Ethnomedicinal Assets of Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens Roxb. DC. and Stereospermum colais Buch. -Ham.ex Dillw.) - A Review

Abstract

From the family Bignoniaceae, Stereospermum suaveolens (Roxb.) DC. and Stereospermum colais (Buch.- Ham.ex Dillw.) are source plants for the classical ayurvedic drug named ‘Patala’. It is group member of ten plants known as ‘Dashmoola’. Present review encompasses all the ethnomedicinal information along with the domestic uses available regarding Patala. For this, published ethnomedicinal claims from 32 books related to ethnomedicine, 59 botanical and state floras available in central library of ITRA, Jamnagar and online (website of Botanical Survey of India) and 30 research articles were reviewed till August 2022. Collected data is depicted in tables under the headings like name and place of the reporting area/state and tribes, local names, useful part with indication and method, mode of application external or internal, etc. Stereospermum species are reported in approximately 19 states and 48 tribes of India. Its root-root bark, stem-stem bark, leaves, fruits and seeds are used in 46 disease conditions. Fever, hiccough, asthma, cough are some of its major therapeutic indications. Among the useful parts, root & root bark have maximum claims in 26 disease conditions. Stem & stem bark have 19 disease applications followed by leaves in 12, flowers in 10 and seeds in 3. Parts of Patala also have domestic uses in preparation of dye, drinks, furniture and as fuelwood. This attempt shows multidimensional qualities of Stereospermum species. Its ethnomedicinal claims coincides exactly with its indications in classical Ayurvedic texts and can be incorporated in pharmacological and clinical studies to further strengthen the evidence.