Therapeutic utilization of secretory products of some Indian medicinal plants - a review

Abstract

<span style="mso-bidi-language:HI">Indian Systems of Medicine use around eight thousand medicinal plants in preventive, promotive and curative applications. Although the bark and roots are the most common plant parts used, depending on the potency other plant parts such as leaves, flowers, stem, secretory products, etc. are also used as medicine. Secretory products include secretions obtained either naturally or by making incisions in the plant. External secretory structures include trichornes, glands, nectaries, hydathodes and osmophores while the internal secretory structures located below the epidermis layer consist of the glands and ducts, which secrete oils, gums and resins, and laticifers, which secrete latex. Detailed study of a few commonly found secreting Indian medicinal plants exhibits pharmacochemical properties and therapeutic actions.

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