Medicinal plants and their importance

The term “medicinal plant” include various types of plants used in herbalism ("herbology" or "herbal medicine"). It is the use of plants for medicinal purposes, and the study of such uses.

The word “herb” has been derived from the Latin word, “herba” and an old French word “herbe”. Now a days, herb refers to any part of the plant like fruit, seed, stem, bark, flower, leaf, stigma or a root, as well as a non-woody plant. Earlier, the term “herb” was only applied to non-woody plants, including those that come from trees and shrubs. These medicinal plants are also used as food, flavonoid, medicine or perfume and also in certain spiritual activities.

Plants have been used for medicinal purposes long before prehistoric period. Ancient Unani manuscripts Egyptian papyrus and Chinese writings described the use of herbs. Evidence exist that Unani Hakims, Indian Vaids and European and Mediterranean cultures were using herbs for over 4000 years as medicine. Indigenous cultures such as Rome, Egypt, Iran, Africa and America used herbs in their healing rituals, while other developed traditional medical systems such as Unani, Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine in which herbal therapies were used systematically.

1. Sengamala Thayaar Educational Trust Women’s College (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University) (Accredited with ‘A’ Grade {3.45/4.00} By NAAC) (An ISO 9001: 2015 Certified Institution) Sundarakkottai , Mannargudi-614 016. Thiruvarur (Dt.), Tamil Nadu, India. HERBS AND DRUG ACTION Mrs. T. TAMILVANI ASSISTANT PROFESSOR PG & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY

2. The term “ medicinal plant ” include various types of plants used in herbalism ("herbology" or "herbal medicine"). The word “ herb ” has been derived from the Latin word,  “ herba ”  and an old French word  “ herbe ”.   These medicinal plants are also used as food, flavonoid, medicine or perfume and also in certain spiritual activities. Medicinal Plants

3. A considerable number of definitions have been proposed for the term 'medicinal plant'. According to the World Health Organization, "a medicinal plant is any plant which, in one or more of its organs/parts, contains substances that can be used for therapeutic purposes, or which are precursors for chemo-pharmaceutical semi synthesis". Medicinal plants

4. Medicinal plants have many characteristics when used as a treatment, as follow:- Synergic medicine- The ingredients of plants all interact simultaneously, so their uses can complement or damage others or neutralize their possible negative effects. Characteristics of Medicinal Plants

5. Support of official medicine- In the treatment of complex cases like cancer diseases the components of the plants proved to be very effective. Preventive medicine - It has been proven that the component of the plants also characterize by their ability to prevent the appearance of some diseases. This will help to reduce the use of the chemical remedies which will be used when the disease is already present i.e., reduce the side effect of synthetic treatment. Cont..

6. India is one of the few countries where almost all the known medicinal plants can be cultivated in some part of the country of the other. Among the various plants is great demand in the country & abroad are Opium poppy, tropane alkaloid bearing plants saprogenic bearing Yam, Senna, psyllium husk & seeds, cinchona & ipecac. The ancient India system of medicines (ISM) is predominantly a plant based material medica making use of most of our native plants Important & scope of Medicinal Plants in India

7. ISM offers most appropriate or first line therapy against many diseases likes Jaundice, bronchial asthma rheumatoid arthritis diabetes etc. Document indigenous uses of medicinal plants, Certify raw material for quality control, Develop and improve the agro - technology for valuable medicinal plants, Officially recognize and protect the customary laws of indigenous people, Conti..

8. Prepare a clear policy for granting permits for cultivation within stipulated time, Conduct regular research and training on better harvesting and processing techniques, Investigate various pathological agents infecting medicinal plants, Setup a community-based management of medicinal plants farming and marketing, Conti..

9. Seeds: Production and marketing of quality seeds of high yielding varieties (seed companies). Plant parts (leaf, bark, root, seed etc.)- Enterprises such as large scale cultivation as an agro -industry, marketing of dried plant parts (crude drugs) in national and international markets, establishing market net works can be started. Grading of specific plant parts such as leaves of senna , roots of ashwagandha/ safed musli / long pepper etc. This is the simplest but economically viable small enterprise that can be established at farm level and can add value to the harvested produce. Use of Medicinal Plants

10. COMMON MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN OUR DAILY LIVES AND THEIR USES No Common Name Botanical Name Application 1 Agathi Sesbania grandiflora fever, kills intestinal worms 2 Amukkira Withania somnifera fever 3 Avuri Indiagofera tinctoria kills intestinal worms 4 Annasi Ananas comosus stimulant for hunger, for constipation, promotes digestion 5 Ell Sesamum indicum increases milk secretion 6 Garlic Alium sativum stimulant, expectorant 7 Inji Zingiber officinale promotes digestion 8 Kaliyana murungai Erythrina indica increases milk secretion 9 Karisalankanni Eclipta alba for constipation 10 Kuppaimeni Acalypha indica cold and cough, kills intestinal worms

11. No Common Name Botanical Name Application 11 Malai vembu Melia azadirach kills intestinal worms 12 Mathulai Punica granatum kills intestinal worms 13 Ma Mangifera indica kills intestinal worms 14 Milagu Piper nigrum cold and cough 15 Manjal Curcuma longa cold and cough 16 Nelli Phyllanthus emblica decreases body temperature 17 Musumusukhai Mukia maderaspatana vertigo, asthma, ulcer 18 Thumbai Leucus aspera cold and cough 19 Thoothuvalai Solanum trilobatum cold and cough 20 Thulasi Ocimum sanctum diseases of the respiratory tract 21 Vilvam Aegle marmelos fever, digestion

12. Conclusion These herbal products are today are the symbol of safety in contrast to the synthetic drugs, that are regarded as unsafe to human being and environment. Although herbs had been priced for their medicinal, flavouring and aromatic qualities for centuries, the synthetic products of the modern age surpassed their importance, for a while. However, the blind dependence on synthetics is over and people are returning to the naturals with hope of safety and security. It’s time to promote them globally .