Nardostachys Jatamansi DC. is a small, perennial, dwarf, hairy, rhizomatous, herbaceous, endangered and most primitive species within family Valerianaceae (Tribe-Patrinaeae). The species has very long history of use as medicine in Ayurveda, Homeopathy, ethno medicine and Indian System of Medicine (ISM) to modern medicine industry which is distributed in the Himalayas from Pakistan, India (Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim) to Nepal, Tibet and China between 3300 to 5000 m asl. It has been reported that the species has become critically endangered depending on habitats, due to over-exploitation of rhizomes for medicinal use, habitat degradation and other biotic interferences.
According to published literature an adequate information are available on distribution pattern of N. Jatamansi, medicinal properties, chemical composition and biological activities which are scattered, but there is a complete lacking on the nature of variabilities. In view of aforementioned, present book reveals variabilities analysis and selection studies on N. Jatamansi in a single volume. Such studies will be helpful for effective conservation management and genetic improvement of N. jatamansi and all the scientists and scholars associated with medicinal chemistry. |
