Medicinal Plants from the Himalayas Acting on Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Pathways

Abstract

Located between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan plateau, the Himalayas are home to a rich repertoire of medicinal resources. A wide range of communities from Asia and Africa prefer natural remedies, including medicinal plants, over prescription drugs. Since so many people use medicinal plants as their only source of healing, the plants are also an important source of income for the locals.. The plants found in the entire region of this snowy mountain range provide remedies ranging from bronchitis to cancer. We attempted to summarise the important medicinal plants of this region in this book chapter, specifically those that act and modulate the inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, as these are the primary culprits behind many diseases and disorders. The current chapter will list the ethnobotanicals used, their active ingredients, and reported pharmacological properties, as well as potential mechanisms of action.<br>