Agro-Technology of Important Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Plants are significant sources of medicine, and the natural products derived from plants play an essential role in the treatment of various diseases. According to a World Heath Organization report, more than 80% of the world population presently relies on traditional herbal medicines. Their global demand is estimated to be 62–120 million USD, which will rise to 7 trillion USD by 2050. Most of the plants with high medicinal value are collected from forest areas, which can be a possible threat of extinction of important species from the wild environment. Cultivation of medicinal plants is a challenging task because very little is known about their seed biology and cultivation practices. A scientific approach is needed to develop quality material for planting, in order to achieve significant yield and quality. The present chapter is focused on the knowledge on agro-technology of 11 industrially important medicinal plants—namely, Centella asiatica (Linn), Cassia angustifolia (Mill), Gymnema sylvestre (R.Br)., Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC, Asparagus racemosus (Willd.) Oberm, Withania sonmifera (L.) Dunal, Plumbago zeylanica (L.), Acorus calamus (L.) and plants of Dashmool drug formulation (Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC, Uraria picta (Jacq.) and Pseudarthria viscida (L.)—which are in consistent demand for raw materials in the global market, and India is one of the key players in exporting crude/finished products from these medicinal plants.