Some rare medicinal plants are on the verge of extinction, as stated in a research by MLSU. In a research done by Dr. Vineet Soni of Botany department of MLSU, it has been specified that around 7 species of very important and scarce medicinal plants are disappearing from Aravali and desert regions.

Plants growing in these regions have medicinal properties which develop in arid climate. These plants are well known for having cured many diseases. It is disappointing that these beneficial plants will go extinct very soon. The reasons stated behind extinction are not some weird reasons that we do not know of. These reasons are what we humans have developed. Mining to a great extent, industrialisation, religious reasons, growing townships are the main reasons behind the extinction of medicinal plants.

Locally known as safed musli, guggul, phog, vajradanti, jheel, peelu and Marwari gokhru are those 7 varieties which are on the verge of extinction. If awareness is not created regarding the benefits of these plants and the factors that are putting these species into danger, we will lose some of the extra beneficial natural herbs. These plants or herbs actually help in a number of diseases without any side effects.

Dr. Soni said that guggul is disappearing because of experiments done by pharmaceutical companies. This plant cures diseases like arthritis, bone fracture, edema and inflammation,obesity and even heart troubles. For the last 10 years, Dr. Soni is trying to save guggul plant by means of creating awareness among people regarding its importance.  He says that plant tissue culture technique can save these 7 rare species from getting extinct. Through this technique, one leaf of that particular plant can create thousands of plants.

International Nature Conservation Organisation of Switzerland has included safed musli, guggul and Marwari gokhru in their red-data list of rare species of plants.

The above mentioned medicinal plants have been used for curing diseases since ages. If these are not protected and if measures are not taken to increase their growth, we will lose some of the very effective herbs that have grown in our soil and that were discovered by rishis and munis in the ancient times.