Traditional values of medicinal plants, herbs and their curable benefits

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been discovered in Indian medical practices to control many human diseases since prehistoric times. Plants synthesise numerous chemical compounds which acts as defence mechanism against insects, fungi, diseases and herbivorous mammals. Medicinal plants have been known to be an important potential source of therapeutics or curative aids. The use of medicinal plants has attained a commanding role in health system all over the world. This involves the use of medicinal plants not only for the treatment of diseases but also as potential material for maintaining good health and conditions. Many countries in the world, that is, two-third of the world’s population, rely on herbal based medicine for primary health care because of cultural acceptability, compatibility and adaptability with the human body and possess zero-side effects. Since past, remedy drugs were prepared from plant extracts to combat the chronic disease worldwide.