Medicinal Plants

Contents: Preface. 1. Medicinal plants and their properties. 2. Medicinal and herbal species. 3. Herbs and beauty care. 4. Project profile. 5. Medicinal plants and Ayurved science. 6. Efforts of Strengthen Ayurved Unani Siddha (AUS). 7. Health and environment.

"If we think for national economic growth by restoring ecology and without comprising with the environmental degradation, we must think for plantation of medicinal and herbal plantation. Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha medicines are well known in our country and it is taking place not only in India but abroad too. More and more people are becoming aware of these medicinal and herbal medicines as a proven health care system. More and more population on the globe want to utilize these therapeutic interventions and their produces for maintaining their health, preventing diseases as well as treating both acute and chronic ailments with a eco-friendly touch.

In fact, the demand of such natural, holistic, eco-friendly and herbal based therapeutics are increasing day by day and it can be believed that this industry, with full essence of environment, is growing fast. This is the industry that relies maximum on natural herbs/medicinal plants and its parts or their preparations for production of these produces. As per observation and assessment of the undersigned, there is a tremendous scope of earning foreign exchange and earning in the indigenous market as well. Only in Jharkhand, not less than 36000 crores Indian rupees can be earned by way of producing and marketing of herbs, Jatropha and medicinal plants in India and abroad. However, the size and growth of market for these species is not more than 70000 million in our country and that can be promoted to any extent and value. Nothing more can be added in support of these plants except that these medicinal/herbal plants are a science of life and natural products.

The government through the department of rural development/department of environment and forests may take initiatives in this direction. Large-scale efforts are required to manage and run this development initiative in an environmental way.

Now, we add some of the aspects of the industry on which the government, the entrepreneurs, the farmers and plant scientists should act. While on the way to moderate these plants, a government must be sincere about opening its avenues such as research and development division, export promotion board for these plants exclusively, incentives/subsidies to the farmers. The entrepreneurs shall be much more aware about the indigenous as well as overseas market, demand and supply trend, market quest for locally available herbs/species and pro-farmers attitude. Similarly the plant scientists have a role of increasing these produces in the rural/forest areas by way of using their expertise." (jacket)