2021, Vol. 9, Issue 3, Part A

author(s)
Dr. Akhilraj AR and Dr. Rukmini S

abstract
Mankind has from the time immemorial relied on plants and plant products for their health care requirements. As per the recent estimate, nearly 4.4 billion people comprising 80% of world’s total population rely on plants as their primary source for medicine. Citraka commonly known as Agni, a medicinal plant which has been used by the Ayurvedic physicians, for the management of various disease conditions. AÌ„carya ÅšaÌ„raṅgadhara considered Citraka as, best among the medicines that perform DÄ«pana-PaÌ„cana (Appetizer and Digestive). Root of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Åšveta Citraka) and Plumbago rosea Linn. (Rakta Citraka) of Plumbaginaceae family are used in AÌ„yurveda as source plants of Citraka. The present review article has been designed to elucidate data on synonyms, properties, actions and various formulations of the drug from various SaṁhitaÌ„s (Ayurvedic classics) and NighanÌ£tÌ£us (Ayurvedic drug lexicons).