Herbs and traditional medicines are being extensively used for healthcare in
almost all the countries. Ancient religious texts are replete with references on
the use of natural products with medicinal properties. Because of local beliefs
and cost considerations, herbal medicines remain a popular mode of treatment in
the developing countries. Even in the industrialised society, rising cost of
prescription drugs and ensuing side effects of the treatment, make it highly
attractive to use the traditional medicine particularly for minor ailments.
Modern system of medicine is based on sound experimental data, toxicity
studies and human clinical studies, however pharmacopoeia on herbal products is
usually not available. Precisely, herbal industry