Lok Sabha Question No. 3452 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: Ethno Medical Research Centre
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: OM PRAKASH YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3452

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.01.2019)

## ETHNO MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRE

## 3452. SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  open  Ethno  Medical  Research Centres in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  number  of  proposals  received  by  the Government for opening such centres in the State of Bihar;
- (c) the number  of  herbal  medicines  included  in  the  list  for  scientific recognition by the Ethno Medical Research Centre; and
- (d)
- the details of list of recognised herbal medicines?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (Dr Harsh Vardhan)

- (a)&(b)  An  'Ethno  Medical  Research  Centre'  has  been  set  up  in  Manipur  by Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  to  study  the  wild  herbs available in the North Eastern Region for their medicinal properties. The research centre was inaugurated in August, 2017 within the campus of Foundation for Environment & Economic Development Services (FEEDS), an  NGO  near  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendra  (KVK)  at  Hengbung  village  in Kangpokpi  district  of  Manipur.  The  centre  will  identify  the  medicinal plants, extract herbs, study the chemical composition of the extracts and
- sell them to various pharmaceutical companies.

The Government has not received any proposal for opening such centres in the State of Bihar.

- (c) According  to  the  experts,  there  are  about  430  species  of  herbs  with medicinal value in the north east region and out of these, 108 species are found  in  Manipur.  The  Ethno  Medical  Research  Centres  will  conduct research on traditional method of healing using these herbs.
- (d) A prioritized list of medicinal plants for cultivation has been notified by National  Medicinal  Plants  Board  and  a  number  of  research  studies  and surveys have been undertaken to identify the medicinal use of herbs as given in Annexure-1.

## Some well-known Indian medicinal plants and their uses

Botanical name

Parts used

Therapeutic uses

Acorus calamus Linn (Araceae)

Rhizome

Nervine tonic, anti-spasmodic (Satyavati et al., 1976; Bose et al., 1960)

Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. (Rutaceae)

Fruit

Hypoglycemic; chemopreventive

(Vyas et al., 1979; Dixit et al., 2006)

Allium sativum Linn (Alliaceae)

Bulbs

Anti-inflammatory; anti-hyperlipidemic, fibrinolytic (Dixit et al., 2006)

Aloe barbadensis Mill., and Aloe vera Tourn. Ex Linn. (Alliaceae)

Gel

Skin diseases- mild sunburn, frostbite, scalds; wound healing (Baliga, 2006)

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wallich ex Nees (Acantahceae)

Whole plant

Cold; flu - hepatoprotection (Koul and Kapil-1994; Sharma et al., 2002a)

Asparagus racemosus Willd (Alliaceae)

Roots

Adaptogen, galactogogue (Dahanukar et al., 1997; Gupta and Mishra, 2006)

Bacopa monnieri (L) Pennel

(Scorphulariaceae)

Whole plant

Anti-oxidant; memory enhancing (Singh

and Dhawan, 1997)

Berberis aristata DC (Berberidaceae)

Bark, fruit, root, stem, wood

Anti-protozoal, hypoglycemic, anti- trachoma

(Dutta and Iyer, 1968; Sharma et al., 2000a)

Boerhavia diffusa L. (Nyctaginaceae)

Roots

Diuretic; anti-inflammatory and anti- arthritic

(Sharma et al., 2000b; Harvey, 1966)

Boswellia serrata Roxb. (Burseraceae)

Oleo resin

Anti-rheumatic; anti-colitis and anti- inflammatory,

anti-cancer. (Sharma et al., 2000c)

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub (Fabaceae)

Bark, leaves,

flowers,

seeds

and gum

Adaptogen; abortifacient, anti-oestrogenic, anti-gout, anti-ovulatory

(Sharma et al., 2000d)

Calotropis gigantea (Linn) R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae)

Flowers, whole plant, root, leaf

Anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, asthma

(Sharma et al., 2000e)

Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl. (Verbenaceae)

Leaves,

roots

Uterine disorders (Sood, 1995)

Cassia fistula Linn

(Leguminosae)

Resin

Laxative, anti-pyretic, worm infestation (Joshi, 1998)

Botanical name

Parts used

Therapeutic uses

Celastrus paniculatus Willd (Celastraceae)

Whole plant

Brain tonic; memory enhancer; in the treatment of depression (Tanuja Doshi,

1991;

Joglekar and Balwani, 1967)

Centella asiatica (Linn) Urban (Umbelliferae)

Whole plant

Tranquilizer; memory enhancer; wound healing- (Sharma et al., 2000 f; Suguna et al., 1996)

Chlorophytum boriavillianum Santapau & RR Fernandus (Alliaceae)

Roots

Aphrodisiac (Farooqi et al., 2001)

Cissus quadrangularis L (Vitaceae)

Whole plant,

root, stem

and

leaf

Bone fracture; inflammation (Deka et al., 1994)

(Udupa & Prasad, 1964b)

Clerodendrum serratum (Linn) Moon (Verbenaceae)

Root, leaf, Stem

Malaria; anti-asthmatic, anti-allergic

(Gupta and Gupta, 1967) (Sivarajan and Balachandran 1999a)

Commiphora mukul (Hooker Stedor) Engl. (Burseraceae)

Resin

Hypolipidemic; obesity, rheumatoid

arthritis (Satyavati, 1991)

Crateva nurvala Buch-Ham (Capparidaceae)

Stem bark,

leaf

Urinary disorders including stones

(Anand et al., 1995)

Crocus sativus Linn (Iridaceae)

Stigma

Aphrodisiac, anti-stress, anti-oxidant

(Billore et al., 2004a)

Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.

(Amaryllidaceae)

Root stock

Spermatogenesis enhancer (Joshi, 2005)

Curcuma longa Linn

(Zingiberaceae)

Rhizome

Anti-inflammatory, wound healing enhancer; chemopreventive agent; anti- oxidant,

anti-cancer (Tripathi et al., 1973),

(Narasimhan et al., 2006)

Desmodium gangeticum (Linn) DC (Papillionaceae)

Root

Anti-oxidant; anti-rheumatic- (Sharma et al., 2001a)

(Govindarajan and Vijayakumar-2006)

Eclipta alba (Linn) Hask

(Compositae)

Whole plant

Hepatoprotecive / promotes hair growth (Chandra et al., 1987)

Emblica officinalis Gaertn.

(Euphorbiaceae)

Fruit

Adaptogen, anti-oxidant (Vyas and Apte- 1977; Rao and Siddiqui 1964).

Eugenia jambolana Lam.

(Myrtaceae)

Seed, bark,

leaf

Hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti- diarrhoeal, anti-pyretic. (Sharma et al., 2001b)

Ficus religiosa Linn (Urticaeae)

Bark

Anti-ulcer (gastric ulcer); anti- inflammatory,

## Botanical name

Parts used

Therapeutic uses

hypoglycemic agent-

(Ambike and Rao, 1967; Sharma et al., 2001c)

Gymnema sylvestre R. Br.

(Asclepiadaceae)

Roots and

leaves

Anti-diabetic; anti-hyperglycemic

(Narasimhan et al., 2006)

Gloriosa superba Linn

(Liliaceae)

Tuber

Spasmolytic, oxytocic; source plant for colchicine- (Sharma et al., 2002b)

Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn

(Papillionaceae)

Stem

Expectorant; peptic ulcer treatment

(Mitra and Rangesh, 2004a)

Hedychium spicatum Buch- Ham. Ex. Smith (Zingiberaceae)

Rhizome

Soothening, Expectorant, anti-tussive Anti-asthmatic (Chaturvedi and Sharma, 1975)

Hippophae rhamnoides L (Elaeagnaceae)

Fruits

Extensively used in the treatment of circulatory disorders, wound healing enhancer, duodenal ulcer etc.

(Arora et al., 2006)

Holarrhena antidysenterica (Linn)

Wall ex DC

(Apocynaceae)

Stem bark,

leaf,

seed

Anti-spasmodic, anti-colitis, hypoglycemic. (Mitra and Rangesh, 2004b)

Inula racemosa Hk.f (Asteraceae; Compositae)

Roots

Used in gastro intestinal disorders, diuretic, expectorant and allergic disorders etc (Mishra, 2004a)

Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) Wt. &

Arn. (Asclepiadaceae)

Root, leaf,

fruit

Galactogogue, vasodilator, anabolic.

(Anjaria et al., 1975)

Momordica charantia Linn (Cucurbitaceae)

Root, leaf,

fruit,

seed

Anti-diabetic (Ahmad et al., 2001)

Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) DC (Fabaceae; Papilionaceae)

Seeds, root,

leaf

Parkinson's disorder, Male sexual disorders. (Nath et al., 1981; Satyavati et al., 1987c)

Myristica fragrans Houtt

(Myristicaceae)

Seed, aril,

oil

Aphrodisiac, hypolipidemic, anti- inflammatory

(Sharma et al., 2002c)

Ocimum sanctum Linn

(Lamiaceae)

Whole plant,

root,

leaf, seed

Adaptogen; anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, immunomodulator, radio-protector (Uma Devi, 2006)

Oroxylum indicum (Linn) Vent. (Bignoniaceae)

Root, root

bark,

leaf, fruit,

seed

Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic

(Gujral et al., 1955)

Phyllanthus amarus Schum. And Thonn. (Euphorbiaceae)

Whole plant

Hepatoprotective (Premalatha Balachandran and Rajgopal Govindarajan, 2004)

| Botanical name                                                            | Parts used                | Therapeutic uses                                                                                                    |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex. Benth (Scorphulariaceae)                      | Tubers                    | Hepatoprotective; adaptogen. (Narasimhan et al., 2006)                                                              |
| Piper longum Linn (Piperaceae)                                            | Fruit, root               | Cough, asthma, fever (Satyavati et al., 1987a; Kohli and Salma Aiman, 2006)                                         |
| Piper nigrum Linn (Piperaceae)                                            | Fruit                     | Cough, asthma, fever (Satyavati et al., 1987a)                                                                      |
| Plumbago zeylanica Linn (Plumbaginaceae)                                  | Root, root bark           | Anti-pyretic, anti-cancer, anti-coagulant, cytotoxic. (Sharma et al., 2000g); Krishnaswamy and Purushothaman, 1980) |
| Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Fabaceae)                                    | Bark, leaves, gum, flower | Hypoglycemic, anti-fungal. (Pandey and Sharma, 1975; Satyavati et al., 1987b)                                       |
| Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. Ex Willd). DC (Fabaceae)                         | Tuberous root             | Anti-implantation, estrogenic, anti- inflammatory, dysmenorrhoea, DUB. (Billore et al., 2004b)                      |
| Rubia cordifolia L (Rubiaceae)                                            | Root                      | Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic etc.(Sharma et al., 2002d)                                              |
| Rauvolfia serpentina Benth (Apocynaceae)                                  | Root                      | Hypertension; mental disorders (Kohli and Salma Aiman, 2006) (Chauhan et al., 2006)                                 |
| Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde (Caesalpiniaceae)                           | Stem bark, flower, seed   | Post menopausal syndrome and Gynecolo-gical disorders (Narasimhan et al., 2006; Manjusha Vinjamury et al., 2004)    |
| Saussurea lappa (Decne,) Sch. Bip (Asteraceae)                            | Roots                     | Analgesic; aphrodisiac; asthma (Chaurasia, 2006)                                                                    |
| Solanum xanthocarpum Sch. And Wendl. Syn S. virginianum Linn (Solanaceae) | Whole plant               | Asthma and related respiratory disorders (Sinha et al., 2006)                                                       |
| Swertia chirata Buch- Ham (Gentianaceae)                                  | Whole plant               | Anti-malarial; hypoglycemic; febrifuge etc (Dixit et al., 2006; Hamsaveni Gopal et al., 1981).                      |
| Symplocos racemosa Roxb. (Symplocaceae)                                   | Bark                      | Anti-diarrhoeal (Sharma et al., 2002e)                                                                              |
| Taxus baccata Linn (Taxaceae)                                             | Source of taxol           | Used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (Chauhan et al., 2006)                                            |
| Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem. (Bignoniaceae)                             | Bark, seeds               | Anti-bacterial, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective (Billore et al., 2004c)                                              |

| Botanical name                                                          | Parts used                        | Therapeutic uses                                                                                 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wt. & Arn. (Combretaceae)                     | Bark                              | Heart diseases (Karunakaran Gauthaman and Mishra, 2004)                                          |
| Terminalia chebula Retz., and Terminalia bellerica Roxb. (Combretaceae) | Fruits                            | Laxative, anti-oxidants (Narasimhan et al., 2006)                                                |
| Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wt. & Arn. (Combretaceae)                     | Bark                              | Heart diseases (Karunakaran Gauthaman and Mishra, 2004)                                          |
| Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook.f. and Thoms., (Menispermaceae)      | Stem                              | Adaptogen, immunomodulator. (Dahanukar et al., 1997; Thatte et al., 1994)                        |
| Tribulus terrestris Linn. (Zygophyllaceae)                              | Whole plant                       | Diuretic, anti-urolithiatic, cytoprotective (Chakraborty and Neogi 1978; Sangeetha et al., 1993) |
| Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash (Poaceae)                               | Root                              | Vetiver oil for cosmetics. (Suhsil Kumar et al., 1997)                                           |
| Vitex negundo Linn (Verbenaceae)                                        | Leaves, root, bark, flowers, seed | Anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, immunodmodulator (Nair and Saraf, 1995)                       |
| Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal (Solanaceae)                           | Root                              | Adaptogen, anti-rheumatic etc. (Singh and Sushil Kumar, 1998).                                   |
| Zingiber officinale Rosc (Zingiberaceae)                                | Rhizome                           | Fever, cough, asthma; anti-emetic (Sharma et al, 2002f)                                          |

Ref:  'Indian Systems of Medicine: A Brief Profile' by B Ravishankar and VJ Shukla - published online 2007 Feb 16 in African Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicines.

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