Medicinal and Aromatic plants in Uttarakhand :

The Himalayas have a great wealth of medicinal plants and traditional medicinal knowledge. The Central Himalayan Region covers the new state of India, provides excellent opportunities for studying the Traditional Knowledge Systems. The Indian Himalayan region alone supports about 18,440 species of plants (Angiosperms: 8000 species, Gymnosperm: 44 species., Pteridophytes: 600 sppecies, Bryophytes: 1736 species, Lichens: 1159 species, and Fungi: 6900 species) of which about 45% are having medicinal properties. Out of the total species of vascular plants, 1748  species are medicinal. 

Uttarakhand is a storehouse of a rich variety herbs and medicinal and aromatic plant species. The Government intends to exploit this advantage. Uttarakhand has observed an increase in the area under cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants. The cultivation of medicinal plants is considered to be of great importance for the safeguarding of biodiversity and contribution to rural livelihoods in Uttarakhand. Moreover conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants can help the villagers to earn their livelihood to some extent. Apart from human use, many plant species were also used in animal husbandry as the primary source of healthcare

List of  Some Medicinal and Aromatic plants in state are :

S. No    Local Name        Parts Used                Uses                          Mode of treatment

  1.        Torighash         Whole  plant               For Sikka Rog               Two palmful whole plant decoction in water given two times for vigor

  2.        Alsi                  Whole  plant                For strength                   Two palmful whole plant decoction in 1& 1/4 liter water given two times for strength

 3.        Banmethi          Whole  plant                For stomach problem      One palmful whole plant given three times in a day for vigor

 4.       Pudalia Kafal         Leaf                        To protect abortion            Two palmful leaves given daily

 5.     Chaitula                    Fruit                      In Leg swelling                   Five matured fruit decoction in ¼ liter water given  daily

6.     Silfhora                        Root                   For Hydrophobia                Two palmful root decoction in ½ liter water given its one cup thrice a day

7.    Caktu                     Whole plant                 For preventing abortion     One palmful whole plant given daily

8.    Dhow                      Flower                       As energy syrup                  One palmful dry flower decoction in water is useful for animals

9.    Brahmi                     Leaf                          For brain fever                     Apply Paste of green leaves  on forehead during fever26

10.   Samyo                     Root                          For titaini                               Four matured root decoction  in two liter water given ¼ liter twice a day

11.   Pangar                    Fruit                          In stomach problem              One palmful fruit decoction  in ½ liter water given with gur29

12.  Ratpatia                Whole plant                  For skin disease                   Two palmful whole plant decoction in 3/4 liter water given one cup daily

13.  Dhatura                 Seed                             As pain killer                         25g roasted seed in one liter oil is used for massage

14.  Van ajmain          Whole plant                     In chest pain                       One palmful whole plant decoction in ½ liter water given one cup twice a day

                    Uttarakhand, also known as ‘Devbhumi’, is well known for its rich medicinal plant resources. A large number of workers have given a detailed account of the important species of medicinal plants occurring in different parts of the state. Recognizing the potential of this sector, the state government has already declared it as ‘herbal state’. These plants play a vital role in primary health care system, ethno-medicine, as well as traditional Indian system of medicines, viz., Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Naturopathy and even in Homeopathy and Allopathy.

Nowadays, herbal remedies and their safer products are being preferred by society for the treatment, due to rare chances of side effects. Therefore, demand of medicinal plants is increasing day by day.Uttarakhand needs to build up technological and scientific capabilities to develop and improve the production of medicinal principles and to conduct Research &Development to develop green products.