Endemic medicinal plants of eastern region needs promoting their cultivation and conservation

India's Eastern region, including West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, is identified as a critical repository of endemic medicinal plant diversity with significant ethnobotanical wealth. The study highlights the therapeutic potential of over 20 key species, such as Saraca asoca and Gloriosa superba, traditionally used in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha systems for treating ailments like fever, skin diseases, and epilepsy. These plants thrive in unique ecological niches like the Eastern Ghats, Chotanagpur Plateau, and Sub-Himalayan Terai zones, with notable populations found in protected areas such as Simlipal and Sundarbans National Parks. The research underscores the urgent need for sustainable conservation strategies to address threats from habitat degradation, overharvesting, and climate change, while also promoting community-based initiatives and scientific validation of traditional knowledge. By integrating these species into cultivation systems, the study aims to foster biodiversity preservation and rural health security, positioning this region as a promising source for new drug discovery.

Dadhich, M. K., Sanwal, C. S., Dutt, S., Sharma, S. K., & Sharma, S. (2025). Endemic medicinal plants of eastern region needs promoting their cultivation and conservation. Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries, 17(4), 609–614. https://doi.org/10.5958/0975-6892.2025.00063.x