This paper is the adaptation of a talk given by the author at the University of Kelaniya (Sri Lanka) on 29 September 1998 on three European scholars who have made a signal contribution to philological studies o Ayurveda.

The present communication deals with a detailed account of usage of 40 species of plants in various ailments b the tribal people of chandaka forest area adjoining bhubaneswar, orissa. The author opines t importance of folk-lore claims in source of drugs trough this article.

Brachylepis nervosa , Wight and Arnot, belongs to the family asclepiadaceae is indigenous to ills of the Nilgiris and distribution of which is restricted to Wellington and kothagiri. The present work summarises preliminary phytochemical characters of this plant.

The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Tamarindus indicus  was investigated for its anti inflammatory and analgesic actions. The anti inflammatory activity was studied using carrageenin induced hind paw edema in rats and analgesic activity using chemical writhing test and tail clip method in mice and tail flick method yin rats. Test drug exhibited significant dose dependent anti inflammatory and analgesic and analgesic actions and found to be not superior to that of acetyl acid.

Seeds of Gunja (Abrus precatorius  Linn) are reported to be poisonous due to the presence of a toxic protein 'abrin and an alkaloid hypaphorine. Te seeds after subjecting to the process of shodhana, find use in a number of Ayurvedic preparations. HPLC studies revealed that the process of shodhana resulted in depletion of more toxic alkaloid hypaphorine and protein abrin.

Pushkaramooladi choorna was tried clinically in Tamaka shvasa  (Bronchial asthma) for a period of 45 days in concecutive 3 followups. The clinical, labortary and pulmonary function tests carried out show significant antiasthmatic effect.

The antifeedant and anthelmintic activities of crude extracts of the shells of Anacardium occidentale  were studied by comparing it's activity with the activity of Azadirachta indica A Juss (Kernel), a commercial standard. The test extracts of A. occidentale  in petroleum ether, dichloromethane: methanol showed better activities compared to A. Indica. To Study the anthelmintic activity, the addition of piperine to the formulation significantly enhances the activity. The phytochemical investigation of test extracts showed the presence of phenols namely cordol, cardanol and anacardic acid by TLC studies. The most potent extracts are non toxic to mice.

Fistula in ano is treated conventionally, by using the surgical techniques like fistulectomy or fistulotomy. In this practice of surgery there are many complications like delayed healing and stenosis or incontinence. The period of convalescence is also long. But after the advent of 'Kshara Sutra ' for the treatment of fistula in ano, the complications he reduced to negligible level. It has become a boon to the patients of fistula in ano. But still the quest is continuing to improve the efficacy of Kshara sutra , to make it more acceptable, of late Kshara sutra  is being prepared in different ways of changing materials used for preparation, One such modification of Kshara sutra  is preparing it by the use of latex expressed form the tender fruit of papaya. The advantages of this thread are low corrosiveness, less pain and speed cutting besides easy availability.

Dodonaea viscose , Linn is a widely grown plant of Nilgiris district of Tamil and is commonly used by the tribals of Nilgiris as a traditional medicine for done fracture and joint sprains. Since it is generally believed tat fractures are accompanied by either some degree of injury or inflammations, it was felt desirable to carry our anti inflammatory activity of Dodonaea viscose . Anti-inflammatory activity of the plant was carried out by carrageenin induced paw edema method in Wister albino rats.

The Siddha Drugs Sivannar Amirthan  (SA), Ayakkantha chendooram  (AC) and their combinations were screened for their anti-inflammatory effect against carrageenin induced paw edema and for its protective effect on mast cellos against degranulation, A significant anti-inflammatory and mast cell protective effects were observed.

The ethanol extract of roots, fruits and roots of solanum indicum and saccharum munja respectively and water soluble resin of commiphora myrrha were studied for antiinflammatory activity against carrageenin induced oedema in rats, the significant antiinflammatory activity were found in former two plants will slight anti inflammatory activity was observed in latter plant.

The major diagnostic characters and qualitative chemical and physical tests responsible for the pharmacognostic identity of the leaf and of root of Polyscias fruticosa  (L) Harms have been reported. Literature survey showed the absence of any systematic pharmacognostic studies for this plant.