Pharmacological studies on some ethnomedicinal plants of Thar desert

Plants have been used as sources of medicine in many indigenous communities throughout the world. The tribal communities primarily rely on ethnomedicinal plant to meet their basic healthcare needs. Ethnomedicinal uses of plants have also served as templates for pharmaceutical industry. Some of outstanding medicines such as vinblastine and vincristine from Catharanthus roseus (the periwinkle) used for treating acute lymphoma, reserpine from Rauwolfia serpentina (Indian snake root) used for treating hypertension. Tribals and other ethnic communities are the primary source of ethnomedicinal information. Unique geographical condition and rich biodiversity of Thar Desert is providing shelter, food and medicine to number of tribal community. The book deals with documentation of ethnomedicinal plants. The methods of phytochemical screening and selected pharmacological activities of some ethnomedicinal of the Thar Desert are described.