MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SIKKIM

 

 

Basic Information

 

                

Species                       : Mahonia nepaulensis DC

Local Name                 : Chutro, Kesari (Nep)

Synonym                     : Berberis nepalaunsis Spreng, B. acanthofolia G.Don.

Family                          : Berberadaceae

Habitat                        : An evergreen shrub. Thrives well in sloping and wet areas.

Distribution        : Distributed in Temperate Himalayas, 1200- 2500 m in Sikkim, 1000- 2600m in West

                                                                                           Bengal, 1200- 2400 m from Garhwal to Bhutan, Khasi hills, 1200-1500 m and 1500- 2400 m

                                                                                           in Nilgiri Hills.

Sikkim            : Yuksom, Soreng, Phosandanda, Bakhim (Yuksom), Eastern slope beyond Chungthang, along Lachung Valley, Yuksom, Dupde Monastry-

                       Pukhari dara, Tikchuk, Timur, Kesari Bala, Chungthang, Lachung valley, Tholung, Gangtok.

Outside        :West Bengal (Rimbik, Tonglu, Labha, Senchel, Sukhia Pokhri, 1000- 2600 m),Khasia hills, Nilgiri hills, Gharwal to Bhutan (Thimpu,

                     Tongsa, Mongar).

General         : Eastern Himalaya (Nepal- Bhutan).

Morphological information

An evergreen shrub 1.2- 3 m high with sparingly branched erect stem upto 20cm diameter. Bark Pale brown, rough and corky. Blaze bright yellow. Leaves pinnate, 18- 45 cm long approximate at the ends of the stout twigs. Leaflets usually 7- 17, 3.8- 16 cm long, ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, base of lateral pairs very oblique, margin coarsely and sharply spinous- toothed, coriaceous, glabrous, shining above with 3- 5 basal nerves prominent beneath. Flowers yellow, 5- 6.5 m long, sweet scented, in dense erect racemes 5- 12.5 cm long fascicled at the tips of the branches. Pedicels 1.25- 4 mm long. Berries 5-10 mm long, ovoid, blue- black, glaucous, style distinct.

Flowering                      : October-December

Fruiting                         :

History                         :

Parts                             : Root and Berries, roots.

 

Ayurvedic                   : The well-known drug  Rasanjara or Rasaut, prepared from certain species of Berberis.

 

Traditional

 The concentrated extract is used in ophthalmic diseases (Nepali System). Medicine for dysentery and urinary troubles. The root yield the yellow dye, the berries is eaten (Tibetan System). The flatulent and fever cases can be cured if the decoction of the stem bark is taken orally.

 


Reference

 

1. Anonymous (1962). The Wealth of India (Vol. 6). Publication and Information directorate CSIR, New Delhi. 225- 226.

2. Bhujel, R.B. (1996). Studies on the Dicotyledonous Flora of Darjeeling District. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis University of North Bengal. 78.

3. Dr. MY Shiva, (1986). Medicinal Plants for Economic Exploitation in Eastern Himalayas, Regional Seminar on Medicinal Plants, North Eastern Region, Guwahati (Assam) 35- 49.

4. Grierson, A.J.C. & D.G. Long (1984). Flora of Bhutan. (Vol. 1, Part 2) Royal Botanic Garden. 328, 327.

5. Stainton, Adam & Oleg Polunin (1987). The Flowers of Himalayas, Oxford University press. 8.

6. Progress Report of the Project "Studies on Medicinal Plants of Sikkim" (1998- 2001). State Council of Science and Technology for Sikkim.