Vol. 9, Issue 7, Part R (2025)

This review explores the ethnomedicinal uses of orchids and the conservation challenges facing their threatened species. Orchids (family Orchidaceae) are among the most diverse plant families, with significant cultural and medicinal importance across various traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Orchids like Dendrobium nobile and Vanda tessellata are traditionally used for treating respiratory disorders, skin diseases, and reproductive health issues. However, habitat loss, overharvesting, and climate change threaten many orchid species, especially in India. Conservation concerns include deforestation, unsustainable harvesting, and weak enforcement of legal protections. This paper highlights the need for sustainable harvesting practices and conservation efforts to protect both biodiversity and traditional knowledge.