Ethnomedicinal Plants of North Eastern Himalayan Region of India to Combat Hypertension

Abstract

Hypertension or high blood pressure (BP) is one of the major risk factors for many non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as strokes, heart failure, and coronary heart disease. Previously hypertension is considered to be prevalent in developed countries, but now its prevalence is also prominent in developing countries. Generally, for treatment of hypertension, patients have to undergo long-term medication, so conventional antihypertensive drugs are usually associated with many unwanted side effects in prolonged use. Hence, people are searching for alternative option such as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) which has lesser side effect and cost-effective. In this regard, traditional folk medicine-based medication practiced by ethnic people of North Eastern Himalayan (NEH) Region of India is worth mentioning. From time immemorial they have been using more than 50 medicinal plants and their formulations for the treatment of hypertension. Some of the most common plants used by these people are Clerodendrum colebrookianum, Clerodendrum viscosum, Rauwolfia serpentina, Solanum torvum, etc. Among the plants reported for treatment of hypertension, only 25 plant species have scientific evidence based on the available scientific literature. Most of the potential antihypertensive traditional medicinal plants lack the systematic studies on their mode of action, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and safety. Hence, a comprehensive scientific study is required to validate the traditional medications as alternative and complementary drugs for the treatment of hypertension. Moreover, overexploitation, and correct identification of the plants is another challenge in traditional based medicines. Hence, it becomes mandatory to give proper awareness regarding GACP (guidelines on good agricultural and collection practices) for medicinal plants developed by WHO.