Abstract

VAIBIDANG (EMBELIA RIBES): A POTENTIAL DRUG (A REVIEW)

Somesh*, Om Prakash Sharma and Jagdish Mohan Onkar

ABSTRACT

Embelia ribes is universally known as vaibidang is a significant medicinal plant that belongs to the family Myrsinaceae. The fruit of the plant is used in various ayurvedic formulations where it is used as a carminative, anthelmintic, alterative and as stimulant. Due to the overexploitation of the plant, it is considered a vulnerable medicinal plant. Traditionally, the plant is used as an analgesic, antibacterial, antipyretic, antifertility and anthelmintic agent. Various parts of the plant like roots, berries and leaves of E. ribes plant are used in different herbal formulations. In Ayurveda, it is used to cure skin diseases, abdominal pains, flatulence, worms, mental disorders, tumors, bronchitis, jaundice, cardio disorders and is used as a brain tonic. Embelin is considered as the major chemical constituent extracted from the Embelia ribes plant. In this review, a brief view of the plant is briefly described related to its ayurvedic and folk uses. The reported pharmacological properties of the plant are also defined.

Keywords: Vaibidang, Embelia ribes, Rasapanchak, Ayurveda.