Madhya Pradesh - A basket-full of medicinal herbs Madhya Pradesh state is located in the center of India. The name ''Madhya Pradesh'' it self means 'central province'. The state of Madhya Pradesh is endowed with very rich and varied natural forest resources. Out of its total geographical area of 308 thousand sq. kms., 95 thousand sq. kms. (about 31%) is under forest cover. These forests are home to the largest tiger population in the country (hence, the state is also known as the Tiger State of India). These forests are also home to innumerable medicinal plants. The Indian sub continent it self is a mega biodiversity region. India is divided into 16 Agro climatic zones, out of which 11 are represented in Madhya Pradesh. This explains the range of soil and climatic conditions prevailing in this state. This is why; most of the tropical medicinal herbs can be grown in Madhya Pradesh. The Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading & Development) Co- operative Federation Limited was formed in 1984 to ensure the participation of forest dwellers in the collection and trade of non timber forest produce of the state. Indian forest policy, 1988 also has laid emphasis on managing Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) in order to give benefits to forest dwellers as it is matter of livelihood for them. M. P. State MFP Co-op. Federation is the state level apex body of three-tier structure of co-operative bodies. At village level there are 1066 Primary Forest produce Co-operative Societies & at district level there are 60 District Forest Produce Co-operative Unions. The MFP Federation co-ordinates collection and processing of three nationalized forest produce, namely Tendu leaves (the leaves of Diospyrus melanoxylon, used for rolling small cigars), Sal Seed (shorea robusta), & Kullu Gum (Sterculia urens), through Primary Forest Produce Co-operative Societies in the State and organizes disposal of these produce. In addition, other non-nationalized Non Timber Forest Produces are also being collected and traded by the Primary Forest Produce Co-operative Societies. The Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading & Development) Co- operative Federation Limited has carried out a rapid survey of some of the non timber forest produce resources of greater commercial importance of the state. Details of these resources can be sought from our website - www.mfpfederation.com. To facilitate these NTFP collectors & MFP growers, MFP Federation has established a Processing & Research centre in Bhopal (the capital of M.P.) in 2002-2003. This certre is known as Minor Forest Produce Processing & Research Centre (MFP-PARC). MFP_PARC is working in the following areas-- • Quality control & development of standards. • Development of processing technology for NTFP. • Spreading awareness about our herbal wealth. • Marketing assistance for NTFP & its products. • Processing & marketing of honey & herbal products. Unique Features of MFP-PARC -- • A unit of largest successful cooperative body in the state. • Mostly all products are organic in nature. • Our products are tested in state-of-the-art in-house laboratory. • Most of the raw material is sourced from village level minor forest produce cooperative societies. • GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certified unit. • ISO 9001: 2000 certified unit. • Training programs are organized to inculcate awareness about good harvesting practices among the collectors of medicinal & aromatic plants. • Training programs are also organized to impart agro-techniques of medicinal plants. • Profits are ploughed back to the primary collectors. MFP-PARC is the largest & state-of-the-art manufacturing unit of Vindhya Herbals products in Madhya Pradesh. Vindhya Herbals is the registered trademark of M.P. State Minor Forest Produce (Trading & Development) Co-operative Federation Ltd. Various Sections of MFP-PARC are as under-- 1. Testing & Research Laboratory - The laboratory has three sections namely, phyto-chemical analysis section, Microbiology section, Botanical & Taxonomy section. All these sections are headed by well qualified & highly skilled scientists. 2. Honey processing Section -- In this section the natural honey collected from forests is processed by a state-of- the-art processing plant designed by Central Bee Research Institute (CBR), Pune, India. 3. Herbal Processing Section-- In this section the raw material obtained from primary collectors is processed under GMP & converted into classical Ayurvedic medicines as well as patent herbal products. These production operations are supervised by well qualified & highly experienced ayurveda professionals. 4. Human Resource Development Section -- Regular training programs are organized for primary MFP Co-operative societies, Joint Forest Management Committees, Field Staff of Forest Department etc. Tailor made 2 training programs are also conducted for the specific requirements of target groups working in Minor Forest Produce Sector. 5. The Park of MFP-PARC -- MFP-PARC is housed in the lush green setting of nursery & production plots of various medicinal & aromatic plants. Over 150 species of medicinal & aromatic plants are available in this well maintained campus & provides a rare opportunity to all the stakeholders of Minor Forest Produces to see them live & in natural setting. More details about MFP-PARC can be sought from - www.vindhyaherbals.com The product range of Vindhya Herbals products of MFP-PARC is as under- List of Products Sr. Name of Product Constituent parts Therapeutic Uses Packaging No. Presentation 1 Aonla churna Aonla Fruit Aonla' rebuilds new tissues and (1) 100 gm increase the red blood cell count. It container packing (Phyllanthus emblica) cleanses the mouth, strengthens the (2) 200 gm pouch teeth, stops the bleeding of gums and refill pack improves eyesight. It nourishes the bones and promotes the growth of healthy, lustrous hair and strong nails. 2 Ashwgandha Ashwgandha Root It counteracts the effects of stress and 70 gm container churna (Withania somnifera) generally promotes wellness. It has also packing been shown to inhibit inflammation and improve memory .Good for general weakness, seminal debility. 3 Safed Musli Safed Musli Root It is cooling, aphrodisiac and nervine 100 gm container churna (Chlorophytum tonic. Ideal for development of body packing arundinaceum) muscles and resistance power. 4 Shatawari churna Shatawari Root An excellent rejuvenator and health 100 gm container Asparagus tonic.It is an aphrodisiac, increases packing racemosus) intelligence, breast milk & appetite.It helps in heeling peptic ulcer. 5 Nirgundi churna Nirgundi leaves It is helpful in strengthening the eyes, 70 gm container (Vitex negundo) hair, reduce swelling and nausea, and packing help in many types of ear diseases. Helps with swollen joints, sprains, ulcers, liver, and menopause. 6 Harad churna Harad Fruit A safe and effective purgative, 100 gm container (Terminalia chebula) astringent and alterative. packing 7 Brahmi churna Brahmi whole plant An ideal tonic for brain. It promotes 70 gm container (Bacopa monnieri) memory and relives from tension. packing 8 Anantmool churna Anantmool Root It clears through obstruction, cough and 50 gm container (Cassia ocidentalis) increages digestive power. Its decoction packing is a remedy for diysuria, inflammation, skin disorder and leprosy. 3 9 Neempatra churna Margosa Leaves It is antibacterial and antiseptic and it is 70 gm container (Azadirachta indica) use for all sorts of skin disorders like packing eczema, ringworm, scabies, ulcer, leucoderma. It is an excellent blood purifier. 10 Adusa Patti Adusa leaves It is best lung tonic. It is natural bronchi 70 gm container churna (Adhatoda vasica) dilator. The most marked effect of its packing healing and curative power is on respiratory system. It is effectively used in colds, coughs as well as advanced cases of bronchitis and asthma. 11 Giloy churna Giloy Stem It is rejuvenator and an all-round tonic. It 70 gm container (Tinospora cordifolia) can be given a person with any type of packing constitution for most ailments. It is the best herb to cure fevers in all type of diseases, including malaria, typhoid, jaundice and tuberculosis. 12 Tulsi Patti churna Tulsi leaves It is well known stimulant, carminative 70 gm container (Ocimum santum) and expectorant. It has good anti- packing bacterial quality. 13 Bhrangraj churna Bhrangraj whole plant The king of hair. It promotes the growth 70 gm container (Eclipta alba) of hair on the head and makes it black packing and lustrous. It is best liver tonic. 14 Shankhpushpi Shankhpushpi whole Shankhpushpi is a tonic for brain. It 70 gm container churna plant nourishes nervous system. It increases packing (Convolvulus the mental faculties such as memory pluricaulis) and alertness. 15 Bael churna Bael Fruit A valuable preparation for habitual 100 gm container (Aegle marmelos) constipation, chronic dysentery and packing (Fruit) dyspepsia. 16 Baheda churna Baheda Fruit It is purgative, laxative, analgesic, anti- 100 gm container (Terminalia belerica) inflammatory, nutritive, anti-pyretic and packing expectorant. 17 Bach churna Bach Root It is a nerve tonic, muscle relaxant and 70 gm container (Acorus calamus) tranquilizing. It is good for dyspepsia, packing colic, remittent fever, epilepsy, bronchitis and throat disorder. It is an expectorent, anthelmintic, antipyretic, carminative and mild laxative. 18 Bhuin Aonla Bhuin Aonla whole It is an efficient liver tonic, which 70 gm container churna plant (Phyllanthus improves the functioning