Exploration, Conservation, and Cultivation of Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers

Abstract

Aims and objectives: Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers belonging to family Menispermaceae and is a highly demanded medicinal plant used in the name of Rajpatha for treatment of fever, malaria, jaundice, and various stomach disorders by the local traditional healers and pharmaceuticals for the preparation of medicines for related diseases. It is widely distributed in Northeastern India, i.e., Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Because of acute pressure on wild sources due to rapid exploitation and changing forest areas into agriculture land and various other developmental activities in a very short time, there will be the shortage of drug in the wild and needs to be cultivated this plants along with several others. Accordingly, a study has been carried out with the aim to develop easily accessible agrotechnique for undertaking cultivation by the farmers in an easily accessible manner. Outcome of the study: This plant is a highly demanded medicinal plant distributed in North East India. Its cultivation is through tuberous root. Seeds also act as a tool for giving rise to new plants initiating from the mature viable seeds fallen on the ground. Seed germination is more accessible for this plant. The authors has developed various cultivation parameters in Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) through seed germination and roots. Conclusion: Seeking out the practices of traditional use of tuberous root of S. japonica (Thunb.) Miers, there is an urgent need of cultivation. Accordingly, easily acceptable techniques for its cultivation is described in the present communication and cultivation can be made by establishing plant nurseries.