HERBAL PLANT: BENEFITS AND SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Plants are the curator of the vault of treasure medicines that save the human civilization from various diseases. The medicinal values of the extract  of our surrounding  living but immovable creatures are now the basis of research using modern biological techniques , proteomics , genomics , transcriptomics , metabolomics etc. Since the inception of the civilization man rely on plants for curing diseases and in our country the sole ground ancient intelligence nurtured the benefits of the plant in several aspect of our daily life not only as medicine but as nutraceuticals , food , cosmetics and what not. Incidentally Indian subcontinent is the breeding house of so many exotic and endemic plants of medicinal importance which were recorded by our ancestors. The fundamental principal of herbal plants in making several outcome is a very interesting chapter to be realized in daily life and capable of making professions of common people. The scope of this course will subsidize different sections related to herbal plants starting from their identification to utility. The unique objective will train the candidates developing true concept on medicinal plants , their in built treasure for the sustenance of the quality life of man kind and also to save plants from extinction.

PROPOSED OUTLINE OF THE SYLLABUS: (one class = 1 hr )

Module1.

Definition of Herbology , Herbalism , Ayurveda. History and philosophy , Scope of Ayurvedic herbology                                                                         5 hrs =      5 classes.

Module 2.

Basic principles of  Ayurvedic  herbology                     10 hrs =    10 classes

•  Rasa (Tastes)
• Guna (Properties)
• Veerya (Potency)
• Vipaka (Post digestive effect)
• Introduction to most used herbs : Sanskrit name , Local Vernacular name , latin name, useful parts  ,  taste, potency, Post digestive effects, Internal uses, external uses, chemical compositions , commercial medicial preparations  , Collection of Herbs , preservation techniques. Botanical classification and different groups of herbs ,   Nomenclature, soil types, collection of herbs, preservation methods and measurements

Module 3.

Preparation of Extracts ( Bio active ,  semi purified )   : Techniques , choice of herbal solvents like oils , ghee , alcohol , glycerine and water to prepare   :  juice , paste , decoction , cold infusion , hot infusion , preparation of Herbal Ayurveda Oils and Ghee. Tinctures , syrups.
10 hrs = 10 classes

Module 4.

Preliminary knowledge on Herbal therapeutics : Alternate herbs ,  Anti parasitical and anti helminthic  herbs , Astringent herbs , Bitter tonic and antipyretic herbs , Carminative herbs , Diaphoretic herbs , Diuretic herbs , Expectorant and demulcent herbs , Laxative and purgative herbs , Nerving herbs , Anti-spasmodic herbs , Stimulant herbs , Digestive herbs , Tonics ,   Impurities in herbs and their purification methods,  Ideal herb: Parts used, herb combinations, incompatible herbs,  anupana  , times of herb administration, routes of herb administration and recommendation of herbs.                                                   15 hrs = 15 classes

Module 5.

Extensive knowledge on the use of the chemical compositions or bioactive compounds against disease and their anupan or quantity of application  in comparison to  ancient samhitas. Knowledge of herbal product with plant origin to support healthy life style.
5 hrs = 5 classes

Module 6.

The concept of beauty and cosmetics is as ancient as mankind and civilization. Women are obsessed with looking beautiful. So, they use various beauty products that have herbs to look charming and young. Indian herbs and its significance are popular worldwide. An herbal cosmetic have growing demand in the world market and is an invaluable gift of nature. Herbal formulations always have attracted considerable attention because of their good activity and comparatively lesser or nil side effects with synthetic drugs. Herbs and spices have been used in maintaining and enhancing human beauty. Indian women have long used herbs such as Sandalwood and Turmeric for skin care, Henna to color the hair, palms and soles; and natural oils to perfume their bodies. Considering the above theory a portion of the course may involve cosmetic herbology.

1. Knowledge about plants  and plant parts from where different cosmetics are made with latin names and families.
2. The extraction and proportion of the plant parts in making cosmetic items
3. Preparation of color , astringent , cream , scrubber , oils , gums , perfumes from the plant parts and choice of solvents considering the skin of the patient.
4. Chemical composition and mode of action of the natural products
5. Knowledge about production houses of the world and their facilities
6. Practical : involving  hand to hand preparation of herbal cosmetics

                                                                                                 25 hrs = 25 classes

Module 7. Practical paper:

1. Preparation  and submission of a project work as a student covering every module.
2. Bench experience on identification and preservation ( herbarium ) of medicinal plants , useful parts with morphological description and therapeutic values.
3. The basic extraction processes and preparation process like solvent extraction , tincture , syrups , juices , oils  , paste , decoction , cold infusion , hot infusion , preparation of Herbal Ayurveda Oils and Ghee.and preliminary knowledge on modern sophisticated extraction and purification techniques.  
4. Making infusion, decoction, lotion, washers, insectepellents, suppositories, tincture, making herbal syrups, compresses, poultice, plasters, oinments, herbal oils and herbal salves. Surgical fibres, sutures and dressing.
5. Preparation of color , astringent , cream , scrubber , oils , gums , perfumes from the plant parts and choice of solvents considering the skin of the patient
6. Application amount standardization and molecular composition determination
7. Packaging and shelf life determination
8. Export and import law study and visit to a well known herbal medicine company

Practical class = 3 hrs x 10 classes = 30 hrs

Each class = 1 hr.

References:

1. Gokhale, S.S., C.K.Kokate and A.P. Purohit (1994) Pharmacognosy. Nirali Prakashan. Pune. 2. Tyagi, Dinesh Kumar (2005) Pharma Forestry. Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi. 3. Faroogi, A.A., and B.S. Sreeramu (2004). Cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Crops. University Press (India) Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad. 4. Singh & Jain (1985) Taxonomy of Angiosperms. Rastogi Publications, Meerut. 3
1. Ethnobiology – R.K.Sinha & Shweta Sinha – 2001. Surabhe Publications – Jaipur. 2. Tribal medicine – D.C. Pal & S.K. Jain 1998, Naya Prakash, 206, Bidhan Sarani, Calcutta – 700 006. 3. Contribution to Indian ethnobotany – S.K. Jain 1995, 3rd edition, Scientific publishers, P.B.No. 91, Jodhpur, India. 4. A Manual of Ethnobotany – S.K.Jain, 1995, 2nd edition.
Pharmacognosy, S.B.Gokhale, Dr.C.K. Kokate, A.P. Purohit Publisher: Nirali Prakasham, Pune. 2. Herbs that Heal, Acharya Vipul Rao – Diamond Pocket Books, New Delhi. 3. Practical Pharmacognosy. Dr.C.K. Kokate et al. 4. Phytochemical methods, Horborne. 5. An Introduction to Medicinal Botany and Pharmacognosy – N.C. Kumar, Emkay Publications, Delhi. 5
1. Kumar, N.C. (1993). An Introduction to Medical botany and Pharmacognosy. Emkay Publications, New Delhi. 2. Rao, A.P. (1999). Herbs that heal. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd., New Delhi

Recommended books to study:

1. A.P. Deshpande, PhD, and Subhash Ranade, PhD,  Dravyaguna Vigyna Volume 1 & 2
2. J.L.N. Sastry, BAMS, MD (Ayurveda), PhD (Ayurveda) -  Dravyaguna Vijnana, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Volumes I – IV, Varanasi, India 2007
3. David Frawley & Vasant Lad, BAMS, MAMS – The Yoga of Herbs, Lotus Press, Santa Fe, NM, USA 1996
4. Francis Brinker, ND, Herb contraindications & Drug interactions, Eclectic Medical Publications, Oregon, USA 2001
5. Bharat B. Aggarwal, PhD – Healing Spices, Sterling Publishing, New York, USA 2011
6. Quick Access – Professional Guide to Conditions, Herbs & Supplements, Integrative Medicine Communications, Newton, MA 2000
7. Vaidya V.M.Gogte, Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic uses of medicinal plants, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai, India 2000
8. Prof. K.R. Srikantha Murthy, Bhavaprakash of Bhavamisra Volume 1 & 2,  Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, India 2004