Viburnum spp. (Viburnum erubescens Wall., Viburnum mullaha Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don)

Viburnum is the genus belonging to Adoxaceae family consists of more than 230 species. Species of this genus are highly valuable medicinal agent distributed throughout subtropical zone of South East Asia to South America. Viburnum erubescens and V. mullaha both are berries bearing shrub or small deciduous tree up to 6 m tall. V. erubescens species is distributed throughout the forest and shrubberies of the Himalaya while V. mullaha are found mostly in shady moisty place. Ripe fruits of both species are eaten raw. V. mullaha fruits are being exploited for huge ethno-medicinal value and also used for preparation of juice, squash and flavoring agent. Recent scientific finding on V. mullaha also proved antioxidant anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, anti-tyrosinase activity and high nutritional value of this wild fruit. Pharmacological studies of V. erubescens revealed that has antiviral, skin whitening, antibacterial, antioxidant activity. Root, stem bark, leaf of this species is highly exploited as an ethno-medicinal agent. This chapter discusses available scientific reports about these two species as well as the future prospects of this undervalued wild fruits for further research development and commercialization.