European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON ETHNOBOTANICAL APPLICATIONS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF SATYRIUM NEPALENSE D.DON. (ORCHIDACEAE)

Yashoda Rawat*, D. C. Singh, Suresh Chaubey and R. C. Tiwari

ABSTRACT

Orchidaceae is one among the two largest families of angiosperms. Orchids are popular all over the world due to their wide spread ethnobotanical importance and the beautiful flowers they produce. In this review, ethnobotanical uses and pharmacological activities of a highly valuable Himalayan Orchid Satyrium nepalense D.Don is discussed by referring flora, journals, and search engines such as Google scholar, ScienceDirect and Pubmed. Ethnobotanical investigations have revealed the potential therapeutic role of tubers and roots of S.nepalense D.Don. The orchid is used in traditional medicine by local people for treating ailments like diarrhoea, malaria and dysentery. Its tubers are considered as tonic and are eaten by local inhabitants. Juice of tubers is taken for fever and also applied on cuts and wounds by various tribes. S.nepalense is investigated for various pharmacological activities too. Studies have revealed the potential of S.nepalense to exhibit a range of bioactivities such as antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities. In conclusion, S.nepalense is an extensively used rare terrestrial orchid for medicinal purposes in several parts of the India and other countries. Major emphasis has to be given for the in-situ or ex-situ conservation of this medicinally important orchid species. S.nepalense can be a promising herb because of its pharmacological potential in various disorders.

Keywords: Himalayan Orchids, Orchidaceae, Satyrium nepalense, Salam mishri, Salang-mishri Ethnomedicine, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial.