Laa oo (Hairy Bergenia)

Bergenia ciliata (Hairy Bergenia)

Vernacular name: Phanting oo (in Kinnauri)

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Click here to watch a short video about this species

Bergenia ciliata (Saxifragaceae)—commonly known as Hairy Bergenia, and locally referred to as Pathar Chatta, Pashanbheda (Hindi), and Laa oo (Kinnauri)—is a perennial herb native to the temperate regions of the Himalayas. It is distributed from Kashmir and Nepal to southeastern Tibet and Afghanistan, typically thriving at elevations between 800 and 3000 meters above sea level.

Although currently listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, Bergenia ciliata is facing a declining population trend (assessed in 2019). This species flowers during the winter and early spring months, a time when most other floral resources are scarce. Its early blooms serve as a crucial food source for a range of pollinators including the native honeybee (Apis cerana), bumblebees (Bombus spp.), common drone fly (Eristalis tenax) and butterflies like Cynthia cardui.

Because of its early flowering and vital role in sustaining pollinator populations around farmlands, Bergenia ciliata significantly contributes to agro-ecological systems in the Himalayan region. Its presence not only enriches local biodiversity but also strengthens the resilience of farming communities by supporting ecosystem services essential to agriculture.

Uses

• Bergenia ciliata has long been valued in traditional medicine, particularly for its effectiveness in treating kidney stones. The rhizomes of the plant have been used for centuries in herbal formulations to help dissolve kidney and bladder stones. In addition to its litholytic properties, it is also traditionally used to treat conditions such as leucorrhea, piles, and pulmonary infections.

• Phytochemical studies show that B. ciliata is a rich source of medicinal compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, amino acids, and carbohydrates. Important active constituents include bergenin and its glycosides, (+)-catechin, gallic acid, leucocyanidin, paashaanolactone, β-sitosterol, and afzelechin. These compounds are known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which support the plant’s traditional uses and therapeutic potential.

  
  

References

1. Pandey, A., Joshi, R. K., & Negi, B. K. (2019). Winter season bloomer Hairy Bergenia Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. (Saxifragales: Saxifragaceae), an important winter forage for diverse insect groups. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 11(7), 13937–13940.

2. Singh, M., Pandey, N., Agnihotri, V., Singh, K. K., & Pandey, A. (2017). Antioxidant, antimicrobial activity and bioactive compounds of Bergenia ciliata Sternb.: A valuable medicinal herb of Sikkim Himalaya. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 7(2), 152–157.

3. Singh, D. P., Srivastava, S. K., Govindarajan, R., & Rawat, A. K. S. (2007). High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of bergenin in different Bergenia species. Acta Chromatographica, 19, 246–252.