Abstract: Mother Nature has blessed us with her treasures, in one form or the other. In olden times people know those secrets of nature. In the era of urbanisation those jewels have lost their identity. But things are changing now. Modern scientific approach is trying to pursue the natural course again. In the field of medicine, various flowers have proven their potent mark. A well researched, but under cultivated flower known as Banafsha, which had its presence in Europe and Asia mostly in Himalayan regions of India, Afghanistan, China, Myanmar. It is indigenous to India and found in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Kumaon hills. And this gift is also blooming in the surroundings of the District Ramban in its moist shaded slopes of forest land.

Introduction:

Banafsha is the flower of Viola Odorata Linn species which belong to the Violaceae family. It is known by various other names globally like in English it is called Wood violet, Sweet violet, Chinese- Zi hua di ding, German- Duftveilchen, Hindi- Banafsha, Vanafsha, Sanskrit- Vanspika or Neelapushpa, Urdu- Banafsha, Gul-e-banafsha, Marathi - Bagabanosa, Tamil- Vayilethe.

Description

It is an herbaceous, perennial flowering plant. The plant blooms in the second year of its life. The best season for blooming is spring (March- July). The flowers open at maturation, before fertilisation, for easy pollination (chasmogamous flowers) by insects. Its heart shaped leaves are dark green, smooth, and grow in a rosette at the base of the plant. Flowers colour vary, from violet through various shades of blue, pinkish, deep purple, yellow, white, cream while some types are bicoloured also. It is generally found at an altitude of 1200-3600 meters.

Importance

Banafsha is well known to India for its medicinal virtues and has been in use since antiquity for treating several diseases both in Unani and in Ayurvedic systems of medicine. Almost all the parts of Banafsha plant are used for medicinal purposes, as dried flowers and dried aerial parts of the herb. Cost for the flower part is around 7000 to 15000 Rupees per Kilogram and the whole plant costs for 2500 to 5000 Rupees per Kilogram.
Medicinal Uses

Banafsha is one of the important herbs in the Ayurvedic medicine system. Banafsha has a long and proven history of folk use. The Banafsha plant can either be used fresh, harvested when it comes into flower or is dried for later use. Locally the decoction of herbs is given to treat cough and cold. Dry Banafsha Leaves are used to treat mouth and throat infections. It also contains salicylic acid, which is used to make aspirin, which makes it effective in the treatment of headaches, migraine and insomnia. An essential oil from the flowers is used in aromatherapy in the treatment of bronchial complaints, helpful in insomnia suffering patients, exhaustion and skin complaints. Oil can also be applied to treat hair fall, cures skin wounds and is also helpful to treat dryness of skin. Inhalation of fresh flowers and leaves cures headache especially produced by heat or bile and also headache due to high blood pressure. One of its chemical components – Cycloviolacin O2 has anti-cancer potential. The whole plant has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, and laxative properties. Banafsha is extensively used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. In the Chinese and European system of medicine the plant has been used since ancient times.

Conclusion

Herbal medicines have a huge market worldwide, as people are inclining towards natural and organic treatment of diseases. The global demand for herbal medicinal products has increased significantly during the corona pandemic period. Geographical conditions are much favourable for the commercial cultivation of Banafsha in Ramban district, as this herb grows naturally in the forest areas of the district. I would request the Ministry of Ayush and our Union Territory Agriculture/ Floriculture department to conduct study and surveys for mass cultivation of this flower in Ramban area. And also to provide expertise, training and support to farmers for commercial cultivation of the plant which can lead towards the Violet revolution in our Union Territory followed by Purple revolution in case of Lavender.

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