International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) International Open Access Journal ISSN No: 2456 - 6470 | www.ijtsrd.com | Volume - 2 | Issue – 4 The Indian Magical Herb: ‘Sanjeevni’ (Selaginella Bryopteris) Rohit Kumar*, Rajan Kothari1, Jayesh Gadhiya Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India 1Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India Abstract-- India is the largest producer of medicinal used the extracts from plant life to calm and relieve herbs and is called the botanical garden of the world. aches and pains of body parts. Many of the plants that Ayurveda and herbal medicine are two important were discovered by ancient civilizations are still in forms of alternative medicine that is widely available used. For example; the leaves of willows, which in India. In rural India, 70 per cent of the population contain a compound very similar to aspirin, were depends on the traditional type of medicine. In India chewed by Native Americans to relieve aches and the herbal remedy is so popular that the government pains, the cinchona tree from South America used of India has created a separate department— against malaria. Because of this plant life is a very AYUSH—under the Ministry of Health & Family vital part of human life; without plants, both land and Welfare. In Indian mythology sanjeevani also known sea dwelling, human life could not exist. as miracle herb due to its alleged potentiality for Plenty of herbs are available for plenty of illnesses. ‘resurrecting’ life. Literally sanjeevani means Use of medicinal herbs is more safe and natural way something that offers life; jeeva = life. Out of to treat our body and mind, than eating synthetic pills. preliminary listing of about 17 plant species which In Ayurveda medicinal plants, herbs, spices and could be Sanjeevani only three final species were herbal remedies are known since long times. shortlisted which were Cressa cretica, Selaginella Nowadays, the value of medicinal plants, herbs and bryopteris, and Desmotrichum fimbriatum. Out of spices as herbal medicine is being lost due to lack of which currently Selaginella bryopteris is considered awareness and knowledge. as Sanjeevani. Sanjeevani is distributed widely in India and Nepal. This herbs have lots of medicinal In Indian mythology sanjeevani also known as values such as Relief from heat stroke and the burning miracle herb due to its alleged potentiality for sensation during urination, Restoring menstrual ‘resurrecting’ life. Literally sanjeevani means irregularities to normal, Helping in easy delivery of something that offers life; jeeva = life. Out of pregnant women in minimizing the labor pain, In the preliminary listing of about 17 plant species which treatment of Jaundice, Antiprotozoal activity, In the could be Sanjeevani only three final species were treatment of HIV infection, Growth promoting and shortlisted which were Cressa cretica, Selaginella protective activity, Activity against rediation, In bryopteris, and Desmotrichum fimbriatum. Out of improvement of learning and memory, In dehydration, which currently Selaginella bryopteris is considered etc. as Sanjeevani [1]. Selaginella existed before 300 million years and comes under a group of plants Key words-- Traditional, resurrecting, Selaginella which were the first vascular plants on earth [2]. bryopteris A. Mythology behind ‘Sanjeevani’: I. INTRODUCTION The popular name Sanjeevani which translates as Humans have always used plant for multiple "One that infuses life" derives from the medicinal purposes. Plants are becoming known more and more properties of the plant. In Hindu mythology, for their vital usage in many areas, as well as Sanjeevani is a magical herb which has the ability to medicinal purposes. In ancient cultures, medicine men @ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 4 | May-Jun 2018 Page: 484 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470 cure any disease. It was believed that medicines C. General characteristics prepared from this herb could revive a dead person. The general characteristics of Selaginellaceae family This herb is mentioned in the Ramayana when, to which Selaginella bryopteris belongs is also known Ravana (King of demons) hurls a powerful weapon at as Spike Moss Family includes plants that grow in or Lakshmana (brother of Lord Rama) who had killed on rocks and feed off moss, nutrients in rain water, his beloved son Indrajit. Lakshmana was badly litter, and even their own dead tissue. wounded and was nearly killed by Ravana. When Lakshmana fell unconscious, near death, hit by an Stem: The stem is generally erect and radially arrow from Ravana, Hanuman (beloved disciple of constructed in the subgenus homoeophyllum. The Lord Rama) approached the Lankan Royal Physician branching is dichotomous in the homoeophyllum and Sushena for advice. Sushena asked Hanuman to rush somewhat lateral in heterophyllus.The anatomy of to Dronagiri Hills and fetch four plants: mature stem is very distinct and is differentiated into Mruthasanjeevani (restorer of life), Vishalyakarani an outer epidermis, middle cortex and centrally (remover of arrows), Sandhanakarani (restorer of the located stele. The cortex is usually made up of skin) and Savarnyakarani (restorer of skin colour) [3]. compactly arranged angular parenchymatous cells without intercellular spaces. There is much variation Hanuman, not able to pick the four from the in the vascular cylinder among the different species of multitude, brought back the entire mountain. And Selaginella. The number of stele varies from species Lakshmana was revived from near death back to life. to species and sometimes even in the same species. In various Vedic texts and also in Ramayana it has This is due to the dissection of the main stele. been clearly mentioned that sanjeevani booti glows in the dark. When made slightly wet and kept in dark it Rhizophores: glows; emits light. Its properties and usage has also In Greek rhiza means root and phora means bearer. In been described [4]. many species of Selaginella, peculiar leafless, prop- Thus it is likely that Sanjeevani had properties like cylindrical, structures, originate from the stem at capable of awakening or rejuvenating (and in that the point of branching. These grow downwards into sense ‘resurrecting’) him. It is also likely that owing the surface and form many adventitious roots at their to similarities of the syndrome of this stage with that free ends. They are known as rhizophores. of death, story tellers have termed the herb as a ‘life The plants are heterosporous (megaspores and giver’. Accordingly, if Sanjeevani does exist, it should microspores), and have structures called ligules, scale- have the ability bringing coma patients back to normal like outgrowths near the base of the upper surface of living state [5]. each microphyll and sporophyll. Unusually for the B. Taxonomy/ Scientific classification of Selaginella lycopods, each microphyll contains a branching bryopteris: vascular trace. Roots borne on wiry rhizophores arising from forks in stems. Sporangia borne in axils 1. Kingdom: Plantae of fertile leaves (sporophylls). Plants are 2. Division: Lycopodiophyta heterosporous. Life cycle of Selaginella includes 3. Class: Isoetopsida various stages having micro sporangia, 4. Order: Selaginellales megasporangia etc. Microspores are small, numerous, 5. Family: Selaginellaceae megaspores large, 4 per megasporangium. The 6. Genus: Selaginella gametophyte develops inside the megaspore. 7. Species: • apoda Chromosome count of Selaginella bryopteris: • asprella n=10. • bifida Distribution: • biformis • bigelovii India- Uttaranchal, U.P., M.P., Chhattishgarh, Bihar, • braunii Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu. • bryopteris Nepal- Common at Western and Central part. • canaliculata • carinata Habitat: • cinerascens @ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 4 | May-Jun 2018 Page: 485 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470 Sanjeevani grows on the mountains of tropical areas, in the extremely hot hours in the month of May- June particularly the Arawali Mountain terrains from east in the tropical part of the country. to west in India. S. bryopteris is known to be a (2) Restoring menstrual irregularities to normal: poikilohydric lithophyte occurring along the The cycle of reproductive activity shown by most mountains and in fact, this herb is sold for this sexually mature non-pregnant female mammals peculiar feature in several markets in India mostly in except most primates is called as the menstrual places of piligrimage such as Rishikesh, Hardwar and cycle/oestrous cycle/sexual cycle. The menstrual Varanasi .The plants grow luxuriantly during rains cycle is the periodic vaginal discharges in human and exhibiting a lush green velvety landscape. Sanjeevani other mammals and the discharge is made up of blood booti (Selaginella bryopteris) has been reported to and cells shed from the inner lining of uterus. have the highest degrees of drought resistance [6]. Selaginella bryopteris is also used to cure the During summer the plants undergo extreme irregularities in the oestrous cycle or menstrual cycle. desiccation. The fronds curl, become dry and virtually dead. In this condition they look like a closed fist (3) Helping in easy delivery of pregnant women in hence often known in Unani