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Special Issue Article - (2015) Volume 0, Issue 0
Plants are major segment of biodiversity. Changeable environmental conditions as well as their genes make them different to each other. Plants showing remarkable adaptability in different changeable climatic condition which supports them for registering their presence in varied ecological zones. Growth phases, seed diversity and dormancy, viability, germination potential also differ to the different plant species. It may be also variable in two individuals of the same species affected by several biotic and abiotic factors in natural habitat. Interaction between species of different plant species and between of a same species is unique among the diverse group of the plants.
Plant life is affected by many living and non-living components of the ecosystem. A successful plant production includes better germination of the seeds/plant parts like bulb, tuber, rhizome and corm etc. These are followed by the presence of better water facility, nutrient sources, availability of sunlight etc. After development of new plantlets from any source of the parental plants are required for much care against grazing animals, plant diseases, insects and pests, high rainfall and many more.
Each plant in the nature is unique not only to be a part of biodiversity but also for the certain medicinal value. Medicinal values of the different plant species is due to the presence of unique type of chemical compounds. There are variable in different plant species. Concentrations of the chemical compounds inside of plant body in different individuals of the plant species are found to be differing. It is followed by the plant types, their age, plant health and also regulated by the effect of the environmental variables.
Plants are used as a source of medicine due to presence of certain chemicals/active ingredients in side of their body. Presence, concentration and types of the chemicals are performing to be usefulness of the various plants in the treatment of certain disorders.
One plant can be used for many purposes like Andrographis paniculata also referred as a king of bitter is registered as useful in treatment of malaria fever, as an anti-diabetic, worm killers etc. In another hand many plants are also found to be useful for treatment of specific diseases/disorders.
Plants used for treatment of disorders are known as Medicinal plants. Low cast, eco-friendly, easily availability in forest area, these are marked as a prime and effective source of primary health care in rural areas. Utilization of the plants for such purpose is referred as ethno-medicine and the branch of botany associated of this is ethno-botany.
The scope and valuation of this branch include rich potential for uses of local plants and to make the rural peoples aware towards the significance of the plant diversity. Plants are also a primary source of energy in nature and are unique and god gifted natural resources for human beings for their potential utilization in multifold directions among the rural peoples.
Secondary metabolites of the plants such as Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Steroids, and Terpenoids etc. are performing role to treat disorders. Plants are also a source of aroma due to presence of certain essential compounds in their body. Its types and concentration is variable among the plants and are useful in preparation of aroma/perfume. These are also used in treatment of many disorders based on their effectiveness and potential application.
Finally as a conclusion it can be drawn that plants are not only a segment of biodiversity but also they are major sources like timber, fuel, medicines for human beings. Due to above utility plants should be utilized in sustainable manner following better conservation strategies for their long term presence in nature.