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Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences 2017 October - December ; 2 (4) :301-305
Role of Ethnomedicobotanical Survey in Advancement of Ayurveda

Abstract
Introduction: Ethnomedicobotanical survey focuses on understanding the relation between humans and plants and this endeavor involves multiple disciplines. Ethnomedicobotanical survey helps in obtaining first-hand information on the medicinal plants. Such surveys also provide important data on cultivation and conservation aspects and assist in chalking out socioeconomic programs. Aim: (1) To explore the traditionally used medicinal plants under ethnomedicobotanical survey and include them under Ayurvedic pharmacopeia. (2) To discover new drugs and finding out alternate botanical source plants for rare and endangered species. Materials and methods: Such an endeavor has been taken up by the Regional Research Institute for Metabolic Disorders (RARI-MD) previously known as Regional Research Institute, Bengaluru. Since the inception of survey of medicinal plants unit in 1971, various forest ranges of Karnataka like Shimoga, Chitradurga, Haveri, Davangere, Coorg, Bellary, South Canara, Gadag, etc., have been surveyed. Special tours have been undertaken in south and north divisions of Nilgiris, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Madhya Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh. Results: Twenty-seven districts have been covered and more than 42,049 herbarium specimens belonging to 2,619 plant species along with 734 dry drug samples have been collected and deposited in the herbarium of RARI-MD. Many new sources of drugs like Aristolochia tagala are suggested in the absence of Aristolochia indica (Ishwaree) based on ethnobotanical survey. Our Acharyas have stated that knowledge has to be updated by collecting information from all the possible sources. Acharya Charaka also opined that the first-hand information about a drug has to be collected from shepherds (Ajapa and Avipa). This article intends to present a bird’s-eye view on the significance of the ethnomedicobotanical survey and contribution of RARI-MD in this area. Keywords: Ayurveda, Ethnobotany, Ethnomedicobotanical survey, Medicobotany

DHARA ID: D060726


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