Introduction to Maps

Chapter 1 Introduction to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 1. Concepts Medicines are any preparation or substances used in the treatment of diseases or healing or relieving pain. The plants having medicinal properties are called medicinal plants (“JARIBUTI” in Nepali), the principal sources of raw drugs. Therefore, the demand on plant based therapeutic has been increased manifolds in both developing and developed countries due to the growing recognition that they are natural products, being non- narcotic, having no side effects, easily available at affordable prices. Medicinal plants which are usually used to extract alkaloids are known as alkaloid producing plants. Medicinal and Aromatic plants (MAPs) provide avenues to integrate the potential of commercial as well as social value with food crops in such a way that food crops while becoming intensive in high value produce, can also integrate MAPs as “high income options” in fertile lands and “only income options” in waste and marginal lands. Thanks to the plant’s own biological defence strategy and capability that they produce ‘secondary metabolites’ to combat the adversities/stresses whether biotic and abiotic. Medicinal & Aromatic plants are one of the major natural resources of our country occurring in diverse ecosystems. Lately, many people due to rare chances of side effects prefer herbal remedies and their safer products. Nepal is one of the richest repositories of Medicinal and Aromatic plants in the world which will pave way for reaping the Green Gold. Scientific approach for their exploration, conservation and value addition is in high demand now a day for entrepreneurship development. Over three-quarters of the world population relies mainly on plants and plant extracts for health care. More than 30% of the entire plant species, at one time or other was used for medicinal purposes. It is estimated that world market for plant derived drugs may account for about Rs.2, 00,000 crores. Of the 2, 50,000 higher plant species on earth, more than 80,000 are medicinal. The scientific study of traditional medicines, derivation of drugs through bioprospecting and systematic conservation of the concerned medicinal plants are thus of great importance. There are several thousand medicinal or drug yielding plants all over the world. Nepal is considered as one of the important countries for medicinal and aromatic plants. In Nepal, 118 types of ecosystem are present along with 13 different types of microclimate. 10091 species of flowering and non flowering species of plants has been documented. Out of which 700 are of medicinal values where 238 types are medically tested to find chemical content (medicinal and NTFP coordination committee, 2005). In a database called MAPDON, about 1600 medicinal plants are recorded (Shrestha et al., 2000). These resources are distributed in forests, pasturelands, wetlands, crop fields, and common lands of different parts of Nepal. 1 Pharmacognosy: This word, introduced by Seydler in 1815, is derived from Greek language (Pharmakon = Drug; Gnosis = Knowledge) meaning a knowledge of pharmaceuticals. It means the science of preparation and use of medicines. Pharmacognosy is the study of biochemical and economical features of natural drugs and their principles. This discipline is mainly concerned with the history, distribution, collection, selection, identification, cultivation, commerce and preservation of crude drugs and raw materials. Pharmacology: It is the study of the preparation, practices and action of drugs to treat illness, healing or relieving pain. It is mainly concerned with preparation, qualities, uses, chemical constituents, actions, experimental investigations and evaluation of medicinal ingredients. Pharmacopeia: It is an official book issued by the proper authority with a list of drugs and its related plants, medicines and a description of their properties, constituents, preparation and uses for various ailments. Aromatic plants The plants that produce pleasant odor or sweet aroma are called essence producing plants or aromatic plants. In 1978, S. R. Adhikary and P. R. Shakya reported 217 aromatic plant species belonging to 197 genera and 75 families. Among them, commercially important aromatic plants are Citronella grass, Lemon grass, Palmarosa, Ginger grass, Calamus, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Mentha, French basil, Junipers, Rhododendron, etc. 2. History of MAPs in Nepal 2.1. Initiation of institutional building for MAPs in GON The history of Medicinal Plants is as old as 2800 B.C. illustrated by the list of 300 medicinal plants in a book called Shennong Bencao Jing. Ayurbed is said to be started since 1900 B.C. Egyptians then stated the use at about 1000 B.C. Hippocrates is also regarded to promote the use of medicinal plants. It is said that MAP was used in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine in Nepal from the time immemorial. Thus the traditional Dhami, Jhakri and Ayurvedic institution were in existence. Management of MAP seems to be instituted, when Medicinal Plant Section was added in the Department of Forest. The mandate of this section was trading of herbs and honey and conservation of Rhino horns and musk for the preparation of Ayurvedic drugs. Great efforts were taken for the systematic development of MAP by establishing Department of Medicinal Plants (DMP) in 1960 with its five sections: Botanical Survey and National Herbarium Royal Botanical Garden Herbal Trading Center Royal Drug Research Laboratory Herbal Farms 2 This prime organization was continued until 1988 except Herbal Trading Center. During this period Royal Drug Limited, Herbs Production and Processing Company and Department of Drug Administration were created by DMP and provided them autonomous status. A number of scientists and technologists were developed in the field of Botany, Chemistry and Pharmacy. In 1988 with the idea of bringing the research together less than one umbrella, DMP and Forest Research Division was merged and Department of Forestry and Plant Research was created. In 1993 the Department was separated to the Department of Plant Resources (DPR) and Forest Research and Survey Center, which is at present designated as Department of Forest Research and Survey (DFRS). 3. Importance of MAPs Nepal has to be considered the big store house of enormous important valuable medicinal and aromatic plants and a large number of species are distributed from few meters to around 5000m above the sea level. Most of the precious MAPs are available in the mid hills of the country. Among 1000 species, about 750 species of MPs are used traditionally in several ailments by the tribals as well as ethnic groups under the guidance of Kavirajs, Vaidyas, Dhamis, Jhakris, Healers and Lamma. About 20 -25% Ayurvedic herbals are being used for allopathic medicines. Over 100 MPs species are being exported to other country. 1. Therapeutic Application: MAPs have been widely used in various diseases such as Respiratory, Nervous, Immune, Genito-Urinary, Endocrine, Circulation systems, Muscles, Joints, Wounds and Physical tension etc. 2. (Aromatherapy) which tends to affect on body, mind and soul, a unique, less costly health care system leading to calmness, emotional balance, stress relief and rejuvenation, is now becoming popular in Japan and European countries. Acne, Boils, Complexion, Wrinkles,Scars, Tones, Oily skin, Hair loss, Stretch marks, Sensitive skins and other cosmetics. 3. Fragrance and Perfumery, Flavouring food products, Culinary purposes. 4. Religious , Ritual and Embelling purposes. 5. Dyeing, Construction, Furniture, Fodders, Manures. 6. Catechin,Tanins, Alkaloids, Essential oils,Resins, Gums, Balsams, Papers. 7. The principal traditional systems Ayurveds, Amchi, Siddha, Unani, Tibetean and Homoepathy are totally dependent upon the medicinal herbs. 8. Contribution to livelihood to rural people. It is a good source of income for the farmers living in the interior hilly or mountainous areas where the farmers do not have much source of income from agricultural crops. 9. Eco-tourism potential. The existence of herbal farms, Botanical gardens, and National parks is of great value as they provide a direct income generating opportunity through tourism. Also, this can easily be integrated with eco-tourism which helps to find domestic market for indigenous essential oils. Australia is the first country to have an eco - tourism strategy and Malaysia has followed the same suit. Diverse 3 ecological zones of Nepal offer scope for developing eco-tourism in the country to generate substantial foreign exchange without the usual disastrous ecological degradation associated with general tourism. 10. The MAPs oils are indispensable which is used as air purifiers, incense sticks, insect repellents and in insecticides. 11. Prepared medicines from MPs are said to be quite safe and has no side affect. They are also cheap and affordable by the common people and get easily available. 12. Ethno medicines are culturally adoptable in the sense that the rural people look traditional Vaidya or Guruva or Lamma or Healers or as their own person. 13. MAPs are important source for synthesizing valuable drugs and 25 – 40 % are utilized in allopathic formulation. 14. Provide Employment opportunity to a very large sectors such as Natural history museum, Botanical gardens, Institutions, Farms and Industries. 15. MAPs turn as a cash crops for uplifting the socioeconomic development of rural people because the demand of MAP is increasing day by day in the world. 16. Research: MAPs are the good subject

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