Rauwolfia serpentine (sarpgandha): areview based upon its phytochemistry and ayurvedic uses

Rauwolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha) is a significant medicinal plant, which is described in Ayurvedic literatures and in current science because of the presence of its number of remedial properties. Thismedicinal plant is used against variety of diseases due to the presence of various phytochemicals like alkaloids, starches, flavonoids, glycosides, phlobatannins, phenols, resins, saponins, sterols, tannins, and terpenes. The plant parts like root, and rhizome have been utilized for hundreds of years in Ayurvedic medications for relieving countless diseases, for example, high blood pressure, mental disturbance, epilepsy, injuries, fervor, schizophrenia and mental conditions like insanity. The major therapeutic properties associated with Rauwolfia serpentinaare hypoglycemic, anti-diarrheal, anti-bacterial, anxiolytic. The present study is an overview of Rauwolfia serpentinap hytochemistry, its therapeutic properties and its utilization in Ayurveda and Folk system of medicine.