Abstract

EVALUATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE TAXONOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS, PHARMACOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES, AND THERAPEUTICAL POTENTIAL OF THE DRUG SASHASRUTI / EMELIA SONCHIFOLIA (LINN.) D.C – A LITERARY REVIEW

*Dr. Sethu R.

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Abstract

The world has witnessed the growth of medical science through ages, and ayurveda has been in focus and usage since the vedic period. Medicinal plants claim a major role in the growth and acceptance of the science. Being one of the 3 sources of ayurvedic medicine, medicinal plants have always astonished and surprised the world by its effectiveness and therapeutic potential. Ayurveda advocates the usage of plants as a single drug therapy as well as combinations in compound formulations. For successful usage and application of both therapies, perfect understanding of the drugs or the ingredient plants are a key factor. The phytochemical constituents, secondary metabolites in the plants is responsible for a wider variety of medicinal uses exhibited by the plant. Newer and newer applications of an individual plant could be discovered by indepth exploration of its pharmacological attributes. The article focuses on the drug Shashasruti / Emelia sonchifolia (Linn) DC belonging to the Asteraceae family. The main objective of the article is to explore and understand the pharmacological properties, actions and therapeutical potential of Emelia sonchifolia (Linn) DC thereby widening the area of application of the plant for therapeutical and research purposes.

Keywords: Sashasruti, Emelia sonchifolia, pharmacological properties, therapeutic potential.