A REVIEW ON JUNIPERUS EXCELSA: DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY, ETHNOBOTANY AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Medicinal plants believed to have some medicinal properties and are extensively being used in herbalism. In tribal and rural areas for healthcare purposes they are the easily available source. A distinct branch of natural science which deals with numerous aspects such as archaeology, medicine and economics, cultural, religious, ecology, anthropology, botany and a number of other disciplines is called Ethnobotany. Worldwide greater importance in the above given studies of traditional remedies and herbal drugs is indicated and increase in the scientific investigation has been seen in this area. About 80% of world's population rely upon these medicinal plants products, because they are thought to be as economical, effective and safe. Herbal plant Juniperus excelsa is extensively used as condiments, spice, herb and also use for the treatment of variety of diseases in traditional system. To review the ethnobotanical properties of Juniperus excelsa plant the present study was aimed. Different tribal communities widely uses various parts of this plant. The leaves of plant are used to lowering blood pressure, wound healing, intestinal worms, liver disease, bronchitis, treatment of hyperglycemia, ulcers, pneumonia and tuberculosis in traditional medicine. Researchers made numerous efforts through scientific biological screening to verify the efficacy of the plant. Some important pharmacological activities of the plant revealed after scrutiny of literature such as cytotoxic activity, antioxidant property, antifungal, antibacterial, anticholinesterase, antitumor, antileishmanial and antifouling potential and many more medicinal values.