Cultivation and Bioprospecting of Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Medicinal plants are becoming important as bio-energy crops, the renewal of industrial feed stock, and bio-remedial sectors of the market, and are benefiting from technological advances that were originally developed for the food chain. The cultivation of medicinal plants deserves top priority for sustaining rural communities and supplying healthy products. The major challenge in the cultivation of medicinal plants after their domestication is the lack of synergy between producers, herbalists, and industry. About 25% of modern medicines are based on the phytochemicals obtained from plants used widely in traditional medicines. Several synthetic analogues have been built on phytochemical compounds isolated from medicinal plants. The use of natural products derived from plants has been on the increase, as is evident from the increased popularity and acceptance of plant-derived health care as well as cosmetics/perfumery products, even though the cost is of these natural products is high. This dual role of medicinal plants as a source of income and in healthcare makes the production of medicinal plants ever-demanding. The production and supply of medicinal/nutraceutical/perfumery herbs is becoming a booming agro-business. Recent observations worldwide indicate that developed countries are also including these plants in their healthcare systems. India has natural plant resources in abundance because of the clear climate variations throughout the year. In India the wealth gained from medicinal plants and products is about 50% higher than that for flowering plant species. Medicinal plant-based industries have great potential for the economic development of India. The oldest literature of the Vedic period is the basis of modern pharmaceutical practice, which uses various traditional medicinal plants. Considering the global and national use of and demand for medicinal plants, the cultivation and bio-prospecting of these plants has great future promise.