Ayurveda herbs in the flora of Punjab (India) with special reference to Bhavprakasha Nighantu - A review

Abstract

The relationship between the plants and the population is well evaluated with the help of a survey and a review. Plants have been used both in the prevention and cure of various diseases of humans as well as in animals. The plant-based traditional medical systems continue to provide primary health care to more than three-quarters of the world’s population. In India, the use of plants for medicinal treatment dates back to around 5000 years. It was officially recognized that 6500 plant species have medicinal value while over 6000 plants are estimated to be explored in traditional, folk and herbal medicine. An important prerequisite for proper utilization of raw materials of the country is the survey of its natural resources and the preparation of an inventory. Punjab is the state of India which has a great potentiality both from the economic and botanical points of view. In ancient Indian medical science of Ayurveda, Dravyaguna part has the detail information of various plants belonging to herbal practices. However, the information about herbs available in Punjab State with reference to Ayurveda is not available. Therefore, the online screening was done to get the information about herbs present in the flora of Punjab. Further, these available herbs were classified in different Varga (class) with special reference to Bhavprakasha Nighantu (Indian Materia Medica). The literary screening concluded that there are around 322 herb species recommended as available Ayurveda herbs in the flora of Punjab.