CLASSIFICATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS

Of the 2,50,000 higher plant species on earth, more than 80,000

species are reported to have at least some medicinal value and
around 5000 species have specific therapeutic value.
They are classified according to the part used, habit, habitat,
therapeutic value etc, besides the usual botanical classification.
1. Based on part used
i) Whole plant: Boerhaavia diffusa, Phyllanthus neruri
ii) Root: Dasamula
iii) Stem:Tinospora cordifolia, Acorus calamus
iv) Bark: Saraca asoca
v) Leaf: Indigofera tinctoria, Lawsonia inermis, Aloe vera
vi) Flower:Biophytum sensityvum, Mimusops elenji
vii) Fruit: Solanum species
viii) Seed: Datura stramonium

2. Based on habit
i) Grasses: Cynodon dactylon
ii) Sedges: Cyperus rotundus
iii) Herbs : Vernonia cineria
iv) Shrubs: Solanum species
v) Climbers: Asparagus racemosus
vi) Trees: Azadirachta indica
3. Based on habitat
i) Tropical: Andrographis paniculata
ii) Sub-tropical: Mentha arvensis
iii) Temperate: Atropa belladona

4. Based on therapeutic value

Antimalarial : Cinchona officinalis, Artemisia annua
Anticancer : Catharanthus roseus, Taxus baccata
Antiulcer : Azadirachta indica, Glycyrrhiza glabra
Antidiabetic : Catharanthus roseus, Momordica charantia
Anticholesterol : Allium sativum
Antiinflammatory : Curcuma domestica, Desmodium gangeticum
Antiviral : Acacia catechu
Antibacterial : Plumbago indica
Antifungal : Allium sativum
Antiprotozoal : Ailanthus sp., Cephaelis ipecacuanha
Antidiarrhoeal : Psidium gujava, Curcuma domestica
Hypotensive : Coleus forskohlii, Alium sativum
Tranquilizing : Rauvolfia serpentina
Anaesthetic : Erythroxylum coca
Spasmolytic : Atropa belladona, Hyoscyamus niger
Diuretic : Phyllanthus niruri, Centella asiatica
Astringent : Piper betle, Abrus precatorius
Anthelmentic : Quisqualis indica, Punica granatum
Cardiotonic : Digitalis sp., Thevetia sp.
Antiallergic : Nandina domestica, Scutellaria baicalensis
Hepatoprotective : Silybum marianum, Andrographis paniculata

5. Botanical classification
This is the most comprehensive and scientific classification. The various
medicinal plants are grouped according to their Class, Order, Family, Genus
and Species.
Botanical classification of medicinal plants (Dey, 1984, modified)

SUBDIVISION :
CLASS
SUBCLASS

ANGIOSPERMAE
DICOTYLEDONAE
POLYGONAE

Order
Ranunculaceae

Ranales
Thalictrum (foliolosum)
Coptis (teeta)
Delphinium (denudatum)
Aconitum (ferox, heterophyllum, napellus)
Actaea (spicata)
Paeonia (emodi)
Dillenia (indica)
Michelia (champaca)
Cananga (odorata)

Dilleniaceae
Magnoliaceae
Anonaceae

Family Euphorbiaceae
Acalypha indica Ceka emas, Chika emas.
Ricinus communis Jarak, Jarak besar
Jatropha gossypifolia Jarak kosta merah
Euphorbia nerifolia Sudu-sudu
Phyllanthus niruri Pokok dukung anak
Family Solanaceae
Solanum torvum terung belanda
Solanum nigrum terung meranti
Physalis minima pokok letup-letup
Datura metel - kecubung

Family Compositae
Luchea indica Beluntas
Vernonia cinerea Pokok tambak bukit, semboh hutan
Wedelia biflora Serunai laut
Spilanthes acmella Pokok getang
Eupatorium odoratum Pokok jepun
Eclipta prostrata Urang aring
Ageratum conyzoides Rumput tahi ayam
Artemisia vulgaris Hiya, Bunga ayam hutan bateh
Blumea balsamifera Capa, sembong, telinga kerbau

Family Zingeberaceae
Phaeomeria speciosa kantan
Alpinia galanga lengkuas
Zingiber officinale halia
Cucurma domestica kunyit
Costus speciosus Setawar, tawar
Kaempferia galanga cekur, kencur
Alpinia conchigera lengkuas ranting
Family Leguminosae
Tamarindus indica asam jawa
Parkia speciosa petai
Pithecellobium jiringa jering
Sesbania grandiflora turi
Pachyrrhizus erosus sengkuang, singkong
Leucaena leucocephala petai belalang

Family Apocynaceae
Vinca roses (Catharanthus roseus) Kemunting cina
Family Verbenaceae
Vitex negundo Lenggundi
Vitex pubescens Halban
Family Dilleniaceae
Tetracera indica Mempelas
Family Malvaceae
Urena lobata Pulut-pulut

6) Chemical constituent/Chemical classification.

i) Carbohydrates and related compounds.

Compounds composed of carbon , hydrogen and oxygen.
Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides
Gums and mucilages

ii) Glycosides
Substances which on hydrolysis yield one or more
sugars
e.g. Digitoxin, quabain, vanillin, salicin, amygdalin.

iii) Tannins
Complex single chemicals possessing a phenolic
structure capable of combining with protein.
Cinchotannic acid, rheotannic acid, gallotannic acid.

iv) Lipid
Fixed oils and fats
Glyceryl esters of fatty acids
Olive oil, peanut oil , sesame oil, castor oil.
Waxes - esters of fatty acids with high molecular
weight
monohydric alcohols.
beeswax, spermaceti, carnauba wax.

v) Terpenoids
Volatile oils.
Essential oils which represent the odoriferous principles of plants.
Peppermint oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, anise oil, rose oil.

vi) Resins and resin combinations.

Resins - solid or semisolid amorphous product of complex chemical nature.
- rosin, podophyllum resin, jalap resin.
Oleoresins - resins and volatile oils in homogeneous mixtures.
- turpentine, copaiba, aspidium oleoresin.
Gum - resins - resins and gums in homogenous mixture
- gamboge.
Oleo- gum- resins - oleoresins and gum in homogenous mixture.
- asafetida, myrrh
Balsams - Resins with mixtures of aromatic substances such as benzoid
acid, cinnamic acid
- Benzoin, tolu balsam, peru balsam, styrax.

vii) Alkaloids - Nitrogenous crystalline or oily compounds,

usually basic in character.
Atropine, morphine, quinine, cocaine, reserpine.