BRIDGING TRADITION AND SCIENCE: SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION OF ETHNOMEDICINAL CLAIMS OF RHODODENDRON ARBOREUM SM. (BURANSH) IN UTTARAKHAND

Rhododendron arboreum Sm. (Buransh) is a culturally and medicinally significant Himalayan tree widely used by communities in Uttarakhand. Traditional uses include treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, fever, cough, headache, rheumatism, gastric irritation, and as a cardiotonic and strength-promoting drink. The present review critically analyzes these ethnomedicinal claims and correlates them with modern phytochemical and pharmacological studies. Phytochemical analyses reveal the presence of flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, hyperin), phenolics (gallic, ellagic acids), tannins, saponins, triterpenoids (ursolic acid), phytosterols (beta-sitosterol), and anthocyanins, which contribute to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective activities. Pharmacological studies demonstrate anti-diarrheal, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cardioprotective effects, thereby validating many traditional claims. However, clinical studies, dosage standardization, and toxicity profiling remain largely absent. This review highlights that while R. arboreum holds strong potential as a validated ethnomedicinal and nutraceutical resource, further multidisciplinary research is essential to translate folk knowledge into evidence-based medicine.