The CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) in Lucknow has done something very important. Scientists at this institute have created a new type of plant called Prishniparni. This plant is very special because it is used in Ayurvedic medicine. It was becoming rare and hard to find in nature. To help save this plant, CIMAP created a new version of it called ‘CIM-Rhoi Gold’. This new plant is stronger and grows better than the old ones. It also has more useful parts that can be used in medicine. This is very helpful for doctors who use Ayurvedic treatments.
Prishniparni is the name of a plant that has been used in India for hundreds of years. It is part of the Ayurvedic system, which is an old way of treating people using natural methods. Many people in India still use this system today. Prishniparni helps the body fight illness and reduce swelling. It also helps people recover from sickness more quickly. But because forests are being cut down and land is being used for other things, this plant has become harder to find in the wild. This is why making a new version of it was very important.
The scientists at CIMAP spent a lot of time studying Prishniparni. They went to 20 different districts in seven states in India. In each place, they collected parts of the plant, known as germplasm. Germplasm means the seeds, roots, and other parts that can be used to grow new plants. The scientists wanted to find the best and strongest versions of the plant. After collecting all the samples, they brought them back to the lab. Then they started testing them to see which ones had the best qualities, like how well they grow and how much medicine they contain.
After studying many different samples, the scientists found that the best one came from Kushinagar. This area had a very strong and healthy version of Prishniparni. The team decided to use this version to create a new plant. They chose the best parts of it and carefully grew the plant using special techniques. They called this new version ‘CIM-Rhoi Gold’. The name “Rhoi” comes from the word Rhoifolin, which is a very useful chemical found inside the plant. The new plant has more Rhoifolin than the older ones. This means it can be used to make stronger and better medicine.
Rhoifolin is a natural chemical that helps the body in many ways. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can help reduce pain and swelling. This is helpful for people who have joint problems or get hurt. It also boosts the immune system, helping the body fight against diseases. The old versions of Prishniparni had only a small amount of Rhoifolin. But the new version, CIM-Rhoi Gold, has much more—up to 1.5 percent. This makes it more useful for making medicine. Now, doctors and companies can use this plant to create better treatments for many people.
CIMAP has a long history of working with plants that are used in medicine. The institute has already made more than 150 new types of plants. These include plants used to make oils, powders, and other natural treatments. Each plant is studied carefully to make sure it grows well and is safe to use. The scientists at CIMAP use modern tools and tests to check each plant. They also work with farmers and companies to grow these plants in large numbers. The goal is to help India become a leader in using plants for health and wellness, both in India and around the world.
Making CIM-Rhoi Gold was not easy. It took many months of hard work, testing, and careful growing. The team had to make sure that the plant would grow well in different types of soil and weather. They also had to make sure it was safe and easy for farmers to grow. Once they were sure it was a good plant, they gave it a special name and announced it to the public. They also shared their findings in scientific papers and news reports. This helped people understand why the new plant is important and how it can be used.
The director of CIMAP, Prabodh Kumar Trivedi, said that this new plant is a big step forward. He explained that many plants used in Ayurveda are becoming hard to find. If we don’t do something to protect them, they might disappear forever. By making better versions of these plants, we can help farmers grow them and keep them safe. We can also make sure there is enough medicine for people who need it. This is not just good for India, but for the whole world. Many countries are now looking at India for natural health solutions.
One of the best things about CIM-Rhoi Gold is that it can be grown on farms. This means that farmers do not need to go into forests to find the plant. They can grow it just like other crops such as wheat or rice. This helps protect the forests and the animals that live there. It also gives farmers a new way to earn money. Ayurvedic companies can buy the plant from farmers and use it to make medicine. This creates jobs and helps the economy. It also makes sure that more people can get the medicine they need.
The scientists also plan to train farmers on how to grow CIM-Rhoi Gold. Growing medicinal plants is not the same as growing food crops. The farmers will need to learn about the best soil, water, and care methods for this plant. CIMAP will help them by giving training and support. They will also help farmers sell the plants once they are grown. This helps small farmers who might not have enough money or knowledge to start on their own. It also builds a strong network between scientists, farmers, and medicine makers, making sure everyone benefits from the plant.
Prishniparni is one of the many plants that are part of a group called “Dashmool” in Ayurveda. Dashmool means “ten roots” and includes ten important plants used to treat many health problems. Prishniparni is one of the most important among them. It helps with fever, pain, breathing problems, and more. It is especially useful for people who are very weak or sick. Because it has so many uses, the demand for Prishniparni is very high. But until now, it was hard to grow and find. With CIM-Rhoi Gold, this problem can be solved. Now, there will be enough of the plant for everyone.
India is a country with a rich history of using plants for medicine. Ayurveda is over 3,000 years old and is still used by millions of people. But modern problems like pollution, land use, and climate change are putting many medicinal plants in danger. Some of these plants may vanish if we do not protect them. Scientists are now trying to save these plants by making new, stronger versions. CIM-Rhoi Gold is a great example of this. It shows how science and tradition can work together to solve modern problems and protect our ancient knowledge.
The success of CIM-Rhoi Gold has also caught the attention of people in other countries. Many countries are now interested in using Ayurvedic treatments. They want safe and natural ways to stay healthy. India can help these countries by sharing its plants and knowledge. CIMAP can work with foreign companies to grow and sell the new plant. This can help India earn more money and become a leader in global health. It can also help spread the benefits of Ayurveda around the world, giving more people access to safe and natural medicine made from plants like Prishniparni.
Making new plant varieties also helps in research. When scientists have better plants, they can study them more deeply. They can find new uses for the plant and understand how it works in the body. This helps make better medicines and treatments. With CIM-Rhoi Gold, researchers can now test the plant in different ways. They can study how much of it is needed for treatment, how it affects different diseases, and how it can be used with other medicines. This helps doctors and health experts give better advice to people who want to use Ayurvedic treatments safely and effectively.
One big challenge is to make sure that the plant stays safe and does not get misused. Sometimes, when a plant becomes very popular, people may grow it the wrong way or sell fake versions. CIMAP is working to stop this from happening. They are creating rules and guidelines for how to grow, collect, and sell CIM-Rhoi Gold. They will also work with the government to make sure that the plant is protected under Indian laws. This will help keep the plant safe and make sure that only good quality products reach the people who need them.
The story of CIM-Rhoi Gold is a story of hope. It shows that even plants that are about to disappear can be saved if we care enough. It also shows the power of science to protect our traditions. By working hard and using new tools, scientists have given a new life to an old plant. They have made it easier to grow, better for health, and more useful for everyone. This success should inspire more work like this. If we can save one plant, we can save many more. We just need to keep working together for a better future.
In the end, the work done by CIMAP in Lucknow is something that deserves great respect. They have shown how research, care, and effort can make a big difference. With CIM-Rhoi Gold, they have not just created a new plant. They have created new hope for Ayurveda, for farmers, for scientists, and for people all over the world who want to live a healthier life. Their work reminds us that nature has many gifts. If we protect those gifts and use them wisely, they can help us live longer, stronger, and more peaceful lives. Let us all support this great effort.