Abstract

A CRITICAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON RUDRAKSHA (Elaeocarpus species) WITH ITS PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Neha Rai*, Suresh Chaubey, Shailendra Pradhan, Richa Sharma and D. C. Singh

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Abstract

Rudraksha is considered as one of the sacred aspects of Indian lifestyle due to its religious, ethno botanical and medicinal values. It is used as prayer beads in many religions especially Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Rudraksha bead is one of the most sacred insignia of Hinduism and Indian subculture. The beads are the dried seeds of Rudraksha tree (Elaeocarpus spp.) and are considered as highly priced seeds around the world. People around the world are using Rudraksha as a herbal drug traditionally. Present review article throws light on different types of Rudraksha according to mukhis (faces), its pharmacological activities and ethnomedicinal uses.

Keywords: Rudraksha, Pharmacological, Elaeocarpus.