Taxonomic Characterization and Ethnobotanical Insights of Bergenia ciliata Used by Hakeems in the Kashmir Himalaya

Background

The Kashmir Himalaya is known for its rich diversity of medicinal plants that support traditional healthcare systems, where indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in disease management. Among these, Bergenia ciliata is widely recognized for its therapeutic potential; however, comprehensive studies integrating its morphology, ethnobotanical importance and formulation development are limited.

Materials and Methods

The present study aimed to document the morphological characteristics, ethnomedicinal uses and traditional formulations of Bergenia ciliata in selected areas of the Kashmir Himalaya, Gond (Kangan) 1600 altitude, Mohanmarg 3000 altitude and Dhara 1800 altitude. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 120 informants, including traditional Hakeems and local residents and analyzed using quantitative indices such as Use Value (UV) and Fidelity Level (FL).

Results

The results revealed that Bergenia ciliata exhibited significant morphological variations across locations, with Mohanmarg demonstrating clear superiority by recording the highest plant spread (85.82 cm), leaf area (60.10 cm², number of leaves (7.00/plant), rhizome diameter (6.03 cm), rhizome fresh weight (70.90 g) and rhizome dry weight (37.51 g). Intermediate growth performance was observed at Dhara, which recorded 55.00 cm plant spread, 55.29 cm² leaf area, 6.00 leaves/plant, 3.62 cm rhizome diameter, 65.18 g fresh rhizome weight and 34.81 g dry rhizome weight. Conversely, Gond (Kangan) consistently exhibited the lowest values across all evaluated traits with 49.46 cm plant spread, 33.7 cm² Leaf area, 5.00 leaves/plant, 2.85 cm root diameter, 58.13 g fresh rhizome weight and 25.06 g dry rhizome weight. Ethnobotanical findings indicated its extensive use in the treatment of kidney stones, respiratory disorders and inflammatory conditions, with rhizome as the most commonly utilized plant part. The species exhibited a high UV (0.85) and elevated FL values (up to 90%), indicating strong informant consensus and cultural importance. Traditional formulations were primarily prepared as decoctions, powders and infusions.

Conclusion

The evaluation across different locations demonstrated significant morphological variations in Bergenia ciliata, with higher elevations (Mohanmarg) yielding superior vegetative growth and rhizome biomass compared to Dhara and Gond (Kangan). These distinct environmental traits underscore its high adaptive value and substantial medicinal potential. By validating indigenous knowledge through systematic location-based trial documentation, this study establishes a strong scientific foundation for targeted conservation, sustainable harvesting and high-yielding raw material selection for future herbal product development.