Comprehensive Review of Saussurea Obvallata (Brahmakamal) An Endangered Medicinal Herb: Its Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Potentials

The genus Saussurea comprising more than 450 species is an important genus of family Asteraceae. Among all species, around 62 important species are found in India. Some most common species are Saussurea obvallata, Saussurea costus, Saussurea auriculata, Saussurea gossypiphora, etc. In this study, Saussurea obvallata commonly known as Bramhakamal is the primary plant of focus renowned for its spiritual and medicinal value. It holds significant spiritual and cultural importance in Hinduism and Buddhism. Saussurea obvallata is widely famous for its flower blooming at night. The plant has been long utilized in herbal medicine indicating potential therapeutic benefits. It is used to treat a variety of medical conditions involving wounds, heart problems and psychological disorders. The plant's phytochemical analysis showed that it contains a number of chemical components that are important for the treatment, such as proteins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. This review is a comprehensive study of Saussurea obvallata from its distribution to phytoconstituents and pharmacological activity.