Orchids in indigenous system of medicine in Nagaland, India Chitta Ranjan Deb 1 , Madhabi S. Deb, N. S. Jamir and Temjensangba Imchen Department of Botany, Nagaland University, Headquarters: Lumami, Mokokchung 798 601, Nagaland, India 1 Correspondent author: debchitta@rediffmail.com Abstract Orchids represent one of the most important groups of flowering plants in Nagaland. Besides ornamental value orchids are long known for their medicinal usage especially in the indigenous system of medicine by different ethnic communities world over. The present paper enumerates the ethnomedicinal uses of orchids of Nagaland and the way the plants/plant parts are used against various ailments. In one hand preservation and perpetuation of such ethnobotanical knowledge is necessary for the benefit of mankind on the other hand it is necessary to conserve these plants for their sustainable utilization and also saving them from extinction. Key words: Ethnobotanical orchids, Indigenous medicines, Nagaland INTRODUCTION Orchids are known to mankind for the last several centuries for their beautiful attractive flowers. Orchids are also valued for their curative and therapeutic purpose since ‘Vedic period’ (Handa 1986; Sathish Kumar & Manilal 1994; Deb & Imchen 2008). The medicinal value of orchids is found recorded as early as 250 – 300 BC. by Susruta and Vagbhata from ancient Sanskrit literature. In Indian Vedic scriptures mentioned the orchids in Sanskrit as “Vanda” a name adopted for one of the most beautiful and common monopodial group of orchids (Deb & Imchen 2008). In ancient China during 2800 B.C., there are records of some species of orchids used for medicinal purposes (Luning 1974; Hegde 1984; Paul & Hegde 2001). In fact, the name “Orchid” designates the medicinal potential of this group of plants and the word orchid got its name from ‘Orchis’ meaning ‘testes’ describing the testicular shaped bulbs of many orchids which had been valued for their medicinal value in treating human virility. Even today, number of ethnic communities in India and other parts of the world use several species of orchids in their traditional system of medicines. Thus, apart from ornamental value, orchids also are of ethnobotanical interest linking aboriginal man with plants for medicine (Paul & Hegde 2001; Deb & Imchen 2008 and Roy et al. 2007) in indigenous system of medicines in many countries including India. Nagaland is a remote and rural state in the northeastern part of India. More than four-fifths of the population lives in small, isolated and remote villages. Nagaland has basically an agricultural economy and mainly depends on forests and forest products for food, fodder and medicines. Over 80 % of the people depend on indigenous system of medicine. The Nagaland is an important reservoir of orchids and Deb & Imchen (2008) recorded the occurrence of 396 species under 92 genera in this state. A large number of local orchids find important place in ISM in Nagaland. In Nagaland, the natives called these plants Ayikhow (Sema Tribe), Konroja (Ao Tribe) from its primary meaning of ‘Skin’ as many species they use as ornaments and is a good indication of ethnobotanical significance of this group of plants. The present communication is a list of ethnobotanical important orchids those are occupying important place in ISM in Nagaland. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was aimed at gathering information on the folklore medicinal uses of orchids in Nagaland. For this purpose, surveys were made in different parts of Nagaland and interactions were made with the local people including tribal and folk medicine practitioners. Plants were recog- nized in the field by the users themselves. Voucher specimens were collected and processed into Pleione 3(2): 209 - 211. 2009. © East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy