Some Important Medicinal Plants in India-Importance and Conservation

Abstract

The Indian subcontinent is a vast repository of medicinal plants that are used in traditional medical treatments. As many of the medicinal plants are highly endangered and urgently need to be maintained in their native habitats. A national policy on medicinal plants with a view to preserve endangered species and promoting cultivation of plants which are being extensively used by industry will help in solving the major problem of the. Rauvolfia serpentine, Glory lilly (Gloriosa superba) Long pepper {Piper longum) Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) are threatened in India due to indiscriminate collection and over exploitation of natural resources for commercial purposes to meet the requirements of pharmaceutical industry. In this paper some important medicinal plants like Rauvolfia serpentine, Gloriosa superba, Piper longum and Safed Museli were illustrated.