Nardostachys jatamansi: A Critically Endangered Plant of the Himalayas

 

Nardostachys jatamansi +4000m Dherup, Chokhor, Bumthang, Bhutan

Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC is a flowering plant of the family Caprifoliaceae (Amita & Dhiman, 2019) and a monotypic species of the genus Nardostachys growing in the Himalayas (Larsen & Olsen, 2008; Gautam & Raina, 2013). This perennial herbaceous species (Gautam & Raina, 2013; Ved et. al., 2015) is found in rocky outcrops, alpine meadows, Juniper scrub, and dwarf Rhododendron forest (Weberling, 1975; Amatya & Sthapit, 1994; Ghimire et. al., 2015) from lowest recorded elevation of 2,200 Meters Above Sea Level (Ved et. al., 2015) to highest 5,200masl (Larsen & Olsen, 2008). This plant is confirmed to occur in Kashmir (India), Sikkim (India), Nepal, Bhutan, South-West China including the autonomous region of Tibet, Yunnan and southwest Sichuan with conflicting occurrences in Myanmar, Afghanistan and Pakistan (Polunin & Stainton, 1984; Larsen & Olsen, 2008; Ved et. al., 2015).

Known as Paangpoey (Thinley, 2010) in Dzongkha and other in-country local dialects, and Spang-spos (Wangchuk et. al., 2008) in gSo-ba-rig-pa, in Bhutan, Nardostachys jatamansi occur in Thimphu, Trongsa, and Bumthang districts in the central temperate (C) zone. In the northern alpine zone, it occurs in Upper Mo Chu, Upper Bumthang Chu, Upper Kuru Chu and Upper Kulong Chu districts as recorded by Grierson & Long (2001) in the Flora of Bhutan.

Nardostachys jatamansi is among the highly distinguished medicinal and aromatic plants of the Himalayan region (Larsen & Olsen, 2008; Gautam & Raina, 2013; Ved et. al., 2015). Use of this species was first documented in 16th century (Gautam & Raina, 2013). Fibrous rhizomes of N. jatamansi were used as incense since the Vedic days (Thakur & Hussain 1989).

In China it is reported to be used as pain reliever and to treat turgid chest (Fu, 1993). Both Unani and Ayurvedic systems of medicine in India make use of this plant for its medicinal properties (Jain, 1994). A paste of its rhizome is applied to treat hemorrhoids and addressing many other health issues in Nepal (Manandhar, 2002). The Tibetan ‘Amchis’make use of the rhizomes to treat complains like epilepsy, wounds, coughs, colds, and high blood pressure (Ghimire et. al., 2005). In the Bhutanese traditional medicine, rhizomes are used as detoxifier, for chronic fever and heart disorders (Wangchuk et. al., 2008). N. Jatamansi is also collected for production of incenses (Mulliken, 2000) that are considered high-end (Mulliken & Crofton, 2008).

Owing to its several medicinal properties and high demand from pharmaceutical industries (Sing et. al., 2013), Nardostachys jatamansi is traded at local, regional, national and international levels (Ved et. al., 2015). Market demand on account of its commercial use as plant drug, the level of exploitation is high. It is collected from its wild habitat in an indiscriminate way and thus population is on decline (Ved et. al., 2015).

Nardostachys jatamansi is assessed as Critically Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN) via assessment by Ved et. al. (2015). The species is also enlisted in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix 2 due to suspicious decline in population triggered by commercial trade (Larsen & Olsen (2008).