POTENTIAL DIURETICS OF INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS

The traditional medicinal system in India has long recognized the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, particularly their diuretic properties. Diuretics play a crucial role in promoting the excretion of sodium and water, thereby helping in the management of conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and renal disorders. Although synthetic diuretics are widely used, their prolonged use is often associated with adverse effects such as hypokalemia, hyperuricemia, dehydration, and metabolic disturbances. This has led to increased interest in herbal alternatives with fewer side effects. The present review highlights various Indian medicinal plants with potential diuretic activity, their phytochemical constituents, and their traditional uses. It emphasizes the importance of exploring plant-based diuretics as safer and effective therapeutic options. The study also underlines the need for further pharmacological and clinical investigations to validate the efficacy and safety of these herbal drugs.