Introduction

Indian medicinal plants are plants using in Ayurveda mainly as medicinal purpose. Indian medicinal plants are the essence of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic treatments. When used judicially and clocking with the basic principles they produce miraculous effects. Their role cannot be confined to mere curative of disease but they also used being of human body. Hence, Ayurvedic drugs are rightly called the elixirs of life. Ayurvedic Herbs played important role in Ayurvedic treatment, from ancient time to this most modern time.

The development of ancient Indian medicine system can be traced right from the Indus Valley Civilization. The archaeological remains of Harappa and Mohenjodaro suggest the evidence for the existence of a medicine system. The Indus people used plant drugs, animal products and minerals. In one of the excavations Silajatu (Silajit) has been found, which indicates that it might have been used by the Indus people.

However, there are not many evidences to support the medical system prevailing during the Indus period. Notwithstanding the facts, it is impossible to believe that there was no medical system to cater to the large urban settlements and knowledge of elaborate town planning.

The ancient system of medicine finds more graphic details in the Vedic civilization that flourished in the Gangetic plains from 1000 BC onwards.  The earliest treatise Rig Veda mentions that Dhanvantari 17th incarnation of Lord Vishnu was worshipped as God of medicine. It was also regarded as the source of Ayurveda.  The other reference to medical practice in Vedic age finds mention in the worship of Ashvins or Ashwini Kumaras, the twin gods that averted misfortune and sickness. They are considered as the doctors of gods and devas of Ayurvedic medicine.