USEFUL MEDICINAL PLANTS
There are thousands of species of plants and trees. Many of these plants benefit humanity and are found around us. Here is a detailed description.
ACONITE
ACONITUM SPECIES
Family : Ranunculaceae
The trade or common name Aconite refers to the scientific name of this group of plants.
The drug Aconite comprises the tuberous roots of these plants; it has been well-known in medicine as it possesses certain very toxic and poisonous substances. The British Pharmacopoeia recognises the drug obtained from A. napellus L. This species is not found in India, but Indian species contain similar substances or are suitable substitutes.
A. heterophyllum (Atis) is a herb occurring in higher ranges of the north-western Himalayas at about 2,000 to 4,000 m altitudes. The drug obtained from this species is least toxic; it is used in fevers and post-fever weakness, diarrhoea and dysentery. Its utility as a tonic has now been recognised, but is not regarded as useful for fevers.
A. chasmanthus (Banbalnag) occurs in the same regions as Atis. The Aconite obtained from this plant is considered a suitable substitute for the Aconite obtained from A. napellus. Though the total alkaloid content of Banbalnag is about ten times that of European Aconite, the drug’s potency is not as good.
A. deinorrhizum and a few species of Aconitum occur in India and are are considered of restricted medicinal use.
The Aconite, known in trade as Indian Aconite, is a mixture of two or three species.
The alkaloids contained in Aconite are very toxic and, unless given in properly controlled doses, can cause dangerous sideeffects. Plants from mountainous regions are richer in aconitine; the toxicity is to compounds other than aconitine. Due to the toxic effects, the drug is administered in properly controlled doses. The chief usage of the drug now is only for external application in diseases like neuralgia.
ADUSA (VASAKA )
Family: Acanthaceae
Indian names
Hindi Adusa, Bansa Vasika
Assamese Bahaka, Herbuksha, Teeshae
Bengali Vasaka
Gujarati Alduso, Ardusi
Kannada Adusoge
Malayalam Atalotakam
Marathi Adulsa
Sanskrit Vasaka
Tamil Aadathodai
Telugu Adasaramu
The trade name Vasaka is based on the Sanskrit name of the plant; even the scientific name (species) is based on the Sanskrit name.
Description: A tall, much-branched, dense, evergreen shrub with large, lance-shaped leaves. Flowers in dense, short spikes; stalks of the ends shorter than leaves. Leaf-like structures, called bracts, are present on the ends; these are conspicuously veined. The Corolla (the whorl of petals) of the flowers is white with few purplish markings. Fruits capsular, 4-seeded.
Distribution: This plant occurs throughout India’s plains and submontane regions; it is common near habitations.
Drug and its properties: The drug Vasaka comprises the fresh or dried leaves of the plant. Leaves contain an alkaloid vaccine and essential oil. The chief use of Vasaka is as an expectorant; it is given in the form of juice, syrup or decoction. It softens the thick sputum, facilitates it’s coming out and thus brings about quick relief in bronchitis. The expectorant activity is due to the stimulation of bronchial glands. Larger doses can, however, cause irritation and vomiting. Recent experiments have confirmed the usefulness of Vasaka.
Other uses: The leaves of this plant are also utilised as green manure for yielding a yellow dye. Due to certain alkaloids, the leaves are not easily attacked by fungi and insects and are used to pack or store fruits. The leaves emit an unpleasant smell and are spared from browsing; therefore, the plant is suitable for planting in soil reclamation programmes.
KALMEGH (ANDROGRAPHIS)
Family: Acanthaceae
Indian names
Hindi Kirayat, Kulufnath
Bengali Alui, Kalmegh
Gujarati Lilun Kariyatun
Kannada Nelabevu
Malayalam Nelabevu
Marathi Olikiryata
Sanskrit Kirata
Tamil Nila Vembu
Telugu Nelabevu
The trade name Kalmegh is taken from the local Bengali name of the plant, and Andrographis is from the scientific name. Description: An erect, branched annual herb, branches sharply four-angled. Leaves lance-shaped. Flowers small, large, spreading and sparse bunches. Flowers rose-coloured, about 1 cm long. Fruit capsular, 1.5-2 cm.
Distribution: This plant occurs throughout India, chiefly in the plains.
Drug and its properties: The drug Kalmegh consists of all parts of the plant above ground, i.e. excluding only the roots.
Kalmegh is a bitter tonic; it is helpful in curing fever, worms, dysentery, general weakness and excessive gas formation in the stomach. It is also reported to be beneficial for children suffering from liver and digestion complaints.
In Bengal, a household medicine called ‘Alui’ is prepared from its leaves and given to babies suffering from stomach complaints. There had been a belief that this plant was also useful in snakebites; experiments found this claim to be unfounded. Experiments have shown that the plant has antityphoid and antibiotic properties.
(The tribes of Bastar pound the plant in mustard oil and apply it on itching.)
RASAUT (INDIAN BARBERRY)
Family: Berberidaceae
Indian names
Hindi Daru-haldi, Kingora, Kilmora, Rasaut
Bengali Daru haldi
Gujarati Daru Haridra
Kashmiri Rasvat
Malayalam Mara darisina
Marathi Daruhald
Punjabi Kashmal
Sanskrit Daru haridra
Tamil Maramanjal
Description: A sizeable thorny shrub; wood yellow; branches whitish or pale grey. Leaves characteristic, fascicled in axils of branched or simple spines, coriaceous, usually sharp-toothed, veins very fine. Flowers yellow, in short bunches. Fruit ovoid, bluish purple; seeds few.
Distribution: This plant occurs in the Himalayas between 2,000 and 3,000m and grows in the Nilgiri hills in South India.
Drug and its properties: Berberis consists of dried roots of this plant and other closely related plants belonging to the same genus, e.g., B. asiatica Roxb. and B. lycium Royle.
The chief constituent of the drug is the alkaloid Berberine. Root bark, roots and lower stems are boiled in water, strained and evaporated till a semi-solid mass is obtained; this is called Rasaut, and it is relatively soluble in water.
Mixed with butter and alum or with opium and lime juice, Rasaut is applied externally on eyelids to cure ophthalmia and other eye diseases. The use of Rasaut in curing ulcers has been shown experimentally. It is also administered through injections near the margins of the sores.
Rasaut is used in curing fevers and as a mild laxative and tonic. It is helpful in stomach disorders, and its practical use in cholera and acute diarrhoea in rabbits has been confirmed.
The drug was also, for some time, used in malarial fever, but its curative effect has been disproved; it does, however, help in the early detection of malarial fever.
The depressant action of the drug on respiration and the heart has also been shown experimentally. Antitubercular activity has also been attributed to this drug.
Other uses: The root and stem of B. aristata yield a yellow dye, which is used for tanning and colouring leather.
PUNARNAVA (HOGWEED)
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Indian names
Hindi Bishkopra, Punarnava, Sant, Santhi,Survari
Bengali Punarnava
Gujarati Moto satoda, Nahno vasero, Punarnava
Kannada Gonajali, Sanadika
Marathi Punarnava, Tambadi vasu
Sanskrit Punarnava, Raktakanda
Tamil Mukkarattai
Telugu A taki, A tika mamidi
English name : Horse-purslane, Hogweed. The trade name is based on the Sanskrit name of the plant. In old Indian literature, it is referred to as ‘Sothaghna’, i.e. destroyer of dropsy.
Description: A much-branched herb, generally spreading on the ground or partly ascending. Leaves two on each node, one smaller than the other, base of the leaves cordate; lower surface of leaves whitish, upper green. Flowers are tiny, reddish, in short clusters on long axillary stalks. Fruit with five ridges, glandular.
Distribution: This plant is found in all parts of India.
Drug and its properties: The whole plant, particularly the roots, leaves and seeds, constitute the drug Punarnava. The drug contains alkaloid, Punarnavine. The primary use of the drug is as a diuretic, i.e., to promote urination in dropsy, jaundice, and gonorrhoea. It is also a laxative. In moderate doses, it is recommended for asthma. Large amounts can bring about vomiting.
The diuretic activity of the drug has been experimentally
confirmed on animals.
SAGANGUR (BELLADONNA )
Family: Solanaceae
Indian names
Hindi Angurshafa, Sagangur
Gujarati Dhatooro
Kashmiri Sagangur
The trade name Belladonna (or Indian Belladonna) is derived from the scientific name of another species of Atropa, namely A. Belladonna L., which occurs in Europe and is found in India only under cultivation.
Description: An erect, branched perennial herb 60-90 cm high. The leaves are brownish green, 7-15 cm long, and narrow at both ends. Flowers in axils of leaves, solitary or in pairs, about 2.5 cm long, bell-shaped, yellowish brown. Berry roundish, about 1.5 cm across, purple-black.
Distribution: It is found in Kashmir at 2,000 to 3,500 m altitudes. It is also cultivated.
Drug and its properties: The medicine Belladonna consists of the plant’s dried leaves and other aerial parts; roots are also included.
Total alkaloid content depends upon the plant development stage, low during flowering and very high when bearing green berries.
The drug obtained from the leaves and other aerial parts decreases the secretion of sweat and salivary and gastric glands; it acts as a anti-spasmodic solid in intestinal colic and other spasmodic indications. It is also helpful in asthma and whooping cough.
The drug obtained from the plant’s root has similar properties to those obtained from leaves and twigs. However, roots arer, are believed to have certain poisonous substances and are employed chiefly in preparation prescribed for external applications on rheumatism, neuralgia, inflammations, etc.
Other uses: Another important species of this genus, namely Atropa belladonna (L.) (Deadly Nightshade), is a native of Europe and is cultivated in hilly regions of India. Its roots (called Belladonna radix in commerce) and leaves (called Belladonna folium) are of medicinal importance, chiefly as a tonic, antispasmodic and sedative, the precise use depending on the dosage.
It has the property of dilating pupils of the eyes, and its preparations (like Atropine) have been employed mainly as eye drops or ointments used when testing the eyes and other ophthalmic treatments. It is helpful as an antidote in certain types of poisoning cases.
AJWAIN (HYOSCYAMUS)
Family: Solanaceae
Indian names
Hindi Khurasani Ajwain
Bengali Khurasani Ajwain
Gujarati Khurasani Ajmo
Marathi Khurasani Ova
Sanskrit Parasikaya
The trade name is based on the scientific name.
Description: An annual or biennial bad-smelling herb, densely covered with glandular hair; stem up to 1 m high. Lower basal leaves 15-20 cm, margins toothed. Upper leaves are smaller and divided into many segments. Flowers 2-3 cm diameter, pale green, streaked with purple, some borne solitary at the place of branching of stems, others in long, terminal spikes—fruits 1.3 cm diameter, globose.
Distribution: The plant occurs in the western Himalayas from Kashmir to Garhwal at about 1,500 m to 3,000 m, commonly in waste places near habitations. It has been cultivated in several regions of India, such as Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Nilgiri hills.
Drug and its properties: The dried leaves and flowering tops collected soon after the plant flowering constitute the drug.
The drug has similar properties as Belladonna (Atropa Belladonna). It is useful for relieving certain painful spasmodic conditions of muscles and in hysteria, cough etc. It also dilates the pupil of the eye.
Seeds of the plant also have medicinal properties; they are usually pasted and applied locally on pains. It can be grown in the Himalayan region in Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Other uses: Hyoscyamus muticus L. (Egyptian Henbane) is cultivated in Kashmir, etc. The alkaloid content of this plant is more than Indian Henbane; it also has more intense narcotic properties. The leaves of Egyptian Henbane are smoked for intoxication.
MEHANDI (HENNA)
Family: Lythraceae
Indian names
Hindi Mehandi
Bengali Mehandi
Gujarati Mehandi
Kannada Goravanti; Madarangi
Kashmiri Mohuz
Malayalam Mailanchi
Marathi Mendi
Oriya Benjati
Punjabi Hinah
Sanskrit Mendika, Raktagarbha
Tamil Haru thonri, Marudhani
Telugu Goranti
The trade name is based on the word Henna which is the Arabic name of the drug.
Description: A middle-sized or large, much-branched shrub, sometimes tree-like; branches 4-angled, usually ending in a sharp point. Leaves opposite, 2-3 cm long, often acute and sharp-pointed. Flowers small, white or pink, fragrant, in terminal large bunches. Fruit small, the size of a pea, round; seeds many.
Distribution: The plant occurs in several parts of India, chiefly in the dried parts of the peninsula, but is usually cultivated in hedges. It is also developed for commerce in Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Drug and its properties: The plant leaves have specific medicinal properties.
They are astringent and are used as a prophylactic against skin diseases. They are applied locally on boils, burns and skin diseases. A decoction of leaves is used as a gargle in homes for headaches, burning sensation in feet, etc.
The leaves have also been shown to have some action against tubercular and other bacteria and in typhoid and haemorrhagia.
The plant has not, however, so far been put to much use in this manner. The bark and seeds of the plant are also reported to be used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine.
Other uses: The chief benefit of the Henna plant is as a pleasant orange dye for colouring palms, nails, feet, hair, beard, and even tails and limbs of animals. Mixed with other natural dyes, Henna is primarily used as hair dye and even for textiles.
The oil obtained from its flowers is used in perfumery.
JATAMANSI
Family : Valerianaceae
Indian names
Hindi Jatamansi
Gujarati Jatamansi
Bengali Jatamansi
Kashmiri Bhutijatt
Sanskrit Jatamansi
Tamil Jatamansi
Telugu Jatamansi
The trade name is based on the Indian name of the plant, i.e. jatamansi, which refers to the bearded appearance of rhizomes.
Description: A perennial herb up to about 60 cm tall, rhizomes woody, long, covered with fibres from petioles of withered leaves. Lower basal leaves up to about 20 cm long, narrowed into the petiole; upper leaves much smaller, almost ovate. Flowers small, several in small bunches. Fruit small, covered with minute hair.
Distribution: The plant occurs eastwards to Bhutan in the alpine Himalayas between 3,000 m and 4,500 m altitude.
Drug and its properties: This plant’s dried rhizomes and roots are medicinal.
Jatamansi has tonic, antispasmodic and stimulant properties; it is, therefore, useful in the treatment of certain types of fits, convulsions and palpitation of the heart. It is also used as a laxative and for improving urination, menstruation and digestion. It is used as a substitute for the drug Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.)
Higher altitudes in the Himalayas are considered suitable for its cultivation.
ISHABGUL
Family: Plantaginaceae
Indian names: The local names of this plant in different regions and languages of India are only minor variations of the Sanskrit word Ishapgola or Isapgol.
The trade name is also based on that word.
Description: An almost steamless small herb covered with dense or soft hairy growth. Leaves 8-25 cm long, very narrow. Flowers minutes, in oval or cylindric spikes, 1.5-4 cm long. The fruit is 8 mm long, and its upper half separates like a lid. Seeds boat-shaped.
Distribution: The plant grows naturally in restricted areas in north-western India but is primarily cultivated elsewhere.
Drug and its properties: The seeds of this plant (as also of certain other species of the genus) constitute the drug.
The valuable properties of the seeds are due chiefly to the large amount of mucilage and albuminous matter present in them.
Ishabgul is very useful in chronic dysentery, such as amoebic, bacillary origin, and chronic diarrhoea. It is helpful as a soothing agent for mucous membranes and in constipation. Seeds should be soaked in water before use so that they soon get disintegrate in the alimentary canal; else, the whole grains can cause irritation or even mechanical obstruction in the intestines. The large amount of mucilage in the seeds ‘binds’ and increases the mass of the stool and smoothens its passing out. The action is, however, chiefly mechanical rather than physiological.
Ishabgul husk (Ishabgul-ki-bhumi) is the dry seed coat of Plantago ovata; obtained by crushing the seeds and separating the husk by winnowing.
The husk has the same properties as seeds; rather, it has the advantage that there is no risk of mechanical obstruction or irritation in the alimentary canal by the husk. Therefore, the husk is taken without any presoaking and is easier to use than the whole seeds.
The embry oil of seeds having 50 per cent linoleic acid prevents arteriosclerosis. Fat is more active than safflower oil and was found to reduce the serum cholesterol level in rabbits.
PAPRI (INDIAN PODOPHYLLUM)
Family: Berberidaceae
Indian names
Hindi Banbaigan, Papri
Gujarati Venivel
Kashmiri Banwagan
Marathi Padwal
Punjabi Bankakri, Gulkakri
The trade name is based on the scientific name of the plant.
Description: A succulent erect herb with a creeping rootstock. The flower-bearing branch is erect, leafy at top; leaves two, 15- 25 cm diameter, deeply divided in 3-5 lobes, toothed, purple spotted. Flowers 2.5-5 cm diameter, white or pinkish, cup-shaped, usually solitary. Fruit ovoid, 2.5-5 cm, scarlet.
Distribution: The plant occurs at high altitudes in the inner ranges of the Himalayas, usually at about 3,000-4,000 m. In Kashmir, it comes down to about 1,800 m.
Drug and its properties: The dried rhizomes of the plant are used in medicine.
The rhizomes contain the resin Podophyllin. It is purgative; its action is slow but severe, and large doses can cause acute irritation and griping. The drug is usually administered in a mixture with Belladonna or Aloes, etc.
Podophyllum is reportedly useful in many skin diseases and tumorous growths; its use in curing cancerous tissues is now in the experimental stages.
An American species of the genus, namely Podophyllum peltatum L. is sometimes cultivated. The Himalayan mountain regions at an altitude of 1,500 to 3,000 m in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttaranchal and Sikkim are considered suitable for the cultivation of this species.
BABCHI (PSORALEA)
Family: Fabaceae
Indian names
Hindi Babchi
Bengali Latakasturi
Gujarati Bavachi
Kannada Bavancigida
Marathi Bavchi
Punjabi Babchi
Sanskrit Sugandh Kantak
Tamil Karpokarishi
Telugu Kala Zija
Urdu Bakuchi
The trade names Psoralea, and Babchi are based on scientific and local Indian names, respectively.
Description: It is an erect herb, with densely gland-dotted branches. Leaves round, dotted with black glands on both surfaces. Flowers small, bluish purple, 10-30 in a bunch, arising in axils of leaves. Fruits black, roundish or oblong, closely pitted; seed one, smooth.
Distribution: This plant is found throughout India as a weed in waste places; it is also cultivated in some places.
Drug and its properties: The seeds of the plant constitute the drug.
The seeds contain an essential oil which is very effective on certain bacteria causing skin diseases. The drug is, therefore, useful in leucoderma and leprosy as an external application in the form of ointment, as well as for taking internally. The seeds are also useful for promoting urination and as anthelmintic. The anthelmintic and antibacterial activity of the seeds has been shown experimentally.
The oleoresinous extracts of the seeds are useful for local application on leucoderma of nonsyphilitic origin.
Due to its use in leprosy, the drug has been called in our indigenous system as Kushtha nashini. Roots of the plant are reported to be useful in caries of teeth; and the leaves in diarrhoea.
SARPAGANDHA (RAUVOLFIA)
Family: Apocynaceae
Indian names
Hindi Chotachand
Bengali Chandra
Gujarati Sarpgandha
Malayalam Chuvannayilpuri
Marathi Harkaya
Sanskrit Chandrika, Sarpagandha
Tamil Charpagandhi
Telugu Patala-gandhi
Urdu Dhanbarua
The trade name Rauvolfia is based on the scientific name of the plant. The word Rauvolfia refers to a 16th century German botanist and physician Leonard Rauwolf.
Description: An erect glabrous shrub 30-75 cm high; leaves horled; 8-20 cm long, gradually tapering into a short petiole. Flowers about 1.5 cm long, petals white or pinkish, peduncle deep red, in small clusters. Fruits small, round, dark purple or blackish when ripe.
Distribution: The plant is found in almost all parts of India up to an altitude of about 1,000 m; it is more common in submontane regions of Himalaya and in lower ranges of Eastern and Western Ghats; also collected from several places in plains of Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, etc. The plant is now being cultivated at several places.
Drug and its properties: The drug consists of the dried roots with bark intact, preferably collected in autumn and from plants of about 3-4 years age. It is believed that this plant has been known in Indian medicine for about 4,000 years. A mention of the plant is found in Charak’s work.
The roots contain several alkaloids. The chief use of the drug is as a sedative and hypnotic and for reducing blood pressure. The drug is now largely used in insanity and high blood pressure.
The sedative action of the drug is slow, and therefore, it is not useful in acute cases; it is more suitable for mild anxiety cases or patients of chronic mental illness. The drug has tranquillising effect. This drug should not be given to persons suffering from bronchitis, asthma or gastric ulcers.
The roots of the plant are useful also in diseases of bowels and in fever.
Other species of the genus as R. tetraphylla L. (syn.) R. canescens L. are also useful in medicine.
Much research work has been done, and is being done on this group of plants, and India holds a place of pride in this regard. Now, however, some countries are developing synthetic products to bring about the same effects as Rauvolfia.
Its cultivation needs to be greatly expanded. The plant can be cultivated almost anywhere in the plants, in evergreen forests and sub-Himalayan tracts.
The plant are best raised from root cuttings, they are also raised from seed and stem cuttings. Six to seven quintals of drug have been obtained from one acre of land; yields even higher than this have been reported from Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, from only two-year old fields.
CHIRAYATA
Family : Gentianaceae
Indian names
Hindi Chirayata
Bengali Chirata
Gujarati Kiratatikt
Kannada Nelabevu
Marathi Chiragita
Sanskrit Kirata-tikta
Tamil Nila vembu
The trade name is based on the Indian local names of the plant.
Description: An annual herb up to about 1.5 m high. Leaves in opposite pairs, about 10 cm long, without stalks, pointed at tip.
Flowers pale green, tinged with purple, each petal-lobe having a pair of green glands. Fruit 6 mm or more long (oval shaped).
Distribution: The plant occurs in the temperate Himalayas, between 1,200 and 3,000 m from Kashmir to Assam.
Drug and properties: The whole plant, collected in flowering stage and dried, constitutes the drug.
Chirayata is well-known for its bitter, stomachic, febrifuge and anthelmintic properties. It possesses similar properties as the Gentian (Gentiana kurrooa). It is given in fever, diarrhoea and weakness. It is given in malarial fever also; certain experiments conducted recently, however, did not confirm the febrifuge properties of this plant.
Other uses: Several (7-8) species of the genus Swertia occur in the hilly regions of India and are used in similar manner as the Chirayata.
Expansion of cultivation of this plant has been recommended. Higher mountain regions in the Himalayas in the states of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttaranchal and up to Assam are recommended as suitable areas for cultivation of Swertia chirayita.
JAMUN (JAMBUL)
Family: Myrtaceae
Indian names
Hindi Jamun
Assamese Jamu
Bengali Bada jam, Jam, Kala Jam
Gujarati Jambu
Kannada Nirale
Malayalam Yavel
Marathi Jambal
Oriya Jamkuk
Sanskrit Jambul
Tamil Naaval, Sambal
The trade name is based on the common Indian name of the tree.
Description: A large everygreen tree leaves opposite, 8-20 cm long, leathery, smooth, shining. Flowers small dull white, in large bunches. Fruit 1.5-4 cm long, ovoid, purplish when young, almost black when ripe, juicy. Seed usually one. The fruits are largely eaten raw; the purplish coloured flesh of the fruit leaves the tongue (and lips) dark purple-tinged for several hours.
Distribution: The tree grows chiefly in moist deciduous forests, being more common along water channels; it is not found wild in very aried regions. Its planted trees, however, exist in protected places even in the heart of Rajasthan desert.
Drug and its properties: The bark, fruits and seeds of the tree are medicinal.
The bark is very astringent and is used in sore throats, bronchitis, asthma, ulcers and dysentery; it is also given for purifying blood, and as a gargle. The fresh juice of bark with goat’s milk is given in diarrhoea.
The seeds are very useful in diabetes. The fruit juice also has that property, but the effect of preparations from seeds is more marked. The drug showed effect only when administered through injections not through oral administration.
The anti-diabetic activity of this drug is more marked than that of Bijasal (Indian Kino tree).
Other uses: The fruit is largely eaten raw. The wood is used for miscellaneous purpose.
OTHER SPECIES
Another very important plant of this genus, which is useful in medicine, is Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. and Perry (syn. Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb., clove, Hindi-Lavang, Laung).
Cloves, which are the dried flower buds of the tree, are strongly aromatic, stimulant, and carminative. They are useful in flatulence and indigestion and stop nausea and vomiting.
Clove oil is used as antiseptic and preservative. Taken internally, it is carminative and antispasmodic.
IMLI (TAMARIND)
Family: Caesalpiniaceae
Indian names
Hindi Imli
Bengali Amli Ambli
Gujarati Ambli; Ambli
Kannada Hunasemara
Malayalam Amlam
Marathi Ambli, Chinch
Oriya Tentuli
Sanskrit Amlika
Tamil Puli
Telugu Chinta
The trade name is based on the English name of the tree.
Description: A large tree, leaves compound, leaflets 10-20 pairs, about 1 cm long. Flowers yellowish with reddish streaks, in small erect clusters among the leaves. Fruits 8-20 cm long, 2-3 cm broad, fleshy, pendulous, brown in colour; seeds 3-12, dark brown, shining, embedded in the fleshy, fibrous mass, which is the well known acid pulp of tamarind.
Distribution: The tree occurs commonly in the central and southern regions of India, and is planted throughout India on roadsides and in gardens.
Drug and its properties: The pulp of the fruits is medicinal.
Tamarind pulp has laxative properties, its infusion in water is a very refreshing drink, it is useful in fevers. As a laxative it is taken singly or in mixture with other purgative drugs. When mixed with other purgative drugs, it reduces their laxative property.
Other uses: The timber of this tree is resistant to insect attacks and is largely used for agricultural tools, domestic articles, furniture, etc. It makes very good charcoal and is used for gunpowder. Leaves yield a yellow dye. The acid pulp of the fruits is used for cleaning silver and brassware and other utensils. Seeds are used in jam and jelly industry, seed powder is used for sizing certain types of cloth and as wood cement.
BAHERA (BELLERIC MYROBALAN )
Family : Combretaceae
Indian names
Hindi Bahera
Assamese Bhovian, Hulluch
Bengali Bahera
Gujarati Bahedan
Kannada Taremara
Marathi Bahera, Behiada
Punjabi Bahera
Sanskrit Telaphala
Tamil Akkam, Thani
Telugu Tadi, Tandra
The trade name bahera is based on the Indian local name of the tree. The word Belleric is taken from the scientific name of the tree and distinguishes this myrobalan from the other one, i.e. Chebulic myrobalan.
Description: A large tree, often with buttresses. Leaves large, 10-25 cm long, clustered near ends of branches. Flowers small, pale green, bad-smelling, in simple spikes. Fruit 2-3 long, ovoid, brownish, densely covered with hairs.
Distribution: The tree occurs almost throughout India up to about 1,000 m, excepting the dry regions of western India; it is more common in mixed deciduous forests.
Drug and its properties: The dried fruits of the tree constitute the drug Bahera.
The fruits are useful in stomach disorders, such as indigestion, diarrhoea. It is given also as a brain tonic and is applied on eyes as a soothing lotion. Bahera is useful also in piles, leprosy, dropsy and fever. The half-ripe fruit has the opposite property.
The Behera fruit is one of the three constituents of the famous Indian preparation Triphala, the other two being Amla and Harra.
Other uses: The timber of this tree keeps well under water and is used for boats etc., and also for miscellaneous agricultural tools.
The fruits yield tannin which is used for tanning leather and for dyeing cloth and leather; also for making inks.
OTHER SPECIES
In some early literature it has been called Abyatha, which denotes, it takes away pain (Byatha). It is a middle-sized or large tree. Leaves 10-20 cm, ovate, acute, not crowded at ends of branches, but in almost opposite pairs. There are two small glands near leaf-base. Flowers dull white in spikes at the ends of branches. Fruit 2-4 cm long, the 5 ribs on its body usually distinct.
The dried fruits of the tree constitute the drug commonly known as Chebulic Myrobalan or Harra. This Myrobalan can be applied externally on chronic ulcers, wounds and scalds or used as a gargle in inflammation of mucous membrane of mouth. Myrobalans are used as laxative; they have also been found to have some effect on blood pressure as cardiac tonics.
The powder of the fruit is used as a dentrifice for the strength of gums.
The fruit is an ingredient of the well-known preparation ‘Triphala’. Sweets and pickles based on Harra are commonly used in Indian homes; they are believed to be digestive and mild laxative.
Terminalia arjuna occurs almost throughout India, chiefly along water channels and in moist places. Its bark is astringent and is used in fevers and in fractures and contusions; it is also taken as a cardiac tonic.
GOKHRU
Family: Zygophyllaceae
Indian names
Hindi Chhoto Gokhru
Bengali Gokhru
Gujarati Gokhru
Kannada Gokshuru, Sanna neggilu
Malayalam Neringil
Marathi Gokhru, Sarata
Punjabi Gokhru
Sanskrit Laghu gokshura
Tamil Nerunji
Telugu Palleru
The trade name is based on the Indian local names of the herb.
Description: A prostrate spreading herb, densely covered with minute hair. Leaves in opposite pairs, 5-8 cm long, compound; leaflets 4-7 pairs, 8-12 mm long. Flowers pale yellow, growing solitary opposite to the leaves or in axils of leaves. Fruit very characteristic and easily known by numerous spines on it. Fruits often cling to clothes, bodies of animals and wheels of vehicles. Cyclists dread these fruits as these are a common cause of punctures in cycle tubes. Seeds many in each of the five parts of the fruit.
Distribution: The plant occurs throughout India almost up to 3,000 m altitude.
Drug and its properties: The fruits of the plant constitute the drug.
The fruits are useful in urinary complaints and sexual weakness.
It is cooling. An infusion of the fruits is useful in gout and diseases of kidney; it promotes urination. Clinical tests have confirmed efficacy of the drug in promoting urination.
Tribulus terrestris is commonly known as Chhoto Gokhru.
Pedalium murex (Pedaliaceae) as Baro Gokhru, and is also widely used in a number of Ayurvedic preparations for the same purpose.