Overview of Indian Plants

Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle Family: Ranunculaceae Description:   It is a perennial herb, with erect stem, often simple or with few branches from base. Height up to about 1 m. Roots / Tubers: The part used medicinally is the tuberous root. Roots are conical/tuberous, often mother and daughter tubers in pairs. The shoot is annual, root is biannual (i.e. roots need two years to develop fully). Leaves: lower leaves petiolate, ovate or cordate at base, shallowly lobed or toothed; upper leaves sessile or stem‑clasping, varying shape. “Heterophyllum” means “different leaves” i.e. leaf shape varies. Flowers: loose racemes or panicled racemes; flowers large (≈ 3‑4 cm), hooded (“helmet‑shaped”), colour white to bluish‑violet or green‑blue with purple veins. Distribution (World & India): Global / general Himalayas : Native to the Western Himalayas; also found in Nepal and adjacent Himalayan regions. Altitude range : Generally between ~ 2,000 m to ~ 4,500 m above sea leve...

Maharanga emodi (Wall.) DC. Family: Boraginaceae Distributed throughout Himalaya. Medicinal plant Uses: To alleviate ear ache, the root juice is applied topically along with mustard oil. The entire plant is used as a hair tonic and to cure rheumatism, skin conditions, rheumatic fever, lung issues, hypertension, and urinary abnormalities. It has been reported that a methanolic extract of the root exhibits moderate efficacy against the human influenza virus. Rhizome juice is applied topically as a tonic for hair. The root extract is used as a hair color by combining it with mustard oil.

Hedychium spicatum   Sm. Shati , Kapoor Kachri Family: Zingiberaceae . Description : Habit:  A tall, robust, perennial rhizomatous herb, typically growing up to 1.5 m tall.   Roots / Rhizome:  The rootstock is a fleshy, tuberous rhizome, with a strong aromatic odor and a bitter, camphoraceous taste. It is white and starchy inside. The rhizome is the most commonly used part.   Leaves:  Broadly lanceolate, up to 30 cm long.   Flowers:  Fragrant, white with an orange-red base, borne in a dense, terminal spike 15–25 cm long. Flowering generally occurs from August to October.   Distribution (World & India) :   Global:  Found throughout the entire Himalayan region. Distributed in Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.   India:  Found in the Western and Central Himalayas, and states like Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.   Altitude range:  Occurs in subtropical and sub-temperate r...

Habenaria edgworthii Family: Orchidaceae Medicinal plants

Ephedra gerardiana Family: Ephedraceae Medicinal plants Found at higher altitudes in Himalayas

Berberis aristata Family: Berberidaceae Medicinal plants Found in higher altitudes in Himalayas

Arnebia benthamii Family: Boraginaceae Medicinal plants Found at higher altitudes in Himalayas