The importance of medicinal plants in traditional health care practices, providing clues to new areas of drug research and biodiversity conservation is now well recognized. Cressa cretica (Linn) belonging to family Convolvulaceae, commonly known as Rudravanti is a erect, small, dwarf shrub, usually grows in sandy or muddy saline habitats. Though almost all of its parts are used in traditional systems of medicines, leaves and roots are the most important parts which are used medicinally. The present article gives an account of updated information on its phytochemical and pharmacological properties. The review reveals that wide numbers of phytochemical constituents have been isolated from the plant which possesses activities like antibacterial, antifungal, antitussive, testicular functions, antifertility activities and various other important medicinal properties. It is known to possess flavonoids, heavy metals, lead, copper, zinc and nickel present in Cressa cretica. It contains terpenic compounds, syringaresinol-β-ddeglucoside, triacontanoic acid, stigmasterol, ursolic acids, β-amyrin and edible fixed oil. It also contains quercetin, n-octacosanol, scopoletin and umbelliferone.
