Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacological evaluation of vernonia anthelmintica (l.) willd.: An overview

Medicinal plants are the nature’s gift to human being to have disease free healthy life. It plays a vital role to preserve our health. Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. is a potential medicinal plant and the seeds were used for many human aliments. In the Ayurveda, an Indian system of medicine, the seeds were used to cure helminthes parasites, skin diseases, leucoderma and fevers, while in Unani system seeds were used to controlling asthma, renal disorders, itching of eyes and inflammations. Seeds decoction used in dysentery, gonorrhea, gastric troubles and seed paste applied externally to scorpion sting and decoction given orally to control helminthes parasites.