How were medicinal plants used in ancient India?

In ancient India, the use of medicinal plants was a cornerstone of Ayurveda, a traditional system of health care that dates back approximately 3,000 years. These plants were central to both preventive and curative medicine, with practitioners—who collected and prepared their own vegetable drugs—adapting treatments to the specific needs of each patient.123

The Indian materia medica was extensive, relying almost exclusively on indigenous plants. Notable historical figures in this field include:3
* Charaka: A physician who identified approximately 500 medicinal plants.3
* Sushruta: A surgeon who documented 760 medicinal plants.3

Beyond these figures, other ancient texts, such as a document from the 6th century BCE, described the use of nearly 960 medicinal plants. These botanical remedies were used to treat a wide range of conditions, including fever, cough, diarrhea, and various skin diseases. While plants were the primary focus, physicians also incorporated animal products and minerals into their treatments. In addition to internal consumption, plants were used for hygiene, such as cleansing teeth with twigs from specific trees, and as external preparations. Some plants used in ancient India, such as cardamom and cinnamon, were eventually integrated into Western pharmacopoeias.413