Parnayavani [Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng.] - Pharmacological and Ethnomedicinal Uses - A Review

Parnayavani or Karpooravalli [Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. ] is an aromatic, succulent perennial herb commonly cultivated in gardens throughout India. The drug possess Katu, Tikta rasa, laghu, ruksa, tiksna guna, usna virya and katu vipaka and is Kaphavatahara in action. It is indicated in the conditions like adhmana, Agnimandya, Ajirna, Aruci, Atisara, Grahani, Gulma, Hikka, Hrdayadaurbalya, Jirnasvasa, Kasa, Krmi, Mutrakrchra, Mutraroga, Mutrasmari, svasa, Udararoga, Unmada, Visucika. Looking into the pharmacological profile, the drug Parnayavani is scientifically proven to be antimicrobial, antiasthmatic, antiepileptic, antitumorigenic, anti - inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antiurolithiatic, anti clastogenic, larvicidal, anti - rheumatoid, diuretic, lactogenic, radioprotective, nephroprotective and has wound healing property too. It is widely used traditionally for various ethnomedicinal purposes and is a part of various home remedies in South India, particularly for respiratory conditions.