Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology

Muhammad Iqbal, PhD, FNASc
Professor
Department of Botany
JAMIA HAMDARD
(Declared as Deemed-to-be University under Section 3 of
the UGC Act, 1956 vide Notification No. F.9-18/85-U.3
dated 10.5.1989 of the Government of India)
December 24, 2010
The tradition of herbal treatment for curing the human ailments is pretty old in India. Formal
accounts of medicinal plants appeared as early as during the Vedic period in the Vedico-
Brahminic treatises like Atharvaveda (2000 BC), Sushruta Samhita (1300 BC) and Charaka
Samhita (300 BC). Of the tradional Indian systems of medicine, the Ayurveda (science of life)
and the Unani (Greeco-Arabian) systems are based largely on medicinal plants, whereas
Siddha depends mainly on minerals. Over the centuries, the traditional practitioners have
developed a number of herbal formulations for the treatment of various ailments with special
emphasis on sexual debility, liver disorders and kidney problems. As the popular alternative
medicine, these preparations now constitute an important segment of the integrated health
management all over the world.
The Himalayas, often called "The Roof of the World", encompass a number of biodiversity hot
spots and repositories of medicinal plants. The whole Himalayan range is envisaged as a
trove of medicinal herbs, offering refuge to a variety of rare plants in its varied mountain
ecosystems. The research work carried out in the recent past has accumulated enough
scientific information on a variety of medicinal plants inhabiting the various zones of the
Himalayan range with diverse climatic conditions. Given the above, the document in hand is a
commendable effort that duly elucidates the various aspects of the medicinal-plant research
that have a potential promise for a safe herbal medication without the much talked about
adverse after-effects. The information covered by this issue is comprehensive and most of the
plants mentioned are well known for their therapeutic efficacy. Information on the traditional
knowledge, describing the ethno-medicinal uses of plants is also included.
I heartily appreciate Dr. Amjad Masood Husaini of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of
Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, India, for editing this useful volume that
focuses on the medicinal plants of the Himalayas, and also the galaxy of distinguished
scientists and researchers who have contributed for this special issue of the Medicinal and
Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology, an emerging research journal of the Global
Science Books (GSB), UK. This document must prove a useful guide to botanists, cultivators
and collectors of medicinal plants and a pride possession of all those who are keen on the
Himalayan vegetation.
(Muhammad Iqbal)
Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi – 110 062, INDIA
Phone: +91-11-2605 9688, Extn.: 5530 (O), 5531 (R); Fax: +91-11-2605 9663
E-mail: iqbalg5@yahoo.co.in