Mauritian Grass: A Review of Its Botanical, Ethnomedical, and Pharmacological Aspects

Herbal medicines are among the first known forms of human healing. India's Ayurvedic treatments are well known around the world. India has a long history of employing a wide variety of medicinal plants. However, a major barrier that has impeded the development of holistic medicine in prosperous countries is the lack of documentation and strict quality control methods. All scientific efforts on traditional medicines must be documented. Current information on the morphology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, therapeutic applications, ecological biodiversity, and botany of Apluda mutica L (Apluda mutica) is to be made available through this review. With the use of technical literature found on websites like Springer Link, Bio Med Central, Pub Med, Scopus, Science Direct, Scielo, Medline, and Science Domain, this review was put together. Dry dipterocarp forests, found in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, and Central Asia, are home to the plant's natural range in Southeast Asia. The plant Apluda mutica also known as Apluda grassThis plant is indeed underrated despite its traditional uses in various parts of the world for treating conditions such as mouth infections, dysentery, fever, act as diuretics, and managing diabetes. While historically it has been utilized for these purposes, its pharmacological activities have been less explored, with only its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties being evaluated. However, it's important to note that the plant's pharmacogenetic (identification and study of natural drugs), morphological, ethnobotanical (study of the traditional knowledge and customs of a people concerning plants), and pharmacological aspects are significant. Understanding these aspects can aid researchers in comprehending the plant's utility, efficacy, and potency better, thereby potentially leading to further exploration of its medicinal properties and applications.