Abstract

A REVIEW OF IMMUNOPOTENTIATING PLANTS OF THE ORIENTS

Karpagam.N*, Viswanathan.S, Santhosh.K and M.Sivanandham

ABSTRACT

This review is aimed at classification of the various plants used as well as their principle of action on the human immune system. This area of interest is of concern to us in our modern age as the cost of contemporary medicine is skyrocketing and the research is showing that herbal medicine is rivaling with the effectiveness and potency of modern medicine. The plants studied and discussed here are found throughout the world, although an emphasis is placed on those found in South East Asia. Many of these are used as herbs in traditional Oriental medicines of China, Japan, and Korea. Ayurvedic medicine is also another source of an undying, well practiced type of medicine. It is also stressed that many of these plants are beginning to emerge as a lucrative industry, while others are being endangered by both natural and man-made causes.

Keywords: Immune, immunomodulating, immunopotentiating, Asia, herbal medicine.