Jammu, 05 February 2026: The Department of Botany, Central University of Jammu, in collaboration with Eutierra: The Botanical Society, organised a Thursday Mind Meet featuring a panel discussion on “Herbal Medicines: Current Scenario and the Way Forward” at Brig. Rajinder Singh Auditorium, DDE Building, CU Jammu.
The programme was held under the patronage of the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sanjeev Jain. Prof. Sunil Dhar, Dean, School of Life Sciences, Dr. Deepak Pathania, Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, and Dr. Narendra K. Bairwa, Director, Centre for Molecular Biology graced the occasion.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Suresh Sharma, Director (Retd.), AYUSH, J&K, elaborated on the importance of traditional healthcare systems. Referring to the Sanskrit verse “Sariramadyam dharma-sadhanam,” he discussed the foundational principles of Ayurveda and highlighted the rise in lifestyle diseases due to changing food habits and lifestyles. He noted that both the Government of India and the World Health Organization are actively promoting herbal medicines and traditional healthcare practices. He also stressed the importance of yoga as a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Yogesh Kumar highlighted the enduring relevance of herbal medicines, citing examples such as the use of papaya leaf extract in dengue management and Ksharasutra therapy for anal fistula. He emphasised that although herbal medicines have been used since ancient times, scientific validation and standardisation are essential for their wider acceptance and integration into modern healthcare systems.
The panel discussion witnessed enthusiastic participation from student panellists, including Manasvi Sharma, Anshika Prakriti, Shivangi, Sukoon Sharma, Ojasvi Slathia and Sakshi Choudhary, who presented diverse perspectives on bioprospecting, integrative medicine, relevance and challenges of herbal remedies, and their role in boosting immunity and preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Sunil Dhar appreciated the contributions of the student panellists and highlighted the role of the Ministry of AYUSH in promoting traditional medicine. He emphasised India’s rich heritage of medicinal plants, particularly in the Himalayan region, and advocated an integrative approach combining herbal and modern medical systems. Prof. B.S. Bhau, coordinator of the event, also encouraged students to pursue research in herbal medicines and highlighted the health benefits of commonly used herbal products such as turmeric and ginger.
The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, providing a platform for meaningful academic exchange. Tokens of appreciation were presented to the dignitaries and panellists for their valuable contributions.