Exploration and Characterization of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Medicinal plants have a vital role in the developing countries for the human and livestock health. Poonch division is mountainous region of Azad Jammu & Kashmir-Pakistan; its diverse geo-ecological conditions reflect huge diversity in medicinal and aromatic plants ranging from herbs to large trees. Effort was made to explore and characterize the potential of various native profitable medicinal and aromatic plants for conservation and documentation. As a result of exploration survey, information was gathered from local communities and plants were selected from various diverse sites likewise thick forest, rangeland and from the mountainous tracks of study areas. The following medicinal plants viz., Kanwar Gandal, Kangi, Maiden Hair furn, Bhang, Amla, Timber, Neem, Dhania, Sumbal, Kochmach, Harnoli, Banfsha, Saffron, Saunf , Datura,Geani and Podina were collected and characterized. Present study would be beneficial to provide quality raw material for our pharmaceutical industry and better return to the local communities.