Dharamshala, Jan 17 (Agency) The Central University of Himachal Pradesh will conduct research on medicinal plants found in the Ashtavarga group, including Jeevak, Rishabhak, Riddhi and Vriddhi. Disclosing this to UNI on Monday Pooja Awasthi Public Relations Officer Central University of Himachal Pradesh said that the Department of Science and Technology (Science and Engineering Board) has approved the project ‘Invitro micropropagation and phytochemical investigation of chemical constituents found in orchids of Ashtavarga group’ for about Rs 50 lakh for three years to Dr. Jitender Kumar, Principal Investigator, Department of Plant Sciences. She said that the major focus of the project is conservation, antioxidant and phytochemical analysis onendangered orchid’sspecies. Orchids are the most extraordinary group of flowering plants found throughout the world from tropical to high alpine regions differs with shape and color of their flowers, she added. Pooja further said that the vital importance of orchids used in herbal medicines, food, traditional healing and various cultural prayers of the world for prayers.
She said that in plant kingdom, Orchidaceae is the largest family but facing high risk of extinction due to over-exploitation and habitat loss. She further said that due to the rich medicinal components in orchids, the Pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries are paying more attention to development of health related drugs and beauty products. She said that the Chyawanprash product is made based on the Traditional System of Medicine (TSM), it is being used for health-promoting and disease-preventive tonic.Overall, these orchids are beneficial for anti-ageing, diabetes, vata, pitta and blood defects. The Prof. Pradeep Kumar, Dean, School of Life Science is having vast expertise in medicinal plants since many years and its will be more fetch to the success of the project. The Vice Chancellor Central University of Himachal Pradesh also said that it’s the new research focus from the CUHP and the future research and its results will be more beneficial for the society. In the coming days, this type of research work will definitely be encouraged by the University.