Medicinal Plants of Change VDC of Taplejung, Eastern Nepal.

Parbakhar Poudel
Correspondence address: parbakhar@gmail.com
GPO 6869,Sundhara, Kathmandu

Abstract
People of Change VDC of Taplejung above 1700 masl are well knowledgeable about medicinal plants and their
uses. Altogether 49 medicinal plant species belonging to 35 families were documented with their detail
information. Traditional healers are using such knowledge secretly and transfer to next generation without
written manuscript.

Key words: Medicinal Plant, Traditional Healer, Taplejung

Introduction
People of the remote area use plant resources on own ways through their traditional knowledge and
transforming generation to generation. The ancient Hindus epic Hrigveda, written earlier 4500 - 1600 BC is the
oldest repository of which has described some 67 plants (Malla and Shakya, 1999). Traditional healer, herbal
practitioner including Dhami, Jhankri, Ojha, Bijuwa, Mangma, Phedagma, Yaba, Baidha, Purohit are the key
persons of source of knowledge about the traditional uses of plant to cure several human and animal disease.
The knowledge what they get is transforming only limited persons of their next generation, otherwise the
knowledge is vanished after their death. Plant utility specific to ethnic group is more vulnerable regarding the
dissemination of knowledge to other ethnic group. The negative and conservative concept about the loss of
effectiveness of medicine in sharing of knowledge to all is a prime cause of handing over their knowledge, there
is a growing threat of vanishing the system.

Traditional knowledge is the key pool and source of new idea which drive the modern herbal practitioner to
conduct a research about the production of modern herbal drugs. That’s why efforts should be made to conserve
such traditional knowledge exploring and documenting scientifically. Several studies of the traditional use of
plant resource on Eastern Nepal have been carried by many authors (Banerjii, 1955; Shrestha, 1994; Shrestha &
Ghimire, 1996: Parajuli, 2000; Pradhan & Manandhar, 2000; Niroula, 2001; Pokharel and Siwakoti 2002; Oli,
2003; Poudel, 2004; and Sherpa, 2001. No any researches have been carried regarding the ethno-botanical
knowledge of medicinal plant of Change. Present study focused the documentation of baseline information of
ethnic knowledge about utilization of plant.

Materials and Methods

The location of the study area is Change VDC of
Taplejung District and in around 270 18' 57.2"N
latitude and 870 34' 22.9" E longitude of geographical
location. The study area was administrated only the 4
wards of this VDC (6, 7, 8 and 9) region. Limbu,
Tamang, Sherpa (Bhote) are the main ethnic
communities of this area and Newar, Bhujel, Kami,
Brhamin/Chhetri were other informant. Out of 171
total household with total population 907 with 5.3
average family size, 60 households were interviewed
with structured, semi-structured and open-ended
questionnaire. Dhami, Jhankri, Bijuwa, Phedargma and
Yaba were the key informant. RRA, PRA and direct
observation were the applied tool for data collection.
The diverse ethnic communities far from modern health facilities encourage me to conduct this research in that
village. Schima-Castatiopsis forest in lower altitude and Oak-Lourel and Rhododendron forest is predominant in
upper altitude of study area. Concerned information was gathered through 2 times field visit covering both pre
and late monsoon season. Plant specimens wee collected and identified consulting the Herbaria of TUCH and
literature press et. al (2000).

Result
Altogether forty nine species of medicinal plants belonging to 35 families were documented. Among them 41
species of Angiosperms belongs to 28 families. Representing 3 species from Ericaceal and Ranunculaceae; 2
species from Urticaceae, Betulaceae, Aracea, Apiaceae Polygonaceae, Symplocaceae, Lauraceae and Rutaceae;
and 1 species each from other 16 families were recorded. Similarly 3 species of Lichen from 3 families, 2
species of Gymnosperms from 2 families and 2 species of Pteridophyta from 2 families were gathered. Part wise
utilization of medicinal plants showed that 14 plants having leaf importance, 10 of root/rhizome importance, 8
of whole plant importance, 10 of fruit/seed importance, 3 of flower importance, 2 of stem importance and 2 of
bark importance on the basis of use part. Among 49 species 29 plant species are of common, 15 of occasional
and 5 of rare status based on their availability in this area. 16 tree species, 8 shrub species, 22 herb species, 2
climbing herb and 1 epiphytic herb species were recorded.

Discussion and Conclusion

Inaccessibility of modern health facilities and poverty to invest in curing the disease, belief on traditional
healing system by traditional healer, this area found much more knowledge about medicinal plants and their
utilization. Among the medicinal plant Swertia chirayita, Viscum album, Aconitum spp, Astilbe rivularis
Heracleum nepalens, Centella asiatica, Lindera neesiana, Berginia cilita, Cinamomum spp. Evodia fraxinofolia
and Arisaema spp are common species and all people have good knowledge about their application. Remaining
plant species are only in the knowledge of traditional practitioner. Swertia, Taxus, Heracleum, Lindera, Evodia
and Aconitum other are attempt to domestication. Swertia were found considered as panacea to cure all disease.
Dhami, Jhankri and Yaba were found much involved in traditional healing practices and they mixed many plant
and gave to cure every disease. It was found they collect medicinal plant in Tuesday, Saturday and Friday early
in the morning or evening after sunset believing that increases the effectiveness of medicine.

People of Change have good ethno botanical knowledge however they are less concerned about the dose and
specific uses. Due to favourable climatic condition, topography favours growth of several medicinal plants on
this area however all are not in knowledge of traditional healer. Ultimate exploration of these plant and
documentation of existing knowledge before vanishing than with death of practitioner is a prime task under to
be taken by concerned body.

Acknowledgement
I am thankful to all key informant of the study area who made me success to be a pioneer researcher of ethno
botanical knowledge of this area providing the detail information.

References
Banerji, M.L. 1955. Some Edible and Medicinal Plants from East Nepal. Jour. of the Bot. His. Soc. 53: 153-155.
Malla, S.B. and P.R Shakya 1999. Medicinal Plants. In Nepal Nature's Paradise, eds. Majupuria T.C and
Majupuria R.K. M.Devi Gwalier, India.
Niroula, K. 2001. Vegetation Analysis and Ethno Botany of the Medicinal Plants in and Around Timjure. M.Sc.
thesis submitted to Central Department of Botany, T.U. Kirtipur.
Oli, B.R. 2003. Ethno-Medicinal uses of plants Among the Limbus of Hellock area of Tapethok VDC,
Taplejung Nepal. Botanica Orientalis (2003 eds): 112 - 115.
Parajuli, S.P. 2000. Ethnobotanical Study at Khandbari Municipality of Sankhuwasabha District, Nepal. Banko
Jankari 10 (2): 29-34.
Pokharel, S and M. Siwakoti 2002. An assessmenht of Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale (TMJ) area of Eastern Nepal. A
working draft edited by K.P. oil. IUCN, pp - 99.
Poudel, P. 2004. Utilization of Forest and Intangible Resource of Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale Area, Eastern Nepal. A
project work report submitted to Central Department of Rural Development, T.U., Kiritpur.
Pradhan, N. & V. Manandhar, 2000. Conservation and trade Pattern of Medicinal Plants of Tehrathum District,
Nepal. In; T. Watabe, A. Takano, M.S. Bista and H.K. Saiju (Eds.). Proceedings of Nepal-Japan Joint
Symposium on Conservation and Utilization of Himalayan Medicinal Resources, Kathmandu, 317-320.
Press, J.R., K.K. Shreshta and D.A. Sutton, 2000. Annotated Checklist of the Flowering Plants of Nepal. The
Natural History Museum, London.
Sherpa, S. R. 2001. The High altitude Ethnobotary of the Wallung People of wolangchunggola. Kanchenjunga
Conservation area. East Nepal. M.Sc. thesis submitted to Central Department of Botany, T.U. Kirtipur.
Shrestha, K. 1994. Floristic Diversity, Vegetation and Ethno botany of Proposed Kanchenjungha Conservation
Area, Nepal. A report Submitted WWF, Nepal. S.N. 6
Shrestha, K.K. and S.K. Ghimire, 1996. Diversity Ethnobotary and Conservation strategy of same Potential
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Taplejung, East Nepal (Tamur Valley). A report Submitted to
ANSAB, Kathmandu.
Annex: Medicinal plants
S.N. Botanical Name Local Name Habit Parts used Use Administration Status
1 Rubus ellipticus Ainselu S Ft, Rt Severe fever Root is chewed/on decoction is taken (child) C
Sm.,Rosaceae
2 Gerardiana diversifolia Allo H L Headache and Joint ache Leaf juice is applied C
(Link)Friis,Urticaceae
3 Lyonia ovalifolia Angeri T L Itching, scabies and lice Leaf pest is applied both for man and cattle C
(Wall)Drud.,Ericaceae
4 Edgeworthia gardneri Argeli S Wp Sinusitis Small leaf or flower is crushed and dispose inside C
(Wall.) nose
Meisn.,Thymalaceae
5 Allium wallichii Ban lasun H Bu i. Appetizer i. As spices on curry, or making soup O
Kunch.,Amyrallidaceae ii. Animal diseases ii. Given with kudo, or mixing with other
ingredients.
6 Rhus javanica Bhak amilo S Ft Dysentery, diarrhea Fruit juice is taken as pickle, or fruit with curd C
L.,Anacardiaceae directly
7 Butula utilis D.Don, Bhojpatra T B Bandage Bark peeling is used as bandage O
Betulaceae
8 Fragaria nubicola Bhuinainselu Cl Ft Stomach pain Fruit are eaten raw C
Lindl.ex Lacoita, Rosaceae
9 Aconitum ferox D.Don, Bikha H Rz i. Cold, cough, influenza i. Rhizome is swallowed R
Ranunculaceae ii. wound ii. Root powder is applied
10 Aconitum bikhma D. Don, Bikhama H Tu. Rt i. Fever In all cases tuber is taken R
Ranunculaceae ii. Anti poisoning
iii. Appetizer
11 Acorus calamus Bojho H Rz. Rt i. Tooth ache i. Root Powder in taken C
L.,Araceae ii. Sharpening the voice ii. Rhizome is taken directly
12 Astilbe rivularis (Buch- Budo Okhati H Rt Tonic for postnatal women Plant powdered mixed with Pakhanbet & Hadchur O
Ham) ex D.Don, and cooked mixing with flour
Saxifragaceae
13 Oxalis corniculata Chari amilo H L i. Anti-vomiting Leaf juice is taken after regular interval of C
L.,Oxalidaceae ii. Diarrhea vomiting
14 Heracleum nepalens Chingphing S Ft i. Headache, cold and cough i. Decoction of fruit with Timur & Khanakpa is O
D.Don, Apiaceae taken
ii. Livestock disease ii. Decoction of fruit with Timur and Khanakpa is
given
15 Swetia chirayita ( Rox.ex Chiraito H Wp Cold, Cough, Fever & tonic Directly chewed. or taken making decoction of C
Flm.) H (Panacea to care several disease) whole plant
Carst.,Gentianaceae
16 Berberies aristata Chutro S L,B i. Antiopthalmia i. Leaf juice is applied C
DC.,Berberidiaceae ii. Blisters and wound ii. Bark paste is applied
17 Juniperus indica Dhupi T L, B Emetic Leaves and berries are taken to bring vomit cure R
Betrol,Cupressaceae poisoning
18 Taxas bacata L., Taxaceae Dhyangre Sallo T L, B, Ft i. Cancer i. Essential oil from leaves is taken R
ii. Asthma bronchitis ii. Leaves and roots powder inhaled
iii. Epilepsy iii. Decoction of seed is given
19 Cynodon dactylon Dubo H L Bleeding control Leaf juice is put in nose C
 (L.)Pers,Gramineae
20 Acer acuminatum Wall Firfire T Rt i. Gastric i. Root decoctions taken O
ex.Dc,Aceraceae ii. Horse medicine ii. Whole plant is given as feed.
21 Centella asiatica Ghodtapre H Wp i. Good memory and energetic i. Leaf are chewed C
(L.)Urb.,Apiaceae ii. Niranjan (blockage on ii. Juice is taken
urination)
22 Viscum album Hadchur Epi Wp i. Tonic for postnatal women i.Plant powdered mixed with Pakhanbet R
Burnb,Loranthaceae ii. Bone fracture Budookhati and cooked mixing with flour.
ii.Root paste is applied
23 Rumex nepalensis Halhale H L Scabies, ringworm and burns Root paste is applied C
Sreng.,Polygonaceae
24 Phytolacca actinosa Jaringo S Wp Abdominal pain (locally kapat) Young shoot and leaves as vegetable O
Roxb.,Phytolacceae
25 Parmelia nepalensis Jhyau H Wp antiseptic, burn, wounds Plant powder as tincture of iodine after applying C
Roxb.,Parmelliacea the leaf juice of Artemisia dubia or Eupatorium
adenophotum
26 Ramlina spp, Jhyau H Wp antiseptic, burn, wounds Plant powder as tincture of iodine after applying C
Rammalinaceae the leaf juice of Artemisia dubia or Eupatorium
adenophotum
27 Usnea spp, Usneaceae Jhyau H Wp Tonic, fever and throat pain Fired powder of plant is mixed with water and O
taken
28 Clematis spp, Juge Laharo H Wp i. Abdominal pen and fever i. Rhizome is chewed O
Ranunculaceae ii. Pulmonary disease and ii. Root powder is taken
dysentery iii. Root power mixing with honey Hadchur, Budo
iii. Extra energy source for okhati
postnatal women (tonic)
29 Myrica esculenta (Buch- Kaphal T L,Ft i. Diabeties i. Bark decoction is taken C
Ham) ex D.Don, ii. Stomach pain, constipation ii. Ripen fruits are eaten raw
Myricaeae
30 Evodia fraxinofolia Khanakpa T Sd i. Headache, cold and cough i. Decoction of fruit with Timur &Chingphing is O
D.Don, Rutaceae taken
ii. Livestock disease ii. Decoction of fruit with Timur and Chingphing
is given
31 Simplocos rammosima Kharane T Sd Skin disease Expelled oil for massage C
Wallex.D.Don,
Symplocaceae
32 Symplocos pyrifolia Wall Kholme T Sd Skin disease Expelled oil for massage C
ex D. Don, Symplocaceae
33 Smilax microphyla Kukurdaino Cl, S Ys Rheumatism Paste applied and heat compressed by green C
Warb.,Liliaceae leaves.
34 Picrothiza scrofulariflora Kutki H Wp i. Cold, cough and fever i. Decoction of rhizome is taken O
Pennel, Scroplarifoliaceae ii. Jaundice ii. Rhizome is taken orally.
35 Rhododendron arboretum Laligurans T Fl, Sd i. Cuts i. Bark paste is applied C
Sm.Ericaceae ii. Fish bone in to neck ii. Flower is eaten
iii. appetizer iii. Flower are eaten as pickle
36 Daphne bholua Buch- Lokta S L,Fl Sinusitis Small leaf or flower is crushed and dispose inside C
Ham ex D. Don, nose
Thymalaceae
37 Pyrus phasia Buch-Ham Mehel T Ft Diarrhea and blood dysentery Fruit juice/Jam is taken orally or as pickle C
ex D. Don, Rutaceae
38 Lycopodium clavatum L., Sunthagne H Wp Bronchitis Plant decoction is taken C
Lycopodiaceae
39 Juglans regia L., Okhar T Ft Skin disease, feet tearing during Fruit applied in affected area after making paste
Juglandiaceae summer (Hilole khayeko)
40 Berginia ciliata (Haw.) Pakhanbet H Rt i. Dirrahoea and blood dysentery i. Root powder is taken O
Sternb,Saxifragaceae ii. Leucorrhea ii. Root powder is taken with honey
41 Arisaema spp, Araceae Pate Bako H L Burns Taken as vegetable O
42 Cheilanthes dalhouasie Rani Sinko H L cuts Leaf juice is applied
Hook.,Pteridaceae
43 Urtica dioca L., Sisnu H L i. Tonic Green leaves as vegetable C
Urticaceae ii. Hemorrhage
44 Rhododendron Sunpati T Fl Diuretic problem Flower Juice is applied C
anthopogon D. Don,
Ericaceae
45 Cinamomum spp, Tejpat T L, Ft i. Scabies, Itching and other skin i. Expelled oil is applied and gently massaged O
Lauraceae disease
46 Aconogonum molle Thotne H Ys As appetizer As pickle, or raw C
(D.Don)H.Hara,Polygonac
eae
47 Artemisia Dubia Wall ex. Tile Pati H L ,R I. Skin Disease i. Plant paste is applied and massaged C
Besser, Compositae ii. Blister and Infected wounds ii. Leaf juice is mixed with water and applied
iii. Skin allergies iii. Root pasted is applied and massaged
iv. Bee wasp and Sinou sting iv. Leaf Juice is applied
v. Anti dandruff v. Leaf juce and water selution during bathing
vi. Body fresheners vi. Leaf juice is applied in armpit to control
unwanted smelling
48 Lindera neesiana (Wall ex Silimur T Ft i. Cold, head ache i. Extracted oil is applied is affected area and O
Nees) Kurtz, Lauraceae slightly massaged.
ii. Vomiting ii. 1-2 drop of oil is taken
iii. Stomach pain iii. Fruit as spices or pickle with salt and chilies
49 Alnus nepalensis D.Don, Utis T B Pain Bark paste is applied in affected area O
Betulaceae
Note:
Habit: T = Tree H = Herb, S = Shrub, Cl = Climber, F = Fungus
Parts used: Ap = Aerial parts, B = Bark, Bc = Branch, Bu = Bubils, Fl = Flower, Ft = Fruits, Fb = Fruiting body,
Fd = Frond, L = Leaf, Rz = Rhizome, St = Stem, Sd = Seed, Wp = Whole plants, Ys = Young shoot
Status: C = Common, O = Occasional, R = Rare.