Orchids: Beauty and Medicinal Value
Orchids are the most fascinating among all the ornamentals. They belong to orchidaceae, one of the three largest families of plant kingdom. There are about 30,000 orchid species across the world. About 1300 species are found in India.
Orchids are not only known for their beauty, but also for their medicinal value. It is known to ethnic communities who use it in the traditional system of medicine.
The roots of cypripedium pubescence one of the species contain volatile oils, resins, tannins, sugars, starch, fixed oil and such other components. These are useful in all cases of nervous irritability, hysteria, spasm, fits and all derangements of the function of the brain such as madness and delirium.
The roots of Arethusa Bulbosa, which is known as Big rose, are used as a remedy for toothache in the folk medicine of America. So also the hot exudite obtained during roasting of bulbophyllum Vaginatum fruit is used for earache.
The root stocks and corns of Aplestrum hyemale, which is commonly as “Adam and Eve”, are used as a paste for boils. The paste of vanda hootieriana leaves is used as a hot poultice for curing pains in the joints.
There are several orchid species which are valued as febrifuge in treating malaria, and in clearing tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.
They are also used either in the form of ointment or poultice in treating skin diseases such as boils, pimple, rashes, eruptions and skin lesions. Its roots, seeds, leaves, flowers and stems are used in various ways for their curative powers. Thus besides ornamental value, orchids are of ethnobotanical interest and medicinal importance.
To know more –
The Largest and Smallest Flowers in the World
Different Groups in the Plant Kingdom
Veterinary Medicine: Care of Sick Animals
Tarantula: A Large Hairy Spider
Thermos Flask: A Useful Invention
Silicon: Basic Buildings Blocks of Nature
Four Important Types of Joints
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dee gold | Aug 24, 2008 | Reply
this article is an informative one.
my mom loves orchid and i will tell her about the
medicinal value of her favorite flower.
thanks!
Judy Sheldon | Aug 30, 2008 | Reply
Fascinating. I know when I researched an article about different flowers which are eaten I was absolutely amazed at the information I came across.
Thank you for sharing.
swapna | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
@ dee, judy, thanks for ur support….
Mary Ann | Jan 10, 2011 | Reply
It is amazing what plants can do. Orchids in this case prove to have lots of medicinal value. I’m quite impressed at the variety of illness it can help alleviate. I didn’t know orchids could be used to treat malaria. Learn something knew everyday! To learn even more about this remarkable plant, here are 3 orchid care resources I recommend.