Medicinal plants of various categories have been in use since ancient times in traditional medicine practices. Various plant parts such as roots, tubers, barks, leaves, flowers and seeds are used for treating different health issues and diseases. We have so many wonderful natural remedies around us that nature has provided for treatment of common health problems like cut, burns, fever, cold, sneezes, indigestion and many more.
The World Health Organisation has stated that 80% of global population even today depends directly or indirectly on various medicinal plants for curing different ailments. Ayurveda encourages lifestyle interventions through the use of plant products to regain a balance among the body, mind, spirit and environment. The State of Odisha has been blessed with many species of medicinal plants, which are widely distributed in natural ecosystems, more importantly in the hill forests of Similipal in north, Gandhamardan in west and Mahendragiri in south. Plants like tulsi, amla, pudina, aloevera, aswagandha, bhuinlimba, pippali, guduchi, sarpagandha, satavari and brahmi are commonly available that can be cultivated commercially with economic profitability. This needs to be popularised among the farmers with the support of the State Medicinal Plant Board for the benefit of the people. A strong networking system for cultivation, procurement, marketing and utilisation has to be developed for enhanced use of medicinal plants from herbs to trees.
Experts expressed such views while speaking in a seminar on the theme ‘Potential of medicinal plants in Odisha’ organised by the Orissa Environmental Society (OES).
Chief speaker Prof Kunja Bihari Satapathy, Emeritus Professor of Botany, Centurion University, Bhubaneswar, discussed the various species of medicinal plants available in Odisha. He narrated how tribal people, more importantly the traditional vaidyas, use different plant parts through ayurvedic methods that act as natural therapies for curing varied ailments. He suggested for implementing befitting conservation measures to protect the medicinal plants and establishing a centre of excellence on medicinal plants in Odisha for high quality research. Presiding over the programme, OES president Dr Sundara Narayan Patro opined that many medicinal species are disappearing due to deforestation for developmental processes. Time has come when we need to teach the students about the values of medicinal plants and the necessity for their conservation. OES secretary Dr Jayakrushna Panigrahi said the ayurvedic system of medicine has no side effects. He viewed that the ancient findings, including the works of Charak and Sushrut, have a lot of significance even today.