Plants in complimentary and traditional systems of medicine: Introduction-different types of alternative systems of treatments (e.g. Ayurvedic, Unani and Homeopathic medicine). Contribution of traditional drugs to modern medicines. Details of some common indigenous traditional drugs: Punarnava, Vashaka, Anantamul, Arjuna, Chirata, Picrorhiga, Kalomegh, Amla, Asoka, Bahera, Haritaki, Tulsi, Neem, Betel nut, Joan, Karela, Shajna, Carrot, Bael, Garlic, Jam and Madar.

1. Md. Imran Nur Manik
Lecturer
Department of Pharmacy,NUB

2. Introduction
Complementary and alternative medicine
(CAM) is the term for medical products and
practices that are not part of standard care.
Complementary medicine refers to the practices
or products that work in conjunction with traditional
medicine
Complementary medicine is used together with
standard medical care.
An example is using Acupuncture to help with side
effects of cancer treatment.
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3. Definition
According to WHO, “It is the (sum total of the) knowledge, skill, and practices based on
the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures,( whether
explicable or not,) used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention,
diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.”
Traditional medicine comprises medical aspects of traditional knowledge that
developed over generations within the folk beliefs of various societies before the era of
modern medicine.
According to Banglapedia Traditional
Medicine is the medicine or treatment based
on traditional uses of plants, animals or their
products, other natural substances (including
some inorganic chemicals), religious verses,
cultural practices, and physical manipulations
including torture.
https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Traditional_Medicine
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4. Types of traditional Medicine
This system of medicine has been used almost
unchanged continuously generation after
generation throughout the ages for the treatment of
various physical and psychological diseases,
hence the system is called traditional.
The traditional health care systems practiced in
Bangladesh include the
Ayurvedic,
Unani,
Homeopathic and
Folk medicine systems.
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5. Ayurvedic System of Medicine
o A comprehensive system of medicine originates in ancient
India.
o The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit word
“Ayu” which stand for relation of Body, Sense, Mind,
and the Soul.
o (Sanskrit Āyurveda आयुर्वेद, "life knowledge).
o Thus Ayurveda can be translated to “life science” .
o Ayurveda is a science dealing not only with treatment of some disease but is a
complete way of life.
Principles
Ayurveda’s fundamental approach to well-being is that, you must reach your
unique state of balance in your whole, being-body, mind, and spirit.
The fundamental principle in Ayurveda is "TRIDOSHIC" concept
According to this concept there are three basic constituents of the
physiological systems.
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6. Diagnosis
Herbal medicine plays a major role
in the treatment of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Vata is treated by mild application of oils, mild sweating and purification
methods.
Pitta is treated with the ingestion of ghee (clarified butter),
by purgation with sweet and cold herbs,
by sweet, bitter and astringent foods and herbs,
by applying cool, delightful and fragrant essential oils,
by amounting the heat with Camphor. Sandalwood. Vetivert oils,etc.
Kapha is treated by strong emetic and purgation methods according to
the rules by all kinds of exercises, by smoking of herbs and by doing
physical hard work.
Treatment
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7. Unani System of Medicine
o The Unani System of Medicine has a long and impressive
record in India. It was introduced in India by the Arabs
sometime around the eleventh century.
o Unani system of traditional health care had originated in
Greece and was named after the name of its Unan
province, which is regarded as the original place of
development and practice of this system.
o However, this system had flourished and attained its real
development only when the Arabian and Persian Muslim
intellectuals .
Principles
Tibb says the human body is composed of seven natural principles or
components of the body known as Al-umur Al-tabiyah. The loss of the any
one of these components may lead to diseases, or even death of the
individual.
1. Al - arkan or al - anaslr (Elements) 2. Al - mizaj (Temperament)
3. Al - akhalt (Humours - body fluids) 4. Al a'za' (Organs or members)
5. Al - arwah (Pneuma or vital spirit) 6. Al - quwa (Faculties or Powers)
7. Al - at'aI (Functions)
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8. Diagnosis
In Unani system of medicine various types of treatment are employed, such
as : llaj bit Tadbeer (regimental therapy), Ilaj bil-Ghiza (diet therapy),
IIaj bid-Dawa (pharmacotherapy) and jarahat (surgery).
includes venesection, cupping. diaphoresis. diuresis,
Turkish bath, massage, metastasis, cauterization, purging, emesis, exercise,
leeching, etc.
aims at treating certain ailments by administration of specific
diets or by regulating the quantity and quality of food.
Pharmacy therapy makes the natural drugs mainly
herbal but also includes animals, minerals and marine drugs.
For the prevention and promotion of health ,the Unani System of Medicine
lays emphasis on developing defense mechanism of the body and advocate 6
essential.
Exercise Rest, Sleep Psychic movements Sleep Wakefulness
Evacuation & Retention
Treatment
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9. Homeopathic System of Medicine
o Homoeopathic medicinal system was started b y the
chemist, physician and pharmacist Samuel Hahnemann
(1755-1843) of Germany who was dissatisfied with the
side effects of the then current regimens of medication.
o In this system drugs are applied in very small and diluted
doses and it is believed that the strength or curative
power of a drug increases mathematically with the
increasing degree of its dilution.
Principles
This system of medicine is principally based on the theory, "simili
similibus curantum". i.e., like cures the like
Homeopathy is the system follows some laws, which are-
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10. Diagnosis
Homoeopathic medicines are used in
the form of mother tinctures, small pills,
powder and distilled water. The patient
should not take any kind of food or drink
prior or after one hour of the dose.
Treatment There are three essential processes involved in preparation of remedies (a)
Serial dilution (b) Succession (c) Trituration.
Dilution is the meant by which we reduce the toxicity of the original crude
drug. Serial dilution means that each dilution Is prepared from the dilution that
immediately proceeded it.
are the methods by which mechanical energy is
delivered to our preparations in order to imprint the pharmacological message
of the original drug upon the molecules of the diluent.
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11. Punarnava (meaning that which rejuvenates or renews the body
in Ayurveda) consists of the herb Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.
Family: Nyctaginaceae.
Chemical Constituents:
It contains the beta-sitosterol, alpha-2-sitosterol, palmitic acid, archidic
acid, hentriacontance, ursolic acid. Its main chemicals are
Punarnavoside (antifibrinolytic glycoside), boeravinones A-E, lignans,
flavones, sterols, boeravine and hypoxanthine-9-L-arabinofuranosie
It acts as anti-inflammatory and expectorant
The root acts as an anticonvulsant, analgesic, laxative
Punarnava is an effective remedy that reduces swelling and foul smell in
skin disorders.
Punarnava's leaves are also consumed as a vegetarian dish to reduce
oedema.
In Ayurvedic medicine, this herb is said to cure disorders like intestinal
colic, kidney disorders, cough, hemorrhoids, skin
diseases, alcoholism, insomnia, eye diseases, asthma and jaundice
Punarnava
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12. Adhatoda vasica Nees ( Syn: Justicia adhatoda) belonging to family
Acanthaceae, commonly known as Adosa, Malabar Nut is found many
regions of India and throughout the world, with a multitude of uses in
traditional Unani and Ayurvedic systems of medicine.
It is also called Vasaka or Bashok.
Chemical Constituents:
Vasaka leaves contains alkaloids (0.25%) which include vasicine,
vasicinone, 6-hydroxyvascine, 1-peganine (1-vasicine), betaine and
vasakin as well as volatile oil, fat, resin, sugar, mucilage, adhatodic
acid, triacontane, β-sitosterol and vitamin C.
Vasaka leaves, bark, the root bark, the fruit and flowers are useful in the
removal of intestinal parasites.
Vasaka herb is used for treating cold, cough, chronic bronchitis and
asthma.
A poultice of its leaves can be applied with beneficial results over fresh
wounds, rheumatic joints and inflammatory swellings.
Vasaka
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13. Anantamul (Hemidesmus indicus, family: Asclepiadaceae) is a well
known drug in Ayurveda system of medicine.
It is commonly known as, Indian Sarsaparilla
Anantamul is snigdha (oily, unctuous) and guru (heavy), and possesses
atikta (bitter) and Madhura (sweet) rasa (taste) and sheeta (cooling) virya
(potency)
Chemical Constituents: The roots of H. indicus contain hexatriacontane
lupeol. The leaves contain tannins, flavonoids, hyperoside, rutin and
coumarino.
In Ayurveda, the plant is used in the treatment of bone-loss, low body
weight, fever, stress, topical wound and psoriasis.
Besides it is used as anti-atherogenic, anti-spasmodic, memory
enhancing, immunopotentiating and anti-inflammatory agents.
Anantamul has been indicated for sarvavrana (all types of ulcers),
kushtha (skin diseases), kandu (urticaria), jvara (fever), meha (diabetes),
agnimandya (loss of appetite), aruci (lack of appetite), svasa (bronchial
asthma/respiratory tract disorders), vami (vomiting), kasa (cough), trsa
(thirst), pradara (menorrhagia), atisara (diarrhea), and visha (toxicity/
poisons)
Anantamul
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14. Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight and Arn, commonly known
as arjuna, belongs to the family of Combretaceae.
Chemical Constituents:
Arjuna bark contains tannins (12%), 3-sitosterol, triterpenoid
saponins, arjunine, arjunetin, arjunolic acid, essential oil,
reducing sugars calcium salts and traces of aluminium and
magnesium salt.
Its bark decoction is being used in the Indian subcontinent for
anginal pain, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and
dyslipidemia.
It has styptic , tonic, febrifugal and anti-dysenteric properties.
Arjuna bark is used as tonic, astringent and as an antidote to
poisons.
Arjuna
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15. Chirata is the entire dried plant of Swertia chirata Linn. collected during
formation of capsules. It is a popular medicinal herb indigenous to the
temperate Himalayas.
Family: Gentianaceae
Chemical Constituents:
Chirata contains a bitter glycoside gentiopicrin: amarogentin, chiratin,
ophelic acid and a xanthone, swerchirin..
Chirata is used as bitter tonic, ferbrifuge, stomachic and laxative.
Traditionally, decoctions of this species are used for anthelmintic,
hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antimalarial, antifungal, antibacterial,
cardiostimulant, antifatigue, anti-inflammatory, antiaging, antidiarrheal, as
protectant of the heart and also help in lowering blood pressure and blood
sugar.
Herbal formulations such as Ayush-64, Diabecon, Mensturyl syrup, and
Melicon V ointment contain S. chirayita extract in different concentrations
for its antipyretic, hypoglycaemic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.
Chirata
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16. It consists of dried rhizome of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth., cut into
small pieces and freed from attached rootlets.
Family: Scrophulariaceae.
Chemical Constituents:
The active constituents of Picrorhiza is picrorhizin, a glucoside which yields
picrorhizetin and dextrose on hydrolysis. It also contains kutkin, a
glucosidal bitter principle, picroside-I, picroside-11, picrosideIll, D-mannitol,
vanhllic acid, kurrin, kutkIol, kutkl-sterol, apocynin, phenolic glycosides
picein and androsin. and seven cucurbitacin glycoside.
Picrorhiza is bitter, cathartic, stomachic, used in fever and dyspepsia and in
purgative preparations.
It is reputed as an anti-periodic and cholagogue, as febrifuge including as
antimalarial. Different types of jaundice are cured with Picrorhiza.
It removes kidney stone, used as emmenagogue, emetic, abortifacient,
antidote for dog-bite.
Externally it is used in skin diseases and improves eye-sight.
It is a valuable bitter tonic almost as efficacious as Gentian.
It is laxative in small doses and cathartic in large doses.
PICRORHIZA
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17. Kalomegh consists of leaves or entire aerial part of Andrographis paniculate
Nees
Family: Acanthaceae
Chemical Constituents:
The plant possesses kalmeghin, a bitter crystalline
diterpene lactone, viz. andrographolide flavonoids and phenols.
Kalmegh has febrifuge, tonic, anthelmintic, astringent, anodyne (a
painkilling drug or medicine), alexipharmic (an antidote against poison or
infection) and cholagogue (an agent that promotes an increased flow of
bile) properties, influenza, piles, gonorrhea, bronchitis, dysentery,
dyspepsia, fever and in weakness.
A decoction of the plant is a blood purifier.
It is used as a cure for torphid (mentally or physically inactive; lethargic) and
jaundice.
It forms the major constituent of the Ayurvedic drug effective in treating
vitiligo.
The pills are given for stomach ailments of infants.
Kalomegh
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18. Amla consists of the fresh or dried fruits of Emblica officinalis Gaertn.
(syn. Phyllanthus emblica Linn).
Family: Euphorbiaceae.
Chemical Constituents:
The principal chemical constituent of Amla is vitamin C (650-900 mg/100g)
(20X than orange juice).
It also contains tannins (5%), glucose, pectin, and minerals like iron,
phosphorus and calcium. Tannins are the mixture of gallic acid, ellagic acid
and phyllembin. Tannins prevents the oxidation of the vitamin.
Fruit has acrid, cooing, refrigerant, diuretic and laxative properties.
Dried fruit is useful in hemorrhage, diarrhea, diabetes and dysentery.
In combination with iron it is used to treat anemia, jaundice and dyspepsia.
Amla is an ingredient of the Ayurvedic formulation “Triphala' and is used to
treat headache, biliousness. dyspepsia, constipation, piles, enlarged liver
and ascites.
The exudation from incisions on the fruit is used as an external application
for inflammation of the eye.
Amla
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19. Ashoka is the dried bark of stem of Saraca indica Linn.
Family : Leguminosae.
Chemical Constituents:
Ashoka bark contains tannins (6%), catechol, sterol,
haemotoxyline, phlobaphenes, organic calcium compound
and a ketosterol.
Ashoka bark is astringent, used in
uterine affections,
biliousness, dyspepsia, dysentery,
colic, piles, ulcers,
pimples
menorrhagia (excessive menstruation)
and leucorrhoea.
Asoka
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20. Bahera is the dried ripe fruit of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.)
Roxb. Family: Combretaceae
Chemical Constituents:
Bahera contains tannins (20-25%), phyllemblin, beta-sitosterol,
mannitol, glucose, fructose, rhamnose, fixed oil (30-40%) and
hydrocarbons. Tannin component is the mixture of gallic acid,
ellagic acid, ethyl gallate, galloyl glucose. The fixed oil contains
the esters of palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids.
The fruit has bitter, astringent, tonic, laxative, antipyretic activity
It is used in piles, dropsy, dysentery, diarrhoea, leprosy,
biliousness, dyspepsia and headache.
It is one of the ingredient of Ayurvedic purgative medicament
'Triphala'.
Bahera
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21. Myrobalan consists of dried mature fruits, of the tree Terminalia chebula
Retz.
Family: Combretaceac.
Chemical Constituents:
Myrobalan contains hydrolysable tannins (30-40%), anthraquinones, fixed
oil containing esters of palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids; Chebulinic acid;
ellagic acid. gallic acid and resin. The carbohydrates present in Myrobalan
are : glucose. Sorbitol, fructose, sucrose and gentiobiose.
Myrobalan is astringent,laxative, and alterative;.
It is useful in weakness of the nerves and brain as well as in diminished
vision.
It is useful in loss of appetite, pain in abdomen, constipation, ascites,
heamorroids, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and parasites.
Its powder used as a tooth powder, strengthens the gums.
Rhinitis, cough, hoarseness of voice, hiccups and dyspnoea are relieved
Haritaki prevents accumulation of pus in skin disease; extremely helpful in
healing of wounds.
Haritaki (MYROBALAN)
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22. Tulsi is the dried leaves of Ocimum sanctum Linn.
Family : Labiatae.
Chemical Constituents:
Tulsi contains chemical compounds such as eugenol, ursolic acid,
rosmarinic acid, chlorophyll, caryophyllene, oleanolic acid and linolenic
acid. Nutritional compounds found in tulsi include vitamin A, vitamin C,
calcium, iron and zinc.
Leaves have expectorant, diaphoretic, antiperlodic, anticatarrhal, antiseptic
and spasmolytic properties .
It is used in catarrh, bronchitis, cold, cough, fever and gastric disorders.
The leaves have been employed as aromatic, carminative, stimulant and
flavouring agent.
Infusion of leaves is used as stomachic in gastric disorder is of children and
in hepatic affections.
Seeds are demulcent and given in disorders of the genitourinary system.
The plant is also used in snakebite and scorpion sting.
Tulsi
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23. Neem is the fresh or dry leaves and seed oil of Azadirachta indica J. Juss.
(syn. Melia indica Bran. or M. azadirachta Linn).
Family: Meliaceae.
Chemical Constituents:
The leaves contain nimbin, nimbinene, 6-desacetylnimbinene. nimbandiol,
nimbolide. quercetin, ascorbic acid. The fruits contain azadiradione,
azadirone, and nimbiol. The seeds contain six tetranortriterpenoids. Kernels
yield a greenish yellow to brown, acrid, bitter fixed oil (23.5%) The oil also
contains 2% bitter principles which include nimbidin. nimbidinin, nimbin.
nimbinin and nimbidol.
Neem oil is stimulant antiseptic, alterative.
It is used in rheumatism and skin diseases.
Leaf juice is given in worms, jaundice and in skin diseases.
Paste of the leaves is used externally in cases of small-pox.
The tender leaves along with Piper nigrum are used in intestinal helminthiasis.
The leaves are used as insect-repellent, anti-viral and antifungal.
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24. Areca nuts are the seeds of Areca catechu Linn.
Family : Palmae (Palmaceae).
Chemical Constituents:
Areca nut contains alkaloids of a piperidine series such as
arecoline , arecaine, guvacine, arecaidine. guvacoline. and choline.
Areca nuts also contain fat (14%), amorphous red tannin (15%),
catechin. The fat consists mainly of the glycerides of lauric, myristic
and oleic acids.
Powdered Areca is used as anthelmintic. and vermifuge for dogs.
It has aphrodisiac action and useful in urinary disorders. as nerve
tonic.
Betel nut is considered a digestive agent and a diuretic, a
strengthener of the heart.
It is used in overcoming swelling eyes, mental confusions, chronic
urinary distress and pus formations.
Betel nut (ARECA NUTS)
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25. Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is perennial softwood tree which has been
advocated for traditional medicinal and industrial uses.
Family: Moringaceae
Chemical Constituents:
The main constituents of Moringa plant are : oleic, palmitic and stearic acid,
saponins, glycoside, gum, protein Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, C Minerals:
calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium. The leaves, flowers and pods are
used as significant sources of vitamins A, B and C, riboflavin, nicotinic acid,
folic acid, pyridoxine, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, and alpha-
tocopherol .The root bark contains two alkaloids: moringine and moringinine.
Moringa is used for anemia, arthritis and other joint pain (rheumatism);
asthma; cancer; constipation; diabetes; diarrhea; epilepsy; stomach pain;
stomach and intestinal ulcers; intestinal spasms; headache; heart problems;
high blood pressure; kidney stones; fluid retention; thyroid disorders;
and bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections.
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26. Bael consists of the entire unripe fruit or its slices of Aegle marmelos Corr.
Family : Rutaceae.
Chemical Constituents:
Fruit contains marmelosins (0.4%) which are the active constituents, in
addition to carbohydrates (11-15%) including reducing sugars (3-4%), tannins
(20%), proteins (1%), vitamins A and C and volatile oil. The fruit yields 2%
water-soluble gum which on hydrolysis gives galactose, arabinose,
D-galacturonic acid and rhamnose.
Unripe fruit is astringent, digestive, demulcent, stomachic, and used in
diarrhoea and dysentery.
Ripe fruit is sweet, aromatic, cooling, alterative and nutritive.
When taken fresh, it is useful in habitual constipation, chronic dysentery and
dyspepsia.
Root.and stem barks are used as antipyretic.
Aegelin, a sterol isolated from the leaves, has been tried to treat bronchial
spasm. The cathartic action is caused by the swelling of the mucilaginous seed coat therefore
giving bulk and lubrication.
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27. Jam is the fruit of the tree Syzygium cumini
Family: Meliaceae.
Chemical Constituents:
Fruit is rich in compounds containing anthocyanins, glucoside, ellagic
acid, isoquercetin, kaemferol and myrecetin. The seeds are claimed to
contain alkaloid- jambosine, and glycoside jambolin or antimellin,
flavonoids, and also found to have high total phenolics Seeds are
fairly rich in protein and calcium. Jams are rich in sugar, mineral salts,
vitamins C
Bark has anti-inflammatory activity and is used for anemia
Bark and seeds are used for diabetes which reduce the blood sugar
level quickly
Fruit is used for dysentery and leave's juice for gingivitis (bleeding
gums).
High source in vitamin A and vitamin C
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28. Mandar is the fresh or dry leaves and seed oil of Erythrina
Variegata also called Erythrina indica Family: Fabaceae.
Chemical Constituents:
Phytochemical investigations on the plant revealed the
presence of alkaloids, flavanoids and isoflavanoids ,
Phenyl coumarins, lectins, flavones glycosides, steroids
and fatty acids.
The leaves are laxative, diuretic, anthelmintic, galactagogue
and emmenagogue.
Leaves are also applied externally for joint pain.
The bark is used as a laxative, diuretic and expectorant.
Nuts are brown in color and have healing property. Also
used in medicinal soaps.
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