# Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

> research institute

**Wikidata**: [Q3595736](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3595736)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Institute_of_Medicinal_and_Aromatic_Plants)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/central-institute-of-medicinal-and-aromatic-plants

## Summary
The Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) is a research institute in India focused on the study and development of medicinal and aromatic plants. Established in 1959 under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), it conducts specialized research to advance healthcare, agriculture, and industrial applications of plant-based resources. Headquartered in Lucknow, CIMAP operates as a dedicated hub for scientific inquiry into plant-derived compounds and sustainable cultivation practices.

## Key Facts
- Founded in **1959** as a constituent laboratory of the **Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)**.
- Headquartered in **Lucknow, India**, with geographic coordinates **26.894° N, 80.9816° E**.
- Formerly known as the **Central Indian Medicinal Plants Organisation**.
- Specializes in research on **medicinal and aromatic plants**, including biotechnology, phytochemistry, and sustainable agriculture.
- Maintains a website at **http://www.cimap.res.in** (archived snapshot from 2012).
- Identified by **GRID ID: grid.417631.6**, **ROR ID: 0527mfk98**, and **Ringgold ID: 30083**.
- Recognized in **4 Wikipedia language editions** (English, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu).
- Classified under **Library of Congress Authority ID: n80039072** and **VIAF ID: 157812203**.
- Associated with **Open Funder Registry Funder ID: 501100007854** and **Microsoft Academic ID: 68145777**.
- Operates under the **Geonames feature code S.ITTR** for research institutes.

## FAQs
### Q: When was CIMAP established and who oversees it?
A: CIMAP was founded in **1959** and operates under the **Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)**, India’s premier scientific research organization.

### Q: What is CIMAP’s primary research focus?
A: CIMAP specializes in the study of **medicinal and aromatic plants**, emphasizing biotechnology, phytochemical analysis, and sustainable cultivation techniques to support healthcare and industrial applications.

### Q: Where is CIMAP located?
A: The institute is headquartered in **Lucknow, India**, with its main campus situated at **26.894° N, 80.9816° E**.

### Q: What notable resources or achievements distinguish CIMAP?
A: CIMAP is recognized for its extensive herbarium collections, development of high-yielding medicinal plant varieties, and contributions to herbal drug formulations. It also hosts national and international research collaborations.

### Q: How is CIMAP connected to global research networks?
A: CIMAP is linked to global science through identifiers like its **GRID ID**, **ROR ID**, and inclusion in the **Open Funder Registry**, facilitating international partnerships and resource sharing.

## Why It Matters
CIMAP plays a critical role in advancing India’s capabilities in herbal medicine, aromatics, and plant-based industrial products. By bridging traditional knowledge of medicinal plants with modern scientific techniques, the institute addresses healthcare challenges, promotes sustainable agriculture, and supports economic growth through biotechnology innovations. Its research on disease-resistant crops and phytochemicals contributes to global efforts in natural product drug discovery and environmental sustainability. As a CSIR laboratory, CIMAP strengthens India’s position in global scientific research while preserving biodiversity and fostering self-reliance in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

## Notable For
- **Longstanding research legacy**: Over 60 years of specialized focus on medicinal and aromatic plants since its founding in **1959**.
- **CSIR affiliation**: Part of India’s largest research and development network, ensuring access to national resources and collaborative opportunities.
- **Interdisciplinary research**: Combines biotechnology, chemistry, and agronomy to develop high-impact plant-based solutions.
- **Global recognition**: Indexed in **4 Wikipedia languages** and identified by multiple international registry systems (GRID, ROR, VIAF).
- **Unique identifiers**: Distinguished by **Geonames code S.ITTR** and **Library of Congress Authority ID n80039072**.

## Body
### History and Organization
CIMAP was established in **1959** as the **Central Indian Medicinal Plants Organisation**, later renamed to reflect its expanded aromatic plant research. As a constituent laboratory of the **Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)**, it operates under India’s Ministry of Science and Technology. The institute relocated to its Lucknow campus in **1965**, which serves as its primary research hub.

### Research Focus
CIMAP’s work spans:
- **Phytochemistry**: Isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds from plants.
- **Biotechnology**: Development of genetically improved medicinal and aromatic crops.
- **Sustainable Agriculture**: Techniques for cultivating high-yield, disease-resistant plant varieties.
- **Herbal Drug Formulation**: Research into traditional and modern applications of plant-derived medicines.

### Infrastructure and Resources
The institute maintains:
- **Herbarium collections** of over 10,000 plant specimens.
- **Experimental farms** for field trials of medicinal and aromatic crops.
- **Advanced laboratories** for molecular biology, chromatography, and spectroscopy.
- **Collaborations** with national and international universities, including partnerships under the **UNESCO** network.

### Recognition and Legacy
CIMAP’s contributions include:
- **High-yielding varieties**: Development of improved strains of ashwagandha, lemongrass, and peppermint.
- **Patented technologies**: Processes for extracting essential oils and herbal extracts.
- **Awards**: Recipient of the **CSIR Technology Award** and **National Award for S&T Communication**.
- **Global impact**: Research cited in international journals and adopted in agricultural practices across Asia and Africa.

### Digital Presence and Accessibility
CIMAP’s research is accessible through:
- **Website**: **http://www.cimap.res.in** (archived in 2012).
- **Open-access publications**: Indexed in global databases like **Microsoft Academic** (ID: 68145777).
- **Identifier systems**: Cross-referenced via **VIAF ID 157812203** and **IDREF ID 092195954**.

### Geographic and Cultural Significance
Based in **Lucknow**, CIMAP leverages India’s rich biodiversity and traditional herbal knowledge. Its location in the Indo-Gangetic Plain supports research on regionally significant plants while addressing challenges like soil degradation and climate resilience. The institute’s work aligns with India’s **National Policy on Biological Diversity** and **Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)** initiatives.

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. GRID Release 2015-12-14
4. GRID Release 2016-12-06
5. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
6. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph