India is enriched in diversity of flora since ages. The ancient professionals have kept records of their work related to the plants. These works are a source of research today. Sariva is a well known herb since it is most commonly used in Ayurveda for its various therapeutic uses. Later on controversies erupt as locals in different parts of India used different plant species are considered in the name Sariva across India. From the data available, four species are being used as sariva in different regions. Hemidesmus indicus is a botanical name of true sariva. Cryptolepis buchanani and Ichnocarpus are also collectively known as Sariva in ayurveda. In south India Decalepis hamiltonii is being used as true Sariva. Sariva is a widely used herbal drug in the management of cognitive disorders from the times of Aacharya Charaka till today. Hemidesmus indicus, also known in ancient Ayurvedic medicine as "Sugandi" or "Sariva", has been revealed for its medicinal properties since nearly a thousand years. True Sariva traditionally used in various preparations. There is a greater chance of real material been adulterated or substituted by similar looking, cheaper material. Therefore present study is launched to carry out a complete pharmacognostic evaluation of Hemidesmus indicus and its possible adulterants or substitutes which are being used as true sariva in different regions of India. These diagnostic characters will be useful to screen out original crude drug material at the point purchasing.

Enicostemma littorale Blume, also known as Mamajjaka in Sanskrit, Indian gentian in English and “Kadavinay” in local language, is a perennial herb of Gentianaceae family. The plant parts like leaves and roots are used since ages in various parts of India for treating diabetes. It is widely used in Solapur and Osmanabad districts of Maharashtra, in the form of “leaf pickle” as a dietary supplement in diabetic patient. Acharya Priyavat Sharma has described it as useful in madhumeha. Mamajjaka has a predominance of Tikta rasa, Ushna virya, Katu vipaka, Laghu-Ruksha guna and Vayu-Aakash mahabhuta. It’s an easily available and economically important herb. Different constituents of Mamajjaka, like Swertiamarin, Flavonoids, Saponins, triterpenoids, alkaloids, catechins, sterols, phenolic acids and xanthones, have been reported for possessing hypoglycemic properties. In-vivo, anti-hyperglycemic effect of Mamajjaka has been established, through enhancing glucose-induced insulin release, reducing the glycosylated hemoglobin and by inhibiting the action of glucose-6-phosphate in liver. As, all previous studies have established the significant potentials of Mamajjaka both in Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes, in this study we have reviewed the pharmaco-kinetics of Mamajjaka, keeping in mind the scientific basis of traditional use of Mamajjaka mainly as diet in diabetes. We have established the role of panchabhautic constitution of Mamajjaka as a dietary supplement for the diabetic patients. We have concluded that Mamajjaka, being cost-effective and easily available medicinal herb possessing hypoglycemic properties, can be used as an excellent vegetable in diabetic patients as a dietary supplement.