Greenhouse wonder

The research centre falls under the Central Council of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 8220;It was initially established to grow medicinal plants for feeding research institutions, related to botany, chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacognosy. Later it was decided to develop it into an experimental demonstration herb garden for research on the cultivation aspects of medicinal plants,8221; says P C Sharma, current assistant director.

Today the centre has indeed come a long away. The centre is a buzz with activity, as the 25-member staff unravels methods of propagation of different plants and conducts cultivation trials for agro-economic practices. A few years ago it granted affiliation to Pune University for PhD studies and a students pursue higher studies here. At present, the garden has garnered a plant-repertoire of 400 species of medicinal herbs.

The institution is roughly segregated into about six sections. The tree section, herbs and climbers, a greenhouse, pharmacognosy research wing, a tissue culture laboratory and a herbarium and reference museum. 8220;The pharmacognosy research wing investigates drug samples for properties, to help in identification and standardisation of single crude drugs namely, from the root, stem, bark, leaf, flower,8221; explains Sharma.

The tissue culture laboratory is one of the most important divisions of the JNAMPGamp;H. Here propagation methods through tissue culture are evolved for rapid multiplication of rare herbs. 8220;600 total species of medicinal herbs are found in nature, of which 200 are of commercial value. And since most of them flourish as wild plants, some rare ones are endangered and need to be preserved, 8221; says Sharma.

Over-exploitation and lack of proper care of regeneration is the cause of scarcity in vital medicinal herbs. Many plants, which are processed for root drugs, are removed before flowering and fruiting and become vulnerable. Anantmul, Kalihari, Sita-Ashok, Dashmul plants are some herbs which are already scarce in nature and require protection.

Guggula, banafsha, sarpagandha, for example, are such rare herbal plants which have varied medical uses in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension and high blood pressure. 8220;At our centre you will find a sole surviving Himalayan plant, Daruhaldi, and this is why tissue culture is so important.8221; In the tissue culture room, the team works at multiplying the herbs not only for commercial value, but because they make up significant cultural and research resource material.

A large chamber is reserved for the herbarium and museum. What exactly is a herbarium? Explains Sharma, 8220; at a herbarium, plant samples are dried, and then pasted with details of their origin, use, incidence and botanical nomenclature.8221; It serves as a comprehensive filing system and reference for the future. The samples are pasted on special handmade paper and preserved carefully in cabinets. A rich medico-botanical storehouse.

8220;The JNAMPGamp;H does not process the herbs to produce medicines. It is purely a research base,8221; says S T Yelne, research officer. The extracts from the tests and trials are sent to ayurvedic hospitals across the country. Publications in journals and regular reports to the ministry help disseminate the findings. Students of ayurveda from all over the country and scientists from abroad are regular visitors at the spot.

At present the centre is engaged in collecting database on medical plants. 8220;A database on research activities seeds, seedlings and other planting material also provides free know-how to academic institutions, botany departments and ayurvedic colleges,8221; adds Yelne.This humble centre is doing its bit toward conservation.