A Scoping Review on Izkhar: an Aromatic herb with multiple healing power
Abstract
Background: Izkhar (C. citratus) is one of the medicinal herbs with immeasurable pharmacological activities. Since times it has been used in folk and traditional medicine for its mesmerizing healing properties contained mainly in its essential oil. From its humble beginnings in kitchen gardens to its widespread cultivation on a large scale, this remarkable herb has come a long way. Initially used as a home remedy for relieving increased body temperature, as a taste enhancer in various savoury, and as stress busting agent due to its lemony odour, thus named Lemongrass. The aim is to review available data and insights from traditional sources as well as from modern studies.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using specific keywords related to Izkhar, phytochemistry and pharmacological actions of Cymbopogon citratus. Several textbooks were utilized to extract information from Unani medicine sources and ancient texts
Discussion: It contains significant amount of terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, antioxidant and other phytochemicals which are responsible for its various pharmacological actions.
Conclusion: Recently this drug has gained immense popularity in pharma industries on global level due to its various therapeutic effects from taking it orally to using it locally, like anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-gout, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial etc. This article unveils its recently studied pharmacological actions and their scientifically proven therapeutic effects.
Keywords: Izkhar, Lemongrass, Essential oil, Citral, Citronella
Keywords:
Izkhar, Lemongrass, Essential oil, CitralDOI
https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v15i5.7143References
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