SURVEY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS PROGRAMME

 

The Survey of Medicinal Plants Unit (SMPU) which is one of the pioneer components of RRIUM, Srinagar has been engaged with following Research activities:

Ethnobotanical exploration and Ethno-Pharmacological studies

The unit has been conducting ethnobotanical exploration in Jammu & Kashmir and its adjoining areas with an ultimate aim to identify the areas with maximum potential Wealth of medicinal plants. During these Survey programmes, the Researchers of the Institute collect samples and specimens of medicinal plants especially those which are used in Unani System of Medicine. The survey teams also conduct ethnopharmacological studies and collect folk information on the use of plants for the treatment of various diseases by different tribal communities of the areas surveyed. This type of Folk information has great potential for the drug development using reverse pharmacology.

 

 Hon’ble Minster of AYUSH in conversation with Research Officer (Botany)

 

Major Forest/Tribal Areas Covered During Survey

The major forest areas that have been surveyed so far fall in the forest divisions of  Bandipora, Sindh Valley , Special forest Division Tangmarg, Srinagar, Anantnag, Lidder Valley and Jhelum Valley in the Kashmir Province of Jammu and Kashmir. In Chenab Valley some areas falling in Batote, Kishtwar and Baderwah forest divisions have been covered. From Jammu province some forest areas falling in forest divisions of Rajouri and Poonch have been surveyed. Kargil forest division which is now included in the Union Territory of Ladakh has been extensively explored right from Gumri up to Pensi la on one side and Batalik on the other side. Besides areas falling between Shargole and Sapi la and Batambis have also been explored. One special tour has been made to Kullu (HP).

The first phase of survey programme (under progress) has resulted in the collection of a large number of medicinal plants. The major portion of the collection has been identified and properly preserved in the Herbarium of the Unit, which presently houses more than 5900 herbarium specimens belonging to 638 species (accession completed up to 2015). The ethnobotanical studies in various parts of the state have resulted in the collection of 672 folk claims so far. Most of these claims have been already published in the form of Monographs while as, rest are in the process of publication by CCRUM Hqr’s, New Delhi.

The Unit is also involved is assisting the MD Scholars, Particularly, of Ilmul Advia (Pharmacology) in their research programme. This unit has also been rendering technical support regarding medicinal plants to other research, educational and skill development Institutes.

Museum for display of Crude Drugs

The Unit has developed a small but modest museum for display of crude drug samples in the Institute. At present it harbours 204 specimens of crude drugs. Most of these drugs have been collected during ethnobotanical explorations to various forest and tribal areas.

 

 

 

Cultivation of Unani medicinal plants on moderate scale.

The Survey of Medicinal Plants Unit is also engaged with the cultivation of Unani medicinal plants. Till date about 24 species which are widely used in Unani medicine were cultivated under this programme. The yield of these species (593kg) so far has been supplied to the Council and its peripheral Institutes particularly NRIUMSD Hyderabad for the preparation of kit medicines and other research purposes. Apart from this the drug samples were also sent to others Research Institutes of the country like NIPER, NBRI, IIIM (CSIR) etc. Some drug samples were also sent to National Centre for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy and University of Missippi USA.

Experimental Cultivation

(i) Introduction/Acclimatization of the Exotic and High Altitude Medicinal Plants

Under this activity, the introduction and acclimatization of exotic species, an important Unani drug Mucuna pruriens L. (Konch) was introduced for the first time in Kashmir. Its successful cultivation here under moist and cold climatic conditions is an achievement. It was recently followed by another Unani drug Gaozaban (Borago officinalis L.). Goazaban is native to Mediterranean region and was successfully cultivated here in the Institute. Two other exotic plants that have been introduced and cultivated at the Institute are Ammi majus L. (Atrilal) and Lavandula officinalis Chaix (Huzma). The preliminary trials have also been completed for Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal and North American species Echinacea purpurea L. which is considered as most potent immunomodilator. At present the Unit is engaged with the work on introduction and propagation of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f.

Among the high altitude species some of the important plants that have been acclimatized or are still under experimental studies include Arnebia benthami (Wall.ex G.Don) Johnston (kahzaban), Inula racemosa Hk.f.(Rasan) Artemisia maritima L. (Dirmana Turki), Atropa acuminata Royle (Luffah), Paeonia emodii Wall. ex Hk.f. (Oode Saleeb), Delphinium denudatum Wall. ex Hook. f. & Thoms (Jadwar), Aconitium heterohyllum wall. ex Royle. (Atees), Juniperus communis L. (Abhal),Picrorhiza  kurooa Royle ex Benth.(Kutki) etc.

(ii) Development of Agro-Techniques

The agro-techniques have also been established for some plants. Through a series of experiments on the basis of comparative studies, a package of cultural practices like plant geometry, inter- and intra-row spacing, optimum fertilizer requirement, sowing and harvesting time  etc. To improve the yield has been established for Lavandula officinalis Chaix, Hyoscyamus niger L. Ammi majus L. Crocus sativus L., Datura stramonium L. Cichorium intybus L. Rhem australe Wall. etc.

(iii) Conservation of Rare and Threatened Medicinal Plants

The Institute has been working continuously for the conservation/propagation of endangered, vulnerable, rare and threatened medicinal plants, particularly those used in the Unani System of medicine. In this regard a small part of the herbal garden has been established as Gene Bank to conserve the germplasm of rare and threatened medicinal plants, particularly that are already included on red lists of CITES or IUCN. The SMPU is continuously making efforts to develop protocol for conservation strategies of important rare and threatened medicinal plants like Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex.Berth.(Kutki) , Arnebia benthamii (Wall. ex G.Don) Johnston(Goazaban), Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. (Qust), Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D.Don) Soo (Salapmisri), Artemisia maritima L. (Darhald),Delphinium denudatum Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thoms (Jadwar),Fritillaria roylei Hk.f. (Shitkar), Podophyllum hexandrum  Royle (Wanwangun), Angelica glauca Edge (Chohr), etc. The germplasm of rare and threatened species is also being bulked up to reintroduce.

Establishment/Maintenance of Herbal Garden at RRIUM, Srinagar and at IIIM (CSIR), Srinagar

Around 150 medicinal plant species are maintained in the herbal gardens at RRIUM, Srinagar and IIIM, Srinagar. At both the Centre, efforts are made to increase maximum number of species especially those used for SOP formulations of the Council and maintain some other    important  medicinal plant species including rare and threatened.

Medicinal Plant Nursery for Public Awareness

Under this activity about 52 medicinal plant species are regularly maintained in the medicinal plant nursery in pots in order to popularize medicinal plants, particularly those used in Unani medicine. Each plant is provided with the scientific and vernacular name of the plant and its uses for awareness and display purpose. Moreover, field lectures on the use of plants are delivered to the people who visit the site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High altitude medicinal plant, Arnebia benthamii (Wall.ex G.Don)  Johnston (Kahzaban) under experimental cultivation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exotic medicinal plant- Borago officinalis L. (Goazaban) under experimental cultivation

 

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Plant under experimental cultivation, Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth (Kutki)

 

 

Cultivation Under NMPB Project, Artemisia absinthium L. (Afsanteen)

 

 

Survey team at Border village of Gurez near LOC

An important Unani medicinal plant, Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch (Qust)

 

 

Survey team collecting folk-claims at Handarman-Kargil.