Medicinal Plant Diversity in the Campus of Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre: A Green Repository for Health and Healing

The campus of Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC) is located at latitude 23 ° 17′0'' and longitude 23 ° 17′0' to serve as an ecological treasure in an urban healthcare setting. The hospital's campus is spread across 85.61 acres, with well-maintained green spaces, including herbal gardens and natural vegetation. This study documents the diversity of medicinal plants within the campus, emphasizing their ecological, therapeutic, and cultural significance by conducting a field survey of campus and list of medicinal plants prepared. A total of 202 medicinal plant species were identified, belonging to 75 families, with predominant representation from Euphorbiaceae (14 species), Fabaceae (11 species), Moraceae (9 species) and Solanaceae (7 species). With 202 documented medicinal plant species, BMHRC fosters a therapeutic landscape that not only benefits patients but also enhances staff well-being and job satisfaction. Research indicates that well-designed hospital gardens contribute to higher patient and family satisfaction, reduced stress levels, and improved healthcare experiences, making them an invaluable asset in patient-centered care. These plants are widely used in traditional and modern medicine to treat various ailments, including respiratory, dermatological, and gastrointestinal conditions. Due to their different chemical constituents and compositions including antioxidants and trace elements, these plants offer a variety of beneficial effects against different diseases through radical scavenging and antioxidant mechanisms. Several aromatic plants offer inherent medicinal pharmacological properties and variedly being utilized for flavouring, repellent and herbal beverages. As many as 13 medicinal plants studies against chronic kidney diseases in humans and 24 medicinal plants were reported in animal studies. However in many articles the caution has been issued to consider the toxic effects of certain herbal medicines. Therefore, conservation practices and the potential for integration into healthcare and research are of significance to mankind. This study underscores the importance of medicinal plant biodiversity in enhancing public health and promoting sustainable practices in healthcare institutions.