discolor Royle ex Benth. Spiti: Kye, Losar, Koksar. Leaf Cold, cough, liver and stomach associated
pro ems
13. Nepeta elliptica Royle Sirmour: Churdhar. Leaf, Cold and fever
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Flower
14. Nepeta eriostachya Benth. Lahaul: Trilokinath, Darcha. Leaf, Stem Eye complaints
15. Nepeta govaniana Benth. Parvati Valley: Malana, Rudarnar, Leaf Minor fever
Tosh;
Manali: Rohtang, Gulaba, Kothi
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 S.No. Taxon Localities/ Distribution Plant part* Local or Medicinal uses/ properties*
used
16. Nepeta leucolaena Benth. Chamba: Pangi valley, Shol, Leaf Skin disease
Kinnour: Nako.
17. Nepeta leucophylla Benth. Lahaul: Keylong; Leaf To cure genitalia, Oil extract possess antifungal
Chamba: Manimahesh; properties
Sirmour: Churdhar, near Tisri.
18. Nepeta linearis Royle ex Benth. Lahaul: Udaipur, Whole plant Fodder
Chamba: Pangi valley, Shali.
19. Nepeta spicata Benth. Lahaul: Udaipur, Trilokinath Whole plant Fodder
Spiti: Tiling, Kungri; Losar,
Sirmour: Churdhar.
20. Origanum vulgare L. (= Ban-tulsi) Parvati Valley: Pulghan; Whole plant Cold, diarrhea, fever, stimulent, menstrual complaints,
Lahaul: Trilokinath, Udaipur; stimulant, tonic
Manali: Solang Valley;
Chamba: Pangi valley, Sachu, Killar.
21. Phlomis bracteosa Royle ex Benth. Lahaul: Chatru, Udaipur, Kukumsari, Flower Eye disease
Trilokinath,
Chamba: Pangi, Mohani village.
22. Plectranthus rugosus Wall. ex Manali: Solang Valley, Solang Leaf Fever, snake bite
Benth. Valley;
Parvati Valley: Malana, Rudranar.
23. Salvia nubicola Wall. ex Sweet Chamba: Manimahesh, Dhancho; Leaf, Cold, fever and leaf paste is applied for skin eruptions.
Parvati Valley: Malana, Khirganga
24 Scutellaria discolor Colebr. Parvati valley: Malana; Leaf Cold, fever, sore throats, enteritis, abortifacient,
Manali: Solang valley; Rhotang. antispasmodic, astringent, febrifuge, nervine, sedative,
indigestion and gastric troubles; anti-inflammatory and
antiallergic.
25. Teucrium royleanum Wall ex Benth Lahaul: Udaipur Leaf, Stem Allelopathic, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic,
astringent, antipyretic and anti allergic.
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26. Thymus linearis Benth. . (= Ban- Lahaul: Udaipur, Keylong; Whole plant Skin disease, vermicide, fever, cold, coughs, Stomach
ajwain) Chamba: Pangi valley, Killar, Shali; complains.
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 Table 2. Table showing the taxa, localities/ distribution, plant part used and medicinal properties of plants of family Scrophulariaceae.
S.No. Taxon Localities/ Distribution Plant part* Local or Medicinal uses/ properties*
used
1. Euphrasia foliosa Pennell. Lahaul: Koksar, Darcha Leaf, flower Eye disease
2. Euphrasia himalayica Wettst. Spiti: Pin Valley, Mudh; Leaf, flower Eye disease
Lahaul: Koksar.
3. Lancea tibetica Hook, f. & Thomson Kinnaur: Nako. Leaf, flower Pulmonary disorder
4. Leptorhabdos parviflora (Benth.) Chamba: Pangi Valley, Purthi. Whole plant Fodder
Benth.
5. Mazus japonicas (Thunb.) Kuntze Parvati valley: Malana, Rudranag; Whole plant Aperitive, antifebrile, tonic, Typhoid treatment.
Lahaul: Keylong
6. Mazus surculosus D. Don. Lahaul: Trilokinath, Keylong; Whole plant Potherb, fodder
Parvati valley: Malana
7. Pedicularis bicornuta Klotz. Spiti:Tiling Flower Potherb, vaginal and seminal discharge.
8. Pedicularis pectinata spp. Lahaul: Trilokinath; Leaf Cold, cough, body ache, sedative, astringent, haemostatic,
bipinnatifida Pennell. Chamba: Manimahesh, Gaurikund. diuretic,
9. Pedicularis pectinata Wall. ex Lahaul: Trilokinath, Keylong; Leaf Cold, cough, body ache, sedative, astringent, haemostatic,
Benth. Chamba: Manimahesh diuretic,
10. Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth. Chamba: Manimahesh, Gaurikund; Root Cold, fever, anaemia, influenza, jaundice, abdominal pain,
(Kuroo) Pangi Valley: Mohani Hills. liver disorders
11. Verbascum thapsus L. (Ban- Lahaul: Koksar, Keylong, Darcha, Leaf, flower, Astringent, anti-viral, pectoral demulcent, antispasmodic,
tambaaku or Gidar tambaaku) Shasur, Chatru, Udaipur, Trilokinath; seed mild sedative, Poultice, asthma,cold, cough, respiratory
Manali: Solang valley, Rampur, and skin related problems
Rohtang;
Spiti: Pin valley, Kungri, Chatru,
Kaza;
Chamba: Pangi valley, Killar, Hole,
Sachu;
Parvati Valley: Malana, Rudarnar
12. Veronica agrestis L. Manali: Solang velley; Lahaul: Leaf Fodder, dysmenorrhoea and haemorrhage
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Trilokinath.
13. Veronica anagallis aquatica L. Manali: Solang velley Whole plant Potherb, poultice, abdominal or rheumatic pain, fodder
14. Veronica biloba L. Lahaul: Udaipur, Trilokinath, Whole plant Fodder
Keylong; Spiti: Chatru
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 ‘INSIGHT’ an International Journal of Science(ISSN: 2394-0360); Volume 2
-ning areas. Amchis were interviewed to gather
information on the medicinal plants in use, plant
parts used and areas of medicinal plant
collection. Field visits were made with amchis.
Plants were identified by consulting different
floras of the western Himalayan region (e.g.,
Hooker 1884; Aswal and Mehrotra 1994).
RESULTS
Total of 40 medicinal plant species used
by amchis for curing various ailments were
surveyed and documented. These medicinal
plant species were from two families. Family
Labiatae was reported with 26 species (from 13
genus) and family Scrophulariaceae was recorded
with 14 species (8 genus). The following plant
parts were used in preparing medicines: roots,
stems, leaves, flowers and seeds. The leaves were
most commonly used part, followed by flowers,
seed, stem, and roots. The whole plant of 16
species (11 species from Labiatae and 5 species
from Scrophulariaceae) was used by amchis for
therapeutic purposes, leaves in 21(15 sp. of
Labiatae and 6 sp. of Scrophulariaceae) species,
flower in 7 plant species (3 sp. from Labiatae and
4 sp. from Scrophulariaceae) along with the seeds
of 4 species (3 sp. from Labiatae and 1 sp. of
Scrophulariaceae) and root of Picrorhiza kurrooa
was reported to be used mostly (Table 1& 2).
Juice, raw items, paste and decoction of plant
species were the common method of usage.
Maximum number of 12 species (8 sp.
from Labiatae and 4 sp. from Scrophulariaceae)
was recorded to be used in cold and cough; 5
species have the medicinal property against skin
(4 sp. of Labiatae and 1 sp. of Scrophulariaceae),
4 species (2 sp. each from both the families) are
being used in treating eye diseases, other plants of
ethno-medicinal importance have the property for
curing wide range of diseases and disorders
related to digestive system, liver ailments, blood
purification, antibacterial, rheumatism, diseases of
ear and teeth etc. All the observations of ethno-
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botanical uses of plants are listed in table-1 and
table-2. Plant species were rarely uniformly
distributed across the Indian trans-Himalaya and,
thus, most medicinal plants were localized and
restricted to a few localities and habitat types.
DISCUSSION
Medicinal uses of different plants have
been recorded in numerous literatures standing
since ages (Kirtikar and Basu, 1984). Traditional
and indigenous system of medicine persists in all
over the world (Kalita and Bikash, 2004). It is
evident that many valuable herbal drugs have
been discovered by knowing that particular plant
was used by the ancient folk healers for the
treatment of some kind of ailment (Ekka & Dixit,
2007). The present investigation has highlighted
the therapeutic value of some Trans-Himalayan
plant species to cure cold, cough, fever, stomach
problems, kidney disorders, urinogenital
complaints, skin diseases, diarrhoea, nausea,
problems in menstrual cycle etc. Majority of
presently enlisted plants belong to rare,
endangered and threatened category (RET) due to
fragile ecosystems of study area (Kala 1998,
2006). The fragile and rugged nature of the
trans-Himalayan ecosystem has sparse
vegetation, and hence the region appears to be
very poor in terms of biodiversity. The short
growing season due to extreme cold conditions
(which remains under snow from November to
April) further restricts the growth of vegetation
(Aswal and Mehrotra 1994).
Plant material is the major ingredient in
Amchi medicine, together with some animal
products, minerals and salts (Kala 2002). The
Amchi’s (medicine men) are still looking after
more than 60% public health of tribal
communities (Chaurasia and Singh, 1996) and
they are totally depend on natural resources for
collection of plants and their parts (Kala, 2005).
The medicinal plants used in the local health
traditions are gradually becoming extinct due to
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 ‘INSIGHT’ an International Journal of Science(ISSN: 2394-0360); Volume 2
developmental activities, population explosion
and other anthropogenic reasons (Kala and
Manjrekar, 1999, Kala 2006). In order to reverse
this trend, domestication of wild medicinal plants
is of utmost importance. New approaches of
biotechnology and conservation strategy can help
pressure and utilize the indigenous knowledge of
medicinal plants for human kind (Uniyal and
Shiva, 2005). There is a need to manage this
valuable natural resource through ex-situ and in-
situ conservation, together with regular training
courses for amchis, traders, farmers and other
stakeholders on collection and processing of
medicinal plants.
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