Acne involves the over-production of sebum from the sebaceous glands which results in the blockage of the pores with a sticky mass of the dead cells and oil. This creates a breeding ground for the opportunistic overgrowth of bacteria normally present in the skin. These convert the mass into compounds that cause inflammation and unattractive raised surfaces. Skin irritation may also result from the use of artificial cosmetics and even some popular acne products [see Is Bleaching Your Face Really A 'Proactive' Acne Solution?]. The problem is aggravated by pinching, squeezing, scratching or rubbing the skin area plagued with acne.

The traditional storage of ethnobotanical knowledge in memory and practices has a long history and must go back to the beginning of human existence. Likewise, ethnobotany is of great age in India, where it has been described in several ancient literatures. One of the most important sources is the Rig Veda (1200-900 BC), which has been useful in the attempt to identify the source of the traditional medicine system, also known as 'Ayurveda'. Application of such herbal remedies has also been mentioned in the Atharva Veda (around 3,000 to 2,000 BC). It was in the 19th century when scientists started focusing on the active components found in herbs that gave a way to the research on molecular level. Herbs like Caraway, Cardamom, Turmeric, Aniseed, Clove, Cumin seeds, Basil, Ginger etc. are a few among the gigantic range of culinary herbs (Acharya 2004, 2012; Acharya and Shrivastava, 2008).

Acidity is something that we have all suffered with. Acidity is basically the result of excess secretion of acids from the gastro-glands of stomach. Heartburn is a main symptom of this problem. Interestingly, major dominance of this problem is seen in fast-paced cities where human body has become like a machine. The imbalance of biological clock and routine has disturbed the internal equation of the body. Disorders like indigestion, acidity, gastric troubles and many others have become very common ailments we face everyday. The side effects of synthetic antacids are known to the world and this is high time to understand the role of herbs in the treatment of disorders like acidity.

Tribesmen in India have been using herbs for remedying their day to day health disorders from the ages (Acharya & Sancheti, 2005; Acharya & Acharya, 2007; Acharya and Shrivastava, 2011). Patalkot in Madhya Pradesh and Dangs in Gujarat are two remote pockets where I have been working for more than 15 years and documenting their indigenous knowledge about herbs. In this article, I am trying mention herbal formulations pertaining to 20 important medicinal plants for the cure of acidity.  

Winter Cherry (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) is the member of family Solanaceae, locally known as Ashwagandha or Asgandh in India. This plant is erect, much-branched undershrubs, few-flowered with orange-red berries. The plant commonly grows in moist, shady places along the roads, often abundant near habitations. Ashwagandha is cultivated commercially for its fruits and roots in many parts of India.  The therapeutic values of the roots of this plant have been mentioned in age-old texts and also in Ayurveda. Tribesmen in Patalkot (Madhya Pradesh) and Dangs (Gujarat) largely practice Ashwagandha and its different parts in preparation of traditional herbal formulations (Acharya and Shrivastava, 2008, 2011).

In India, the bruised leaves and ground roots of Ashwagandha are applied on painful swellings, carbuncles and ulcers for its sedative action (Arseculeratne et al., 1985). The roots and leaves are also used to cure fever, chills, rheumatism, colic etc. The juice of the plant is a diuretic and emmenagogue (Saha et al., 1961). The roots have an antifertility activity in females. It has shown antibacterial, antifungal and antitumour activity. The fruits are emetic, sedative, and diuretic, useful in liver complaints. The dried fruits are used in intestinal disorders particularly of the liver. Fruits are also used in asthma and in preventing atherosclerosis.

The human population in the Patalkot valley is purely tribal. Due to constant association with forest environment, the tribals have accrued considerable knowledge of plants and their utility for medicinal purposes. The uses of many of the medicinal plants employed by tribals are, however, not known outside their restricted community (Acharya and Shrivastava, 2008, 2011). Several plant species inhabiting the region are recognized for their medicinal potential. The age-old herbal healers employ several formulations for resolving a range of human health disorders (Acharya, 2012).

The fast paced urban life has resulted series of disorders, and sciatica is one among many of those. People with job of prolonged sitting and sedentary lifestyle are more prone to develop sciatica than those who are active and living with a set biological clock. Sciatica is a pain in the buttock and leg, caused by pressure on nerves in the lower back. The pain is mainly felt on one side of the body, which is usually aggravated by a prolonged exposure to cold weather. Herbal healers known as Bhumka employ certain herbs for curing sciatica. Let me discuss formulations pertaining to 5 wonder herbs considered by the indigenous tribesmen for taking care of sciatica.  

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is the member of family Zingiberaceae, locally known as Adrak or Ada in India. This plant is small, rhizomatous, erect and perennial. It is cultivated commercially for edible rhizomes in many parts of India and it has been part of various medicine systems across the world for time immemorial. Tribesmen in Patalkot (Madhya Pradesh) and Dangs (Gujarat) largely practice Ginger and its parts in preparation of traditional herbal formulations (Acharya and Sancheti, 2005; Acharya and Shrivastava, 2008).

Ginger is used as medicine in asthma, as carminative, stimulant, in constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, scabies etc., and is attributed with anti-oxidant properties (Acharya and Acharya, 2007). Plant is used as an emmenagogue, in colic (Zamora-martinez and Pola, 1992), diabetes (Mahabir and Gulliford, 1997), abdominal disease, anemia, choleric diarrhea, chronic fever, heaviness of the stomach and phantom tumor (Lama and Santra, 1979).

Cough and cold causes significant morbidity of children in the developed and developing world (Nichol et al., 2005; Eccles, 2005). The market size of synthetic and natural drug for curing cough, cold and sore throat is rising day by day. Cough, cold and sore throat products range from single-entity to combination, with a wide variety of dosage forms, and include those proven to be effective as well as those of unknown efficacy and/or safety (Pray, 2006).