Plants are closely associated in the history of Sikkim and its people. The rich plant bio-diversity has been indigenously utilised and managed in Sikkim as a cultural heritage. Of the many timber and non-timber utilities, herbal practice of is one of the most important uses of bio-resources and the herbal traditional in the Sikkim Himalaya is very rich.

Sikkim in its 7098 sq km geographical area has a microclimate of its own known to some as Sikkim Gap. This phyto-geographical territory supports a large number of flora and fauna to make it a hot spot of bio-diversity. Sikkim floral chest nurture as much as 30% of total Indian floral diversity in its 0.22% of geographical area of Indian sub continent. Besides 43 species of rhododendron, 550 varieties of orchids and 300 species of ferns and its allies, this part of Himalaya has more than 400 species of medicinal and aromatic plants distributed through the sub-tropical broad-leafed forests to the alpine meadow.

Aconitums, Bojo (Acorus calamus), Buri Okhati (Astilb Rivularis), Chimphing (Heracleum Wallichii), Chirato (Sweirtia Chirita), Jatamansi (Nardostachys Jatamansi), Majito (Rubia Cardifolia), Mahaguru (Podophyllum Hexandrum), Kutki (Picrorhiza Kurrooa), Pakhanbet (bergenia Ciliata), Pipla (Piper Longum), Taxus are the major medicinal plants collected for export and local consumption. The rest of the species are generally used extensively against different aliments, bones treatment, prevention of diseases, remedial measures, first aid measures, child care, delivery cares, tonics, food nutritionals and other traditional local systems of herbalism. Veterinary care, control of plant diseases, religious and sentimental utilities of plants are other ethino-botanical practices, popular among different ethno-cultural communities in Sikkim.

Sikkim has yet to develop technologies of sustainable and systematic utilities of its herbal resources and further cultivate means to check the bio-piracy through its porous boarder. As of now forest are the sloe source of medicinal, aromatic and other NTFPs raw materials but domestication with proper package and practices including appropriate marketing, has a tremendous potential to augment the Moderate of the state. The valuable herbal materials, after opportunistic collection through local traders find their ways to the megacities of India.