Assets and Liabilities of Commodification of Herbal (Ayurvedic) Medicine

Abstract

Herbs have been used since many decades as medicines for the treatment of various ailments. Indian system of medicine recommends different Ayurvedic formulations and multi-compound extracts. This ancient pharmacological techinque is beneficial in many diseases related to multiple causes such as chronic illness. In Classics various methods of preparation of Ayurvedic formulation have been described and these formulations are given to patients according to disease (vyaadhi), their constitution (Prakiti), pathology (Dushya) and aetiology (Dosha). These formulations are very much authentic and efficient if these are made under proper supervision of experts, by following standard textual procedures, but in today’s era due to technological advancement Ayurvedic formulations have been prepared in pharmacological laboratory and method of preparation has changed. Recently many pharmaceutical industries have demonstrated renewed intent in investigating plants as sources for new lead structures along with development of standardized Phyto therapeutic agents with manifest potency, safety and standard. Herbal medicinal formulations are normally extreme famous in developing countries because of its natural origin backed with a huge history of traditional use. The use of traditional medicinal products has increased hugely over the last three decades with approximately 80 percent of people worldwide depending upon them. That generates the need of commodification of herbal medicine. There are many pros and cons of commodification of Herbal medicine verses medicine prepared manually by Ayurvedic professionals. Pharmacological preparations made by professional manually as per standard protocol mentioned in Ayurvedic classics are more efficient, reliable and able to give promising results in many ailments but with these benefits these preparations are very much time consuming, needs much labour thus, not cost effective. Although, Medicines manufactured in pharmacological Laboratory are very much cost effective, less time consuming and can be stored for longer duration and easily accessible. Thus, commodification of herbal medicine ensures constant supply, attractive packaging, wider publicity but with lack of that traditional touch which keeps on healing ailing human beings since long.