Tribals of India have been using many plants for curing their ailments since time immemorial. Plants most commonly used by different tribal population in India against skin infections have been listed out in this report. Some of these plants have already been proved scientifically to possess antimicrobial and antiallergic principles. Many more are yet to be surveyed and proven for their known medicinal value. Once the principles underlying the particular activity of the plants described are known, they could safely by recommended for use for the rest of the population of our country, as it would not only be effective but also a cheaper source of drug.

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The Clinical utility of the famous Unani Formulation, Marham Dakhlion  was tested in a population of 100 patients. The medicine was found effective in 80% of the cases and no side effects were also observed.

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Seasame oil is the most stable vegetable oil against oxidation. It has been revealed that the oxidative stability of seasame oil is due to the lignans such as sesamole, sesamilinol, pynoresional, sesaminol, etc., contained in it. Sesamol is obtained by the hydroxylation of sesamolin. The reaction is hydroxylation which is generally promoted by acid and heat. The changes of the concentration of lignans and 7 - tocopherol of Ksira - Bala Taila were determined by HPLC assay. Sesamol, a strong antioxidant, increased in the process of cooking, which may be concerned with the meaning of cooking.

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Alcoholic and chloroform extracts of E. alba, T. purpurea  and B. diffusa  were screened for antihepatotoxic activity. The extracts were given after the liver was damaged with CCl4. Liver function was assessed based on liver to boy weight ratio, pentobarbitone sleep time, serum levels of transaminase (SGPT, SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (SALP) and bilirubin. Alcoholic extract of E. alba  was found to have good antihepatotoxic activity.

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The authors present in this article a brief account of cataract surgery described in Susruta Samhita.

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The paper presents 41 folklore claims collected from the tribes Gaddi, Swangla, Bhot and other local inhabitants residing in the district of Lahul and spiti in Himachal Pradesh. 41 taxa belonging to 39 genera and 24 families have been described. Botanical name of the plant, family, local name, place of collection, altitude, collection number and mode of administration have been given. Uses of most of the herbs are reported here for the first time.

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This paper presents an account of 25 species used by Kollimalayalis of Kolli hills, Salem District, Tamil Nadu, as wild edibles in detail, including vernacular name and plant parts used.

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Ethnobotanical investigations by various workers including the senior author during the present decade have revealed fifteen antifertility drugs employed by different tribes of Rajasthan. Ten have been reported from the southern region alone. The lower plants are represented by a single fern Actiniopteres radiate.  Most drugs comprise single species and are orally administered. While some drugs offer permanent contraception, other are effective for a definite period only. Likewise, drugs are effectively used in early, advanced or late pregnancy. Some of the drugs used in Rajasthan are similarly used in adjoining States also. The antifertility activity of some has been pharmacologically established.

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The paper deals with 37 selected species of plants which are used as medicine by tribals of the Prakasam District of Andhra Pradesh. Detailed uses of these plants as suggested by the tribals are mentioned. It is however, suggested to carry out chemical screening to identify the active principles in these plants before concluding anything on their uses.

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It appears that from medieval period onwards the subjects having practical application were given more importance than the philosophical and theoretical aspects. But the physicians were keen observes and new drugs and information were added and the effect of religion, astrology and other systems is also seen. While the womenfolk used to collect from the nearby forests, drugs that were useful for common ailments, some drugs were also imported from other countries. Specialization in certain diseases or practices was prevalent and the physicians enjoyed a high status and respect in the society. Several such other aspects are dealt with in this article.

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A disease of Plumbago Zeylanica L. caused by Phoma exigua is reported for the first time from India.

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An experiment to study the feasibility of intercropping the short duration agronomical crops in periwinkle was conducted at Nagarjun Medicinal Plants Garden, P.K.V. Akola during 1988 - 89, 89 - 90 and 90 - 91. The highest monetary return of Rs. 15,604/ per hectare was obtained from an intercropping system of periwinkle and groundnut is row proportion of 2:1.

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The herbal vendors are the mobile tribal medicinement seen on the busy streets of many Indian cities selling crude medicinal plants and their products. They prescribe herbal treatment for several diseases, a skill they inherited from their forefathers through several generations of experience. They claim to have specific herbal remedies for the complete cure of some urino - genital disorders such as dysuria, hematuria, syphilis and gonorrhea. Cocculus villosus, pedalium murex, Tribulus terrestris, Tinospora cordifolia, Withania Somnifera, Asparagus racemosus and Curculigo orchoides  are the herbal drugs of choice used in the treatment.

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The erudite author makes an attempt in this article to trace the historical developments of Ayurveda. He also identifies the divergent views which made their appearance on the scene, thus highlighting the flexibility and adaptability of the system to ever changing circumstances.

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Description of a meridian-like channel is available in the Tamil medical text, Akattiyar Nayanaviti - 500, attributed to Akattiyar. Therefore, further studies are essential to trace the interaction between Chinese medicine and the medical practices of southern India.

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Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu is one of the most botanised areas of Southern India. In spite of it a number of wild plants had been missed by earlier collectors. Moreover, many exotics and ornamentals having importance in alternative systems of medicine have not been collected and preserved. The present paper lists 34 species of plants used in homeopathy belonging to 31 genera under 23 families.

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