Herbal medicines: nature’s gift

Herbal medicine also called as botanical medicine or phytomedicine refers to using a plant's seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Plants are rich source of medicine in developing countries. 80% of the world’s population relies on traditional medicines to maintain its health. Satpuda range covering entire Khandesh region has a tremendous wealth of medicinal plants. Even today the tribals inhabiting these regions like the Bhills, Gavits, Padvis, Tadvis & Valvis tribes are exclusively dependent on forests & have their own system of herbal medicine. The increasing emphasis on research in Ayurveda & utilization of medicinal herbs to reduce the side effects of modern medicines demand a greater necessity to explore this vast wealth of crude drugs. This paper throws light on the value of herbal medicine in treating and preventing diseases which may help enlighten the path to herbal health choices.