Abstract

ADVANCING IN HERBAL MEDICINES

Pal Sarveshkumar Kanhaiyalal* and Awan Kumar Pandey

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Abstract

Herbal medicine forms a backbone of India's diverse health care systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy, in which more than 70% of the population depend upon such traditional systems. Though herbal drugs are not individually classified under the Indian Drugs Act, they do possess much experiential evidence and can thus offer avenues for Observational Therapeutics and Reverse Pharmacology. Evidenced-based herbal formulation prepared according to pharmacopoeial standards are well established and consumed extensively with Indian medicinal plants providingconsiderable scope for disease prevention and treatment. Nevertheless, the challengelies in establishing robust analytical techniques for characterizing the phytochemical profile of herbal medicines. Standardization is essential to ensure consistent quality, biological activity, and chemical profiles. WHO guidelines for the evaluation of safety, efficacy, and quality are important for global harmonization. New extraction techniques like microwave-assisted and supercritical phase extraction are improving compound yield, while spectroscopic and chromatographic methods facilitate standardization. Nanotechnology is also enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of herbal medicines, opening the door to more effective therapies. Herbal medicine, the backbone of traditional healthcare systems across the globe, is facing a revolutionary change with the infusion of modern scientific methods. The present paper delves into the progress of herbal medicine, focusing on the complementarity between traditional knowledge and current research methods. Advances in phytochemistry, pharmacology, and molecular biology in recent years have shed light on the therapeutic potential of many plant- derived compounds, resulting in the identification of new bioactive compounds with high medicinal value. In addition, the progress in clinical trials and standardized extraction methods has improved the validity and effectiveness of herbal remedies. The article also discusses the problems created by quality control, regulatory systems, and the necessity for evidence-based practices to provide safety and efficacy. By integrating ancient wisdom with modern science, herbal medicine continues to increase its position in international healthcare, providing sustainable and integrative therapeutic alternatives.

Keywords: Herbal drugs, Indian medicinal plants, Therapeutics, Herbal formulation, Standardization, Nanotechnology.