Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

Ayurvedic ◮ Aadaari, Lataa Khadira
(related sp., see. A. pennata).
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kariyundu, Ingu.
Folk ◮ Araar, Chilar (Punjab), Aila
(Maharashtra).
Action ◮ Flower—emmenagogue.
Bark—anti-inflammatory, antiseptic
(in skin diseases). Bark contains
17% tannins, triterpene alcohol,
saponins of acacic acid, lupeol and
a steroid, acaciol. An alkaloid,
tryptamine, is present in the root
and stem bark.
Various plant parts are used in
cough, bronchitis, measles, tubercular
fistula and in the treatment of menstrual
disorders. The bark is used for
washing the hair.
Acalypha ciliata Forsk.
Family ◮ Euphorbiaceae.
Habitat ◮ Common in plains,
as a weed in gardens; also in
wastelands, especially in Bangalore
and Pachmarhi.
Ayurvedic ◮ Kuppi (smaller var.).
Folk ◮ Daadari (Gujarat).
Action ◮ See A. indica.
Acalypha fruticosa Forsk.
Family ◮ Euphorbiaceae.
Habitat ◮ Orissa, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Kerala.
English ◮ Birch-leaved Acalypha.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kuppaimeni.
Acanthospermum hispidum DC. 9
Folk ◮ Chinnivara.
Action ◮ Leaves—stomachic, alterative;
prescribed in digestive
disorders, dyspepsia, colic, diarrhoea.
Acalypha indica Linn.
Family ◮ Euphorbiaceae.
Habitat ◮ Occurs throughout the
plains of India, ascending the hills
in Orissa up to 210 m.
English ◮ Indian Acalypha.
Ayurvedic ◮ Kuppi, Muktavarchaa,
Haritamanjari
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kuppaimeni.
Folk ◮ Khokli,Kuppi,Aamaabhaaji.
Action ◮ Antibacterial (leaf used in
scabies). Plant—emetic, expectorant
(used in bronchitis, asthma,
pneumonia). Tincture of fresh
plant is used in homoeopathy
for incipient phthisis with bloody
expectorations, emaciation and
arterial haemorrhage.
The plant contains kaempferol;
leaves and twigs contain acalyphamide
and other amides, quinone, sterols,
cyanogenic glycoside.
The herb causes intestinal irritation.
Acanthospermum hispidum
DC.
Family ◮ Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat ◮ Native to Brazil; found as
a weed throughout the greater part
of India.
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