Medicinal uses of religious plants of India

Abstract

Plants have a special role in religious and social ceremonies of every society. In Hindu community, varities of plant species have been used during different religious ceremonies. The importance of plants for worshiping god and goddesses has been described in different Vedas and it could be seen in many hymns. Medicinal aspects of such sacred plants have been recorded in the ancient books viz. Vedas and Samhitas etc and knowledge has been transmitted from generation to generation. Thus, our ancestors linked various God and Goddess with several Ayurvedic medicinal plants for their conservation and named as sacred plants. These ancient beliefs show the human relation with plants which was also helpful in the conservation of plant species for their valuable qualities. The present study reveals 83 religious plants species of great medicinal value that have been associated with God and Goddess for their religious significance.