Recent Developments in Herbal and Medicinal Plants Sector with Reference to Trade
1.INTRODUCTION
The main occupation of majority of people living in rural India still continues to be agriculture. About 70% of the Indian population, including the rural and the tribal population is sustaining on traditional agricultural practices as a source of livelihood. Besides growing edible food crops like vegetables, fruits, cereals and pulses, the farmers also grow various types of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) which constitute an integral part of traditional home remedies.
India is a land to about 17,000 species of higher plants, out of which 7500 are known for their therapeutic uses. Ayurveda, has alone reported approximately 2000 medicinal plant species, followed by Siddha and Unani. The Charak Samhita, an ancient written document with rich literature regarding herbal therapy, production of around 340 herbal drugs and their indigenous uses for curing various ailments and diseases. Presently, around 25% of herbal preparations are derived from plants materials.
The following are the constituents found in herbal preparations:
Constituents of Ayurveda and Unani Medicines
Herbal 95 % (major)
Minerals 1-2 %
Metals 1-2 %
Animal Products 1-2 %
Marine Products 1-2 % The market demand around the world for herbal medicine is currently at $ 80 billion and is expected to reach US $ 5 trillion by 2050. Around 80% of the population around the world rely on
The annual turnover of three of the major Indian systems of medicine namely Ayurveda, Unani and Sidha is estimated to be more than a billion dollar. The gap between demand and supply is estimated to be 200,000 tons, which is expected to rise to 400,000. Today, one fourth of the world population depends on traditional medicines. The reason behind the enormous growth in demand for Medicinal plants is due to their lesser side effects as compared to the allopathic preparations and the cost factor.
India’s share in medicinal plant export in global trade is very low about 8.13% as against
The main occupation of majority of people living in rural India still continues to be agriculture. About 70% of the Indian population, including the rural and the tribal population is sustaining on traditional agricultural practices as a source of livelihood. Besides growing edible food crops like vegetables, fruits, cereals and pulses, the farmers also grow various types of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) which constitute an integral part of traditional home remedies.
India is a land to about 17,000 species of higher plants, out of which 7500 are known for their therapeutic uses. Ayurveda, has alone reported approximately 2000 medicinal plant species, followed by Siddha and Unani. The Charak Samhita, an ancient written document with rich literature regarding herbal therapy, production of around 340 herbal drugs and their indigenous uses for curing various ailments and diseases. Presently, around 25% of herbal preparations are derived from plants materials.
The following are the constituents found in herbal preparations:
Constituents of Ayurveda and Unani Medicines
Herbal 95 % (major)
Minerals 1-2 %
Metals 1-2 %
Animal Products 1-2 %
Marine Products 1-2 % The market demand around the world for herbal medicine is currently at $ 80 billion and is expected to reach US $ 5 trillion by 2050. Around 80% of the population around the world rely on
The annual turnover of three of the major Indian systems of medicine namely Ayurveda, Unani and Sidha is estimated to be more than a billion dollar. The gap between demand and supply is estimated to be 200,000 tons, which is expected to rise to 400,000. Today, one fourth of the world population depends on traditional medicines. The reason behind the enormous growth in demand for Medicinal plants is due to their lesser side effects as compared to the allopathic preparations and the cost factor.
India’s share in medicinal plant export in global trade is very low about 8.13% as against
References: 1. Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Government of India Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Indian system of medicine and homeopathy published by the controller of publication, Delhi, 2003 2. Herbal Medicine for Market Potential in India: An Overview Alok Sharma,C. Shanker,Lalit Kumar Tyagi,Mahendra Singh and Ch.V.Rao Academic Journal of Plant Sciences 1 (2): 26-36, 2008 ISSN 1995-8986 3. Dubey NK and Rajeshkumar, Tripathi P