The use of plant materials for preparations of ayurvedic tonics has been known since ancient periods. The use of digestive candies and health tonics are at great demand in India. Further, the enormous use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in developing countries has been of serious concern because of their persistant nature. Herbal products prepared using parts of the plants for human consumption used as drugs, tonics, toiletories, cosmetics etc may also contain significant level of OCP residues.

There are certain plants, vegetables and fruits indigenous to India having medicinal properties. The knowledge of these properties rests with local communities who still rely on it. However, the issue of patenting Indian biological and traditional mate

Herbs spell commercial success for villages in Jowahar Valley