A LITERARY REVIEW ON KALMEGH AND BHUMYAMLAKI AS HEPATOPROTECTIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS

Abstract

India is rich in flora of various kinds having several medicinal properties which are already known to us while some are yet to be discovered and used for the betterment of the human mankind. The practice of using indige- nous plants for the treatment of various health ailments has been an age-old practice. With the advancement in technology and lifestyle modification people are suffering from liver diseases and it is a worldwide problem now. Liver is a vital organ which plays a major role in the metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics from the body. The currently available synthetic drugs cause damage to the liver so it is imperative to find new drugs with least side effects. In Ayurveda, various medicinal plants are mentioned which are efficient in protecting liver from various harmful agents or toxins causing diseases. Kalmegha and Bhumyamlaki mentioned in various Ayurvedic texts has hepatoprotective activity. Ayurveda has a holistic approach. It believes in organic way of treatment by eliminating the toxins and balancing the Tridosha. The review has been done based on both Ayurvedic text and modern exper- imental studies. In this regard, their morphology, phytochemistry, Ayurvedic pharmacology, effects and trial stud- ies and dosages are focused on. The introduced medicinal plants can be used for production of new drugs via an- tioxidant related properties, hepatoprotective activities for the prevention and treatment of liver disorders. Keywords: Ayurveda, Kalmegha, Bhumyamlaki, Hepatoprotective.