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

PREFACE
Traditional systems of medicine continue to be widely practiced. Global
estimates indicate that 80 per cent of population cannot afford the products of the
western pharmaceutical industry and have to rely upon the use of traditional
indigenous medicines mainly derived from plants. An inventory of 20,000 medicinal
plants species has been compiled for the entire world.
According to survey report by WHO, about 25 per cent of prescribed human
medicines are derived from plants and 80 per cent people still depend on traditional
system of medicines.
The herbal wealth of India and the knowledge of their medicinal properties
have a long tradition, as referred in Rigveda and other ancient literature. The
topography of India in the tropical belt with its varied climatic zones made it a vast
storehouse of medicinal plants.
In recent years, a few developments in the drug industry have brought Indian
medicinal wealth at their ecosystem into world focus. In particular, the clinical reports
on many native plants like Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina), Guggulu
(Commiphora wightii), Chirayata (Swertia chirayita), Tagar (Valeriana
jatamansi), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Vasa
(Adhatoda zeylanica), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) and many more have
supported their claim of containing specific pharmacological activity for which they
are used in Indian System of Medicines.
I am delighted to present the 8 th Volume of “Data Base on Medicinal Plants
used in Ayurveda & Siddha”, which has been compiled comprehensively in time
bound manner. This volume incorporates an account of 30 plant species used in
Ayurveda. Like earlier volumes, it presents a brief and concise account of parts used,
classical and vernacular names, botanical characters, distribution in India as well as
abroad, important actions and uses, Ayurvedic properties, pharmacognostic
characters, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, toxicology, therapeutic
evaluation, trade and commerce, substitutes and adulterants, formulations and
preparations, propagation and cultivation etc. along with photographs of the plants
and parts used. Efforts have been made to collect up to date references from all
available sources which has been incorporated in the texts and the same are also
incorporated at the end of each species under the subhead References, Bibliography.
I am confident that this volume will also be welcomed by the researchers of
various disciplines like Botany, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy,
Agriculture, Forestry apart from Ayurveda and other traditional systems of Medicine
as well as Modern Medicine. It would be useful for the persons/agencies interested in
Medicinal Plants and Ayurveda including Pharmaceutical Industries.
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