Abstract
: There is a global resurgence of traditional and complementary medicine, specifically the herbal products have been booming for the last few decades. However, the events of substitution and adulteration of herbal drugs/ medicinal products is an increasing concern for consumer safety. The prevailing situation of adulteration highlights the dire need of an effective scientific method for improved precision while carrying out the correct identity of the medicinal flora and their herbal products. DNA barcoding has come out as a solution for correct identification of herbs and to find the adulterants in herbal products. There are challenges involved in the barcoding method for medicinal plants in terms of developing barcodes and the analysis of data to measure the distinguishing power. Though, the solution to these problems is available and DNA barcoding can help to formulate a system to ensure the quality of herbal drugs which will help the pharma industry of herbs to regain the lost confidence of consumers.
