Chromolaena odorata (L.) : An Overview

Chromolaena odorata is a species of flowering shrub in the sunflower family, Asteraceae. It is native to North America, from Florida and Texasto Mexico and the Caribbean, and has been introduced to tropical Asia, west Africa, and parts of Australia. It is used as a traditional medicine in Indonesia. The young leaves are crushed, and the resulting liquid can be used to treat skin wounds. According to traditional healing in yucatan, the boiled roots of Chromolaena odorata are used for urinary retention and leaves are used to cure malaria, gonorrhea, ulcers and blood in urine. The kani tribals of Kouthalai in Tirunelvelli hills used the leaves extract to cure skin diseases, poison bites, wounds and rheumatism. Following various folk claims for the ailment of various diseases, efforts have been made by the researchers to verify the efficacy of this weed through scientific biological screenings. A scrutiny of the literature revealed some notable pharmacological activities of the shrub like anthelmintic, Antimalerial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antioxidant, antigonorrheal, antimycobacterial, insecticidal, fungicidal, wound healing, diuretic, blood coagulation, antibacterial. The present review is an attempt to highlight the various ethnobotanical and traditional uses as well as the phytochemical and pharmacological reports on Chromolaena odorata L.