Sarwālī (Celosia cristata): Medicinal Importance in Perspective of Unani Medicine and Pharmacological Studies

Celosia cristata, commonly known as 'cockscomb,' is an annual erect herb belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. Locally referred to as 'Mawal,' it is cultivated in Kashmiri gardens for ornamental purposes and can be found growing naturally in the plains and up to an altitude of 5,000 ft. in the Himalayas. In traditional Unani Medicine, the seeds and inflorescence of Celosia cristata are utilized for treating various health conditions, including sexual weakness, leucorrhoea, haemorrhoids, haematuria, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, wounds, diabetes, and dysuria. Celosia species, including Celosia cristata, contains a diverse array of phytoconstituents such as phytosterols, saponin, alkaloids, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, and steroids. Numerous pharmacological studies have been conducted on this plant, revealing its hemostatic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-nociceptive, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. This paper aims to shed light on the therapeutic applications of Celosia cristata based on both traditional Unani literature and scientific studies conducted on different parts of the plant.