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MEDICINAL PLANTS IN INDIA AND CHINA
The term “medicinal plant” include various types of plants used in herbalism ("herbology" or "herbal medicine"). It is the use of plants for medicinal purposes, and the study of such uses.

The word “herb” has been derived from the Latin word, “herba” and an old French word “herbe”. Now a days, herb refers to any part of the plant like fruit, seed, stem, bark, flower, leaf, stigma or a root, as well as a non-woody plant. Earlier, the term “herb” was only applied to non-woody plants, including those that come from trees and shrubs. These medicinal plants are also used as food, flavonoid, medicine or perfume and also in certain spiritual activities.

Plants have been used for medicinal purposes long before prehistoric period. Ancient Unani manuscripts Egyptian papyrus and Chinese writings described the use of herbs. Evidence exist that Unani Hakims, Indian Vaids and European and Mediterranean cultures were using herbs for over 4000 years as medicine. Indigenous cultures such as Rome, Egypt, Iran, Africa and America used herbs in their healing rituals, while other developed traditional medical systems such as Unani, Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine in which herbal therapies were systematicallly used.

Medicinal Plants from Ancient India
"There are about 45,000 medicinal plant species in India, with concentrated spots in the region of Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats and Andaman & Nicobar Island. The officially documented plants with medicinal potential are 3000 but traditional practitioners use more than 6000. India is the largest producer of medicinal herbs and is called the botanical garden of the world.There are currently about 250 000 registered medical practitioners of the Ayurvedic system ,as compared to about 700,000 of the modern medicine system. In rural India, 70 per cent of the population depends on the traditional type of medicine."

Tulsi
Ocimum Sanctum Linn. (Laminaceae) is a plant worshipped for its medicinal values since time immemorial. The juice of the leaves is used in catarrh and bronchitis and applied to the skin in ring-work and other cutaneous diseases. An infusion of the leaves is given to children in gastric disorders. A decoction of the root is given as disphoretic in malarial fever. It drives away mosquitoes.

Haridra
Curcuma Longa Llinn is a perennial herb, native of Southern Asia and cultivated throughout India. It is considered a boon in cases of diarrhoea and intermittent fevers, in disorders of blood, in affections of liver and jaundice. It is externally applied in pains and bruises and internally administered in disorders of the blood. Haridra can grow at all places ranging from sea level to an altitude of 1,220 meters but is very sensitive to atmospheric temperature.

Sarpagandha
Apocynaceae is probably one of the important contributions of ancient Indian medicine. The alkaloid present in the roots of this plant has been proved to be an effective remedy against hypertension. Ayurvedic texts also describe its sedative and hypnotic actions. It has been effectively tried in cases of high blood pressure, insanity and schizophrenia.

Amla
Amla or Emblica officinallis is a medium sized deciduous tree found throughout India. It yields a globose pale yellow fruit known for its varied medicinal properties. It is regarded as a digestive, carminative, laxative, anti-pyretic and tonic. It is prescribed in colics, jaundice, hemorrhages, flatulence and many other disorders.

Ashwagandha
This plant grows to around 6 feet tall under proper care and is easily propagated from cuttings, seeds and root division. Since it is a member of the nightshade family, only experienced healers should use this plant. It is used to treat very serious disorders like tuberculosis and leprosy, the pain of rheumatism and lesser disorders like fatigue and swelling. Convalescents often take it to restore their strength and healthy people use it to improve their immune systems, as an antioxidant and even as an aphrodisiac.

Ashoka
Ashoka is one of the most sacred trees found in India. It is a small, evergreen tree with a brown- grey bark and the most beautiful flowers. Ashoka is also called as the sorrowless tree. They have a dense foliage all through the year with clusters of orange and scarlet flowers. These clusters are many in numbers during the months of January and February. Ashoka has been useful in curing many diseases including dysentery. Many women have found relief by consuming the juice made from boiling the bark of the tree.

Chinese Medicinal Herbs
"Chinese have used herbs for treating diseases since centuries. They have literature that lists medicines made out of herbs for curing specific ailments which dates back to thousands of years. Shennong, popularly known as Divine Farmer, classified various species of herbs, woods, and also animals into different category of medicine, which proves useful even in modern times.The health and medicinal benefits of these Chinese herbs are so profound that they are no more confined to just  the Chinese markets, but have found their way to naturopathy all across the world."

Ginseng
Known mostly for its aphrodisiac qualities, this is most famous of all the herbs known to man and has great health benefits and healing properties. It has been used in Chinese medicines for thousands of years to treat erectile dysfunction, hepatitis, menopausal problems, high blood pressure and many other common ailments.

Mushroom
Mushrooms are generally considered healthy as they are low on calories, yet high on nutritional values. The Chinese had discovered their medicinal properties, which they used to maintain good health of the people. Out of the 200 species of mushrooms found in China, 25% of them are known to have great capacity to fight tumors; furthermore, it has also been known to help reduce insomnia and female sexual dysfunction.

Goji or Wolfberry
The herb has been used in preparation of food, in addition to its use as a medicinal herb in Chinese medicine for more than 2000 years. Chinese consider the wolfberry a treasure of their nation because of its great healing property, due to which the products are now commercialized and exported to western nations.

Licorice Root
Licorice root has been an essential ingredient in Chinese medicines, since it has great healing property and detoxification power, which can be used to treat various ailments like hepatitis, asthma, depression, cold, flu, cough, heartburn and many more. It is used in Chinese medicine to harmonize all the other medicinal herbs that goes into a formula.

Ginger
Ginger is an aromatic herb which is used as spice for its flavor and taste, as well as for its medicinal property for curing indigestion, improve blood circulation, stop diarrhea and also to treat cardiac problems. Many home remedies are prepared using this herb to treat cough, nausea, common cold and cough.

Licorice Root
Licorice root has been an essential ingredient in Chinese medicines, since it has great healing property and detoxification power, which can be used to treat various ailments like hepatitis, asthma, depression, cold, flu, cough, heartburn and many more. It is used in Chinese medicine to harmonize all the other medicinal herbs that goes into a formula.