PHARMACOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC USE OF COLEUS AROMATICUS -A REVIEW

Coleus aromaticus Benth., (Fam. Lamiaceae), syn. Coleus amboinicus Lour. Spreng or Plectranthus ambonicus Lour, is commonly known as Indian/ country borage and ‘Pathorchur’ in Hindi and Bengali. It is listed as one of the sources of Pashanabheda in the Indian medical system. It is a big, fragrant, succulent perennial herb that is tomentose and shrubby below. It can be found in the Moluccas, Ceylon, and India. The plant's bitter, caustic leaves have been utilised for various purposes for a long time. The plant has been thoroughly studied, with many chemical compounds extracted and various biological properties demonstrated. The wide range of plants' antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, and natural antibiotic properties is effective. The plant is grown in gardens and is found all over India. Malaria, hepatopathy, renal and vesical calculi, cough, chronic asthma, hiccough, bronchitis, helminthiasis, colic, convulsions, and epilepsy are treated with this traditional medicinal herb. This review aims to gather all available data regarding its nutritional value, pharmacology and medicinal applications.