Traditional Medicine &

Herbal Technology

COUNTRY PAPER
(INDIA)

Dr. P. Pushpangadan, Director

National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow – 226 001
 Traditional Medicine
• The tradition of health management/ treating ailments
practiced by traditional communities or medicinal
practices prevalent before the emergence of modern
medicine (18th/19th century) are generally termed as
Traditional Medicine
• Traditional medicine has almost now dissappeared in
developing countries but still a living tradition in Third
World Nations.
• The biodiversity-rich Third World nations have an
associated medicinal knowledge systems using the
various medicinal plants of the region.
 Traditional Medicine in India
The Traditonal Medicine in India function through two
streams:

1. Folk stream: Comprising mostly the oral traditions practiced by

the rural villagers. The carriers of these traditons are millions of
housewives, thousands of traditional birth attendants, bone setters,
village practitioners skilled in acupressure, eye treatments,
treatment of snake bites, and traditional village physicians/herbal
healers, the ‘vaidyas’ or the tribal physicians. These streams of
inherited traditions are together known as ‘local health
traditions’(LHT). LHT represent an autonomous, community –
supported living tradition. It is still alive and runs parallel and the
great service the LHT render to the primary health care needs of
the indian rural mass often goes unnotied due to the dominance of
the western medicine
Traditional Medicine in India (Contd)

2. Classical stream –Organized systems

(1) This comprises of the codified and organized medicinal
wisdom with sophisticated theoretical foundations and
philosophical explanations expressed in several classical
texts like Charaka Samhita, Susrutha Samhita, Bhela
Samhita, and hundreds of other treatises (including some in
the regional language) covering all branches of medicine
and surgery. Systems like Ayurveda, Sidha, Unani, Amchi
or Tibetan are expressions of these classical streams.
 Local Health Traditions (LHT)

The folklore medicine or LHT is again at two levels:

Rural village based: This involves home remedies practiced at almost
every home, mostly by the mothers and grand mothers – to
specialized individuals, healers or family traditions treating single
or general ailment. This system is mostly oral in tradition except in
certain cases mostly in Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat where some
written tradition maintained through hand written transcripts in
local languages, some of which are now been available in printed
form. Such village folklore medicine or LHT involve the use of
about 5000 plant species with about 25,000 or more formulations
for treating a variety of human ailments.
Folk-medicine carriers of village-based health traditions in India

Traditional Carrier Subjects Nos.

Housewives and Home remedies, Food and Millions

elders nutrition

Traditional birth Normal deliveries 7 lakhs

attendants

Herbal healers Common ailments 3 lakhs

Bone-setters Orthopedics 60,000

Visha Vaidhyas (Snake,
Natural poisons 60,000
Scorpion, Dog)

Specialists *Nethra
*Skin
*Respiratory
*Dental
*Arthritis
*Mental Diseases
*Liver *1000 in each
*GIT area
*Wounds
*Fistula Piles

Source – Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT),

 Local Health Traditions (Contd.)
2. Tribal based: This is practiced by the tribal communities who inhabit in and
around the forests. This tradition is currently fast eroding due to the change
of life style of the tribal people. India has over 67.8 million tribal people
belonging to 550 communities of 227 ethnic groups as per the classification
made by anthropologists on linguistic basis. They inhabit in about 5000-
forested villages or lead a nomadic life in the forest. Each tribal community
has a distinct social and cultural identity of its own and speaks a common
dialect. There are about 116 different dialects and 227 subsidiary dialects
spoken by tribals in India. According to a recent study conducted by the
Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Govt. of India, under the “All
India Coordinated Project on Ethnobiology” (AICRPE- 1992-1998;
Pushpangadan 1994), over 10000 wild plants are reported to be used by
tribals for meeting their primary health care, food and material requirements
(Figure 1). About 8000 wild plant species are used by the Indian tribes for a
variety of medicinal purposes, which cover about 1,75,000 specific
preparations/applications (Pushpangadan 2002); of these 2000 species are
found to be new claims and worthy of scientific scrutiny.
 Indian System of Medicines
The promotive, preventive, corrective and curative approach in health care and
the medicinal plants possessing such properties are indeed the strength of the
Indian Systems of medicine (ISM). The ancient masters of Ayurveda and
Siddha had organized, codified and synthesized the medical wisdom with
sophisticated theoretical foundation and philosophical explanations. They
adopted the fundamental doctrines of “Darshana” philosophy, particularly the
‘Nyaya’, ‘Sankhya’ and ‘Vaiseshika’, which encompassed all sciences –
physical, chemical, biological and spiritual. While ‘Darshana’ philosophers
discussed and debated their theories, Ayurvedic masters put them to practical
test and applied them successfully to interpret the laws governing the material
objects of the universe and the dynamics of biological evolution. The modern
physicists and biologists are now demonstrating the precision and exactness of
many such cosmological theories and other rationale and hypothetical
assumptions intuitively discovered and developed by the ancient Indian sages.
It is quite logical to say that a serious and in-depth study and research on the
vast treasure - trove of Ayurvedic and Siddha systems of medicine, particularly
their theoretical bases and philosophical explanations may open up new
exciting avenues of knowledge in understanding diseases and health.
 Indian System of Medicines (Contd)

Rasayana
Rasayana (Rejuvenation Therapy) is a speciality of Ayurveda,
which mainly deals with the preservation and promotion of
health. It promotes longevity and prevents or delays the aging
process. Rasayana promotes rsistance against infections and
other causative factors for the disease by maintaining the
equilibrium of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The Rasayana, if
administered at an early age, also helps the body metabolism in
such a way that he genetic predisposition for a particular disease
is avoided and the intensity of the symptoms of a particular
disease is greatly reduced.
 Indian System of Medicines (Contd)
Panchakarma
Panchakarma (Purification Therapy) deals mainly with the
removal of toxins and waste materials from the body to purify the
biological system from gross channels to eradicate the disease
completely. It is helpful in the prevention of disease and
preservation and promotion of health, as well as the management
of psychosomatic, neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular
and many other chronic, degenerative diseases and iatrogenic
conditions. Panchakaram plays a vital role in Ayurvedic
therapeutics and occupies an important place in the Ayurvedic
system of medicine. This five-fold purification theraphy, a
classical form of treatment in Ayurveda, includes Vamana
(emesis), Virechana (Purgation), Asthapana (Decoction enema),
Anuvasana (Oily enema) and Nasya (Nasal Insufflation).
 Indian System of Medicines (Contd)
Pizhichil
In this therapeutic measure, warm medicated oil is poured all over the body
followed by massage, in seven positions in a systematic manner for the
treatment of diseases of the nervous system like paralysis, sciatica,
osteoarthiritis, musculo-skeletal, neuro-muscular and degenerative diseases.
Pizhichil is very useful as a health restorative measure for elderly persons
when it is regularly used once a year or so. This treament cleanses the minute
channels in the body of morbid substances.
Shirobasti
This is an oil treatment applied to the head in which a leather belt is tied to ht
clean shaven scalp. The junction of scalp and leather beld is sealed with paste
prepared from wheatflour or black gram. Medicated oil is then poured into it
and kept for the stipulated time. This is recommended for headaches, myopial
conditions, insomnia, psychiatriac illnesses, epilepsy, hair fal, etc. It
improves the functioning of the sensory systems and removes exhaustion.
 Indian System of Medicines (Contd)
Shirodhara
This therapeutic measure is carried out by pouring oil or medicated
liquids on the forehead for treating headaches, vertigo, insomnia,
anxiety, etc. It is also useful in many psychosomatic disorders and
hypertension.
Ksharasutra
This Alkaline Thread threpy is a popular herbal treatment for ano-rectal
diseases likes fistula-in-Ano and haemorrhoids (piles) under the
speciality of Shalyatandra are prepared from plants like Arka and Snuhi
by using their milk or herbal alkaline material and typing a the site. The
advantage of this therapy is that the patients may remain mobile during
the treatment. It can also be carried out on patients for whom modern
surgery is contra-indicated.
THE AYURVEDIC THERAPEUTIC STRATEGY

1. Determine PRAKRUTI (Constitution) by -history taking

-Observations
2. NIDANA (Diagnosis)
• Nature, degree and extent of imbalance of Tridoshas. Library of
5800 clinical signs and symptoms in Ayurvedic texts
3. Chronobiology: Impact of season, time and environment on
Tridoshas.
4. SWASTHAVRUTA: Life style modification
5. AHARA: Dietary modifications
6. PANCHAKARMA: Purification of the body
7. AUSHADHI: "Designer Medicine" unique for the particular
patient prepared from a Pharmacopoeia utilising 1200 plants, 100
minerals and 100 animal products in numerous formulations.
TREATMENT OF ANIMALS IN AYURVEDA
Some Ancient Treatise
1. Agni Purana: treatment of cattle and horse
2. Garuna Purana: treatment of horse and elephants
3. Shalihotra Samhita: Treatment of diseases of horse
4. Matasya Purana: mentions older treatise by Pakapya
muni and Somaputra Budh for treating fishes
5. Shyama Shastra: Middle ages. Treatment of birds,
specially pigeons
Veterinary Physicians in Mahabharat
Dronacharya specially trained Nakula and Sahdev in
treatment of horses
Nakula is said to have authored a treatise on horses
Nala was an expert in treatment of horses and also called
Ashwavid
[Prachin Bharat Mein Vigyan aur Shilpa; S.N. Kapur, 1998]
MEDICAL EDUCATION & RESEARCH IN
INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINES
Hospitals & Dispensaries of ISM & Homeopathy in India
Hospitals 3004 with 60666 beds

Dispensaries 23028

Medical education facilities in India

System Colleges
Undergraduate Post graduate
Ayurveda 198 55
Unani 39 5
Siddha 2 2
Homeopathy 166 17
Total 405 77
Admission capacity 16845 821
 MEDICAL EDUCATION & RESEARCH IN
INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINES (Contd.)
Number of Ayurveda colleges – Statewise

No Name of State No. of College No. Name of State No. of College

.
1. Andhra Pradesh 4 12. Karnataka 47
2. Assam 1 13. Kerala 5
3. Bihar 12 14. Madhya Pradesh 9
4. Chhattisgarh 1 15. Maharashtra 57
5. Delhi 1 16. Orissa 6
6. Goa 1 17. Punjab 11
7. Gujarat 10 18. Rajasthan 4
8. Haryana 5 19. Tamil Nadu 4
9. Himachal 1 20. Uttaranchal 3
Pradesh
10. Jammu-Kashmir 1 21. Uttar Pradesh 12
11. Jharkhand 1 22 West Bengal 2
TOTAL 198
MEDICAL EDUCATION & RESEARCH IN
INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINES (Contd.)
Registered practitioners of ISM & Homeopathy in India

Ayurveda 427504
Unani 42445
Siddha 16599
Naturopathy 429
Homeopathy 194147
Total 681124

Acts administered in the ISM Sector

1. Central Council of Medicine Act of 1973

2. Central Council of Homeopathy Act 1973
3. Drugs & Cosmetics Act of 1940 and the rules there under
4. Medicinal & Toilet Preparation Act & Rules 1995-96.
 MEDICAL EDUCATION & RESEARCH IN INDIAN SYSTEM OF
MEDICINES (Contd.)

Statutory Regulatory Bodies for ISM under Government of India

Central Council of Indian Medicine

Central Council of Homeopathy
(for regulating standards of Medical Education and registering practitioners)
Drug Technical Advisory Board (ASUDTAB) for advising on all aspects related to drug
standardization and quality control of Indian Systems of Medicine

Research Councils under Central Government

Engaged in clinical research activities on drugs of Indian Systems, survey on Medicinal

Plants, drug standardization, tribal and family welfare research carried out through units
setup in different parts of the country
Central Council for Research in Ayurveda & Siddha 36 units
Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine 32 units
Central Council for Research in Homeopathy 52 units
Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy
MEDICAL EDUCATION & RESEARCH IN INDIAN SYSTEM OF
MEDICINES (Contd.)
National Institutes set up by Department of
Indian Systems of Medicine & Homeopathy, Government of India

For producing graduates and post-graduates of high quality for conducting

research and to provide quality medical care

National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur

National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore (under establishment)
National Institute of Homeopathy, Calcutta
National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune
Moraji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi
National Institute of Siddha, Chennai (under establishment)
Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, New Delhi
Pharmacopoeial Laboratory for Indian Medicine
Ghaziabad Pharmacopoeia Laboratory, Ghaziabad
PROBLEMS FACED BY THE TRADITIONAL
INDIAN SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE
The role of herbal medicine in effectively meeting the primary health care
needs of the rural people, particularly of the Third World countries is now
well appreciated. This has led to the widespread interest in placing herbal
medicine in a appropriate scientific framework, by assessing their safety,
efficacy and quality, according to modern standards. WHO guidelines for
assessment of herbals address the following:
• Pharmaceutical assessment (crude plant material, plant preparations,
finished products, stability).
• Safety assessment (toxicological studies, documentation of safety based
on experience).
• Assessment of efficacy and intended use (pharmacological activity,
evidence required to support indication).
• Product information to consumers.
• Marketing
Flowering plants used in Traditional Systems of
Medicine in India

2 3
1

4
5

Modern Medicine 30 spp. Siddha 800 spp.

Amchi 300 spp. Ayurveda 900 spp.

Unani 700 spp.

Examples of some important plant derived drugs
Compound Plant Species
Acetyl digoxin Digitalis lanata
Ajmalicine Catharanthus roseus, Rauwolfia sp.
Ajmmaline Rauvolfia serpentina
Andrographolide Andrographis paniculata
Artemissine Artemisia annua
Asiaticoside Centella asiatica
Berberine Berberis spp.
Caffeine Camellia sinensis
Caffeine Camellia sinensis
Cocaine Erythroxylum cocoa
Codeine Papaver spp.
Codiene Papaver somniferum
Colchicine Colchicum autumnale, Gloriosa superba
Curcumin Curcuma longa
Digitoxin, Digoxin, Digitoxigenin Digitalis spp.
Emetine Cephaelis ipecacuanha
Ephedrine Ephedra gerardiana
Ergometrine, Ergotamine, Ergotoxin Claviceps purpurea on Rye plants
Glycyrrhizin, Glycyrrhizinic acid Glycyrrhiza glabra
Hesperidin Citrus spp. Mentha spp.
Contd..
 Examples of some important plant derived drugs (Contd..)
Hyoscine Duboisia spp.
Hyoscyamine Datura spp, Hyscyamus spp.
L-Dopa Mucuna pruriens
Menthol Mentha spp.
Morphine Papaver spp.
Papain Carica papaya
Podophyliotoxin Podophyllum emodi
Quinine, Quinidine Cinchona spp.
Reserpine & Deserpidine Rauvolfia serpentina,
Rutin Eucalyptus spp, Fagopyrum spp, Sophora japonica
Scopolamin Datura sp.
Sennosides A&B Cassia angustifolia, C. acutifolia
Silymarin Silybum marianum
Strychnine Strychnos nux-vomica
Taxol Taxus baccata
Thymol Thymus vulgaris
Vinblastine, Vincristine Catharanthus roseus
Xanthotoxin Ammi majus, Heracleum candicans
Chemical Intermediates
Citral Lemon grass
Diosgenin Dioscorea spp. Costus spp.
Phytosterols (Stigmasterol & Sitosterol) Soya & Calabar Beans
Solasodine Solanum
Hypercin, Hyperforin Hypericum perforatum
 Institutions operating Central scheme for development of
Pharmacopoeial standards for ASU drugs by ISM, Govt. of India
1. Agarkar Research Institute. Pune
• A. K. Tibbiya College, Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh
• B. H. U. Varanasi (CCRAS Unit)
• B. V. Patel Pharmaceutical Education & Research
development Centre, Thalteji, Ahmedabad
• Capt. Srinivasmurthi Drug. Res. Instt. For Ayurveda,
(CCRAS), Chennai
• CCRAS, New Delhi
• CCRUM, A. G. Colony, Hyderabad
• Central Instt. Of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, Lucknow
• College of Pharmacy, New Delhi
• Deptt. of Chemistry Univ. of Delhi
• Deptt. of Medical Elementology & Toxicology, Jamia
Hamdard, New Delhi
• Dr. Y. B. Tripathi, B.H.U. Varanasi
• Drug Standardisation Unit, Rishikul Ayurvedic College,
Hardwar
• Drug Testing lab. Joginder Nagar, Mandi (H. P.)
• Drugs Standardisation Res. Project, Gujrat Ayurved
University, Jamnagar
• Faculty of Pharmacy (CCRUM) Drug Standardisation
Unit Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
• Govt. Ayurvedic & Unani Pharmacy Nanded
• Indian Instt., of Chemical Technology (CSIR),
Hyderabad
• Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow
• Institute of Himalayan bio-resources technology,
Palampur (H. P).
• Institute of pharmaceutical sciences, Punjab Univ.,
Chandigarh
• National Botanical Research Institute Lucknow
• National Instt. of Pharmaceutical Education & Research,
Mohali
• Pharmacognosy Research Unit (CCRAS), University of
Calcutta
• Pharmacognosy Research Unit JNMPG&H, Pune
• Regional Research Instt. of Unani Medicine (CCRUM),
Aligarh
• Regional Research Instt. of Unani Medicine, Chennai
• Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Bhubaneshwar
• Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Jammu
• Shri Ayurveda Mahavidalaya Nagpur
• Tropical Botanical Garden & Research Instt. Trivandrum
• National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur
 Development of Standards of Medicinal Plants and
Preparation of Monographs
List of plants allocated to National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow
• Acorus calamus Linn.
• Albizia lebbeck Benth.
• Alpinia galanga (Linn.) Willd.
• Optis teeta
• Anogeissus latifolia Bedd
• Arnebia nobilis Reichb.
• Butea monospelma (Lamk.) Taub.
(syn.B.frondosa Roxb.)
• Cinnamoum tamala
• Coscinium fenestratum
• Allium cepa(syn.Psychotria
ipecacuanha Stokes )
• Crataeva magna (Lour) DC. (syn.
C.nurvala Buch.Ham)
• Curcuma amada Roxb.
• Dioscorea deltoidea Wall.
• Enicostemma hyssopifolium (Willd.)
Verdoran (syn.E.littorale Blume.)
• Euphorbia prostrata Linn.
• Euphorbia thymifolia Linn.
• Euphorbia tirucalli Linn.
• Ficus lacor Buch. -Ham.
• Gymnema sylvestre R.Br.
• Hemldesmus indicus R.Br.
• Jatropha glandulifera Roxb.
• Leucas cephalotes spreng.
• Mesua ferrea Linn.
• Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. ,
• Onosma bracteatum Wall.
• Operculina turpethum Linn.
• Pueraria tuberosa DC.
• Rubia cordifolia Linn.
• Streblus asper Lour.
• Trachyspermum ammi (Linn.)
• Trianthema portulacastrum Linn.
• Wedelia calendulacea Less.
 Development of Standards of Medicinal Plants and
Preparation of Monographs
List of plants allocated to National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education &
Research, Mohali, Punjab
 Abutilon indicum (Linn. ) Sweet 1. Hypericum perforatum Linn. lnula racemosa
 Asparagus adscendens Roxb. Hook. F .
 Asparagus racemosus Willd. 2. Lawsonia inermis Linn.
 Berberis aristata DC. 3. Momordica charantia Linn.
 Bergenia ligulata Engl. 4. Nigella sativa Linn.
 Caesalpinia bonducella (Linn.) Roxb. (syn. 5. Ocimum basilicum Linn.
C.cristata Lim1.) 6. Ocimum grasissimum Linn.
 Canscora decussata Schult. 7. Piper longum Linn.
 Catharanthus roseus G.Don. 8. Pluchea lanceolata Oliver & Hiem.
 Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker 9. Potentilla sundaica Kuntze
 Cissus quadrangularis (Linn. ) Schr . 10. Sida acuta Burm.
 Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.) Schr. 11. Sida rhombifolia Linn.
 Convolvulus pluricaulis Chois. 12. Syrnplocos racemosa Roxb.
 Cyperus rotundus Lim1. 13. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd) Miers ex hook f.
 Embelia ribes Burm.F. & Thorns.
 Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. 14. Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn.
 Hibisus rosa-sinensis Linn. 15. Tylophora indica Burm.f. & Merill
 Development of Standards of Medicinal Plants and
Preparation of Monographs
List of plants allocated to Tropical Botanical Garden & Research Institute,
Thiruvananthapuram
 Adhatoda beddomei C.B. Clarke 1. Melia azedarach Linn.
 Allium cepa Linn. 2. Murraya koenigii Spreng.
 Allium sativum Linn. 3. Musa paradisiaca L.
 Alstonia scholaris (Linn. ) R.Br. 4. Myristica fragrans Houtt.
 Argemone mexicana Linn. 5. Myristica malabarica Lam.
 Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk. (syn. 6. Oroxylum indicum Vent.
A.integra auct. non Merrill, A.integrifolia Hook. 7. Premna integrifolia Linn.
non Linn.)
8. Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.
 Azadirachta indica Juss.
9. Pterocarpus santalinus Linn.f.
 Cichorium intybus Linn.
10. Rhus parvif1ora Roxb.
 Cinnamomum camphora Nees ex Eberm
11. Santalum album Linn.
 Cinnamomum tamala Nees
12. Sesamum indicum Linn. (syn. S.orientale
 Cinnamomum zeylanicum Breyn. Linn.)
 Desmodium gangeticum DC. 13. Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.
 Elettaria cardamomum Maton 14. Syzygium cuminii (Linn.) Skeels.
 Gmelina arborea Linn. 15. Tecomella undulata (G.Don.) Seem
 Hedychium spicatum Linn. 16. Uraria picta Desv.
 Mallotus philippensis Muell.-Arg
 Development of Standards of Medicinal Plants and
Preparation of Monographs
List of plants allocated to B.V. Patel Pharmaceutical Education and Research
Development Centre, Ahmedabad
 Aristolochia indica Linn.
 Boswellia serrata Roxb.
 Calotropis gigantea (Linn. ) Dryand.
 Capparis decidua Edgew.
 Cassia angustifolia Vahl.
 Cassia fistula Linn.
 Cassia occidentalis Linn.
 Cinchona officinalis Linn.f.
 Cissampelos pareira Linn.
 Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon
 Commiphora myrrha (Nees)
Engl.syn.C.mukul Engl.
 Commiphora wightii Bhandari
 Holarrhena antidysenterica (Linn.) Wall.
 Leptadenia reticulata Linn.
 Marsdenia tenacissima Wight & Am. I
16. Moringa oleifera Lam.
(syn.M.pterygosperma Gaertn.)
 Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC (syn.M.prurita
Hook.)
 Phyllanthus maderaspatensis Linn.
 Plantago ovata Forsk.
 Plumbago indica Linn.
 Plumbago zeylanica Linn.
 Punica granatum Linn.
 Randia dumetorum Lam.
 Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.
 Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De Wilde
 Semecarpus anacardium Linn.f.
 Solanum indicum Linn.
 Solanum torvum Swartz.
 Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers.
 Terminalia arjuna Wight & Am.
 Terminalia bellerica Roxb
 Terminalia chebula Retz..
 Development of Standards of Medicinal Plants and
Preparation of Monographs
List of plants allocated to Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu
 Achillea millefolium Linn.
 Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf. Ex Holmes
 Aconitum heterophyllum Wall.
 Aesculus hippocastanum Linn.
 Ammi majus Linn. ,
 Anacyclus pyrethrum DC.
 Anethum sowa Kurz.
 Angelica archangelica Lilm.
 Angelica glauca Edgew.
 Apium graveolens Linn.
 Argyreia nervosa (Burm F .) Bojer svn.A.
speciosa Sweet
 Artemisia annua Linn.
 Cannabis sativa Linn.
 Carum carvi (Linn.) DC.
 Coptis teeta Wall.
 Costus speciosus (Koenig) Sm.
 Crocus sativus Linn.
 Cuminum cyminum Linn.
 Digitalis lanata Ehrh.
 Digitalis purpurea Linn.
 Ferula foetida Regel
 Ferula jaeschkeana Vatke
 Fumaria parviflora Lam.
 Gloriosa superba Linn.
 Mentha arvensis Linn.
 Podophyllum hexandrum Royle
 Psoralea corylifolia Linn.
 Saussurea lappa Spreng.
 Taxus baccata Linn.
 Valeriana Wallichi DC.
 Vetiveria zizanioides Linn.
 Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb.
 OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH ON AYURVEDIC DRUGS
 Improved formulations and reduced number of Ayurvedic drugs
 Use of GMP procedures and QC
 Certified shelf life and improved dosage form
 Validated indications and contraindications
 Deletion of obsolete or toxic formulations
 Use of Ayurvedic drugs in modern clinical practice
 Inclusion in essential list of drugs
 Adjunct to existing drugs
 Treatment of diseases where modern drugs not available or unsatisfactory
 Development of suitable formulations, standardized extracts or active
constituents
 IPR protection wherever feasible
 Inclusion in Pharmacopoeias.
 New indications for Ayurvedic drugs
 Development of new drugs for Ayurvedic practice
 Utilizing leads from other countries
 Study of unscreened flora, specially endemic or threatened species
 Studies on Ayurvedic drugs for veterinary use
YURVEDIC PROTOCOLS FOR DRUG EVALUATION

Yogyamapi Aoushdam Evam Pariksheta)

A. Pharmacognostical Study
1. Nama Name of the Drug
2. Rupam Botanical features
3. Desa jatam Habitat
4. Ritu grhitam Season of collection
5. Grhitam Species and part used
6. Nihitam Way of storage and prevention
Distribution of Medicinal Plants across the biogeographic zones/provinces of India
Sl.No. Bio-Geographic Zone Biogeographic Provinces Estimated No. of Med. Plant
spp.
1. Trans-Himalayan - 700
2. The Himalayan 2A- North-West Himalaya
2B- West Himalaya
2C- Central Himalaya 1,700
2D-East Himalaya
3. Desert 3A-Kutch
3B Thar 500
4. Semi-Arid 4A- Punjab
4B-Gujarat-Rajwar 1000
5. Western Ghats 5A-Malabar Coast
5B-Western Ghats 2000
6. Deccan Peninsula Mountains
6A-Deccan Plateau South
6B- Central Plateau
6C-Eastern Plateau
6D- Chhota Nagpur 3000
6E- Central High land
7. Gangetic Plain 7A- Upper Gangetic Plain
7-B Lower Gangetic Plain 1000
8. North-East India 8A-Brahmaputra Valley
8B-Assam Hills 2000
9. Islands 9 A - Andaman Islands
9 B - Nicobar Islands 1000
9 C - Lakshadweep Islands
10. Coasts 10-A West Coast 500

Source FRLHT, Bangalore

The 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Indian Medicinal plants

2. Aquilaria malaccensis  Pinus gerardiana

3. Butea monosperma var. lutea  Pterocarpus indicus
4. Chloroxylon swietenia  Pterocarpus santalinus
5. Commiphora wightii  Santalum album
6. Euodia lunuankenda  Saraca asoca
7. Hydnocarpus macrocarpa  Tabernaemontana gamblei
8. Mangifera indica  Tabernaemontana heyneana
9. Ochreinauclea missionis  Taxus wallichiana
 IUCN RED LIST CRITERIA
IUCN Red List criteria (1995) include the following:

Extinct (Ex): A taxon is Extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that its last individual has died.
Extinct in the Wild (EW): A taxon is Extinct in the wild when it is known only to survive in cultivation, in
captivity or as a naturalized population well outside the past range.
Critically Endangered (CR): A taxon is Critically Endangered when it is facing an extremely high risk of
extinction in the wild in the immediate future (80% decline in the last 10 years, 100km2 of area of occupancy or 10
sq. km in fragmented area: estimated 250 mature individuals or subpopulation of not more than 50 individuals).
Endangered (EN): A taxon is Endangered when it is not Critical, but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the
wild in the near future (50% decline in the last 10 years; estimated <5000 km2 of area of occupancy or 500 km2 in
fragmented areas; estimated 2500 individuals or subpopulation of 250 mature individuals.
Vulnerable (VU): A taxon is vulnerable when it is not Critical or Endangered but is facing a very high risk of
extinction in the wild, in the medium term future. (50% decline in the last 20 years; estimated <20000 km2 of
occupancy or <2000 km2 in fragmented population, estimated 10,000 individuals or subpopulation of 1000 mature
individuals).
Conservation Dependent (CD): A taxon is under taxon-specific or habitat specific conservation programme which
directly affects the taxon in question. The cessation of this program would result in the taxon qualifying for one of
the threatened categories.
Data Deficient (DD): A taxon is data deficient when there is inadequate information to make a direct or indirect
assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status.
Low Risk (LR): A taxon is Low Risk when it has been evaluated and does not qualify for any of the categories,
Critically Endangered, Endangered Vulnerable, Conservation Dependent or Data Deficient.
Not Evaluated (NE): A taxon is Not Evaluated when it has not yet been assessed against the criteria.
Source: IUCN 1995, IUCN Red List Categories, Prepared by species Survival Commission, Gland, Switzerland.
 Development of Standards of Medicinal Plants and
Preparation of Monographs
Species Name No. of Accessions Species Name No.of Accessions

Achillea spp. 17 Solanum spp. 17

Andrographis paniculata 20 Tagetes spp. 56
Cassia spp. 22 Trichosanthes spp. 11
Catharanthus roseus 11 Trigonella foenum-graecum 37
Datura spp. 26 Withania somnifera 19
Digitalis spp. 16 Aconitum balfourii 1
Matricaria spp. 11 Costus speciosus 1
Mucuna spp. 117 Eremostachys superba 1
Ocimum spp. 187 Picrorhiza kurrooa 1
Papaver somniferum 288 Rheum australe 3
Plantago spp. 19 Saussurea costus 4
Psoralea corylifolia 50 Misc.Medicinal & Aromatic Plants 307
Salvia spp. 11 Total 1253
Germplasm status of field gene bank at NRCM & AP

Sl. Plants No. of accession

No.
1. Aloe spp. (Aloe) 53

2. Asparagus spp. (Satavari.) 50

3. Cassia angustifolia (Sannsa) 5

4. Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed musli) 56

5. Commiphora wightii (Guggal) 67

6. Ocimum spp. (Tulsi) 41

7. Plantago ovata (Isabgol) 12

8. Phyllanthus spp. (Bhui amla) 12

9. Tinospora cordifolia (Gilo) 38

10. Tribulus terrestris (Gokhru) 6

11. Withania somnifera (Aswagandha) 11

Total 351
 Improved varieties of medicinal plants developed in India by various institutions

Sl. No. Variety/Cultivar Crop(Plant species) Institute where developed Parts used
1. Jawahar Isabgol Plantago ovata JNKVV, Jabalpur Seeds, husk
2. Gujarat Isabgol-1 “ “ GAU-RC, Mehsana “ “
3. G.I.-2 “ “ “ “ “ “
4. Niharika “ “ CIMAP, Lucknow “ “
5. Sona Cassia angustifolia “ “ Leaves, pods
6. ALFT-2 “ “ GAU, Anand “ “
7. Shweta Papaver CIMAP, Lucknow Latex, seeds
8. Shyama somniferum
“ “ “ “ “ “
9. Sampada “ “ “ “ “ “
10. Sanchita “ “ “ “ Straw “
11. Shubhra “ “ “ “ “ “
12. Sujata “ “ “ “ Seeds
13. Kirtiman “ “ NDUAT, Faizabad Latex, seeds
14. Trishna “ “ NBPGR, New Delhi “ “
15. Rajhans “ “ RAU, Udaipur “ “
16. NBRI-3 “ “ NBRI, Lucknow “ “
17. Jawahar Afim-16 “ “ JNKVV, Mandsaur “ “
18. Udaipur opium “ “ RU, Udaipur “ “
19. Aela Hyoscyamus niger CIMAP, Lucknow Biomass
20. Aekla “ “ “ “ “
21. IC-66 “ “ NBPGR, New Delhi “
22. NP-41 H. muticus CIMAP, Lucknow “
Contd…
 Improved varieties of medicinal plants developed in India by various institutions (Contd.)

Sl. No. Variety/Cultivar Crop (Plant species) Institute where developed Parts used
23. HMT-1 “ “ “ “ “
24. Hansa Chysanthemum “ “ Flowers
25. Jhelum cinerariefolium
“ “ “ “ “
26. Nirmal Catharanthus roseus “ “ Roots, leaves
27. Dhawal “ “ “ “ “ “
28. Asha Artemisia annua “ “ Biomass
29. S-3 Dioscorea floribunda “ “ Rhizome
30. S-2-58 D. composita NBPGR, New Delhi “
31. FB (C) – I D. floribunda IIHR, Bangalore “
32. Arka-Upkar “ “ “ “ “
33. RS-1 Rauvolfia serpentina JNKVV, Indore “
34. Jawahar Asgandh Withania somnifera JNKVV, Mandsaur Roots
35. Poshita “ “ CIMAP, Lucknow “
36. RRL (Purple) Datura metel RRL, Jammu Biomass
37. RRL (Green) “ “ “ “ “
38. SL-831 Asparagus officinalis “ “ Spears
39. RRL-20-2 Solanum khasianum “ “ Biomass berries
40. RRL-SL-6 “ “ “ “ “
41. Glaxo S. viarum Glaxo, India Berries
42. IIHR 2n-11 “ “ IIHR, Bangalore “
43. Arka-Sanjivani “ “ “ “ “
44. Arka-Mahima “ “ “ “ “
45. EC-113465 S. lanciniatum YSPHU, Solan “

Source: Sharma, J.R. (2001)

 Table 22. Improved Varieties of Medicinal Plants Developed by ICAR and SAUs

Sl. Crop Variety Developed by Year of

No. Release

1 Cassia angustifolia (Senna) Anand Late Selection Anand 1989

2 Digitalis lanata (Foxglove) D. 76 Solan 1991

Glaucium flavum (Yellow Horned
3 H47-3 Solan 1991
Poppy)
4 Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice) Haryana Mulhatti-1 Hisar 1989
Hyoscyamus muticus (Egyptian
5 HMI-80-1 Indore -
Henbane)
6 Lepidium sativum (Cress) Anand 1998
Papaver somniferum (Opium
7 Jawahar Opium 539 Mandsur 1997
Poppy)
Papaver somniferum (Opium
8 Jawahar Opium 540 Mandsur 1998
Poppy)
Papaver somniferum (Opium
9 Chetak Aphim Udaipur 1994
Poppy)
Papaver somniferum (Opium
10 Trisna Delhi -
Poppy)
11 Piper longum (Long Pepper) Viswam Trichur 1996
12 Plantago ovata (Isabgol) Haryana Isabgol-5 Hisar 1989
13 Plantago ovata (Isabgol) Jawahar Isabgol-4 Mandsur 1996
14 Solanum laciniatum NH 88-12 Solan 1991
15 Jawahar Asgand-20 Mandsur 1989
Withania somnifera (Aswagandha)
16 Withania somnifera (Aswagandha) Jawahar Asgand-134 Mandsur 1998