A BRIEF REVIEW ON ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS LINN. OKRA

Okra is a cultigen (a plant that has been altered by humans through a process of selective breeding). The exact origin of okra is unknown, but it is thought to have come from Africa, where it has been grown as a crop for centuries. Evidence suggests it was grown in Egypt as long ago as 2,000 BC. Today it is widely cultivated for its edible green fruits, which are harvested when immature (after 3 - 5 days of development), and are infamous for their slimy mucilage. It plays a vital role to preserve our health. In recent times, the use of herbal products has increased tremendously in the western world as well as developed countries. India is one of the most medico-culturally diverse countries in the world where the medicinal plant sector is part of a time-honoured tradition that is respected even today. Medicinal plants are believed to be safer and proved elixir in the treatment of various ailments. Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) is an important medicinal plant of tropical and subtropical India. Its medicinal usage has been reported in the traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani.