Traditional knowledge

Millenary civilizations rely on plants for medicinal purposes in simple forms like decoctions, powders, and ointment and continue even nowadays. Plant based products have always been exploited to promote human health and served as a valuable source for the discovery of new drugs. The knowledge of traditional healthcare system differs from place to place and should have to be documented. My study aims to explore the utilization of plants in cardiovascular disease by the people of Bhadrak District, Odisha, India. In the present study, information on use of plants for cardiovascular diseases was collected from 89 informants using semi-structured interviews, key informant discussions and direct observations. A total of 41 plant species under 28 families have been used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases of which Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Zingiberaceae are the most frequent. The frequently cited species used to treat such ailments are Allium sativum L., Curcuma longa L., Linum usitatissimum L., Ocimum sanctum L., Phyllanthus emblica L., Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth.ex Kurz., Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.ex DC.) Wight & Arn., Tamarindus indica L. and Zingiber officinale Rosc. The leaves are the most commonly used plant part and decoction was the main method of preparation. Herbs (41.5%) and trees (39%) are equally dominant. The present information suggests that the reported medicinal plants can be rich sources for developing new and effective pharmaceuticals for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, clinical studies of the all the medicinal plants are required for the benefit of posterity.

Intellectual property rights in bio-diversity are a significant part of the economic and policy landscape. During the past few decades the link of biodiversity and plant based traditional knowledge to Intellectual property protection is noted as one of the very contentious issues globally. Traditional knowledge is considered a form of IP as well a part of public domain and so not protected under the system of IPR. Further, bio-diversity which includes genetic resources is generally not considered IP as being considered as the gift of nature. In view of immense value of traditional knowledge, numerous commercial entities have misappropriated traditional knowledge without the consent of its original holder and the traditional society maintaining the traditional knowledge, since a long time. This paper reviews such plant based cases and norms on IPR issues on biological traditional knowledge internationally. This spot out the, concern norms pointing the IPR regime as existing can be used to protect TK, particularly the Geographical Indications and trade secret by mean of prior informed consent and sharing of benefits. Although, the TK is considered IP but internationally, it yet to be protected under IPR or any other related tools.