Traditional Indian Knowledge of Immunity from Plants

Abstract

AbstractThe traditional Indian medicine like Ayurveda and Siddha and traditional Chinese medicine remain the most ancient therapies. While Ayurveda originated in North and is popular in entire India and world, Siddha system of medicine is majorly practiced in South of India. Similarly, Chinese system of medicine is also evolved and established in thousands of years. There is an important aspect of maintaining wellness from these traditional systems which includes the concept of development of inherent immunity to sustain better health throughout the life. There has been increased surge of global interest in traditional medicines’ probable prophylactic/therapeutic measure for the modulation of immune response. Herbs have shown potential of being used as immunomodulators especially the drugs used in alternative system of medicine have been documented to possess immunomodulatory properties. Modulation of immune response to mitigate the diseases was the approach of Rasayana in Ayurveda is based on interrelated principles. Rasayana drugs in Ayurveda are known to increase longevity, stop aging, and offer resistance to disease by increasing the immune system. Many plants like Terminalia arjuna, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Withania somnifera, Swertia chirayita, Nardostachys jatamansi, Picrorhiza sps., Chlorophytum borivilianum, Asparagus racemosus, etc. used in Ayurvedic system of medicine for Rasayana therapy have been investigated for their therapeutic effects on the immune system. There have been constant efforts to screen and standardize herbal drugs and traditional medicines from Ayurvedic and Himalayan plants. Traditional system of medicine still necessitates more extensive evidence-based scientific research. This chapter gives an overview of basic principles and cohesions of different traditional medicine system and key elements of these great plant-based traditions need to address to compete in global market. Further it incorporates an extensive data on plants used under these traditional systems as well the mechanism involved in the pharmacological findings with a view to appreciate immunomodulation properties of phytomolecules from these plants.KeywordsTraditional knowledgeAyurvedaimmunomodulatingIndian medicineHerbalPharmacologicalRasayanaPhytopharmaceutical