Anju1*, Mohammad Idris2
1Research Associate, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, New Delhi, India
2Principal & Head, PG Departments of Ilm-us-Saidla, Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College & Hospital, Karol Bagh, New Delhi, India
*Address for Corresponding Author
Dr. Anju
Research Associate, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, New Delhi, India
Abstract
The use of herbal drugs is as old as human beings. Khatmi or marshmallow botanically named as Althaea officinalis Linn. belongs to family Malvaceae is a perennial species indigenous to North Africa, Europe and Western Asia. The meaning of Khatmi is ‘Kaseer-ul-munafaye’ (possessing many functions) in Arabic language. It is widely used as a medicinal and ornamental plant. Unani physicians had described various types of Khatmi. They extensively used it for a number of human ailments as is evident from Unani classical literature. In current scenario a lot of scientific studies have been performed on Khatmi namely phytochemical, physicochemical, pharmacological and clinical studies.In this review, an effort has been made to provide information on medicinal properties of Khatmi mentioned in Unani classical literature as well as in recent scientific studies.
Keywords: Khatmi, Althaea officinalis, Unani, marshmallow, Plant origin drugs
