Health benefits of Salam Panja

Himalayan Marsh Orchid scientifically known as Dactylorhiza hatagirea is a medicinal herb belonging to Orchidaceae which is now considered critically endangered. The plant is native to India, China, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Tibet, Bhutan, Europe, North Africa, Temperate Asia, Mongolia and Nepal. In India,  the  plant  is  found  in  Jammu  and  Kashmir,  including Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal  Pradesh, and Sikkim. Some of the popular common names of the plant are Nar mada, Salap, Panch aunle, Himalayan Marsh Orchid, Marsh Orchids, Salam panja, Hatta had and Spotted Heart Orchid. Roots of D. hatagirea are resembled with 5 fingered hands, so named as hath panja (India) or panchaula (Nepal).

Genus name Dactylorhiza is derived from Greek origin daktylos which means finger and rhiza for root that referring toward palmately shape two- to five lobed tubers.  The plant is well known for its medicinal value. The root has sweet taste. It is strictly prohibited for collection and sale, but can be found easily around Nepal. It costs around NRs. 10,000-15,000 per kilo as of late 2015. Due to its specific identification trait and rich medicinal value of root, plant is accidentally facing the conservation threats.

Plant Description

Salam panja is a terrestrial glabrous, perennial, medicinal herb with long flowering stems. The plant normally attains height of 20-25 cm. The plant is found growing in damp pastures, open areas, shrub land, open meadows, open slopes and marshes. The plant grows best in moist meadow soils. Soil must be dark grey, granular, sandy loam, micaceous sandy soils at greater depth. It is a perennial herb with erect, leafy, stout and hollow stem. Roots are mainly tuberous type, palm shape divided into 3 or 5 lobes or fingers. Roots are rich in dactyloses, dactylorhins, starch, mucilage and other glycosides. They are mainly collected or uproot during seed formation so, due early harvesting it faces the threats of extinction. Leaves are 4-6, cauline, leaf blade oblong to linear lanceolate, 8 -15 cm long and 1.5-3 cm wide, base sheathing, apex obtuse or acuminate.

Flowers

Pink purple flowers are borne in upright dense spike inflorescences and are zygomorphic, having fused male and female reproductive organs. Flowers are purple and the bracts green, narrowly lance-shaped, lower longer than the flowers, upper slightly shorter. Flowers are about 1.8 cm long, including the curved spur. Sepals and petals are nearly equal. Three of them form a hood, and the two side sepals spread outwards. The lip is rounded and shallowly 3-lobed, spotted dark purple. Flowering normally takes place in between June and July.

Fruit

Fertile flowers re followed by loculicidal capsules and minute seeds are generally liberated as immature embryos at the globular stage.

Salam Panja Facts

Ethno Medicinal uses of different part

S. No	Ailment/Use	Plant Part	Place/Country	Mode of Application
1.	Respiratory (asthma, bronchitis, lungs, and other pulmonary problems)	Leaves and tubers	India (Ladakh, Gharwal Himalaya) Nepal (Dolpa, Rasuwa, Humla, Jumla, and Mustang districts)	·         Decoction obtained from the tubers is mixed with boiled water and taken  ·         Inhalation of stream of plant parts boiled in water  ·         Dried tubers are mixed with other medicinal plants and boiled in water for daily consumption
2.	Neurological (brain tonic, nerve tonic)	Leaves and tubers	India (Gharwal Himalaya), Nepal	·         Extract obtained from tubers and leaves is taken in the morning and after dinner ·         Decoction of the plant is consumed as juice
3.	Digestive (stomachache, chronic diarrhea, intestinal disorders)	Tubers	India (Gharwal Himalaya, Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal (Dolpa, Rasuwa, Humla, Jumla, and Mustang districts)	·         Plant parts are boiled in water and the extract (crude drug) is used   ·         Tubers of the plant are ground to fine powder, mixed with other medicinal herbs, and taken with milk or water.
4.	Urinary (kidney disorders, burning sensation, and urine discharge)	Tubers	India (Gharwal Himalaya)	Unspecified
5.	Sexual (sexual activity, seminal debility, erectile dysfunction)	Tubers	India (Gharwal Himalaya), Pakistan (Gilgit), Nepal (Dolpa, Rasuwa, Humla, Jumla, and Mustang districts)	Extract of the root is taken on empty stomach and after dinner to increase sexual activity
6.	External uses (headache, wound healing, skin problems)	Tubers	India (Gharwal Himalaya, Kuman Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal (Dolpa, Rasuwa, Humla, Jumla, and Mustang districts)	·         Plant parts are crushed, mixed with turmeric, and applied externally  ·         Powdered roots are spread over wounds to control bleeding   ·         Tubers are ground into fine powder, mixed with mustard oil, and applied on wounds
7.	Others (backache, bone fracture, fever, weakness, general debility, milk flow in lactating mothers)	Tubers and leaves	India (Gharwal Himalaya, Western Himalaya, Manali), Pakistan (Gilgit and Bugrot valley), Nepal (Rasuwa district)	·         Tubers are powdered and mixed with mustard oil for use externally   ·         Plant parts are boiled in water and their extract is dissolved in water and taken after meals.

 

Health benefits of Salam Panja

Normally the root of Salam panja is used extensively in Ayurveda for its health benefiting properties. According to Ayurveda, this plant has the ability to calm Vata and Pitta dosha. It is sweet in taste and has cold potency. It is considered as one of the powerful Ayurvedic herbs for treating male infertility. It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Here are a few health benefits of the Salam panja.

1. Male infertility

Salam Panja is a wonderful herbal medication used for treating male impotency rising out of low sperm count or lack of sperm motility. Salam Panja helps to increase the sperm count by boosting the testosterone levels in the blood and improves the quality and motility of the sperms. Hence, it is considered an effective treatment for oligospermia and oligozoospermia.

2. Gastrointestinal problems

Salam panja is an excellent herb for dealing with gastrointestinal problems. It combats numerous digestion related problems like indigestion and acidity. It improves the overall health of the digestive system. It also provides relief from stomach aches.

3. Immunity

Salam panja is loaded with essential nutrients and has immunity-boosting properties that help build a stronger immune system. Consuming the root powder of this plant helps to flushes out the toxins from the body. It fortifies the body and provides energy.

4. Stress

Salam panja has the ability to calm the mind and body. It is used as a nervine tonic in Ayurveda. The chemical constituents present in Salam panja helps to reduce the high level of cortisol hormones and bring a calming effect on the person. It also promotes good sleep.

5. Skin conditions

Salam Panja is used to treat certain skin conditions like wounds and ulcers. It helps in the faster healing of wounds by encouraging the regeneration of skin cells and helping the repair processes of the body. Juice of this herb can be consumed to heal cuts, and wounds. This property of Salam Panja is also helpful in the management of gastritis, in which it repairs the damaged mucosa of the stomach and provides relief from hyperacidity.

6. Erectile dysfunctions and premature ejaculation

Salam Panja can be used to treat male health problems like erectile dysfunctions. It increases the strength of the muscles in the penile tissue and also increases the blood supply into the organ thus allowing a man to get an erection. This herb is known to possess a strong penile erection index, which is a measure of how long a man can maintain an erection. Hence, it is considered useful for treating premature ejaculation also.

Traditional uses and benefits of Salam Panja

• Juice extracted from stem of the plant treats inflammation of the gum and teeth.
• Juice helps to cure cuts, wounds and ulcers.
• Root paste of marsh orchid is applied as poultice on wounds and cuts.
• The extract treats intestinal disorder.
• Oil is applied topically on the penile tissue for curing erectile dysfunction and nightfall. It strengthens the muscles in the penile tissues.
• The herb is used for treating fractured bones.
• Salab Punja root is good for building mass.
• It promotes the formation of tissues resulting in increased muscle mass. It increases Body weight and promotes strength.
• It stimulates the physical performance in men. It enhances the stamina, strength and sex drive in men.
• It boosts the production of male hormones called testosterone.
• It promotes the production of Nitric oxide in the muscles of penile tissue.
• It is also used to treat Oligospermia (low sperm count) and Oligozoospermia (lack of sperm motility).
• It treats gastritis and hyperacidity.
• Marsh Orchid repairs damaged mucosa of the stomach.
• Salep obtained from tubers and leaves is used in curing ailments like dysentery, chronic diarrhea, etc.
• It is  also  useful  in  treating  general  debility,  emaciation,  seminal  weakness, neurasthenia, and cerebro-pathy.
• Decoction of the tubers is helpful to relieve colic pain and fever, besides for speckling over cuts, burns, and wounds to stop bleeding.
• Plant is used to cure ailments such  as  chronic  diarrhea,  fractured  bones, seminal debility,  erectile dysfunction,  gout,  Parkinson’s disease, tuberculosis,  and stomachache.
• Root paste is commonly used in promoting growth and blackness of hair.
• It effectively used in treatment of women after child birth via enhancing level of regenerative fluids.

Ayurvedic Health benefits

Libido Loss Male: Take 5 tablespoons Withania Somnifera, 5 tablespoons Asparagus Racemosus, 1.5 tablespoons Dodder, 2 pinches Saffron, 1 tablespoon Anacyclus Pyrethrum, 1 tablespoon Nutmeg and 1/2 tablespoon Marsh Orchid.  Grind all ingredients together. Have half teaspoon with milk daily.

Other Facts

• It costs around NRs. 10,000-15,000 per kilo as of late 2015.
• Tubers of D. hatagirea show wide utilization in silk industries for sizing material.
• Plants are grown in gardens for decorative purposes.
• Aesthetically appealing appearance of the flowers makes them suitable for ornamental purposes (placed in flower vases, twisted within hair ponies, making bracelets and necklaces).
• Grounded stem and leaves are used as insect repellant.
• Leaves and stem of the plant are used as fodder for livestock.
• hatagirea helps in improving the flavor and taste, color and appearance, body and texture, and melting quality of frozen milk products.
• Young leaves and shoots are also used as vegetables.
• Extract of the flowers is used in perfume industries to increase fragrance.
• Tubers of the plants are used for witchcraft.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dactylorhiza_hatagirea

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-55324

http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Himalayan%20Marsh%20Orchid.html

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