Ethnobotanical Study of Herbaceous Flora along an Altitudinal Gradient in Bharmour Forest Division, District Chamba of Himachal Pradesh, India

Table 1

Ethnobotanically commonly used plant species.

Sl. number	Species name	Voucher number	Common name	Family	Parts used	Ethnobotanical Use
1	Achillea millefolium L.	UHF-11713	Chuang	Asteraceae	Leaves	Leaves crushed and used for curing indigestion, cough, cold, and toothache problems.
2	Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle	UHF-11754	Patrees	Ranunculaceae	Roots	Used as antipyretic and astringent. Roots are ground and mixed with sugar and eaten with water to relieve stomach pain.
3	Aconitum violaceum Jacq. Ex Stapt	UHF-11702	Pattees	Ranunculaceae	Roots	A small piece of tuberous roots is given with hot water in cases of fever due to cold.
4	Aconogonum molle (D. Don) H. Hara	UHF-11768	Tarodi	Polygonaceae	Leaves, stems	Leaves are cooked as vegetable. Young stems are sour and quench thirst in case of nonavailability of water.
5	Allium victorialis L.	UHF-12376	Happu	Amaryllidaceae	Leaves, roots	Leaves are used as vegetable and substitute for garlic. Roots are not harvested so as to allow plants to regrow.
6	Ainsliaea aptera DC.	UHF-11703	Sathjalari/Sathjalori/Karvibooti	Asteraceae	Roots	Roots powder is applied on cut and wounds, and also stomachache, diuretic.
7	Anaphalis nubigena DC.	UHF-11777	Bhujlu	Asteraceae	Leaves	Fibre collected from backside of leaves is rubbed with runka (iron instrument) to produce fire.
8	Angelica glauca Edgew.	UHF-12305	Chora	Apiaceae	Roots	(i) The root is dried and roasted in ghee and powdered. The powder is used as spice.; (ii) Root powder with black salt (kala namak) is given in flatulence and dyspepsia.; (iii) Dry roots powder mixed with oil is applied to cure oedema.
9	Arenaria festucoides Benth.	UHF-12775	Mumri	Caryophyllaceae	Leaves	Considered best fodder for sheep.
10	Artemisia vulgaris L.	UHF-12310	Chharmar Hindi: Nagdauna	Asteraceae	Leaves	Fresh juice of leaves cures itching in eyes, occurring during summer months.
11	Aster himalaicus C. B. Clarke	UHF-12394	Raktjadi	Asteraceae	Roots	Any person having blood problem during stools is given the decoction of its roots.
12	Bistorta amplexicaulis (D. Don) Greene	UHF-11741	Greene	Polygonaceae	Rhizome	Lal chai the coloured rhizome is cut in small pieces.
13	Cannabis sativa L.	UHF-11763	Bhang	Cannabaceae	Seed	Seeds powder mixed with oil for typhoid, jaundice, malaria, and fever.
14	Chaerophyllum reflexum Lindl.	UHF-12390	Sojuga, bhai	Apiaceae	Roots, seeds	Roots are used for stomach complaints. Seeds infusion used in body pain, cold, and cough.
15	Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soó	UHF-11706	Salam panja	Orchidaceae	Roots	Energetic, health tonic, and nervine tonic. Root is eaten in case of headache. Tubers paste applied on cut and wounds.
16	Datura stramonium L.	UHF-9888	Dhaintura	Solanaceae	Seed	Seed is dried and ground. The powder of seeds is mixed with mustard oil and boiled. After cooling, it is applied to pained joints to relieve pain.
17	Dioscorea deltoidea Wall. Ex Grieseb.	UHF-12383	Khaldri	Dioscoreaceae	Roots	Roots are powdered and put in wooden pot with holes to protect woolen clothes from insect attack.
18	Foeniculum vulgare Mill.	UHF-12391	Saunf	Apiaceae	Seed	Used as condiment.
19	Fragaria vesca L.	UHF-11712	Bubal	Rosaceae	Fruits, roots	Fruits are edible. Roots infused with ghee butter and honey is used to cure dysentery.
20	Gentiana kurroo Royle	UHF-11761	Kadoo	Gentianaceae	Leaves	Leaves are eaten during fever.
21	Heracleum candicans Wall. ex DC.	UHF-11711	Patala	Apiaceae	Roots	Root is ground and the paste is used in case of snake bite. Sour lassi is mixed with paste and given to patient.
22	Impatiens balsamina L.	UHF-9894	Tilpar	Balsaminaceae	Seed, whole plant	When young, the plant is used for mehandi. It produces very dark colour. Seeds are very tasty.
23	Meconopsis aculeata Royle	UHF-11759	Kalkotti	Papaveraceae	Root	Root is ground and given to animals along with salt for creating resistance to diseases.
24	Mentha longifolia (Linn.) Huds.	UHF-12393	Pudina	Lamiaceae	Root, leaves	Fresh root is dried, powdered, mixed with pepper, and then given to patient suffering from piles. Leaf extract is used to cure vomiting, dysentery, stomachache, and headache.
25	Origanum vulgare L.	UHF-11721	Marua	Lamiaceae	Whole plant	Utensils of milk and ghee are washed using this plant as it gives good aroma to the utensil.
26	Oxalis corniculata L.	UHF-11709	Amblu/Malori	Oxalidaceae	Leaves	Shoots are crushed and juice extract is used in boils, cuts, wounds, fever, and dysentery.
27	Oxyria digyna (Linn.) Hill	UHF-12340	Chhoti Chukri	Polygonaceae	Leaves	Leaves are very sour and are used as digestive and purgative by making chutney.
28	Panicum miliaceum L.	UHF-11704	Chowla	Poaceae	Seed	Seed is edible.
29	Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth.	UHF-12354	Karoo	Plantaginaceae	Roots	Roots powder consumed during stomachache, jaundice, and diarrhea. Chewing of 2-3 leaves acts as antipyretic. Decoction of leaves is sprinkled in field of wheat which prevents insect attack.
30	Plantago lanceolata L.	UHF-11748	Isabgol	Plantaginaceae	Husk	Husk is good for some stomach ailments.
31	Pleurospermum candollei(DC.) Clarke	UHF-11776	Baandi	Apiaceae	Seed	Seeds are boiled along with tea to escape cold and substitute for fennel.
32	Podophyllum hexandrum (Royle) Wedd.	UHF-11716	Bankaakdu	Berberidaceae	Rhizome, fruits, roots	Rhizome used for kidney problem and as health tonic. Fruit is eaten by Gaddis to cure chronic constipation. Roots are ground and mixed with sugar and decoction is given to patient.
33	Potentilla argyrophylla Wallich	UHF-11773	Tama	Rosaceae	Leaves	Decoction of leaves is used to treat diarrhea, arthritis, and kidney stones.
34	Potentilla nepalensis Hook.	UHF-12389	Dori	Saxifragaceae	Roots	Roots powder is used to cure stomach disorder.
35	Primula denticulata Sm.	UHF-12350	Palak/Jalkutral	Ranunculaceae	Leaves	Leaf paste is used for abdomen pain.
36	Primula floribunda Wall.	UHF-12386	Baasdu	Primulaceae	Flower	Flowers are believed to have supernatural power to ward off devils and people knowing witchcraft. Flowers increase beauty of hair of ladies.
37	Prunella vulgaris L.	UHF-11745	Gudli	Lamiaceae	Stems	Young stems of plants are kept in cluster in living rooms to expel mosquitoes and flies.
38	Ranunculus laetus Wall.	UHF-11722	Bariyara	Ranunculaceae	Leaves and flower juice	Leaves and flowers juice are used for curing eye diseases.
39	Rheum australe D. Don.	UHF-9878	Chuchchi/Rewandchini	Polygonaceae	Roots	Roots and rhizomes paste/powder/infusion/decoction are used in boils, headache, muscles injury, gastric problems, and also as tooth powder.
40	Rosa moschata Miller	UHF-9897	Kojai	Rosaceae	Fruits	Fruit is eaten because of its vermicidal properties
41	Selinum vaginatum  C. B. Clarke	UHF-11756	Bhootkaisi	Apiaceae	Roots	Roots are ground with wheat flour. Seed is also added and then good quality wine is prepared.
42	Saussurea gossypiphora D. Don	UHF-11719	Ghuggi	Asteraceae	Flower	Considered very auspicious and kept for worship along with baan and also used in havan and is known to purify air.
43	Saussurea taraxifolia Wall.	UHF-9880	Shivjata	Asteraceae	Roots	Little quantity of root is ground and mixed in boiling milk and given to pregnant lady before delivery. This prevents pain and helps in easy delivery. People with falling hair are advised to use root powder for washing hair. Dhuni is also given to ward off evil spirits
44	Saussurea lappa (Decne.) Sch. Bip.	UHF-9876	Kuth	Asteraceae	Seed	Oil of the seeds is applied on aching joints to relieve pain.
45	Sedum ewersii Ledeb.	UHF-11760	Kirti	Crassulaceae	Whole plant	Whole plant is ground after drying. One teaspoon of powder is mixed with hot milk and given to patient suffering from piles.
46	Sempervirens sedoides Decaisne	UHF-11789	Chidi di Pinnadi	Crassulaceae	Leaves	Paste of leaves helps to remove pimples.
47	Swertia speciosa D. Don	UHF-11752	Bambiri	Gentianaceae	Roots	Roots are ground with water and put into eyes like surma to relieve snow burnt eyes.
48	Thymus serpyllum L.	UHF-11732	Ban-ajwain	Lamiaceae	Whole plant	Flavouring agent is also eaten for stomach ailments.
49	Urtica dioica Linn.	UHF-12382	Ain/Bichhu buti	Urticaceae	Roots	Roots are wrapped in black cloth to get rid of ill will. Leaves are boiled in hot water and then cooked as vegetable.
50	Valeriana jatamansi Jones	UHF-11789	Nak Nahani	Valerianaceae	Roots	Roots and stems are used for havan (incense).
51	Verbascum thapsus Linn.	UHF-11714	Hanuman ra lingna	Scrophulariaceae		Used for havan and scaring evil spirits.
52	Viburnum cylindricum Buch.-Ham. ex. D. Don	UHF-12369	Karneh	Sambucaceae	Seeds	Seeds are eaten with water. Good for relieving constipation.
53	Viola pilosa Blume	UHF-11726	Banaksha	Violaceae	Flower	Decoction of flowers is used in case of cough and cold.
54	Viola serpens Wall. ex. Roxb.	UHF-11743	Napalu	Violaceae	Flower	Decoction of flowers is used in case of cough and cold.