India is known for its traditional medicinal system – Ayurveda. Medical systems are found mentioned even in the ancient Vedas and other scriptures. The literal meaning of Ayurveda is “science of life,” because ancient Indian system of health care focused on views of man and his illness. It has been pointed out that the positive health means metabolically well-balanced human beings. Ayurveda is also called the “science of longevity” because it offers a complete system to live a long healthy life.

The importance of medicinal plants and derivatives is growing rapidly with human progress in pharmaceutical fields. These plants are a potential source of bio-molecules that play a major role in modern medicine in the treatment of diseases like cancer, diabetes and hypertension among others. The demand for medicinal herbs is increasing thanks in part to a reputation for fewer side effects. They are also considered to be a cost-effective means of developing new and breakthrough drugs.

India is a treasure trove of medicinal plants, owing to its rich biodiversity, and a gold mine of medicinal knowledge. It is one of the largest exporter of medicinal plants, in the world and a host to more than three hundred thousand herbal medicine preparations used in ancient healing systems such as Ayurveda.

In India, a major volume of medicinal herbs come from wild sources. Sustainable harvesting practices of medicinal plants are implemented to preserve the natural diversity. .