*4.1.1 Types of adulteration and substitution*


crude dried drug which cannot be differentiated by naked eye. For example, Mixture of crude Dashmoola drugs is often adulterated with some random twig, leaf and bark.

	- a.*Non-availability of the authentic drug* [20, 21]: due to over exploitation and unregulated deforestation, there has been shortage of many medicinal floras which has resulted in the endangerment of the species. Some of the plants have been extinct also, e.g. substitution of *Oroxylum indicum* in Dashmoola drugs.
	- b.*Uncertainty in the identity of the drug* [20, 21]: the local collectors of the medicinal flora are not much educated and get confused with the identity of the drugs that look similar. Also, some of the plant species are debatable among Ayurveda practitioners for the authenticity and thus interchangeably used by different practitioners, e.g. for the herb Lakshmana different species such as *Arlia quinquefolia*, *Ipomea sepiaria*, etc. are considered.
	- c.*Cost of the drug* [20, 21]: due to lesser prevalence of many medicinal floras, the cost of their respective drug rise. Manufacturers adulterate such drugs to make more money, e.g. saffron, asafoetida, etc.
	- d.*Geographical distribution of the drug* [20, 21]: many of the drugs that are found in one part of the country are not found in the other. This has resulted in substitution of such drugs with functionally similar drugs. For example, as Rasna, *Plucia lanceolata* is used in Northern India while in southeren parts *Alpinia galanga* is considered as the source.
	- e.*The adverse reaction of the drug* [20, 21]: different drugs have their varied impact on people depending upon their age, gender, physical condition, disorder, etc. Some of the drugs that show medicinal benefits in one person may show toxic effects in another. For example, Vasa is a well-known Rakta-Pittahara drug, but due to its Abortifacient activity its utility in pregnant women is limited, instead drugs such as Laksha, Ashoka, etc. are substituted.
	- f. *Confusion in vernacular names* [20, 21]: different species having similar vernacular names and vice a versa an cause confusion that may result in adulteration. In Ayurveda, 'Parpatta' is a plant that refers to *Fumaria parvifloran* originally and in Siddha, 'Parpadagam' is another plant that refers to *Mollugo pentaphylla*. But due to similarity in the names in traditional systems of medicine, these two herbs are often interchanged or adulterated or substituted [19].
	- g.*Lack of knowledge about original or authentic source* [20, 21]: an example of such type of adulteration can be *Mesua ferrea* commonly known as Nagakesar. Market samples of Nagkesar is adulterated with flowers of *Calophyllum inophyllum* because the suppliers are not aware about the abundance of authentic drug *Mesua ferrea* in the Western Ghats region and the parts of Himalayas. There may be some restriction s in the collection of drug from the protected forests too [19].
	- h.*Similarity in morphology* [20, 21]: owing to the similarity in morphological characteristics within the same genus, often the species are interchangeably used. *Mucuna pruriens* is adulterated with other similar Papilionaceae seeds

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*Herbal Drugs Forensic*

**Flora**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98253*

is originated from *Arnebia euchroma* [19].

having similarity in morphology. *M. utilis* (sold as white variety) and *M.* 

i. *Similarity in colour or dye* [20, 21]: colour can be a major reason of adulteration. Not all spices and drugs that give a peculiar colour to food or medicine source from original herb but can be adulterated with synthetic dyes. 'Ratanjot', originally derived from *Ventilago madraspatana* and collected from Western Ghats which is known to be the only source of red dye (ratanjot), is now derived from *Arnebia euchroma* var. *euchroma*. Though there is only similarity in the colour of the dye but still, whatever is available in the market, in the name of Ratanjot

j. *Careless collections* [20, 21]: some of the herbal adulterations are due to the carelessness of herbal collectors and suppliers. The collectors are local people who are not much educated and trained in proper collection guidelines. This results in degradation of many of the useful properties of the plant. *Parmelia perlata* is used in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. It is also used as grocery. Market samples showed it to be admixed with other species (*P. perforata* and *P. cirrhata*).

**5. Laws related to collection, harvest, processing and trade in medicinal** 

of genetic stocks and ultimately to the diversity of medicinal flora.

Though, government is making efforts to manage and regulate the collection of wild flora, but a long term strategy is needed. The efforts are scattered and do not yield satisfactory results. These efforts along with the well-planned strategies and policies are needed with major involvement of local communities and indigenous habitants. Both in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies need to be undertaken. **In-situ conservation** involves protecting bioreserves and biodiversity hotspots, e.g. The Himalayas, Sunderbans, Eastern and Western Ghats. Such biodiversity hotspots are rich in medicinal floras, thus protection of the indigenous plant species along with collection of raw drugs need to be regulated for sustainable development of natural resources. **Ex-situ conservation** involves setting up of gene banks, herbal botanical gardens, seed banks, drug repositories, nurseries, etc. so that the endangered species can be raised again. The **Department of Biotechnology, Government of India** is working in this line and has taken various initiatives to establish gene banks.

In this regard, loss of traditional knowledge is always felt. Indigenous communi-

ties have a culture of worshipping sacred groves which is rich in plant diversity.

As discussed earlier, with the growing interest in medicinal plants and ayurvedic drugs, there is a need for a long term strategy and planning to conserve and sustainable use of these plants [22–26]. Many medicinal plants like other natural resources are facing extinction and their degradation has accelerated over the years due to many reasons. Medicinal plants also face habitat destruction due to over exploitation. Though **Forest Conservation Act, 1980** and the **Wildlife Protection Act, 1972** provide some protection to medicinal plants. But as there are many medicinal floras that grow away from the domain of protected areas and there is no wellplanned strategy for their conservation, many of such unchecked floras face endangerment and become extinct. Even the floras within protected areas face depletion without proper conservation strategy. Beside this, indiscriminate and unregulated exploitation of medicinal plants for their roots, stem, bark, fruit, leaves, or whole plant leads to destructive harvesting which include 70% of the wild flora out of 95%t used [16]. If not carefully monitored, this practice could lead to the depletion

*deeringiana* (sold as bigger variety) are popular adulterants.

having similarity in morphology. *M. utilis* (sold as white variety) and *M. deeringiana* (sold as bigger variety) are popular adulterants.

