Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IBHT) part of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) is increasing its focus on the medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) grown in the Himalayan region. This includes saffron used as a herb in the Indian System of Traditional Medicine and is known for its properties to heal a variety of diseases including arthritis.

The effort is part of IBHT's location variation study for which it is intensifying both research and monitoring of MAPs grown in the cold mountainous areas. It has already prepared database of 1200 species specific to the mountains. Now the Institute is looking at the sustainability of raw materials and its chemical characterization. For instance in the case of saffron, which can be only cultivated in Kashmir, IHBT has produced saffron cormlets through tissue culture which will be disease free. "We are also looking saffron cultivation in other parts of the country. The challenge is to produce disease free saffron which can be grown in controlled environment," stated Dr P Ahuja, director, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology.

The main objective of this study is adopt time-bound research on MAPs as the only suitable option to combat prevalent diseases like gastric problems, arthritis, diabetes, stress related disorders, thoracic diseases. There are several plants with proven properties to treat asthma and skin diseases. The research is under process for these health conditions. "We are not only looking at the flora in the Himalayan scape but intend to explore the Western Ghats for new species of MAPs. The strategy is to comprehend the availability of raw materials and the adoption of sophisticated testing technologies to ascertain the quality and quantity of medicinal properties," he added.

A number of Indian Traditional Medicine drugs are being used for a long time, having no acute toxicity. But long-term toxicity on these drugs must be established. A few more experiments could be done in scientific manner to make it more meaningful, said Dr. Ahuja who was in Bangalore in connection with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) which is also part of CSIR labs.

Current climate change is proving to be a major challenge. Therefore IHBT is working to provide information on temperature, soil, crop modelling in simulated conditions.

Only rigorous research can help to identify high quality authentic plant material, which help in herbal medicine validation, demonstrate its efficacy and safety. IHBT would be able to elucidate a mode of cultivation and prove clinical safety, said Dr Ahuja.