Launaea asplenifolia (Wild) Hook f.: Bio-chemical impact on population stability in tharu tribe of Indo-Nepal Himalayan tarai of Bihar

Launaea asplenifolia (Wild.) Hook f. is well known to the Tharu tribal community as Vatgai or Thigna and is an ethnobotanically important genetic resource since time immemorial. Leaves and seeds are being used in certain drinks. It provides stamina for a day long hard works. Four free amino acids have been detected in the plants. Out of these three aminoacids are glucogenic in nature which give immediate energy when used by the Tharu tribe but on persistant use, it causes loss of libido leading to sterility which is indirectly responsible for the less growth of tribal population to some extent.