**3.2 Reason for adulteration**

	- Confusion in vernacular names- e.g. *Aerva lanata* (source of *Pashanbheda* in south) adulterated as *Bergenia ligualata.*
	- Lack of knowledge about authentic source e.g. *Calophyllum inophyllum* is adultered with *Mesua ferra.*
	- Similarity in color and morphology For example *Mucuna utilis* and *Mucuna deeringiana* are used for *Mucuna pruriens*
	- Careless collection/improper collection Definite part of herb should be collected in particular season, particular place and particular part of plant should be collected but ignorance of these things during collection and drugs collected carelessly may cause adulteration.
	- Improper storage- Due to improper storage physical factors such as air (oxygen), humidity, light, and temperature can bring about deterioration directly or indirectly and use of such type of drug acts as adulterant.
	- Imperfect preparation- Some of crude drugs should be processed before marketing, during such processing improper technique may destroy active constituents e.g. over drying of crude drugs, removal of cork from zinger etc. (**Table 2**).


**Table 2.**

*List of few commonly used adulterants in Ayurveda.*
