Ilex dipyrena Wall. is a species of evergreen tree or shrub belonging to the family Aquifoliaceae. It is a plant of significant traditional medicinal importance, particularly in its native regions of India and Pakistan. This plant can grow anywhere from a small shrub of 2 meters up to a medium-sized tree reaching 15 meters, with some exceptional specimens growing even taller. It is often found in moist, shaded areas like ravines within forests at high elevations, typically between 2,000 to 3,400 meters. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use and is also sometimes cultivated as an ornamental.
Names in Different Countries and Synonyms Ilex dipyrena is known by several names depending on the region.
English: Himalayan Holly
Chinese: 双核枸骨 (shuang he gou gu)
French: houx de l'Himalaya
German: Himalaja-Stechpalme
Finnish: Himalajanorjanlaakeri
The plant also has several botanical synonyms, including:
Ilex bioritsensis var. integra H.F. Comber
Ilex cunninghamii Loudon
Ilex dentonii hort. ex Loudon
Ilex dipyrena var. connexiva W.W. Sm.
Ilex monopyrena G. Watt ex Loes.
Nemopanthus andersonii Pasq.
Terminology
Ilex dipyrena is an evergreen tree or shrub with coriaceous (leathery) leaves. The flowers are typically bisexual or unisexual, meaning a single plant can have both male and female flowers or only one type. They are usually 4-merous, meaning they have four petals and four sepals. The fruit is a drupe, which is a fleshy fruit with a central stony pit containing a seed, in this case, it is scarlet-red. The specific name dipyrena refers to the fact that the fruit contains two pyrenes, or bony pits.
Availability
Himalayan Holly is native to and widely distributed across the Himalayas and surrounding regions. Its native range includes Bhutan, northern India, northern Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and southern China (including Tibet). It grows naturally in evergreen broad-leaved forests, mixed forests, and shrubby areas. While it is harvested from the wild for traditional use, its commercial availability is limited. Some nurseries and botanical gardens may cultivate it for ornamental purposes, but it is not a widely commercialized plant.
External Look
Ilex dipyrena is an evergreen plant that can take the form of a small shrub or a medium-sized tree.
Bark: Dark grey and rough with slight longitudinal fissures.
Leaves: Alternate, leathery, and elliptic-lanceolate in shape, measuring 6.5-12 x 2.6-3.7 cm. The margins are typically spiny when the plant is young, becoming entire (without spines) in older leaves. The upper surface is glabrous and shiny, while the midrib is impressed above and prominent below.
Flowers: Whitish-green, appearing in small, axillary clusters.
Fruit: A globose, red-scarlet drupe, about 10-12 mm in diameter.
Healing Properties and Advantages
Ilex dipyrena is a significant medicinal plant, and traditional uses are supported by modern research into its properties.
Diuretic and Purgative: The leaves of the plant have traditional uses as a diuretic (increasing urination) and a purgative (cleansing the bowels).
Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory: Studies have shown that extracts from the leaves, bark, and fruit possess analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties. This supports its traditional use for treating ailments such as pain, swelling, burns, and fever.
Antioxidant: The plant extracts have demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, which helps inhibit free radicals and can contribute to overall health.
Other Traditional Uses: It has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments, including cancer, cardiac ailments, and infectious disorders.
Phytochemicals: The medicinal properties are attributed to the presence of various phytochemicals, including triterpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, and others.
Uses and Using Way
Medicinal Use: Traditionally, the plant is used to treat a variety of health issues, including pain, swelling, burns, and fever. The leaves are used for their diuretic and purgative effects.
Ornamental Use: The tree's attractive, spiny leaves and bright red berries make it a popular ornamental plant. The fruiting twigs are sometimes sold for seasonal decorations, particularly around Christmas.
Other Uses: The white wood of the tree is hard, close-grained, and with a pretty silver grain, which makes it suitable for various local material uses.
While traditional use involves preparing the plant in various ways, such as a tea or decoction, modern scientific research often uses crude extracts obtained by soaking powdered plant parts in solvents like methanol or ethanol. It's important to note that the berries of most Ilex species are considered toxic and can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested. Therefore, any medicinal use should be done with extreme caution and under expert guidance.
Conclusion
Ilex dipyrena, or Himalayan Holly, is a versatile plant with significant ecological, ornamental, and traditional medicinal value. Its native distribution spans the Himalayan region, where it has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. Scientific studies have begun to validate its traditional uses, confirming its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, as with many traditional medicinal plants, further research is needed to isolate specific bioactive compounds and conduct clinical trials to ensure its safety and efficacy. Despite its potential, it is crucial to handle and use this plant with care, especially the potentially toxic berries.
