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Abstract Detail


Economic Botany Section

Joshi, Kunjani [1].

Swertia (Gentianaceae) in the Hilly Region of Nepal - Biogeography, Traditional Uses and Trade.

Swertia comprises of 31 species with one endemic species (Swertia acaulis H. Sm.) in Nepal. They are widely distributed in the meadow, open forest and scrub ecosystems of the hilly regions of Eastern, Central and Western regions in Nepal. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to document the distribution of Swertia species. During the ethnobotanical survey, eleven species of Swertia have been documented with their traditional uses from villages and adjoining areas of Rasuwa, Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, Makwanpur, Kathmandu, and Lalitpur Districts in Central Development Region. Local people have remarkably detailed knowledge of species identity, characteristics and their specific uses. Swertia species, especially S. chirayita, have been used extensively in the Nepalese herbal medicine and occupies one of the major portions in the trade of medicinal and aromatic plants. About nine species (S. chirayita, S. angustifolia, S. ciliata, S. dilatata, S. multicaulis, S. racemosa, S. tetragona, S. alata, S. nervosa) have been reported under trade with common name "chiraito". Adultration of chiraito with other low quality species of Swertia and other related species are very common in the trade. These activities can impact the quality of the medicinal material. Some recommendations have been made to integrate conservation measures and sustainable uses of the species.

Broader Impacts:


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1 - Tribhuvan University, Department of Botany, Kathmandu, Nepal

Keywords:
biogeography
Sustainable Uses
Traditional Practices
Nepal
Trade.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Battelle South/Convention Center
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEN002
Abstract ID:489


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