Conservation of ret medicinal plants W.S.R to Tinospora Malabarica (Lam.) Hook.F. a Thoms

Abstract

India is rich in medicinal plant diversity. Some of them are recognized and classified as RET medicinal plants. RET medicinal plants are Rare, Endangered and Threatened forests species growing and multiplied naturally in restricted areas. The RET medicinal plants which have been identified by IUCN are to be conserved by both In-situ & Ex-situ methods. These plants species play important role as folk remedies against many diseases. Tinospora malabarica (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thoms which is mainly found in South India also called as Tinospora sinensis is found to be threatened with Vulnerable status at Karnataka, Lower risk near threatened in Kerala and not evaluated status in Tamilnadu. It is a climber and mainly found as wild variety and commonly used in the treatment of Fever, Joint pain etc. In Ayurvedic Classics it is referred to Kandodbhava Guduchi and used as Jwaraghna, Vishagna etc. Due to its wide use in folklore practice, it is moving towards extinction in the near future. Hence, Good collection and cultivation practices and techniques for in-situ and ex-situ conservation is need of the hour.