Diversity of endemic medicinal plants of north eastern region: Cultivation and conservation challenges

AbstractThe North Eastern region of India, comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura, is a global center of medicinal plant diversity. It harbors about 7,500 flowering plant species, of which more than 1,800 are used in traditional medicine. The region’s varied topography and climate create favorable habitats for diverse medicinal flora, long utilized by indigenous communities such as the Mishmi, Monpa, Khasi, and Naga tribes to treat digestive, respiratory, febrile, and dermatological ailments. Several species of high pharmacological value originate here. Abies webbiana (Talispatra) is used for tuberculosis and hemorrhage; Coptis teeta (Mameera) aids digestion and fever reduction; and Nardostachys jatamansi (Jatamansi) provides sedative benefits. Taxus wallichiana (Himalayan Yew), a source of paclitaxel, and Paris polyphylla (Satua), with anticancer potential, are globally significant. Other important plants include Swertia chirayita (Chirata), Picrorhiza kurrooa (Kutki), and Aquilaria malaccensis (Agarwood). Ethnobotanical surveys have recorded over 500 species in local healthcare, with pharmacological validation supporting the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties of several taxa, including Alpinia nigra and Rheum australe. Rising global demand for herbal products underscores the economic potential of these resources but also raises conservation concerns. Unsustainable harvesting and habitat loss threaten vulnerable species like Taxus wallichiana, Coptis teeta, and Paris polyphylla. Conservation measures–protected areas, botanical gardens, seed banks, tissue culture, and sustainable harvesting–are being promoted. Community-based initiatives and cultivation under controlled conditions can further safeguard resources while enhancing rural livelihoods.The North Eastern region thus represents a vital reservoir of medicinal plant diversity with immense therapeutic and commercial significance. Integrating indigenous knowledge with modern research and strengthening conservation strategies will ensure sustainable use while contributing to biodiversity preservation and global healthcare advancement.