HERBAL HERITAGE OF SOUTH ASIA

South Asia is home to many rich and Traditional Systems of Medicine (TSM) Ayurvedic system dates back to 5000 B.C Along with the Unani, Siddha and Tibetan systems, these TSMs remain important source of everyday health and livelihood for tens of millions of people.

Even so the recent dramatic Increase in sales of herbal products in global markets rationalize the growing popularity of herbal therapies. This has created new opportunities for the countries, their largely impoverished populace and traditional herbal industry.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) including trees, shrubs, grasses and vines are a central resource fur these traditional health systems as well as for pharmaceutical (or allopathic) medicines. There are more than 6.000 plant species in South Asia with known beneficial uses.

Over the recent years. South-Asia has become one of the potential source for Herbal Medicines and Natural Extracts. In the current scenario, there has been an increasing trend for Organic/Natural products with respect to medicines, personal care, food and beverages.