The Kashmir Valley - Nature’s Medicinal Treasure

Abstract

Jammu & Kashmir can become a major producer of medicinal plants provided this sector gets due attention. Medicinal plants of this region hold the potential to completely change the socio-economic status of the state.ACCORDING to the World Health Organization, over 80% of the world’s population relies on traditional forms of medicine, largely plant-based, to meet primary health care needs. With the introduction of scientific procedures, researchers have been able to understand the medicinal and toxic principles present in the green flora. Recent estimates suggest that over 20,000 plant species have known medicinal applications in various cultures and countries, used at one time or another, and this is without having conducted comprehensive research amongst several indigenous communities. At least 8,500 plant species in Asia, among them 3,400 in India, are used as home remedies. Jammu & Kashmir, apart from its exceedingly beautiful environs, also boasts of a varying degree of agro-climatic zonation—from temperate to alpine. This makes it a veritable bowl of innumerable varieties of medicinal plants.