Flower of wellness

Medicinal properties of endangered dhawai phool are recognised in Ayurveda and modern medicine

Biodiversity in jeopardy

Tribals in Kerala are being forced to give away medicinal plants in repayment of their loans. In the process, biodiversity is being depleted

'The forest mafia is very powerful'

AJAY S RAWAT spent six months in the Indo-Nepal terais to trace the methods of timber smugglers

Gulp it down the cool way

Thambli, a decoction of herbs, and a soothing drink

Forest medicines

New drug for cancer

PATENT TROUBLES

Yar Tsa Gumba

A miraculous mushroom, over-exploited, is on the brink of extinction

Cheaper remedy

Satellite mapping of flora hotspots

Roots

Worldwide, traditional medicinal systems are in the process of being modernised. Besides health care and conservation of medicinal plants, the …

Nothing goes waste

The biological method of hospital waste management, which helps reclaim degraded land and cultivate medicinal plants, may be the best alternative …

The Himalayan herb grower

Arun Kumar Badoni has taken upon himself the task of conserving medicinal and aromatic plants in the Garhwal Himalaya

Charaka and Sushruta reborn

Bangalore University's new BioPark has medicinal gardens that incorporate the near-forgotten science of India's ancient medical treatises

Enact a special act for protecting India’s natural pharmacy

The country’s medicinal plants, which are used in a number of alternative systems of medicine, are in danger of becoming extinct due to …

Crunchy, juicy devil's backbone

The succulent can strengthen bones, while keeping cold and cough at bay

Fruity delight

Pomelo not only makes tasty salads, but also has antioxidants that fight cancer

Betel benefit

Compounds in paan leaf can kill several pathogenic bacteria

Dying practice

Lack of medicinal plants forces village doctors out of trade

Turncoat 'thieves'

Former teak smugglers become official forest guards

Herb farming

Butter fruit

Shalini Dhyani explores the forgotten virtues of mahua fruit and seed oil

Under siege

Film review: A planet of hope

Kalahandi: A Planet of Herbs / Director: Amarendra Kishore / 28 minutes / English/Hindi

Wild trouble

Trade threatens medicinal plants