Medicinal plants are of great importance to the health of individuals and communities. The medicinal value of these plants lies in some chemical substances that produce a definite physiological action on the human body. The most important of these bioactive constituents of plants are triterpenoid saponin, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds. Many of these indigenous medicinal plants are used as a spices and food plant. They are also sometimes added to foods meant for pregnant and nursing mothers for medicinal purposes. Glycyrrhiza glabra is one of the useful medicinal plants.
Glycyrrhiza is derived from the ancient Greek term glykos, meaning sweet, and rhiza, meaning root. Glycyrrhiza glabra is known as mulaithi in north India. Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice and sweet wood, is native to the Mediterranean and certain areas of Asia. Glycyrrhiza glabra belongs to genus Glycyrrhiza and is commonly called as licorice which is available in India. A numbers of traditional healers have claimed the efficacy of Glycyrrhiza species for a variety of pathological conditions as a diuretic, choleretic and used as insecticide and indicated in traditional medicine for coughs, colds and painful swellings.
We have compiled all these published data and arranged in a systematic manner and published in this monograph, so that, it can be used for Research Scholars, Scientists and PG students of Agricultural University. |
