An Ayurvedic Herbal Plant 'Bryonia laciniosa' with its Ethnomedicinal Significance.

Bryonia laciniosa is one such plant that is also known by the name of shivlingi as its seeds resemble the 'shivling' icon of Lord Shiva. This plant is mainly known for its seeds and is used in various ayurvedic drug formulations as an important ingredient. In Ayurveda and the folklore culture, shivlingi plant is used to treat various types of diseases such as cholera, bronchitis, constipation, diabetes, inflammation, paralysis, snake bites, abdominal diseases and mainly used as an aphrodisiac agent. In homeopathy, the B. laciniosa plant is used as an important ingredient in the formulation of anti-inflammatory drugs. Also, the plant is used to treat gastrointestinal, rheumatic, respiratory, liver, infectious diseases and metabolic disorders Besides this, shivlingi plant is associated with therapeutic potential which includes analgesic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, androgenic, antitumor, fertility and antipyretic properties. In this review article, the reported pharmacological properties of the plant have been described along with the plant utilization in folklore and ayurvedic medicinal system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]