Jammu and Kashmir (“Paradise on Earth”)

Disclaimer: It is advised to consume these plants only after the consent of an Ayurvedic practitioner.

Jammu and Kashmir or earlier known as “Jamboo” and “Kashmira” (Jamboo after the founder’s name and Kashmira from Sanskrit- origin) has enamouring panoramic views and it is well-known for its rich flora. According to sources and my research, I would list as many as possible. Well, it’s never a bad idea to visit plant nurseries, gardens, and even forests, and villages under the guidance of the locals or travel guide. It’s not necessary to be a “Plant enthusiast” rather it’s about feeling grateful because it is openly given to all. Nature is a gift to all and one such place that brings us close to it is this state.

Explore:

(Scientific name: Arnebia benthamii ) or Kahzaban

(Scientific name: Aconitum heterophyllum)or Paewakh

(Scientific name: Dioscorea deltoidea) or Kraeth

(Scientific name: Podophyllum hexandrum) or Himalayan mayapple

(Scientific name: Trillium govanianum) or Tripater

(Scientific name: Equisetum arvense) or Horsetail

(Scientific name: Fumaria indica) or Papra

(Scientific name: Mentha arvensis) or Wild pudina

(Scientific name: Bergenia strachey) or Pashanbedha

(Scientific name: Abutilon indicum) or Sweet kangi

(Scientific name: Calendula arvensis) or Field marigold

(Scientific name: Archillea millefoilum) Yarrow or Sultani booti

(Scientific name: Berberis LyciumRoyle) or Sumblu

(Scientific name: Erodium cicutarium) or Stork’s bill

(Scientific name: Eremostachys superba) or Sumbal-e-biabani

(Scientific name:Gentiana Ornata) or Gentian

(Scientific name: Gentiana kurro) or Neel Kanthi, Kuru

(Scientific name: Lagotis cashmeriana) or Kashmir lagotis, Hong len-Ladakh

(Scientific name: Meconopsis latifolia) or Gul-e-Neelam

(Scientific name: Saussurea Costus) or Kuth

(Scientific name: Meconopsis aculeata) or Blue poppy

(Scientific name: Saussurea Simpsoniana) or Phen Kamal, Jogi Badshah

(Scientific name: Sophora Moorcroftiana) or Baker, Praval Simi

(Scientific name: Dactylorhiza hatagirea) or Salampanja

(Scientific name: Picrorhiza kurroa) or Kutki

(Scientific name: Taxus wallichiana) or Barmi

(Scientific name: Rheum emodi) or Churko

(Scientific name: Hedysarum multijugum) or Ban Talae

(Scientific name: Viola biflora) or Banafsa

(Scientific name: Delphinium cashmerianum) or Kashmir Larkspur

(Scientific name: Saussurea obvallata) or Brahma Kamal

(Scientific name: Saxifraga flagellaris) or Shooloo

(Scientific name: Paris polyphylla) or Dhoop

(Scientific name: Saussurea medusa) or Snow lotus

(Scientific name: Betula utilis) or Bhurji

35 plants with medicinal uses have been mentioned successfully, but there could be many more plants with similar properties that have not been mentioned. Additionally, it’s possible that some of the plants mentioned or others that have not yet been discovered could be at risk of extinction. It’s important to continue researching and conserving plant species with medicinal properties in order to ensure their continued availability for human use.

Image credits:

https://images.travelandleisureasia.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/12103708/jammu-and-kashmir-1.jpg

https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Himalayan%20Arnebia.jpg

https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Indian%20Fumitory.jpg

https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Himalayan%20Monkshood.jpg

https://innspubnet.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/jbes-dioscorea-deltoidea-1952019-1.jpg?w=714

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVvm3txUcAARXJR.jpg:large

https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/horsetails-intro.jpg

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Muhammad-Shoaib-Amjad/publication/280385327/figure/fig2/AS:613999875989520@1523400386819/P-hexandrum-flowers.png

https://www.athayurdhamah.com/img/Pashanbhed.jpg

https://www.indianmedicinalplants.info/herbs/images/IMP/Abutilon%20indicum.jpg

https://www.live-native.com/natcon/uploads/2020/01/field-marigold.jpg

https://antropocene.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Ferula_moschata.jpg

https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Common%20Storksbill.jpg

https://swbiodiversity.org/imglib/h_seinet/seinet/misc/201412/Mentha_arvensis_092014_1411253_1419369527_web..jpg

https://www.plantslive.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/achilleamillefolium4.jpg

https://rajajinationalpark.org/wp-content/uploads/eremostachys-superba.jpg

https://www.gardenersdream.co.uk/images/gentiana-sino-ornata-blue-p5983-45272_image.jpg

https://ayushvedah.com/admin/resizer/uploads/0318038001570537286.jpg

https://efloraofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/1.%20Lagotis%20cashmeriana%20below%20%20Sinthan%20Pass-%20Kashmir%20-Chris%20Chadwell-.JPG

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p20HJ_4zZK4/URlgijkuxEI/AAAAAAAAAz8/C9-p_6YiZ7g/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/M_latifolia_01.jpg

https://previews.123rf.com/images/westhimal/westhimal1602/westhimal160200103/53546576-saussurea-costus-source-of-costus-or-kuth-root-plant-used-since-ancient-times-in-medicine-and-as.jpg

https://www.art-prints-on-demand.com/kunst/akg/pics/himalayan-blue-poppy.jpg

https://efloraofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/S.simpsoniana.JPG

https://efloraofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/FB_IMG_1465818187820.jpg

https://www.thevalleyofflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dactylorhiza-Hatagirea.jpg

https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Bitter-Root.jpg

https://t2.gstatic.com/licensed-image?q=tbn:ANd9GcSq_wEYWV9fbjyxJuqG1kzxfFTmBrXhwxBqJ1jtWyzJfrWj6lcPw0vJJu5iOcu9xuKijAw_OUBwZNbitJs

https://www.indianmedicinalplants.info/herbs/images/medicinal-plants-all/2/Rheum_emodii_1.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Hedysarum_multijugum_20070810-1215-46A.jpg/1200px-Hedysarum_multijugum_20070810-1215-46A.jpg

https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/images/viola-biflora3.jpg

https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Kashmir%20Larkspur.jpg

https://www.picturethisai.com/image-handle/website_cmsname/image/1080/154085284680564744.jpeg?x-oss-process=image/format,webp

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Spiderplant1.jpg

https://northeasttoday.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/resources/2021/07/03161428/paris-polyphylla.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7f/a7/20/7fa720ab514e3ebe901fb4b9524cae12.jpg

https://treesandshrubsonline.org/site/assets/files/4483/betula-utilis-1.jpg

References:

https://www.greaterkashmir.com/endeavour/rare-medicinal-plants-endemic-to-kashmir-on-verge-of-extinction

Medicinal plants disappearing in Jammu and Kashmir | The Third Pole

Top 10 Unique Plants found in Jammu & Kashmir

Click the following link to search more about these plants in depth:

Medicinal importance of Papra ( Podophyllum hexandrum Royle) in Unani System of Medicine - PubMed

TLDR:

Jammu and Kashmir are known for their rich flora. There are many rare/ endemic species of plants out of which 35 plants are given here. Some of these plants may be extinct, so it is advised to visit plant nurseries, gardens, and even forests under the guidance of locals or travel guides to explore the region’s full biodiversity.