Ethno-botanical Studies and Survey of Rare and Endangered Medicinal Plants of Chang-La (17,688 ft) and Taglang-La (17,582 ft) Region of Union Territory of Ladakh

Abstract

The paper deals with the ethno-botanical studies and survey of rare and endangered medicinal plants of Chang-La and Taglang-La and surrounding villages (Meru, Lato, Gya, Sasoma and Rumtse). Although the region looks barren and lifeless, it actually represents a treasure house of diversity of plants with high medicinal, aromatic value and also fulfils other useful purposes (such as food, fodder, fuel and ritual requirements). Predominant species of these areas are:- Geranium wallichianum, Carum carvi, Aconogonom tortuosum, Cremanthodium elisii, Corydalis stricta, Oxytropis microphylla, Cicer microphyllum, Rosa webbiana, Caragana versicolor, Artemisia macrocephala, Dracocephalum heterophyllum, Hippophae rhamnoides, Astragalus tibetanus, Thalictrum foliolosum, Delphinium brunonianum. The medicinal plants surveyed during tour was widely used in Sowa- rigpa system of Indian medicine for curing various diseases and ailments as it has no side-effects compared to allopathic medicines. The present paper documents ethno-botanical information of sowa-rigpa traditional medicinal usage by the local people. Around 54 medicinal plants species botanical name, sowa-rigpa name, medicinal use, family, habitat and part uses are enumerated in this paper.