Medicinal Plants of Chandigarh

RAM TULSI
Ocimum sanctum
RATI
Abrus precatorius
Habit
Distribution
Parts used
: A much-branched, aromatic and erect herb with purplish or crimson
flowers.
: Throughout India, ascending upto 1800 m in the Himalayas.
: Leaves, seeds.
Habit
Distribution
Parts used
: Woody climber, Flowers pale-violet at first, reddish afterwards.
: Sub-Himalayan tracts.
: Seeds and Roots.
Constitutes: Leaves and seeds yield an
essential oil containing eugenol,
carvacrol, methyl eugenol and
caryophyllence.
Therapeutic uses: The oil possesses
antibacterial and insecticidal properties.
Seeds are mucilaginous, demulcent,
useful in complaints of the urinary
systems. The juice or infusion of leaves
possesses diaphoretic, antiperiodic,
simulating and expectorant properties.
It is used in bronchitis, applied to skin in
ringworm and other cutaneous diseases
and dropped into the ear to relieve
earache.
Constitutes: Seeds contain abrin,
abrine and abarnin while roots contain
precol, abrol and two alkaloids
abraime & orecasine.
Therapeutic uses: Seeds are
purgative, emetic, tonic, aphrodisiac
in nature. Roots are emetic, alexiteric.
Locally, the leaf juice mixed with oil is
applied on painful swellings of the
body. The root used as a substitude of
liquorice.
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