Sphaeranthus indicus, commonly known as ‘Gorakhmundi’ is an important medicinal plant which is widely distributed throughout India. The whole plant is used in Ayurvedic preparations for the treatment of a wide range of problems ranging from mental disorders to minor gastrointestinal problems like dysentery, vomiting, etc. Some of the major chemical constituents of medicinal significance include Methyl chavicol, p-methoxy cinnamaldehyde, d-cadinene and a-ionone along with an alkaloid called sphaeranthine. Ayurvedic formulations like “Maha vishagarbha taila” and “Vata gajankusha rasa” contain this plant powder.
