A considerable number of definitions have been proposed for the term 'medicinal plant'. According
to the World Health Organization, "a medicinal plant is any plant which, in one or more of its
organs/parts, contains substances that can be used for therapeutic purposes, or which are precursors for
chemo-pharmaceutical semi synthesis"
2. Medicinal Plants
Are those plants, rich in secondary
metabolites & are potential source
of drugs.
These secondary metabolites
include alkaloids, glycosides,
coumarins, flavonoids, steroids
3. What are medicinal plants?
A considerable number of definitions have
been proposed for the term 'medicinal
plant'. According
to the World Health Organization, "a
medicinal plant is any plant which, in one
or more of its
organs/parts, contains substances that can
be used for therapeutic purposes, or which
are precursors for
chemo-pharmaceutical semi synthesis".
4. Characteristics of Medicinal Plants
• Medicinal plants have many
characteristics when used as a
treatment, as follow:-
• Synergic medicine- The ingredients of
plants all interact simultaneously, so their
uses can complement or damage others
or neutralize their possible negative
effects.
AMLA
5. • Support of official medicine-
In the treatment of complex cases
like cancer diseases the components
of the plants proved to be very
effective.
• Preventive medicine- It has been proven that the
component of the plants also characterize by their
ability to prevent the appearance of some diseases.
This will help to reduce the
use of the chemical remedies
which will be used when the
disease is already present i.e.,
reduce the side effect of
synthetic treatment.
6. Important & scope of Medicinal Plants in India
• India is one of the few countries where almost all
the known medicinal plants can be cultivated in
some part of the country of the other. Among
the various plants is great demand in the country
& abroad are Opium poppy, tropane alkaloid
bearing plants saprogenic bearing Yam, Senna,
psyllium husk & seeds, cinchona & ipecac.
• The ancient India system of medicines (ISM) is
predominantly a plant based material medica
making use of most of our native plants.
7. • ISM offers most appropriate or first line
therapy against many diseases likes
Jaundice, bronchial asthma rheumatoid
arthritis diabetes etc.
• India has about 2000 species of medicinal
plants & a vast geographical area with high
production potential varied agro climatic
condition.
• India is already a major exporter of
medicinal plants. It is estimated that Rs 86
crores worth of raw materials & drugs from
medicinal plants are exported from India.
8. Document indigenous uses of
medicinal plants,
Certify raw material for quality
control,
Develop and improve the agro-
technology for valuable medicinal
plants,
Officially recognize and protect the
customary laws of indigenous
people,
9. Prepare a clear policy for granting
permits for cultivation within stipulated
time,
Conduct regular research and training
on better harvesting and processing
techniques,
Investigate various pathological agents
infecting medicinal plants,
Setup a community-based
management of medicinal plants
farming and marketing,
10. Analyze the market policies,
Monitor and evaluate the status
of medicinal plants with the
assistance of local communities,
Conserve the critical habitats of
rare medicinal plant species,
11. Use of Medicinal Plants
Seeds: Production and marketing of quality
seeds of high yielding varieties (seed companies).
Plant parts (leaf, bark, root, seed etc.)- Enterprises such
as large scale cultivation as an agro-industry, marketing
of dried plant parts (crude drugs) in national and
international markets, establishing market net works
can be started.
Grading of specific plant parts such as leaves of senna,
roots of ashwagandha/ safed musli/ long pepper etc.
This is the simplest but economically viable small
enterprise that can be established at farm level and can
add value to the harvested produce.
12. Plant drugs- This is an age old well known
industry manufacturing plant based drugs in
traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda,
Siddha, Homeopathy etc.
Nutraceuticals- This is a sun rise industry with a
large potential for small and medium enterprises.
Herbal pesticides- This enterprise has
enormous potential in future.
Herbal chocolates, sweets etc.- Sugar free
sweets, drinks etc are being marketed
internationally. Use of herbal extracts in
food products is not a new idea.