Taxonomic and Pharmacognostic Authentication of Problematic Medicinal Plants Used as Herbal Medicine

The 2012 research project conducted detailed taxonomic and pharmacognostic studies on seven herbal medicines: Neem, Green Tea, Sana Makki, Brahmi, Lemon Grass, Henna, and Tobacco. The study aimed to investigate their indigenous medicinal uses, marketing status, macro and microscopical characters, behavior of powdered drug on treatment with different chemical reagents, and preliminary phytochemical tests. The research provided a basis for authentication, standardization, and characterization of these genuine drugs, differentiating them from their adulterants. For instance, the study facilitated the authentication of genuine Neem from its substitute Melia azedarach, Green Tea from Chenopodium ambrosoides, and so on. The findings were deemed useful in preparing monographs on these plants and establishing taxo-pharmacognostic standardization on identification, quality, purity, and classification of medicinal plants as per WHO guidelines for drug discovery development.