It is found throughout India (Ghani, 1921; Sheerazi, 1038H), Tropical Africa, Asia and Australia (Anonymous, 1998; Caius, 2003; Kirtikar & Basu, 1996). Indigenous to Bengal, East and West coasts and South India (Nadkarni, 2000), ascending to 8000, feet in the Himalayas and in Khasia and Peninsular hills (Anonymous, 1998; Caius, 2003). It a common weed throughout India in the rainy season (Dymock et al., 1890). It grows in rainy season and during this season plant is erect and robust upto 1m tall; after rains when summer starts, it shows reduction in size forming small diffuse habit. It is divided in two types, on the basis of colour of the flower. The flower of the first type is white inside whereas upper part is purple; this type of plant is found in the paddy fields. Second type is found in the forest or deserted places and has flower which are blackish red in colour (Chugtae, 1963; Ghani. 1921; DOMAP, 2016).

Classification of Sahdevi (V. cinerea Less.) (USDA, 1996).

Vernonia cinerea Less. is an erect, rarely decumbent, annual herb growing up to 75 cm in height. Stems are stiff, slender, cylindrical, grooved and ribbed, striate more or less pubescent and slightly branched, upto 17 cm in height, branches are divaricated. Leaves are simple, alternate, petiole (the upper leaves are smallest) variable in shape, broadly elliptic or lanceolate, obtuse or acute, shortly mucronate, more or less pubescent on both sides, irregularly toothed and shallowly crenate serrate. Fruits are oblong achenes, slightly narrowed at the base, clothed with appressed white hairs and terete (not ribbed). Flowers and fruits appear during August-April. (Anonymous, 1998; Hooker, 1982; Kirtikar & Basu, 1996). Flowers are pinkish and purple, violet, small head borne in terminal corymbs, rounded or flat-topped corymbs. There are about 20 flowers at a time of 6 mm diameter, divaricated corymbs with a minute linear bract beneath each head of flowers and with small bracts in the forks of the peduncle; involucral bracts linear-lanceolate, awned, silky on the back, corolla with pubescent lobes (Anonymous, 1998; Bhattacharjee & De, 2005; Hooker, 1982; Kirtikar & Basu, 1996; Sala, 2004).

The different vernacular names mentioned in various books are given below (Khan, 1313H; Ghani, 1921; Lubhaya, 1977; Chugtae, 1963; Kirtikar & Basu, 1996; Dymock et al., 1890).

It is an herb, which is nearly half yard in height. It has big, thick and hairy leaves which taper at the end. Leaves looks like Tulsi (Ocimum spp.) and green in colour. Leaves become smaller in summer and winter in comparison to their original size in rainy season. Stems are numerous and thin, having hairs on the surface. Flowers which are 25-30 at a time are whitish blue or reddish blue in colour. Two types of flowers are found in Sahdevi on the basis of their place of origin. If it grows in paddy fields it has purple flower which is white inside, if it grows in other places it has blackish red flowers (Chugtae, 1963; Ghani, 1921; Khan, 1313H; Khan, 1358H). It has numerous small seeds which are like Tukhm-e-kahu (Lactuca sativa L.) but are smaller than it. Seeds have small hairs like spun cotton. Root is like root of Resha-e-Khatmi (Althea officinalis L.) (Chugtae, 1963; Dayal, 1933; Ghani, 1921; Khan, 1313H; Khan, 1358H).

The Mijāz (temperament) of Sahdevi is Bārid Ratb (Cold & Wet) as suggested by majority of the Unani physicians. It is described Muzir (harmful) for cold temperament people because of its own cold temperament. The corrective drugs used for its harmful effects are Filfil Siyah (Piper nigrum L.) and Shahad (honey). The Badal (substitute) of Sahdevi is Binola patti (leaves of Gossypium herbaceum L.) but it is strongly recommended to use original drug as far as possible. The Miqdār-i Khurak (dose) of dry herb is 3-7 gm while in fresh form it may be used upto 12 gm as per classical Unani literature (Chugtae, 1963; Daljeet, 1974; Ghani, 1921; Hakeem, 1343H; Khan, 1280H; Khan, 1313H; Lubhaya, 1977; Sheerazi, 1038H).

The different pharmacological action of Sahdevi mentioned in Unani literature regarding Sahdevi are given here. Some important pharmacological action as mentioned in literatures are Dafi‘-i Hummiyat (antipyretic), Mudirr-i-Bawl (diuretic), Mumsik-i-Mani (retentive of semen), Muqawwi-i Badan (general tonic), Musaffī-i-Dam (blood purifier), Mushtahī (appetizer), Musakkin-i Dam (neutralizing the heat of sanguine), Musakkin-i Safra (neutralizing the heat of yellow bile), and Mufattit-i-Hasāh (lithotriptic) (Ali, 1860; Ali, 1914; Arshi, 1929; Chugtae, 1963; Ghani, 1921; Hakeem, 1343H; Kabir al-Din 1955; Kabir al-Din 2007; Khan, 1280H; Khan, 1313H; Khan, 1358H; Lubhaya, 1977; Sheerazi, 1038H)

On the basis of its actions mentioned above Sahdevi has been used in the management of many disease conditions. It is very useful in the management of various fevers especially chronic or infectious fever. It is used in the management of Hummā al-Ghibb (bilious fever), Hummā al-Rib‘ (quartan fever), Hummā Diqqiyya (hectic fever) and Hummā Mutbiqa (continous fever) (Ali, 1860; Ali, 1914; Arshi, 1929; Chugtae, 1963; Dayal, 1933; Fazlullah, 1877; Ghani, 1921; Hakeem, 1343H; Hasan, 1865; Kabir al-Din, 1955; Khan, 1280H; Khan, 1313H; Khan, 1358H; Lubhaya, 1977; Zaki, 1890). It has special action as Māni‘-i-Nawbat (prevents episodes in intermittent fevers like Malaria), and it can be used to avoids episodes of fevers in Malaria or other intermittent fevers. It is also very useful in fever associated with tuberculosis (Ghani, 1921; Khan, 1358H; Khan, 1313H; Lubhaya, 1977).

It modulates Akhlat (humours) in the body and corrects Ghalaba-i-Safrā’ (preponderance of yellow bile) (Ali, 1860) and Josh-i- Khūn (preponderance of sanguine) (Kabir al-Din 1955; Kabir al-Din 2007). It has been used for the treatment of ‘Usr al-Bawl (dysurea) (Ali, 1914; Fazlullah, 1877; Hasan, 1865; Khan, 1358H; Lubhaya, 1977; Zaki, 1890;), Hasāh wa Raml al-Kulya (nephrolithiasis) (Lubhaya, 1977; Khan, 1313H) and Sozāk (Gonorrhea) (Chugtae, 1963; Kabir al-Din 1955; Kabir al-Din 2007; Khan, 1358H; Lubhaya, 1977; ) due to its diuretic actions. It is very effective in Nazf al-Dam (haemorrhage/bleeding) and Nafth al-Dam (hemoptysis) when used with Misri (crystallized sugar lumps) to stop bleeding (Chugtae, 1963; Ghani, 1921; Kabir al-Din 1955; Lubhaya, 1977). Application of paste of its root powder with human urine is very effective in treatment of ‘Irq Madīnī (drancunculosis) (Arshi, 1929; Chugtae, 1963; Ghani, 1921; Khan, 1313H; Sheerazi, 1038H).

Application of its root as Tilā (liniment) on penis produces Mumsik (retentive of semen) action and useful in condition of premature ejaculation (Ali, 1914; Arshi, 1929; Chugtae, 1963; Fazlullah, 1877; Ghani, 1921; Hakeem, 1343H; Hasan, 1865; Khan, 1280H; Khan, 1358H; Khan, 1313H; Sheerazi, 1038H). Its local application on skin increases redness of the skin (7, 8). It is used with Sikanjabeen in Salas al-Bawl (urinary incontinence). It is an important ingredient in the process of preparation of Kushta Seemab (calx of mercury) (Arshi, 1929; Fazlullah, 1877; Ghani, 1921; Zaki, 1890). It is also useful in treatment of Bawāsīr (haemorrhoid) (Ali, 1860). It is also used to cure general debility and sexual debility (Chugtae, 1963; Khan, 1358H).

Sahdevi is commonly used in Ayurveda and other folk medicines in different countries. Its actions are mentioned as antidote, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anodyne, diuretic, lithotriptic, anthelmintic, anticancer, diaphoretic, stomachic, astringent and tonic (Anonymous, 1998; Bhattacharjee & De, 2005; Caius, 2003; Dymock et al., 1890; Kirtikar & Basu, 1996; Nadkarni, 2000; Sala, 2004; Trivedi, 2002;).

The decoction or infusion of the whole herb is used to manage strangury and spasm of bladder, fever and to heal wounds and sores. Whole herb with quinine is used to treat Malaria. Juice of whole herb is used in incontinence of urine, colic and piles. Its root is used in sunstroke and dropsy. Its leaves have been used in scorpion stings, amoebiasis and cough. Poultice of the leaves is used in herpes, eczema, ringworm and guinea worm. The paste of the whole herb with little ghee is effective in leucorrhea. Oil prepared by boiling with the juice of the leaves have showed beneficial effects on elephantiasis when applied locally. Its flowers are useful in conjunctivitis and rheumatism. Its seeds are used in flatulence, dysuria, leucoderma, psoriasis and leprosy. Sahdevi is also used in asthma and bronchitis and constipation (Anonymous, 1998; Bhattacharjee & De, 2005; Caius, 2003; Khare, 2007; Kirtikar & Basu, 1996; Nadkarni, 2000; Sala, 2004; Singh & Khan, 1990; Trivedi, 2002).

Many pharmacological active chemical constituents have been isolated from V. cinerea. The leaves of V. cinerea showed 64 flavonoids, 13 saponins, 36 alkaloids, and 108 terpenoids present in it (Alara et al., 2018). Different pharmacological action can be attributed to these active constituents.

The methanolic extract of the complete plant of V. cinerea was found equally effective at the dose of 500 mg/kg as standard drug paracetamol (Gupta et al., 2003). Significant analgesic activity was showed by Chloroform extract (CE), Methanol extract (ME) and Petroleum Ether extract (PEE) in acetic acid-induced writhing test and mechanical induced pains. A potent and significant suppressant activity showed by CE, ME and PEE in carrageenin-induced paw oedema model in rats. The antipyretic activity also showed by ME and CE in a yeast suspension-induced hyperthermia (Iwalewa et al., 2003). The antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were also proved in mice model by methanolic extract of V. cinerea (Bashar, 2014).

The methanol extract in a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin, histamine and serotonin induced rat paw edema and cotton pouch induced granuloma (Mazumder et al., 2003). The flower extract of V. cinerea showed beneficial effect in adjuvant induced arthritic rats and ameliorated arthritic effects so confirming its anti-inflammatory activity (Latha et al., 1998 Kumar 2009). Ethanolic extract of V. Cinerea exhibited favorable effects in vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathic pain. These effects may be due to its antioxidative, neuroprotective and calcium channel inhibitory actions (Thiagarajan, 2012). These studies have proved and validated the Unani claims of actions and uses of V. Cinerea mentioned in literature. Its antipyretic activities are well documented in Unani literature and can be verified by animal studies and clinical trial in chronic fevers.

Complete plant and root of V. Cinerea has showed anti-malarial activity by having anti-plasmodium activity (Simonsen, 2001). Three major sesquiterpene lactones i.e. 8a-tigloyloxy-hirsutinolide-13-O-acetate, 8a-(4-hydroxymethacryloyloxy)-hirsutinolide-13-O-acetate and vernolides D exhibited significant antiplasmodial activity on chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain (Chea A, 2006). This activity has validated the claim of Unani medicine where it is prescribed in malarial fever. It is effective even against chloroquine resistant strain so proving that natural form of drugs is more effective and no resistance develops in it.

Antioxidant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of V. Cinerea was confirmed by inhibiting DPPH in dose dependent manner (Mehta J, 2019). Scavenging of the hydroxyl radical, superoxide and nitric oxide by methanolic extract of V. Cinerea was proved in a study. V. Cinerea was also found to inhibit the Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) induced Superoxide generation in mice (Kumar, 2009).

V. Cinerea has shown promising action of significantly restoring the testicular function and testosterone concentration in diabetic male rats. In high dose it has showed anti-diabetic activity and significantly improved the sperm count (Pomjunya A, 2017). The carbon tetrachloride fraction of methanolic stem, bark and leaves extract of V. Cinerea has shown antidiabetic activity by significantly reducing the blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats (Haque MA, 2013). The Unani claim of its aphrodisiac activity has been confirmed by improving sperm count.

V. Cinerea has shown moderate anti H. pylori activity, suggesting its anti-ulcer activities because H. pylorus is strongly associated with duodenal and gastric ulcers (Wang YC, 2005).

The chloroform extract of the leaf of V. Cinerea has shown hypernatraemic, hyperkalaemic and hyperchloraemic diuretic action. Methanolic and aqueous extracts showed effective antidiuretic effects which supports the Unani claim that the plant can be used to cure urinary incontinence (Adeboye JO, 1997).

The broad spectrum of antibacterial activity has shown by benzene extract of V. Cinerea (Gupta, et al., 2003). The methanolic extract of V. Cinerea showed antimicrobial activity against C. by completely inhibiting Candida albicans growth and also exhibited prolonged anti-yeast activity (Latha, 2011). The hydroalcoholic extract of V. Cinerea showed good antimicrobial activity against gram positive bacteria (Mehta J, 2019). In a study it was shown that V. Cinerea does not exhibit any apparent toxicity and may be used as an antimicrobial agent in known dosages (Latha, 2010).