Medicinal herbs have a rich history of their utilization for variety of ailments. India is categorized among those countries which have produced vast variety of medicinal plants. India is also called as “Botanical garden of the world”.  Medicinal plants are the source of discovery of new drugs across the world. Most of the drugs available today have some herbal content of plants in them. Rubia Cordifolia (Manjishtha) is a climber herb having small flowers of greenish white colour which are grouped around the purplish fleshy fruits. The roots of Rubia cordifolia imparts red colour from where dye is obtained which is due to the presence of brownish red bark. This plant is mainly cultivated in the hilly areas. Manjishtha has a very significant place in Ayurveda which is one of the most ancient health care systems of the world. Charaka categorized this medicinal herb as varnya (for the enhancement of skin complexion), jvarahara (anti-pyretic), visaghna (a detoxifier) and a rasayana (rejuvenator). While it is categorized as pittasamsamana (one which maintains the pitta dosha of the body i.e. the fire component of the body) by Acharya Sushrut. Manjishtha has potential to pacifiy the pitta dosha. The phytochemical constituents of Rubia Cordifolia (Manjishtha) are associated with wide range of therapeutic properties. In this review, summary of its phytochemistry, its uses in different medicinal systems like Ayurveda and folk system and its scientific therapeutic properties are reported.

Medicinal plants are important part of traditional medication system. These plants are also the primary source of modern drugs. One such important medicinal plant is Bauhinia variegate (orchid tree) commonly called as Kanchanara in Hindi and Mountain Ebony in English. It belongs to Caesalpiniaceae family. It is one of the most common tree species found throughout the India. This tree is known for its beautiful scented and aesthetic white pinkish flowers. It is traditionally used in many folk cultures around the country for various kind of disorders. It is commonly used plant species in Indian cuisine. Its flower buds are commonly used as vegetables in many regions of India. It holds a significant place in Ayurveda for its curative and healing properties in many diseases especially cervical lymphadenitis, hemorrhage, rectal prolapse, menorrhagia, leukoderma etc. It is used in many Ayurvedic polyherbal formulations as a main ingredient like Kanchanara Guggulu, Ushirasava, Vidangarishta etc. It has diverse nature of phytochemical constituents present in it which are responsible for extraordinary therapeutic properties like anti-microbial, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, haemagglutination, anti-oxidant, antigoitrogenic, nephroprotective. The aim of present review is to provide information related to phytochemistry, traditional uses in Ayurveda and folk medicinal system and therapeutic properties of Bauhinia variegate.