Upadhye et al. have discussed an interesting aspect of Ayurvedic medicines. They have considered ‘involuntary adulteration’ in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines due to the use of plant species which have the same or similar names, but are essentially different constituently. (Correspondence)

Despite the bad press that traditional Chinese medicine sometimes receives, proponents believe it represents an untapped
pharmacopeia and are using cutting edge biotechnology to prove it. Gary Humphreys reports.

Ethno medicinal survey was conducted in Satpura region with special reference to Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. This district is a forest district,Chhindwara district, has acquired great importance because of its scenic beauty. Patalkot is a lovely landscape located at a depth of 1200-1500 feet in a valley, inhabited by Gonds, Bharia tribes who are entirely dependent on forest for medication. Information on 15 plant species belong to 15 genera and 14 families which are traditionally used as medicine to cure malaria was collected.

The investigation on phytomedicine was conducted in order to asses the traditional uses and exact distribution of medicinal flora of arid areas of Pakistan. It was found that in a total of 59 plant species belonging to 50 genera and 30 families are reported to be used for different diseases as asthma, piles, cancer, skin diseases, as astringent, spermatorrhea, as refrigerant and diabetes. It was investigated that conservation of medicinally important plants and traditional folk knowledge is necessary in order to save them from extinction.