Aims: This article deals with the pharmaceutically important medicinal plants from Obra and Chandauli forest divisions of Uttar Pradesh. Exploration of the two adjoining forest divisions has been carried out during 2014 and 2017. The study was conducted to prepare records of medicinal plants in the study areas. Outcome of the study: During exploration, records of pharmaceutically important medicinal plants with its Global Positioning System (GPS) and potential in the field were taken. The important medicinal plants, such as Aegle marmelos, Bacopa monnieri, Boswellia serrata, Celastrus paniculata, Centella asiatica, Desmodium gangeticum, Gymnema sylvestris, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Oroxylum indicum, Solanum nigrum, and Terminalia tomentosa were recorded, which can be undertaken for mass cultivation by the farmers by adding some other medicinal plants having commercial value, viz. Aloe barbadensis and Withania somnifera. Conclusion: The study area is widely occupied by plants of Holarrhena antidysenterica and Woodfordia fruticosa for commercialization, whereas plants of Oroxylum indicum, Gymnema sylvestre, Butea superba, etc., need conservation in the habitat.

Introduction: A resurgence of interest in Ayurveda, other traditional systems of medicine, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has resulted from the preference of many consumers for products of natural origin. The potential benefits of plant-based medicines could lie in their high acceptance by patients, and efficacy and safety. The most prevalent users of traditional medicine are individuals who have refractory conditions and nonlife-threatening conditions that may be chronic viz. neurological disorders, arthritis, etc. The second-largest group of users is those struggling with chronic, potentially life-threatening diseases, such as cancer and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, etc. Both groups turn to Ayurveda and traditional system of medicine for a variety of reasons, such as management as the main treatment option and improved immune functioning, overall functioning, and quality-of-life (QoL) by coping with side effects from conventional therapies, and to relieve symptoms related to their illness. The upsurge in use of traditional system among cancer patients warrants evidence of safety and effectiveness for these interventions as concomitant to conventional cancer therapy. Objective: This manuscript aims at a systematic review of published data on the effectiveness of Ayurveda/ herbal interventions as stand-alone or concomitant in the management of cancer. Materials and methods: Literature search for clinical studies with specific terms was carried using search engines viz. Google scholar, PubMed, Ayush Research Portal, etc. and print journals, reports from May 2017 to June 2017. Results: Various randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that ginger, honey, turmeric, and ashwagandha are effective as add-on in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), radiation mucositis, and fatigue. Moreover, single case reports and case–control studies also reported with positive outcomes for Ayurveda as stand-alone and add-ons to conventional treatment. Conclusion: Evidence for effectiveness of Ayurveda as add-on concomitant to conventional cancer treatment is substantial in comparison with Ayurveda as stand-alone, and this may help to develop integrative Ayurveda oncology treatment protocols.

Aim: This study focuses on the documentation and critical evaluation of the presence of botanical nootropics in Ayurveda based on the available classical literature in Ayurveda. The study also entails the terminology used for different memory and cognitive functions in the classical texts of Ayurveda. Background: The process of memory (smriti) and neurocognitive functions (medha) has been well documented by Indians since ancient times, and comprehensive portrayal concerning different diseases interfering neurocognitive functions and their management are embodied in ancient medical literatures. A detailed account of medicinal plants for enhancement of neurocognitive functions, such as medhya rasayanas, smritikara, buddhivivardhaka, buddhimatiprada drugs, etc. (nootropics and mental health promoters) can be traced from over nine codified texts of Ayurveda. Review results: Exposition of the uncharted knowledge about plant drugs ascribed with nootropic effect is scattered elsewhere in archaic medical literatures and is pivotal for further research and drug development. For rational, evidence-based use and development of safe, effective, and acceptable pharmacological dosage forms, it is vital to comprehend the mode of action of these plant drugs based on their traditional use, principles mentioned in Ayurveda texts, and also applying modern pharmacological thoughts. Conclusion: Documentation and critical evaluation of the presence of botanical nootropics in Ayurveda based on the available classical literature in Ayurveda was done. Mental health is one among the important health concerns in the emerging scenario, owing to the paradigm shift of the disease burden from communicable disease to noncommunicable disease in developed and developing countries. The potential leads from Ayurveda texts may be taken forward for further development of safe, effective, and user-friendly dosage forms through systematic preclinical and clinical studies. Further, the diverse terminology was found in different Ayurvedic text.

Aim: To have a comprehensive review on classification, good collection practices, number, importance, adverse effects, possible botanical identity, and different indications of classical vegetables from 15 different classical texts and lexicons and to present them in a systemic manner. Background: Vegetables are an integral part of healthy diet since the Vedic era. For the past few decades, there is a growing interest in assessing the role of vegetables for their health benefits. In various classical texts of Ayurveda, all the vegetables are detailed under a single group termed as Śākavarga where the properties and indication of individual plant were described. Authors of classical texts of Ayurveda described the nutritional as well as therapeutic value of all the vegetables in their respective texts. These information have not been critically reviewed and published in a compiled format. A systematic review regarding the identification and use of these classical vegetables is the need of the time. Review results: Analysis of data reveals that about 308 Śākadravya (vegetables) are described in classical texts. Among them, 156 patraśāka (leafy vegetables), 71 phalaśāka (fruit vegetables), 50 kandaśāka (tuber/root), 30 puṣpaśāka (flower vegetables), 10 nālaśāka (stem/aerial parts), and one type of saṃsvedaja śāka (mushrooms) are described. Conclusion: Vegetables described under śākavarga in classical texts of Ayurveda can be further studied to understand the mechanism of action to establish their dietetic importance. Clinical significance: These vegetables are indicated in 42 different disease conditions where they can be used as pathya (wholesome diet). Some contraindications and precautions to be taken during collection and preparations of the śākadravya are also explained in many of the classical texts.

Objective: This study was conducted to prepare records of medicinal plants used in various traditional practices in Northeast India for the management of different diseases. Introduction: Northeastern region comprises the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim. Topography of the region which is the prime source of diversity of flora and fauna covering the part of natural medicine is from tropical, subtropical, temperate, and alpine regions of vegetation distribution. This topography reflects the occurrence of diverse types of medicinal plants suitable for different climatic conditions. The study deals with the medicinal plants used in the management of various prevalent diseases in Northeast India by the use of locally available herbs. Outcome: Medicinal plants distributed in the different climatic zones of Northeast are Aconitum heterophyllum, Acer palmatum, Adiantum capillus veneris, A. lunulatum, Aquilaria malaccensis, Bacopa monnieri, Berberis aristata, B. wallichiana, Bergenia ciliata, Curcuma caesia, C. zedoaria, Crateva nurvela, Cordyceps sinensis, Embelia ribes, Emblica officinalis, Gentiana kurroo, Gmelina arborea, Gynocardia odorata, Hydnocarpus kurzii, Nardostachys jatamansi, Panax pseudoginseng, Paris polyphylla, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Rauvolfia serpentina, Rubia manjith, Saraca asoca, Solanum nigrum, Taxus wallichiana, Terminalia arjuna, T. bellerica, T. chebula, T. citrina, Valeriana jatamansi, Zanthoxylum armatum, Z. rhetsa, Zingiber zerumbet, Z. officinale, etc. Conclusion: The commercial cultivation, systemic collection for trade is the mode through which local inhabitants may earn money for moving toward prosperity.

Introduction: Tribal Health Care Research Program (THCRP) was initiated by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) in 1982. The core objective of the program is to study the living conditions of tribal people, which includes health-related demography, documentation of folk claims, local health traditions (LHTs), use of common medicinal plants and their availability, propagation of knowledge about personnel hygiene, and prevention of diseases besides extending medical aid at their doorsteps. The program has been implemented in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar at different years from 1982 to 2016. During this period, five independent Tribal Health Care Research units have been relocated through reorganization, which came into force in the year 2000. Further, during the year 2014 to 2015 and 2016 to 2017 the program has been extended in 10 more states, viz., Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Telangana. Currently, the THCRP is being executed in 14 states through 15 peripheral institutes of CCRAS under tribal subplan (TSP). Materials and methods: The gross physical achievements including the beneficiaries of health care services, details of villages, tribal pockets covered, documentation of disease prevalence, and LHTs during the period 1982 to 2016 were compiled, summarized, and presented based on the information available in the published monographs, technical reports, and annual reports. Conclusion: A critical appraisal of THCRP revealed that from 1982 up to March 2016, CCRAS has extended health care services at 1,358 villages/tribal pockets that represent around 50 tribes across 14 states covering a population of 947,587. Apart from propagation of knowledge about hygiene and prevention of diseases, medical aid was provided to 336,015 seekers. In addition to this, through this program about 734 folklore claims, LHTs, use of common medicinal plants and their availability were documented and also the prevalence of different diseases in the tribal pockets was recorded.

Quest for healthy and long life is perhaps as old as human existence and efforts are unremitting to address the challenges and triumph over the bottlenecks across this journey. Natural products of botanical, animal or mineral sources have initiated the scientific expedition of drugs since antiquity. Still, more interesting leads are emerging for drug discovery from documented traditional knowledge and certain oral undocumented Local Health Traditions (LHTs). The LHTs encompass the integral component medical heritage of the any country. Systematic documentation of such knowledge is pivotal to preserve the medical heritage of the country besides scientific validation of its attributes and principles. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has developed a comprehensive format for documentation of Local Health Traditions (LHTs), Folklore Claims etc. This format could be well utilized as a tool for uniform recording of information by scientists and scholars engaged in ethno medicinal ,ethno pharmacology and traditional medicine research