Andaman and Nicobar islands are one of the regions with unique diversity of flora including about 300 endemic species. These islands are also home to six native tribes, some of which are still living their life in primitive ways. The native phyto-diversity is routinely employed by these aboriginals and settler communities for a variety of purposes including food, medicines, timber etc. In the present review, diversity of crop wild relatives of commercial spices and plantation crops present in the islands along with their utilization by the tribes and other communities is discussed. Further, being botanically related to commercial crops, such species could greatly contribute in crop improvement programmes to meet the challenges arising out of climate change. Considering these, systematic studies are envisaged to document, regenerate, conserve and characterize such economically and ecologically useful species so that they could be utilized for the betterment of human kind. Present review concerned highlighting the importance of these issues in the context of fragile island ecosystem of the Bay Islands.

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Introduction:The collection and documentation of folklore claims of the native population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands including tribes are very essential as these claims can pave the path for new drug discovery. The concept of treating a disease by using a single plant or utilizing it as health supplements are rapidly spreading all over the world and it is widely practiced by physicians. Objectives: This study sought to document the distinct plant species used in treatment by the native and tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Materials and methods: During the year 2013 to 2016, a total of 23 periodical surveys of 75 forest beats of Andaman and Nicobar Islands were conducted and 62 local traditional folk healers were interviewed as per the questionnaire based on ethnomedicinal, survey protocol. Observations: One hundred and forty-one folklore claims related to single-herbal remedies were registered which comprises 103 medicinal plant species used to treat 47 different diseases. Maximum numbers of species, i.e., 13 are utilized to cure abdominal pain followed by 12 species for headache and 11 species for fever. Discussion: Among the 103 plant species, 85 species have been quoted in the texts of Ayurveda and the remaining 18 plants have been also defined as folk medicine in other literature of plant studies. However, this study highlights their utilization in common disease by the native and tribal folk healers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Conclusion:This study gives immense output on the use of the individual medicinal plant in varied systemic and local diseases from the folk healers of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Organized and constructive information incorporated in this article may aid in conducting further pharmacological, toxicological, and clinical studies on reported claims to confirm their therapeutic efficacy and utility.

In the formation of a principle, the experimental study plays a pivotal role. After repeated experiments under the same conditions, if one finds the same results, then a principle is formed. Ayurvedic principles which were formulated on the basis of keen observations and through special senses need to be reassessed through contemporary scientific tools. The principles of Ushna (hot) and Sheeta (cold) Gunas (properties) need to be assessed and evaluated through various animal experiments so as to suggest parameters which can be suitable for the evolution of these Gunas. The present study is an attempt to find out the possibility of employing simple experimental parameters to assess these Gunas in selected drug substances and the data generated through this study were analyzed. The obtained results are encouraging to develop the same. All details are presented in this paper.

This paper deals with the 44 medicinal plants used by aboriginal tribes of Andaman & Nicobar Islands mentioned in Ayurvedic classics and their traditional uses in most common ailments.