Orchids: Beauty and Medicinal Value

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.