A Systematic Review on Traditional Ethnomedicinal Uses of Heliotropium indicum L. (Boraginaceae)

Abstract

This study aimed to summarize the available data on the traditional ethnomedicinal uses of Heliotropium indicum L. (Family: Heliotropiaceae, Subfamily: Boraginaceae) based on available database reports. Heliotropium indicum Linn., commonly known as ‘Indian heliotrope’ is very common in India with a long history of traditional ethnomedicinal uses in many countries in the world. In present survey its traditional ethnomedicinal uses enlisted from four different continents namely Asia, Africa, and North and South America. Currently, no one traditional ethnomedicinal uses from three continents viz. Europe, Australia and Antartica reported. The comprehensive account of the traditional ethnomedicinal uses are presented in this review such that the potential use of this plant in various traditional medicines can be systematically evaluated.