Ethno-pharmacology of Asaroon ( L.) with special reference to Unani System of Medicine.

Asaroon is the rhizome of L. and is commonly used in Unani medicines for its various pharmacological actions. It is an evergreen plant with glossy foliage. It belongs to the family of Aristolochiaceae and is native to Europe and the United State of America. Some species of Asaroon have been found in the Eastern Himalayan region. Asaroon has actions like (nervine stimulant), (diuretics), (emmenagogue), (analgesic), (remove obstructions) and (hepatotonic), etc. It is used in the management of (fevers) (polyarthritis), (epilepsy), (paralysis), (amenorrhea) and (gout), etc. as per the Unani system of medicine (USM). It is used as a single herb as well as with a combination of other drugs to manage many diseases. The L. contains volatile oils and flavonoids along with other secondary metabolites. In the Indian market, DC has been sold as Tagar but in some cases, it is sold as Asaroon. It is a clear case of adulteration by replacement of costly foreign drugs with a similar-looking indigenous drug. In this manuscript, we have discussed the Ethno-pharmacology of the L. with special reference to USM and basic differences with DC to show that both drugs are different and their actions and uses are also different from each other.