• Suman Kumaria
• Subrata Karmakar
• Mihin Targu

Orchids are highly revered as cut flowers in international markets for their attractive blooms and are demanded for ornamental and horticultural values. In addition, orchids also possess tremendous therapeutic properties, but less emphasis is given on this aspect. In the modern world, where human populations are becoming more dependent upon herbal medicines for curing ailments, it has only become a necessity to explore deeply the pharmacological properties of plants. Orchids are sources of important metabolites and bioactive compounds, as many of the species have been reported to be rich reservoirs of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phenanthrenes, bibenzyls, steroids, etc. Thunia, an unexplored orchid genus, needs special mention in this regard. Studies carried out on different species of Thunia have revealed the presence of compounds with anti-cancerous, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties especially in the species T. alba. Due to uncontrolled human activities such as overexploitation, habitat destruction, shifting cultivation, etc., many orchid species are becoming endangered in the wild. Therefore, conservation of orchids through sustainable approaches must go hand-in-hand with the scientific exploitation of pharmaceutical compounds. The present chapter attempts to summarise the different pharmaceutical and therapeutical properties reported so far in Thunia orchids.

Thunia; bioactivity; ethnomedicine; endangered; conservation.

"Thunia orchids and their therapeutic benefits - A review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 5, page no.a419-a426, May-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2405050.pdf

"Thunia orchids and their therapeutic benefits - A review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 5, page no. ppa419-a426, May-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2405050.pdf