Medicinal and Aromatic Farming

Abstract

               India is one of the world's most biodiverse countries. Out of the 18,000 plant species found in our country, more than 7,000 plants are used medicinally in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH system of medicine). It is estimated that about 1,178 species of medicinal plants are commercially available in India, of which 242 species have an annual production of more than 100 tonnes per year. The need for medicinal plant cultivation has increased due to the unlimited demand and low production in the last few years. Therefore, the Central Government has taken up the initiative of implementing the National AYUSH Mission under the 12th Five Year Plan. The main objective of this scheme is to provide affordable medical services in the country, strengthen AYUSH treatment systems and medical education institutions.

                Medicinal farming is the cultivation of plants with medicinal properties, which is emerging as a profitable and sustainable alternative to conventional farming. This farming involves the cultivation of plants like aloe vera, tulsi, and ashwagandha, which are in high demand in Ayurvedic and other pharmaceutical companies, earning farmers good profits.

                      Aromatic farming is the cultivation of plants suitable for aromatic oils. This farming includes plants such as rose, valerian, sandalwood, lavender, tea tree and geranium, from which valuable extracts and oils are obtained. This farming provides raw materials for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and can be a good option for sustainable farming. Fragrant plants are plants that have a special type of fragrance. They are used in perfumes, oils, medicines and other products. Many aromatic plants are cultivated in India, such as rose, sandalwood, lavender, grass tea, etc. Aromatic oils are extracted from these plants and this industry is in great demand.

Plants used for medical purposes such as curing diseases, relieving pain, etc. Since ancient times, humans have been using plants for health protection and promotion. The medicinal properties and uses of plants have been written down by sages and scholars in various texts during the Vedic period (2500 to 650 BC). The emergence and development of the Ayurvedic system of medicine took place in India. Information about Ashtanga Ayurveda and the uses of various medicinal plants is found in the Charaka Samhita. The properties and uses of herbal medicines are described in detail in the Nighantuya Granth, which describes the properties and uses of herbal medicines. In traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, medicinal plants are used for 90% of disorders and diseases. Effective medicines prepared for diseases such as joint pain, vata and jaundice are only herbal. Even today, 70% of people in our country use herbal medicines for health promotion. 25 thousand formulas in the pharmaceutical industry in India are herbal.