PAEONIA EMODI: A REVIEW OF MULTIPURPOSE WILD EDIBLE MEDICINAL PLANT OF WESTERN HIMALAYA.

Paeonia emodi Wallich ex Royle (Paeoniaceae), a perennial herb commonly known as ?Chandra? or ?Dhandru?, is distributed in Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), from 1800 and 3000 m asl. This study was performed to investigate traditional uses of Paeonia emodi in Western Himalayan region. Paeonia emodi is used in traditional medicine in its home range to treat amongst others diarrhea, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, palpitation, asthma and arteriosclerosis. Extract of the root stabilizes heartbeat rates, relaxes the airways and reduces blood clotting. Aerial part of the plant was being used for chunks processing. Dried material after processing was used for vegetable preparation, which is highly useful for the diabetic patient. The study will contribute to ensuring proper utilization, commercialization, and conservation as well as the sustainable uses of this species. It has very high medicinal values used in the cure of many domestic issues.