Ethno-pharmacology of Sahdevi (Vernonia cinerea Less.) - An important but lesser known drug of Unani System of Medicine

Sahdevi is an Indian herb commonly found in all part of the country in rainy season. It is adopted by Arabs due to its easy availability and various important pharmacological actions and uses. It is known by different vernaculars in different parts of the country such as Mahabala in Marathi, Sadodi in Gujrati, Kukseem in Bengali and in English it is called ash-colour fleabane or purple fleabane. The herb contains β-amyrin, lupeol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, α-spinasterol, phenolic resin and potassium chloride etc. It contains Dafi‘-i Hummiyat (antipyretic) Muqawwi-i Badan (general tonic) and Musaffī-i-Dam (blood purifier) actions and used for management of many disease conditions. It has been used for the management of chronic fevers like fever associated with tuberculosis. It is a priceless herb with important pharmacological action and can be used effectively in place of costly drugs.