Trade and Sustainable Conservation of <i>Swertia chirayita</i> (Roxb. ex Fleming) h. Karst in Nepal

Abstract

Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Fleming) H. Karst is one of the most important high-value medicinal plants of Nepal prized for its anti-diabetic, antimalarial, hepato-protective and anti-inflammatory properties. It is widely used as an important ingredient in medicinal preparations in Ayurveda, Unnani, Siddha, Tibetan and Chinese traditional medicine. Nepal is one of the main exporters of this important plant and the most significant importers are India and China. The large scale export of this plant has made it vulnerable in Nepal and there is an immediate need for its conservation. Detailed information on the current status of trade of this plant in Nepal is necessary to understand and make assumptions on its current market standing or future predictions of demand. S. chirayita is traded in 61 of the 75 districts of Nepal and constituted about 3% in the total medicinal plant traded in the fiscal year 2008-2009. Due to extensive collection of S. chirayita from the wild, there is a need for exploring alternative conservation options in order to preserve the remaining wild population. Sustainable harvesting and cultivation can help in its conservation. This paper briefly reviews the state of trade and sustainable conservation of this important medicinal plant in Nepal. Key words: Swertia chirayita; trade; cultivation; sustainable use; sustainable harvesting DOI: 10.3126/njst.v11i0.4134Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 11 (2010) 125-132

Traditional use and management of NTFPs in Kangchenjunga Landscape: implications for conservation and livelihoods

“… 327 *Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Fleming) Karsten Herb Gentianaceae Tikta (Km, Sh, Wi); Sungkhinwa (Li); Chiraito, Chiraita, Tite (Np); Khalu (Nw); Kuple (Ri); Kirattikta (Sn); Timda (Tm); Gya-Tig, Tigta (Tb) 1200-3000 Plant and seeds: Plant infusion and crushed seeds considered most effective in treating fever (Taplejung: [ 81 ]; KL Nepal: [ 83 , 103 ]; Ilam: [ 73 , 76 ]), asthma, cold, and cough (Darjeeling: [ 80 ]; Taplejung: [ 81 , 87 ]; KL Nepal: [ 83 , 103 ]; Sikkim: [ 11 ]; Ilam: [ 73 , 76 ]). Whole plant: Used as medicine (KL Bhutan: [ 71 ]).…”

Highly efficient in vitro regeneration, establishment of callus and cell suspension cultures and RAPD analysis of regenerants of Swertia lawii Burkill

“…Almost Swertia species (including Swertia lawii ) are rich source of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, two pharmacologically important compounds [7] , [8] , [9] . S. lawii is an important medicinal herb which is used as adulterant and also as substitute to S. chirayita [10] , [11] , [12] . Several xanthone compounds were isolated from various organs of S. lawii and it was found that it is rich source of erythrocentaurin, an important bioactive compound [10] , [13] .…”

Identification of fungal diseases of Swertia chirayita of Sankhuwasabha district

“…The incidence and severity of the disease in the area may be due to the presence of shade of tree, shrubs and unwanted associated weeds in the fields. These conditions reduce light intensity and increase in humidity that favors the distribution of the pathogen (Gashaw et al, 2014) (Phoboo & Jha, 2010;Bhatt et al, 2007;Sharma et al, 2011).These associated species favour the growth of pathogens providing shade to the cultivated plant of the area. Fungi are known as emerging destructive pathogens of agriculturally important crops, causing the loss of billions of euros every year (Gomes et al, 2021).…”