Contribution of Dravyaguna to Herbal Materia Medica

Dravyaguna is essentially compilation of ancient Indian medical knowledge. Dravyaguna has made significant contribution to the Herbal Materia Medica. The term ‘Herbal Materia Medica’ covers global medicinal plants and is not restricted to one or other traditional systems of medicine. Dravyaguna coupled with ‘Reverse Pharmacology’ can act as powerful tool for discovering cost-effective and potent medicines

Herbal Medicine–Dream Unresolved

Herbal drugs have provided us with potent weapons like atropine, codeine, taxol, vincristine and vinblastine. In the modern scenario, diseases are becoming drug-resistant and scientists are studying possible roles of plant based drugs for screening life saving drugs. The herbal system of medicine is a full fledged system of medicine and it can not be ruled out as quackery. Backing up this system is the fact that ancient findings and documentation have through the centuries provided us with leads on the development of life-saving drugs

A Short Note on Designing Curriculum for Medicinal Phytochemistry

Phytochemistry is defined as study of chemical composition of medicinal plants or phyto-drugs. Phytochemistry is significant subject of Pharmacognosy curriculum. Today we can witness explosive growth of herbal drug industry. Standardized herbal extracts and phytochemicals are in high demand for applied research as well as commercial use. The phytochemistry course taught in pharmacy schools deals with process of isolation, purification and pre-clinical studies of herbal extracts and phytochemicals

Scientific Publications in Herbals

The herbal system of medicine, popularly known as Phytotherapy, is rapidly developing as an independent subject. Specialties subjects like Medicinal botany or Pharmaceutical botany, Medicinal Phytochemistry, Ethno pharmacology and Phytopharmacotherapy are emerging. Several studies have reported growing popularity of herbal medicine. There is increased awareness about herbal medicine among masses. Authorities including Central Council of Indian Medicine (C.C.I.M.) and department of Ayurveda, Yunani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) in India, American Herbal Product Association (A.H.P.A.) in America, German Commission in Germany, Therapeutic Goods Administration (T.G.A.) in Australia and European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) in U.K. are playing pivotal role in establishing scientific basis of herbal medicine

Ethics in Herbal Medicine

With increasing number of patients consulting herbal medicine practitioners, herbal clinical practice will be of more relevance in future. The need of the hour is to take herbal medicine with an open mind. Herbal product claims, supported by scientific evidence should be used in clinical practice with confidence. This will enhance the physician-patient compliance and provide the much needed support to herbal clinical practice

A Note on Variation of Active Principles in Indian Medicinal Plants and TIM Formulations

The active principles or constituents (phytochemicals) in medicinal plants are chemical compounds known as secondary plant products. Some secondary products discourage herbivores; others inhibit bacterial or fungal pathogens. Active principles in medicinal plants may affect health, but are not-essential nutrients as our diet does not require them to sustain life in the same way as vitamins and minerals

Traditional Indian Medicine--the Curtain Raiser

The purpose of this write up is not to promote or rebuke modern medical science or Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM) but to address critical issue related to the future of TIM

Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Sciences: Challenges Ahead

Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS) is an upcoming discipline. Ayurvedic pharmacy (AP) has always been looked upon as traditional subject having limited value in modern era of pharmaceutical sciences. Ayurveda, the Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM), has recently, become popular among patients largely due to its benign nature. Other factors, which have contributed to globalization of Ayurveda, include reorganization by World Health Organization and onset of research and development for discovering efficacious and cost-effective drugs. With revised interest in Ayurveda, there is strict need for producing trained manpower for Ayurvedic drug industry. Initially, there was requirement of trained Ayurvedic Pharmacists (upvaid) in the Ayurvedic drug manufacturing units. These people are trained at diploma level in Ayurveda. Recently, AYUSH, the statutory body dealing with Ayurvedic education and pharmaceuticals, has made appointment of Ayurvedic graduate and person trained in chemistry compulsory for Ayurvedic drug manufacturing units

A Note on the Status of Ayurvedic and Herbal Studies in India

The purpose of the short communication is to make Ayurvedic professionals aware about chances of enhancing career prospects. We neither want to rebuke or promote any course but keeping in mind the demand of people for Ayurvedic/herbal drug industry, such type of critical contributions are essential