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The valley of Kashmir is
very rich in high value and high altitude aromatic and
medicinal plants. More than 50 % of plant species
described in British pharmacopoeia are reported to grow
in Kashmir Valley. Near 570 plant species are reported
to be of medicinal importance. Kashmir valley has a
great potential for establishing pharmaceutical and
essential oil industry based on these high value plant
species. Prominent among the aroma bearing plants are
Lavender, Rose, Clarysage, Peppermint, Rosemary,
Artemisia annua, Tagetes minuta and Geranium oils. The
essential oils derived from these plants form the
backbone of perfumery, cosmetic industry. These oils
rank among the top ten essential oils used in
aromatherapy throughout the world.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil (Lavendula angustifolia syn. Lavendula
officinalis), growing in highlands of Kashmir, is steam
distilled from flowering tops. Cherished and keenly
sought for perfumery, skincare and hair care. Promotes
calmness, reduces inflammation/fights infection and
promotes skin healing. Lavender oil helps in wound
healing, reduces pain and supports healthy tissue
growth. In the relief of headaches especially migraine,
fainting and dizziness. Lavender oil is second to none.
A balancing oil that stimulates, energizes and much
more. Other value added products of lavender are
lavender water, lavender concrete and absolute. Recently
Lavender Park has been established in Pahalgam by
Regional Research Laboratory- Srinagar.
Single Plant of Lavender Rose (Rosa damascena).
The Rose is not as a symbol of beauty, love and purity
but is one of the oldest and most valuable sources of
rose oil, rose concrete, rose absolute and rose water.
They are highly expensive materials for perfumery,
flavour and cosmetic industries due to their
characteristics rose odour with a distinctive floral
tonality
The Rose (Damask Rose) is not only a symbol of beauty,
love and purity but one of the best materials for
production of high quality rose oil, rose concrete, rose
attar and rose water. Low content of oil in rose petals
and highly fragrant intensive rose oil commands a very
high price. It has anti depressant, antiseptic,
antiviral, laxative and tonic properties. A wonderful
skin toner especially for dry, sensitive or aging skin.
It has a calming effect for grief, resentment anger and
depression.
Clarysage Oil
Clarysage oil obtained by steam distillation of fresh
flowering tops. A short growing season, lower in
essential oil yield but the quality is splendid. A sweet
herbaceous, tenacious oil with ambergris undertones.
Building block for many fragrance compositions. High in
esters which are quite useful for calming and balancing
nervous system. It is anti-depressant, soothing. A
powerful muscle relaxant, antiseptic, anti bacterial,
aids in the regeneration of skin cells wrinkles and an
aphrodisiac.
Rosemary (Rosemarinus Officinalis Linn) is an
evergreen woody herb with a characteristic herbaceous,
woody and balsamic aroma. The plant has several
medicinal properties like carminative, stomachic,
spasmodic and well known antioxidant properties. Leaves
have a special use in culinary purpose. Rosemary oil has
an inspiring and regenerating effect on hair and
stimulates the brain. Excellent antiseptic and
antimicrobial action. Quite useful in rheumatism and
brain.
Artemisia Annua Oil
Artemisia annua oil commonly known as wormwood is
obtained from the steam distillation of aerial parts of
the plant. A sweet, fragrant oil with wormwood aroma.
Essential oil is reported to have antibacterial and
antioxidant properties. Artemisinin isolated from the
plant is used for drug resistant malaria.
Quality profile: -
Product analyzed by gas Chromatography and GC-Mass as
per international standards. Main constituents are
Artemisia ketone (46.07 to 52.9%), 1-8 cineole (8.4 to
10.98), α-pinene (5.2 to 7.5%), camphene (1 to 2%),
camphor (6.0 to 8%), Pinocarvone (1 to3%), Artemisia
alcohol (3 to 4%), cis-p-menth-2 enol ( 1 to 2%), α-Copaene
(0.5 to 1.2%), Carophyllene (0.8 to 2%), β-selinene (0.2
to 1.0%),carophyllene oxide (0.4 to 4.3%).
Geranium oil has a delightful fragrance resembling that
of rose. Indispensable in perfumery, cosmetics and
aromatherapy. A balancing oil for the mind and body.
effective for menopausal problems, nerve tonic and
relaxing. One of the best skin care oils, useful for
congested oily and dry skin. It has antiseptic,
antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
Marigold (Tagetus minuta)
It is native to South America and has spread throughout
the world. South Africa, Nigeria, India, Kenya, Brazil,
France, Argentina are the main Tagetus oil producing
countries. In India it grows in Western Himalayas
between altitudes of 1000-2500m. In India Himachal
Pradesh, J&K State and Hilly areas of U.P are the main
growing areas. The oil is a valuable commercial product
largely used in blending high grade perfumes. The herb
is also used as stomachic, carminative, diuretic and
diaphoretic. Major Constituents reported from the steam
distilled oil cultivated in IIIM farms at Pulwama are
(Z) β ocimene(38.72 %), dihydo tagetone (9.07 %) (Z)
tagetone (7 %), (Z) ocimenone (7 %) and (E ) ocimenone
(13%) and minor acyclic monoterpenes like 3 ,7-
dimethyloct-1-en-6-one and
3,7-dimethyl-5-hydroxyoct-1-en-6-one and 3,7-dimethyl
oct-1, 7-dien-6-one. Concentrations of these constitutes
vary with the maturity of the plant. The oil gets easily
polymerized within 4 to 5 months of its distillation due
to these acyclic ketones and should be stored in amber
colored bottles. They should be filled upto brim and
protected from the heat and light. The oil is used in
the treatment of foot diseases. The oil also exhibits
bronchodilatory, tranquilising. Hypertensive,
spasmolytic and anti inflammatory activities.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Mints have played an important part in human society
for a long period. There are 30 species of mint and all
species of the Genus Mentha are aromatic. Total world
production of peppermint oil is 4000 tons and India’s
share is 300 tons only. Peppermint oil is largely used
as a flavouring agent for confectionary and liquors as
well as for both pastes and mouth washes. It is also
used in easing intestinal irritation. The oil has
pleasant cooling properties and muscle relaxing
properties. Peppermint extracts have shown to have
antiviral activity. The oil is traditionally used in
connection with arthritis, asthma, bad breath,
bronchitis, fatigue, fevers, headaches, nausea and
travel sickness. Major constituents reported from
Kashmir oil are α-pinene (1.4%), β-pinene (1.8%),
limonene (2.5%), 1,8-cineole (7.5%), menthone (18.0%),
menthol (40.0%) and menthyl acetate (3,.6%).
Melissa
officinalis
It is a medicinal plant with a
long history in traditional medicine. It has well known
antioxidant properties due to the presence of rosmarinic
acid and other polyphenols. It also contains an
essential oil but extremely in low yields. Major
constituents of oil are geranial,β-carophyllene, copaene,
citronellal and germacrene-D.
Echinacea angustifolia
(Family- Asteraecae)
commonly known as purple cone flower has along tradition
in the adjuvant therapy of infections and chronic
inflammations. It is said to stimulate unspecific ally
the immune system. It is also used to combat cough,
cold, flu and sore throat. Active constituents are
polysaccharides, flavonoids, caffeic acid derivations,
polyacetylens and alkamides. It is among the best
selling medicinal herb in the world and has a excellent
cost benefit ratio.
Inula racemosa
Inula racemosa
commonly known as poshkar mool. Its
roots find use in ISM for cardiac, asthma, cough,
pulmonary infections and skin diseases and as adulterant
for saussurea costus roots. Roots contain
sesquiterpenes, alantolactone iosalantolactone
alantolides, β–sitosterol, daucosterol. Isoalantolactene,
the major lactone reported to have antifungal properties
against human pathogenic fungi.
Dioscorea
deltoidea
Dioscorea deltoidea is the
richest and purest source of diosgenin. It forms the
back bone of steroidal industry. Diosgenin is used as
an intermediate in the synthesis of life Saving drugs,
corticosteroids, sex hormones and oral contraceptives.
Present requirement of diosgenin in the world is
nearly 3000 tones while India requires 150 tones
annually. The total production of diosgenin in India is
only 30 tones and rest is being met by imports.
Pyrethrum (chrysanthemum
cinerariaefolium)
Pyrethrum is one of the safest
insecticides known. It has a very low mammalian toxicity
and is rapidly metabolized. It possesses instaneous
“knock down effect”. The active constituents’ namely
total pyrethrins are extracted from pyrethrum flowers
for production of pyrethrum extract. About 70% of world
production finds its way into fly sprays and
insecticidal aerosols, anti mosquito creams, 20% is used
in mosquito repellent coils and the balance in other
formulations.
Podophyllum hexandrum
Podophyllum
hexandrum Royle, commonly
known as May apple belonging to the family
Berberidaceae is an endangered medicinal plant,
which grows in the northern Himalayan region at an
altitude of 3500-4000 metres. The stem grows 30–40 cm
tall, with palmately lobed umbrella-like leaves up to
20-40 cm diameter. Podophyllotoxin drawn from the
rhizome of Podophyllum hexandrum and has been
used in dermatological infections like condylomata
accuminata. Podophyllotoxin and its chemical
derivatives, teniposide and etoposide are widely used as
potent chemotherapeutic agents for a variety of tumours
including small cell carcinoma, testicular cancer and
malignant lymphoma.
Belladonna
Belladonna leaf and root and
their various preparations are used in pharmaceutical
industry. According to an estimate about 100 tons of dry
belladonna leaves are required by the country. Earlier
requirements of the industry were met by natural
resources which have dwindled substantially. It is also
the raw material for production of tropane alkaloids
like atropine and hyosymine for pharmaceutical industry
besides its use in ISM. |
