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Medicinal Orchids Of Shimla Hills,Their Uses And Conservation

Status

Shaveta Chauhan*

PG Department of Botany
Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya Jalandhar-144008

* Email of Corresponding author: shavetachauhan@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Medicinal plants, since times immemorial, have been used in virtually all cultures as a source
of medicine. Developed countries, in recent times, are turning to the use of traditional

medicinal systems like acupuncture and ayurved which are in practice in China and India and
involve the use of herbal drugs and remedies.India, one among 17 Bio-diverse countries of

the world, is abode of 17000-18000 floral species, out of which 7000 are those of Medicinal

Plants. Approx. 85% to 90% of these come from the wild. However, the genetic diversity of
traditional medicinal plants is continuously under erosion because of extensive collections,

poor harvesting techniques, and progressive loss of growth habitats and unmonitored trade of
medicinal plants. Orchids have been described as the “Royal Family” of plants by those

captivated by their exquisite flowers of myriad shapes, sizes, and colours. Besides
contributing tremendously to the growth and development of international trade in

floriculture, the orchids are also therapeutically significant.Heavy pressures of commercial

collection and habitat destruction have detrimentally affected the size and frequency of their
natural populations. As of now, the entire orchid family figures prominently in the appendix

II of the list of endangered plant (CITES-Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and their international trade is strictly controlled and

monitored. As many as110 species of Indian orchids are medicinally important most of which

have been collected from their natural habitats to the point of rarity. Many stunning species
have gone extinct.

Key words: Medicinal,Orchids,endangered
INTRODUCTION

Medicinal plants, since times immemorial, have been used in virtually all cultures as a source

of medicine. The use of herbal remedies mentioned in ancient texts such as Vedas and Bible
are obtained from wild and natural occurring medicinal plants. Medicine, in several

developing countries, using local traditions and beliefs, are still widely used to conserve

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