Sustainable Sourcing and Phytochemical Variation: Chemotype Mapping of Medicinal Plants Used in Dravyaguna across Indian Agro-Ecologies

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been central to the science of Dravyaguna in Ayurveda, forming the foundation of holistic health practices in India for centuries. However, the large-scale demand for herbal raw materials, coupled with ecological degradation, has led to sustainability challenges in sourcing. Moreover, phytochemical variation within plant species, influenced by diverse agro-ecological conditions, presents both opportunities and challenges for quality, efficacy, and safety of herbal medicines. Chemotype mapping—systematic identification of distinct chemical profiles within species—offers a crucial tool for integrating modern phytochemistry with traditional Ayurvedic knowledge. This paper explores the interconnection between sustainable sourcing practices, chemotypic diversity, and the preservation of medicinal plant heritage across Indian agro-ecologies. It reviews the literature, discusses challenges and drivers of variability, highlights methodological frameworks for chemotype mapping, and emphasizes its role in sustainable utilization of herbal resources. The paper also outlines scope for interdisciplinary collaboration, future prospects in pharmaco-botanical research, and sustainable policy frameworks for the conservation and cultivation of high-value medicinal plants.

KEYWORDS: Dravyaguna, chemotype mapping, phytochemical variation, sustainable sourcing, agro-ecology, Ayurveda, medicinal plants.