Medicinal Plants

Our region is very rich in plant life. Around 50 species of medicinal plants grow in our area. They include dermene, coltsfoot, medicinal mint, Samarkand immortelle, thyme, and others.
Let us take a closer look at dermene. A poisonous substance called santonin is obtained from the leaves of this plant. It has traditionally been used as an effective remedy for intestinal worm infections.
In 1883, a plant producing medicines called the Santonin Factory was established in our region based on dermene. Today, this enterprise is known as the Khimpharm plant.
Thyme.
Essential oil and ascorbic acid are obtained from this plant and used in medicine. As it is a nectar-producing plant, livestock generally do not eat it.
Medicinal Mint.
This is a perennial plant. It has medicinal properties and is used for conditions affecting the lungs, gastritis and diarrhea, and it also helps wounds heal more quickly. The medicine “Mukaltin” is obtained from this plant.
Plants Listed in the Red Book.
In 1948, the International Union for Conservation of Nature was established under UNESCO. In 1966, the Red Book was published for the first time in two volumes. The flora represented in it included around 5,700 species.
In 1981, more than 300 plant species from our region that required special protection and were at risk of extinction were included in the Red Book.
Among them is the Alatau crocus. It is a relatively short plant, reaching about 10–30 centimetres in height. It is used in cooking as a flavouring plant. It blooms from January to May and is highly valued for its early flowering period.
Yellow colchicum grows in the upper mountain zones and near glaciers. It is a highly poisonous plant with a limited habitat. In our region, it grows only in the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve.
Other rare plants include the Kaufmann's tulip, which grows along the Ugam Range, as well as the Greig's tulip, Turkestan juniper, blue shiqyldaq, Kokand salpys and round-leaved pear.
One of the most beautiful tulips deserves special attention — the Greig's tulip. There are about 150 species of tulips in the world, around 30 of which grow in Kazakhstan, while 5 species are found in the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve.