Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

RHODODENDRON: TRADITIONAL VS MODERN, BENEFITS FOR HIMALAYAN COMMUNITIES

Pramod Rawat, Nishant Rai, Navin Kumar and Syed Mohsin Waheed

Abstract

The Rhododendron dispersed all over the globe is an evergreen tree with light pink or deep red flowers, belongs to heather family Ericaceae which is recognized for its splendid flowers. The variety is generally dispersed contain high socioeconomic veneration and has been nominated as the state flower of Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland (India) and national flower of Nepal and also the state tree of Uttarakhand, the 27 state of the Republic of India. It is widely distributed between 770 35' & 81001' East longitude, and 28044' & 31028' N Latitude. One of the Rhododendron arboreum is socioeconomically, nutraceutically, and medicinally a very significant plant species. In addition to its vast horticultural significance which generally used for plantations in the streets hilly areas or vessels for its aesthetically importance and decorative plant for gardens, it is a rich source of secondary metabolites due to which different fractions of the plant show therapeutic properties used for curing of several diseases. The plant flowers are conventionally consumed by the communities residing in the hilly area to make squash, honey, syrup, pickle, jam, juice and to treat several diseases and conditions like headache, diarrhea, inflammation, bacterial, and fungal infections. This review emphasizes on the nutritional, therapeutic and pharmacological properties of Rhododendron via manufacturing high value products to improve the livelihood of rural cultivator’s and ethnic communities with more career opportunities.