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The sustainable use of medicinal plants known to the people of
India need to be guided by an authentic botanical knowledge of the
plant species, their natural distribution, the traditional knowledge
of plants in different indigenous systems of medicine, and
information on their trade and agriculture. Such multi-faceted
information on medicinal plants of India has been put together by
FRLHT in the form of computerized databases, specialised reports,
information products, websites and trade bulletins.
1. Databases
1.1 Medicinal Plants Master Database
A comprehensive master database on medicinal plants of
India has been systematically built up at FRLHT over the last 8
years. Currently, this database incorporates more than 7,500
botanical names which are linked to more than 1,40,500 vernacular
names in 13 different languages like Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi,
Sanskrit, etc. Each such correlation can be traced back to a
published reference. This database also incorporates more than
10,000 authentic digital images of plants duly linked to their
botanical names. An important feature of this database is a
fully-referenced distribution database which provides information on
geographical distribution of nearly 6,000 plant species. Through a
system of assigning a unique ID number to each botanical name and
linking various aspects of information, for each species, to this
unique ID, data relating to several different aspects like
propagation, trade, pharmacognosy etc can be quickly accessed for a specific plant entity with
search being initiated with the help of a
botanical or vernacular name.
This multi-faceted database forms the backbone for undertaking
and promoting
sustainable use
and informed conservation action for native
medicinal plant species and also acts as a platform for designing
various research projects relating to the management of this
valuable natural resource.
This database is also linked to referenced information on the plant materia-medica of traditional systems of medicine
as well as to pharmacognosy and pharmacology of the plant
entities.
1.2 Pharmacognosy
database on Indian medicinal plants
A computerised database called Labguru has been created for storing
and retrieving referenced literature on pharmacognosy and pharmacology of medicinal plants. Labguru is a stand-alone database
with an easy-to-use
interface, linked to the master database.
This database is a valuable literature source for
researchers and industry alike.
Data compilation is from published sources
such as texts and on-line databases. This is an ongoing evolving activity in
the laboratory at FRLHT.
1.3
Database on metals and
minerals used in Indian medicines
Mineral and metal medicine is used by traditional
practitioners all over India.
These are potent medicinal materials which need accurate
identification of materials and careful processing for their proper use. Therefore it was decided to
develop a user-friendly and easily retrievable database on mineral and
metal medicine by compilation of relevant references from authentic
traditional texts of Ayurveda that are difficult to procure at one place for
most users. Correlating the traditional names of metals minerals to modern
geological entities helps to understand
the identity of the
minerals used.
1.4
AYUSH Databases
FRLHT in the last 10 years has been documenting and
developing traditional knowledge databases on the materia medica of Indian systems of
medicine. Medicinal plant databases have been already initiated on
Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani system and Homoeopathy. The current FRLHT
databases have screened a limited number of the known
medical texts written across the period 1500 BC to 1900 AD and
therefore much work yet remains to be done.
In the next 5 years we would also like to initiate new database work on
diagnostics and other speciality areas like panchakarma and rasayana,
as these fields are critical for effective application of Ayurveda and
Siddha.
The main goal of the databases is to serve the needs of students and
teachers of Indian systems of medicine, medical practitioners,
researchers, community enterprises, community health NGOs and
pharmaceutical companies.
Database of plants of Susruta Samhita:
The database of plants of Susruta Samhita has 9,650 references.
This data has been converted from the previous data environment to the
present one to support access to various database tools. A checklist
of the plant names was prepared and a report is made available in
Sanskrit and English scripts.
Database on plants of Siddha medicine:
The bilingual database has
an extensive collection of information pertaining to a therapeutic
information of plants mentioned in 5 texts of 2,350 records, simple
remedies mentioned in 6 texts of 1,800 records, formulation data of
3,013 records and 36,000 records of dictionary file which has Tamil
names of plants. A separate nighantu file in Tamil script and a
glossary of the technical terms are also incorporated in this database.
Database on plants of Homoeo medicine:
This database could complete compilation of plants and products
information of 80 plants mentioned in Homoeo medicine from 15-20
sources as text document.
Database on plants of Unani medicine:
A hard copy of the Arabic and Urdu names appearing in the
classical texts of Unani medicine was prepared from the FRLHT’s
nomenclature database. Verification on botanical names and spellings
of Arabic names and Unani names were carried out.
1.5
Databases
for assessment of local health traditions
The web-based Referral Browser basically aims to provide
support for assessment of folk health traditions. This will help to
promote best health-related practices in a specific area for human,
plant and animal health care. The browser will procure references from
Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and modern pharmacology for a resource used in
folk health practice and is subjected to evaluation/assessment.
The web-based Referral Browser basically aims to provide support for
assessment of folk health traditions. This will help to promote best
health-related practices in a specific area for human, plant and
animal health care. The browser will procure references from Ayurveda,
Siddha, Unani and modern pharmacology for a resource used in folk
health practice and is subjected to evaluation / assessment.
2. Specialised Reports & Checklists
 FRLHT
has come out with state wise
checklists and specialised reports on
medicinal plants in conservation sites. While
specialised reports have been prepared and published on the
medicinal plants of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, checklists
have been prepared for Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Uttranchal.
The specialised reports list the species recorded in the state and
the species found in the MPCAs, their
habit and the system of medicine in which they are used.
Specialised reports also has the distribution and the forest type
maps of the respective state, the botanical profile of the state and
the MPCA and the habit wise analysis of the medicinal plants.
3.
Information Products
3.1 CDs
on Medicinal plants of southern India
Three CDs on medicinal plants of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
have been designed for the use of researchers working in the field of
conservation. The CDs incorporate data on checklist of medicinal
plants in each of these States. It also provides information on
threat status of the species, synonyms, different systems of
medicine they are used in and forest type where the plants occur.
There are around 900 images. Information is also available on
primary health care uses for 128 species and propagation techniques for 200
species. More than 65,000 regional names have been included, in differrent languages like Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada,
Malayalam and Tamil, along with maps to show the occurrence of
individual species in various forest types. The search of a
species can be done either from botanical or regional name. It can
filter the species depending on the forest type, threat status,
system of medicine and by the language.
 3.2 Clinically Important plants of Ayurveda (CIPA)
Clinically Important Plants of Ayurveda is now available as a
CD-ROM, which contains detailed information of 3500 pharmaceutical
preparations for 200 indications. It has plant pictures, botanical and
regional names, Sanskrit synonyms and its complete reference, plant
properties and English meaning of all technical Sanskrit terms. This
would be useful for pharmaceutical industries, Ayurveda practitioners
and researchers.
3.3 Plants of Caraka Samhita
This bilingual database incorporates 12,873 plant
references from Caraka Samhita which are grouped into 620 species.
This was carried out based on a guideline prepared for grouping plant
names as anonyms, synonyms and variant names. In the database, each
plant reference is provided with its English translation and all the
technical terms are supported with a dictionary of its English
meaning. Classification of medicinal plants, 1,700 formulation
information, plant picture, various botanical correlations and its
identity status, habit and trade information of selected species,
commentator’s opinion of plant identity, etc. are the important
features of this database.
A multimedia CD was designed with
necessary visual effects highlighting the importance of Caraka
Samhita. A brochure on this CD is also available to support
dissemination activities.
3.4 Database on plants of Ayurveda for BAMS course
All classical information pertaining to detailed and non-detailed
list of plants mentioned in the BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine
and Surgery) syllabus were compiled from 20 classical texts. There are
370 plants in the syllabus which are incorporated in the database.
Botanical names, regional names, classical references like Sanskrit
slokas, interpretation of the slokas into English, and usage of these
plants as single drugs are incorporated into this database.
Modern botanical information such as morphology, distribution,
propagation methods and pharmacognosy information inclusive of its
plant biochemistry and pharmacology are provided. This database is
aimed to provide all required information for graduates and
postgraduate students of Ayurveda.
3.5
Database on Ayurveda formularies
The database of the Ayurveda formularies
incorporated in the Ver.1 of CIPA (Clinically important plants of Ayurveda)
CD. The second
version of the CIPA will have 4,000 more Ayurvedic formulation
compiled from 7 classical texts covering about 150 plants.
4.
Websites: Envis, online
encyclopedia, online store, MPCPdb, cinomp
We believe a wide range of users, households, schools,
colleges, medical researchers and libraries need reliable information on medicinal plants and traditional
health practices but do not have access to it. FRLHT has developed a few websites that are
database-driven to bridge this gap.
 4.1 ENVIS (Environmental Information System) on
Medicinal Plants of Conservation Concern (http://envis.frlht.org.in)
In recognition of FRLHT's pioneering work in the area
of conservation of medicinal plants and local health traditions,
Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India
has
made it an ENVIS Center on medicinal plants of conservation
concern in the country. A
data-driven website (http://envis.frlht.org.in) has been developed
and is available for public access. A user of the website can search
the database on names (botanical and vernacular names), natural
distribution, threat status of medicinal plants in trade, and the
name of the system of medicine in which the plant is used. The
database contains information on 860 traded medicinal plant species
of India.
4.2 Encyclopedia on Indian medicinal plants (www.frlht.org.in/meta)
A website has been developed which lists the information
available with FRLHT on specific species such as number of its vernacular
names, distribution data, trade, propagation, agro-technique, seed
storage, eco-distribution maps, pharmacology and pharmacognosy, and
images. The user can search it by a
botanical name or regional name in thirteen languages (including
English). The website provides details of around 7361 medicinal
plant species and has 6734 plant images.
4.3 Co-operative Information Network on
Medicinal Plants (CINOMP)
(http://cinomp.frlht.org.in/)
The aim of the member-driven website CINOMP (Co-operative
Information Network on Medicinal Plants) is to function as a free,
co-operative, interactive, and dynamic information network on
home remedies on medicinal plants of India.
4.4 Medicinal Plants Conservation Parks
Database (MPCPDB)
http://mpcpdb.frlht.org.in
MPCPDB was developed as a specific online database to provide data
on the nurseries maintained by various Medicinal Plants Conservation Parks
in southern India.
This database is contained in a user-friendly website to list the
nursery plants with their prices which the parks have fixed recently.
This website also provides plant search, browser facility in
vernacular as well as botanical nomenclature.
4.5 MCS online store (www.greenhealer.net)
A website was initiated for people around the world to buy books and
other educational products brought out by FRLHT online. Credit cards
or net banking facility is provided for customers. An offline
payment option is also given to those who want to go for a DD or a
cheque. Customers the world over can use any one of the following
credit cards for shopping: MasterCard, VISA, American Express,
Diners Club International, JCB Cards, Citibank E-Cards. The site
also supports the net banking facility provided by the leading banks
in India such as SBI, ICICI, Citibank, GTB, UTI, Federal Bank, etc.
4.6
Multi-lingual website programme
on home doctor
The home doctor website aims at use of
IT to promote the use of medicinal plant packages for primary health
care. This website will provide information and encourage the use of
common medicinal plants for primary health care.
This website will provide reliable information related to
nutrition, home remedies, preventive and promotive health care,
veterinary and plant health care, self-help cosmoceuticals and
gardening based on medicinal plants and traditional knowledge. It
will need to be fine-tuned to provide region-specific advice on the
above subjects. This initiative will need to establish working links
with village Internet programmes that are being promoted by IT
departments of State governments and other non-government agencies.
The main focus areas of this website are:
Purpose of Home Herbal Garden
• How to build Home Herbal Garden
• Details of medicinal plants that can be grown in Home Herbal
Garden
• How to maintain Home Herbal Garden
• Details of sources of planting materials
• Reference materials
Primary Health Care
• Causes, symptoms and stages of disease
• Diagnosis
• Simple herbal formulations
• Prevention and Precautions
• Food to take and Avoid
• First aid techniques and supportive therapies
• Hygiene
Vet Care
• Purpose of ethno-veterinary
• General care of pet animals and animals of economical values
• Details about common health conditions
• Remedial measures
The user will get information on how to use common medicinal plants
for common primary health conditions like cough, cold, fever, etc.
The ailments covered in this website will be minor problems, mild
deviations from normal health and those that can be self-managed. In
fact 90% of the health problems faced by households belong to this
“Primary Health Care” category. The treatment will work best if
supplemented or supported by the suggested dietary or behavioral
changes. The response to the medication should be obtained within
3-4 days; if not, expert medical advice should be sought.
5.
Pharmacognosy
bulletin on
trade medicinal plants
This bulletin addresses the complex issue of validation of the
identity (pharmacognosy) of traded plants including substitutes and
adulterants by undertaking pharmacognostic studies and studies on exo-morphological features of
selected crude drugs in trade.
Each bulletin presents comprehensive data and in-depth analysis
for a top most traded plant raw drug material, taking up one such
entity at a time. The bulletin is structured
as follows:
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The
basis of the correlation between botanical & Ayurvedic names of
the plant.
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The
botanical trade name link and the vernacular names of the plant in
different languages.
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The
botanical description of the plant, its images and its
distribution patterns & range.
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The
estimated volume of annual trade and reported price of the
relevant parts of the plant.
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The
pharmacognistic evaluation of the material being traded in various
major markets in India.
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Specialised Reports / State wise checklist of Medicinal Plants
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Karnataka
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Kerala
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Tamil
Nadu
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Andhra Pradesh
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Maharashtra
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Madhya Pradesh
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Arunachal Pradesh
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Himachal Pradesh
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Meghalaya
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Uttranchal
CD-ROMs
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CIPA (Clinically Important Medicinal Plants used in Ayurveda)
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Prakruti (Body constitution analysis – Ayurveda)
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Caraka Samhita (prototype)
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CDs on Medicinal Plants of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
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Traded Indian Medicinal Plants (prototype)
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Siddha Compendium (prototype)
Reports
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A series of four reports for MoEF (GOI) during 1999 – 2000 prepared on
“Inventory of Medicinal Plants of India”
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“Market Study of Plant Raw Drugs”… for Andhra Pradesh Forest
Department Corporation Limited, Hyderabad (2000 - 01).
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“Conservation, Sustainable Utilization, Cultivation and Marketing
Linkages of Medicinal Plants of Andhra Pradesh” for Andhra Pradesh
Community Forestry Project, Hyderabad (2001 - 02).
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“Organic Production of Medicinal, Aromatic and Dye Yielding Plants”
for Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of UN (2002 - 03).
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“Export Potential of Medicinal Plants and Traditional Knowledge
Products” for Export-Import Bank of India (2003 - 04).
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“Study of Economically Important Medicinal Plants Species of
Pondicherry Region” for Department of Agriculture, Government of
Pondicherry (2003 - 04).
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Distribution Database for 500 prioritised Indian Medicinal Plants of
Commercial Importance and Conservation Concern
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Seed storage for selected tropical Indian Medicinal Plants (98 species)
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Cultivation of Commercially Important Indian Med. Plants (95 species)
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Eco-distribution of Medicinal Plants of Conservation Concern (95
species)
MAPS for Red Listed species
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A set of five state level distribution maps of red-listed Medicinal
Plants showing distribution across forest types (1:1.5 million) - for
the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Websites
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