Medicinal importance of Darbha- A review

Abstract

Darbha is an important medicinal plant which has been used in Indian system of medicine since antiquity for the treatment of various ailments. There is enormous controversy between Kusha and Darbha in Ayurveda literature. Though the synonyms, actions and indications of Kusha, Darbha are mentioned together in different texts, the most of the Nighantus accepted both Kusha and Darbha as two different varieties and mentioned as synonyms for each other. Present study aimed to extensive review on the drug from Ayurveda as well as modern points of views. The review shows in spite of great controversy for botanical identity of this plant, most of the authors has considered Darbha as Imperata cylindrica Beauv., belongs to family Graminae. It contains various active principles like Cylindrine, Arundoin, Fermenol, Isoarborinol, Semiarenol, Cylindol A & B Gramenone A & B, Imperanene etc. On The basis of experimental and clinical studies conducted in various research centers, the drug possess various properties like diuretic, tonic, antipyretic, sedative, astringent, antiviral, vasodilator, vascular smooth muscle contraction inhibitory, plate late aggregation inhibitory properties and useful in hypertension, calculi, snake bite, thirst, gonorrhea, jaundice, diseases of blood, bladder and skin. Study may provide the scope of further research in different pharmacological area of this important medicinal plant.