Abstract

MEDICINAL PROPERTY OF RAKTA CHITRAK (PLUMBAGO ROSEA LINN.) AND ITS TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS-A REVIEW

*Dr. Sameer D. Dhawale, Dr. Amrapali Patil and Dr. Sagar Sudhakar Narode

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Abstract

Rakta Chitraka based Ayurvedic medicines are commonly used by Ayurvedic physicians. Plumbago rosea Linn. (Plumbaginaceae) commonly called Ceylon leadwort or Rakta Chitrak, has good medicinal potential, hence enjoys important place among medicinal plants around the world for treatment of various diseases. It possesses wide range of phytochemicals showing various pharmacological activities. Rakta Chitraka is toxic in nature even then it is used as a medicine after Shodana (purification) and in therapeutic dose. Shodhana procedure is not only represent a process of purification, but also in addition to a process of detoxification and the ultimate objective of Shodhana is to enhance the biological efficacy of the drug. This review gives us opportunity to understand the toxic effects and medicinal importance of Plumbago rosea. This article gives an overview of medicinal uses and poisonous properties of Rakta Chitraka.

Keywords: Plumbago rosea Linn., Ayurveda, Medicinal uses, toxicity.