Plants-herbal wealth as a potential source of ayurvedic drugs

Abstract

Nearly 80 % of the global population still depends upon the herbal drugs for their health care. There has been an increase demand for the pharmaceutical products of Ayurveda in all over the world because of fact that the allopathic drugs have a side effect. In the present context the Ayurvedic system of medicine is widely accepted and practiced by peoples no only in India but also in the developed countries- such as Europe, USA, Japan, China, Canada etc. Plant based therapy are marked due to its low cost, easy availability based on generation to generation knowledge. However, over commercial exploitation of these plant products and frequent degradation of natural resources are reported to be major threats to medicinal plants in India. The aim of the present review is to understand the knowledge of plants used for Ayurvedic preparations in relation to their use as therapeutic agents, pharmacological properties, medicinal plants being imported; medicinal plant parts being exported, endangered medicinal plants and availability of medicinal plants in different bio-geographical zones of India so that the data and information of this review could be utilized in drawing strategies for rational and more scientific use of medicinal plants in a way that can be extended for future scientific investigation in different aspects. The development of this traditional Indian system of medicines with perspectives of safety, efficacy and quality will help not only to preserve this traditional heritage but also to rationalize the use of natural products in health care without side effects.