Leucas aspera AND ITS ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: A REVIEW

Herbal remedies and fragrant plants have played a pivotal role in traditional medicine systems for centuries. These plants are treasured for their natural compounds known as phytochemicals or secondary metabolites, which offer a range of benefits including affordability, effectiveness and minimal side effects in contrast to their artificial equivalents.  Production of these plant- derived drugs varies across various organelles, tissues, and cells that make up the plant. Leucas aspera, family of Lamiaceae which is frequently referred to as Thumbai, used as an anti-arthritic agent, the leaves possess insecticidal action. The flowers are used as a stimulant. The plant extract was given with honey for the relieve of stomach pain. Saponins, oleic acid, palmitic acid, glucosides and tannins are extracted from various parts of the Leucas aspera. This extract possesses many biological activities such as antivenom, thrombolysis, antiulcer, anticancer, antimalarial and antidiabetic activity. The leaf paste was combined with arrowroot and applied on the damaged areas to treat injuries. The flowers are used as an asperients to relieve constipation and expectorant to treat cough. The floral arrangements are mixed along using honey as a remedy cough. Therefore, Leucas aspera is a source of medicinally bioactive compounds and exhibit wide variety of physiological effects.