Putranjiva roxburghii Wall: The controversies and the concurrence

Abstract

Putranjiva roxburghii Wall, otherwise known as Drypetes roxburghii (Wall), belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. The plant is widely grown in Thailand, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Indochina, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. In traditional medicine and Ayurveda, its leaves and fruits are being used for the treatment of fever, muscle twisting, arthralgia, and rheumatism. Its usage in other clinical conditions such as azoospermia, catarrh, and constipation have also been documented. Recently, the plant came into limelight after the opposition leaders in Indian parliament claimed that an Ayurvedic medicine named Putrajeevak Beej is being marketed promising a male child. The main component of Putrajeevak Beej is P. roxburghii Wall. The controversy reached to heights when gender equality was attached with it. Latter, the manufacturer, came forward and clarified that the drug is meant for the treatment of infertility and has nothing to do with sex selection.