Medicinal
plants
FOUND IN NEPAL
01
Introduction Table of Content 02
Holi Basil
04 05
03 06 07
Heart-leaved Asiatic
Neem moonseed
Tumeric Malaber nut
pennywort
08 09 10 11 12
Calamus Caterpillar Mugwort Aloevera Conclusion
fungus
Welcome
subigya
Introduction
Plants that are used as a raw Based On Ayurveda and Local
material for making different types Knowledge.
of medicines are called Medicinal Mainly Used for Healing
Plants. Purposes.
Nepal, with its diverse topography Lack of development of
and climate, is home to a rich market, research and use of
variety of flora, including these herbs has stunted the
traditional medicinal plants of more growth of Nepal's Economy
than 700 different species. and Health Sector.
Highest number of Medicinal Plants
are found in the Karnali Region of
Nepal.
Holi Basil (Tulsi)
Scientific name : Ocimum sanctum
It can be found in most places.
Produces more oxygen and is important for religious
significance too.
it is used as spice in various dishes as well as tea.
the leaf, shoot, flower and seeds of the plant is used as
medicine.
it stimulates the appetite and promotes active and
smooth digestion.
Posses antimicrobial properties which is used to destroy
harmful microorganisms that is affect animals and
humans.
Holi Basil (Tulsi) Used for various purposes: disinfection, purifying water,
gargling
It’s leaves are boiled and consumed during throat pain,
cold and infections.
Neem
Scientific name: Azadirachta indica
Parts used: Leaves, root, stem, flower,
fruit
Bitter in taste
Neem juice helps improve skin health
Natural purifier of blood
Destroys bad cholesterol
Minimizes high blood pressure
Excess use leads to extreme low blood
Neem
pressure
Neem
It has exhibited immunomodulatory,
anti-inflammatory,
antihyperglycaemic, antiulcer,
antimalarial, antifungal,
antibacterial, antiviral,
antioxidant, antimutagenic and
anticarcinogenic properties :)
Neem
Heart-leaved moonseed (GurjO)
Scientific name:Dregea volubilis
Description:
The Heartleaf Shaped Moon Seed is a twining vine notable for its heart-shaped leaves.
It is a climbing vine that has warty stems and light-dark green leaves.
Location:
This plant is native to Nepal, particularly thriving in hilly and subtropical regions.
They can often be seen climbing trees and shrubs. Heart-leaved moonseed thrives in warm
and humid climate with well-drained soil.
Uses:
This plant has a variety of uses:
Heart leaves are edible and often used as herbal medicine to cure stomach-related
complications. These leaves are good for diuresis and detoxification.
In Ayurvedic (Hindu Medical System, heart-leaved moonseeds are t various ailments.
For example, these leaves can be used to lower fevers and encourage perspiration.
Cultural Significance:
This plant holds cultural and religious significance, with some of its parts possibly
Heart -leaved moonseed (Gurjo)
used in rituals. For instance, in Nepalese communities the Heart-leaved moonseed, is
akin to a cultural emblem, woven into ceremonies like weddings and religious rituals.
Conservation:
Habitat loss poses a significant threat to this plant's survival. Thus, there is an
emphasis on the need for sustainable harvesting practices and further research to
balance traditional uses with conservation efforts.For instance, in Nepal, local
initiatives promote sustainable harvesting practices, ensuring the plant's preservation
while supporting traditional uses.
Asiatic pennywort (Ghod tapre)
Scientifc name:Centella asiatica
Use: Asiatic pennywort finds extensive use as a blood purifier, high
blood pressure treatment, memory enhancer, and longevity promoter.
Ayurveda highlights Asiatic pennywort’s significant role in
revitalizing nerves and brain cells.
Location: Asiatic pennywort can be found in various regions of Nepal.
It typically thrives in hilly and subtropical areas, often growing in
well-drained soils and climbing over trees and shrubs
Cultural Significance:Asiaitc pennywort,holds cultural significance in
Nepal, where it may be integrated into traditional medicine and
Asiatic pennywort practices. The plant might be valued for its potential therapeutic
properties and plays a role in local rituals or ceremonies.
(Ghod Tapre)
Conservation: In Nepal, conservation efforts for Asiatic pennywort
include initiatives promoting sustainable harvesting practices, such as
controlled collection of the plant for medicinal use. Local communities
are engaged to raise awareness about its significance
Turmeric
Scientific name: Curcuma longa
Perennial herb
Stem modified into underground
rhizome
Contains the organic chemical
curcumin (makes it yellow coloured
and is also its medicinal property)
Contains vitamins A, B, B2 & C
Tumeric
Contains calcium, phosphorus and
iron
Contains antimicrobial property
Consumption of turmeric enhances
body’s immunity
Turmeric
Cultivated in Nepal since ancient
times
Helps destroy toxins in the body
Used in the treatment of leprosy
and scabies
Prevents respiratory diseases and
heart-related diseases
also used in cosmetics
Tumeric
used as a colouring dye
anti-inflammatory effects
Malaber nut (Asuro)
Scientific Name: Adhatoda vasica
A medium sized shrub
Found in the range of Chure mountains and up to
Mahabharata range
Contains chemicals like vasicinem vasicinone,
hydroxyl vasicine, which is why it is used in the
treatment of respiratory ailments.
Uses:
To treat respiratory ailement
Leaves are boiled in water; used to gargle for the treatment of teeth
and gum ailments
Consumption prevents various infections (because of its microbial
properties)
Malabar nut (Asuro) Its flower is used as a medicine in the burning sensation of the
urinary tract
Used in tea to relieve common cold
Juice of its flower and leaf helps to clear mucus from lungs and
respiratory tract
Widens respiratory pathways
Manure in fields
Calamus (Bojo)
Scientific name: Acorus calamus
Grows on swampy land and on the bank
of ponds, ditches etc.
Grows easily without any care from
humans.
Leaves are sword-shaped, its modified
root-like structure is called a rhizome
Calamus (Bojo) which is used as traditional medicine.
helps in throat-related heath disorders.
used to relieve pain and to treat upset
stomach.
Excessive use can cause nose bleeding.
Caterpillar fungus
(Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba)
Scientific Name: Cordyceps sinensis
Found at the height of 3000m-5000m from sea level, in snow covered
grasslands
Long, white, or brown coloured fungus, belongs to fungus group
About 5-8cm
Grows on the body of a caterpillar
Reproduces by spores
The spores produced spread through the atmosphere
Spores attach itself to a caterpillar and germinate in the body of
the larvae
Hyphae of fungus spreads through the body in search of food
The caterpillar can move for some time, but gets relaxed once the
Caterpillar fungus hyphae has spread extensively
Larva dies and fungus receives nutrients and grows
Has two parts: upper (fungus) and lower (caterpillar
In winter, it seems like an insect, in rainy season, it mummifies
the dead insect
No root, stem, leaf, slower or fruit
Used in medicine for Ayurveda
Energy booster when consumed with honey or milk
Rare, its collection, use, sales and export is prohibited
Mugwort (Tite pati)
Scientific name: Artemisia Vulgaris
Grows in moist soil without shade
Leaves, roots, stems and blossoms
are all used
Its dark green leaves are aromatic
and bitter, can be eaten raw
Aids in digestion, circulation and
respiration issues
Directly used on bruises and sores
Consumption helps in fever, cough,
Mugwort (Tite pati)
cold, irregular periods and stomach
aches
Aloevera (Ghiu kumari)
scientific name: Aloe Vera
Grows in hot and dry climate
Has thick, pointy, and fleshy
green leaves
contains antioxidant and
antibacterial properties
Used on the skin to treat acne,
lichen planus, burns, wounds
Orally consumed for weight loss,
diabetes, hepatitis,
Aloevera (Ghiu kumari)
Over-use can cause heart problems
and consumption is unsafe during
pregnancy
Conclusion
In conclusion, the adverse
Biodiversity of Nepal
contributes a great deal to the
usage of medicinal plants and
acts as a base for traditional
practices like Ayurveda.
Each of these Plants have a
long History of Traditional use
which signifies the importance
of their cultural and medicinal
property.
Proper Usage and Development of
these plants will Help to
Develop Nepal's Economic and
Health Sectors
