Aromatic Medicinal Plants in the Context of Bioprospection

Abstract

In view of the important role played by medicinal plants, for the development of new medicines, the bioprospection of the plant based on their traditional knowledge have been undertaken more vigorously in recent time in many laboratories of the world. It is expected, through such efforts the medicines for cure or elevation of dreaded diseases such as AIDS/HIV, cancer, heart diseases, hepatic disorders, diabetes etc. would be made available. The use of certain aromatic herbs, their essential oil and aroma chemicals have been critically reviewed in the context of their traditional uses and modern bioprospection in respect of pharmacological and clinical investigations and presented in the article.