Table 2 Ethnomedicinal plants of Terai forest in western Nepal and their traditional therapeutic uses

Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd., Fabaceae, AGS-45

22

Khayar (N/M)/Tree/Wild/Rare

Bark, wood

*Bark powder is applied on tooth ache. *Wood decoction is given orally in intestinal pain. Bark paste is applied in skin diseases.

Acalypha indica L., Euphorbiaceae, AGS-66

15

Mukta barshi jhar (N),/Herb/Wild/Easily

Entire plant

*Plant decoction is given orally in toothache and earache. *Leaf paste is applied on burns. *Fresh leaf juice is applied on rheumatoid arthritis.

Acorus calamus L. Acoraceae, AGS-71

27

Bojho (N)/Katara (Th)/Herb/Wild

Root

Juice of root is given orally in stomach disorders, bronchitis, fever and its small piece chewed to clear the throat and open the voice.

Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae, AGS- 33

33

Ulta chirchiri (Th)/Datiwan (N)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Entire plant

Decoction of plant is given as diuretic. Root juice is applied to treat toothache. *Root juice is given orally asthma. Stem is used as toothbrush in tooth problems.

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa ex Roxb., Rutaceae, AGS- 25

20

Bel (N/Th) /Tree/Cultivated

Fruit pulp, leaf and root

Fruit juice is given orally in Diarrhoea and dysentery. Leaves are given orally in stomach disorders. *Root juice is given orally in fever and vomiting.

Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae, AGS-49

38

Gandhe jhar (N)/Gandhaula (Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Leaf

Leaf juice is given to cure bleeding from cuts and wounds. Plant paste is applied to cure muddy wounds between toes during rainy season.

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. Aloaceae, AGS- 38

35

Ghiu Kumari (N)/Ghrit Kumari (Th) Herb/Cultivated

Leaf juice Leaf pulp

*Leaf pulp is given orally in lung disease and stomach disorders. Leaf pulp is applied on skin burns.

Amaranthus spinosus L. Amaranthaceae, AGS-15

38

Ban lunde (N)/Kande Lundo (M)/Herb/Wild, easily

Tender shoot, root

Root decoction is given as diuretic. Tender shoot is given to cure leucorrhoea, flatulence, and colic pain.

Argemone mexicana L. Papaveraceae, AGS-11

36

Bharbhanda (Th)/Herb/Wild, easily

Milky juice and root

Milky juice of the plant is applied on tumors and skin diseases. Root paste is applied on skin diseases and flatulence.

Artemisia indica Willd. Asteraceae, AGS-52

18

Tite pati (N)/Pati (Th)/Herb/wild or cultivated

Tender shoot and leaves

*Leaf juice is given orally in bronchitis. Leaf paste is applied in skin diseases. Dried tender shoot powder is given orally in fever.

Asparagus racemosus Willd., Liliaceae, AGS-28

31

Kurilo(N)/Santawar (Th)/Herb/cultivated

Tuberous root

Dried root powder is given orally with hot water to cure urinary troubles. Root decoction is given orally after delivery as tonic. Tuberous root powder is given orally to increase lactation.

Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Meliaceae, AGS- 8

76

Neem (N/M/Th)/Tree/Wild and cultivated

Tender shoot, leaf and bark/Tree

Decoction of fresh leaves is used to wash skin to treat scabies. Young stem is used as tooth brush in tooth problems. Fresh leaves are given orally for the purification of blood and for control of sugar level. Tender twigs paste is applied on wounds for early healing.

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennel, Scorphulariaceae, AGS-21

16

Jal nim, Brahami(N)/Khole Sag (M/Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily in northern parts, rare in southern parts

Entire plants/Herb

Plant juice is given orally as diuretic, cardiac tonic and memory enhancer. Plant juice is given as hair tonic especially in thinning and falling hairs.

Bauhinia variegata L. Fabaceae, AGS-68

42

Koiralo (N)/Koilar (Th)/Tree/cultivated

Bark and flower juice

*Bark decoction and flower juice are given in Diarrhoea, dysentery, indigestion and body ache. *Bark decoction is given to cure tumors.

Bombax ceiba L. Bombacaceae, AGS- 35

22

Simal (N)/Semar (Th)/Tree/Wild/Rare

Root

Root decoction is given as tonic, anti-dysenteric and in urinary troubles. *Bark decoction is given orally in bronchial diseases.

Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T. Aiton, Asclepiadaceae, AGS-12

15

Aank (N)/Madar (Th)/Shrub/Wild/Easily

Root, Milky latex and flower/Shrub

Root paste applied on boils, pimples, and skin disease. Milky latex is applied on muscular pain, cut, wounds, boils, and ringworm. *Flower powder is given orally in cough, cold, and bronchitis.

Carica papaya L. Caricaceae

18

Mewa (N)/Papita, Larmewa (Th)/Shrub/cultivated

Latex and fruit

*Milky latex is given in toothache and dysentery.

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. Apiaceae, AGS- 36

29

Ghod Tapre (N)/Ghortapya, Bhatbhate(Th)/Herb/wild

Entire plant

Plant decoction is given orally as diuretic, tonic, blood purifier and in skin diseases, leprosy, and mental disorder. Leaf juice is given orally in indigestion.

Chenopodium album L. Chenopodiaceae, AGS-9

27

Bethe (N)/Bethuwa (Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Tender shoot and flower

Tender shoot and flower juice is given orally to kill and expel the round worm and in constipation.

Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. Rutaceae,

49

Kagati (N)/Nibuwa (Th)/Shrub/Cultivated

Leaves and fruit

*Leaves are chewed to expel intestinal worms. *Rind paste and fruit juice is applied in pimples and dandruff.

Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, Araceae, AGS-19

20

Pindalu, Karkalo (N)/Gabha, Ghuiya (Th)/Herb/cultivated

Corm and tender aerial parts

*Petioles used as green vegetables in liver problems. *Corm paste is applied over cuts/wounds to stop bleeding.

Coriandrum sativum L. Apiaceae

18

Dhaniya (N/M/Th)/Herb/cultivated

Leaf and seeds

*Leaf paste is applied on allergic inflammation. *Green leaves are used in the preparation of soft drink along with sugar and given orally inx stomachache.

Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae

84

Besar (N)/Hardi (Th)/Herb/Cultivated

Rhizome

Rhizome decoction is given as stimulant, tonic, and blood purifier. Rhizome paste is externally applied on strains, wounds, and injuries. Fresh rhizome juice is given as anthelmintic. Rhizome powder is given orally with luck warm water in jaundice and liver disorders.

Curcuma amada Roxb. Zingiberaceae, AGS-34

31

Aama haldi (N)/Amaadi (Th) /Herb/ Cultivated

Rhizome/Herb

*Rhizome powder is given as digestive to clean throat and tongue. *Rhizome paste is externally applied on strains, rheumatism, and inflammation.

Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Convolvulaceae, AGS- 65

53

Aakashbeli (N)/Baora (Th)/Parasitic climber/wild

Entire plant

*Juice of the plant is given orally to treat fever. Plant paste is applied externally to treat headache, stomachache and rheumatism. Plant paste is applied on fractures.

Cymbopogon citratis (DC. ex. Nees) Stapf, Poaceae, AGS-50

16

Pire ghans (N)/Kagati ghans(Th)/Herb/Cultivated

Leaves

Leaves are used to make tea and given orally in cough, cold, headache, and fever.

Cyperus rotundus L. Cyperaceae, AGS-48

20

Mothe (N)/Bhada (Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Tuber

Tuber infusion, with sugar/salt is given orally in dysentery, Diarrhoea, and indigestion and as anti inflammatory agent.

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Poaceae, AGS-5

27

Dubo (N)/Dub (Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Entire plant

Plant paste is applied on cuts and wounds. *Root infusion along with sugar is given orally in bleeding piles and indigestion. *Plant juice used as eardrop in earache.

Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., Fabaceae, AGS-40

18

Sisau (N)/Sisava (Th)/Tree/cultivated and wild

Bark and leaf juice

Bark and leaf juice are given orally in Diarrhoea, dysentery and as anthelmintic. It is applied externally on cut and wounds. *Leaf decoction is given orally in gonorrhea.

Datura metel L. Solanaceae, AGS-3

16

Kalo Dhaturo (N/M)/herb/Wild/Easily

Leaf, stem and seed

Leaves juice is given orally in epilepsy. *Dried stem and leaves are smoked in asthma. *Seeds are boiled in mustard oil and massaged on joint pains.

Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex Munro, Poaceae, AGS-67

27

Tama Bans (N/M)/Shrub/Wild/Easily

Tender shoot and stem node

*Stem node paste is applied on boils. *Tender shoots (Tama) is consumed as vegetable as aphrodisiac.

Dioscorea pentaphylla L., Dioscoreaceae, AGS-32

18

Bhyakur (N)/Ban Tarul (Th)/Climber/Wild

Rhizome

*Boiled Rhizome is given orally in abdominal pain.

Drymaria diandra Blume Caryophyllaceae, AGS-64

16

Abijalo (N), Sirbire Jhar (Th)/Herb/Wild/Rare

Entire plant

Root juice is inhaled to treat sinusitis.

Eclipta prostrata L. Asteraceae, AGS-6

22

Bhringi jhar, Bhringraaj (N)/Bhangaraila (Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Entire plant

Plant paste is applied on cut, wounds, skin diseases, and pimples.

Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae, AGS-22

33

Dudhe Jhar (N)//Doodhe Jharra (Th) Herb/Wild/Easily

Entire plant

Plant juice is applied on cuts and wounds. Leaf juice is given orally in diarrhoea.

Ficus benghalensis L., Moraceae, AGS-30

29

Bar (N)/Bargad (Th)/Tree/Wild/Easily

Bark and milky latex/Tree

Bark infusion is given orally in diabetes. *Milky latex is applied on muscular pain.

Gloriosa superba L., Liliaceae, AGS-31

38

Karihari, Kewari (N)/Climber/Wild/Easy

*Rhizome paste is applied externally on ringworm and other skin diseases.

Ipomoea aquatica Forssk., Convolvulaceae, AGS-16

40

Kerunga Sag (N)/Kermua Sag, Karmaiya Sag (Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Tender shoot

*Tender shoot is used as vegetable in gastric trouble and general debility.

Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., Convolvulaceae

16

Shakarkand (N)/Herb/Cultivated

Tuberous root and leaf juice

*Leaf juice is given orally in diabetes.

Ipomoea carnea Jacq. ssp. fistulosa (Mart. ex Choisy) D. Austin, Convolvulaceae, AGS-23

16

Behaya (Th),Besharam (N)/Shrub/Wild/Easily

Latex of leaf and tender shoot

*Latex of leaf and tender shoot are applied as antiseptic on wounds between toes in rainy seasons.

Justicia adhatoda L., Acanthaceae, AGS-14

42

Asuro (N)/Ross (Th)/Shrub/Wild/Easily

Leaf

Warm decoction of the leaves is given to treat asthma. Juice of fresh leaves along with honey is given orally as expectorant. Juice of leaf is inhaled in bleeding nose (sinusitis). Dried powder of entire plant parts is given in bronchitis and cough.

Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl., Cucurbitaceae

18

Lauka (N)/Climber/Cultivated

Leaf, fruit and seed

*Leaf decoction with sugar is given in jaundice. Fruit juice is given in diarrhoea and, dysentery *Seeds are given as mental tonic.

Lepidium sativum L., Brassicaceae, AGS-63,

33

Chamsur (N/Th)/Herb/Cultivated and wild

Entire plant

Seed paste is applied on rheumatism. *Fresh leaves are given orally in liver problems.

Linum usitatissimum L., Linaceae,

18

Tishi (Th), Alasa (N)/Herb/Cultivated

Seed, and seed oil

Seed oil is applied on burns and boils. *Seed poultice is applied on rheumatic and swellings.

Malva parviflora L., Malvaceae, AGS-31

25

Laphe sag (N)/Bariyara (Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Tender shoots & Seeds

Decoction of seeds is given orally in cough and bronchitis. Tender shoots are given orally to treat swollen glands of throat. *Decoction of tender shoot and seeds are given orally to control irregular menstrual cycle.

Melia azadirachta L., Meliaceae, AGS- 41

60

Bakaino (N)/Bakain (Th)/Tree/Wild/Easy

Entire plant

Root decoction is given orally as blood purifier. Leaf paste is applied on scabies. Poultice of flower is applied externally in skin eruption.

Mentha spicata L., Lamiaceae, AGS-18

38

Pudina (N)/Patina (Th)/Herb/Cultivated

Entire plant

Leaves decoction is given orally to cure throat infection and indigestion. *Decoction of leaves with cinnamon is given orally to women for easy delivery.

Mimosa pudica L., Fabaceae, AGS-60

20

Boohari Jhar (N)/Lajjalu Jhar (Th)/herb/Wild/Easily

Entire plant

*Leaf paste is applied on hydrocele. *Leaf and root paste are given orally in piles. Decoction of plant is given in Diarrhoea, dysentery and leucorrhoea.

Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC., Fabaceae, AGS-53

27

Kauso (N)/Kewanch (Th) Climber/Wild/Easily

Roots, fruits and seeds

Root decoction is useful in frequent urination. *Leaf decoction is given orally in weakness and headache.

Musa paradisiaca L., Musaceae

18

Kera (N/M/Th)/Shrub/Cultivated

Leaf, flower and fruit

Unripe fruits are roasted and given orally in Diarrhoea and dysentery. Extract of flowers, fruits and leaves are applied on skin burns. Stem extract reduces sugar level in blood.

Ocimum tenuiflorum L., Lamiaceae, AGS-24

47

Krishna Tulsi (N)/Kalo Tulsi (M)/Tilsi (Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Entire plants/Herb

Decoction of, plant is given in fever, cough, cold, headache, nausea, Diarrhoea, dysentery and skin diseases. Leaf juice is used as ear drops in earache. Leaf powder with honey is given orally in diabetics.

Phragmites vallatoria (L.) Veldkamp, Poaceae, AGS-64,

21

Narkat (N//M/Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Root/Herb

*Root decoction is given orally as refrigerant, diuretic and diaphoretic.

Phyllanthus emblica L., Euphorbiaceae, AGS-17

45

Amala (N)/Aura (Th)/Tree/cultivated,

Bark juice and fruit.

Bark juice is given orally in dysentery, constipation, and body ache. Fruits decoction is given orally in shore throat and as tonic.

Polygonum barbatum L., Polygonaceae, AGS-26,

13

Pire Jhar (N)/Bisnair (Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Entire plant

Poultice is applied externally on swelling parts of the body. *Root is given orally as astringent and cooling agent. Leaf decoction is applied externally to wash ulcers.

Rauvolfia serpentina Benth. ex Kurz Apocynaceae, AGS-37

47

Sarpagandha (N)/Chand maruwa (M)/Dhaldhaliya (Th)/Shrub/Rare in southern parts and Cultivated in northern parts

Leaf & root

Dried root powder is given orally to reduce high blood pressure. Root infusion is given orally in intestinal disorders. *Leaf juice is used as remedy for the removal of opacities of cornea. Root paste is applied on cuts, wounds, or boils.

Rumex nepalensis Spreng, Polygonaceae, AGS-61

24

Halhale Sag (N/Th)/Ban Palungo (M)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Entire plant

Seeds infusion is used in mouth disorders. Root paste applied externally on joint pains and wounds. Fresh leaf extract and sap is applied on cuts, wounds, and swellings.

Ricinus communis L., Euphorbiaceae, AGS-4

31

Ander (N)/Redi, Yamyam (Th)/Shrub/Wild/Easily

Root and seed

Root juice is given orally in diarrhoea, dysentery, and skin diseases. *Seed oil is applied as massage for babies and also applied on sole to relief from burning sensation. Seed oil is given orally in constipation and rheumatic pain.

Shorea robusta C.F. Gaertn., Dipterocarpaceae, AGS19

20

Sal (N)/Sakhuwa (Th)/Tree/Wild and cultivated

Root, Bark, resin and seed

Decoction is given orally in Diarrhoea and bloody dysentery. *Bark juice is used as eardrop in earache.

Solanum nigrum L., Solanaceae, AGS-2

36

Kali gedi (N)/Kamai (Th)/Herb/Wild/Easily

Entire plant

*Unripe fruits paste is applied on ringworm. Ripe fruits are given orally in constipation. Plant paste is applied externally in headaches and joint pain. Plant juice is given orally in liver enlargement, dysentery and fever

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, Myrtaceae, AGS-29

40

Phader (N)/Jamuno (M)/Jam (Th)/Tree/Wild and cultivated

Bark and fruit

Bark juice is given orally in Diarrhoea, dysentery, cut and wounds. Fruits are given orally in indigestion and constipation. Bark, Leaf and seed powder is given orally to reduce sugar level in blood.

Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., Combretaceae, AGS-39

36

Barro (N)/Baheda (Th)/Tree/cultivated

Stem bark and fruit.

Bark juice is applied externally in cut, wounds, and skin diseases. Fruits powder is given orally in cough, cold, respiratory problems, fever, and indigestion.

Terminalia chebula Retz., Combretaceae, AGS-64

36

Harro (N)/Harad (Th)/Tree/cultivated

Stem bark and fruit.

*Bark is chewed in urinary problems. Fruits are given orally in cough, cold, respiratory troubles, fever, and indigestion and stomach problems.

Tribulus terrestris L., Zygophyllaceae, AGS-47

16

Gokharu, Gaikhure Jhar (N)/Herb/Wild/Rare

Entire plant

*Decoction is given orally in urinogenital tract infection.

Vitex negundo L., Vitaceae, AGS-69

38

Simali (N)/Shrub/Wild/Easily

Leaf juice and bark

Leaf juice is given orally in cough, cold, sinusitis, fever, stomach problems, and rheumatic swellings. Bark paste is applied on boils.

Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae

73

Aduwa (N)/Suntho (Th)/Herb/cultivated

Rhizome

Rhizome juice is given in cough, cold, fever, indigestion, and constipation. Rhizome is chewed in bronchial infections.

Ziziphus mauritiana Lam., Rhamnaceae, AGS-43

51

Bayer (N)/Tree/Wild/easily

Stem bark and fruit.

The juice of bark is given orally to treat Diarrhoea and dysentery. Ripe fruit are given orally in indigestion, constipation and other stomach problems.