HABBUL QIL-QIL -Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn, A benificial plant with a contraversy in its identity: A Unani Medicine Review

Abstract

This review article is an attempt to explore the identity, origin and history of use of Habbul qil-qil (Cardiospermum halicacabum) in Unani system of medicine and to establish the fact that the drug is in fact a part of the rich documentation of the Unani system of medicine. It also recapitulates the action and uses of Habbul qil qil mentioned in Unani classical literature along with the morphology, phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects to provide a direction for further research. The review reveals that the plant, as part of folk medicine, has been used by Unani Physicians as Aphrodisiac ( muqavvi-e- bah) medicine in compound preparation , As well as Adipogenous (musammin-e- badan)  Further,  this review article suggests that Cardiospermum halicacabum  has many phytochemical constituents for example; carbohydrate, protein, lipids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids,alkaloids, glycosides, and steroids . Addition to activities like antiinflammatory , antidiabetic  ,anxyolitic ,anticonvulsant, anti cancer ,antioxidant, etc.