MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SIKKIM

 

 

Basic Information

 

                 

 Species                       : Dichroa febrifuga Lour.

Local Name                  : Aseru, Basak(Nep), Gebokkanak(Lep).

Synonym                     :

Family                          : Hydrangaeceae.

Habitat                       : A shrub thrives best in wet localities and low light conditioning margins of warm broad-

                                                 leaved and evergreen oak forest.

Distribution                : Distributed to subtropical and temperate region.

Sikkim                         : Gangtok, Rumtek, Nayabazar, Sossing, Bakhim, Ranipool, Pakyong, Gyalshing, Pelling, Sangadorjere (Rinchenpong).

Out side                     : Khasia and Shan hills, Nepal to Bhutan, Upper Burma, Malay Peninsula, Malay Archipelago, China. West Bengal (Labha, Kafier,

                                      Kurseong, Darjeeling, Rimbick, Mirik 1500- 2300 m).

General                      : Himalaya, North Assam, Manipur, Myanmar, Thailand, Indo- China, Malaysia, and South China.

Morphological information

A shrub often forming undergrowth in forests, young shoots and inflorescence pubescent with short hairs. Leaves opposite lanceolate, blade 10- 20 cm, tapering into petiole 1.3- 3.5 cm. Flowers pale blue, sometimes violet in terminal cymose panicles, petals 5 or 6, thick, valvate. Ovary 3/4 inferior, ovules indefinite on 3- 5 parietal placentas. Berries bright dark blue.

Flowering                   : May-September.

Fruiting                      : June-December.

History                      :

Parts                         : Roots and leaves.

Status                       : Low risk.

Phytochemistry        : Dichroine isolated from roots.

 

Medicinal

Roots used for prolapsus of uterus and hemorrhage. Also used in diarrhea and dysentery. Root juice decoction and powder with honey is used after delivery and stopping over bleeding in menses, stimulant after exhaustion.In Malaya, Indo- China, and China the stem and leaves are considered an excellent remedy for all kinds of fevers, and the root is given as a tonic.

Shoots and root barks used for preparations of febrifuge, leaf juice applied to body in allergic body itching. The dried leaves are ground to powder and administered orally during fever.

 


Reference

1. Bhujel, R.B. (1996). Studies on the Dicotyledonous Flora of Darjeeling District. \Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of North Bengal. 320.

2. Biswas, K. (1956). Common Medicinal Plants of Darjeeling and the Sikkim Himalayas. M/S Bengal government press, West Bengal. 53.

3. Kirtikar, K.R and Basu, B.D. Indian Medicinal Plants with illustrations (Vol.5). Oriental Enterprises, Rajpur road, Dehradun, Uttranchal. 1388.

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