Abstract

Plants are a significant source of traditional medicine because of their ability to prevent and treat human diseases. Habenaria intermedia is a terrestrial orchid of the Himalayas (1,200–4,000 m) known for immunomodulating properties and has great capability for cell regeneration. This orchid is the key component of Chyawanprash and Ayurvedic medicines, which are traditionally used as an appetizer, immune system booster, blood purifier, and brain tonic. The tubers are used in polyherbal formulations that are rich in antioxidants, strong in vital energy, and used to treat asthma, leprosy, and skin diseases. Different secondary metabolites, such as catechin, batatasin III, sinapic acid, β-sitosterol, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, scopoletin, linoleic acid, and loroglossol extracted from the tubers and roots shows different pharmacological activities such as anti-bacterial, anti-stress, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory. This review paper explores the medicinal uses, phytoconstituents, and pharmacological properties of H. intermedia. The natural population has decreased because of habitat degradation and destructive exploitation. Therefore, the habitat must be protected to preserve it in a native environment.

Key words: Habenaria intermedia, Medicinal Uses, Phytoconstituents, Pharmacology, Conservation.