PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Bageshwar
For centuries, the communities living in the high Himalayan regions of Dharchula, Munsyari, Niti–Mana belt of Chamoli and the upper reaches of Uttarkashi have shared an intimate and enduring relationship with nature. Medicinal herbs, traditional greens and indigenous spices, found in these remote landscapes, are not merely components of food or home remedies but they represent the thriving identity of Himalayan culture aside from forming the backbone of livelihoods in the border areas.
Hemmed in by mountains with limited access to modern healthcare, the Himalayan society has long relied on nature as its primary healer. Through generations, communities have preserved experiential knowledge, using medicinal herbs judiciously to treat ailments, maintain nutritional balance and strengthen immunity. Today, this traditional wisdom is increasingly gaining recognition in modern science and global natural medicine discourse.
Prominent medicinal plants found in the high Himalayas include Gantarandi, Jambu, Harad, Timur, Shilajit, Keeda Jadi, Brahmi, Kutki, Mulethi and Kala Jeera. They grow naturally at elevations between 8,000 and 12,000 feet and have emerged as a distinctive identity of Uttarakhand. Timur is traditionally used for dental ailments and common cold while Harad is considered effective for digestive disorders. Brahmi has been valued since ancient times for enhancing mental health, concentration and memory.
Kutki, found in the high-altitude regions of Dharchula – Munsyari, is regarded as particularly beneficial for liver-related ailments. Shilajit, sourced from steep mountain rock formations, is considered a potent natural substance that enhances strength and immunity. Meanwhile, the extremely rare Keeda Jadi ( Yarsa Gumbu) commands high demand in international markets due to its exceptional medicinal properties, making it a vital source of income for Himalayan border communities.
The collection, traditional processing and marketing of medicinal herbs are infusing new life into the rural economy of remote Himalayan villages. Women, in particular, are achieving economic self-reliance through self-help groups engaged in processing herbs such as Jambu, Timur and Brahmi. However, rising market demand, unregulated extraction and the growing impact of climate change pose serious threats to the survival of these natural resources.
At the historic Uttarayani Fair in Bageshwar, herbal traders from Dharchula and Munsyari report an overwhelming market demand for medicinal products. According to them, collecting rare herbs is an extremely risky and labour-intensive task, requiring constant struggle against difficult terrain, high altitudes and adverse weather conditions.
Experts point out that rare medicinal resources such as Keeda Jadi are highly dependent on annual snowfall levels and climatic stability in the upper Himalayas. Changes in snowfall patterns are directly affecting their production and availability, raising serious concerns for the future.
They firmly believe that if traditional knowledge is integrated with scientific research, regulated and sustainable harvesting systems and strong policy support, this medicinal heritage thriving in the Himalayas can not only strengthen the livelihoods of border communities but also position India as a global leader in natural medicine.
Keeda Jadi, a rare Himalayan medicinal fungus, along with Shilajit, a mineral-rich substance extracted from high-altitude Himalayan rocks, is drawing strong attention in local markets. Keeda Jadi is currently being sold at Rs 200 per piece, while Shilajit is fetching Rs 400 per 10 grams.
