Determining constraints in medicinal plants adoption: A model geospatial study in the Indian state of Punjab

Abstract Understanding the pollination biology of medicinal plants and their important insect pollinators is necessary for their conservation. The present study explored the complex interactions between pollinator visitation and effect of floral traits on pollinator behaviour on seven medicinal plant species grown in an urban garden in West Bengal, an eastern Indian state. The observations revealed 30 morphospecies of insect flower visitors (Diptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera) that touched floral reproductive parts on the selected plants during visitation. Additionally, it was observed that floral traits (e.g., corolla length and corolla opening diameter) were important predictors of the behaviour of insects when visiting the flowers. Plant–pollinator interactions were analysed using a bipartite network approach which explored the important links between insect and plants in the network revealing the key interactions, and species which are crucial to system maintenance. This piece of work contributes to our ability to understand and maintain a stable medicinal plant–pollinator network which will support efforts to conserve native flora and insects.

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Eupatorium birmanicum

Advanced Pharmacological Uses of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products - Advances in Medical Diagnosis, Treatment, and Care ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-2094-9.ch015 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 286-301

Author(s):

Rubina Chongtham ◽

Madhu Rani

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Useful Plants ◽

East Indian ◽

North East ◽

The North ◽

Indian State ◽

Medicinal Properties ◽

Different Parts

Plants have been a source of treatment and a cure to various diseases and health conditions. India has immense traditional knowledge of useful plants of medicinal importance. This knowledge has been an intrinsic part of the lifestyles of various indigenous peoples in different parts of the country and has served as the basis of discovery/designing of modern medicines. One such region rich in traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is the north-east Indian state of Manipur. Eupatorium birmanicum DC known as Langthrei (Asteraceae), which is grown in every household and has a revered position, has anti-ulcer properties, and crushed fresh juice is taken orally to treat gastro-enteritis. There is an abundance of such ethnomedicinally important plants whose improved scientific understanding will improve their value in treating chronic conditions as well as conserving the plants and their knowledge. This chapter emphasizes the importance of E. birmanicum, discussing its various medicinal properties.

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Supply of Medicinal Raw Materials

Asian Medicine ◽

10.1163/15734218-12341293 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (1-2) ◽

pp. 206-235 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lucie Dejouhanet

Keyword(s):

Quality Control ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Medicinal Plant ◽

Production Efficiency ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Manufacturing Sector ◽

Slowing Down ◽

Indian State ◽

Sensitive Issues ◽

Plant Sources

The growth of the manufacturing sector in Ayurveda seems to be slowing down in the Indian state of Kerala as the prices of raw materials have increased inordinately, challenging the sustainability of ayurvedic drug production. Several reasons are responsible; in particular, the dwindling availability of plants, the excessive complexity of supply chains, the growing distances between plant sources and manufacturing units, and the control over the medicinal plant market by powerful middlemen. Substitution, adulteration, and quality control have become sensitive issues and may eventually damage the reputation of the ayurvedic drug sector in a context of high competition between manufacturers. Cultivating medicinal plants is considered to be the main solution for solving the supply crisis, but manufacturers’ demands are often too constraining for cultivators and this may not be such a viable alternative in a context of continuous modernisation efforts for production efficiency.

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