Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources Vol. 12(1), March 2021, pp. 84-100 Traditional usage of medicinal plants in humans and animals health care and their chemical constituents from hills and valleys of Jammu province, Western Himalaya Bishander Singh1, Sumit Singh2, Anand Kishor1 and Bikarma Singh3* 1 Department of Botany, Veer Kunwar Singh University, Ara 802301, Bihar, India Biodiversity and Applied Botany Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, Jammu and Kashmir, India 3 Botanic Garden, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India 2 Received 04 May 2020; Revised 10 December 2020 In this work, a systematic attempt to explore the ethnobotanical research on native plants of Jammu province located in Western Himalaya and their phytochemical constituents is presented. The village people use locally available plants to cure frequently occurring diseases in their communities and as a tonic to maintain their health. These plants are also responsible for animal health. The main aim of this research was to establish the botanical knowledge on usages of herbal plants through systematic documentation and identification of the species involved, ecological aspects and how they were used in the biological form. During the investigation, the authors explored the entire territory examining 17 different communities. In total, 226 species of plants categorized in 73 families used by the native inhabitants as plants used in their day-to-day life for health care were observed. Scientific names, localized vernacular name, parts used, mode of usages and reported chemical constituents of particular species are reported in this report. The study indicates the existence of a very strong tie between the local people and these particular plants. While studying, the authors found peculiar uses, species, parts used and recipes, which could be very helpful in developing new formulation for human and animal health care. Keywords: Folklore, Himalaya, Medicinal plants, Phytochemicals. IPC code; Int. cl. (2015.01)- A61K 36/00 Introduction Botanically active medicinal plants (lianas, herbs, shrubs, trees) serve as an indispensable component for human living since they supply a diverse range of chemical ingredients required for metabolic activities1,2. The usage of wild plants as a source of local medicine has been inherited from ancestors and recognized as an imperative constituent of health care in India. Himalayan regions are well-known to supply life-supporting plants to humans. The reason maybe because of the remoteness and inaccessible tough terrain, the local tribal communities residing in the interior regions have largely depended on local plants for their health care3. The northwest Himalaya represents very distinct topographical belts having characteristic climate, geology and unique flora of high valued medicinal and endemic species4-6. Jammu & Kashmir region is home to several mountains and valleys whose altitude ranges from 327 —————— *Correspondent author Email: drbikarma.singh@nbri.res.in, bikarma81@yahoo.co.in to more than 8500 m a.m.s.l. The total forest area for the Jammu division is approximately 9,283 km2 (45.89%), and the population of Jammu in 2011 was 53,50,811(ref 7), with a density of 324 people per km2. The mountainous vegetation includes Himalayan subtropical, temperate broad-leaved, temperate conifers, sub-alpine and alpine forests. Jammu is largely dominated by the ethnic Dogra tribe, which constitutes approximately 47% of the total population; predominant other groups include muslims, kashmiri pandits, pahadis, bakarwals, gujjars, and migrant people from other states of India. The ethnic population constitute nomadic tribes and pastoral communities; they have mastered their indigenous knowledge to combat different diseases of humans as a gift from their ancestors which keeps on passing from generation to generation8. The people have a high reverence for plants since ancient times as a majority of the population lives in villages and they are economically poor. The inhabitants of this area have been dependent on plant resources for medicine, fuel, food, fodder, fibre, timber, and other purposes9. SINGH et al.: TRADITIONAL USAGE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM HIMALAYA The area is under heavy pressure from deforestation and overgrazing which has reduced the regeneration of woody plants10-11. Available published data indicated extensive ethnobotanical assessment work carried out by various ecologist and ethnobiologist from different pockets of Himalaya12-16, especially in Jammu and Kashmir regions17-22. Scattered works have been reported on various tribes from Jammu province23-28. As such, there is very less work reported on indigenous wild plants of Jammu province and therefore, an attempt has been made to provide one place data on medicinal plants growing in Jammu regions and their major active chemical constituents, which would be helpful in research and conservation of valuable plant species. Methodology Study area: Geography and people Jammu province (latitude: 32°17' to 32°55' N, longitude: 75°70' to 76°16' E) in Western Himalaya spreads in a total geographic area of 2651 km2. The region is surrounded by Himachal Pradesh to the east and Punjab to the south. The northern part of the region is situated at the foothills of Himalaya which includes the Shiwalik range. The southern part consists of alluvial plains. The region presents a unique unit for studying the biodiversity (especially medicinal plants) of the north-western Himalayas as the climate of the area ranges from subtropical to alpine. Forest types include (a) northern dry mixed deciduous forest (altitudinal variation of 300-1200 m; annual rainfall and temperature ranges from 900-1500 mm and 18-27 °C; common plant species found in this forest are Bombax ceiba L., Cassia fistula L., Phyllanthus emblica L., Senegalia catechu (L.f.) P. J. H. Hurter & Mabb. and Senegalia modesta (Wall.) P. J. H. Hurter, (b) dry deciduous scrub (altitudinal variation of 350-1300 m; annual rainfall ranges from 900-1150 mm; common plant species found are Carissa spinarum L., Euphorbia royleana Boiss. and Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr., (c) lower shiwalik chir pine forest (elevation of 500-1000 m; annual rainfall ranges from 900-2000 mm; common plant species found in this forest area are Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mull.Arg., Pinus roxburghii Sarg., Terminalia chebula Retz., Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.), (d) upper Himalayan chir pine forest (altitudinal variation of 1200-1800 m; annual rainfall ranges from 900-2500 m; common plant species 85 found in this forest are Pinus roxburghii, Quercus oblongata D. Don, Rubus idaeus L., Rubus ellipticus Sm., (e) moist deodar forest (elevation of 1700-2500 m; annual rainfall ranges from 1100-1800 mm; common plant species found are Berberis lycium Royle, Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D. Don) G. Don, Fragaria nubicola (Lindl. ex Hook.f.) Lacaita, Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jacks, Viburnum grandiflorum Wall. ex DC.), (f) moist temperate deciduous forest (elevation of 2000-2800 m; annual rainfall ranges from 1800-2700 mm; common species found in these forests are Acer caesium Wall. ex Brandis, Betula utilis D. Don, Digitalis purpurea L., Plantago major L., Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, (g) deciduous alpine scrub (altitudinal variation of 2900-3700 m; mostly covered with snow most of the year; common plant species found in this region are Betula utilis D. Don, Phlomoides bracteosa (Royle ex Benth.) Kamelin & Makhm., Salix alba L., Salvia hians Royle ex Benth, Stachys sericea Cav. The area is rich in biodiversity and ethno-botanically less explored29-30. The objective of the research was the assessment and preservation of cultural and traditional knowledge of the medicinal plants of the area. Due to this, many researchers are attracted towards these regions to explore ethnoveterinary31 and ethnomedicinal knowledge32 possessed by the locals. Keeping these things in mind, the present study was undertaken to document ethnomedicinal plants of the Jammu region. Surveys, data collection and analysis Field trips were conducted to inventorize the plant species in different regions of Jammu province (viz., Jasrota, Budhi, Nagrota, Patnitop, Sanasar, Chelak, Nandini, Bani, Billawar, Uttarbehni and their adjoining areas), to document traditional knowledge, and collect plant samples. During the field survey, information regarding the local names of plant and usages of the plant species were recorded with the help of local inhabitants. The socio-economic and ethnobotanical information of the people was recorded through interviews and questionnaire from shopkeepers, local hakims, tribals and farmers. Traditional and herbal medicine practitioners have also been consulted for gathering ethnomedicinal information on the plant species of the area. Each of the plant materials was investigated and their scientific name, local name, family, part used, method of use, folk claims and mode of administration for a particular disease were identified. Plant specimens were identified using keys and regional floras such as 86 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2021 Flora of Jammu and Plants of Neighbourhood33, Flora of Trikuta Hills34, Flora of Udhampur35, Illustration of Jammu Plants36, and Handbook of Medicinal Herbs37. For proper authentication, Janaki Ammal Herbarium (acronym RRLH) of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (Jammu) and Herbarium of Department of Botany, University of Jammu were consulted; web-based taxonomic database ‘The Plant List’ (www.theplantlist.org) and Kew Botanical Garden (mpns.kew.org) were also referred for proper and correct updated nomenclature. All the plant specimens were accessioned and are available at Janaki Ammal Herbarium. For phytochemical Investigation, major chemical constituents present in plants were worked out from published literature, SciFinder (https://sso.cas.org). Results and Discussions The entire territory of Jammu province examining 7 different communities with emphasis on ethnic tribe and subtribe belonging to dogra, pahadis, bakarwals and gujjars were explored. During the study, 38 local herbal practitioners were interviewed residing in 10 villages coming under Jammu regions and found that only 19 informants (3 female and 16 male) possessed maximum information on traditional usages of local plants growing in their regions. It was observed that in a particular community, only one or two people has ethnobotanical knowledge. However, after consulting people, it was found that people living in the surrounding of the herbal man also possessed knowledge of a few plants. People who practice traditional medicine were not very educated and the maximum education level was up to matric (their age ranged between 57-70 years); however, their children had college-level education. Therefore, it can be said that older informants usually had greater knowledge of ethnomedicinal plant species locally available than younger age people. This study is in line with reported ethnobotanical surveys which revealed that local medical knowledge bearers are mostly illiterate, poor, and lived rural-based livelihood38-40. A total of 226 plant species belonging to 184 genera and 73 families were identified to be used as ethnomedicinally important plants in Jammu province (Table 1, Fig. 1). In total, herbs represented 126 species (55.75%) as the dominant life-form, followed by 53 species of trees (23.45%), 38 species of shrubs (16.81%) and 9 species of climbers (3.98%). Different percentages of the plant parts, such as root, stem, leaves, bark, and fruit, were used by the local inhabitants as a source of medicine (Table 2). Leaves of 95 plant species were used as medicine. Achyranthes aspera L., Ageratum conyzoides L. and Barleria cristata L. are the common species whose leaves were frequently used as a source of medicines, while Abies pindrow (Royle ex D. Don) Royle and Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze is recorded here as the uncommon plants whose leaves are used as medicine. Roots of 45 plant species were used as a remedy for various ailments. Abrus precatorius L., Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth., Amaranthus spinosus L. Fig. 1 — Ethnobotanical investigation and collection of plant samples. a-b) Collection of data, c) Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb., d) Potential nepalensis Hook., e) Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D. Don) G. Don, f) Taxacum campylodes F. H. Wigg. SINGH et al.: TRADITIONAL USAGE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM HIMALAYA 87 Table 1 — Local herbal medicinal plants and their major chemical constituents growing in Kathua, J&K Province (India) Scientific Name Vernacular name Part used Habit Medicinal uses Brassicaceae Arabis alpina L. Pahari sabji Lvs H Barbarea intermedia Boreau Nasturtium officinale W.T.Aiton Berberidaceae Berberis lycium Royle Jungli sasoo Lvs H Fresh leaf juice used for heart Dicamba, glufosinate, glyphosate, fatty diseases. acids, sinigrin. Cure fresh cuts and wounds. Glucosinolates, apigenin, flavonoids. Jal-indushoor Wp H Used for chronic stomach illness. Kavelli Wp S Cure jaundice. Sinopodophyllum hexandrum (Royle) T. S. Ying Ban kakkdi Rh H Alkaloids, berberine, tannins, saponins, flavonoids. Taken as an intestinal Lignin glycosides, podophyllotoxin, purgative. Rhizomes poisonous podophyllic acid and picropodophyllin, when taken by mouth. α-peltalin, β-peltalin. Capparaceae Crateva adansonii DC. Baml Ba T Liver stimulant and laxative. Menispermaceae Cissampelos pareira L. Battal bel Rt C Act as antidote to snake poison. St H Sd H Treat skin inflammations. Wp H Taken to cure digestive problems. Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Giloi Merr. Papaveraceae Argemone mexicana L. Peeli kandiyari Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) Pit pappada Pugsley Ranunculaceae Caltha palustris L. Panjali Kanval Rt, Fl and H Sd Clematis buchananiana Berkellu DC. Clematis gouriana Roxb. Total ex DC. Ranunculus distans D.Don Chim Wp S Wp C Wp H Ranunculus laetus Wall. ex Kandira Hook.f. & J.W.Thomson Thalictrum virgatum Shwetambara Hook.f & Thomson Violaceae Viola canescens Wall. Vanaksha Lvs H Rt H Wp H Viola odorata L. Banfsha Wp H Flacourtiaceae Flacourtia indica (Burm.f) Merr. Kakkoya Fr S Major chemical constituents Glucosinolates, flavonoids, carotenes. Astragalin, linolenic acid, lupeol, nicotinic acid, oleic acid, rutin. Root extract contains terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, amino acid proteins, and carbohydrates. Act as anti-diabetic, hair tonic Benzoin, camphor, palmatine, and brain tonic. alkaloids. Alkaloids, berberine, flavonoids, tannins. Alkaloids, protopine, flavonoids, tannins, bilirubin. Applied to cure skin problems Carotenes, fatty acids, polysaccharides, such as cuts and boils. phosphates, gondoic acid, magnoflorine. Cure scabies. Chamazulene. Paste applied to cure skin cancer. Act as stimulant, diuretic and also used to cureskin infections. Applied on wounds, scabies and leucoderma. Cure toothache. Ascorbic acid, humic acids, riboflavin, alkaloids, camphor, carvone. Gibberellins, konjac, simethicone. Flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, saponins, tannins, terpenes. Citric acid. Decoction taken to treat chest Saponins, alkaloids, bilirubin, rutin. pain. Cure cough, asthma and fever. Linalool, flavonoids, saponins, geraniol. Fresh fruits cure jaundice. Flavonoids, alkaloids, fatty acids, hirsutrin. (Contd.) INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2021 88 Table 1 — Local herbal medicinal plants and their major chemical constituents growing in Kathua, J&K Province (India) (Contd.) Scientific Name Vernacular name Part used Habit Medicinal uses Caryophyllaceae Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Koku Wp H Applied as plaster on swellings NA and broken bones. Dupahar raja Lvs H Taken as diutretic vegetable. Betacyanins, betalains, betanin. Hypericaceae Hypericum perforatum L. Bankehdi Wp C Act as diuretic and antihelmintic. Hypericin, hyperforin, quercetin, rutin, flavonoids. Malvaceae Bombax ceiba L. Simbal Rt and Fr T Pulla Baddi beryaad Lvs and Ba T Wp H Demehdi Rt and Lvs H Cure fever and urinary problems. Glutathione, alkaloids, caffeic acid, flavonoids, gallic acid, glycosides, saponins. Wp Wp Used against renal disorders. Taken in toothache. Tannins, glycerine, sorbitol. Herniarin, tannins, anthraquinone, aurone, camphene, carotenes. Lvs and Fl H Treat pain in joints. Flavonoids, gallic acid, kaempferol. Fr T Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenes. Murraya koenigii (L.) Kuddy patta Spreng. Skimmia laureola Franch. Katurcharu Lvs S Used in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea, dysentery and ulcers. Cure diabetic problems. Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Timbru Wp S Meliaceae Azadirachta indica A.Juss. Neem Lvs T Melia azedarach L. Draink Ba and Lvs T Rhamnaceae Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Badi Ber Sd, Ft and T Ba Lvs and Fr T Used for anxiety, insomnia. Lvs Cure wounds and swellings. Portulacaceae Portulaca grandiflora Hook. Kydia calycina Roxb. Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Garcke Sida cordata (Burm.f) Borss. Waalk. Geraniaceae Geranium nepalense Sweet Baanda Geranium wallichianum D. Laal jehari Don ex Sweet. Balsaminaceae Impatiens balfourii Hook.f. Gulmehandi Rutaceae Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa Bael Ziziphus oxyphylla Edgew. Choodi Beri Sapindaceae Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. Santha Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambess.) Hook. Ban khodi H H Ba and Lvs S S Sd and Fr T Major chemical constituents Act as stimulant, fruit are used Flavonoids, tannins, fatty acids, lupeol. to treat kidney ulcer. Cure body pains. Linoleic acid, linoleic acid. Cure dysentery. Alkaloids, saponins, phenolic, tannins Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, linalool. Cure swellings and joint pain. Linalool, geraniol, limonene, sabinene, vermiculite. Used in fever; fruits and Linalool, limonene, flavonoids. branches used for toothache. Act as insect repellent. Azadirachtin, limonoids, flavonoids, tannins. Used for skin troubles, leaves Matrine. are antiseptic. Triterpenic acids, flavonoids, cerebrosides Cure pain, diabetes and fever. Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, tannins. Flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids. Extracted oil used externally in Starch, aescin, aesculin, fatty acids. rheumatic complaints. (Contd.) SINGH et al.: TRADITIONAL USAGE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM HIMALAYA 89 Table 1 — Local herbal medicinal plants and their major chemical constituents growing in Kathua, J&K Province (India) (Contd.) Scientific Name Vernacular name Part used Habit Medicinal uses Major chemical constituents Used for skin diseases and stomachache. Galls used in asthma. Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponin. Decoction used in cough and cold, colic pain and rheumatism. Cures mouth ulcer. Flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins. Anacardiaceae Lannea coromandelica Mohin (Houtt.) Merr. Pistacia chinensis Bunges Kakkad sindi Lvs and Bark Ga T Fabaceae Abrus precatorius L. Rt C Senegalia catechu (L.f.) P. Khair J. H. Hurter & Mabb. Senegalia rugata (Lam.) Shikakai Britton & Rose (Willd.) DC. Senegalia modesta Wall. Phalai Wd T Lvs S Treat jaundice and constipation. Saponins, flavonoids. Ba T Act as astringent. Vachellia nilotica (L.) Babul P. J. H. Hurter & Mabb. Albizia chinensis (Osbeck) Oola Merr. Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. Sareen Ba T Cure skin diseases. Ba T Applied on cuts and wounds. Rt T Argyrolobium roseum Jaub Makhni buti & Spach. Bauhinia variegata L. Kachnar Wp H Root powder used as gum tonner. Used as anti-diabetic Tannins, fatty acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, linoleic acid. Tannins, phenols, flavonoids, gallic acid, alkaloids, saponins. Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins. Flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, fatty acids. Carbohydrates, flavonoids, gallic acid. Ba and Rt T Cure asthma and ulcers. Butea monosperma (Lam.) Palah Kuntze Cassia fistula L. Amaltas Lvs and Fl T Used as tonic, flowers as diuretic and antiseptic. Act as laxative. Ratti T Fatty acids, linoleic acid. Sesame oil, camphor, catechin, tannins. Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins. Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins. Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins. Emodin, flavonoids, tannins, saponins. Senna occidentalis (L.) Link Chamaecrista mimosoides (L.) Greene Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ex DC. Ototropis elegans (DC.) H.Ohashi & K.Ohashi Indigofera heterantha Wall. ex Brandis Indigofera articulata Gouan Lespedeza juncea (L.f.) Pers. Robinia pseudoacacia L. Senna tora (L.) Roxb. Badi aedma Lvs, Rt andT Sd Lvs and Sd T Patwa ghaas Lvs Shisham Rt and Wd T Motha Rt S Sakhini Lvs S Neeli Wp S Bhaisaanoi Rt H Extract given in epilepsy and Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, nervous disorders. saponins. Treat diarrhoea and dysentery. Citric acid. Locust Aedma T H Act as diuretic, laxative. Flavonoids, citric acid. Dried fruits used as a purgative NA. Trifolium pratense L. Tripatra Fl Lvs, Sd and Rt Wp H Used as anti-inflammatory, sedative. Genistein, isoflavones, daidzein. Rosaceae Fragaria vesca L. Strawberry Lvs and Fr H Anthocyanins, flavonoids. Potentilla reptans L. Hebre Wp Act as diuretic, laxative and tonic. Used as anti-spasmodic and astringent. S H Act as purgative. Applied to treat skin problems. Flavonoids. Cure leprosy and against vomiting. Used as analgesic and antiinflammatory. Act as anti-microbial. Tannins, carbohydrates, dalbergin. Resins, alkaloids, behenic acid. Flavonoids, eupalitin. Hydrolysable tannins, proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and triterpenes (Contd.) INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2021 90 Table 1 — Local herbal medicinal plants and their major chemical constituents growing in Kathua, J&K Province (India) (Contd.) Scientific Name Prinsepia utilis Royle Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don Rosa moschata Herrm. Rubus ellipticus Sm. Rubus idaeus L. Saxifragaceae Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. Araliaceae Hedera nepalensis K. Koch Vernacular name Part used Habit Medicinal uses Bhikal Sd S Oil applied in rheumatism. Kainth Fr T Used for conjunctivitis. Kareer Akhre Choti akhre Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz. H Used to cure fevers, diarrhoea Bergenin, tannins, flavonoids, gallic and cough as astringent. acid. Karuri C Act as stimulant. Glycerol. Used to treat liver disorder, respiratory problems. Act as laxative, astringent. Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids. Ba and Sd T Used to cure diarrhoea, diabetes and asthma. Flavonoids, tannins, gallic acid. Anar Rt and Fr S Ellagic acid, citric acid. Dhai Lvs S Used in dysentery and diarrhoea. Taken as tonic and to cure headache. Rt C Cure urinary infections. Lvs C Cure inflammation. Flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, fatty acids. Flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, terpenes. Cucurbitaceae Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Murella Willd. Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Amantamul Gandhi Caprifoliaceae Valeriana jatamansi Jones ex Mushkbala Roxb. Adoxaceae Viburnum grandiflorum Wall ex DC. Rubiaceae Galium aparine L. Rubia cordifolia L. Asteraceae Ageratum conyzoides L. Anaphalis busua (Buch.Ham) DC. Anaphalis contorta (D.Don) Hook.f. Anaphalis nepalensis (Spreng.) Hand.- Mazz. Anaphalis nubigena DC. Used in eye infections. NA Act as astringent and febrifuge. Flavonoids. Cure gastrointestinal disorders Ellagic acid, flavonoids. and diarrhoea. Zakhme ae hayat Rt Combretaceae Terminalia bellirica Bheda (Gaertn.) Roxb. Terminalia chebula Retz. Arhad Myrtaceae Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. Jamun Lythraceae Punica granatum L. Rt S Fr and Rt S Lvs S Major chemical constituents Glycerol, citric acid, fatty acids. Flavonoids, ascorbic acid, tannins. Lvs Lvs and Fr T Lvs and Fr T Tannins, gallic acid, flavonoids. Tannins, gallic acid, flavonoids. Rt and Ol H Cure nervous unrest. Camphene, limonene. Khlana Fr S Used as laxative and blood purifier. Betulin, flavonoids, alkaloids. Khoorti Majith Wp Lvs H H Juice taken as diuretic. Applied for skin diseases. Dicamba, atrazine, linuron. Mollugin, purpurin. Neeli jhadi Bukiful Lvs Lvs H H Juice useful in proplepsis. Flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins. Cure wounds, cuts and bruises. Arbutin, copaene, cubenol, ellagic acid. Bukiful Fl H Used to cure joint pains Terpenes, linalool, nerol, limonene. Chora Lvs H Used to treat jaundice. NA. Chora Lvs H Aristolene, cubitene, decane. Lvs H Used for treatment of skin diseases. Used for eye infections. Anaphalis triplinervis (Sims) Bukiful Sims ex C.B. Clarke Furanol. (Contd.) SINGH et al.: TRADITIONAL USAGE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM HIMALAYA 91 Table 1 — Local herbal medicinal plants and their major chemical constituents growing in Kathua, J&K Province (India) (Contd.) Scientific Name Aster molliusculus (Lindl. ex DC.) C.B.Clarke Bidens biternata (Lour.) Merr. & Sherff Blumea lacera (Burm.f.) DC. Cirsium wallichii DC. Vernacular name Part used Habit Paharful Wp H Conyza pinnatifida (Thunb.) Less. Elephantopus scaber L. Erigeron bonariensis L. Galinsoga parviflora Cav. Chirchitta Rt and Lvs H Kakronda Rt and Lvs H Bungsee Lvs and Fl H Ghoraghas Lvs H Gojialata Ragwed Hameng shampakpi Gerbera gossypina (Royle) Kupheru Beauverd Gynura angulosa (Wall.) Terapaibi DC. Himalaiella heteromalla Batola (D.Don) Raab-Straube Jacobaea vulgaris Gaertn. Ragwort Parthenium hysterophorus Gajar ghaas L. Sigesbeckia orientalis L. Chaccheda Lvs Lvs Lvs H H H Lvs H Sonchus arvensis L. Spilanthes acmella (L.) L. Akarkar Rt, la and H Lvs Wp H Tagetes minuta L. Bangutti Fl H Taraxacum campylodes Bathur G.E.Haglund Tridax procumbens (L.) L. Ghamra Rt H Doodhli Ericaceae Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Allan Drude Rhododendron arboreum Burans Sm. Primulaceae Anagallis arvensis L. Dhaanri St and Lvs H Lvs, Sd and Rt Lvs Wp H Wp H H H Lvs and Fl H Lvs T Medicinal uses Major chemical constituents Used for the relief of cough Carvacrol, geraniol, terpenes, thymol. and diuretic. Anthelmintic and used for Caffeine, flavonoids, hyperin. skin diseases. Used as anti-pyretic, diuretic Flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins. and anti-helmintic. Used as anti-bacterial, antiFumaric acid, luteolin. fungal and anti-oxidant. Used for inflammatory related Citric acid, flavonoids. problems. Used to treat asthma, cough. Brucite, quercitrin. Used for urinary tract infection.Quercitrin, camphene. Treatment of stings and skin Linuron, prometryn. inflammation. Used for blood related NA disorders. Treating wounds, headache. NA Leave paste applied on NA wounds. Treat skin disorders. Jaconine, erucifoline. Treat skin inflammation, Parthenin, flavonoids. rheumatic pain and diarrhoea. Used as diaphoretic, Caffeic acid, camphor. cardiotionic. Used in cough, bronchitis and Glyphosate, quercetin, simazine. asthma. Used as anti-inflammatory, Limonene, myrcene. antioxidant and insecticidal. Used in stomachic, diuretic and Limonene, sabinene, linalool. diaphoretic. As diuretic and chronic Hypericin, hyperoside. disorders. Treatment of boils and Flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, blisters. saponins. Cure skin disorders. Astilbin, glycosides, hyperoside. Lvs and Fl T As astringent, headache. Flavonoids, alkaloids, quercetin, terpenes. Wp As antidote for poison. H Saponins, metribuzin, flavonoids, alkaloids. Used for anxiety and insomnia. Triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids. Used for anxiety. NA Primula denticulata Sm. Jalkutre Primula floribunda Wall. Pahari jadi Lvs and Fl H Lvs and Fl H Myrsinaceae Myrsine africana L. Googly Fr and Lvs S Decoction used as blood purifier. Oleaceae Jasminum humile L. Sanairad Fl and Rt S Dhood malti Rt and Fl S Used for preparation of tonics Rutin, alumen, boric acid. and to cure ringworm problem. As antidote for snake bite and Linalool, farnesol. for ulcers. Jasminum multiflorum (Burm.f.) Andrews Flavonoids, alkaloids, capsaicin, embelin. (Contd.) INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2021 92 Table 1 — Local herbal medicinal plants and their major chemical constituents growing in Kathua, J&K Province (India) (Contd.) Scientific Name Vernacular name Olea ferruginea Wall. ex Kouw Aitch. Apocynaceae Calotropis procera (Aiton) Desi akk W.T.Aiton Carissa spinarum L. Garna Part used Habit Lvs and Ba T Medicinal uses Used as antipyretic. La As antidote to scorpion sting. Flavonoids, tannins, saponins. Nerium oleander L. Wp S Rt H Karu Wp H Treating fever, diabetes and high blood pressure. Flavonoids, glycosides. Neelkanth Rt H Used to treat digestive disorders Flavonoids, glycosides, kinetin. Fr T As diuretic and antihelmenthic. Tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides. Rt C Cure inflammation. NA Wp Wp Fr Wp S S C H Alkaloids, atropine, tropine. Alkaloids, atropine, tropine. Alkaloids, flavonoids. Paraquat, alachlor, lactofen. Choti kateri Wp H Bhiru Wp H Effective for pain relief. Cure asthma. Act as analgesic. Juice taken to cure ulcer and skin diseases. Used in bronchitis, cough and constipation. Used in treatment of epilepsy. Scrophulariaceae Verbascum thapsus L. Giddar Tambaku Lvs H Used for asthma and sore throat. Linoleic acid, aucubin. Acanthaceae Barleria cristata L. Barleria prionitis L. Kali barenked Kanda Barenker Lvs and Rt S Lvs and Rt H Cure toothache. Taken in cough. Khagri jadi Wp H Extract used as tonic. Flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides. Barlerin, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides. Alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids. Barenkar Lvs S Used in bronchial disorders. Lvs Lvs H H Treatment of small pox. Used for inflammatory disorders. Panjfulli Wp S Decoction given in tetanus, rheumatism and malaria. Linalool, flavonoids, sabinene. Neel kanth Lvs and Fl H Used in local herbal formulations. Flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, diterpenes. (Contd.) Ganira Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Sarpgandha Benth. ex Kurz Gentianaceae Gentiana argentea (Royle ex D.Don) Royle ex D.Don Gentiana kurroo Royle Boraginaceae Cordia dichotoma Lasuda G.Forst. Convolvulaceae Argyreia thomsonii Vridhadaru (C. B. Clarke) Babu Solanaceae Datura innoxia Mill. Datura Datura stramonium L. Datura Physalis angulata L. Ban tipariya Solanum americanum Mill. Kayan kothi Solanum surattense Burm.f. Solanum virginianum L. Dicliptera bupleuroides Nees Justicia adhatoda L. Rungia pectinata (L.) Nees Pindi Strobilanthes wallichii Kandali Nees Verbenaceae Lantana camara L. Lamiaceae Ajuga integrifolia Buch.Ham. ex D.Don S Lvs and Rt S Major chemical constituents Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, carotenes, ccitric acid. Decoction used to get relief Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids. from fever. Used as anti-helmintic, Glycosides, flavonoids. stomachic, diuretic Used for high blood pressure, Alkaloids, reserpine, ajmaline, tannin. fever and snake bite. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins. Alkaloids. Alkaloids, vasicine, flavonoids, tannins. Biformin. Carbamide, taurine. SINGH et al.: TRADITIONAL USAGE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM HIMALAYA 93 Table 1 — Local herbal medicinal plants and their major chemical constituents growing in Kathua, J&K Province (India) (Contd.) Scientific Name Vernacular name Colebrookea oppositifolia Dussa Sm. Isodon rugosus (Wall. Khwangere jungli ex Benth.) Codd Isodon japonicus (Burm.f.) Khwangere H.Hara Leucas ciliata Benth. Chota halkusa Part used Habit Lvs S Mentha longifolia (L.) L. Jungli pudina Lvs H Nepeta lamiopsis Benth. ex Hook. f. Origanum vulgare L. Dachcha Lvs H Ban tulsi Wp H Salvia plebeia R.Br. Sokh Sd H Scutellaria discolor Colebra. Thymus serpyllum L. Thymus vulgaris L. Nilli Lvs H Ajvain Jangli ajwain Ol H Lvs and Fl H Vitex negundo L. Banna Rt and Fl S Plantaginaceae Plantago himalaica Pilg. Ashvkarn Lvs Plantago lanceolata L. Bumnu gha Lvs and Rt H Used for cough and asthma. Acetoside, alpinoside, astilbin, ferulic acid. Aucubin, catalpol, acetoside, glycosides, zinc, phosphorus, potassium. Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia diffusa L. Saandthi Rt H Used as diuretic, laxative, asthma. Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins. Amaranthaceae Achyranthes aspera L. Puthkanda Lvs H Lvs H Fresh leaves applied externally Saponins, alkaloids, tannins. on scorpion stings. Treating diabetes and malaria. Alkaloids, carotenes, flavonoids. Ouret sanguinolenta (L.) Nuriya Blume Alternanthera sessilis (L.) Garundi R.Br. ex DC. Amaranthus spinosus L. Chaleri Lvs and Fl S Lvs Lvs and Fl H H Lvs and Fl H Rt and Lvs H Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium album L. Bathu Lvs Dysphania ambrosioides Sugandha Vastuka Lvs (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants Polygonaceae Bistorta officinalis Delarbre Fagopyrum esculentum Moench S H H Bistorti Rt and St H Kotu Lvs H Medicinal uses Cure wounds. Major chemical constituents Alkaloids, fatty acids, flavonoids, saponins. Taken for toothace and gastric NA. pain. Used for treatment of stomach Oridonin, isodonal, nodosin, kauranes. cancer. Act as anti-fungal, anti-oxidant Leucine, glycine, fatty acids. and anti-microbial. Used as carminative. Leaf juice Limonene, menthone, myrcene, act as cooling and stomachic. sabinene. As diuretic, diaphoretic, anti- Linalool. asthmatic. Used as anti-fungal, antiCarvacrol, thymol, linalool. inflammatory and anti-oxidant. Cure diarrhoea. Caryophyllene oxide, γ-eudesmol, τcadinol, calamenene, copaene, γcadinene, cadalene, α- muurolene, ledol and α-cadinol. Treatment of wounds. Flavonoids, chrysin, scutevulin. Used for skin related problems. Thymol, carvacrol, linalool, myrcene. Used for diarrhoea, stomach Thymol, carvacrol, linalool, thyme oil. ache. Used as tonic, diuretic and Flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, helpful in rheumatism. saponins. Applied on wounds. Treatment of hepatitis, tight chest and asthma. Boiled roots and leaves given to children. Flavonoids, carotenes, tannins, alkaloids. Flavonoids, amino acids, starch, tannins. Get relief from stomach pains. Metribuzin, dicamba, bentazone. Cure malaria and cholera. NA Taken for digestion problems, NA. diarrhoea. Used to lower blood pressure. Flavonoids and rutin. roots excrete formic, acetic, citric and oxalic acids. fruit contains proteins, saccharides, lipids, fiber, vitamins and minerals. (Contd.) INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2021 94 Table 1 — Local herbal medicinal plants and their major chemical constituents growing in Kathua, J&K Province (India) (Contd.) Scientific Name Vernacular name Persicaria amplexicaulis Fireteil (D.Don) Ronse Persicaria barbata (L.) Jal nadi H.Hara Persicaria capitata (Buch.- Jungli julabi jadi Ham ex D.Don) H. Gross Persicaria glabra (Willd.) Sherul M. Gomez Persicaria maculosa Gray Smartweed Persicaria nepalensis Ratnaulo (Meisn.) H.Gross Rumex dentatus L. Jungli palak Part used Habit Rt H Medicinal uses Cure stomach disorders. Rt and Sd H Extract used for washing ulcers. As anti-bacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory. Used against fever. Rumex hastatus D. Don Lvs H Lvs H Major chemical constituents Quercetin and kaempferol 3-O-(5″-Omalonyl)-α-l-arabinofuranosides NA. Gallic acid, quercetin, flavonoids, formic acid, hirsutrn, rutin. Avicularin, ellagic acid, flavonoids, gallic acid. Acetic acid. NA. Lvs and St H Lvs H Act as diaphoretic. Used as anti-fungal. Rt H Emodin, flavonoids, alkaloids. Ambavati Lvs H Rumex obtusifolius L. Dock Lvs H Treatment of cutaneous disorders. Applied to cure wounds and cuts. Cure wounds, blisters and burns. Piperaceae Peperomia tetraphylla (G. Forst.) Hook. & Arn. Charpati Wp H Treatment of skin diseases, cough and asthma. Vanillic acid. Dalchini Ol T Treatment of itchiness and skin Fatty acids, lauric acid, linoleic acid, disorders. oleic acid, palmitic acid. Sangulu Rt and Lvs S Cure cutaneous infection. Doodhli Bara dhudi Wp Wp H H La S T Act as antihelmintic. Flavonoids, fatty acids. Cure female disorders, cough Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and asthma. saponins. As anti-helmintic and Triterpenes. carthartic. Act as anti-helmintic, cathartic. Flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, steroids. Used as anti-oxidant, antiTannins, gallic acid, flavonoids. inflammatory. Used to cure epilepsy, Saponins, fatty acids, citric acid. cholorosis. Cure cutaneous troubles. NA. Lauraceae Neolitsea umbrosa (Nees) Gamble Thymelaeaceae Daphne papyracea Wall. ex G. Don Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia helioscopia L. Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbia royleana Boiss. Thor Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mull.Arg. Phyllanthus emblica L. Kamla Fr Amla Lvs and Fr T Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. Triadica sebifera (L.) Small Urticaceae Boehmeria macrophylla Hornem. Pouzolzia rugulosa (Wedd.) Acharya & Kravtsova Debregeasia saeneb (Forrssk.) Hepper & J.R.I. Wood Pilea scripta (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) Wedd. Urtica dioica L. Rethan Fr Tarr charbi Sd, Ba and T Re Shimago Lvs H Githa Lvs H Puruni Ulmaceae Celtis australis L. T Flavonoids, rutin, emodin, physcion. Flavonoids. NA. Taken as tonic to cure boils and dermatitis problems. Used to treat diabetes. Alkaloids, alloxan, flavonoids, glycosides. NA. Ba and Lvs S Act as anti-fungal. Phytic acid, tannins. Chujli gaas Lvs H Cure diabetes. Saponins. Bicchu buti Wp H Applied as remedy in treatment Fatty acids, flavonoids. of arthritis. Khadak Fr T Used for treatment of stomache. Tannin, gallic acid, apigenin. (Contd.) SINGH et al.: TRADITIONAL USAGE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM HIMALAYA 95 Table 1 — Local herbal medicinal plants and their major chemical constituents growing in Kathua, J&K Province (India) (Contd.) Scientific Name Cannabaceae Cannabis sativa L. Vernacular name Part used Habit Medicinal uses Bhaang Wp S Act as sedative and analgesic. Cannabidiol Moraceae Ficus benghalensis L. Borh Lvs T Ficus palmata Forssk. Phugada Fr T Used as ulcer protective, leprosy and and fever. Used as laxative. Ficus religiosa L. Peepal Ba and Lvs T As astringent and leaves applied for skin diseases. Akhrot Ba and Lvs T Act as antihelmintic. Burj Ba and Tw T Oil extracted used to treat joint Betulin, triterpenes, flavonoids, pain. alkaloids. Banjh Lvs T Used to cure indigestion diarrhoea in children. Flavonids. Kakkoya Fr T Cure jaundice. Chloroquine, flavonoids, alkaloids Populus Chitta baida Ba Ba T T Act as anti-pyretic. NA. Used as antiperoidic, decoction Salicin. given in rheumatism. Juglandaceae Juglans regia L. Betulaceae Betula utilis D.Don Fagaceae Quercus oblongata D.Don Salicaceae Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) Merr. Populus alba L. Salix alba L. Pinaceae Abies pindrow (Royle ex Raas D.Don) Royle Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex Deodar D.Don) G.Don Juniperus squamata Buch.- Chir Ham. ex D.Don Picea smithiana (Wall.) Toos Boiss. Pinus roxburghii Sarg. Chir Pinus wallichiana Kail A.B.Jacks. Taxaceae Taxus baccata L. Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins. Flavonoids, tannins, catechin, gallic acid. Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids. Citric acid, fatty acids. Lvs and Ba T Used in bronchitis and asthma. Flavonoids. Ba T Ol T Re T Useful in fevers, dysentery and Flavonoids, sesquiterpenes. diarrhoea. Act as carminative, diuretic. Cedrol, limonene, sesquiterpenes, myrcene. Cure cracks of heels and Camphene, limonene, flavonoids. wounds. Used to cure joint pain. Terpinolene. Applied for skin disorders, Limonene, camphene, flavonoids, wounds, sores. myrcene. Ol T Ba and Ol T Lvs T Cure asthma, cough and indigestion. Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea deltoieda Wall. Kill dhari ex Griseb. Wp H Juice used to treat roundworm. Diosgenin, benzopyrene. Asparagaceae Asparagus adscendens Roxb. Sainsmaya Tu H Act as cooling and diaphoretic Saponins, flavonoids, camphor. effect. Kana Wp H Ghasful Wp H Used as diuretic, febrifugal and Glyphosate, diuron. anti-inflammatory. Used to treat bleeding, NA. diarrhoea and fever. Khajur Rt and Fr T Commelinaceae Commelina benghalensis L. Commelina communis L. Aeraceae Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb. Barmi Major chemical constituents Alkaloids. Cure toothace, and also source Flavonoids. of vitamins. (Contd.) INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2021 96 Table 1 — Local herbal medicinal plants and their major chemical constituents growing in Kathua, J&K Province (India) (Contd.) Scientific Name Arisaema jacquemontii Blume Vernacular name Part used Habit Sarp Tu H Medicinal uses Major chemical constituents Used as wormicide for animals.Triterpenes, ellagitanins. Acoraceae Acorus calamus L. Braiyaan Rh H Act as carminative, stimulant Camphor. and tonic. Cyperaceae Cyperus alulatus J. Kern Jadi Rh H Cyperus rotundus L. Eriophorum comosum (Wall.) Nees Poaceae Arundo donax L. Nutghas Phurkejhar Wp H Lvs and Rt H As astringent, diuretic, NA. analgesic. Act as diaphoretic, analgesic. NA Used in treatment of diarrhoea. NA. Nard Rh H Capillipedium parviflorum (R.Br) Stapf Cenchrus ciliaris L. Chrysopogon fulvus (Spreng.) Chiov. Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) W.Watson Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees Saccharum spontaneum L. Jharghas Fl H Dhaman ghaas Dhaulu Wp Rt H H Gaas Wp H Dhruv gaas Wp H Kaans La H Kans Rt H Hains paidi Wp F Kakkoi Fn F Lvs F As laxative and expectorant. Xyloglucan, galacturonan. Rh F Used as antihelmintic. Flavonoids, pterosin B. Pteridaceae Adiantum capillusveneris L. Adiantum venustum D.Don Aspleniaceae Asplenium trichomanes L. Kanndeyl Pteridaceae Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn Dadunni As diuretic during menstruation. Used as anti-microbial. NA. NA. Treatment of gastrointestinal. NA. Decoction used for NA. rheumatism. Used as an insect repellent and Geraniol, linalool. also applied in skin diseases. Used in bleeding piles and NA. gout. Taken as tonic as well as for NA. calcium deficiency. Used as astringent, diuretic and NA. purgative. Act as demulcent, expectorant NA. and diuretic. As tonic, expectrorant and Triterpenes, flavonoids, saponins. diuretic. Note: C= Climber, F= Fern, H= Herb, S= Shrub, T= Tree, Ba= Bark, Fl= Flower, Fn= Fronds, Fr= Fruit, Ga= Galls, La= Latex, Lvs= Leaves, Ol= Oil, Re= Resin, Rh= Rhizome, Rt= Root, Sd= Seed, St=Stem, Tu= Tuber, Tw= Twig, Wd= Wood, Wp= Whole plant. and Barleria prionitis L. are the common species whose roots are applied as medicine, while Bombax ceiba L., Cissampelos pareira L., Caltha palustris L. and Ototropis elegans (DC.) H. Ohashi & K. Ohashi species are lesser-known plants whose roots are used as ethnomedicine. Flowers of 19 plant species are used as a remedy for various diseases. Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze, Caltha palustris L., Impatiens balfourii Hook. f. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. are some of the common species, whose flowers are used as a remedy for various local and frequently occurred ailments. In the case of whole plant usages, 44 plant species are used for curing various ailments. Clematis buchananiana DC., Clematis gouriana Roxb. ex DC., Ranunculus distans D.Don and Berberis lycium Royle are common species used as medicine. Analysis report indicates that the top dominant families whose plant species are used as ethnomedicine are Asteraceae (25 spp.), followed by SINGH et al.: TRADITIONAL USAGE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM HIMALAYA Table 2 — Different plants parts used for various ailments in the studied area Parts Used Sub-category No of species Whole plant 46 Barks, stems and woods 27 Above ground Resins, latex, oils 12 plant parts Leaves, fronds and twigs 99 Flowers 20 Fruits 23 Seeds 13 Roots 45 Below ground Rhizomes 4 plant parts Tubers 2 Galls 1 Note: More than one parts of the same plant species is used for different functions Table 3 — Number of species identified from ten dominant families with ethnobotanical usages in the studied area Family Asteraceae Fabaceae Lamiaceae Rosaceae Ranunculaceae Solanaceae Acanthaceae Malvaceae Rutaceae Apocynaceae No of species 25 21 13 7 6 6 6 4 4 4 Fabaceae (21 spp.), Lamiaceae (13 spp.), Rosaceae (7 spp.), Ranunculaceae (6 spp.), Solanaceae (6 spp.), Acanthaceae (6 spp.), Malvaceae (4 spp.), Rutaceae (4 spp.), and Apocynaceae (4 spp.) (Table 3). Therefore, this study is in-line with several other published works which indicated Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae members are the most frequently used family in hilly and mountainous regions. Almeida and Albuquerque41 reported Lamiaceae as the richest in species use reports, whereas Bennett and Prance42 reported Asteraceae and Lamiaceae as the most dominant medicinal plant families. Further, published literature also revealed Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae and Lamiaceae as the most represented medicinal plant families growing in wild43. The reason could be wider distribution, abundance and predominant herbaceous habit that attributed to their luxuriant growth in harsh and humid climates on hills, mountain and valleys. Wide consumption of species from these families might relate to the presence of very effective ingredients present in the plants which can cure the local ailments44, and literature suggests that members 97 of these groups concentrate exceptionally biologically active compounds as a function of their habit or their life strategies45-46. Among the dicot group of plants, frequently used species according to various informants were Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae), Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae), Calotropis procera (Aiton) W. T. Aiton (Apocynaceae), Euphorbia hirta L. (Euphorbiaceae), Solanum americanum Mill. (Solanaceae), Taraxacum campylodes G. E. Haglund (Asteraceae), Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr. (Menispermaceae), Viola odorata L. (Violaceae) and Zanthoxylum armatum DC. (Rutaceae). Local use of A. Aspera is to cure gastrointestinal, respiratory, physical pains and their associated disorders. Research study has reported that A. aspera is used to cure asthma and cough, bites of insects and reptiles, and also provide relief from toothache47. Leaves of A. indica used as an insect repellent in the study area, and it is supported by published literature which indicated leaves have strong antibacterial activity and used for reducing the parasitic load of animals48-49. E. hirta is used to cure female disorders, followed by application in cough and asthma in the study area. This is supported by literature where this plant is mentioned to be used to cure cough, piles, urine problem in children’s and various biological activities such as anti-microbial, anti-malarial, antiinflammatory, anti-asthmatic, anti-diarrheal, antioxidant, and anti-fertility50-51. Similarly, the local inhabitants of the study area use S. americanum and C. procera to cure ulcer, skin disease, and apply on scorpion bites. The published record indicated S. americanum is extensively employed in folklore medicine to cure liver problems, skin disease (ringworm), swelling, and fevers, and serves as antimicrobial activity52. C. procera reported to possess strong antioxidant and antibacterial activities, and flowers are shows anthelmintic activity against nematodes of sheep53. Roots of T. officinale is used as a diuretic by the local people in the study area, which is again supported by data which indicated the local use of boiled leaves as pre-and post-pregnancy food for ladies to overcome weakness and regarded as a rich source of minerals, vitamins, high protein, fibre and linoleic acid54. The most common locally available climber is T. sinensis which according to local inhabitants is used as antidiabetic, hair tonic, and brain tonic. In a study, Sharma et al. reported that Tinospora is used to treat premature ejaculation & erectile dysfunction and increases 98 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2021 sexual stamina55. During this study, it was observed that the whole plant of V. odorata is used to cure respiratory troubles (asthma, cough) and fever. A published report suggests that application of this plant species in cough, fever, and jaundice is due to the presence of active constituents in the form of alkaloid, glycoside, saponins, methyl salicylate, mucilage, and vitamins56. However, another study reported usages of V. odorata in cancer, urinary infections, rheumatism, kidney, and liver disorders57. Another very important shrub of the region is Z. armatum whose bark is used to cure high fever and fruits are used to cure toothache in the Jammu province. An earlier study has reported Z. armatum as a multi-utility wild plant used to cure tooth decay, asthma, and serves as a blood purifier. Besides, the fruit and the seeds of this species are used as a tonic, cure malarial fever, and remove worms from the stomach58. Sati et al.59 highlighted this plant as a life saving wild plants employed in the Indian system of medicines which is used as carminative and anthelmintic. As far as the monocot group of plants are concerned, Acorus calamus L. and Asparagus adnascens Roxb. are the two most frequently used plant in the study area. During the present study, rhizomes of A. calamus were used as carminative, stimulant, and tonic, however, this species is also used for removing intestinal worms and parasites. Reported studies indicated tablets made from rhizomes are given to children along with honey as memory enhancers, for curing speech disorders and act as neuro-protective60-61. Another interesting climber growing in the study area is A. adnascens whose tubers show cooling and diaphoretic effect and this report is in-line with earlier documented record where the plant is used to cure debility, infertility and menopause in women, stomach ulcers, leucorrhoea, and chronic fevers62. Conclusion This investigation recorded the use of 226 traditional medicinal plants of Jammu Province. The results show a loss of local traditional knowledge as the key information on medicinal plants is lying with the old generation which needs to be passed on to the next generation, and that is not happening due to modernization. The use of native plants ensures the connection of indigenous knowledge associated with people, which means that the indigenous communities live in complete harmony with nature and their daily needs are generally provided by their surroundings. Anthropogenic activities pose a serious threat to species diversity; therefore, vulnerable and other threatened plants should be addressed by ecosystem restoration measures. There are several highly valued species in the local system of medicine that remain understudied, and this study could thus provide a starting point for further studies that may lead to the discovery of new molecules. The species with unique active constituents should be conserved first on a priority basis. This research will add more value to the development of functional models for biocultural diversity conservation, restoration, and sustainable uses of natural resources in the Himalayas. Conflict of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest for this manuscript. References 1 Cotton C M, Ethnobotany: Principles and Applications (John Wiley and Sons Ltd., England), 1996. 2 Gupta K S, Sharma O P, Raina N S and Sehgal S, Ethno-botanical study of medicinal plants of Paddar valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India, Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med, 2013, 10(4), 59-65. 3 Singh B, Singh B, Kishor A, Singh S, Bhat M N, et al., Exploring plant-based ethnomedicine and quantitative ethnopharmacology: Medicinal plants utilized by the population of Jasrota Hill in Western Himalaya, Sustainability, 2020, 12(18), 7526. 4 ENVIS resource partner on biodiversity, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata, India. http://bsienvis.nic.in (accessed on 8th December 2020) 5 Singh B, Himalayan Orchids: Diversity and Taxonomy (Write and Print Publication, India), 2015. 6 Kumar R and Bhagat N, Ethnomedicinal plants of district Kathua, J & K, Int J Med Aromat Pl, 2012, 2, 603-611. 7 Census of India 2011, District Censusu Handbook Jammu (Directorate of Census Operations, Jammu and Kashmir), 2011. 8 Rao P K, Hasan S S, Bhellum B L and Manhas R K, Ethnomedicinal plants of Kathua district, J & K, India, J Ethnopharmacol, 2015, 171, 12-27. 9 Thakur S, Tashi N, Singh B, Dutta H C and Singh B, Ethnobotanical plants used for gastrointestinal ailments by the inhabitants of Kishtwar plateau in Northwestern Himalaya, India, Indian J Tradit Know, 2020, 19, 1-11. 10 Baig B A, Ramamoorthy D and Bhat T A, Threatened medicinal plants of Menwarsar Pahalgam, Kashmir Himalayas: Distribution pattern and current conservation status, Proc Int Acad Ecol Environ Sci, 2013, 3, 25-35. 11 Thakur S, Dutt H C, Singh B, Sharma Y P, Tashi N, et al., Plant and fungi diversity of Devi pindiyan valley in Trikuta Hills of northwestern Himalaya, India, J Threat Taxa, 2019, 11, 14827-14844. 12 Gurung V L, Useful pteridophytes of Nepal Himalaya, Plant Sci, 1988, 1(1) 67-76. SINGH et al.: TRADITIONAL USAGE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM HIMALAYA 13 Samant S S and Dhar U, Diversity, endemism and economic potential of wild edible plants of India Himalaya, Int J Sustain Dev World Ecol, 1997, 4, 179-191. 14 Samant S S and Pal M, Diversity and conservation status of medicinal plants in Uttaranchal State, Indian For, 2003, 129(9), 1090-1108. 15 Borthakur S K, Choudhary B T and Gogai G, Folklore hepto-protective recipes from Assam in North-east India, Ethnobotany, 2004, 6, 76-82. 16 Thakur D, Sharma A and Uniyal S K, Why they eat, what they eat: Patterns of wild edible plants consumption in a tribal area of Western Himalaya, J Ethnobiol Ethnomed, 2017, 13(1), 70. 17 Bhatia H, Sharma Y P, Manhas R K and Kumar K, Traditional phytoremedies for the treatment of menstrual disorders in district Udhampur, J&K, India, J Ethnopharmacol, 2015, 160, 202-210. 18 Bhatia H, Sharma Y P and Manhas R K, Traditionally used wild edible plants of district Udhampur, J&K, India, J Ethnbiol Ethnomed, 2018, 14, 73. 19 Singh B, Sultan P, Hassan Q P, Gairola S and Bedi Y S, Ethnobotany, traditional knowledge, and diversity of wild edible plants and fungi: A case study in the Bandipora region of Kashmir Himalaya, India, J Herbs Spices Med Pl, 2016, 22(3), 247-278. 20 Singh B, Singh S and Singh B, New distribution records of the leopard plants Ligularia amplexicaulis DC. and Ligularia sibirica (L.) Cass. (Asteraceae) in the Indian Himalaya, J Threat Taxa, 2018, 10(13), 12854-12858. 21 Kaul M K, Sharma P K and Singh V, Ethno-botanic studies in north-west and trans-Himalaya VI: Contribution to the ethno-botany of Basohli-Bani region, J&K, India, Bull Bot Surv India, 1989, 31(1-4), 89-94. 22 Kumar K, Sharma Y P, Manhas R K and Bhatia H, Ethnomedicinal plants of Shankaracharya hill, Srinagar, J&K, India, J Ethnopharmacol, 2015, 170, 255-274. 23 Singh B and Bedi Y S, Eating from raw wild plants in Himalaya, traditional knowledge documentary on Sheena tribe in Kashmir, Indian J Nat Prod Resour, 2017, 8(3), 269-275. 24 Sharma P K and Singh V, Ethnobotanical studies in northwest and trans Himalaya V. Ethno-veterinary medicinal plants used in Jammu and Kashmir, India, J Ethno Pharmacol, 1989, 27, 63-70. 25 Kiran H S, Kapahi B K and Srivastava T N, Ethnobotanical observation on the gymnosperms of Poonch distirict (J&K State) India, J Econ Tax Bot, 1999, 23(1), 155-160. 26 Kiran H S and Kapahi B K, Ethno-botanical notes on some fern and fern allies of Jammu and Kashmir State, India, Indian Fern J, 2001, 18, 35-38. 27 Shah A, Abass G and Sharma M P, Ethnobotanical study of some medicinal plants from tehsil Budhal, region Rajouri, (Jammu and Kashmir), Int J Multidiscip Res, 2012, 2(6), 5-6. 28 Kumar R and Bhagat N, Ethnomedicinal plants of region Jammu province (J&K), Int J Med Arom Plants, 2012, 2(4), 603-611. 29 Bhushan B and Kumar M, Ethnobotanically important medicinal plants of tehsil Billawar, region Kathua, J&K, India, J Pharmacogn Phytochem, 2013, 2(4), 14-21. 30 Fayaz M, Jain A K, Bhat M H and Kumar A, Ethnobotanical survey of Daksum forest range of Anantnag 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 99 District, Jammu and Kashmir, India, J Herbs Spices Med Plants, 2019, 25(1), 1-13. Sharma R, Manhas R K and Magotra R, Ethnoveterinary remedies of diseases among milk yielding animals in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, India, J Ethnopharmacol, 2012, 141(1), 265-272. Daimari M, Roy M K, Swargiary A, Baruah S and Basumatary S, An ethnobotanical survey of antidiabetic medicinal plants used by the bodo tribe of Kokrajhar district, Assam, Indian J Tradit Know, 2019, 18(3), 421-429. Sharma B M and Kachroo P, Flora of Jammu and Plants of Neighbourhood (Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, India), 1981. Kapur S K and Sarin Y K, Flora of Trikuta Hills (Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, India), 1990. Swami A and Gupta B K, Flora of Udhampur (Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, India), 1998. Sharma B M, Illustration of Jammu Plants (Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, India), 2010. Duke J A, Handbook of Medicinal Herbs (CRC Press, London), 2002. Gazzaneo L R S, Lucena R F P and Albuquerque U P, Knowledge and use of medicinal plants by local specialists in a region of Atlantic forest in the state of Pernambuco (Northeastern Brazil), J Ethnobiol Ethnomed, 2005, 1, 9. Stepp J R and Moerman D E, The importance of weeds in ethnopharmacology, J Ethnopharmacol, 2001, 75, 19-23. Singh B, Plants for Human Survival and Medicine (New India Publishing Agency, India), 2019. Almeida C F C B R and Albuquerque U P, Uso e conservação de plantas e animais medicinais no estado de Pernambuco: um estudo de caso no Agreste, Interciencia, 2002, 27, 276-285. Bennett B C and Prance G T, Introduced plants in the indigenous pharmacopeia of Northern South América, Econ Bot, 2000, 54, 90-102. Agra M F, Baracho G S, Nurit K, Basílio I J L D and Coelho V P M, Medicinal and poisonous diversity of the flora of Cariri Paraibano, Brazil, J Ethnopharmacol, 2007, 111, 383-395. Siddique M A A, Jhon A Q and Paul T M, Status of important medicinal plants of Kashmir Himalayas. Adv Plant Sci, 1995, 8(1), 134-139. Voeks R A, Tropical forest healers and habitat preference, Econ Bot, 1996, 50, 382-400. Singh B, Sinha B K, Phukan S J, Borthakur S K and Singh V N, Wild edible plants used by Garo tribes of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in Meghalaya, India, J Tradit Know, 2012, 11(1), 166-171. Srivastav S, Singh P, Mishra G, Jha K K and Khosa R L, Achyranthes aspera-An important medicinal plant: A review, J Nat Prod Plant Resour, 2011, 1(1) 1-14. Nadkarni K M, The Indian Materia Medica (Bombay Popular Prakashan Publishers, India), 2009. Gupta R K, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, (CBS Publications and Distributors, India), 2010. Joshi B, The magical herb Euphorbia hirta L., an important traditional therapeutic herb for Wart disease among the Vangujjars of forest near Kashipur, Uttarakhand, New York Sci J, 2011, 4(2), 96-97. 100 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2021 51 Kumar S, Malhotra R and Kumar D, Euphorbia hirta: its chemistry, traditional and medicinal uses, and pharmacological activities, Pharmacogn Rev, 2010, 4, 58-61. 52 Rani P and Khullar N, Antimicrobial evaluation of some medicinal plants for their anti-enteric potential against multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi, Phytother Res, 2004, 18, 670-673. 53 Iqbal Z, Latif M, Jabbar A, Muhammad G and Khan M N, Anthelmintic activity of Calotropis procera (Ait.) Ait. f. flowers in sheep, J Ethnopharmacol, 2005, 102(2), 256-261. 54 Escudero N L, De Arellano M L, Fernández S, Albarracín G and Mucciarelli S, Taraxacum officinale as a food source, Plant Foods Hum Nutr, 2003, 58(3), 1-10. 55 Sharma A, Gupta A, Singh S and Batra A, Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. & Thomson-a plant with immense economic potential, J Chem Pharm Res, 2010, 2(5), 327-333. 56 Vishal A, Parveen K, Pooja S, Kannappan N and Kumar S, Diuretic, laxative and toxicity studies of Viola odorata aerial parts, Pharmacol, 2009, 1, 739-748. 57 Ebrahimzadeh M A, Nabavi S M, Nabavi S F, Bahramian F and Bekhradnia A R, Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of H. officinalis L. var. angustifolius, V. odorata, B. hyrcana and C. Speciosum, Pak J Pharm Sci, 2010, 23(1), 29-34 58 Ramachandran R and Ali M, Chemical composition of fruit oil of Zanthoxylum armatum, Hamdard Med, 1996, 42, 51-54. 59 Sati S C, Sati M D, Raturi R and Badoni P, Antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities of Zanthoxylum armatum stem bark, Global J Res Eng, 2011, 11(5), 21-23. 60 Menon M K and Dandiya P C, The mechanism of the tranquillizing action of asarone from Acorus calamus Linn, J Pharm Pharmacol, 1967, 19, 170-175 61 Shukla P K, Khanna V K and Ali M M, Protective effect of Acorus calamus against acrylamide induced neurotoxicity, Phytother Res, 2000, 16, 256-260. 62 Thakur S and Sharma D R, Reviews on medicinal plants: Asparagus adnascens Roxb., Int J Pharm Health Care, 2015, 3, 82-97.