CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF ASHWAGANDHA: A MEDICINAL PLANT
Journal Title: Journal of Biological and Scientific Opinion - Year 2015, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Ayurveda become a globally popular healthcare system leading to constant rise in the demand for herbal medicines resulting in increased world herbal trade which stands at US$ 120 billion and is expected to reach US$ 7 trillion by 2050. As majority of Ayurvedic medicines are plant based, this demand has resulted in a huge pressure on the traditional sources of raw materials. Obviously, the wild sources are not able to meet the demand of raw materials. To overcome this situation alternate sources of raw materials like cultivated fields are look for supply. Dwindling forest cover, unscientific and exploitative collection leads to loss of supply source and threat to germplasm. Germplasm conservation and cultivation seems to be the best way forward for sustainable utilization of medicinal plants. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal) is widely used, prioritised Ayurvedic herb having annual demand 7000 tonnes/yr but its actual production is 1500 tonnes/yr. It grows naturally in subtropical region and is collected from wild and fields. Its rampant collection has once leaded to critical pressure situation on its germplasm. This was noticed and a lot of effort was put in for its sustainable production. There is lot of evidence we will discuss in the various research field of Ashwagandha like Agronomic research, Phytochemical and Clinical research and Market Linkage. Ashwagndha due to such sustained and concerted multi-disciplinary effort has come near to a sustainable use mode. It is thus logical to extend the Ashwagandha model to other high demand medicinal plants and its feasibility.
Authors and Affiliations
Ashashri Shinde , Pankaj Gahunge , Sudipt Rath
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP100569
- DOI 10.7897/2321-6328.03220
- Views 99
- Downloads 0
KASAMARDA (CASSIA OCCIDENTALIS LINN.), MACRO/MICROSCOPIC PROFILE
Kasamarda (Cassia occidentalis Linn.) is a popular medicinal plant for the treatment of Kasa (cough) mentioned in almost all texts of Ayurevda. It is an erect, foetid annual herb, the leaves and stem parts of which are u...
UTILITY OF THE CONCEPT OF GARBHOTPADAKA SAMAGRI (ESSENTIAL FACTORS FOR CONCEPTION) IN THE PRESENT ERA
Fertilization is essential for propagation of species and their evolution. It is the process of union of male and female gametes resulting in the formation of a zygote. Thereafter implantation and growth of the fetus tak...
A PILOTSTUDY ON THE ROLE OF SHADANGA GUGGULU AND MADHUSHIGRU ĀŚYOTANA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ABHISHYANDA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CONJUNCTIVITIS
Abhishyanda is a sarvagata netra roga which involves all parts of the eye and considered as a dreadful disease because it gives rise to all other eye diseases. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva manife...
VIPADIKA: A CASE REPORT
the heading of Kshudra Kushta. It is characterized by Sphutanam (fissures) either in palms or soles or in both with Theevra vedana (severe pain). Vipadika is correlated with palmar-plantar psoriasis which is a chronic sk...
A CASE STUDY ON NEUROGENIC BLADDER VIS- A- VIS BASTIKUNDALIKA
Neurogenic bladder is impaired bladder function resulting from damage to the nerves that govern the urinary tract. Various nerves converge in the area of the bladder and serve to control the muscles of the urinary tract,...