ABSTRACT
With the advent of human civilization as well as activities, the applications of medicinal plants in food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and nutritional values have increased in the last 50 years. Interestingly, all anthropogenic activities in the shade of urbanization negatively impact the plants’ development and health of inhabiting the environment (soil, air, and water) worldwide. Furthermore, as per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, the whole scenario will become more frightening over the next three decades. In this alarming scenario, water pollution has emerged as one of the major environmental stresses that affect the health of crops as well as medicinal plants equally. Water pollution negatively alters the biosynthesis of metabolites (primary and secondary), antioxidants, and chelating agents, as well as impacting the homeostasis of physiological pathways, nutrient efficiency, and defence responses. In response to water pollution, various medicinal plants like Terminalia arjuna, Ocimum tenuifolia, Artemesia annua, Phyllanthus amarus, Ginkgo biloba, Prunella vulgaris, and Scutellaria biacalensis show various acclimation and adaptation responses to maintain their growth phase to complete their life cycle. Therefore, in Chapter 6, we have highlighted the responses of medicinal plants to water pollution. Furthermore, we have summarized the damage detection, repairs, acclimation toward water pollution, and adaptation responses.
