title: The folklore medicinal orchids of Sikkim.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Orchids are well-known for decorative and aromatic values than its medicinal properties. Jīvantī, Jīvaka, Ṛṣabhaka, Rāsnā, Mānakanda, Pañcagula are used in Ayurveda are said to be orchids. There are 50 species of orchids in medicine. Sikkim has identified 523 species of wild orchids so far.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to determine the folklore medicinal use of orchids in Sikkim.
  
  
  METHODS
  To assess the traditional medicinal uses of orchid species, close contacts were made with native people particularly, traditional healers, religious leaders, nursery growers and villagers of Sikkim. The information was gathered with the help of the questionnaire and personal interviews with various knowledgeable respondents during the field visit in between August 2009 and December 2011.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that 36 species of orchids are used as medicines for different purposes of health. The botanical and ayurvedic name, phenology, parts used and medicinal uses of 36 orchids are presented in this paper along with its local distribution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ayurveda, Ayurveda Regional Research Institute, Tadong, India ; Department of Ayurveda, National Research Institute of Ayurveda Drug Development, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Ashok Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Panda
authors.affiliation: Department of Floriculture and Horticulture Management, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
authors.forename: Debasis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mandal
keywords: Analgesic; aphrodisiac; folklore medicine; orchids in medicine; orchids of Sikkim; wound healing