Abstract

A LITERATURE REVIEW OF CHITRAKA

Dr. Prabir Naskar*

Abstract

Plants are the exclusive source of the drugs for the treatment of the diseases; many peoples are dependent upon medicinal. Chitraka is one of the most important plant. Chitraka belongs to family Plumbaginaceae and Scientific name is Plumbago zeylanica Linn. one of the medicinal plants used in the Indian traditional system of medicine. The present review deals with morphological distribution, chemical constituent, medicinal properties, biological activities and pharmacological effects of Chitraka. Traditionally the present work aims to describe Chitraka in various Nighantus as manuscripts or just as evidence in a chronological order. The action of Chitraka is Agnimandya, Ajirna, Grahani, Arsa, Shulahara, Kandughna.

Keywords: Citraka, Plumbago zeylanica Linn., Agnimandya, Nighantu.