Orchids as Valuable Folklore Medicine: A Review

The impetus of writing this paper is to review various medicinal orchid species growing in different parts of India. The family orchidaceae is one of the diverse groups among angiosperms which includes different types of orchid species. This paper is written to review the medicinal and therapeutic importance and use of different orchid species for treatment of various types of diseases. Orchids are herbaceous plants which are mentioned in ancient ayurvedic system of medicine because of their therapeutic properties. Most of the medicinal orchid species are epiphytic and terrestrial in habitat.


INTRODUCTION
Although Orchids are considered to be highly useful ornamental plants and these plants are known for their therapeutic properties. The family orchidaceae is the most advanced and they are the largest families of angiosperms with numerous hybrids varieties of orchids [1]. They are present through-out the world but there is an exception of Antarctic region and some desert area [2]. The application of various known varieties of orchids in conventional folklore system is customary and they are widely accepted and appreciated as they have high content of alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, and phyto-chemicals [3,4].

Review Article
Therapeutic values play a very important role in native system of medicine for treatment of various affliction. Due to some ignorance and incomplete knowledge, some people are unaware of the fact that how important orchids are. Some species are studied here to acquaint local people and buoy up them to use local orchids as conventional medicine to treat various afflictions.
Jivanti, Jivaka, Rishbhaka, Rasna, Manakanda, Pancagula that are used in Ayurveda are the species belonging to family orchidaceae. There are approximately 50 species of orchids which are mainly used in field of medicine [5]. Orchids like Jivanti and Rasna are widely used in ayurvedic drug preparation from past many centuries. Species like Vanda roxburghii, Orchis latifolia, Dendrobium nobile has demonstrated many medical and therapeutic values. Pharmacological studies of orchid species are showing that they are having many antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties and some healing specialities [6].
Species like Vanilla planifolia has commercial as well as medicinal use, as it is loaded with bioactive chemical compounds which shows its medicinal potential and also imparts flavor in different products for instance in bakery, pediatric medicines, cosmetics etc. The roots of orchids are dried and chopped, and used as antidepressant medicine and nutritive drinks. In ayurvedic formulation of Chyavanprash, the Ashtavarga drug, is an assemblage of eight medicinal herbs and out of these, four herbs belong to family orchidaceae, these four species are as follows:-Malaxis muscifera (Jivaka), Malaxis acuminata (Risabhaka), Habenaria intermedia (Riddhi) and Habenaria edgeworthi (Vrddhi) [7].
Stem and leaves of Dendrobium genus are used as a tonic for the treatment of many skin disorders, an aphrodisiac, anti-diabeties and also used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis [8].
Another orchid Gastrodia elata treats vertigo, headache and many cardio-vascular diseases; its leaves and stem are used mostly to traet different types of bleeding conditions such as from gastrointestinal, cough blood, hemorrhoids. The roots, leaves, flowers of Vanda plants are used for treating rheumatism, nervous disorders and inflammation. The herb Habenaria is used as a tonic to overcome general body debility and it also act as an aphrodisiac. Another genus of orchidaceae such as Cymbidium is also known for its therapeutic value as its pseudobulbs are used as salep; these pseudobulbs are dried and grinded to powder and taken orally in empty stomach [9]. There are about 8 biodiversity hotspots in the North East region of the India and they have approximately 876 species of orchids which is 70% of Indian flora [11]. The natural products from these plants, have been used as a main source of herbal medicines for more than 40000 years for treatment of various diseases [12].

Medicinal and Therapeutic Value of Orchids
Acampe paplillosa is epiphytic orchid which grow on large tree trunks in deciduous forests. This orchid species is mainly present in India, Myanmar, Nagaland. Roots of plant are used for curing eye diseases, controlling asthma, secondary syphilis and some mild uterine infections. Malaxis muscifera is commonly called Jivaka; its pseudobulbs are used to treat male fertility and the decoction is used in lowering down fever and overcoming burning in limbs [13].
Terrestrial orchid Arundina graminifolia, which is commonly called as Bamboo orchid is grows in grassy hillside habitats. This species flowers during June to October. This plant is rich in bioactive compounds such as stilbenoids, flavonoids, and phenanthrene derivatives. Its rhizome is used to control bacterial infection and root decoction is used for curing diabetes, tumor, hyperliposis and hepatitis [9]. Another orchid, Dendrobium candidum, a small epiphytic orchid in size grows on branches of trees growing in dense forests. Its leaves are used to cure diabetics and stimulates secretion of insulin from beta cells and inhibit glucagons secretion [8].
The terrestrial orchid named Habenaria pectinata, grows in grassy hill slopes possess erect stem, and sessile leaves. Leaves of this plant are crushed to paste which is used to cure snake bites and tubers are used for curing arthritis [7]. One more orchid, Nervilia argagaona which is a terrestrial orchid species grows in rainforests having erect kidney to heart shaped bulbs. Its parts like tuber and leaves are crushed to make fine paste and used as an ointment to heal wounds, to treat mild mental diseases, diarrhoea, asthma, cough and vomiting [14].

DISCUSSION
Vanda roxburgii is epiphytic orchid species which is commonly known as Rasna grows on tree trunk and branches. Its roots, leaves and flowers are used to form paste and juice by boiling or pounding in powder, from which many inflammatory conditions are cured and also instilled in ear to treat otitis [15].
Another orchid Luisia trichorhiza is epiphytic orchid species, which inhabits the branches of old trees in thick dense forests. All parts of this plant are used to make paste which is taken empty stomach with water for curing jaundice [16]. Rhynchostylis retusa commonly called as 'Fox tail' is an epiphyte that grows on branches of trees growing in deciduous dry forests. Its roots are used to make medicine to cure blood dysentery; This species is used as emollient and paste of leaf is applied on wounds [17].
The epiphytic orchid species Vanda coerulea is commonly called as Blue Vanda which grows on the branches and tree trunk of deciduous forest trees. Leaves are used as expectorant, its flowers are used to make juice which help in curing eye problems like glaucoma, cataract and blindness [17]. Renanthera imschootiana, an epiphytic species which is commonly known as Red Vanda grows on shrubs, tree trunks and branches of lowland forest trees. Its leaves are dried and grinded to make paste for curing skin disease [17].

CONCLUSION
Many orchid species possess anti-bacterial, antiinflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-pyretic properties for curing diseases. The investigation carried out on medicinal use of orchid species shows the utility of orchid species in treating various diseases. Diseases like cancer, asthma, secondary syphilis, burning sensation, mild uterine diseases, eye problems, swelling, tuberculosis, diabetes, skin diseases, arthritis, jaundice, etc. are treated with different parts of orchid plants. This will help to increase the usage and practical application of local orchids for the therapeutic and medicinal use in different areas.

CONSENT
It is not applicable.

ETHICAL APPROVAL
It is not applicable.