🌿 Medicinal & Aromatic Plants
Learn medicinal plants — ashwagandha, tulsi, neem and aromatic plants for CUET Agriculture. Secondary metabolites, uses and cultivation.
Medicinal plants produce secondary metabolites -- chemical compounds that are not directly involved in the plant's growth but serve as defence mechanisms against herbivores and pathogens. These metabolites are used as drugs and therapeutic agents in modern medicine, Ayurveda, Unani, and other traditional systems. India ranks 2nd in the world as a producer and exporter of medicinal plants. Remarkably, about 90% of medicinal plant collection in India is still from wild sources rather than cultivated plantations, which raises concerns about sustainability and conservation.
Key Institutions
| Institution | Full Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| CIMAP | Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants | Lucknow (UP) -- the premier research institute in this field |
| NRCMAP | National Research Centre for Medicinal & Aromatic Plants | Anand (Gujarat) |
| DMAPR | Directorate of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Research | Anand (Gujarat) |
| NRC - MAP | NRC for Medicinal & Aromatic Plants | Anand (Gujarat) |
- National Medicinal Plant Board -- established in New Delhi (2000) -- coordinates medicinal plant conservation and development across India
- India is the 1st largest producer of: (1) Senna, (2) Isabgol, (3) Kewda oil, (4) Davana oil
- Asteraceae family has the most medicinal and aromatic plant species of any plant family
World's Most Important Medicinal Commodities
- Senna leaves
- Isabgol husk
- Cassia tora seeds
IMPORTANT
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Medicinal plants produce secondary metabolites -- chemical compounds that are not directly involved in the plant's growth but serve as defence mechanisms against herbivores and pathogens. These metabolites are used as drugs and therapeutic agents in modern medicine, Ayurveda, Unani, and other traditional systems. India ranks 2nd in the world as a producer and exporter of medicinal plants. Remarkably, about 90% of medicinal plant collection in India is still from wild sources rather than cultivated plantations, which raises concerns about sustainability and conservation.
Key Institutions
| Institution | Full Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| CIMAP | Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants | Lucknow (UP) -- the premier research institute in this field |
| NRCMAP | National Research Centre for Medicinal & Aromatic Plants | Anand (Gujarat) |
| DMAPR | Directorate of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Research | Anand (Gujarat) |
| NRC - MAP | NRC for Medicinal & Aromatic Plants | Anand (Gujarat) |
- National Medicinal Plant Board -- established in New Delhi (2000) -- coordinates medicinal plant conservation and development across India
- India is the 1st largest producer of: (1) Senna, (2) Isabgol, (3) Kewda oil, (4) Davana oil
- Asteraceae family has the most medicinal and aromatic plant species of any plant family
World's Most Important Medicinal Commodities
- Senna leaves
- Isabgol husk
- Cassia tora seeds
IMPORTANT
India leads the world in production of Senna and Isabgol -- both are primarily grown in Rajasthan. These are among the most traded medicinal plant commodities globally, with India being the dominant supplier.
Comprehensive Table of Medicinal Plants
This master table provides a quick overview of all 17 major medicinal plants. Detailed notes for each plant follow below.
| S.No. | Plant (Hindi) | Botanical Name | Family | Part Used | Active Principle/Chemical | Major Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Safed Musli | Chlorophytum borivilianum | Liliaceae (Life Family) | Condensed roots/Rhizome (Kandi jade) | Saponin (Seponin) | Sextonic (reproductive health), immunity booster, body weakness, increase milk production; Kharif season crop |
| 2 | Senna / Sonamukhi | Cassia angustifolia | Leguminosae / Caesalpiniaceae | Leaves & Pods (Faliyan) | Sennosides (2.3% in leaves, 4.5% in pods) | Laxative, constipation relief; India is world's 1st producer; Rajasthan -- Jodhpur, Pali, Barmer main areas |
| 3 | Isabgol (Psyllium) | Plantago ovata (Stemless) | Plantaginaceae | Seed & Husk (Bhusi) | Mucilage | Laxative, digestive; seed:husk ratio 75:25; India is leading producer & exporter; Rajasthan -- Jalore, Barmer main districts; Rabi season |
| 4 | Ashwagandha | Withania somnifera | Solanaceae | Root (Jad) | Withanine, Somniferine, Nicotine | Indian Ginseng / Winter Cherry; Shaktivardak (medicinal tonic); Mandsor (MP) is the main production area; Rabi season crop |
| 5 | Aloe vera (Gwarpatha) | Aloe vera / A. barbadensis | Liliaceae | Leaves (Pattiyan) | Aloin / Barbaloin | Skin care, wound healing, cosmetics; propagation by rhizome (25,000-26,750/ha); July-August sowing |
| 6 | Sarpagandha (Serpent wood) | Rauwolfia serpentina | Apocynaceae | Root (Jad) | Reserpine, Serpentine, Seponin | Hypertension (blood pressure control), sedative, insomnia; variety RS-1 |
| 7 | Neem | Azadirachta indica | Meliaceae | Fruit, Leaves, Seeds, Bark | Azadirachtin, Nimbadinol | Pesticide, cancer treatment, skin diseases, malaria; called "21st century tree"; Neem = Sanskrit "Nimba" (free from disease) |
| 8 | Tulsi (Basil) | Ocimum sanctum / O. tenuiflorum | Lamiaceae (Labiatae) | Leaves, entire plant | Eugenol | Sacred plant in Hinduism; used for cold, cough, fever, malaria; antiseptic; essential oil extraction; cosmetics use |
| 9 | Ratan Jot | Jatropha curcas | Euphorbiaceae | Seeds | Curcin (toxic protein) | Biodiesel production; propagation by seed & cuttings; 1.5-2.0 kg/ha yield; also called "Bayodiesel plant" / "Jab Irnandhan Paudha" |
| 10 | Opium Poppy (Afeem) | Papaver somniferum | Papaveraceae | Fruit capsule (Dodha) | Morphine (9-14%), Narcotine (5-7%), Codeine (1-3%) | God of Sleep / Black Gold; pain reliever, sedative; Rajasthan (Chittorgarh) is main production area; November-December sowing |
| 11 | Giloy / Amrita / Jivanti | Tinospora cordifolia | Menispermaceae | Root & Stem (Jad aur Tana) | - | Fever, immunity booster, joint pain, diabetes, cough, leprosy, inflammation |
| 12 | Beladona (Datura) | Atropa belladonna | Solanaceae | Leaves (Pattiyan) | Atropine, Hyoscyamine | Neurological pain treatment; Hyoscyamine used in criminological investigations as "Truth Confessor" |
| 13 | Guggal | Commiphora spp. / C. wightii | Burseraceae | Gum/Resin (Gond) | Guggulipids | Obesity & arthritis treatment; heart disease; gum obtained from 4-5 year old plants; 100-125 gm/tree/year; variety -- Marusudha |
| 14 | Dill / Sowa | Anethum graveolens | Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) | Seed, Fruit & Foliage | Carvone | Gripe water preparation; digestive; stomach-related ailments |
| 15 | Mulethi (Liquorice) | Glycyrrhiza glabra | Leguminosae / Fabaceae | Root & Underground parts (Jad) | Glycyrrhizin | Flavouring agent in chocolates, beverages; 150 times sweeter than sugar; intestinal, ulcer treatment |
| 16 | Periwinkle / Sadabahar (Vinca) | Catharanthus roseus | Apocynaceae | Root & Leaves (Jad aur Pattiya) | Vincristine, Vinblastine, Ajmalicine | Cancer treatment -- blood cancer (leukaemia) management; chemotherapy drug |
| 17 | Cinchona | Cinchona spp. | Rubiaceae | Bark (Chhal) | Quinine | Malaria treatment; originated from South America |
Detailed Notes on Important Medicinal Plants
1. Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum)
- Family: Liliaceae (also called Life Family / Ekbijpatri)
- Origin: Africa (native to India also)
- Part used: Condensed roots (Kandi jade) -- the plant produces 4-6 thick, fleshy roots per plant that contain the medicinal compounds
- Sowing: June (Kharif -- rainy season crop); second week of June is optimal
- Active principle: Saponin (Seponin) -- steroidal saponins are the primary bioactive compounds
- Uses: Sextonic -- improves reproductive health, immunity booster, body weakness, increases milk production in lactating women. Widely used in Ayurvedic formulations as a "Rasayana" (rejuvenating) herb.
- Propagation: Seeds & condensed root pieces
- This is the Kharif season medicinal plant crop
- Variety: Dusri Shilajeet (another name)
2. Senna / Sonamukhi (Cassia angustifolia)
Senna (Cassia angustifolia) -- Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Leguminosae / Caesalpiniaceae (Kevacesi)
- Origin: Europe / Arabia
- Part used: Leaves and pods (faliyan) -- both contain the active laxative compounds, but pods have a higher concentration
- Active principle: Sennosides -- 2.3% in leaves, 4.5% in pods. Sennosides stimulate bowel movements by irritating the lining of the large intestine.
- Uses: Laxative (virechak -- constipation relief), digestive aid
- Propagation: By seed; 5 kg/ha
- Senna resin/gond is used in making 'Enikul Asa Kadurs' Yunani medicine (virechak - Laxative)
- India is the world's first producer of senna -- dominating global trade
- Rajasthan -- Jodhpur, Pali, Barmer are the main producing areas in the arid western region
- Varieties: Sona, ALFT-2
3. Isabgol / Psyllium (Plantago ovata)
Isabgol / Psyllium (Plantago ovata) -- Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantago Jenemee)
- Origin: Persia / West India
- Part used: Seed husk (Bhusi) & seed (Beej) -- the husk is the commercially valuable part, as it swells enormously when mixed with water
- Active principle: Mucilage (found in husk) -- a complex polysaccharide that absorbs water and forms a gel, providing bulk laxative action
- Uses: Laxative, digestive, useful in constipation, diarrhoea, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The mucilage acts as a gentle bulk-forming laxative that works both ways -- softening stools in constipation and absorbing excess water in diarrhoea.
- Seed:Husk ratio: 75:25 -- the seed constitutes 75% of the weight, while the valuable husk is only 25%
- Propagation: Seeds; 4 kg/ha; Rabi season
- India is the leading producer and exporter of isabgol -- accounting for over 80% of world production
- Rajasthan -- Jalore is the leading district
- Varieties: G.I.I, Niharika, Traub Salonse, RI-89, RI-87
- India produces isabgol mainly in Gujarat and Rajasthan
- Harvested based on seed weight: 75% seed + 25% husk
TIP
For CUET: Both Senna and Isabgol are primarily grown in Rajasthan (arid western region). Remember: Senna = laxative from leaves/pods (Sennosides), Isabgol = laxative from seed husk (Mucilage). India leads the world in production of both.
4. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) -- Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Solanaceae (the nightshade family -- same family as tomato, potato, and chilli)
- Origin: India / Africa
- Part used: Root (Jad) -- the thick, tuberous roots are dried and powdered for medicinal use
- Active principle: Withanine, Somniferine, Nicotine -- withanolides are the main class of bioactive compounds
- Other names: Indian Ginseng (because of its adaptogenic properties similar to Korean Ginseng), Winter Cherry (because the fruit resembles a cherry enclosed in a papery calyx)
- Uses: Adaptogenic tonic (helps the body resist stress), stress relief, anti-inflammatory, immune booster. In Ayurveda, it is classified as a "Rasayana" (rejuvenating) and "Balya" (strength-giving) herb.
- Propagation: Seeds (8-10 kg/ha); Nursery (2 kg); Direct sowing (10-12 kg)
- Season: August-September (Kharif) sowing
- Mandsor (Madhya Pradesh) is the main production area -- the "Ashwagandha capital" of India
- Main varieties: Jawahar Ashwagandha-20, WS-90-130
Why is Ashwagandha called 'Indian Ginseng'?
Ashwagandha is called "Indian Ginseng" because, like Korean Ginseng (*Panax ginseng*), it is an **adaptogen** -- a substance that helps the body adapt to physical and mental stress. Both plants have been used for thousands of years as general tonics to improve vitality, stamina, and cognitive function. However, they are botanically unrelated: Ashwagandha belongs to Solanaceae while Ginseng belongs to Araliaceae. The name "Ashwagandha" itself means "smell of horse" in Sanskrit -- referring to both the horse-like smell of the root and the belief that consuming it gives one the strength and vitality of a horse.5. Aloe vera (Aloe vera / A. barbadensis)
Aloe Vera -- Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Liliaceae
- Origin: Africa -- native to the dry regions of northeastern Africa
- Part used: Leaves (Pattiyan) -- the thick, succulent leaves contain two distinct products: the outer latex and the inner gel
- Active principle: Aloin / Barbaloin -- found in the yellow latex layer just beneath the leaf skin; has potent laxative properties
- Uses: Wound healing, skin care, cosmetics, hair products, digestive health. The transparent inner gel (mostly water and polysaccharides) is used in cosmetics, while the yellow latex (containing aloin) is used medicinally.
- Propagation: Rhizome/suckers (25,000-26,750/ha) -- aloe produces abundant offsets (pups) that are separated and replanted
- Sowing: July-August
- Aloe vera dried leaf preparation is called Musabbar -- a concentrated, dried form of aloe used in traditional medicine
- Varieties: IC-111271, IC-111280, IC-111269, IC-111273
6. Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina)
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Origin: India
- Part used: Root (Jad) -- the roots are the primary source of alkaloids
- Active principle: Reserpine, Serpentine, Seponin -- Reserpine was one of the first effective drugs for treating hypertension and was a landmark in modern pharmacology
- Uses: Blood pressure control (hypertension), sedative, insomnia treatment, mental disorders. Reserpine depletes neurotransmitter stores, lowering blood pressure and inducing calm.
- Variety: RS-1
- Snake repellent -- hence the name "Serpent wood". Traditional Indian medicine used this plant to treat snake bites, which is reflected in both its common and botanical names.
NOTE
Reserpine from Sarpagandha was a revolutionary discovery in medicine. It was the first drug that could effectively lower blood pressure and was widely prescribed in the 1950s-60s. Although it has been largely replaced by newer drugs, its discovery demonstrated the value of investigating traditional medicinal plants.
7. Neem (Azadirachta indica)
- Family: Meliaceae
- Origin: India -- one of the few globally important medicinal plants that originated in India
- Part used: Fruit, Leaves, Bark, Seed -- virtually every part of the neem tree has medicinal or practical value
- Active principle: Azadirachtin, Nimbadinol (Nimbidin) -- Azadirachtin is one of the most potent natural insect antifeedants known
- Uses: Biopesticide (Azadirachtin disrupts insect growth and feeding), skin diseases, malaria, dental care, cancer prevention, cholesterol reduction
- Called the "21st Century Tree" and "Village Pharmacy" -- a single neem tree can address dozens of health and agricultural problems
- Neem contains Triterpenoids -- Azadirachtin is the main active compound among over 100 triterpenoids identified
- Neem oil used for making soap, pesticide, medicine, and fertilizer
- Neem = Sanskrit "Nimba" (free from disease) -- reflecting its traditional use in promoting health
8. Tulsi / Basil (Ocimum sanctum)
Tulsi / Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) -- Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Lamiaceae / Labiatae -- characterized by square stems and aromatic leaves
- Origin: North-East India (Purvi kshetra)
- Part used: Leaves, seeds, entire plant
- Active principle: Eugenol -- the same compound found in clove oil; responsible for the distinctive aroma and antiseptic properties
- Uses: Sacred Hindu plant (considered a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi); cold, cough, fever, malaria, digestive problems; essential oil for cosmetics. Tulsi tea is one of India's most popular herbal remedies.
- Tulsi oil used in soap, shampoo, dental products, mosquito repellent
9. Ratan Jot / Jatropha (Jatropha curcas)
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Origin: Mexico / India
- Part used: Seeds (Beej)
- Active principle: Curcin (toxic protein) -- makes the seeds inedible but the oil is valuable for biodiesel
- Uses: Biodiesel production -- Jatropha oil can be converted to biodiesel through transesterification. Seed oil content 30%. India launched the National Mission on Jatropha to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- Propagation: Seeds and cuttings; 1.5-2.0 kg/ha yield
- Jatropha is a 2-7 ft shrub; perennial medicinal plant that grows on wastelands
- Pruning done in March
10. Opium Poppy / Afeem (Papaver somniferum)
- Family: Papaveraceae
- Origin: Europe (Yurope)
- Part used: Fruit capsule (Dodha/Kapsule) -- the unripe capsule is lanced (scored with shallow cuts), and the milky latex that oozes out is collected and dried to produce raw opium
- Active principle: Morphine (9-14%), Narcotine/Noscapine (5-7%), Codeine (1-3%) -- morphine is the strongest natural painkiller known
- Other name: God of Sleep / Black Gold / Opium Poppy -- "God of Sleep" because morphine induces deep sleep and pain relief
- Uses: Pain relief (morphine is still the gold standard for severe pain), sedative, narcotic; controlled substance under international law
- Propagation: Seeds; November-December sowing
- Rajasthan -- Chittorgarh district is the main production area (licensed cultivation only)
- Varieties: Neelak, Kirtiman, Sujata, Tushna
WARNING
Opium poppy cultivation is strictly regulated in India under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Only licensed farmers in designated areas (mainly Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh) can grow it. The Central Bureau of Narcotics monitors all cultivation. Morphine and codeine derived from opium are essential medicines but are controlled substances due to their addiction potential.
11. Giloy / Amrita (Tinospora cordifolia)
- Family: Menispermaceae
- Propagation: Stem cuttings -- very easy to propagate; the climbing stem readily develops roots
- Part used: Root and stem (Jad tatha tana)
- Uses: Fever (especially dengue and chikungunya), immunity booster (gained enormous popularity during COVID-19), joint disorders, diabetes, cough, leprosy, inflammation. Called "Amrita" (nectar of immortality) in Ayurveda.
12. Beladona (Atropa belladonna)
- Family: Solanaceae
- Origin: Europe
- Part used: Leaves (Pattiyan)
- Active principle: Atropine, Hyoscyamine -- atropine is widely used in modern medicine to dilate pupils (ophthalmology) and increase heart rate
- Uses: Neurological pain treatment; Hyoscyamine used as "Truth Confessor" in criminological investigations. The name "Belladonna" means "beautiful lady" in Italian -- Renaissance women used eye drops made from this plant to dilate their pupils, which was considered attractive.
13. Guggal (Commiphora wightii)
- Family: Burseraceae
- Origin: Africa
- Part used: Gum/Resin (Gond/Ranjin) -- obtained by tapping the trunk, similar to rubber tapping
- Active principle: Guggulipids -- clinically shown to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Uses: Treatment of Obesity & Arthritis; heart disease (cholesterol reduction)
- Gum obtained from 4-5 year old plants by tapping trunks (3-4 incisions)
- Yield: 100-125 gm gum/tree/year -- very low yield makes this a valuable product
- Variety: Marusudha
14. Dill / Sowa (Anethum graveolens)
- Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
- Origin: Europe
- Part used: Seeds, fruit, and foliage
- Active principle: Carvone -- provides the distinctive aroma
- Uses: Gripe water preparation (the well-known infant colic remedy); digestive; stomach pain relief. Dill seed oil is the key ingredient in traditional gripe water.
15. Mulethi / Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Family: Leguminosae / Fabaceae
- Origin: Iran (Irak)
- Part used: Root & rhizome (Jad aur Sanshi pattiyan)
- Active principle: Glycyrrhizin -- an extraordinary compound that is 150 times sweeter than sugar yet has medicinal properties
- Uses: Flavouring agent in chocolates, beverages, and tobacco; intestinal ulcer treatment, sore throat remedy. The intense sweetness makes it valuable in the confectionery and pharmaceutical industries.
16. Periwinkle / Sadabahar (Catharanthus roseus)
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Origin: West Indies (Madagascar)
- Part used: Root & Leaves
- Active principle: Vincristine, Vinblastine, Ajmalicine -- these are among the most important anti-cancer drugs ever discovered from plants
- Uses: Cancer treatment -- especially blood cancer (leukaemia); chemotherapy drugs derived from this plant. Vincristine and Vinblastine are on the WHO's List of Essential Medicines.
IMPORTANT
Periwinkle (Sadabahar) is one of the most significant medicinal plants in modern medicine. Vincristine and Vinblastine extracted from this common garden plant are essential chemotherapy drugs used to treat leukaemia (blood cancer), Hodgkin's lymphoma, and other cancers. This humble flower -- found growing wild across India -- saves thousands of lives annually.
17. Cinchona (Cinchona spp.)
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Origin: South America (Andes mountains of Peru)
- Part used: Bark (Chhal) -- the inner bark contains the alkaloids
- Active principle: Quinine -- the first effective treatment for malaria and the drug that made European colonization of tropical regions possible
- Uses: Malaria treatment (anti-malarial). Although largely replaced by synthetic drugs, quinine is still used for drug-resistant malaria. The bitter taste of quinine led to the creation of tonic water (originally a medicinal drink).
18. Saffron / Kesar (Crocus sativus)
Saffron (Crocus sativus) -- most expensive spice -- Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Iridaceae
- Origin: Greece / Southwest Asia
- Part used: Stigma (dried stigmas of the flower) -- each flower has only 3 stigmas, and about 150,000 flowers are needed for 1 kg of saffron
- Active principle: Crocin (colour), Picrocrocin (bitter taste), Safranal (aroma)
- Uses: Colouring agent, flavouring, perfumery; used in Ayurvedic medicine for digestion, skin health, and as an antidepressant
- Cultivation: Pampore (Jammu & Kashmir) is the main production area in India; propagated by corms; Rabi season
- Saffron is the world's most expensive spice by weight -- because of the enormous labour required to hand-pick the tiny stigmas
Why is saffron the world's most expensive spice?
Saffron's extraordinary price (often $5,000-10,000 per kg) is due to the immense labour required for its production. Each crocus flower produces only **3 stigmas** -- these red threads are the saffron spice. Workers must hand-pick the flowers at dawn (before they open fully) and then carefully separate the three stigmas from each flower. It takes approximately **150,000 flowers** to produce just **1 kg of dried saffron**. The harvesting window is extremely short -- only 2-3 weeks per year. In India, saffron cultivation is concentrated in the **Pampore** region of Kashmir, where the unique combination of altitude (1,580 m), climate, and soil produces some of the world's finest saffron.Quick Reference Table -- Active Principles
| Active Principle | Source Plant | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Saponin/Seponin | Safed Musli | Sextonic, immune booster |
| Sennosides | Senna | Laxative |
| Mucilage | Isabgol | Digestive, laxative |
| Withanine | Ashwagandha | Adaptogenic tonic |
| Aloin/Barbaloin | Aloe vera | Skin care, wound healing |
| Reserpine | Sarpagandha | Hypertension |
| Azadirachtin | Neem | Biopesticide |
| Eugenol | Tulsi | Antiseptic, fever |
| Curcin | Jatropha | Biodiesel (seed oil) |
| Morphine | Opium Poppy | Pain relief, sedative |
| Glycyrrhizin | Mulethi | Flavouring (150x sweeter) |
| Vincristine | Periwinkle | Cancer treatment |
| Quinine | Cinchona | Malaria treatment |
| Guggulipids | Guggal | Obesity, arthritis |
| Atropine | Beladona | Neurological pain |
| Carvone | Dill/Sowa | Digestive, gripe water |
| Crocin | Saffron | Colouring, flavouring |
CUET Important Points to Remember
- Safed Musli -- Life Family (Liliaceae); Kharif crop; Saponin; Sextonic use
- Senna -- India is world's 1st producer; Sennosides; laxative; Rajasthan main area
- Isabgol -- Seed:Husk ratio 75:25; India leads in production & export; Mucilage; Rabi crop
- Ashwagandha -- Indian Ginseng / Winter Cherry; Withanine; Mandsor (MP) main area
- Aloe vera -- Aloin/Barbaloin; Africa origin; skin care; dried preparation = Musabbar
- Sarpagandha -- Reserpine; blood pressure control; also called Serpent wood
- Neem -- 21st Century Tree; Azadirachtin; biopesticide; Indian origin
- Tulsi -- Sacred Hindu plant; Eugenol; Lamiaceae family
- Opium Poppy -- God of Sleep / Black Gold; Morphine (9-14%); Chittorgarh main area
- Periwinkle (Sadabahar) -- Vincristine & Vinblastine; cancer (leukaemia) treatment
- Mulethi -- 150 times sweeter than sugar; Glycyrrhizin
- Cinchona -- Quinine; malaria treatment; South America origin
- CIMAP -- Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants -- Lucknow (UP)
- 90% of medicinal plant collection is from wild sources
- Asteraceae family has the most medicinal/aromatic species
- Saffron -- world's most expensive spice; Crocin; Pampore (J&K)
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Concept / Topic | Key Details / Explanation |
|---|---|
| India's rank | 2nd in world as producer/exporter of medicinal plants; 90% collected from wild sources |
| CIMAP | Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants — Lucknow (UP) |
| Asteraceae | Family with the most medicinal/aromatic species |
| Safed Musli | Liliaceae; Saponin; Sextonic use; Kharif crop; condensed roots used |
| Senna / Sonamukhi | Leguminosae; Sennosides (2.3% leaves, 4.5% pods); laxative; India = world's 1st producer; Rajasthan (Jodhpur, Pali, Barmer) |
| Isabgol / Psyllium | Plantaginaceae; Mucilage (in husk); seed:husk ratio 75:25; India = leading producer & exporter; Rabi crop; Rajasthan (Jalore) |
| Ashwagandha | Solanaceae; Withanine, Somniferine; "Indian Ginseng" / Winter Cherry; Mandsor (MP) main area |
| Aloe vera | Liliaceae; Aloin/Barbaloin; Origin: Africa; dried preparation = Musabbar; skin care & wound healing |
| Sarpagandha | Apocynaceae; Reserpine; blood pressure control (hypertension); also called Serpent wood |
| Neem | Meliaceae; Azadirachtin; "21st Century Tree"; biopesticide; Origin: India |
| Tulsi / Basil | Lamiaceae; Eugenol; sacred Hindu plant; cold, cough, fever; Origin: NE India |
| Jatropha | Euphorbiaceae; Curcin; biodiesel production; seed oil 30% |
| Opium Poppy | Papaveraceae; Morphine (9-14%); "God of Sleep / Black Gold"; Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) main area; controlled substance |
| Periwinkle / Sadabahar | Apocynaceae; Vincristine & Vinblastine; cancer (leukaemia) treatment; WHO Essential Medicines |
| Mulethi / Liquorice | Fabaceae; Glycyrrhizin; 150 times sweeter than sugar; flavouring agent |
| Cinchona | Rubiaceae; Quinine; malaria treatment; Origin: South America (Andes) |
| Saffron / Kesar | Iridaceae; Crocin (colour), Safranal (aroma); world's most expensive spice; Pampore (J&K); propagated by corms; 150,000 flowers → 1 kg saffron |
| Dill / Sowa | Apiaceae; Carvone; gripe water preparation |
| Beladona | Solanaceae; Atropine, Hyoscyamine; neurological pain; pupil dilation |
| Guggal | Burseraceae; Guggulipids; obesity & arthritis; 100-125 gm gum/tree/year |
| Giloy / Amrita | Menispermaceae; immunity booster; fever (dengue, chikungunya); stem cuttings propagation |
Lesson Doubts
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