Medicinal Plants Used in Indian Traditional Medicine: Properties, Niche Market, Demand and Supply Initiatives in India

India is a center of origin and/or a biodiversity hot spot for a number of medicinal plants. The traditional healthcare systems unique to India (Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani) use various combinations of many herbals.  Over the past decade, the use of herbal products has increased among the mainstream in India, creating a greater demand for herbal products. This has generated a niche market for medicinal plants and several farmers are turning to cultivating them as a solo crop, integrating selected medicinal plants in their farming systems either as intercrops or incorporate them in crop rotations.  The Siddha system of health care originated in the state of Tamil Nadu and predates the Ayurveda.  This talk will focus on specific plant species used in the traditional Indian medicine, their medicinal properties and the current demand and supply initiatives in India.