Abstract

HELMINTHOSTACHYS ZEYLANICA (LINN.) HOOK – MEDICINAL HERB WITH DIVERSE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL

Pandey Devendra*, Mishra H. S. and Agarwal Kumar Ajay

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Abstract

A large number of ferns are being used for therapeutic purposes in Ayurveda. Helminthostachys zeylanica (Linn.) Hook, popularly known as Kamraj is one of the most reputed drugs in traditional healing system of tribal communities across India and in other parts of world. It has not been appropriated with any of the classical drugs till date. The plant belongs to the family Ophioglossaceae. In local crude drug market in Pilibhit and other places, dried rhizomes are being sold in the name of Kamraj. The drug has been reported to possess hepatoprotective, aphrodisiac, anti-microbial, antiviral and antioxidant activities. In traditional medicine the drug is one of the most reputed aphrodisiac and nutraceutical. A study was planned and is being executed to screen the drug for its pharmacological attributes in terms of Ayurveda i.e Ras Panchaka and exploration of possibilities of appropriation of classical identity of the drug. The present review article is an attempt to explore available information on the drug including pharmacological activities, ethnomedicinal uses and phytochemical profile.

Keywords: Heminthostachys zeylanica, pharmacological activities, local health tradition.