“A PARASITIC TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANT CUSCUTA REFLEXA (AMARBEL): AN OVERVIEW”

Abstract

Traditional system of medicines relies on the plant products for the treatment of various disorders. Medicinal properties of the plant are used to cure diseases. These medicinal properties of the plant are due to the active phytoconstituents of the plants having therapeutic potential. Cuscuta reflexa is a parasitic weed plant having medicinal properties and have an important place in the Ayurveda. Cuscuta reflexa grows over the host plant and draws nutrients from host plant so the medicinal properties also depend on its host plant. Various chemicals have been isolated from this miracle plant having therapeutic potential possessing ethnomedical and pharmacological activities. This review represents a detailed survey on the studies of Cuscuta reflexa, its chemical constitution, ethnomedical uses and pharmacological activities.