Ethnodermatological Use of Medicinal Plants in India: From Ayurvedic Formulations to Clinical Perspectives – A Review

The review titled "Ethnodermatological use of medicinal plants in India: From ayurvedic formulations to clinical perspectives" critically examines the use of medicinal plants in treating skin diseases in India, focusing on Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. The study analyzed data from 178 articles and found 119 records of plant uses across India for 39 skin diseases. The review concludes that herbal medicine in India has significant potential to treat various skin disorders, but more research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms of these herbal compounds and to confirm their effectiveness. The review provides an extensive list of plants used in traditional Indian medicine for various skin conditions, including Santalum album L., Curcuma longa L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Terminalia arjuna, and Brassica nigra. The document also reviews various Ayurvedic formulations and their dermatological uses, particularly in India, including "Divya Kesa Taila" and "Divya Kayakalpa Taila". The review emphasizes the potential of these plants for further research and development into effective dermatological treatments.