Herbal Medicines-An Introductory Idea.pdf

Traditional medicine and Herbal medicines are the call of the time in the context of sustainable health for all. This presentation intends to explore the basic introductory idea of herbal medicine with special references to medicinal plants and their cultivation, harvesting, storage, preservation and marketing. It also emphasises the need for herbal medicine in the present context of health practices.

1. HERBALMEDICINES: HISTORYANDSCOPE-DEFINITIONOFMEDICAL
TERMS-ROLEOFMEDICINALPLANTSINSIDDHASYSTEMSOF
MEDICINE; CULTIVATION-HARVESTING-PROCESSING-STORAGE-
MARKETING ANDUTILIZATIONOFMEDICINALPLANTS
A Presentation by
Dr. Nandadulal Sannigrahi,
Associate Professor of Botany,
Nistarini College, Purulia,
D. B. Road, Purulia (W.B)
723101, India

2. HERBAL MEDICINES
Traditionalmedicineis“theknowledge,skillsandpracticesbasedonthe
theories,beliefsandexperiencesindigenoustodifferentcultures,usedinthe
maintenanceofhealthandintheprevention,diagnosis,improvementor
treatmentofphysicalandmentalillness”
Therearemanydifferentsystemsoftraditionalmedicine,andthe
philosophyandpracticesofeachareinfluencedbytheprevailing
conditions,environment,andgeographicareawithinwhichitfirstevolved
(WHO2005),however,acommonphilosophyisaholisticapproachtolife,
equilibriumofthemind,body,andtheenvironment,andanemphasison
healthratherthanondisease.
Generally,thefocusisontheoverallconditionoftheindividual,ratherthan
ontheparticularailmentordiseasefromwhichthepatientissuffering,and
theuseofherbsisacorepartofallsystemsoftraditionalmedicine

3. HERBAL MEDICINES -OCIMUMSP.

4. HISTORY AND SCOPE
HerbalismtalksaboutPhytomedicinesforphytotherapywhichisthecallof
timeforsustainablehealthinthecontextofthesideeffectsoftheongoing
antibioticsandsteroidbasedmedicinesystem.Thelong,existingsystem
bearsasoundheritagesincethetimeimmemorialandthehistorycanbe
summarizedwiththefollowingmilestones.
About60000yearsbackinthePaleolithicage,theuseofplantsforthe
ailmentsstarted,
About5000yearsback,theSumeriancivilizationrecordedtheuseof
medicinalplantsfordiseasesandcurebasapartoftheirhealthpractices.
Inthe1`5
th
century,DeMateriaMedica,Byzantium”–the1
st
bookofits
kindrecordedtheuseofherbsforthecuringthediseasesalongwithplants
descriptionandillustration,
Thebookprovidestheknowhowabouttonic,tinctureandhallucinatory
agentsforthesame,
DuringShangDynastyofChina,about1600-1046B.C.224plantsand
theiruseshavebeenrecorded.

5. HISTORY AND SCOPE
From40-90A.C.theGreekphysician,PedianiusDioscordiespublished5
volumesofthebook‘DeMateriaMedica’forhisappetitetoexplorethe
herbalmedicines,
InIndia,thehistoryoftraditionalmedicinesanditshealth-carerecordgoes
backto5000yearsBCE,whenhealth-careneedsanddiseaseswerenotedin
ancientliteraturesuchas“Rig-Veda”(1700–1100BCE),“Yajur-veda”
(1400–1000BCE),and“AtharvaVeda”(1200BCE),
TheAyurvedaConceptinIndiaappearedanddevelopedinbetween2500-
500B.C.
Ayurveda’meansthescienceoflifeformetabolicallywellbalancedhuman
beings,
Thetwoepics,theRamayanaandtheMahabharataartethetreasureof
knowledgeofplantsintheIndianperspective.
Thedifferentcavepaintingsandtheremainsofdynastiesspeakaboutthe
richheritageofIndiansubcontinent.

6. HISTORY AND SCOPE
Itcanhelptoreducesideeffects.Herbalmedicineisanaturalentitysoour
bodiescanrespondtoitpositivelytoaparticulartypeofdiseasesby
particularplantsorthemixtureofplantsextract.
Itcanhelpwithself-healing.Prescriptiondrugsusuallyjustmasktheissue
orputabandaidoverit.
Zerosideeffectscanencouragetouseherbalsassafeandacceptable,
Reasonablycosteffectiveforconsumptionbythepoorandmiddleclass
familyincludingotherfinancialgroups.
Veryoftentheuseofherbalswithantibioticscanminimizethesideeffects.
Theantibiotics,RifamycinusedinTBismixedwithPiperinecanreducethe
strongsideeffectsofthishazards.
HerbalindustrycanofferhugeforeignexchangeandinIndia,itismore
than200000millionsrupeesforthelastdecadeofthis21
st
century.
Itcanbeusedasfoodsupplements,externalusesalongwitharomatherapy.
Canhelpimprovetheoverallhealth.
Canaccesseasilyespeciallythepeoplebelongtotheruralareas.

7. HISTORY AND SCOPE

8. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
HEALTH-Healthisastateofphysical,mentalandsocialwellbeingnot
merelytheabsenceofdiseaseorinfirmity’(WHO).
PATHOGEN-Theorganismthatgeneratesadisease.
PATHOGENCITY -Theefficiencyofpathogentoproduceadisease.
INFECTION-Theestablishmentofparasiteinsidethehosttoproducethe
symptom,
SYMPTOM-Themanifestationofthediseaseiscalledsymptom
comprisessomeofthedysfunctioningorimbalanceofbodyparts.
SYNDROME-Whenanumberofsymptomsarethereintheconnectionof
aparticulardisease.
PARASITES-Theorganismthatgrowinsidethehost,maybeobligateor
Facultative
INOCULUM-Theportionofthepathogenresponsibleforinfectionis
calledinoculums.
SUSCEPTIBILITY-Thehostsuitableforattackbythepathogen,
IMMUNITY-Toresisttheinfectionbythehost.

9. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
INCUBATION PERIOD-Theintervaloftimebetweeninfectionand
symptomexpressioniscalledincubationperiod.
DISEASECYCLE-Lifecycleofpathogenincludingseriesofevents,
startingfromtimeofinfectiontodiseaseexpression.
INFECTIOUSDISEASE-Thetransmissiblecausalorganismorparticle
likevirus.
ANTIBIOTICS-The chemicals extracted from microbes and act upon the
microbes,
VACCINATION-Vaccinationisasimple,safe,andeffectivewayof
protectingyouagainstharmfuldiseases,beforeyoucomeintocontactwith
them.Itusesyourbody'snaturaldefensestobuildresistancetospecific
infectionsandmakesyourimmunesystemstronger.
STEROIDS-Steroidsareaman-madeversionofhormonesnormally
producedbytheadrenalglandswhichare2smallglandsfoundabovethe
kidneys.Steroidsreducerednessandswelling(inflammation).

10. DEFINITION OF MEDICAL TERMS
ABSCESS-Duetodepositionofpusandabscessescanformalmost
anywhereinoronyourbody.Whenyougetaninfection,yourbody's
immunesystemkicksintoactiontotrytofightit.Whitebloodcellstravelto
theinfectedareaandbuildupwithinthedamagedtissue.
AMOEBIOSIS-DuetoinfectionofEntamoebahistolytica,thefecalmatter
maycontainblood,mucuscontainingaccompaniedwithintestinalpainis
treatedasamoebiosis.
ASTHMA-Arespiratorytroubleduetoimmunityissueaccompaniedwith
breathingtrouble.
ARTHRITIS-Arthritisisadiseasethatcausesdamageinyourjoints.Joints
areplacesinyourbodywheretwobonesmeet.Somejointsnaturallywear
downasyouage.Lotsofpeopledeveloparthritisafterthatnormal,lifelong
wearandtear.Sometypesofarthritishappenafterinjuriesthatdamagea
joint.
ALZEHEIMER-Akindofbraindiseasecausedduetoprogressivedisease
beginningwithmildmemorylossandpossiblyleadingtolossoftheability
tocarryonaconversationandrespondtotheenvironment.Alzheimer's
diseaseinvolvespartsofthebrainthatcontrolthought,memory,and
languagelossofmemory

11. DEFINITION OF MEDICAL TERMS
ACNE-Acneisacommonskinconditionthathappenswhenhairfollicles
undertheskinbecomeclogged.Sebumoilthathelpskeepskinfromdrying
outanddeadskincellsplugthepores,whichleadstooutbreaksoflesions,
commonlycalledpimplesorzits.
ALLERGY-Allergieshappenwhentheimmunesystemreactstoaforeign
substancethatgetsinsidethebody.Thesesubstancesareknownas
allergens.Theyincludepollen,beevenomandpetdander.Allergiesalsocan
happenduetocertainfoodsandmedicinesthatdon'tcausereactionsinmost
people.
ANXIETY-Anxietyisafeelingoffear,dread,anduneasiness.Itmight
causeyoutosweat,feelrestlessandtense,andhavearapidheartbeat.Itcan
beanormalreactiontostress.Forexample,youmightfeelanxiouswhen
facedwithadifficultproblematwork,beforetakingatest,orbefore
makinganimportantdecision.
SEPSIS-Sepsisisaseriousconditioninwhichthebodyresponds
improperlytoaninfection.Theinfection-fightingprocessesturnonthe
body,causingtheorganstoworkpoorly.Sepsismayprogresstoseptic
shock.Thisisadramaticdropinbloodpressurethatcandamagethelungs,
kidneys,liverandotherorgans

12. INTERNAL ORGANS OF HUMAN BODY

13. DEFINITION OF MEDICAL TERMS
BRONCHITIS-Bronchitisiswhentheairwaysleadingtoyourlungs
(tracheaandbronchi)getinflamedandfillwithmucus.Yougetanagging
coughasyourbodytriestogetridofthemucus.Yourcoughcanlasttwoor
moreweeks.Acutebronchitisisusuallycausedbyavirusandgoesawayon
itsown.
CATARACT-Acataractisacloudyareainthelensofyoureye(theclear
partoftheeyethathelpstofocuslight).Cataractsareverycommonasyou
getolder.
CANCER-Uncontrolledofcellsofthedifferentcelllinescausingsevere
symptomsduetocarcinogensorotherissues.Itistreatedasthemasskiller
of21
st
century.
CELLULITIS-Potentiallyseriousbacterialskininfectionwherethe
affectedskinisswollenandsenseofinflammation.
CIRRHOSIS-Cirrhosisisaconditioninwhichyourliverisscarredand
permanentlydamaged.Scartissuereplaceshealthylivertissueandprevents
yourliverfromworkingnormally.Ascirrhosisgetsworse,yourliverbegins
tofailandbecomesincurable.

14. DEFINITION OF MEDICAL TERMS
CARDIACDISEASE-Duetohypertensionorothercongenitaleffectsof
heart,anumberofproblemsappeareitherbyrheumaticheartissues,valve
dysfunction,atherosclerosis,cardiacthrombosisetc.
CONJUNCTIVITIS-Akindofviraldiseasecausingtherollingofeyes,
enlargedeyes,irritationandotherproblemsforshortperiod.
DIABATES-Diabetesisachronicdiseasethatoccurseitherwhenthe
pancreasdoesnotproduceenoughinsulinorwhenthebodycannot
effectivelyusetheinsulinitproduces.Insulinisahormonethatregulates
bloodglucose.
DIARRHOEA-loose,wateryandpossiblymore-frequentpassageofstool
isacommonproblem.Sometimes,it'stheonlysymptomofacondition.At
othertimes,itmaybeassociatedwithothersymptoms,suchasnausea,
vomiting,abdominalpainorweightloss.
ECZEMA-Eczemaisaconditionthatcausesyourskintobecomedry,itchy
andbumpy.Thisconditionweakensyourskin'sbarrierfunction,whichis
responsibleforhelpingyourskinretainmoistureandprotectingyourbody
fromoutsideelements.Eczemaisatypeofdermatitis.

15. DEFINITION OF MEDICAL TERMS
EPILEPSY-Epilepsyisachronicbraindisorderinwhichgroupsofnerve
cells,orneurons,inthebrainsometimessendthewrongsignalsandcause
seizures.Neuronsnormallygenerateelectricalandchemicalsignalsthatact
onotherneurons,organs,andmusclestoproducehumanthoughts,feelings,
andactions.
GALLSTONE-Gallstonesarehardeneddepositsofdigestivefluidthatcan
forminyourgallbladder.Yourgallbladderisasmall,pear-shapedorganon
therightsideofyourabdomen,justbeneathyourliver.Thegallbladder
holdsadigestivefluidcalledbilethat'sreleasedintoyoursmallintestine.
GASTROENTRITIS -Gastroenteritisisaninflammationoftheliningof
thestomachandintestines.Themainsymptomsincludevomitingand
diarrhea.Itisusuallynotseriousinhealthypeople,butitcansometimes
leadtodehydrationorcauseseveresymptoms
HEPATITIS-Hepatitisisaninflammationoftheliverthatiscausedbya
varietyofinfectiousvirusesandnoninfectiousagentsleadingtoarangeof
healthproblems,someofwhichcanbefatal.
INSOMNIA-Insomniaisacommonsleepdisorder.Withinsomnia,you
mayhavetroublefallingasleep,stayingasleep,orgettinggoodquality
sleep.

16. DEFINITION OF MEDICAL TERMS
KIDNEYSTONE-Akidneystoneisahardobjectthatismadefrom
chemicalsintheurine.Therearefourtypesofkidneystones:calcium
oxalate,uricacid,struvite,andcystine.Akidneystonemaybetreatedwith
shockwavelithotripsy,uteroscopy,percutaneousnephrolithomyor
nephrolithotripsy.
MENINGITIS-Meningitisistheinflammationofthetissuessurrounding
thebrainandspinalcord.Itisusuallycausedbyinfection.Itcanbefatal
andrequiresimmediatemedicalcare.Meningitiscanbecausedbyseveral
speciesofbacteria,viruses,fungiandparasites.Mostinfectionscanbe
transmittedfrompersontoperson.
MISCARRIAGE-Amiscarriage(alsocalledaspontaneousabortion)isthe
unexpectedendingofapregnancyinthefirst20weeksofgestation.Just
becauseit'scalleda“miscarriage”doesn'tmeanyoudidsomethingwrong
incarryingthepregnancy.Mostmiscarriagesarebeyondyourcontroland
occurbecausethefetusstopsgrowing.

17. DEFINITION OF MEDICAL TERMS
OBESITY-Obesityiscommonlydefinedashavingtoomuchbodymass.A
BMIof30orhigheristheusualbenchmarkforobesityinadults.ABMIof
40orhigherisconsideredsevere(formerly“morbid”)obesity.
VARIOUSGYNECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS-Agynecologicaldisorder
isaconditionthataffectsthenormalfunctionoffemalereproductive
organs,includingthebreastsandorgansintheabdominalandpelvicarea,
namelythewomb(uterus),ovaries,fallopiantubes,vaginaandvulva.
Besidesthesehealthproblems,therearedifferentothertypesofdiseases
whichareclassifiedunderthedifferentcategorieslikephysicalor
physiologicalproblems,congenitalproblemsortheproblemsdueto
deficiencyofnutrients.
Mostofthegeneraldiseasesarecausedbyvirus,bacteria,fungiand
Protista.
Vaccination,differentstandardprotocolsoftreatmentsareusedforthesame
togetrelieffromthediseases.Surgeryisalsoconsidereddependingupon
theissues.

18. ROLE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN SIDDHA SYSTEMS OF
MEDICINE
Siddhamedicine,traditionalsystemofhealingthatoriginatedinSouthIndia
andisconsideredtobeoneofIndia'soldestsystemsofmedicine.The
Siddhasystemisbasedonacombinationofancientmedicinalpracticesand
spiritualdisciplinesaswellasalchemyandmysticism.
Siddhamedicineisdevelopedinpreayurvedicperiodwithcivilizationof
MohenzadaroandHarappaintheIndusrivervalleyaround10,000years
back.TheSiddhaSystemofMedicineisacontributionoftheDravidian
culture,whichisoneoftheoldestculturesinworld.Siddhasystemof
medicinetalksmoreaboutmoralprincipleandmoralguidancewhichis
extremelyrelevanttoourpresentdayhealthcaresystem.AncientTamil
civilizationhascontributedalotandhasleftbehindarelevanthealthcare
systemtotheworld.Siddhaconceptsarenotonlyrelevanttodayitwill
continuouslyrelevantinthefuturealso.
Siddhi,anancientIndiansystemisthoughttobederivedfromthesonof
LordShiva,Murugunwhohandedovertheknowledgetothegreatsaint,
Agastya.
FromthehandsofAgastya,itwaslaterspreadto108Brahmans.

19. ROLE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN SIDDHA SYSTEMS
OF MEDICINE

20. ROLE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN SIDDHA SYSTEMS
OF MEDICINE
SPECIALITIESOFSIDDHASYYSTEM
Karpamedicinesforrejuvenationandpreventionofdiseases&Yoga
practiceforphysicalandmentalwell-being.Skindiseasemanagement
PsychiatricdiseasemanagementOrthopedicdiseasemanagement&
VarmamtherapyGeriatricdiseasemanagement.
ThehallmarkofSiddhasystemisKAYAKARPAM i.e.,impartingimmunity
todiseasesandcounteractingtheagingprocess.Adeeperexplorationinthe
areasofkayakarpamofthesiddharscanfetchusbreak-throughin
combatingvariousincurablediseases.Karpatherapyisinclusiveofherbal
karpam,Mineralkarpam,regulatoryproceduresforlifeforceCirculation,
Yogaandmoreintegratedtherapieslikemuppu,(Vaithyamuppu,
Vathamuppu,Yogamuppu).
.Accordingtothesystem,thebodymustcomprisesthebalanceofVaadham,
PithamandKapamattheratioof4:2:1unlessbalancewillbedisturbedand
causediseases.
Fordiseasedetermination,theeightorgansviz.Na(Tounge),Varam
(Color),Kural(Voice),Choke(eyes),thodal(touch),Malam(Fecalmatter)
Neer(Urine)andNaadi(pulse)mustbetakenintoconsideration.

21. CULTIVATION -HARVESTING -PROCESSING -STORAGE -
MARKETING AND UTILIZATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
CULTIVATION
Thecultivationofmedicinalplantsneedtheconsiderationofthefollowing
stepsbeforetheoperation.
Selectionofplace-weather,temperature,soilcharacters,topography,soilPh
andsomeotherissuesregardingthecultivationareveryimportant.Ginkgo
bilobamostlycultivatedintemperateclimateinhillslopes.cultivationof
Aloeveraneedsdryweatheralongwithlessmoisturecontainingsoil.
SelectionofVariety-Thevarietiescontentthedesirableamountofbioactive
compound/activeprinciplesaretoberecommendedforcultivationalong
withthedesirablepharmaceuticalpropeties.Thetwocentralorganizationin
IndialikeNationalMedicinalPlantsBoard(NMPB)andcentralInstituteof
Medicinalandaromaticplants(CIMAP)canextendhelpintheselectionof
varieties.
Agroforestrycanbeexercisedforthecultivationofmedicinalplantsinthis
regard.

22. CULTIVATION
Cultivationofmedicinalplantspermanentlycangeneratemorerevenuein
comparisontothetraditionalcroppractices,
Thelossofcropscanbeminimizedandthemedicinalplantsmostlynot
consumedbythecattleinthevillageareawheregrazingisapermanent
issue,
Themedicinalplantsareresistanttotheinsectsandotherparasitesdueto
theirinherentproperties,
Thecultivationofmedicinalplantsneedleastirrigationandfertilizers;it
canminimizethelossofsoilqualityanditiseco-friendlyinnature,
Itcanencouragesmoreemploymentopportunityparticularlyintherural
areas,
Thecultivationofmedicinalplantscanencourageenvironmental
sustainabilityandtheexpeditethe‘GoGreen’conceptwhichisthecallof
thetime.
Itisleastlaborintensive.

23. TIME OF COLLECTION
Sr. No Plant Parts Time of Collection
1. Bulbs Late autumn; long after the fruit flowered and fruited ,
at the best season
2. Barks Autumn (after leaf fall) or spring (before the onsetof
new leaves) mostly selected
3. Root and rhizomesAnnuals shortly before flowering; Biennials during
autumn or winter following the first year growth;
Perennials during autumn or winter after 2
nd
years
growth.
4. Leaves Preferably to collect the stems bearing leaves and
separate them; Collection in morning preferred
5. Flowers Middle of the day after the disappearance of dew;
affected by dry weather
6. Fruits and seedsCollected slightly earlier before the stage of the
dispersal of fruits and seeds.

24. HARVESTING
Medicinalplantsshouldbeharvestedduringtheoptimalseasonortimeperiod
toensuretheproductionofmedicinalplantmaterialsandfinishedherbal
productsofthebestpossiblequality.
Thetimeofharvestdependsontheplantparttobeused.
Detailedinformationconcerningtheappropriatetimingofharvestisoften
availableinnationalpharmacopoeias,publishedstandards,officialmonographs
andmajorreferencebooks.
Thebesttimeforharvest(qualitypeakseason/timeofday)shouldbe
determinedaccordingtothequalityandquantityofbiologicallyactive
constituentsratherthanthetotalvegetativeyieldofthetargetedmedicinalplant
partsduringharvest,careshouldbetakentoensurethatnoforeignmatter,
weedsortoxicplantsaremixedwiththeharvestedmedicinalplantmaterials.
Medicinalplantsshouldbeharvestedunderthebestpossibleconditions,
avoidingdew,rainorexceptionallyhighhumidity.
Ifharvestingoccursinwetconditions,theharvestedmaterialshouldbe
transportedimmediatelytoanindoordryingfacilitytoexpeditedryingsoasto
preventanypossibledeleteriouseffectsduetoincreasedmoisturelevels,which
promotemicrobialfermentationandmould.

25. HARVESTING
Harvestingofmedicinalplantsisveryimportantforthesakeofintended
bioactivecompounds/activeprinciplesinthisregardasthedesired
compoundsonlyfoundtooccurinthespecificpartoftheplants,not
distributedelsewhere.
Toobtainahigh-qualityefficaciousherbaldrug,theappropriatepartofthe
medicinalplantmustbeharvestedattheoptimumstageofdevelopment,
driedandstoredattemperaturesandconditionsthatdonotdecreasethe
activeingredients,andprocessedusingatechniquethatmaximizes
phytochemicalsrecovery.
Medicinalplantsharvestingisaglobalconcernasplantsarethemajor
sourceofmedicines,eithertraditionalorwestern,oftheworld.
Threeaspectstobeemphasizedduringharvesting-
Theplantparts,thepre-reproductive,reproductiveandpost-reproductive
stagesareveryimportantbeforetheharvesting,
Therainfall,dewandthehumidityoftheenvironmentduringharvesting
shouldbecarefullynoted,

26. HARVESTING

27. HARVESTING
Ineveryrespectbytheskilledworkers.Selectivityisofadvantageinthat
thedrugsotherthangenuine,butsimilarinappearancecanberejectedat
thesiteofcollection.Itis,however,alaboriousjobandmaynotbe
economical.Incertaincases,itcannotbereplacedbyanymechanical
means,e.g.digitalis,tea,vincaandsennaleaves.
Theundergrounddrugslikeroots,rhizomes,tubers,etc.areharvestedby
mechanicaldevices,suchasdiggersorlifters.Thetubersorrootsare
thoroughlywashedinwatertogetridofearthy-matter.
Drugswhichconstituteallaerialpartsareharvestedbybindersfor
economicreasons.
Manyatimes,flowers,seedsandsmallfruitsareharvestedbyaspecial
deviceknownasseedstripper.
Thetechniqueofbeatingplantwithbamboosisusedincaseofcloves.
Thecochinealinsectsarecollectedfrombranchesofcactibybrushing.
Theseaweedsproducingagarareharvestedbylonghandledforks.

28. HARVESTING
Contactwithsoilshouldbeavoidedtotheextentpossiblesoastominimize
themicrobialloadofharvestedmedicinalplantmaterialswherenecessary,
largedropcloths,preferablymadeofcleanmuslin,maybeusedasan
interfacebetweentheharvestedplantsandthesoil.
Iftheundergroundparts(suchastheroots)areused,anyadheringsoil
shouldberemovedfromthemedicinalplantmaterialsassoonastheyare
harvested.
Theharvestedrawmedicinalplantmaterialsshouldbetransportedpromptly
inclean,dryconditionstheymaybeplacedincleanbaskets,drysacks,
trailers,hoppersorotherwell-aeratedcontainersandcarriedtoacentral
pointfortransporttotheprocessingfacility.
Allcontainersusedatharvestshouldbekeptcleanandfreefrom
contaminationbypreviouslyharvestedmedicinalplantsandotherforeign
matter.Ifplasticcontainersareused,particularattentionshouldbepaidto
anypossibleretentionofmoisturethatcouldleadtothegrowthofmould.

29. HARVESTING
Harvestedorcollectedrawmedicinalplantmaterialsshouldbepromptly
unloadedandunpackeduponarrivalattheprocessingfacility.Priorto
processing,themedicinalplantmaterialsshouldbeprotectedfromrain,
moistureandanyotherconditionsthatmightcausedeterioration.Medicinal
plantmaterialsshouldbeexposedtodirectsunlightonlywherethereisa
specificneedforthismodeofdrying.
Medicinalplantmaterialsthataretobeusedinthefreshstateshouldbe
harvested/collectedanddeliveredasquicklyaspossibletotheprocessing
facilityinordertopreventmicrobialfermentationandthermaldegradation.
Thematerialsmaybestoredunderrefrigeration,injars,insandboxes,or
usingenzymaticandotherappropriateconservationmeasuresimmediately
followingharvest/collectionandduringtransittotheend-user.
Theuseofpreservativesshouldbeavoidedifused,theyshouldconformto
nationaland/orregionalregulationsforgrowers/collectorsandend-users.
Medicinalplantmaterialsthataretobeemployedfreshshouldbestored
underrefrigeration,injars,insandboxes,orusingenzymaticorother
appropriateconservationmeasures,andtransportedtotheend-userinthe
mostexpeditiousmannerpossible.

30. PROCESSING
Serial
No.
Name of the plant Used part for active
principles
1. Atropa belladona, Raufolfia serpentina Root
2. Allium cepa, Allium sativum Underground stem
3. Cinchona calisaya Bark of the periderm of the
plants
4. Aloe vera Leaves
5. Papaver somnifera Fruits
6. Andrographis paniculata Wholeplant
7. Strychnos nux-vomica Fruit
8. Adhatoda vesica Leaves
9. Curcuma longa Underground stem
10. Crocus sativus flowers

31. PROCESSING
Theuseofpreservativesshouldbeavoided.Ifused,thisshouldbe
documentedandtheyshouldconformtonationaland/orregionalregulatory
requirementsinboththesourcecountryandtheend-usercountry.
Allmedicinalplantmaterialsshouldbeinspectedduringtheprimary-
processingstagesofproduction,andanysubstandardproductsorforeign
mattershouldbeeliminatedmechanicallyorbyhand.Forexample,dried
medicinalplantmaterialsshouldbeinspected,sievedorwinnowedto
removediscolored,moldyordamagedmaterials,aswellassoil,stonesand
otherforeignmatter.
Mechanicaldevicessuchassievesshouldberegularlycleanedand
maintained.
Allprocessedmedicinalplantmaterialsshouldbeprotectedfrom
contaminationanddecompositionaswellasfrominsects,rodents,birdsand
otherpests,andfromlivestockanddomesticanimals.
Drying:Whenmedicinalplantmaterialsarepreparedforuseindryform,
themoisturecontentofthematerialshouldbekeptaslowaspossiblein
ordertoreducedamagefrommouldandothermicrobialinfestation.

32. PROCESSING

33. COMMON SPECIFIC PROCESSING
SpecificProcessing:Somemedicinalplantmaterialsrequirespecific
processingto:improvethepurityoftheplantpartbeingemployed;reduce
dryingtime;preventdamagefrommould,othermicroorganismsand
insects;detoxifyindigenoustoxicingredients;andenhancetherapeutic
efficacy.
Commonspecificprocessingpracticesincludepreselection,peelingthe
skinsofrootsandrhizomes,boilinginwater,steaming,soaking,pickling,
distillation,fumigation,roasting,naturalfermentation,treatmentwithlime
andchopping.Processingproceduresinvolvingtheformationofcertain
shapes,bundlingandspecialdryingmayalsohaveanimpactonthequality
ofthemedicinalplantmaterials.
Antimicrobialtreatmentsofmedicinalplantmaterials(raworprocessed)by
variousmethods,includingirradiation,mustbedeclaredandthematerials
mustbelabeledasrequired.
Onlysuitablytrainedstaffusingapprovedequipmentshouldcarryoutsuch
applications,andtheyshouldbeconductedinaccordancewithstandard
operatingproceduresandnationaland/orregionalregulationsinboththe
grower/collectorcountryandtheend-usercountry.Maximumresiduelimits,
asstipulatedbynationaland/orregionalauthorities,shouldberespected.

34. STORAGE
Storagefacilitiesformedicinalmaterialshouldbewellaerated,dryand
protectedfromlight,and,whennecessary,besuppliedwithair-conditioning
andhumiditycontrolequipmentaswellasfacilitiestoprotectagainst
rodents,insectsandlivestock.
Thefloorshouldbetidy,withoutcracksandeasytoclean.Medicinal
materialshouldbestoredonshelveswhichkeepthematerialasufficient
distancefromthewalls;measuresshouldbetakentopreventtheoccurrence
ofpestinfestation,mouldformation,rottingorlossofoil;andinspections
shouldbecarriedoutatregularintervals.
Continuousin-processqualitycontrolmeasuresshouldbeimplementedto
eliminatesubstandardmaterials,contaminantsandforeignmatterpriorto
andduringthefinalstagesofpackaging.Processedmedicinalplant
materialsshouldbepackagedinclean,dryboxes,sacks,bagsorother
containersinaccordancewithstandardoperatingproceduresandnational
and/orregionalregulationsoftheproducerandtheend-usercountries.

35. STORAGE
Materialsusedforpackagingshouldbenon-polluting,clean,dryandin
undamagedconditionandshouldconformtothequalityrequirementsfor
themedicinalplantmaterialsconcerned.Fragilemedicinalplantmaterials
shouldbepackagedinrigidcontainers.
Driedmedicinalplants/herbaldrugs,includingessentialoils,shouldbe
storedinadry,wellaeratedbuilding,inwhichdailytemperature
fluctuationsarelimitedandgoodaerationisensured
Freshmedicinalplantmaterialsshouldbestoredatappropriatelow
temperatures,ideallyat28°C;frozenproductsshouldbestoredatlessthan
-20°C.
Smallquantityofcrudedrugscouldbereadilystoredinairtight,moisture
proofandlightproofcontainersuchastin,cans,coveredmetaltinsor
amberglasscontainers.
Woodenboxesandpaperbagsshouldnotbeusedforstorageofcrude
drugs.

36. STORAGE

37. MARKETING
Thedemandofthemedicinalplantsisveryencouraginginthecontextofthe
sustainablehealthandtominimizetheriskofsideeffectsofantibioticsand
steroidsusedforthepresenttreatmentprotocolforthedifferentailments.
InIndia,morethan115billiondollarexportsofmedicinalplantsisexpectedto
strengthenthemarketingpotential.
Everyyear,the7.2%increaseofherbalbasedmedicinesareincreasinginthe
Europe.
Indiaoccupiesaverystableandeverexpandingmarketpotentialintheherbal
medicinesafterthenextdoor,China.
InEurope,FranceandGermanybecomesthecentreoftrade.
Inthedevelopingcountries,70-95%peopledependsonthistypeofgreen
medicine.
Somemajorcompaniesare-HimalayaDrugCompany,Dabar,Patanjali
AyurvedaLtd.,ZanduPharmaceuticalWorksLtd.InIndia,Schewabe
(Germany),Arkopharma(French),NeutraceuticalInternationalCorporation
etc.

38. UTILIZATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Recipesarepreparedusingmedicinalplantstocurecommonailmentslike
diarrhea,constipation,hypertension,lowspermcount,dysentery,weak
penileerection,coatedtongue,menstrualdisorders,andfevers.So,theyare
consideredhomeremediesinmanypartsofthecountry.
Synergicmedicine-Eachplanthasmanycompoundsthatmayinteract
simultaneouslyleadingtoeithercomplementordamagethefunctionsof
eachother,orneutralizetheirpossiblenegativeeffects.
Supportofofficialmedicine-Theingredientsofplantscanbeusedalong
withchemicalproductstoachievethedesiredoutcome.
Preventivemedicine-Somecomponentsofplantshaveprovedtobe
effectiveinpreventingorreducingtheriskofcertaindisease(e.g.flu),and
thiscanhelpinreducetheburdenandcostofusingchemicalremedies.
Itensuressustainablehealthbyminimizingthesideeffects.
Themedicinalplantsareavailabletothecommonplantsastheirtraditional
practices.

39. MOTHER NATURE FOR SUSTAINABLE WELL BING

40. THANKS TO VISIT THE CONTENT
References:
Google for different images incorporated into this PPT,
Different WebPages for reference and content,
Advanced Plant Taxonomy-A.K. Mondal,
A Textbook of Botany-Bhattacharya, Hait, Ghosh,
Snataok Udbhidbidda-Sikder and Giri
Disclaimer:
Thispresentationhasbeenmadeanddesignedasthefreeopen
sourceofstudymaterialsintendedfortheacademicfraternity.The
presenterdoesnotclaimanykindoffinancialinterestforthiswork.It
iscompletelyfreeforuse.Theauthorisgratefultousetheresources
fromthedifferentauthorsandGoogleforthisendeavor.