Parpatak as Controversial Plant

Abstract

Parpatak is an important medicinal plant used in Ayurveda for the treatment of various diseases which includes Jwara (fever), Raktapitta, Trishna etc. Multiple plant species have been used under the name "plant Parpatak," which has caused some debate. Sandigdhadrayas, often known as controversial plants, are medicinal plants that use contentious botanicals as sources and are mentioned in ancient Indian literature. The creation of identifying characteristics for various plant sources with similar names has become a crucial challenge. It is not about the accuracy of botanical source of a herbal drug but about the potency of the drug in curing the disease. More than 12,000 different Sanskrit plant names with overlaps are recorded in the classical stream of Ayurveda from 1500 BCE to 1900 CE. More than 200 texts, including 6 Samhitas, 57 Nighantus, and 140 Vyakhyas, include this knowledge. In codified literature, information about plants is organised into three main categories: morphological description, pharmacology, and pharmacy. The problem of disagreement is exacerbated by the usage of several plant species under the name of one plant due to the rising demand and decreased availability. Similar disagreement exists about the medication Parpatak, which greatly muddles the various plant sources used across the nation. In this regard, the present review work aims to accomplish and differentiate the medicinal plants which are known as Parpatak. Here an effort is made to compile the existing knowledge about the plant ‘Parpatak’ from the literatures along with currently available studies to establish some understanding regarding the plant.