About the Book
Pharma Forestry: Field Guide to Medicinal Plants provides information on all related aspects of medicinal plants. Distribution, Identification, Medicinal uses, Cultivation, Marketing, and Legal aspects have been discussed in the book for the benefits of all concerned. The book is written in a simple language and lucid style. Forests are getting degraded for the want of protection and heavy biotic pressure day by day and hence possibility of an ecological disaster cannot be ruled out considering the role of forests in maintaining the life-support system of the earth. Forests are also the storehouse of medicines and hence its degradation will affect the availability of the medicinal plants. Unavailability of medicinal plants may endanger the health of millions of people who rely on them for their health. Ayurveda, the oldest plant-based health system, is fully dependent on forests. Besides its considerable role in the maintenance of health of the people in remote areas, the cultivation and conservation of medicinal plants provides a way for involving local people in forest protection and thereby raise their income and socio-economic status. The rural people are involved even in the Joint Forest Management.
The book aims at spreading the message that a tree saved is better than a tree planted. The book is well illustrated with about 200 coloured photographs of medicinal plants which are worth million words as they help in their identification. In addition, the detailed information on the cultivation of about 26 commercially important medicinal plants, notes on cultivation of some other important medicinal plants, and legal and market dynamics provided in the book will generate awareness among all the concerned. Glossary of the medical and botanical terms will help in its easy understanding. The model estimate of cultivation of the medicinal plants will help the farmer entrepreneur to take up the medicinal plants cultivation. The book will help in making the country greener and countrymen prosperous and healthier. It will serve not only as an excellent reference material but also as a practical guide for vaidyas, pharmacists, researchers and students in the field of Pharma Forestry.
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
Medicine; Traditional Knowledge; Forest; Rainfall and Average Temperature; World Population; Tribal; Medicinal Plants; Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturer’s Association (ADMA); Bio-diversity of the Country; Pharmaceutical and Phyto-pharmaceuticals; International Trade; National and International Legislation; Joint Forest Management (JFM); Medicinal Plants Board; Pharma Forestry.
2. Pharma Forestry
Pharma Forestry; Ethno Medicines; Bio-diversity; Medicinal Plants; Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP); Depletion of Our Forest; Traditional Forest Management; Medicinal Plants Based Forest Management; Storage, Trading and Marketing; Collection of Medicinal Plants from Wild; Cultivation of Medicinal Plants; Tragedy of the Common; National Forestry Action Plan; Cost-Benefits Ratio; Medicinal Plant Conservation Area; Sacred Grooves; Cultural and Bio-diversity.
3. Legislation
Dunkel Draft and Intellectual Property Rights; International Trade in Wildlife; Provisions of CITES; Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Indian Forest Act, 1927; Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi; Export and Import of Medicinal Plants; Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940.
4. Market
Marketing; Indian Share in Herbal Drug Market; Three Stakeholders; Community Right to Live; Participatory Market Information System (MIS); Botanicals Traded in Market; Export of the Crude Drug; Potential of Domestic Market; Annual Consumption of Medicinal Plants; Yearly Requirements of the Tree Species; Therapeutic Indices.
5. Propagation and Cultivation
Indian System of Medicines (ISM) viz. Ayurveda, Unani, Sidha and also Homeopath; Department of ISMH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India; Medicinal Plants Cultivated; Returns From Cultivation; Indian Farmers; Cultivation; Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Task force.
Selected Medicinal Plants and their propagation/cultivation, agro-climatic requirements, transplanting, aftercare and economics
1. Agnimath (Premna serratifolia, L.)
2. Anantmool (Hemidesmus indicus, [L.] Br.)
3. Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica, L.)
4. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, [L.] Dunal.)
5. Bael (Aegle marmelos, [L.] Corr.)
6. Bekhund (Acorus calamus, L.)
7. Brahami (Bacopa monnieri, [L.] Penn.)
8. Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica, L.)
9. Guggal (Commiphora wightii, [Arn.] Bhan.)
10. Gulvel (Tinospora cordifolia, [L.] Merr.)
11. Isabgol (Plantago ovata, Forsk.)
12. Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata, Burm.f. Wall.)
13. Kavach (Mucuna pruriens, [L.] DC.)
14. Kokum (Garcinia indica, Choisy.)
15. Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, L.)
16. Long pepper (Piper longum, L.)
17. Madhunashini (Gymnema sylvestre, [Retz.] R. Br.)
18. Safed musali (Chlorophytum tuberosum, [Bak.])
19. Salwan (Desmodium gangeticum, [L.] DC.)
20. Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina, [L.] Benth. Ex. Kurz.)
21. Satavari (Asparagus racemosus, Willd.)
22. Senna (Cassia angustifolia, Vahl.)
23. Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis, Choisy.)
24. Sita ashok (Saraca asoca, [Roxb.] De. Wilde.)
25. Vavding (Embelia ribes, Burm.f.)
Prapagation notes on certain additional species of medicinal plants:
1. Adulsa (Adhatoda vasica, Nees.)
2. Akkalkara (Spilanthes calva, DC.)
3. Arjun (Terminalia arjuna, [Roxb.] Wight & Arn.)
4. Brahmi/pennywort (Centella asiatica, [L.] Urban)
5. Kapur Kachora (Kaempferia galanga, L.)
6. Fever nut (Caesalpinia bonducella, [L.] Roxb.)
7. Gavati Chaha (Cymbopogon citratus, Stapf.)
8. Indian Liquorice (Abrus precatorius, L.)
9. Jaiphal/Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans, L.)
10. Karanj/Indian beech (Pongamia pinnata, [L.] Pier.)
11. Kartule (Momordica dioica, Roxb. ex. Willd.)
12. Kavat/Elephant apple (Feronia elephantum, Corr.)
13. Khadki rasna/Indian pecacuanha (Tylophora indica, [Burm.f.] Merr.)
14. Kost/Pingas (Costus speciosus, [Koenig] Sm.)
15. Kuda/The Conessi bark tree (Holarrhena antidysenterica, Wall.)
16. Musrudsheng/Janakphal (Helicteres isora, L.)
17. Padal (Stereospermum chelonoides, [L.f.] DC.)
18. Phalsa (Grewia tiliafolia, Vohl.)
19. Rakta chandan/Indian Kino Tree (Pterocarpus marsupium, Roxb.)
20. Shevga/Drumstick (Moringa oleifera, Lam.)
21. Shikakai/The Soap Pod Tree (Acacia concinna, DC.)
22. Sultan Chaffa/Alexandrian Laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum, L.)
23. Turbith root (Operculina turpethum, [L.] Silva Manso.)
6. Selected Medicinal Plants 98
1. Acanthaceae: 1.a. Adhatoda vasica, Nees. 1.b. Andrographis paniculata, (Burm. f.) Wall.
1.c. Barleria cristata, L. 1.d. Hygrophila auriculata, (Schum.) Heine. 1.e. Neuracanthus sphaerostachys, (Nees.) Dalz. 1.f. Rhinacanthus nasuta, L. (Kurz.) 1.g. Thunbergia fragrans, Roxb.
2. Amaranthaceae: 2.a. Achyranthes aspera, L.
3. Anacardiaceae: 3.a. Anacardium occidentale, L. 3.b. Lannea coromandelica, (Houtt.) Merr. 3.c. Semecarpus anacardium, L. f.
4. Annonaceae: 4.a. Annona squamosa, L.
5. Apiaceae (Umbelliferae): 5.a. Centella asiatica, (L.) Urban.
6. Apocynaceae: 6.a. Alstonia scholaris, L. Br. 6.b. Catharanthus roseus, L. Don. 6.c. Holarrhena antidysenterica, (L.) Wall. 6.d. Plumeria acuminata, Ait. 6.e. Rauvolfia serpentina, (L.) Benth. Ex. Kurz.
6.f. Wrightia tinctoria, Br.
7. Araceae: 7.a. Acorus calamus, L. 7.b. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, (Dennst.) Nicol.
8. Arecaceae: 8.a. Areca catechu, L.
9. Asclepiadaceae: 9.a. Calotropis gigantea, (L.) Br. 9.b. Gymnema sylvestre, (Retz.) R. Br.
9.c. Hemidesmus indicus. (L.) Br. 9.d. Holostemma ada-kodien, Schult. 9.e. Tylophora indica, (Burm. f.) Merr.
10. Asteraceae (Compositae): 10.a. Anacyclus pyrethrum, DC. 10.b. Centratherum anthelminticum, Kuntz. 10.c. Cyathocline purpurea (Don.) Kuntze. 10.d. Eclipta alba, (L.) Hassk. 10.e. Sphaeranthus indicus, L. 10.f. Spilanthes calva, DC. 10.g. Tridax procumbens, L. 10.h. Vernonia cinerea, Less.
11. Barringtoniaceae: 11.a. Barringtonia acutangula, (L.) Gaertn. 11.b Careya arborea, Roxb.
12. Bignoniaceae: 12.a. Dolichandrone falcata, Seem. 12.b. Oroxylum indicum, (L.) Vent.
12.c. Radermachera xylocarpa, (Roxb.) K. Schum 12.d. Stereospermum chelonoides, (auct.) A. DC.
12.e. Tecomella undulata, (Sm.) Seem.
13. Bixaceae: 13.a. Bixa orellana, L.
14. Bombacaceae: 14.a. Bombax ceiba, L.
15. Boraginaceae: 15.a. Trichodesma indicum, (L.) Br.
16. Bromeliaceae: 16.a. Ananas cosmosus, (L.) Merr.
17. Burseraceae: 17.a. Commiphora wightii, (Arn.) Bhandari. 17.b. Garuga pinnata, Roxb.
18. Caesalpiniaceae: 18.a. Bauhinia variegata, L. 18.b. Caesalpinia bonducella, (L.) Roxb.
18.c. Caesalpinia sepiaria, Roxb. 18.d. Cassia angustifolia, Vahl. 18.e. Cassia fistula, L. 18.f. Saraca asoca, (Roxb.) De. Wilde.
19. Capparidaceae: 19.a. Capparis moonii, Wt. 19.b. Capparis zeylanica, L. 19.c. Crataeva magna, (Lour.) DC.
20. Celastraceae: 20.a. Cassine glauca, (Rottb.) Ktze. 20.b. Celastrus paniculatus, Willd.
21. Clusiaceae: 21.a. Calophyllum inophyllum, L. 21.b. Garcinia indica, Choisy.
22. Combretaceae: 22.a. Anogeissus latifolia, Bedd. 22.b. Calycopteris floribunda, Lamk. 22.c. Terminalia arjuna, (Roxb.) Wt & Arn. 22.d. Terminalia bellirica, (Gaertn.) Roxb. 22.e. Terminalia chebula, Retz.
23. Convolvulaceae: 23.a. Argyreia nervosa, (Burm. f.) Boj. 23.b. Cuscuta reflexa, Roxb. 23.c. Ipomoea digitata, L. 23.d. Lettsomia setosa, Roxb. 23.e. Operculina turpethum, Silva. Manso.
24. Cordiaceae: 24.a. Cordia dichotoma, Forst. f.
25. Costaceae: 25.a. Costus speciosus, (Koen.) Sm.
26. Crassulaceae: 26.a. Kalanchoe pinnata, (Lamk.) Pers.
27. Cucurbitaceae: 27.a. Momordica dioica, Roxb.ex. Willd. 27.b. Mukia maderaspatana, (L.) Cogn. 27.c. Solena amplexicaulis, (Lamk.) Gandhi 27.d. Trichosanthes cucumerina, L.
28. Cyperaceae: 28.a. Cyperus rotundus, L.
29. Dilleniaceae: 29.a. Dillenia pentagyna, Roxb.
30. Dioscoreaceae: 30.a. Dioscorea bulbifera, L.
31. Elaeocarpaceae: 31.a. Elaeocarpus sphaericus, (Gaertn.) Schum.
32. Euphorbiaceae: 32.a. Baliospermum montanum, Muell. Arg. 32.b. Bridelia retusa, Spreng. 32.c. Croton roxburghii, Balak. 32.d. Drypetes roxburghii, (Wall.) Huru. 32.e. Jatropa curcas, L. 32.f. Mallotus philippensis, Muell. 32.g. Phyllanthus emblica, L. 32.h. Phyllanthus fraternus, Webst.
33. Ebenaceae: 33.a. Diospyros melanoxylon, Roxb.
34. Fabaceae: 34.a. Abrus precatorius, L. 34.b. Butea monosperma, (Lamk.) Taub. 34.c. Clitoria ternatea, L. 34.d. Desmodium gangeticum, (L.) DC. 34.e. Glycyrrhiza glabra, L. 34.f. Mucuna pruriens, (L.) DC. 34.g. Ougeinia oojeinensis, (Roxb.) Hochr. 34.h. Pongamia pinnata, (L.) Pierre. 34.i. Pterocarpus marsupium, Roxb. 34.j. Pterocarpus santalinus, L.f. 34.k. Sesbania grandiflora, Pers. 34.l. Tephrosea purpurea, Pers.
35. Flindersiaceae: 35.a. Chloroxylon swietenia, DC.
36. Hypoxidaceae: 36.a. Curculigo orchioides, Gaertn.
37. Lamiaceae: 37.a. Coleus aromaticus, Benth. 37.b. Leonotis nepetaefolia, R.Br. 37.c. Leucas plukeneti, (Roth.) Spr. 37.d. Ocimum basilicum, L.
38. Lauraceae: 38.a. Cinnamomum tamala, Nees. 38.b. Cinnamomum verum, Presl.
39. Lecythydaceae: 39.a. Couroupita quianensis, Abul.
40. Liliaceae: 40.a. Aloe barbadensis, Mill. 40.b. Asparagus racemosus, Willd. 40.c. Chlorophytum tuberosum, (Bak.) 40.d. Drimia indica, (Roxb.) Jessop. 40.e. Gloriossa superba, L.
41. Loranthaceae: 41.a. Dendrophthoe falcata, (L.f. ) Etting.
42. Lythraceae: 42.a. Lagerstroemia parviflora, Roxb. 42.b. Woodfordia fructicosa, (L.) Kurz.
43. Magnoliaceae: 43.a. Michelia champaca, L.
44. Malvaceae: 44.a. Abelmoschus manihot, (L.) Medic. 44.b. Abutilon indicum, (L.) Sw. 44.c. Hibiscus rosa- sinensis, L. 44.d. Kydia calycina, Roxb. 44.e. Sida cordifolia, L. 44.f. Sida rhombifolia, L.
45. Meliaceae: 45.a. Azadirachta indica, Juss. 45.b. Melia azedarach, L. 45.c. Soymida febrifuga, (Roxb.) Juss.
46. Menispermaceae: 46.a. Cissampelos pareira, L. 46.b. Cocculus hirsutus, L. 46.c. Tinospora cordifolia, (L.) Merr.
47. Mimosaceae: 47.a. Acacia catechu, (L.f.) Willd. 47.b. Acacia concinna, DC. 47.c. Adenanthera pavonina, L. 47.d. Mimosa pudica, L.
48. Moraceae: 48.a. Artocarpus heterophyllus, Lamk. 48.b. Ficus hispida, L.f.
49. Moringaceae: 49.a. Moringa oleifera, Lam.
50. Myrsinaceae: 50.a. Embelia ribes, Burm. f. 50.b. Embelia tsjeriam-cottam (R. & S.) DC.
51. Myristicaceae: 51.a. Myristica fragrans, Houtt.
52. Myrtaceae: 52.a. Syzygium aromaticum, (L.) Merr. & Perry.
53. Nyctanginaceae: 53.a. Boerhaavia diffusa, L.
54. Nymphaeaceae: 54.a. Nymphaea nouchali, Burm. f.
55. Oleaceae: 55.a. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, L.
56. Orchidaceae: 56.a. Vanda tessellata, (Roxb.) Hk. f. ex. Don.
57. Piperaceae: 57.a. Piper betle, L. 57.b. Piper longum, L. 57.c. Piper nigrum, L.
58. Pandanaceae: 58.a. Pandanus odoratissimus, L.
59. Pedaliaceae: 59.a. Pedalium murex, L.
60. Plumbaginaceae: 60.a. Plumbago zeylanica, L.
61. Poaceae: 61.a. Bambusa arundinacea, Willd. 61.b. Cymbopogon citratus, Stapf. 61.c. Vetiveria zizanioides, L. Nash.
62. Ranunculaceae: 62.a. Clematis triloba, Heyne.
63. Rhamnaceae: 63.a. Zizyphus nummularia, (Burm. f.) Wt. & Arn. 63.b. Zizyphus rugosa, Lamk.
64. Rhizophoraceae: 64.a. Rhizophora mucronata, Lam.
65. Rubiaceae: 65.a. Anthocephalus chinensis, (Lamk.) Rich. ex. Walp. 65.b. Catunaregam nutans, DC. 65.c. Gardenia gummifera, L. f. 65.d. Hymenodictyon excelsum, (Roxb.) Wall. 65.e. Morinda pubescens, Sm.
66. Rutaceae: 66.a. Aegle marmelos, (L.) Corr. 66.b. Feronia elephantum, Corr.
67. Santalaceae: 67.a. Santalum album, L.
68. Sapindaceae: 68.a. Schleichera oleosa, (Lour.) Oken. 68.b. Sapindus trifoliatus, L.
69. Sapotaceae: 69.a. Madhuca longifolia, (koen.) Mac. Br. 69.b. Manilkara hexandra, (Roxb.). 69.c. Mimusops elengi, (Roxb.)
70. Scrophulariaceae: 70.a. Bacopa monnieri, (L.) Penn.
71. Simaroubaceae: 71.a. Ailanthus excelsa, Roxb.
72. Solanaceae: 72.a. Datura metal, L. 72.b Solanum ferox, L. 72.c. Solanum nigrum, L. 72.d. Solanum surattense, Burm. f. 72.e. Withania somnifera, (L.) Dunal.
73. Sterculiaceae: 73.a. Helicteres isora, L. 73.b. Pterospermum canescens, Roxb. 73.c. Sterculia urens, Roxb.
74. Taccaceae: 74.a. Tacca leontopetaloides, (L.) Ktze.
75. Tiliaceae: 75.a. Grewia tiliaefolia, Vahl.
76. Valerianaceae: 76.a. Valeriana wallichii, DC.
77. Verbenaceae: 77.a. Clerodendrum multiflorum, Baker. 77.b. Gmelina arborea, Roxb. 77.c. Premna serratifolia, L. 77.d. Vitex negundo, L.
78. Vitaceae: 78.a. Ampelocissus latifolia, (Vahl) Planch. 78.b. Cissus quadrangularis, L.
79. Zingiberaceae: 79.a. Alpina galanga, Willd. 79.b. Curcuma pseudomontana, Grah. 79.c. Curcuma zedoaria, Rosc. 79.d. Elettaria cardamomum, Maton.
Glossary (Selected Medical and Botanical Terms)
Common and Latin Name of Selected Medicinal Plants
Selected References
Model Estimate for Cultivation
Species and Family Index
Photo Profile
