Database on medicinal plants used in ayurveda - AYUSH Research ...

EXPLANATORY INTRODUCTION
The literature on medicinal plants is quite vast. It is scattered and not available
at one place even in big libraries. Therefore, a great necessity was felt to have relevant
literature providing multidisciplinary information of such resources at one place in the
form of Data Base. So far seven volumes of "Data Base on Medicinal Plants used in
Ayurveda & Siddha" have been published. This publication being eighth in the
series includes 30 medicinal plants included in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India.
Like the earlier volumes, it presents a brief and concise account about each species
covering the selected aspects pertaining to Botanical / Ayurvedic nomenclature,
Vernacular names, Distribution, Botanical description, Flowering and fruiting period,
parts used of the plants along with photographs, Actions and uses, including
Ayurvedic properties and Dose have been given. The Pharmacognosy, Chemical
constituents, Pharmacological activities, Toxicology, Trade and commerce,
Substitutes and Adulterants have also been included. Brief information about
Formulations and preparations, Propagation and cultivation is provided. An
exhaustive Bibliography containing upto date references is incorporated.
It is worth mentioning that the textual matter contains only important characters and
findings concisely under each sub head, to give a general and broad idea of the whole
plant and its properties. The species described in the book are arranged alphabetically
based on Ayurvedic nomenclature of the medicinal plant. A latest valid botanical
name along with synonym and Natural order has been given. Classical names include
only those mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic literature. Vernacular names of important
regional languages have been incorporated to locate the species in different
geographical areas of the country. Botanical description includes habit of the plant
and important morphological features, which would help in the identification of the
plant. Distribution of the plant in India and World wide is meant to give a broad idea
of the availability of the species in different geographical and eco-climatic zones.
Parts used, Actions and uses and Ayurvedic properties are based on ancient as well as
recent Ayurvedic literature.
Pharmacognosy mostly includes important macro and microscopic characters
and physical constants. Major chemical constituents, important pharmacological
activities, findings related to toxicology and therapeutic evaluation wherever available
have been included.
Data on trade and commerce however available has been given along with
current retail market price. Substitutes and adulterants which has been reported has
been incorporated. Data on propagation and cultivation of medicinal and methodology
related to in vitro propagation wherever available has been incorporated.
Under references sub heading all the references has been mentioned which are
cited in the text. Other references has been given under the Bibliography sub heading.
The sources of References and Bibliography include Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts, Biological Abstracts, Journals of National and
International repute, Important books and Monographs as well as global Internet.
Indices of Classical (Sanskrit) and vernacular names have been appended to
enhance the usefulness of the Data Base to the readers of all categories.
G.S.Lavekar, K. Chandra, B.P.Dhar, G.V.R.Joseph,
A.K.Mangal, B.G. Chaudhari, Rajesh DaburT.K. Mandal,
A.M. Gurav, M.B. Yelne, Dr. S.P. Singh
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