The Gift of India’s Medicinal Plants BY: BIANCA CARDENAS

Background Information Seventh Largest Country in the World Biological Diversity (ranging from deserts to mountains to tropical forest) Over 1.1 billion people (second highest population) “Approximately 22% of [India’s population] are below the poverty line” (Kalmarlapar).

The vast amount of people and the affects it has on India:  Due to it’s large population, many citizens are deprived of medical insurance  Which makes it difficult for low income families to retrieve medical treatment and purchase medicine  The water sources are contaminated because a vast amount of people use the rivers.  The contaminated water can result in illnesses and disease amongst the people of India.

HOWEVER,  The country's biodiversity allows for the growth of medicinal plants that compensate for the defacements of India’s over crowded population, lack of medical care, and the illnesses that are an outcome of the unsanitary environment.  To be specific, the medicinal plants found in the Himalayas, West Ghats, and Patakolt are effective natural resources that holds medicinal value, economic value, and tribal values while helping the welfare of the people in India.

“ ” “The Himalayan medicinal plants play an imperative role in the local culture and economy of the region (G HOSH ).  Doctors and the local inhabitants use the medicinal in various forms as a kind of medicine for illnesses.

Clematis Buchananiana  A garden plant that is in the Himalayas  Used to treat sinus inflammations, toothaches, headaches, and indigestion.  Similar to Orajel, tums, and nasal spray.

The Western Ghats  The medicine plants found in the Western Ghats also play a therapeutic role in the daily lives of the people in India.  The natives uses the medicinal plants to help with illnesses such as asthma, migraines, body aches, and even to relief cancer patients. An example:  Calotropis Gigantean

The Patalkot Forest  For example, for cough and colds they boil Black Peppers fruits in water. “The Patalkot forest is so well hidden that people on the outside didn’t even know it existed. It is a very special place, rich with plants and animals” (Acharya).  The tribes rely on the power of medicinal plants to assistant them in curing diseases.

Overview:  India’s high population partakes in the downfall of its medical suffrage, the low economy, and the contamination that leads to illnesses and diseases.  However, the medicinal plants found in the different regions of India such as the Himalayas, West Ghats, and Patalkot are beneficially to the economy, the people living in poverty, and the tribes.  Why? Because the medicinal plants are a natural source of medicine when used properly and help the people in India daily to cure common illnesses without the high cost.