Important Medicinal Plants of Punjab — A Review

Abstract

Punjab houses a rich, though increasingly threatened, set of medicinal plants that support traditional healthcare, rural livelihoods and a growing herbal industry. This review synthesizes ethnobotanical records, regional agricultural assessments, and pharmacological literature to present an overview of the most important medicinal species cultivated or collected in Punjab (India), their traditional uses, phytochemistry, therapeutic evidence, cultivation/adoption status, and conservation/marketing challenges. Major focal species are Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), Tinosporacordifolia (giloy), Azadirachtaindica (neem), Ocimum sanctum (tulsi), Phyllanthus emblica (amla) and Aloe vera — all of which feature in Punjab’s agro-ecology, markets and traditional medicine. Recommendations include targeted agronomic extension, value-chain linkages between farmers and herbal processors, germplasm conservation, and research priorities to standardize quality and ensure sustainable use.