Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
LC De

Abstract:
Orchids are one of the largest families of flowering plants which are best-known plant groups in the global horticultural and cut flower trades, including as ornamental plants, medicinal products and food. The medicinal orchids belong mainly to the genera namely Calanthe, Coelogyne, Cymbidium, Cypipedium, Dendrobium, Ephemerantha, Eria, Galeola, Gastrodia, Gymnadenia, Habenaria, Ludisia, Luisia, Nevilia, Satirium and Thunia. In the Ayurvedic system of medicine, there is one rejuvenating herbal formulation ‘Astavarga’ thatis derived from orchid species i.e. jivak (Microstylis wallichii), kakoli (Habenaria acuminata), riddhi (H. intermedia) and vriddhi (H. edgeworthii) are orchids.Orchid are packed with phytochemicals such as stilbenoids, anthraquinones, pyrenes, coumarins, flavonoids,anthocyanins and anthocyanidins, chroman derivatives, lignans, simple benzenoid compounds, terpenoids, steroids, alkamines, amino acids, mono- and dipeptides, Alkaloids and higher fatty acids which play vital role for immunity development and curing other critical ailments of individuals.