The Spongia Somnifera: A Review Article

Abstract

Spongia somnifera is considered the most important formula used in anaesthesia and has been developed over centuries by different physicians. Medicinal plants being the anchor ingredients in the various formulas (opium, mandrake, hemlock, henbane, ivy, mulberry, hops, wide lettuce). The aim of the present review is to evaluate the medicinal plants used in different formulas of Spongia somnifera as anesthetic agent with correlation with their modern applications, chemical compositions and pharmacology.