Description

East Indian globe thistle is a flowering plant of the genus Sphaeranthus. It is distributed from North Australia throughout Indomalaya. The plant has been studied for its potential health-promoting properties, primarily as an anti-inflammotory.  East Indian globe thistle (Asteraceae) is widely used in Ayurvedic system of medicine to treat vitiated conditions of epilepsy, mental illness, hemicrania, jaundice, hepatopathy, diabetes, leprosy, fever, pectoralgia, cough, gastropathy, hernia, hemorrhoids, helminthiasis, dyspepsia and skin diseases. There are reports providing scientific evidences for hypotensive, anxiolytic, neuroleptic, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, bronchodialatory, antihyperglycemic and hepatoprotective activities of this plant. A wide range of phytochemical constituents have been isolated from this plant including sesquiterpene lactones, eudesmenolides, flavanoids and essential oil. A comprehensive account of the morphology, phytochemical constituents, ethnobotanical uses and pharmacological activities reported are included in this review for exploring the immense medicinal potential of this plant. They are abundant in fields and ridges all over Kerala. The presence of moisture is required‌.

Characteristics:

Leaf: The leaf is dorsiventral and shows abundant trichomes of varying types on both the epidermis. Simple trichomes are three to four celled, thick walled and measure 130.8–145.2 μm in length and 29.0–43.5 μm in width. Trichomes are straight/knee shaped, with a swollen base and with collapsed cell at the middle or at the apex. Midrib shows three to four collateral vascular bundles associated with a group of sclerenchymatous cells on either side. Stem: The stem shows cork with two to three layers of parenchymatous cells covered with papillose cuticle having trichomes and can be distinguished by the presence of a discontinuous ring of lignified pericyclic fibers and a well-developed ring of bicollateral vascular bundle surrounding the pith. Medullary rays are pitted, lignified and about unitetraseriate. Root: The root shows on its outer side metaderm, a typical brown colored tissue. It consists of suberized cells, arranged irregularly and forms a protective layer. Radial groups of pericyclic fibers and few stone cells are seen alternating with radially arranged secretory canals in the secondary cortex. Phloem is parenchymatous and radially arranged. Medullary rays are pitted, lignified and about two to five seriate.

Medicinal Uses:

It is widely used in Ayurvedic system of medicine to treat vitiated conditions of epilepsy, mental illness, hemicrania, jaundice, hepatopathy, diabetes, leprosy, fever, pectoralgia, cough, gastropathy, hernia, hemorrhoids, helminthiasis, dyspepsia and skin diseases.