MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS LISTS OF NEPAL ~ NepalAyurveds.com

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MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS LISTS OF NEPAL

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Medicinal and aromatic plants, are like special treasures in Nepal. They have been a big part of our culture for a very long time and are super helpful for people who live in rural areas. These amazing plants are well-known in Ayurvedic medicine, which is a traditional way of healing in the Indian sub-continent. Nepal is like a treasure chest because it's home to more than 8,000 types of flowering plants, and around 20-25% of them have special powers for medicine and nice smells.

Out of these special plants, about 10% are important for business, but most of them are sold without being changed. The government of Nepal has chosen 148 top MAPs and set prices for them. But guess what? There are actually 179 super important MAPs that people use a lot for making money and medicine. Even though Nepal shares a lot of these plants with the world, a huge chunk (90%) is sent to India.

These cool plants come in different shapes and sizes. Some are herbs, some are shrubs, some are trees, and some are vines. You can find them in the lowlands and high up in the mountains. It's like they have their own special map in Nepal, and they really like being around 1000 meters above sea level.

People usually get these plants from nature, but now they are trying to grow them on their own because everyone wants more! To do this, they need to know where the plants live, how they grow, and how to take care of them. It's like having a secret recipe for making these amazing plants stay healthy and happy. Even though these plants help Nepal make money, we need to be careful and make sure we're not taking too many from nature. It's like having a yummy cake - you want to enjoy it, but you also want to save some for later. That's why we need to study these plants and learn how to keep them safe so they can keep helping us for a long, long time.

History of Nepali Medicinal Plants

For a long, long time, people have been using special plants to help them feel better when they're sick. Way back in the olden days, like 5,000 years ago, the Sumerian people had a list of 12 recipes to make medicine from more than 250 plants! They used plants like poppy, henbane, and mandrake. Even the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung wrote a book around 2500 B.C., talking about 365 different plant medicines, like Gentian, Ginseng, Jimson weed, Cinnamon bark, and Ephedra plants. The people in ancient India also knew about these special plants and wrote about them between 1500 and 500 B.C. In 1550 B.C., the Ebers Papyrus book had 700 medicinal plants, including pomegranate, castor oil plant, aloe, senna, garlic, onion, fig, and willow.

The history of these special plants can be divided into five different times: prehistoric, ancient, middle age, early modern age, and modern age. Back in prehistoric times, people used plants to treat sickness, and they even used spices to keep their food from going bad. They found evidence of these special plants in ancient burial sites, too. In ancient Mesopotamia, the Sumerian people used hundreds of medicinal plants. The knowledge of these plants spread to Southeast Asia around 3,000 years ago, thanks to texts like the Atharvaveda, the Rig Veda, and the Sushrutasamhita. A Greek physician even wrote about over 600 medicinal plants in 60 A.D.!

As time went on, from the Middle Ages to the modern age, people started writing down what they knew about these special plants. They created different systems of medicine, like Ayurveda, Siddha, Amchi, Chinese, and Tibetan medicine. But it was in the modern age, between the 19th and 20th centuries, that things really got exciting! Scientists started using chemistry and special tools to learn more about these plants. They figured out how to take the good parts from the plants and make powerful medicines to help people feel better. And that's how we know so much about these amazing plants today!

General Introduction of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Nepal

In Nepal, we have special plants called Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, which are super important for the people living in rural areas. These plants have been a part of Nepalese culture for a really long time and are used to help people feel better when they are not well. The Himalayan herbs from Nepal are famous in a kind of medicine called Ayurvedic, which has been around for a very, very long time.

People in Nepal have been using these special plants for over 7,000 years! According to a story, a hero named Hanuman once brought medicinal herbs from a mountain in India to help someone who was hurt. Isn't that amazing?

In Nepal, there are different ways of taking care of people when they are not feeling well. One way is called Ayurveda, and it has three special principles – VATA, PITTA, and KAPHA. These principles help keep our bodies in balance.

Nepal even shares these special plants with other countries like India, China, and even places far away like Europe and America! Everyone wants these plants because they have special things inside them that can help people get better.

Understanding Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Plants that are helpful for our health and have a nice smell are called Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, not just MAPs. When plants have special things in them that are good for our health, we call them medicinal plants. People use these plants to make medicine in old and new ways all around the world. They can use the plants as they are, or they can change them a little. Sometimes, they mix different plants together.

Aromatic plants are a bit different. They have special things in them that make them smell good. People take these things out and make essential oils, which are like strong-smelling liquids. These oils can be from leaves, flowers, and other parts of the plant. People use these oils to make things like nice-smelling lotions, perfumes, and even medicines to help us feel better.

In Nepal, some common essential oils come from plants like Basil, Calendula, Cinnamon, Citronella, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, and Peppermint. These oils don't just smell good; they can also help us feel less stressed, sleep better, and even stop our heads from hurting. They are like natural helpers for our health!

Ancient Applications of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Nepal

In Nepal, many people live in villages, and most of them use special plants for medicine and health. These special plants are called "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants". People in villages have been using these plants for a long time to stay healthy. These plants are safe, and they don't cost a lot of money, so even poor people can use them.

In different parts of Nepal, people use these plants in different ways. In the northern part, people are influenced by Tibetan culture, and in the southern part, near India, they use three systems: Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. In the middle part, like in Kathmandu, many types of traditional systems are used because Nepal has many different ethnic groups with their own cultures.

A long time ago, a company called Herbs Production and Processing Company started using these special plants in a modern way. They extract oils from the plants and make things like perfumes. Now, many companies in Nepal do the same and sell these products to other countries, bringing in money for Nepal.

Variety of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in a General Context

The Kew Royal Botanical Garden discovered a whopping 391,000 vascular plant species all over the world! Did you know that only 5-10% of all plants have been checked for medicine purposes? That's not a lot! Scientists think there are about 72,000 plants globally used as medicine. In China, they've been using plants for a super long time—around 11,000 types! And guess what? India has 8,000 medicinal plants too! Most of these special plants live in tropical countries. Cool, right? Every year, smart scientists find new medicines from plants. But here's the thing: many of these plants grow in the wild, so we need to take care of them to keep having these cool medicines!

Variety of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Nepal

Nepal has many different lands with various weather, like hot and rainy or cold and snowy. Because of this, Nepal has many different ecosystems, which means different types of living things can be found there. Some of the most special and useful Medicinal and Aromatic Plants are found in Nepal. The land in Nepal goes up and down, and the highest part is the Himalayan mountains. These mountains have a lot of different climates, like warm and tropical at the bottom and cold and snowy at the top. Nepal has a lot of different plants, and some of them, about 20-25%, are helpful for medicine and have a nice smell.

Nepal is very rich in different kinds of plants. There are more than 8,000 kinds of flowers in Nepal, and many of them can be used for medicine or have a good smell. Some people have counted the number of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Nepal, and they found different amounts. It might depend on how much people use them for medicine. In Nepal, there are around 1,950 species of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants that are very important and valuable. People even trade them and sell them to other countries.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants are not everywhere in Nepal the same way. In some places, like the lower warm areas, there are more Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, about 700 different kinds. But in the higher and colder places, there are fewer types of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants , even though they are very important for trade. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Nepal can be small or big, and they can live for a short time or a long time. Some are like trees or bushes, and others are like climbing plants or herbs. Nepal has some special Medicinal and Aromatic Plants that are unique and valuable, like Yarchagumba, Kutki, Jatamasi, Nirmasi, Bishma, and Chiraito.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS of Nepal

A, Integrating with Contemporary Science and Technology

Long ago, special plants with healing powers, called "Jaributi," were treated and traded in Nepal. The government decided these plants needed special attention, so they created a section called "Banaspati Phant," later becoming Banaspati Bibhag in 1960. This became the Department of Medicinal Plants (DMP), where experts worked to understand these plants better.

The DMP faced challenges like figuring out the science behind the plants, where they grow, and what makes them special. They even tried to grow famous plants like Belladona and Pyrethrum. The DMP helped farmers, traders, and industries that used these plants. Now, with wild plants decreasing, there's a big opportunity to grow these plants in gardens.

The Department of Plant Resources (DPR) is the leading government organization in Nepal for studying these special plants. Scientists at the DPR work together to learn more about these amazing plants and how they can help people.

B, Revitalizing Traditional and Enhancing Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurveda, the science of life, is one of the oldest medical systems in the world, dating back to the Vedic period (around 1500 – 900 BC). In Nepal, the Ministry of Health and Population has a special Department of Ayurveda that offers medical services through various hospitals and health centers. The central Ayurvedic Naradevi Hospital, Dang Ayurvedic Hospital, zonal dispensaries, and district health centers are part of this system. They even produce Ayurvedic medicines at Singh Durbar Vidyakhana.

Traditional medicine, like Ayurveda and Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan Medicine), has gained popularity, leading to opportunities in herbal farming for home remedies and industrial products. One fascinating example is Yarsagumbu, a half-plant-half-insect found in the Himalayas, particularly in districts like Mugu, Dolpa, Bajhang, and Darchula. The caterpillar fungus, Cordyceps sinensis, is highly valued in countries like China, Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong. However, due to its declining presence in the wild, efforts are being made to cultivate it. Yarsagumbu collection has become an annual festival in north-west Nepal, bringing income to villagers who collect it from alpine pastures above 3500 m.

C, Research and development

In the 1960s, people in Nepal started exploring the wonders of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.The T.U. Central Department of Botany, Chemistry, and RECAST played a big role in understanding these special plants. Kathmandu University, NAST, and ICIMOD also joined in the fun by doing research. Teams like ANSAB, ESON, IUCN, WWF, JABAN, NEHPA, and more all teamed up to learn about MAPs together.

Nowadays, Forest Users Groups (FUGs) in Nepal take care of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). FECOFUN connects these groups and has been doing so since July 1995.

Since the mid-1990s, people have discovered a lot about MAPs through cool experiments. They learned about policy issues, how to organize communities, and ways to help small businesses. ANSAB, for instance, was a big help in Humla district from 1995-99, sharing info about conservation and starting businesses.

In the last fifteen years, communities have rocked at managing forests and businesses. Thanks to ANSAB, they made plans for sustainable forestry and got info for making good decisions.

Nepal's Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Trade

Medicinal and aromatic plants are not just essential for providing medicine but also offer opportunities for income to collectors and farmers. Trading these plants creates jobs and brings foreign exchange to developing countries, contributing significantly to their national economy.

The Government of Nepal recognizes the potential of Medicinal and aromatic plants in the 'Nepal Trade Integration Strategy.' It identifies medicinal herbs and essential oils as having medium export potential and a high impact on society and the economy. Traditionally, Nepal has traded MAPs with India, and even today, about 80% goes to India, 10% to other foreign countries, and the remaining 10% is used nationally for herbal preparations.

Nepal's share in the global market for medicinal herbs is around 0.2%, but there is a clear increasing trend in both volume and value of trade. The industry has the potential to grow further by cultivating and processing marketable non-timber forest products like atis, chiraito, and lemongrass in different altitudinal zones.

Medicinal and aromatic plants are traded in two forms: raw products and processed products. Raw materials are mainly exported, while essential oils are processed from Medicinal and aromatic plants and contribute significantly to Nepal's export. The recent trend shows a shift in Medicinal and aromatic plants export, with high demand in China, especially for Yarsagumba, Chiraito, and Satuwa, leading to increased prices.

In the current scenario, the export of Medicinal and aromatic plants to China is rising, and a recent study shows that Nepal's export value of medicinal herbs reached about NRs 2.4 billion in the fiscal year 2022/023. India remains a major market for low-value high-volume products, while other countries buy high-value low-volume products.

Essential oils production and export have increased, with Nepal exporting about 70 tons of 16 different essential oils annually. The recent trend reveals that Nepal is positioned 64th globally for exporting essential oils, with the EU, India, and the USA being significant markets. Singapore and Australia also show potential as attractive markets for essential oils from Nepal.

Nepal's Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Cultivation

Nepal is a fantastic place for growing Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) like menthe, lemongrass, and more. People in Nepal have been successfully growing plants like menthe, lemongrass, citronella, and palmarosa. Growing big cardamom in east Nepal hills has also been promising. They've even been successful in cultivating chiretta, seabuckthorn, taxus, soap-nut tree, timur, and cinnamon. Nepal has a long tradition of growing ginger and turmeric.

To make sure MAPs grow well, the government has a plan called the Master Plan for Horticulture Development. This plan considers the environment where plants grow and the time they take to grow. It's important because MAPs are not for eating but for the special things they make to survive tough weather, bugs, and animals.

In eastern Nepal, farmers found that growing medicinal plants with regular crops is a good idea. But, some rules make it hard for them to sell these plants.

MAPs are special because of the things they have inside them. Scientists have been studying and developing technology for growing MAPs since the 1960s. Now, they know how to grow many plants like wild asparagus, belladona, periwinkle, pyrethrum, cinnamon, saffron, lemon grass, palmarosa, and more.

Companies like Herbs Production and Processing Company Limited (HPPCL) and Dabur Nepal are helping to grow and sell MAPs. Some government agencies and other companies are also working on this. There are about 30 MAPs that scientists are studying and trying to grow better. A study in 2014 suggested some important MAPs like chiraito, satuwa, and atis for different regions.

It's important to grow MAPs where they naturally live to keep them healthy. So, farmers should follow the rules for growing plants in different areas.