The document provides an overview of the traditional Indian medicinal system, particularly Ayurveda, which emphasizes holistic health through diet and herbal remedies. It discusses the historical context of Indian medicinal practices, current challenges, and the growing global interest in traditional medicine. Additionally, it highlights various medicinal plants and their uses, underscoring the relevance of Ayurveda in modern health care, especially in the context of combating diseases such as COVID-19.

1. Introduction of Medicinal Plants
Dr. Nisha Choudhari
Department of Botany
PCCCS,Chinchwad,Pune.

2. INTRODUCTION:
• India is known for its traditional medicinal systems—Ayurveda, Siddha, and
Unani.
• Medical systems are found mentioned even in the ancient Vedas and other
scriptures.
• The Ayurvedic concept appeared and developed between 2500 and 500 BC in
India.
• The literal meaning of Ayurveda is “science of life,” because ancient Indian
system of health care focused on views of man and his illness.
• Ayurveda is also called the “science of longevity” because it offers a complete
system to live a long healthy life. It offers programs to rejuvenate the body
through diet and nutrition.
• However, one should be aware that Ayurvedic nutrition is not a “magic bullet”
system but requires the full participation of the patient to succeed.
• Food is the major source for serving the nutritional needs.

3. • There has been increased global interest in traditional medicine. Efforts to monitor and
regulate traditional herbal medicine are underway. Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine,
remains the most ancient yet living traditions.
• Although India has been successful in promoting its therapies with more research and
science-based approach, it still needs more extensive research and evidence base.
• Increased side effects, lack of curative treatment for several chronic diseases, high cost of new
drugs, microbial resistance and emerging, diseases are some reasons for renewed public
interest in complementary and alternative medicines.
• Numerous nutraceutical combinations have entered the international market through
exploration of ethnopharmacological claims made by different traditional practices. This
review gives an overview of the Ayurvedic system of medicine and its role in translational
medicine in order to overcome malnutrition and related disorders.

4. 1997
1998 1999 2000
Combination herbs
b
1 659 1 762 1 740 1 821
Ginkgo biloba 227 300 298 248
Echinacea
c
203 208 214 210
Garlic (Allium sativum) 216 198 176 174
Ginseng
d
228 217 192 173
St John's wort (Hypericum
perforatum)
100 308 233 170
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) 86 105 117 131
Soy (soya) NA NA 36 61
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) 30 41 57 58
Kava-kava 22 44 70 53
Total herbal supplements NA NA 4 070 4 130
Ten top-selling herbs in the USA, 1997–2000 (in millions of US $)

5. HISTORY OF INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS:
• Therapeutic knowledge of Indian traditional medicine has propelled various traditional
approaches with similar or different theories and methodologies, which are of regional
significance.
• After independence, in 1951, planning commission took birth. Much later, in 1995, a different
department called Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) was
molded. The acronym, AYUSH, which stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani,
Siddha, and Homoeopathy was the new name of ISM&H in 2003 as a detached Department
under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Due to mastery of current pharmaceuticals notwithstanding open confidence and trust, Indian
traditional medicines are in inimical hindrances. A need has developed to join the entire whole
traditional medicinal system and systematize it with an extremely strong optimistic approach in
spreading our own medical tradition is the need of great importance.
• Consequently, phytochemical and biochemical research with a continuous endeavor for the
revival and spreading of Indian medical inheritance for the welfare of the society at large is
needed.

6. INDIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE:
Ayurveda is a medical system primarily practised in India that has been known for nearly 5000 years. It includes
diet and herbal remedies, while emphasizing the body, mind and spirit in disease prevention and treatment.
Many cases in India were reported to show that COVID-19 is a condition where focused Ayurvedic treatment, if
given, may prevent the deterioration of the disease into a more critical condition.
The symptoms shown in patients given AYURVEDIC TREATMENT were not mild. However, they didn’t become
critically ill owing to Ayurvedic intervention and regulated diet.
India is in a position to use the wealth of knowledge available in the Indian Systems of Medicine, to cure this disease
and control the pandemic. This is also an invaluable opportunity for demonstrating the efficacy of Ayurveda
medicinal plants.
The huge number of Indian flora having utmost medicinal properties which were used in Ayurveda as a preventive
measures-
the plant list and their uses are mentioned here:

7. List of Indian medicinal plants and their medicinal properties:
Name of Plant Medicinal Properties-Uses
Boeravia diffusa (punarnava) Antifibrinolytic agent, rich in potassium
Saraca indica (Ashok) uterine tonic and has been indicated in menstrual irregularities ESP
in DUB.
Rubia cordifolia (Manjishta) Preventing and healing cancer, stroke, varicose vains, vertigo
Zingiber officinale (ginger) anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) boost immunity, memory power, strength, and intelligence.
Piper nigrum (Black pepper) absorb nutrients contained in the food and aid the digestive
process.
Garcinia cambogia (kokam) vitamin C and used as a heart tonic.
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Jeshtamadh) an antioxidant, cancer , gastrointestinal health.
Piper longum (Pippali) a powerful stimulant for both the digestive and the respiratory
systems
Terminalia chebula (Haritaki) effective purgative, expectorant, and tonic. strong antimutagenic
activity.

8. Morphology of medicinal plants :

9. Scientific Classification of Rubia:
Kingdom : Plantae
Class : Dicotyledoneae
Subclass : Sympetalae
Order : Rubiales
Family : Rubiaceae
Genus : Rubia
Species : cordifolia
Taxonomy

10. Peeled ginger (Zingiber officinale):
 The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
properties of ginger are often
suggested in Ayurvedic studies.
 This herb stimulates metabolism and
helps to boost immunity.

11. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri):
• Giloy and Brahmi are one of the oldest and most effective
herbs that can be incorporated into daily regime to boost
immunity, memory power, strength, and intelligence.
• It offers more than just one benefit and can be even be
consumed in a fluid form.
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus):
• A potent Ayurvedic rejuvenative. It supplies many female
hormones and mostly recommended for those women who
have hysterectomies (is the surgical removal of the uterus).
• It also helps to maintain urinary tract and strengthens the
immune system and also purifies the blood.

12. Guggul (Commiphora mukul ):
• A major ingredient in joint and immunocare and
regarded as a remedy in Ayurvedic medicine; it
increase white blood cell count to possess strong
immuno-modulating properties.
• It also protects against the common cold as well as
used in various other conditions like lower
cholesterol and triglycerides, while maintaining the
HDL to LDL ratio.
Piper nigrum L. Common name is Black pepper:
• The black pepper is one of the most important
spices which is widely used to amplify the body's
ability to absorb nutrients contained in the food
and aid the digestive process.

13. Garcinia cambogia common name- kokam:
• Fruits contain biologically active compounds
hydroxycitric acid, which is known to inhibit the
synthesis of lipids and fatty acids.
• HCA inhibits the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase that leads to
reduce production of acetyl CoA, which is a key
substance in fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
• Therefore, formation of LDL and triglycerides is very
low. It also suppresses appetite by promoting synthesis
of glycogen.
• That way the brain gets signals of fullness and
satisfaction sooner.
• Garcinia contains significant amounts of vitamin C and
used as a heart tonic.

14. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Jeshtamadh:
It is a versatile medicine in India and China, for
gastrointestinal health.
It is a mild laxative, soothes and tones the mucous
membranes, and relieves muscle spasms.
It is an antioxidant, cancer protecting, botanical
boosting, and certain immune functions such as
interferon production (a protein released by animal
cells, usually in response to the entry of a virus,
which has the property of inhibiting virus
replication).
Its mode of action is as an antimutagen, preventing
damage to genetic material that can eventually
result in cancer.

15. Piper longum L. Pippali, Indian Long Pepper
Pippali is a powerful stimulant for both the digestive and the respiratory
systems and has a rejuvenating effect on lungs.
It plays an important role in release of metabolic heat energy.
This effect is the result of increased thyroid hormone level in the body.
Pippali a typical Ayurvedic complementary component whose benefit is
to increase the bioavailability and enhance absorption of the other
active ingredients.
Terminalia chebula Retz. Common name- Hirda:
Haritaki is a safe and effective purgative, expectorant, and tonic.
It is an important ingredient of the classical Ayurvedic formulation
“Triphala” which has a combination of three fruits.
Tiphalpha is an important Ayurvedic medicine, which promotes health
through successive steps of purification and detoxification.
It is known to have strong antimutagenic activity, because of its very
rich content vitamin C.