Abstract

ADULTERATION OF HERBAL DRUGS: A CHALLENGING PROBLEM

Dr. Srishti Kharkwal* and Dr. Hemant Kharkwal

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Abstract

Herbal medicine and their preparations have been widely used for the thousands of years in developing and developed countries. Herbal medicines are the synthesis of therapeutic experiences on generations of practicing physicians in indigenous systems of medicine, for over hundreds of years. They are also in great demand in the developed world all health care problems because of their efficacy, safety and lesser side effects. At present the adulteration of the herbal drugs is the burning problem in herbal industry. The deforestation and extinction of many species and incorrect identification of many plants has resulted in adulteration of raw drugs. Increased demand of medicinal plants causes the adulteration. Adulterated material can be harmful, and sometimes it is dangerous for using same preparation of end products. The future development of analysis of herbs is largely depended upon reliable methodologies for correct identification, standardization and quality assurance of Ayurvedic drugs. This article is a review to study some of the common herbs adulterants.

Keywords: Adulteration, Adulterant, Herbs, Drugs.