Apple of Sedom a Ayurveda’s Gift

Abstract

The beginning of civilization, human beings have worshiped plants and such plants are conserved as a genetic resource. Calotropis gigantea Linn is a well known medicinal herb commonly known as milk weed. It has been used in Unani, Ayurveda and Siddha system of medicine for years. The current study was intended to evaluate and compare the in vivo efficacy of Calotropis gigantea mouth rinse as anticariogenic agents with 0.2% chlorhexidine and Listerine mouth rincsae. All parts of the plant have been used as medicine as well as an important ingredient in a number of Unani formulations used for the treatment of various ailments. In classical Unani literature it is mentioned to have anthelmintic, appetizer, anti flatulence, astringent, tonic, expectorant, emetic, diaphoretic, anti inflammatory, sedative, wound healer, antidote and digestive properties and used in asthma, stomach ache, cholera, amenorrhea and toothache. Phytochemical constituents include giganteol, α and β calotropeol, β-amyrin, giganteol and isogiganteol etc. Calotropis gigantea has been reported for its anti asthmatic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, wound healing, antiinflammatory, antidiarrhoeal, hepatoprotective and hypoglycemic activities. In this review the main extract of Calotropis gigantea discussed.