Abstract

REVIEW ARTICLE ON GYMNOSTACHYUM FEBRIFUGUM BENTH

N. Divya and Suma Mallya*

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Abstract

Introduction: There is a focus on herbal drugs based on traditional system of medicine and remedy based on folk knowledge due to their easy access, low cost and faith of people. Other than Samhitas and Nighantus there are innumerable drugs which are used by folklore practitioner in treating many diseases. Gymnostachyum febrifugum Benth. commonly known as Chitekegida in Kannada is a small perennial herb, the root and aerial parts of which are used in fever in the form of decoction. It is commonly available herb with potent active principle belonging to family Acanthaceae, grows in moist places, paddy fields, slopes etc. Folklore practitioners of coastal area use this plant for the treatment of fever, cough. Methodology: The literary information regarding drug collected from the contemporary texts, folklore practitioners, forest dwellers, e-sources and traditional claims. Result an d Conclusion: Though references of this herb are not mentioned in classical texts of Ayurveda, but folkhealers are successfully treating some of diseases using different part of G. febrifugum Benth. It is need of an hour to explore these extra pharmacopeial drugs with latest research updates and incorporate this knowledge into treatment modality of Ayurveda.

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