MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SIKKIM

 

 

Basic Information

 

               

Species                                    : Rheum nobile Hook F. & Thoms

Local Name                              : Padam chal (Nep)

Synonym                                 :

Family                                      : Polygonaceae

Habitat                                    : A pretty shrub 0.9-1.2 m in height. Thrives well in cold region.

Distribution                            : Distributed to alpine region.

Sikkim                                     : Yumthang, Dzongri, Himbase towards Lampokhri (East Sikkim.), Kupup, Nathang, Jalepla, Tamsay, Lhonak valley.

Out side                                  : Nepal, Bhutan.

Morphological information

Root very long, 7.5 cm diameter and under. Stem simple 90-120 an, as thick the wrist below, deeply grooved, densely clothed with reflexed inflated imbricating (downwards) bladder like reticulated bract that conceal the short axillary panicles. Leaves ovate-oblong or rounded, very coriaceous, 30 cm diameter and under, usually edged with red, upper passing into the bracts, base of leaves cuneate or cordate; petiole 5-15 cm, stout, stipules voluminous, 15-20 by 10-15 cm rose-red. Bracts orbicular, 15cm diameter, pale straw coloured, reticulate, decidous in age. Panicles 7.5-10 cm, branched, glabrous. Flowers crowded, 2.5 mm diameter, green. Fruit 6 mm long broadly ovoid, 2-4 winged disk tuberculate.

Flowering                :

Fruiting                   :

History                   :

Parts                      : Root.

Status                    : Endangered.

 

Traditional            : The leaf paste is applied on abdominal pain and on chronic wounds. Root is eaten raw to cure dysentery (Nepali System).

 


Reference

1. Anonymous (1961). The Wealth of India (Vol. 8). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 5.

2. Kirtikar, K.R.; B.D. Basu (1993). Indian Medicinal Plants (Vol. 9). Oriental Enterprises Rajpur Road. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun. 2911.

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

4. Tsarong Tsewang, J. (1994). Indian Medicinal Plants. Published by Tibetan Medicinal Publications, Kalimpong, West Bengal. 20.