Imphal, February 25, 2010: State health and family welfare minister, Ph Parijat today called for exploration of medicinal plants growing in the wild in the state and used them in treating illness with less expenditure.

If these medicinal plants are explore properly and use in the production of medicines, not only the socio-economy of the people of the state but also many diseases can be cure with less expenditure, the minister talking at the inaugural function of the two day state-holders meet on Traditional Healing System of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.

The programme organised by the Manipur State Medicinal Plants Board under the sponsorship of the Department of AYUSH, Union ministry of health and family welfare was held at the conference hall of the North Eastern Institute of Science and Technology, Lamphelpat.

Speaking as chief guest of the inaugural Parijat observed that curing a disease with medicines prepared from the plant extract have no side effect like that of chemical drugs.

The plants used by the Meetei Maibas� in treating patients can be upgraded in more scientific way.

He also expressed believed that many diseases suffering by the people can be cured with medicinal plants and urged the concerns to explore the hidden potential of the medicinal plants and developed them for the benefits of the people of the state.

Mention may be made here the Manipur state falls within the Indo-Burma centre of biodiversity hotspots of global significance and ranks 8th among the 34 biodiversity hotspots of the world.

Experts said that this region has immense potential for cultivation and production of a large number of ecumenically viable Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.

The inaugural function was presided over by Dr Y Yaima, director, health services.

Comment