Himalayan medicinal plants: High-value resources for therapeutic and pharmacological applications

The Himalayas, spanning across eight countries and covering 18% of the Indian subcontinent, is a treasure trove of medicinal plants, with approximately 1,748 species utilized for medicinal purposes. However, these invaluable resources are under threat due to over-harvesting and climate change. For centuries, medicinal plants have been integral to the lives of tribal communities in the Himalayas, providing essential products for food and medicine. This review highlights the traditional, therapeutic, and pharmacological values of selected seven medicinal plants from the Indian Himalayas that are on the brink of extinction. We provide an updated overview of their distribution, medicinal properties, cultivation practices, key phytochemical constituents, and market potential. These plants play a vital role in traditional health systems and the global pharmaceutical industry, but their over-collection has led to many species becoming threatened, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts.