A review of little-known medicinal plant Premna herbacea

Abstract

Premna herbacea Roxb. (family- Lamiaceae) is well documented for its therapeutic potential in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani system of medicine. The species has been identified as a pyro herb based on its gross morphological features and fire regulated ecology as its likely survival strategy in habitats that experience repeated fires. The available knowledge on its ecology, phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties, which is limited in nature, was critically reviewed to provide evidence and justification to its ethno-medicinal claims and research prospects respectively.