Abstract

INSIGHTS ON THE BIO FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF A PLANT ALSO KNOWN AS KAPHAL OR HIMALAYAN BAYBERRY (MYRICA ESCULENTA), A HERITAGE OF UTTARAKHAND, GARHWAL

Saurabh Saklani*, Sanjay Rishishwar and Poonam Rishishwar

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Abstract

Myrica esculenta (Myricaceae) commonly known as Himalayan bayberry or kaphal is an important Indian medicinal plant. It is found in foothill tracks of Eastern Himalayas (Uttarakhand, Garhwal), Meghalaya, Nepal, China and Pakistan. Local tribes mainly use its fruits to prepare pickle and refreshing drinks. Traditionally, the bark has been used for the treatment of cough, asthma, fever, chronic bronchitis, diarrhoea, rheumatism and inflammation; roots have been used in bronchitis, asthma, cholera and flowers claimed to treat earache, diarrhoea, paralysis.. The fruit of Myrica esculenta contains ascorbic acids, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids. The main compounds found in the fruit are hydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaricacid, caffeic acid, catechin, ellagic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, chlorogenic acid, and myricetin. It is also a goodsource of protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin C. Therefore, fruits are used in the making of many foods and beverages like jams, syrups, etc. It has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities. The objective of the present review article is to compile all the relevant published information regarding traditional uses, phytochemistry and therapeutic potential of M. esculenta. For this purpose various databases and books were examined. The review clearly demonstrates the importance of this plant in ethnomedicine and its immense potential in modern medicine.

Keywords: Myrica esculenta, kaphal, Himalayan bayberry, Phytoconstituents, Pharmacology.