Passiflora foetida L: An Exotic Ethnomedicinal Plant of Odisha, India

Passiflora foetida (Passifloraceae), known as Stinking Passion Flower, is an herbaceous climber that is found throughout the Odisha state of India. It has been widely used in traditional medicine of the state for the treatment of different types of diseases and disorders. It has rich pharmacological values particularly in mental disorder and possesses numerous bioactive compounds such as vitexin, luteolin, apigenin, etc., which may be responsible for its bacteriocidal, antidysentric, antilithicand other effects. Keeping its richness in the state of Odisha and reported pharmacological values, an attempt has been made to document some common uses of this vine among the rural and tribal communities of the state through the field survey for collection of ethnobotanical values. In addition, extensive literature survey was carried out to highlights the sound pharmacological values of P. foetida L.