Medicinal Plants of Pakistan. (2000-14)

Pakistan is endowed with the wealth of medicinal plants. These are the natural botanical source of medicines being manufactured by indigenous pharmaceutical houses in Pakistan. These are also the basic source of modern pharmaceutical market, although today it has become an entire world of synthetics, with elevated prices a common man can not afford. It is, therefore, the most appropriate time to consider development and organization of our medicinal plants industry to become independent in the provision of common indigenous natural drugs that are being used to treat diseases in most of our rural areas. In our country there are grown wild or cultivated medicinal plants species which possess great potentient in Greco-Arab (Unani or Eastern) system of medicine but also in the light of active principles or biodynamic compounds being isolated from the using ultra modern screening techniques available in our country.
Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn, Mulathi/Liquorice: Included in family papilionaceae, it is a perennial herb or under shrub distributed in the subtropical and warm temperate regions of the world, particularly in the Mediterranean countries. Liquorice is the dried underground stem and root with sweetish taste used in Unani medicines in the form of extract, powder, decoction infusion or lozenges. Pharmacologically glycyrrhiza has pectoral, demulcent, diuretic, deepurative, alternative, elexipharmic, expectorant, emollient actions and a common flavouring, sweetening agent.
To focus the attention of public on natural botanical sources of medicines Pakistan Post Office is issuing a special postage stamp of Rs. 2/- denomination on November 28, 2000