Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the Blumea Genus: A comprehensive review

The genus Blumea (Asteraceae) has long been valued in traditional medicine across Asia and other regions for its use in managing wounds, infections, respiratory and digestive disorders, inflammatory conditions, and chronic ailments. Its use is well documented in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and folk medicine, where various plant parts are prepared as decoctions, infusions, poultices, or herbal teas. Particular species also hold culinary and cultural significance, reflecting their socio-ethnobotanical importance. This review provides an integrated assessment of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Blumea species, while identifying future research directions. A systematic literature search was conducted using SciFinder, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (May 2000-October 2025) with the keywords "Blumea," "Phytochemistry," "Pharmacological activity," and "Ethnobotany," supplemented by manual screening for additional studies. Phytochemical investigations reveal that Blumea species are particularly rich in terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, and alkaloids, which contribute to their diverse bioactivities. A total of 148 compounds have been reported, many of which are supported by preclinical studies demonstrating anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, neuroprotective, antihyperlipidemic, antihypertensive, wound-healing, and metabolic effects. Promising evidence also supports their potential in diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders. Additionally, emerging applications include cosmetic formulations, though toxicological evaluations remain limited. Despite this therapeutic promise, challenges such as environmental variability, insufficient clinical validation, and a lack of standardised methodologies hinder translational progress. Overall, the review highlights the medicinal potential of Blumea for systematic isolation of bioactive constituents, mechanistic insights, sustainable utilisation, and translational studies to bridge traditional knowledge with modern drug development.