Medicinal
Plants 
Neem
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Amala:A Plant
Ashwagandha Plant
Aloe Medicinal Plant
Isabgol Plant
Mushroom
Mango
(आम)
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Introduction
Tradition of medicinal plants use in India is about 4000 years old.
In the Ayurveda, about 1400 plants are documented in various texts. In Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtang Hridaya we can find more than 600 plants. Rig Veda (4500 to about 1600 BC) is perhaps the oldest document where medicinal plants have been described. Atharva Veda,
also describes medicinal uses of large number of plants. Another treatise Dravya Guna Shastra provides information about medicinal plants from pharmacological point of view. Similarly, Unani and other systems of medicine practiced in India are largely dependent on medicinal plants.
The wider acceptance of herbal based formulations is the growing recognition that natural products are non-narcotic and almost without side effects.
The Indian systems of treatment lay adequate stress on balanced diet and on
inclusion of specific items in food to provide immunity against diseases. Also,
number of plants products with medicinal properties form constituents of food.
Even spices are being found to have medicinal properties. For example, capsicum, garlic,
turmeric, onion, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, curry leaf etc. have been found to protect against various health problems as well provide cure from certain
diseases. Tamarind is used in curries, chutneys,sauces etc.
as spice. Its unripe fruit is used for seasoning of food. Its pulp is rich in iron, calcium, potassium,
phosphorous, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, carbohydrates, fiber, invert sugar etc. Vitamin C is present in substantial quantity in green fruits.
Amla has been used as such or for ‘chutney’, pickle, ‘murabba’ etc. ‘Charaka
Samhita’ records it as the most potent rejuvenating agent. Modern studies have proved that amla is extremely rich in vitamin C and Pectin, containing more than 150 times vitamin C compared to apple.
Amla is an effective anti-ageing agent. It replaces worn out tissues with new ones.
Contribution made by the Indian systems of medicines and folk traditions have
been acknowledged by the WHO (World Health Organization) as well.
As per estimates India has about 15000 species of plants with medicinal
properties. Presently about 8000 of these are in use as follows:
Ayurveda -1769 species
Siddha - 1121 species
Unani - 751 species
Amchi or Tibetan 279
Folk - 4671 species
Medicinal Plants based Industry
Medicinal plants based industry in the country has an annual turn over of about Rs.42,000/- million per year and it is
estimated to grow at the rate of about 20 per cent per year. There are hundreds of manufacturers and exporters in the country who are benefiting and large number of people is getting direct and indirect employment in these activities.
About 800 to 900 medicinal plants are in all India trade, about 700 are obtained from the forests and many of these are harvested in large quantities. Common examples are neem, sena,
amla, asoka, harra, gulancha, khas, ashwagandha, sarpgandha etc. Due to excessive and unscientific harvesting, large numbers of medicinal plant species are under threat.
There are approximately 1250 Indian medicinal plants which are used in formulating
therapeutic preparations used in traditional systems of medicine. Recent surveys have shown that the percentage of natural products in the modern drug
armamentarium is fairly high and is estimated to be varying from 35 per cent to
50 per cent. Almost every class of drug includes a model structure derived from
nature, exhibiting the classical effect of that specific pharmacological category.
Incentives for cultivation of medicinal plants
Existing Initiatives to Conserve Medicinal Plants Export of 29 types of plants, plant portions and their derivatives and extracts from plants obtained from the wild except in formulations has been banned.
A National Medicinal Plants Board has been constituted. The Central Board has selected 28 plant species for development and promotion in first phase. Incentives are also available for cultivation of medicinal plants to ease pressure on the wild resource.
Another initiative is to declare forest areas rich in medicinal plants as Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas
(MPCAs), which are legally protected. Plants cannot be removed from there for trade. Fifty-five such MPCAs exist now.
Four National Gene Banks have also been set up for collection and conservation of important medicinal and aromatic plants of the country. These banks maintain the plants as live materials, seeds, and genetic material and also under cryogenic conditions.
An ayurveda industry cluster and common facility centre will be
built at Kolawadi near Pune at a cost of Rs 16 crore, with the work expected to commence in 2011.
The city-based Maharashtra Ayurveda Centre Private Limited (MACPL) is
building the cluster, which will have world-class raw material standardisation and processing centres, quality control laboratories,
research centres, manufacturing centres for entrepreneurship and skill
Sunita Belgamwar, chairman, MACPL, said, “The cluster will come up at Kolawadi near Pune on the Pune-Bangalore highway.
Belgamwar said the Union government has sanctioned two ayurveda clusters
for the state and the other one will come up in the Konkan area. She
said the Centre will also provide subsidy for cultivation of medicinal
plants, which farmers will supply as raw material. In fact, the Centre
recently gave subsidy to farmers from Vidarbha for cultivating medicinal
plants. |
Common Medicinal plants in India
| Common
Indian Name |
Botanical
Name |
English
Name |
Contents/Alkaloids
|
| Amla |
Emblica officinalis |
Amla |
Tannin,
Vitamin-C |
| Arjuna |
Terminalia arjuna |
Arjuna |
Arjunetin,
Lactones |
| Ashwagandha |
Withania somnifera |
Winter cherry |
Withanin, Somniferine |
| Babchi |
Psoralea corylifolia |
Psoralea fruit |
Psoralen & Isopsoalen |
| Baheda |
Terminalia belerica |
belleric myroblan |
Tannin,
Saponin |
| Brahmi |
Bacopa monnieri |
bacopa, Indian pennywort |
Bacosaponin |
| Chopchini |
Similax china |
Sarsaparilla, China root |
Flavonaid,Glycosides,
Gallic acid. |
| Ghritkumari |
Aloe vera |
Aloe |
Aloin |
| Geloy |
Tinaspora cordifolia |
|
Cordifol,Tinosporidine |
| Harad |
Terminalia chebula |
Chebulic myroblan |
Anthraquinones,
Tannins, Chebulic acid |
| Kucchila |
Strychnos nuxvomica |
Nux vomica |
Strachnine
and Brucine |
| Lasun |
Allium sativum |
Garlic |
Alayal Sulphate |
| Neem |
Azadirachta indica |
Margosa |
Azadirachtin
|
| Pappli |
Piper longum |
Lindipipper |
Piperine |
| Safed Musali |
Chlorophytum borivilianum |
|
Carbohydrates, Protein, Saponins |
| Sarpagandha |
Rauvolfia serpentina |
Serpiria |
Reserpine |
| Seetaphal |
Annona squamosa |
Custard apple |
Annonine
|
| Sunth (Adrak) |
Zingiber officinale |
Ginger |
Gingerols |
| Talispatra |
Taxus baccata |
Himalayan yew |
Taxol |
| Tulsi |
Ocimum sanctum |
Basil |
Eugenol,
Luteolin Apigenin |
| Vach |
Acorus calamus |
Sweet flag |
Sesquiterpenes,
Asarone, Acorin, Saponin
|
| Shatavari |
Asparagus racemosus |
Asparagus racemosus |
Steroidal saponins, isoflavones, asparagamine
and polysaccharides |
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Medicinal plants slowly going extinct
Medicinal plant resources in the country are threatened by over exploitation to meet the demand of herbal industries.
As per the information received from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, about 95% of medicinal plants used by the herbal industries are harvested from the wild primarily from forests.
The total annual demand of botanical raw drugs in the country for the year 2005-06 has been estimated as 3,19,500 MT with corresponding trade value of Rs. 1,069 crores as per the collaborative study conducted by the Department of AYUSH with the
assistance of the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions
(FRLHT). In addition to above, rapid threat assessment exercises for the wild medicinal plants species occurring in different states have also been taken up.
These assessments have involved conducting Conservation Assessment and
Management Prioritization using International Union for Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List Categories. These exercises have involved
undertaking assessments for a total of 359 prioritized wild medicinal plant species.
Some of the rare medicinal plants reported to be threatened have been relocated during the last decade including Utleria salicifolia and Hydnocarpus pentandra in Western Ghats, Gymnocladus assamicus and Begonia tessaricarpa from Arunachal Pradesh and Agapetes smithiana in Sikkim
by the Botanical Survey of India.
National Medicinal Plants Board which was constituted on
24th November, 2000 has been implementing a Central Sector scheme for development and cultivation of medicinal plants since the year 2000-01. This scheme was
revised and renamed as “Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants” during 2008-09. Projects for setting up of 29 Medicinal Plants
Conservation Areas (MPCAs) have also been implemented in the states covering mainly the medicinal plants viz.
Asoka, Guggal and Dashmool varieties. The scheme is being implemented with an outlay of Rs. 321.30 crores during the 11th Plan.
In addition to above, a new “Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Mission on Medicinal Plants” with a total outlay of Rs. 630 crores is being implemented since 2008-09 by the National Medicinal Plants Board. A total number of 24 states viz. Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana,
Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar
Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal have been covered so far under the scheme. Since the implementation of the Mission started only in the year 2008-09, it is too early to make any impact assessment.
This information was given by Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha
on March 09, 2010
Pollution is one factor that reduces the quality of herbal drugs
Dr Venkitaraman, the general secretary of the Indian Herbal Conference
said pollution is one factor that reduces the quality of herbal drugs at present. The plants have to be grown in an unpolluted environment. If
it is planted on the roadside, it is likely to absorb heavy metals like lead. Even if it is cultivated in a modern agricultural scientific way, it will have heavy metal and pesticide pollution, he said while speaking to Pharmabiz.
Plants that have the potential for treating migraines, fever, and even cancer
could wind up disappearing in the near future, with countries such as China,
India, Kenya, Nepal, Tanzania, and Uganda reporting shortages. Some of the plants at risk include:
1. Himalayan yew, an anti-cancer drug
2. Yew tree, the cancer drug paclitaxel comes from the tree’s bark
3. The African cherry, extract treats prostate problems
4. Magnolia, which fights cancer, dementia and heart disease
5. Hoodia, which suppresses appetite, and could be the next “miracle” weight loss drug
6. Autumn crocus, which was once used as poison, but is now used for gout and
leukemia
The solution, says the report’s author, Alan Hamilton, is to provide communities with incentives to protect these plants. Ten projects in India, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Uganda and Kenya showed this approach can succeed.
New Research
According to National Institute of Industrial Research (NIIR). Nearly, 500
plants were screened for antitubercular activity, among which 40 plants have
been formulated in the systems of Ayurveda and Siddha. Besides, nearly 55 plants
having folklore claims are attributed efficacy for the treatment of tuberculosis.
Research work has been conducted on the leaf extract of Pithecellobium dulce to
prove the efficacy of the plant against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In the near
future, this plant's extracts would help conquer tuberculosis and save lives.
To cure swine flu: In the increasing spread of diseases such as swine flu, dengue and chikungunya, greater part of the people are leaning towards natural cure thereby opting
for medicinal plants that boost their immunity system and thus brace themselves to fight the diseases. One of the most sought after medicinal plants is Amrutaballi or Tinospora Cordifolia also known as
Gudichi, Madhuparni, Amruta or Kundalini especially after yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri Sri ravishankar of Art of Living exhorted its use to cure swine flu.
Herbal remedy for leprosy: Thankuni (Thol-kuri) is a very popular small herbaceous plant belonging to the
Umbelliferae, and comprising about 70 species which are found in wet
places in temperate and tropical regions, more especially of the Southern hemisphere. The plant is considered a useful alterative and tonic in diseases of the skin, nerves, and blood. The people are in the habit of
taking the powdered dried leaves with milk for improving their memory, and as an alterative tonic. The leaves are said to be useful in syphilitic skin diseases both externally and internally; and on the Malabar Coast, the plant is one of the remedies for leprosy.
Indian herbal
market to cross Rs 14,500-cr mark by the year 2012
The Indian herbal market is rising sharply and is expected to hit Rs 14,500-crore mark with exports reaching Rs 9,000 crore by the year 2012.
The herbal market has an annual compounded growth rate of 20 and 25 per cent, respectively. India is followed by China as the largest producer of medicinal plants having more than 40 per cent global diversity, Ayushkati Ayurved's promoter Pankaj Naram said.
Worldwide, the ayurvedic industry is put at $3 billion and is slowly gaining acceptance as an alternative system of medicine
and health care, Naram said. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has projected that the global herbal market will grow to $5 trillion by 2050.
List of Ayurvedic medicinal plants
The following is a more comprehensive list of Ayurvedic medicinal plants or herbs
Ajwan (Apium graveolens) also known as wild lettuce.
Anantamool (Hemidesmus indicus) also known as Indian Sarsaparilla.
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna).
Ashoka (Saraca indica)
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Babul or Babool (Acacia nilotica): The bark, fruit and gum resin of
Babul are used in various Ayurvedic herbal preparations. Babul bark is used in oral and dental hygiene products, burn injuries and in skin diseases.
Bala (Sida cordifolia): used for bronchial asthma and nasal congestion
Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa)
Bhringaraj or Bhringraj (Eclipta alba )
Bhumiamla (Plyllanthus amarus)
Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri)
Bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica) -- found in Triphala
Bilwa (Aegle marmelos)
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): nervine tonic, diuretic, sedative
Chirayata (Swertia chirata)
Citrak or chitrakmool (Plumbago zeylandica)
Clover protein concentrate (Trifolium alexandrianum)
Datura (Datura metal)
Devadaru (Cedrus deodara)
Gokshura (Tribulis terrestris)
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
Guggul (Commiphora mukul )
Hapusha (Juniperus communis)
Isabgol (Plantago ovata)
Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi)
Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata)
Kanchnar (Bauhinia variegata)
Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum)
Kapikachehha or Kaunch (Mucuna pruriens)
Katela - Momordica charantia -
Kumari (Aloe barbadensis)
Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica) is an medicinal plant or herb that has alkaloids
Kutaki or Kutki - Picrorhiza kurroa
Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia)
Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) - Gotu kola
Meshasringi - Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre)
Methi (Trigonella foenum-gracum)
Mulathi or (Mulethi Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Musta (Cyperus rotundus)
Neem (Azadiracta indica) skin disease, blood disease, antibacterial
Nirgundi (Vitex negundo)
Noni - Morinda citrifolia
Pashanbheda (Bergenia ligulata)
Pippali (Piper longum)
Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa): the medicinal plant is a diuretic, expectorant, laxative
Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum)
Salai Guggal (Boswellia serrata)
Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina)
Senna (Cassia angustifolia)
Shankhapushpi (Evolvulus alsinoides) - also spelled Shankhpushpi
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
Shikakai
Shilajit
Tagar (Valeriana wallichii)
Tamarind
Tejpatra (Cinnamomum tarnala)
Triphala: consisting Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula) and Bibhitaki (Terminalia Belerica)
Tulsi
Vacha (Acorus calamus): nervine, antispasmatic, sedative, stomachic, expectorant, emetic, laxative, diuretic
Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica)
Vidanga (Embelia ribes)
Vidari (Ipomoea digitata)
Vilayati imli (Garcinia cambogia) |
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