European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A REVIEW ON HELIOTROPIUM INDICUM

Santhosha Dasarapu, Nagulu Malothu, Hemalatha Emandi and Ramesh Alluri

ABSTRACT

It is a fetid herb grown in the tropical and temperate regions of the world. The plant is native to Asia and found in India, Bangladesh, Philppines. H. indicum has been used in different traditional and folklore systems of medicine for curing various ailments. An ethno-pharmacological survey revealed that, the traditional healers in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, India use H. indicum to cure skin diseases, poison bites, stomach ache and nervous disorders. It is used topically for ulcers, sores, wounds, gum boils, skin infections and rheumatism. A decoction of the leaves is used in fevers and that of roots in cough and fevers. It posses wound healing property, fertility control antitumor activity and anti-inflammatory effect. Seeds are stomachic. The flowers are considered emmenagogue in small doses and abortifacient in large doses. This review throws light on botany, phytochemistry, its traditional and scientific uses and glimpses of elaborative study of research carried outon Heliotropium indicum.

Keywords: Heliotropium indicum, ethnopharmacology, anti-inflammatory activity, emmenagogue.