Question

Which of the following is a medicinal plant?
A. Dalbergia
B. Linum
C. Aconitum
D. Tectona

Answer 1

Medicinal plants are the plants that have therapeutic properties or those plants that exert beneficial pharmacological effects on the human body as well as on animals. They are also called medicinal herbs that have been used since prehistoric times.

Complete step by step answer: Many plants produce special substances in their roots, leaves, flowers, or seeds that help them to survive. Since the earliest times, people have gathered these substances to create herbal medicines to treat certain diseases. Many of the powerful drugs used in modern medicines originated in plants.
-Aconitum has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. The seeds of Aconitum are crushed and mixed with honey and are applied locally on the throat, in case of tonsillitis. The roots of this plant are used as astringent, tonic, antiperiodic in diarrhea, dyspepsia, and cough. The root of Aconitum is used for medicinal purposes. It is used to treat wounds.
-Dalbergia is a large genus of small to medium-sized trees, shrubs, and lianas in the pea family, Fabaceae, and subfamily Faboideae.
-The genus Linum includes flax which is the most important member of this family. It is grown for linen fibre and linseed oil and is used as a garden ornamental.
-Tectona grandis (teak) is a tall tree that is seen in southeast Asia and is widely cultivated for its durable wood.
-Many plants are now being used as culinary herbs and spices, and have been used as medicines, not necessarily effectively, from prehistoric times. Spices have been used partly to counter food spoilage bacteria, especially in hot climates and especially in meat dishes which spoil more readily.
Hence, the correct option is C.

Note: Medicinal plants are considered as a rich resource of ingredients which can be used in drug development either pharmacopoeial, non- pharmacopoeial, or synthetic drugs. Some plants and their derivatives are considered important sources for active ingredients that are used in aspirin and toothpaste.