Ethnobotany is the scientific study concerned with the study of relationship between plants and man, in particular, how people use their traditional knowledge with respect to utilization of plant resources for their wellbeing. Plants have been extensively used since time immemorial as an indispensible source such as food, fodder, medicine, dyes, flavoring agents and for construction purposes. The genus Clerodendrum is one of the largest plant genera, belongs to the family Lamiaceae and encompasses herbs, shrubs and trees distributed worldwide. Clerodendrum infortunatum L. (synonym Clerodendrum viscosum Vent.) is one among the important species of the genus Clerodendrum. In the present review, we discuss the traditional (ethnobotanical) uses and pharmacological activities displayed by C. infortunatum. An extensive literature survey revealed that various parts of C. infortunatum are used traditionally by various indigenous communities as green salad, as an ingredient in local wine and to treat ailments or disorders such as headache, toothache, rheumatism, swelling, skin diseases, fever, diabetes, malaria, burns, tumor and epilepsy. Literatures revealed various pharmacological properties exhibited by the plant such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, wound healing, antivenom, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anthelmintic, insecticidal, thrombolytic and cytotoxic activities.
Keywords: Clerodendrum infortunatum L., Lamiaceae, Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological activities
