India, the world's second largest exporter of medicinal plants, now gets ready to sell its herbal medicines in the global market.

The government has conducted a study to identify market opportunities for India in the medicinal and aromatic plants domain and to find ways to promote exports.

The study was conducted by agricultural and processed Food Products Export Development Authority of Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The government also has taken a series of steps to promote herbal medicines in the global market.

Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Panabaka Lakshmi said this in parliament replying to a question.

The steps include a special scheme named 'AYUSH Industrial Clusters' has been introduced in 11th Plan to provide common testing facilities for industries to improve quality of drugs and promotion of exports.

Good Manufacturing Practices have been made mandatory for all Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani drug-manufacturing units in the country to improve the standards of the drugs for promotion of exports.

The government also sanctioned a research project to various laboratories of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to study the physiochemical characteristics of 8 most widely used Bhasmas. The project would also study their toxicity besides scientifically validating the drugs.

Since January 2006, a testing system has been introduced for checking heavy metals in all herbal Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicines to be exported. This has been done to meet the regulatory requirements of importing countries.