JATAMANSI (NARDOSTACHYS JATAMANSI DC. ): INSIGHT OF ITS MORPHOLOGY AND ITS MEDICINAL USE IN AYURVEDA

Abstract

Ayurveda is a traditional system of natural health care that originated in India's ancient Vedic times. Its primary emphasis is on disease prevention and maintaining mankind's health. In Ayurveda, various medicinal plants have been mentioned to cure diseases. The precious medicinal plants are the backbone of the Ayurvedic system of medicine. One such medicinal plant, Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi DC.), has remained an all-time favourite of Vaidya's since ancient Vedic times to treat diseases. It is an endangered, primitive, and therapeutic herbal agent belonging to the family Valerianaceae and has been reported to have many therapeutic activities like Antioxidant, Antifungal, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective. It is a well-known drug in the list of Medhya drugs. This review article summarises the potential benefits of this medicinal plant as reported in offline and online literature. The review also highlights the need to use this plant in the Ayurvedic system of medicine and prospects for further research.