FLA 4.

4
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (1+1)
Medicinal plants: Medicinal plants are those plants which are rich in
secondary metabolites and are potential source of drugs. The secondary
metabolites include alkaloids, glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, steroids
etc.
Alkaloids
Any of a class of nitrogenous organic compounds of plant origin
which have pronounced physiological actions on humans. They include
many drugs (morphine, quinine) and poisons (atropine, strychnine).
Flavonoids
Any of a large class of plant pigments having a structure based
on or similar to that of flavone.
Flavonoids help regulate cellular activity and fight off free
radicals that cause oxidative stress on your body. In simpler terms, they
help your body function more efficiently while protecting it against
everyday toxins and stressors. Flavonoids are also powerful antioxidant
agents
• These plants form the main base for manufacture of the drugs of Indian system
of medicine (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy). These plants are
found in the various parts of the country in different environmental and
climatic conditions. Plants which grow wild in forest regions classified as
"Minor forest produce" supply a substantial amount of raw material required
for the indigenous drug industry.
• Medicinal plants are considered as a rich resources of ingredients which can
be used in drug development either pharmaceutical, non- pharmaceutical or
synthetic drugs. A part from that, these plants play a critical role in the
development of human cultures around the whole world.
Aromatic plants
• Aromatic plants are those that contain aromatic compounds – basically
essential oils that are volatile at room temperature. These essential oils
are odorous, volatile, hydrophobic and highly concentrated compounds.
They can be obtained from flowers, buds, seeds, leaves, twigs, bark, wood,
fruits and roots.
• Aromatic plants are those that have volatile oils in their leaves and
stems. When brushed against or their foliage is bent or crushed, the scents
are released. These types of plants are often cultivated for their essential
oils.
• Geranium
• Lemon Grass
• Mints
• Patchouli
• Vettiver