Kashmir, called the “Paradise on Earth” is not only gifted by nature with scenic beauty, snow clad mountains, glaciated streams, water bodies, alpine meadows and pastures but also with a treasure trove of herbs which have high medicinal, aromatic and edible value. The region is also home to diverse ethnic communities, each with its own culture and traditional knowledge system in place like ‘Hakeem System’ in Kashmir, ‘Amchi System’ in Ladakh, ‘Ved System’ in Jammu. These traditional medicinal systems are knowledge treasure for use of these plant species to cure different diseases. In addition, the different climatic zones like tropical, temperate and cold desert conditions, wide altitudinal gradient, different environmental conditions and various habitat types support huge biodiversity particularly rich diversity of medicinal and aromatic herbs of promising health and economic benefits. In recent times, due to the ever-increasing push for economic development and the resulting socio-cultural transformation, the biodiversity as well as associated Traditional Knowledge (TK) in the Himalayan region should be exploited for the development of new formulations and economic benefits of people living in the region.
Our last decade study revealed that more than 1150 plant species are used as medicine to treat different diseases in Kashmir Himalaya, in addition some plant species are aromatic, some are used a wild vegetables and some in cosmetics. Before our study it was reported that Uttrakhand has highest number (924 species) of medicinal plants followed by Sikkim with 707 medicinal plant species in Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). Our study revealed that a large proportion of medicinal flora is native to this Himalayan region; and over the long times, people have gained a rich knowledge of using these natural resources for their health care. It was observed that different plant parts, such as shoots, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds etc., of Medicinal Aromatic Plants (MAPs) are used to treat various diseases of human beings and livestock; even in some cases the whole herb is also used. Majority of the species (253 spp.) are used as whole herb. In addition to usual plant parts, sometimes latex, plant ash, water extract and oils obtained from plants are also used to treat different diseases. The plant or/ plant parts are used in different forms such as poultice, decoction, extract, infusion, paste, powder and juice and sometimes the plant parts are mixed with other ingredients and are given orally or used externally. The ethno-medicinal flora of this region is used to treat 317 types of different human diseases. Ten common diseases (fever, cuts and wounds, stomach problems, cough, rheumatism, skin diseases, diuretic, common cold, diarrhea, tonic, and intestinal worms) are being treated by more than 100 medicinal plant species. About 250 species are used against fever, stomach problems (159 spp.), cuts and wounds (183 spp.), cough (151 spp.), rheumatism (149 spp.), skin diseases (142 spp.), common cold (123 spp.), intestinal worms (108 spp.), as tonic (114 spp.) and diuretic (132 spp.). Furthermore, many of the diseases are cured by 50 or more plant species. It was also observed that some of the medicinal plants are used to treat more than one diseases and likewise more than one medicinal plant is used to treat a particular disease. Although each plant species with ethno-medicinal recorded in the study is noteworthy but some of them have got much importance in the traditional medicinal system. The results revealed that there are 20 species, each of which is used to cure more than 25 types of diseases, which include: Aconitum heterophyllum (Vernacular neme= ‘Patris’), Saussurea costus (‘Kuth), Picrorhiza kurroa (‘Koud’), Acorus calamus (‘Via Gander’), Valeriana jatamansi (‘Mushki Bala’), Fumaria indica (‘Shah Teer’), Thymus serpyllum (‘Javind’), Atropa acuminata (Matie Brand’), Viola odorata (‘Noon-e-Posh’), Dactylorhiza hatagirea (Hatapanja’) etc.
Besides the medicinal importance some of these plants can be used in perfumery and cosmetic industry. The oil of many aromatic plants growing in Kashmir Himalaya such as Nepeta (more than 20 species), Artemesia (more than 10 species), Salvia (more than 10 species) Mentha (3 species), Morina (2 species), Skimmia (2 species), Thymus, Tagetes, Zanthoxylum, Dictamus, Acorus and Ocimum etc. can be exploited in cosmetic and perfumery industry. Similarly oil extracted from Kashmiri rose (Rosa webbiania) has much more fragrance than those of exotic varieties of roses. Likewise Primula denticulata and Tusilago farfara has huge potential in cosmotic industry. Some of these medicinal plants like Peonia, Anemone, Inula, Trolis Fritillaria etc. have very beautiful flowers, these plants can be used for twin purposes i.e. medicinal as well as ornamental.
Edible wild herbs include: Taraxacum officinale (‘Hand’), Dipsacus innermis (‘Wopalhak’), Rumex nepalensis (‘Ubaj’), Eremurus himailicus (‘Cil-e-Hak’), (Portulaca oleracea (‘Nunar’), (Malva neglecta (‘Suchal’), (Stelleria media (‘Koku’) etc.
Different natural colours can be obtained from various plant species like Amaranthus, Cellocia, Rheum, Atriplex, Rosa etc. These natural colours can be used in the preparation of different food varieties instead of using carcinogenic synthetic colours- which are usually used in food industry and confectionary etc.
Some MAPs can be utilized in the preparation of herbal juices and drinks which include: Fagophyrum esculantum (‘Trombee’), Vibernum grandiflorum (Kul Manch), Ocimum bacilicum (‘Baber’), Plantago ovata (“Satees Mongul), Robus sp. etc.
Of the 22 major MAPs which India exports, 15 species are also growing in Kashmir valley of J&K state alone, which indicates the potential of this region in terms of trade, provided these valuable plants are exploited on the scientific lines. The 6 medicinal plants, namely Picrorhiza kurrooa, Bunium persicum, Valeriana jatamansi, Swertia chirayta, Dactylorrhiza hatagirea and Nardostachys jatamansi have huge market potential in Europe, of these 5 plant species are growing in Kashmir Himalaya. This sector is a promising industry for the up-liftment of economy of this regional if brought under cultivation with sustainable use. Between 1990 and 2001 the total area under cultivation of medicinal plants in China increased from 1, 53 000 to 8, 27 000 hectares, this underlines the Chinese leadership in the sector. Out of about US$21 billion trade all over the world, the Kashmir Himalayan region has huge potential to increase export prospects of India and a hub of pharm industry.
Dr. Aijaz Hassan Ganie, Assistant Professor Botany, Kargil Campus
Dr. Bilal A Tali, Assistant Professor Botany, Department of Higher Education, J&K