A LITERARY REVIEW OF NYCTANTHES ARBORTRISTISLINN (PARIJATHA) LINN IN AYURVEDIC CLASSICS
Dr. Madhuri Thokala*
ABSTRACT
Ayurveda is a sea of knowledge. It explains not only curative aspect
but also preventive aspect of health. Majority of the medicines
mentioned in Ayurveda are plants based. While viewing this traditional
knowlege we come across a number of wonderful herbal drugs
beneficial in various ailments. Parijatha is one among this which holds
greater importance in Ayurvedic classics. It is popularly called as night
jasmine as well as Harsinghar in various regions. Broad spectrum
medical use of the plant and it’s different parts are described in various
Ayurvedic literatures. It has been reported to posses pharmacological
actions like anti-inflammatory[8], anti-diabetic[12], antifungal,
antimicrobial,[11] Hepatoprotective[13], anti-pyretic,[9] anti-malarial[10],
and anti-allergic[14] activities. The various Phytochemical constituents like flavanol glycoside,
oleanic acid, essential oils, tannic acid, carotene, friedelin, lupeol, glucose, stearic, palmic,
myristic acids[15] and many others were identified in various parts of plant. Nyctanthes
arbortristis is easily available plant, well known by common people and no special conditions
are required for its collection and cultivation, hence I selected this plant for the literary
review which will help the researchers of Ayurveda as well as in other field of bio-medical
sciences to explore more therapeutic value of the said plant for the benefit of the public in
larger extent.
Keywords: Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn., Parijatha, Ayurveda, Phytochemicals, Pharmacological actions.
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