AN ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW OF THREE NOTABLE MEDICINAL PLANTS FOUND IN THE UNION TERRITORY OF LADAKH, INDIA

Abstract

The paper deals with the thorough review of ethnopharmacological knowledge of three medicinal plants (Mentha longifolia, Peganum harmala, and Podophyllum hexandrum) of Union Territory of Ladakh, India, their traditional practices by the inhabitants of the area for their daily sustenance. Traditional medicine of the cold desert of Ladakh has immense potential to treat various ailments among tribal communities inhabiting the remotest region of the Indian subcontinent. The documentation and review of ethnopharmacological information, phytochemical and pharmacological validation, and their traditional use in different remedies and to conserve the disappearing traditional knowledge system of Ladakh, India, the plants mentioned above have been studied in detail in the present paper.

Keywords

• traditional knowledge
• noteworthy medicinal plants of ladakh
• trans-himalaya
• indian himalayan region