Abstract

Forests of Kerala abodes several medicinal plants that are being used in the manufacture of Ayurvedic medicines as well as used by the traditional Ayurvedic practitioners and tribals. Medicinal Plants used in the Ayurvedic medicines were fairly common in the past but due to the increase in demand and thereby over-exploitation, several medicinal plants have become rare, especially species with restricted distributions. Besides plants used in the Ayurvedic medicines, several other plants are also now collected for the preparation of phyto-chemical products. In the absence of increase in the source for raw drugs, even the fairly wisespread medicinal plants are also facing extinction from the forest areas. Apart from cultivating the much needed drug plants, conservation methods are also to be adopted for ex situ and in situ conservation. The Government may also consider to review the forestry practices and piorities to lay emphasis for the protection and conservation of