ABSTRACT
Human beings use plants for a multitude of purposes of which a prominent one across the globe is for their medicinal values. Kashmir Valley, in the 84Indian Himalaya, has a rich diversity of useful medicinal plants. This chapter documents the chemistry, phytochemical composition, and pharmacological use of two important medicinal plants lavender and cumin from Kashmir valley. Lavender has many medicinal properties and it is believed to have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsive, and several other properties. Cumin is found in Kashmir Himalayas and is one of many herbs which adds special aroma to the food. Phyto-chemical analysis reveals it to have alkaloid, anthraquinone, coumarin, glycoside, flavonoid, protein, resin, tannin, saponin, and steroid. From ancient times, it is used for the treatment of diarrhea, dyspepsia, Jaundice, abdominal colic, etc. Cumin seeds have multiple pharmacological actions including antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer effects. This chapter highlights chemical composition and pharmacological effects of two important plants, namely, Lavender and Cumin on the available scientific literature.
