Ethno-medicinal uses of some orchids of Nagaland, North-east India

Abstract

Orchids, in spite of being considered as highly valuable ornamental plants are also known to possess therapeutic properties because of its rich contents of alkaloid, glycerides and other useful phytochemicals. Their application as herbal medicine in traditional folklore system is well known and widely accepted. Nagaland, one of the 8 North-eastern states of India figures more prominently among the other states as one of the most ideal repositories of several highly diverse orchid species. However, the use of orchids in traditional healing process is restricted due to limited understanding and knowledge about the therapeutic values of these locally available plants. The present investigation was undertaken by describing the habits, distribution and medicinal uses of 30 different orchid species of Nagaland in an attempt to create awareness of their therapeutic importance and encourage people to use them in traditional folklore medicines. © 2014 Academic Journals Inc.