Heaven is in Uttarakhand. No, Uttarakhand itself is heaven! Dev Bhumi, as addressed by the masses, Uttarakhand has every beautiful, natural landform you dream of! Magnificent mountains and beautiful forest, besides unbeatable flora and fauna! It is a home to several medicinal herbs that are registered under the subhead of Sanjeevini in several Ayurveda books. Herbal Remedies are immense, and Uttarakhand homes most of them.
Uttarakhand- A land of Beauty and Magic
Being popular for its incredible beauty, Uttarakhand is home to an immense biodiversity. It has been a tradition to use medicinal plants in several parts of Uttarakhand, and it is still ongoing. One village in Uttarakhand claims that none of the older people claim of any joint or body pains due to regular usage of stinging nettle. Surprised! Uttarakhand is full of such welcoming, healthy gestures; you just need to explore them carefully. Ayurvedic remedies have been a part of Uttarakhand's tradition and culture.
Ayurvedic herbs have been a part of Uttarakhand forever. The traditional approach to medicine used here can be said to be on par with Tibetan and Unani medicine.
Scope For An Upcoming Herbal Entrepreneur
Remember, during early times, whether it was a wound, disease, or any health issues, everything people treated was through leaves, roots, fruits, and stems. People resided near places where they could get necessities. Medicinal herbs were one of such needs, too.
If you are planning to start your career as a herbal entrepreneur, Uttarakhand can be a hub of ayurvedic herbs to deal with.
No one knows how the idea of Ayurvedic herbs started, but their mention is present in almost all ancient medicine books and incidents.
Role of Medicinal Plants in the Developing Economy and Health Sectors in Uttarakhand
Ancient Health Remedies
Medicines prepared with the help of medicinal plants have been a common practice in Uttarakhand for a long time. Remember, you would have read about them even in the oldest medicine or traditional books, and Ayurveda is all about it, indeed.
Universal Demand
The pandemic and the growing awareness about health have shifted more people towards immunity boosters and wellness products. People are relying more on natural healthcare measures, and ayurvedic herbs are one of them.
Economic Opportunities
Farmers and entrepreneurs interested in medicinal plants can start with a new and beneficial business in Uttarakhand, where they can help people in a better way of living while earning too. Several government policies are also supporting this business and the herbal market overall.
Government Assistance and NGO Support
The biggest challenge that rural areas face is the lack of jobs. The medicinal plants here promote health for sure, and at the same time, they also offer a helping hand in conserving them. This idea also aims to support biodiversity and cultivate medicinal plants in Uttarakhand.
Practicing Sustainable Idea
When one starts cultivating medicinal plants, they sign up to support eco-friendly activities. It helps people to earn and build a healthy environment.
Let us explore the top five Ayurvedic herbs that might turn your head. Herbs to heal. Heal to conquer.
1. Ashwagandha or Withania Somnifera
An adaptogen for relaxation, Ashwagandha also won the title of Indian ginseng. People believe it might help in overall mental wellbeing and might control stress. Slowly, as more people are getting aware of this herb, the demand for this natural headache cure is growing every single minute. Growing in Uttarakhand, this herbal medicinal plant is well known in the beautiful, hilly region that experiences low humidity. In several natural supplements, you will find them as a common ingredient. Ashwagandha benefits for men and women differ but eventually it benefits all.
Roaring Market Demand
Let us surprise you with some number facts. In Europe, the US, India, and many other places, the demand for ashwagandha is accelerating at a great speed. It might help to deal with overall wellness and stress relief.
It is highly recommended for those who are keen to start with organic cultivation and contract farming.
Ashwagandha Medicinal Properties
As mentioned already, ashwagandha is believed to be an adaptogenic herb, and its leaves and roots are mostly u sed to control mental wellness issues. People also believe that it might improve immunity, build stamina, control inflammation, and help with overall wellness.
Places Where it Grows
Lower hills of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Uttam Singh Nagar, and Haridwar are some places where you can find this herb.
2. Giloy or Tinospora Cordifolia
A climber to better health, giloy or garhwali, has a lot to say when it comes to ayurvedic herbs from Uttarakhand. You must have never thought about a low-maintenance, robust, healthy, and highly demanding herb that can bring health and wellness to your doorstop. Its leaves shapes are similar to Pan and are heart shaped. You can also see the beautiful red fruits on it.
Economic Opportunities and Skyrocketing Demand
Due to its medicinal properties, giloy is believed to be a good ayurvedic immunity booster and is packed with several health benefits. You can use dried or fresh plant parts of giloy to enjoy the benefits it possesses. Its demand has been growing tremendously after the pandemic.Giloy has loats of benefits, and people are now using it in several different ways.
Ways to Grow Giloy
Growing naturally, Giloy surprisingly takes no extra effort to grow. In tropical and non-tropical areas, this climber can be seen in lush, green forests and semi arid areas. If the soil is well drained and at the same time loamy, you can grow it with an average water supply. It takes a year or 15 months for the plantation to bloom.
Gifted Medicinal Properties
Giloy is immunomodulatory, full of detoxifying features, antipyretic, and antiinflammatory. In Uttarakhand, giloy is widely used as a home remedy for cold and cough. It boosts immunity and is known to act strongly against infections. Cold, cough home remedies here surely include giloy in different quantities.
Where Giloy is Grown
Giloy is grown in almost all areas of Uttarakhand. It also grows in Nainital, Rudraprayag, Dehradun, Almora, and Haridwar.
3. Chirata or Swertia Chirayita
Taste the bitter to experience the best health. Chirata is classified as a natural remedy for several health corrective measures. This bitter ayurvedic plant might treat several health challenges like fever, skin issues, and liver problems. Chirata is an herb that originates in the mid-altitude Himalayas. It has an unbeatable popularity globally and is expected to grow without much extra effort in the native environment. Using a sustainable development process, growing Chirata can push the economic status of farmers around Uttarakhand, especially in the moderate temperate areas.
Growing Popularity of Chirata
People all around the world praise the benefits of Chirata, which is known to be used in different forms, such as tablets, powders, and syrups. In the medicinal world, it is used in homeopathy and Ayurveda in Asia, the US, and Europe. One needs to soak it overnight and should drink the sieved water for immediate benefits.
Soil Needs to Grow Chirata
It grows well in the high Himalayan area in cool and moist weather. The soil needs to be loamy, partially shady, and must have good drainage for a good plantation.
Medicinal Benefits Associated
This is a healthy but bitter tonic, mentioned in Unani, Himalayan, and Ayurvedic medicine. It might help with better digestion and a healthy appetite. Some people say it is good for dealing with constipation and indigestion.
Area Chirata Grown
Chirata is commonly seen in Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Almora, Uttarakhand, Pauri, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag.
4. Kalmegh or Andrographis Paniculata
Dark Cloud or Kalmegh is believed to be an immunity booster herb and is slowly growing its commercial and medicinal value. It is believed to be a part of home remedies for stress and anxiety. Kalmegh benefits focuses on building your overall immunity and ensure your well being is completely taken care of!
Market Popularity of Kalmegh
Kalmegh has occupied a significant role as a leading ayurvedic herb, and people all around the world are praising it for the health benefits it possesses. You will find them being used in Unani, Ayurvedic, and Siddha medicine preparations.
Ways to Grow Kalmegh
Kalmegh can grow up to a height of 1200 meters and is good to grow in moderate weather with average rainfall. It requires sandy, loam soil, which has to be well-drained throughout.
Medicinal Magic Kalmegh Brings
It is an immune system booster herb that might be good for the liver and fever. It reduces inflammation to a great extent.
Places Kalmegh Grows
Kalmegh requires a moderate temperature and can be grown in any place in Uttarakhand. It is commonly seen in Nainital, Haridwar, and Almora.
5. Mulethi or Glycyrrhiza Glabra
Mulethi is known to be the best medicinal herb grown in the heart of Uttarakhand. Its taste is sweet and bears several health benefits. It has an equal role in pharmaceutical and Ayurveda treatments. With the ongoing health awareness, more people are inclined to use Mulethi's benefits. Farmers are earning well by growing this herb in the market.
Market Popularity
As mentioned earlier, mulethi is growing popular universally due to the medicinal benefits it holds. India and other parts of the world have understood the value of this herb, and it is now widely used in Ayurveda, food flavouring, and several herbal cosmetics.
Where Mulethi Grows?
Mulethi is an easy-going, grown plant, but growing it in sub-tropical and semi-arid areas is always what the researchers suggested. It is commonly seen in Tarai and same levelled hilly areas in Uttarakhand. This plant takes one and a half to two years to harvest. The National Medicinal Plants Board promotes growing mulethi in bulk.
Medicinal Benefits to Enjoy From Mulethi
Ayurvedic kadha, herbal tea, throat lozenges, cosmetics, and more can be made with it. This plant is all set to add value to your immunity and overall health.
Places Mulethi Grows
Udham Singh Nagar, Dehradun, and Haridwar are the common areas where you can see them growing.
Government Extra Support and Schemes
India has always been home to several medicinal plants, and growing them for profitable purposes can be a good way to have healthy and economic cultivation. It is also a great way to promote and experience sustainable agriculture. Uttarakhand is indeed beautiful and full of herbs and magical plants. The government has introduced several herbal projects in Uttarakhand. They have shaken hands with several NGOs and companies, and now the government is coming out openly with several schemes by adding training, covering financial support, and doing marketing at a great speed.
The market for natural remedies, especially herbal treatment for sleeplessness or ayurvedic remedies for sleeplessness, is roaring. In today's hectic life, people are relying more on home remedies for stress and anxiety, and ayurvedic herbs play a great role here. The Uttarakhand government is trying its best to uplift the final products and farmers so that they can have diversified incomes while sustaining the environment.
Tips To Remember
Ayurvedic herbs are indeed full of benefits, but there are certain things you need to recall before starting with the nature miracles.
- If you are suffering from any allergies, any medicinal herbs are a big no unless your doctor agrees to it.
- Pregnant ladies and breastfeeding mothers should try anything new only after consulting their gynaecologist.
- People suffering from chronic disease should never try any self-medication, even when it is natural. Consult your healthcare specialist if you insist on taking it.
- People taking medication should take advice from their healthcare professional before switching to it.
Remember to consult your specialist before adding anything new to your daily life.
To Sum Up- Ayurvedic Health Herb Benefits on Peak
Uttarakhand is a dream place for those who love nature and its gifts. What most people fail to know is that, besides being a travel spot and scenic beauty, this place is blessed with miracle herbs. The Uttarakhand government has offered several benefits for those who show interest in herbal farming here. India itself is a hub for several naturally growing medications, and this place has a lot of them. These ayurvedic herbs bring overall well-being and business opportunities too, for those who are eager to explore this industry in depth. Nature has always been good to humans, and these Ayurvedic herbs are living proof of the same.
The natural beauty of Uttarakhand soothes the eye, and the ayurvedic herbs bring relief to every soul who has ever tried them!
frequently asked questions
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What natural features make Uttarakhand ideal for growing ayurvedic herbs?
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Are Ashwagandha, Chirata, and Giloy normally used in most traditional ayurvedic medicine?
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Do people need special permission to grow herbal plants in Uttarakhand?
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Name some unique Ayurvedic herbs or plants that you can experience in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand and have gained popularity, too?
