Practice and Re-Emergence of Herbal Medicine

The tribal people of India consider North-East India to be a hotspot. It contains eight states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, and it borders international boundaries with Bhutan, Tibet, China, Burma and Bangladesh. The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, which is home to a broad spectrum of unusual flora, fauna and microorganisms, is located in the Northeast Region. The region has the evergreen forest of the Brahmaputra River valley, wide leaf forest, dense bamboo and pine forest and the world's wettest location (Cherrapunji and Mawsynram), all of which help to maintain the region's unique biodiversity. North East region is the inhabitant of more than 145 significant tribal communities with the most dominating primitive societies, including the Abor, Mishing, Rabha, Khasi, Kuki, Naga, Meitei, Apatani, etc. Most of these communities are culturally and linguistically diverse. The NER's tribal population is literate compared to other parts of the country, and it's worth noting that the literacy rates in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Manipur are all higher than the national average. Despite their high literacy rate, India's North-Eastern states continue to have poor transportation, power and medical services. The healthcare system is in bad shape, with only a few hospitals and nursing homes. As a result, the people residing in this area rely exclusively on a traditional system of medicines made by traditional healers from plants, animals and mineral resources. It was stated that medicinal herbs are prepared using traditional methods, such as maceration, decoction, and infusion, either alone or in combination with other plants. The key species of medicinal plants often employed by the traditional healers of the region are Acorus calamus, Aegle marmelos, Asparagus racemosus, Averrhoa carambola, Bryophyllum calycinum, Costus speciosus, Euphorbia neriifolia, Justicia adhatoda, Melia azadarachta, Plumeria acutifolia, Sida cordifolia, Sida rhombifolia and Swertia chirata. This extensive work will aid the researcher in locating previously unknown medicinal plants in order to build a new therapeutic method for isolating new chemical entities that are safe, pharmacologically active, and cost-effective. 

The pandemic has trembled the world with the massive outbreak, leaving the scientific fraternity in shambles. The SARS-CoV-2 strain took a heavy toll and led to the death of millions of people. In late 2020, various mutated strains of the virus surged the disease across the world. For the same, diverse methods were used around the globe in search of precise medication against the pandemic. Despite vaccination for viral disease prevention, the virus has spread without restraint, making the need for strong antiviral drugs- a need of the hour. Several techniques were used for the fabrication of a strong antiviral drug in different modes of remedies. Many countries utilized their conventional therapeutic knowledge against the virus, which comprises the use of indigenous phytochemicals with varied biological activities. The present review includes the virology, epidemiology, and different therapeutic procedures practiced globally to combat the viral disease and highlights different indigenous potent plants with biological activities, such as antiviral, antipyretic, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial. These plants are efficacious and can be explored further as prospective remedies for many other maladies affecting the world.

Plants are the biggest bioresources for newer drugs or therapeutical agents. Genus, Clematis of family Ranunculaceae is one such bioresource whose species have been used traditionally for the treatment of snake bites, malaria, dysentery, rheumatism, inflammation, urinary and skin disorders, blisters, wound, ulcers, colds and headaches in Australia, China, India and other countries. Modern research revealed that Clematis species possess pharmacological properties of anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatoid arthritis, anti-diabetic, anti-apoptosis, anticancer, antioxidation, antimicrobial, hepatoprotection, diuretic and hypotensive. Genus Clematis has approximately 355 species that are spread across the globe. Chemical constituents isolated from different species of this genus have been categorized under some of the biologically potent phytochemical classes, such as alkaloids, triterpenoid saponins, lignans, flavonoids and phytosterols, which may account for the pharmacological action. The present chapter will focus on common species used in the Australian, Chinese and Indian traditional systems of medicine. Their ethnobotany, ethnomedicine, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities are critically reviewed. 

More than 60% of people globally rely on herbal medicines as a source of healthcare. Traditional herbal preparations can be traced back to ancient literature, folk knowledge, and ethnic practices. Traditional herbal products are preferred over synthetic drugs since these are considered more accessible, affordable, culturally acceptable, non-toxic, and sustainable. Globally 15% of couples are affected with infertility, 20-30% of which are attributed to the male factor. Fertility-enhancing drugs and hormonal methods such as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) increase testosterone levels in males but may result in other side effects. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) remains expensive medicare throughout the world despite its widespread use, and its success rate also varies with the age of the partner, apart from other complexities. Aphrodisiacs (Greek - Aphrodisiakos: sexual) are agents that provoke sexual desire and increase performance. Aphrodisiac herbs have been in use for thousands of years by various civilizations worldwide involving the traditional healers and have been mentioned in different ancient literatures, including Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Apart from increasing sexual desire and performance, these herbs have perceived roles in enhancing fertility. Physiologically, herbal aphrodisiacs induce virility and reproductive wellbeing of men by modulating gonadal as well as neuro-endocrine systems through the interplay of hormones and biogenic substances. Unfortunately, sometimes the marketed herbal aphrodisiacs are adulterated with synthetic compounds, which necessitates further studies and validation of such preparations for widespread clinical use in the workup algorithm of patients, particularly in cases of idiopathic male infertility and erectile dysfunction. Confirmatory laboratory studies, human clinical trials and case studies will be of paramount use in validating the role of such traditional herbal medicines as aphrodisiacs in restoring virility and fertility of men who may be in need.

Ayurveda is not merely a branch of medicine; this is a 'knowledge system' that deals with the unremitting association between the living and its contiguous environment to maintain the state of equilibrium and health of human beings as well as the environment. Historical records suggest Malaria has infected humans since the early commencement of mankind. Human Malaria is caused by single-cell protozoan parasites present in the Plasmodium genus, which is transmitted through the bite of female mosquitoes, Anopheles. The World malaria report (WMR) 2019 estimates that globally, there were estimated 228 million cases of Malaria in 89 countries. According to the WMR 2019, India represents 3% of the global malaria burden. In Ayurveda, Malaria is well thought-out under the portrayal of Vishama Jvara (irregular), which means 'irregular' in every aspect, including- its origin, symptoms, and periodicity. This is generally involved in the rasa dhatu (nourishment tissues), and irregularly attacks the body to manifest the symptoms. Hence, even if the fever subsides, the patient feels fatigued, heavy and exhausted. These signs and symptoms of Vishama Jvara are classically reverberating with conventional malarial fever, wherein the fever subsides and reappears at fixed intervals. This feature of the fever is described in Ayurveda as Muktaanubandhitvam (reappearing at regular intervals). To date, no effective vaccines are commercially available to prevent this endemic crisis. Research-based traditional knowledge system has significantly contributed by yielding two potent antimalarial drugs: alkaloid quinine derived from the bark of Trinayanani (Cinchona tree) and artemisinin derived from the plant Damanaka (Artemisia annua L.). In the midst of increasing problems of drug resistance along with difficulties in affording and accessing effective antimalarial drugs in underprivileged areas, therefore traditional medicines like Ayurveda have become an important and sustainable source of treatment of Malaria. The present review focused on evidence-based potential leads in Ayurveda for the treatment as well as drug development for Malaria. The information from different classical texts along with research papers, including books, journals and documents of different universities and institutes, has been collected and analyzed for the evidence-based lead on different single and multidrug plant-based formulations used for Malaria.

Ahara, i.e., diet, possesses a very significant place in Ayurveda which is evident from its inclusion among Trayoupastambha (three main pillars of life). According to classical literature, Ayurveda places significant importance on food and categorizes it in various ways based on factors such as an individual's constitution, properties of the food, therapeutic benefits, and more. Food has been considered as medicine, and according to pathya Kalpana, dietary restrictions along with diseasespecific recipes have been vividly mentioned. Apt, optimal and dexterous use of them facilitates the human body to sustain its integrity, being enriched with bala (strength), varna (complexion), and upachaya (growth of nourishment) till longevity. Considering the essentiality of food, the treatise has also focussed on the need for vigilance in the case of diet. Thus, this chapter is an effort to discuss the insights into nutra-vigilance from Ayurveda Classics.

Respiratory tract infections are a major health problem in the entire world, especially due to corona epidemic in late 2019. Coronavirus spread-out throughout the world, and it causes the death of millions of people due to the precipitation of severity in respiratory disorders like respiratory neuromuscular, pulmonary vascular, and lung parenchymal disorders. All are the characteristic features of COVID-19 infection. The aim of the present review work was to summarize all existing ethnobotanical data on ayurvedic medicinal plants used in the treatment or management of respiratory disorders. Many known plant species are traditionally used to treat respiratory disorders & some plant species have been investigated for their therapeutic efficacy with positive results. This present study explored various offline & online databases for the literature on ayurvedic medicinal plants used worldwide to treat & manage respiratory disorders. A total number of 205 ayurvedic plant species used to treat & manage respiratory disorders worldwide has been documented. Most of the plants belong to Solanaceae, Asteraceae, Amaryllidaceae, Lamiaceae & Malvaceae. 

Plants are an important source of modern medicine. Ethnic communities/rural people largely depend on the folk medicinal system that is not documented systemically but could play a key role in drug discovery. Ethnobotanical surveys are an important tool to extract such knowledge from people transmitted mostly verbally from generation to generation. Tripura is a small state in India but is considered a storehouse of important medicinal plants. Different tribes and local people of Tripura use numerous plants in their daily life to meet medicinal needs. Several ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in Tripura and documented the medicinal use of plants. Pain, inflammation and wound are a few common problems associated with our daily life. This chapter focused on the traditional medicinal plants used in the treatment of pain, inflammation and wound by the people of Tripura.

The knowledge of medicinal plants, historically, was occupied by a few specialized herbal healers in rural communities; thus, much of their use was observed as being primarily of local interest. For the past couple of decades, medicinal plants have been increasingly recognized for their role in health care and improving economic status. India is one of Asia's largest countries, with the richest arrays of well-known medicinal plants and alternative medical systems, including Ayurveda. The medicinal plants are used as traditional medicine by the indigenous people of North 24 Parganas, Howrah and Kolkata. The study aimed to identify the plant species used as traditional medicines by natives in North 24 Parganas, Howrah and Kolkata, and also to describe the method of preparation and uses of some medicinal plants. This research was conducted in three districts of west Bengal. The information recorded includes methods of treatment of disease, Tribal names of plants they used for treating various diseases, parts of the plant used, preparation and mode of application, and whether the plant is used alone or in combination with other plants. Results indicate that the indigenous people in those districts have been using at least 33 plants as a source of medicine. Most of these medicinal plants are commonly gathered from local areas. Common diseases like fever, cough and cold, constipation, hypertension, tuberculosis, wounds, etc., can be treated using medicinal plants from those three districts. Research also found that all parts of plants are used, but leaf extracts are the most common parts of the plant used for treating medical conditions. 

Cancer is a malign disease that accounts for about 9.6 million deaths around the world and is the second largest leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. Chemotherapeutic drugs administered to treat cancer show great potency but falter, causing many severe side effects. Hence, the paradigm of cancer drug research has shifted towards plant and plant-derived natural compounds as they are reported to deliver maximal effectiveness with lesser side effects. Indigenous plants and their derivatives have been an integral part of ethnomedicine in India. The traditional knowledge of utilizing medicinal plants has been used to treat numerous metabolic disorders and diseases since immemorial. Indigenous plants have also been shown to possess high potency in the treatment of cancer as well. The natural landscape of northeast India has some of the most diverse and unique plant species, which have been traditionally used in ethnomedicine and have been studied for their anticancer and antitumor potentials. The aim of the present review is to highlight some of the natural and indigenous plant species of Northeast India that have been reported to have anticancer and anti-tumor effects identified either in-vivo or in-vitro.