Medicinal uses and biological activities of Argyreia speciosa Sweet (Hawaiian Baby Woodrose) ─ An Overview

Argyreia speciosa Sweet (Family ─ Convolvulaceae) is an important ‘rasayana’ herb used extensively as an adaptogen in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is commonly known as Hawaiian Baby Woodrose, Elephant creeper or Woolly morning glow in English and in Sanskrit, it is called as Vridhadaraka meaning ‘anti-aging’. It is a large climber growing throughout India. It has been assigned various medicinal properties by Ayurvedic Materia Medica. The root is regarded as an alternative tonic and used in cases of rheumatism and neurological disorders. A wide range of phytochemicals has been isolated from the plant and possesses various traditional and tribal uses for cure of human ailments. Pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, immunomodulatory, adaptogenic and hepatoprotective have also been reported. Adverse side effects have made the use of many modern medicines limited and it is worthwhile to explore the possibility of this drug for the treatment of liver, rhueumatic and neurological complaints. This article reviews studies on medicinal uses on this important herb.