Phytochemical Profiling and Pharmacological Activities of Indigenous Herbal Medicines: A Pharmacognosy Perspective

Traditional health care systems globally have been relying on indigenous herbal remedies, which present a variety of therapeutic properties by virtue of their complex phytochemical content. The review outlines the phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activity of the principal indigenous medicinal herbs’ turmeric, neem, ashwagandha, and Giloy from a pharmacognosy aspect. Strongly emphasizing contemporary analytical methods such as chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses, the review underscores the necessity of intense phytochemical profiling and pharmacognostic analysis for quality control, standardization, and safety. The pharmacological actions of these herbs—such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective activities—are discussed in relation to their bioactive principles. In spite of encouraging promise in therapy, problems include variable standardization, scarce clinical evidence, and regulation issues. This integration emphasizes the necessity of evidence-based incorporation of traditional indigenous herbal remedies into modern healthcare, developing sustainable, culturally embedded, and efficacious alternative treatments.