Abstract

Mohammad Danish*, Seemab Alam, Swaleha Khan, Kahkashan Baig and K. Lalitha

ABSTRACT

Melissa officinalis L. is a medicinal plant that has long been used in different ethnomedical systems especially in the European Traditional Medicine and the Unani Traditional Medicine for the treatment of several diseases. It is also widely used as a vegetable and to add flavor to dishes Aim of the review: This review aimed to provide a summary on the botanical characterization, traditional uses, phyto-chemistry, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of M. officinalis, and discusses research gaps and future opportunities for investigations on this plant. In “Mufarreh-ul-Quloob”, as mentioned by Ibn-Sina in his famous book “Risala Advia Qalbiya”. In Unani literature, a number of pharmacological effects of Badranjaboya are mentioned vz. Tonic for vital organs, exhilarant, sedative, hypo-cholesteremic, anti-inflammatory, deobstruent and useful especially in the obstructions in the brain caused by imbalanced or increased black bile (saoda). Due to its sedative property, the drug is also used in allergic conditions such as asthma, its efficacy is also reported in insomnia, anxiety and depression. Many cardiac diseases are closely related with personal behavior and emotions attitude wherein Badranjboya produces promising results because of its efficacy in psychological disorders.