*Dr. Dayananda Suttakoti, Associate Professor, Dept. of Dravyaguna
Sindagi Shantavereshwar Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Haveri
*Corresponding Author: [email protected]
Received: 05-09-20 Corrected Received: 15-10-20 Accepted: 26-10-20
Abstract: Backeground: India shares only 0.5% as per government of India of world herbal market. Increasing demand of herbs in India and abroad invites more researches based on pharmacologically active chemical constituents to avoid the adulteration practices in herbal market. By the time plants reaching to endangered status need special attention for conservation. Now total eight plants are included in list of CITES.
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora): India entered CITES on 20th July 1976 and treaty came in force from 18th October 19767. The purpose of CITES lies with safeguarding of resources for the future by inhibiting the trade. Eight plants are included in CITES list from India as Rouwolfia serpentina (Linn.) Benth., Podophyllum hexandrum Royle., Saussurea costus (Falconer) Lipschitz, Pterocarpus santalinus Linn. f., Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex. Benth., Taxus baccata Linn. syn. T. wallichiana Zucc., Aquillaria agallocha Roxb. and Nardostachys jatamansi DC.
Saussurea costus is listed in appenix I of CITES while all other plants are included in appendix II. Still trade is frequently done for these plants. In name of abovementioend plants, lots of substitutes and adulterants are marketed.
Discussion and Conclusion: Many of adulterants or substitutes are having totally different compounds than official herbal drugs. In such cases, qualities of herbal drugs are compromised on cost of patients and, reputation of physicians involved with practicing are also affected.
Key words: CITES, Sarpagandha, Kushtha, Kutaki, Raktachandana, Agaru, Giriparpata, Jatamansi, Sthauneya…….