BIOPIRACY Imitations Not Innovations - Biopirateria

72 Biopiracy: Imitations Not Innovations
cases of lumbago. The nuts are used either raw or cured. They are cooling,
astringent, diuretic, digestive, anthelminthic, aphrodisiac and nervine tonic
and emmenagogue. They are useful in urinary disorders, anorexia and general
debility. Chewing of the nuts facilitates salivation and prevents decay of
teeth. The juice of tender nuts in small doses is a good laxative. The burnt
nut is often used as a dentifrice.
● Piper nigrum: See plant no. 18.
● Nicotiana tabacum: The leaves are bitter, acrid, thermogenic, sedative, narcotic,
anodyne, anti-inflammatory, anthelminthic, carminative, laxative, emetic,
abortifacient, styptic, mental stimulant and tonic. They are useful in
odontalgia, dental caries, inflammation, heliminthiasis, dyspepsia, flatulence,
haemorrhages, bronchitis, asthma, scabies, skin diseases, ulcers, painful
tumours, strangulated hernia, purulent discharge from the nose and tubercular
glands of the neck.
Modern use in the patent: The USPTO has granted a patent (US Patent
4,374,824) on a dentifrice composition comprising ginger, catechu, pepper
seed(any liquid, powder or paste for cleaning the teeth) and shell of sweet
almond, pyrethrum, mastic, and tobacco, and the use thereof.
Derivation observed:
Indigenous use Modern use
● decay of teeth, dentifrice
odontalgia, dental caries