Botany
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14540/124
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Item Ethnomedicinal Plants used by the Tamang communities of Shankharapur, Kathmandu(2024) Farsawani, Srijana; Sangeeta Raj BhandariEthnobotany explores the intricate relationship between human societies and plants, including their traditional uses for food, medicine, and cultural practices. Ethnomedicine, a branch of ethnobotany, delves into local healing practices, often transmitted orally across generations, and investigates how cultural beliefs shape healthcare within different communities. Ethnic communities in Nepal's various phytogeographic regions have different indigenous knowledge of using plant resources for health care. This study primarily aims to document traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used by the Tamang community of Shankharapur, Kathmandu. The Tamang people, an indigenous ethnic group with a rich cultural heritage, have developed a profound knowledge of medicinal plants and healing practices over centuries. Ethnobotanical data were collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, personal interviews and transect walks by applying semistructured questionnaire. Quantitative parameters like Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Frequency Index (FI), Used Values (UV) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were used during ethnobotanical analysis to find out the important plant species used in the study area. Of the total informant, males were 26 and females were 14. The study documented 68 medicinal plant species used to treat 53 ailments. Herbs (25 species) were most abundant. Leaves (28) were the plant parts most preferred, and the major mode of herbal formulation was paste (29%). The disease category with the highest ICF value was musculoskeletal ailment with a value of 0.375. The study determined three plant species i.e. Ocimum sanctum Linn., Centella asiatica (L.) Urb and Artemisia indica Willd. with FL of 100%. The RFC value was highest for the Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. and Cannabis sativa L. with a value of 0.65. Highest the RFC most frequently the plant is used. There is a positive link between UVs and RFCs (r=0.66). Collaborative efforts between traditional healers and other stakeholders are essential for safeguarding the ethnomedicinal heritage of the Tamang people and ensuring its continued relevance in a rapidly changing world. Keywords: Ethnobotany, Tamang community, Medicinal plants, Traditional knowledge, BiodiversityItem Ethnomedicinal Plants of Malika forest, Baglung, West Nepal(2024) Upadhayaya, Kul Shekhar; Deepak Raj PantThe Baglung Municipality of Baglung district is located in the West Nepals province of Gandaki. This area is rich in flora and culture. This study documents plant species that are ethnmedicinally valuable in the area. Several plant specimens were prepared during the field tour. During Ethnobotanical analysis quantitative indicators like informant consensus factor (ICF), Frequency Index (FI) and Used Value (UV) were utilized to identify plant species with significant usage in the research area. The study area comprises 180 plants from 59 families. The Asteraceae family was the most dominant while the Saururaceae family had the least presence. The informant consensus factor values ranged between 0.11 to 0.92. The high ICF value was obtained for gynecological disorders while least was obtained for gasto-intestinal disorders. The frequency index showed that Daphne bhoula, Rhododendron arboreum, Artemisia indica and Zanthoxylum armatumwere the most commonly used plant species with the highest frequency index. Among the plant used 6% had a high use value, 21% had a moderate use value and 73% had a low use value. Among them, highest value was observed for Zanthoxylum armatum (2.6) followed by Daphne bhoula (2.4). Keywords: Ethnobotany, use value, West Nepal, disorders, flora, informantItem Traditional Ecological knowledge Related to himalayan Medicinal Plants ; Polyphylla Smith and Neopicrorhiza Scrophulariiflora ( Pennell) D. Y. Hong in Annapurna Conservation Area, central nepal(2024) Gurung, Arati; Suresh Kumar GhimireIndigenous mountain communities are rich in traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) as they are highly dependent on the plant sources to meet their basic needs as well as for primary healthcare. Paris polyphylla and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora are two important medicinal plants that hold significant cultural and medicinal value in the Himalayan region. These plants have been used for generation to treat various ailments. Investigating about the traditional uses and the associated ecological knowledge provides invaluable insights into the traditional heritage of these communities. Thus, this study focuses on documenting traditional knowledge on most commonly used medicinal plant species, assess the variation in traditional uses in terms of specific ailments treated and preparation methods and to investigate TEK related to life-history, habitat diversity, localities growing and identify the major issues and conservation recommendations based on local perception. Altogether, 47 informants were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire during May, June and September month of 2022. The study was conducted in two Gurung villages Bhujung and Chhomrong situated in Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). The result showed 23 medicinal plants are most preferred by local people to cure some of the common diseases like digestive system disorder and fever. P. polyphylla followed by Aconitum heterophyllum and N. scrophulariiflora were frequently cited medicinal plants in the study area. Both the communities were aware about the usepractice of the study species. However, self-use of P. polyphylla was reported more along with the trade only in Bhujung. Both the species are obtained through self-harvest and occasionally gifted by herders and porters. Additionally, the habitats and localities of growth of P. polyphylla were widely recognized compared to N. scrophulariiflora. The main habitat of N. scrophulariiflora was found to be lekh (high-altitude) whereas for P. polyphylla was reported to be shady places and forest as per the result of the study. Despite the extensive traditional ecological knowledge, the study also found the significant conservation issues causing in decline in the population of the study species, overharvesting and unsustainable practices being one of main serious causes. The study concludes with the set of recommendations provided by the local informants themselves that aims at promoting sustainable harvesting practices and aware local communities about the status of these important medicinal plants. Keywords: Traditional Ecological knowledge, indigenous people, medicinal plantsItem Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant activity of selected wild edible and cultivated Mushrooms of nepal(2024) Thapa Magar, Madhu; Hari Prasad AryalWild edible mushrooms have been widely used as nutrient-rich food since ancient times, and some of them are also produced on an industrial scale. In this study, the three most common cultivated mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus) and three wild edible mushrooms (Scleroderma cepa, Termitomyces microcarpus and Termitomyces schimperi) were selected for the study. The objectives of the study were to analyze and compare the bioactive compounds present and antioxidant activity of wild edible and commonly cultivated mushrooms. The Total Phenolic Content value was estimated by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. To determine the antioxidant potential of the samples, DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2, 2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) scavenging assays were employed. From the preliminary phytochemical screening, it was observed that both wild and cultivated mushrooms tend to contain bioactive compounds such as Alkaloids, Steroids, Terpenoids, Polyphenols, Cardiac glycosides, and Saponins. Methanolic extracts of all three wild mushrooms exhibited higher TPC than the cultivated mushrooms. Highest TPC was found in water extract of S. cepa with the value of 36.57±0.81 mg GAE/ g dry extract. Lowest TPC was found in methanol extract of cultivated mushroom, A. bisporus with the value of 11.60±0.08 mg GAE/ g dry extract. The antioxidant assay revealed that all three wild mushrooms are strong inhibitors of free radicals like DPPH with the lowest IC50 values than the cultivated mushrooms. But in the case of ABTS assay, only S. cepa and T. microcarpus had a lowest IC50 values than other mushroom samples. Lowest IC50 value in inhibiting DPPH radical was observed in methanolic extract of S. cepa with a value of 0.744 mg/mL. And, lowest IC50 value in inhibiting ABTS radical was also found in water extract of S. cepa with the value of 0.583 mg/mL. This study revealed that there was a correlation between the TPC and ABTS radical scavenging potential of the samples. But no significant correlation could observed in the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Further study should focus on exploring many other edible mushrooms and identifying specific antioxidant compound present in them. But, initial focus of the study should focus on the toxicity of wild mushrooms because many mushrooms in the wild could be poisonous to human kind. Keywords: Bioactive compounds, total phenolic content, S. cepa, T. microcarpus, T. schimperiItem Family Liliaceae in Nepal; Taxonomy Distribution pattern and Species Richness(2014) Rana, Hum Kala; Suresh Kumar GhimireAvailable in fulltextItem Heavy Metals Accumulation in Some Trees Growing around Hongshi Shivam Cement Factory, Nawalparasi, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-09-03) Bal Krishna Sapkota; Prof. Dr. Mukesh Kumar ChettriFull Text AvailableItem In-Situ Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Release in Different Tree Species of Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-08-14) Samikshya Acharya; Prof. Dr. Mohan Prasad DevkotaFull Text AvailableItem Ethnobotanical Study of Plants Used for Maternal and Child Health Care by Tharu Tribe of Dang District, Western Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2023-09-09) Sangita Chaudhary; Dr. Giri Prasad JoshiItem Air Pollution Tolerance Index and Anticipated Performance Index of Some Plant Species in Morang District, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-09-20) Uma Shrestha; Dr. Anjana DevkotaAvailable Full TextItem Study of Variation in Leaf Trait and Soil Nutrients in Schima Wallichii and Quercus Leucotrichophora at Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2023-04-10) Sumitra Dahal; Prof. Dr. Kanta PoudyalAvailable Full TextItem Diversity, Distribution and Use of Non-Timber Forest Products in the Ekata Community Forest of Nawalparasi (East), Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-05-03) Sharada Neupane; Dr. Yadav UpretiAvailable Full TextItem Ethnomedical Study in the Rubivalley Rural Municipality Dhading, Central Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-05-28) Saroj Adhikari; Dr. Giri Prasad JoshiAvailable Full TextItem Dicot Flora of Sworgadwari Hill in Pyuthan District, Western Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-09-09) Sadikshya Gautam; Prof. Dr. Devendra Mananda BajracharyaAvailable Full TextItem Soil Organic Carbon and Fungal Population in Different Land Use Types of Chapagaun, Lalitpur(Amrit Campus, 2024-09-09) Sabina Thokar; Dr. Laxmi Joshi ShresthaAvailable Full TextItem Native and Invasive Plants in Some Selected Habitats of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, Far West Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-04-04) Roshni Bhatta; Prof. Dr. Bipana AcharyaAvailable Full TextItem Heavy Metal Accumulation in Some Plants at Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-07-30) Ramchandra Adhikari; Dr. Laxmi Joshi ShresthaAvailable Full TextItem Population Status and Harvest Practice Of Nardostachys Jatamansi (D.Don) Dc. in Jumla District, Karnali, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-05-17) Priscilla Gautam; Dr. Baburam PoudelAvailable Full TextItem Prevalence Of Ectoparasites (Lice) Among Domestic Animals (Buffalo, Goat and Pig) of Khaniyabas Rural Municipality-3, Dhading District, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-09-21) Bina Tamang; Dipak GuptaAvailable Full TextItem Distribution Pattern, Morphology and Anatomy of Taxus Mairei (Lemée & Lév.) S.Y. Hu In Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-08-28) Pramila Dhukhwa; Prof. Dr. Lokesh Ratna ShakyaAvailable Full TextItem Macro Lichens of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-05-22) Parshu Ram Regmi; Chitra Bahadur BaniyaAvailable Full Text