Medico Legal Significance, Forensic Pitfalls, and Regulatory Dilemmas Surrounding Toxic Botanicals Employed in India’s Traditional Healing Systems: A Critical Synthesis of Historical Usage, Contemporary Practice, and Jurisprudential Precedents

Abstract

ABSTRACT: India’s vast pharmacopeia of traditional medicinal plants includes numerous species that are inherently toxic in specific doses or preparations. While these botanicals hold therapeutic importance in ?yurveda, Siddha, and folk systems, their misuse—intentional or accidental—often leads to medico legal complications. This critical review explores the dualistic nature of toxic plants such as Aconitum, Datura, Abrus, and Strychnos, focusing on their clinical manifestations, toxicodynamics, and forensic evidence profiles. It also examines legal precedents, diagnostic challenges, and enforcement gaps within the current Indian regulatory framework. By synthesizing historical texts, forensic case data, and policy analysis, this paper aims to highlight the urgent need for regulatory harmonization and improved forensic capacity. The findings advocate for a multidisciplinary approach that respects cultural practices while safeguarding public health and justice.

KEYWORDS: Toxic Plants in Traditional Medicine, Medicolegal Toxicology, Forensic Botany in India, Poisonous Herbs and Regulation, Herbal Poisons and Criminal Liability