Traditional Knowledge Guided Research to Identify Legitimate Substitutes for Rare and Unavailable Herbs

As per the principles and practice of Ayurveda, herbs with similar pharmacological properties can be used as substitutes whenever the original herb is in short supply. There are at least 30 pairs of herbs and substitutes that are mentioned in classical Ayurveda texts [1]. Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae) is claimed to be a legitimate substitute for Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle (Ranunculaceae). A. heterophyllum is a rare and expensive Himalayan herb while C. rotundus is a common, tropical, marshy weed. Going by published literature, the two herbs are taxonomically unrelated and dissimilar in major chemicals. However, our preliminary studies indicate that the chromatographic profiles [2] and pharmacological (anti-diarrhoeal) activity are similar in the two drugs making further exploration worthwhile. Research of this kind is essential to identify new substitutes for unavailable herbs and to throw light on the Ayurvedic strategy adopted for selecting substitute drugs. Acknowledgements: Thanks go to Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy for conducting the animal studies. Financial support from the TATA Trusts is gratefully acknowledged. References: [1] Sastri, B (Ed.) (2002) Yogaratnakara. Chaukhamba, Sanskrit Sansthan. Varanasi, p.171. [2] Shankar, D. et al. (2007) Curr Sci, 92(11): 1499–1505.