Medicinal Plants in Nepal

Medicinal plants are those which relieves us from different ailments, diseases, disorders or help to regulate the body function. Traditionally ancestors in Nepal are using these plants for curing diseases.Different parts of the medicinal plants like roots, leaves, fruits, oil extracts, flowers, stems are used as medicine. 


As Nepal has almost all form of ecosystems exist in world except marine and desert ecosystem, it has diversity in flora and fauna also. Many species of plants found in Nepal are identified as medicinal purpose plants. All forms of climatic conditions and topography has led to host around 7000 species of plants among which 10% of total are used for the production of Ayurvedic, Yunani and Siddha medicine.

Medicinal plants in Nepal  are proved to be effective and functions without side effects. Apart from manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines and direct use, medicinal plants are used to make cosmetics, perfume, incense stick, oil, soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc. The use of medicinal plants has directly contributed to the livelihood of the people in Mountain region in Nepal for many centuries. Some people of Himalayan collect the medicinal plants and their parts from the forest ans shell them in the hilly region and terai region of Nepal. Medicinal palnts and herbs are also used in kitchen to add flavor, color, increase appetite and enhance taste. Herbs like timur, turmeric, garlic, ginger etc are used in Nepalese Kitchen as well.

Many plants like Spikenard(jatamasi), Cordyceps sinensis(Yarsagumba), Serpentine(Sarpagandha), Padmachal, Titepati, holy basil(Tulsi), ginger, Emblica(Amala), chiraito etc are used in Nepal to eithe directly use them as medicine in a raw state or to produce herbal medicines.

Various Medicinal Plants in Nepal

ROOT: Dactylorhiza hataigirea (Paanch Aule), Spikenard (Jatamasi), Acoruscalamus( Bojho), Allium( Ban lasun), Sugandhawal, Vyakur etc.

LEAVES: Himalayan Yew( LaunthSalla), Mugwort(Titepati), Justicia adhatoda(Asuro), Tejpat, Kumkum ,Vorla etc.

SEED & FRUITS: Peepal, Rudraksha, hog pulm (lapsi), Katus, Rittha, Shikakai, harro, barro, Amala etc.

SEEDLINGS: Cordyceps sinensis (Yershagumba), Swertia chirayita(Chiraito), Jhyau, Majitho, Centella asiatica(Ghodtapre), Somlata, Nagbeli etc.

BARK: Walnut, Connamon (Dalchini), Betulaulis(Bhojpatra), barberry(Chutro), Chhatiwan, Totala, Palaash, Terminalia arjuna (Arjun), Margosa tree(neem) etc.

FIBERS: Rhododendron, Nageshwor, Asuro, Simal etc

COLOR: Pipal, Majitho, Amala, Mehandi, Ghantiful etc.

GUM & RESIN: Black asphaltum(silajit), Khoto, Kainerrium sikeemens(Gokuldhoop), Red Sandalwood (Raktachandhan) etc.

Note: Medicinal plants should be collect at the appropriate time. While collecting the parts of medicinal plants other parts should not be harmed.