Understanding Medicinal Plants through Phenology: Expert Seminar at Santhigiri Siddha Medical College
A seminar on “Plant Identification & Monitoring Phenology” was conducted on Saturday, 24th May 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Santhigiri Siddha Medical College (SSMC). This seminar was organized in alignment with the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) guidelines for the Second Professional B.S.M.S. syllabus. These visits are tied to Topics 5, 6, and 7 in the Practical Learning Objectives of the subject Maruthuva Thavaraviyal – SID UG-MT (Medicinal Botany & Pharmacognosy), under the Department of Gunapadam Marunthiyal (Pharmacology).
The session was specially curated for students of the 21st and 22nd B.S.M.S. batches, with a focus on enhancing their practical understanding of medicinal plant science. The seminar was guided by Mr. K.S. Aneesh, Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, Thrissur. His expertise in Forest Ecology, Natural Resource Conservation, and Ethnobotany provided deep insights into various technical aspects of Plant Identification and Ecological Observation.
Mr. Aneesh delivered an in-depth presentation emphasizing the importance of understanding Topography, particularly highlighting the Western Ghats as a rich biodiversity hotspot essential for the growth of numerous medicinal plants. He elaborated on the concept of phenology, including the study of seasonal biological events in plants such as flowering, fruiting, and leaf-fall patterns, which play a vital role in the correct identification of medicinal plants and their sustainable utilization.
The session also focused on how seasonal variations influence different plant parts, including roots, stems, leaves, bark, wood, flowers, fruits, seeds, and unorganized products like gums, resins, and latex. The discussion helped students understand how phenological observations are not only critical for plant taxonomy but also for pharmacognosy, especially in the context of selecting the correct part of the plant during the optimal season for medicinal use.
Overall, the seminar was highly informative, topic-specific, and aligned with the field training objectives of the B.S.M.S. program. It provided students with essential knowledge on ecological habitats, plant habits, phenological cycles, and field-based identification techniques—all of which are crucial for the application of medicinal plant science in Siddha pharmacology. The event significantly contributed to the academic and practical competence of the students, preparing them for upcoming field visits and real-world applications in herbal drug formulation and plant-based research.
