Phytochemical and Biological Aspects of Epilates Pygmies DC

In India, the uses of different parts of several medicinal plants to cure specific ailments have been in vogue from ancient times. It is estimated that 25,000 to 75,000 plant species are available for our daily clinical practice (Aguilar G, 2001; Kartal M, 2007).

Herbal medicines are the major remedy in traditional system of medicine that are in medical practice for thousand years and have made great contribution to maintain human health in many parts of the world especially in rural areas of developing countries as primary source (Anonymous, 1993; Chitme et al., 2003; Kim HS, 2005). Human civilization has been influenced both directly and indirectly by plants growing in the vicinity (Mehrotra B N, 1990).

Herbal medicines cater the needs of nearly 70% of our population residing in villages. Considering several side effects of modern medicines, herbal medicines possess lesser side effects and they are practiced for several years in Tibet, China, Africa, South America and Australia and looked as better alternate for the modern medicine (Akthar et al., 1992).

Details about medicinal plants, their properties and their therapeutic applications are available in ancient scriptures like Vedas, Samhitas and Puranas. Compilations of latter periods that are called Nighantus are the richest source of herbal information.