Scoparia dulcis Linn is a substantial ethnomedicinal plant which is commonly known as sweet broom weed is a perennial plant that is distributed widely in subtropical and tropical regions of India, Brazil, America, Myanmar and West Indies. India is blessed with natural resources and ancient knowledge for judicious utilization. Firstly, humankind utilized material found in the environment on an empirical basis for curing various health ailments.
Plant description
It is a branched herb having wiry stems that grow upto 1 meter tall. Leaves are 3-note whorled, obovate-oblong to oblanceolate measuring 1.4-3.5 x 0.8 -1.5 cm, subacute at apex, tapering to base and coarsely crenate-serrate from the above base and is glabrous on both surfaces. Flowers are small and white which occurs in leaf axils. Petioles measure 9 mm long. Pedicles are 5-7 mm long and are glabrous. Calyx lobes are oval to oblong measuring 2.5-3 x l mm, glabrous within and without and is ciliate at margins. It has green stamens and an ovary. Roots are profusely branched. The plant blooms small and white flowers in small 2-4 or 5 flowered inflorescences. Seeds are minute and many.
Traditional uses
- Plant (fresh or dried) are used as an aid for the treatment of kidney stones, stomach ailments, diabetes, hypertension, hemorrhoids, bronchitis, antipyretic, analgesic, and urinary disorders.
- It relieves pain and urinary tract infections.
- The plant is used for treating ailments such as stomach aches, diarrhea, kidney problems, kidney stones, and fever.
- It is used to treat digestive problems, fever, pulmonary conditions, hypertension, skin disorders, dysentery, anemia, insect bites, diabetes, albuminuria, and herpes.
- Leaves and young shoots are eaten as vegetables.
- The whole plant is useful for treatment of herpes, colds, coughs, nausea, fevers, dizziness and also as an antidote for snake bites as well as cassava intoxication.
- In infants, it provides relief from vomiting when used with milk and when used in large doses, it persuades vomiting to clear out the digestive system.
- Plant decoction is used to treat gonorrhea and remittent fever and also to induce labor.
- Use fresh or dried plants externally used to treat various skin problems such as ulcers, bruises, pimples, eczema, and impetigo.
- In Brazil, it is used for treating wounds and hemorrhoids.
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