Background: Traditional knowledge is essentially important for the health of millions of people in developing countries. India stands as the largest producer of medicinal plants. Medicinal plants described in Ayurvedic classics are traditional medicinal plants (TMAPs). TMAPs, their traditional geographical origin (TGO), their pharmaceutical qualities, and their clinical effects are interdependent entities. Presently, Ayurvedic medicines are in a pharmaceutical quality crisis therefore their clinical efficacy is not sustained. Geographical indication (GI) is a globally exercised intellectual property right (IPR). It has an impact on the trade of Ayurvedic medicines. GI differentiation to TMAPs used in Ayurvedic medicines is the need of time. Aim: Enlighten the scope of GI differentiation to TMAPs used in Ayurvedic medicines for reputation and recognition of their superior pharmaceutical quality, clinical efficacy and economic value. Method: Literature searches on the electronic online databases are carried done for the study. Result: TGO of TMAPs having special medicative health are eligible for enrollment and conservation under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in India. Some 30 TMAPs have received GI certification in India. The Chinese concept of geo-authentic botanicals (GAB) and the European concept of designation of origin (DO) and appellation of origin (AO) are special classes of GI. Conclusion: GI responsibly promotes TMAPs internationally and globally. GAB is superior to other pharmaceutical qualities. Better the pharmaceutical qualities of TMAPs better are the clinical effect of Ayurvedic medicines. GI doubles the monetary standard of the product. It also protects the herbal landraces and prevents the risk of losing TMAPs uniqueness.
Key words: Geographical indication (GI), traditional medicinal plants (TMAPs), the appellation of origin (AO), designation of origin (DO), intellectual property right (IPR), geo-authentic botanicals (GAB), traditional geographical origin (TGO)
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