An overview of ethnopharmacological properties of Boerhaavia diffusa

Herbal medicines are used by traditional healers since hundreds of years, and medicinal plants are imperative reserve for traditional and herbal industry. This practice is in vogue since ancient times. Over 80,000 species of plants are used globally for their medicinal uses. Boerhaavia diffusa is one of the distinguished medicinal plants used to treat large number of human ailments. The plant in whole or its parts (aerial parts and roots) have abundant medicinal properties and are used by common and ethnic people for their common ailments. The investigated and reported pharmacological and therapeutic properties of B. diffusa include laxative and immunomodulatory activities, cancer chemo-preventive efficacy, inhibition of tumorigenesis, antioxidant activity, hepatoprotective activity, hypoglycemic activity, antifungal, anti-proliferative, anti-estrogenic, analgesic, potent anti-brinolytic, antibacterial activity, anticonvulsant activity, diuretic, spasmolytic activity, anti-stress and dyspepsia. It has been studied with keen interest due to its promising medicinal values in phytochemical and pharmacological research field. The objective of this review on B. diffusa is to sum up plant morphology, chemical compositions, ethno-medicinal uses with a scope of development in future. The manifold benefits of B. diffusa has made it a true miracle of nature. Key words: Boerhaavia diffusa, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antifungal, anti-proliferative, anti-estrogenic, analgesic, antibacterial.