Research Article

Sacred Groves: Myths, Beliefs, and Biodiversity Conservation—A Case Study from Western Himalaya, India

Table 8

List of Herbaceous and Shrub species (with ethnomedicinal properties) found in Tungnath SG.

Botanical nameVernacular nameFamilyEthnomedicinal property

Herbs
Selinum candolle Edgew.MuurApiaceaeMedicinal (analgesic, cough, fever)
Silene conoidea L.Chota takla, thumriyaCaryophyllaceaeMedicinal (eye infections, treatment of ophthalmia)
Morina longifolia Wall.Kathi, kathoj, sakinaCaprifoliaceaeMedicinal (wounds and incense, burns, and boils)
Polygonatum verticillatum (L.) All.Mitha dudhiyaAsparagaceaeMedicinal (used in treatment of emaciation, senility, gastric diseases)
Corydalis govaniana Wall.InderajattaPapaveraceaeMedicinal (fever, liver diseases, and eye infections)
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.DhubPoaceaeMedicinal (cuts, wounds, piles, inflammation, skin diseases)
Rubus nepalensis (Hook. f.) KuntzeHisarRosaceaeMedicinal (cuts and wounds)
Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex BenthKutkiScrophulariaceaeMedicinal (fever, hepatitis, chronic dysentery)
Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don.) DC.JattamaansiValerianaceaeMedicinal (tranquilizer, sedative, high blood pressure, used in dysmenorrhoea for pain relief and smooth menstrual flow)

Shrubs
Berberis aristata DC.KingorBerberidaceaeMedicinal (used in ophthalmia, conjunctivitis, ulcers)
Juniperus indica Bertol.GuugalCupressaceaeMedicinal (cough, cold, and fever)
Rhododendron anthopogon D.DonTaalisri, buransEricaceaeMedicinal (against respiratory diseases)
Rhododendron campanulatum D.Don.Chimal/buransEricaceaeMedicinal (chronic rheumatism and sciatica)
Rhododendron lepidotum Wall. ex. G.DonBuransEricaceaeMedicinal (respiratory and digestive ailments)
Clematis buchananiana DC.BelkanguRanunculaceaeMedicinal (skin ailments, sinus inflammation, wounds)
Cotoneaster acuminatus Lindl.RuinsRosaceaeMedicinal (diarrhea and dysentery)
Cotoneaster microphyllus Wall. ex Lindl.RuinsRosaceaeAnti-inflammatory, cuts, and wounds
Leptodermis lanceolata Wall.Koo-basyaRubiaceaeMedicinal (migraines)