Ethno-medicinal properties of some selected holy plants of West Bengal, India

Biplab Bhowmik
Department of Zoology, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Diamond Harbour – 743368, West Bengal, India.

Bipasa Dey
Department of Zoology, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Diamond Harbour – 743368, West Bengal, India.

Riya Mondal
Department of Zoology, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Diamond Harbour – 743368, West Bengal, India.

Priya Roy
Department of Zoology, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Diamond Harbour – 743368, West Bengal, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2022.e01.007

Keywords: Holy plants, Medicinal value, Bioactive compounds, Ethno-medicine

Abstract:
Worship of nature has been an integral part of human culture. The different religious communities of India have worshipped many plants since time immemorial. Our ancient scriptures have also enlisted the names of many plants which hold religious importance. These plants are considered very precious gifts to mankind. Some of these sacred plants include neem, mango, babool, turmeric, night flowering jasmine, lotus, tulsi, doob grass, etc. Many of these plants or their parts are used for their medicinal properties. Different parts of these plants, like flowers, fruits, seeds, leaves, barks and roots, are used to treat several types of health-related issues like cough and cold, anxiety, oral problems, digestive disorders, cardiovascular problems, skin ailments and various other health issues. These plants contain various bioactive compounds, which generally play vital roles in reducing the physical manifestations of those diseases and may help to control them. Still, we lack detailed information and knowledge about the medicinal benefits of those holy plants in order to pave the way to establish them as commercial medicine, so that one can obtain the advantages from them. It can be revealed only through proper studies and experimental research.

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