Unveiling The Medicinal Wealth of Sanjay Van, New Delhi

The Delhi Ridge, part of the ancient Aravallis, are vital to Delhi's floristic diversity, housing many wild plant species. Sanjay Van, spanning 784 acres within the southern Delhi Ridge, plays a crucial role in preserving the city's green spaces and ecosystem. Approximately 65% of India's population relies on traditional medicine, using indigenous knowledge to diagnose and treat various diseases. Managed by the Horticulture Department, Sanjay Van hosts a diverse range of medicinal plants, such as Cassia fistula Linn. (Amaltas), Pongamia pinnata Pierre (Karanj/Papdi), and Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem), among others. Therefore, it is essential to visit and document the area’s floral diversity for the benefit of the wider community, including students, educators, and researchers. The paper encompasses 33 medicinal plant species across 21 families available in Sanjay Van and highlights their current status and significance, focusing on their chemical constituents, pharmacological actions such as analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, expectorant, and antioxidant properties and recent researches. With 80% of the global population relying on plant-based medicines and a shift towards herbal remedies in India, it's vital to preserve traditional knowledge, research medicinal plants, and ensure evidence-based healthcare.