Medicinal Plants of Rural India: A Review of Use by Indian Folks

Mohd Mazid, Taqi Khan, Firoz Mohammad
2012 Indo Global Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences   unpublished
Historically plants have played an important role in medicine. Through observation and experimentation, human beings have learnt that plants promote health and well-being. The use of these herbal remedies is not only cost effective but also safe and almost free from serious side effects. The village elders, farmers and tribal have tremendous knowledge about for health reasons started thousands of years ago and is still part of medical practices by folks of various regions of Indian
more » ... s as well as several other countries including China middle East, Africa Egypt, South America and other developing countries of world. This review article shade a small beam of light on conservational strategies of medicinal plants as well as their marketing price in past and near future scenario. The world 'Environment' has originated from French word "environ". It means surroundings. It includes each and everything outside the plant, which influences directly or indirectly the life of the plant. This is an integral part of the earth's ecosystem. Each component of the environment is called environmental factor. Plants grow best within certain ranges of various factors includes temperature, soil moisture, soil nutrients, light, air pollutants, humidity, soil structure and pH. Although these factors affect all plants are frequently grown or kept in cultural particles (fertilization, irrigation, spraying with pesticides) that may affect their growth considerably. According to the WHO,over 80% of the world's population relies on traditional forms of medicine,largely plant based to meet primary health care needs.In India,the collection and processing of medicinal plants and plant products contributes a major part each year to the national economy,as a source of both full and part time employment 1. Micro-studies suggest that alarge number of those employed are women.In recognition of the significance of the sub-sectorand the fact it is largely undocumented,the World Bank and the IDRC Medicinal plants Network(IMPN) agreed to produce this state of the art report on the medicinal plants sector in India.The report suggests that despite a wealth of resources (biological,human and financial being available,the lack of a coordinated approach which considers sustainable and equitable development to be short as well as long term goals for the sub sector) has resulted in the simultaneous under utilization and overexploitation of the valuable plant resource.It is hoped that the this review will be a step towards achieving such a coordinated effort.In addition,to identifying information gaps and research priorities,it outlines a set of INDO GLOBAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
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