Indian Medicinal Plants

10 Acanthus ilicifolius Linn.
A
Ayurvedic ◮ Trikantaka. (Different
from Gokshura; also equated with
Martynia diandra, Martineacea,
known as Kaakanaasaa.)
Action ◮ Used in dermatological
affections.
The essential oil (yield 0.2%) showed
antibacterial and antifungal activity.
Acanthus ilicifolius Linn.
Family ◮ Acanthaceae.
Habitat ◮ Common in tidal forests
along the East and West coasts; also
distributed in Meghalaya and the
Andamans.
English ◮ Sea Holly.
Ayurvedic ◮ Krishna Saraiyaka.
(Blue-flowered Katasaraiyaa.)
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kollimulli.
Folk ◮ Hargozaa.
Action ◮ Decoction—antacid (used
in dyspepsia with acid eructations),
also diuretic (used in dropsy and
bilious swellings). Aerial parts show
effect on nictitating membrane.
The root is a cordial attenuant and
is used in debility associated with
asthma, paralysis, leucorrhoea.
The air-dried plant contains an alkaloid,
acanthicifoline, and a flavone.
Achillea millefolium Linn.
Synonym ◮ A. lanulosa Nutt.
Family ◮ Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat ◮ The western Himalayas
from Kashmir to Kumaon.
English ◮ Milfoil, Yarrow, Thousand
Leaf.
Unani ◮ Biranjaasif. National
Formulary of Unani Medicine
also equates Leonurus cardica
Linn. (Labiatae) with Biranjaasif.
Folk ◮ Gandana, Rojmari.
Action ◮ Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic
(used in cold, flatulent
colic, heartburn), emmenagogue,
cicatrizant, antidysenteric, antihaemorrhagic,
antipyretic, diaphoretic,
diuretic, urinary antiseptic.
Key application ◮ In dyspeptic
ailments, such as mild, spastic
discomforts of the gastrointestinal
tract. As astringent, antispasmodic,
choleretic, antibacterial. (German
Commission E.) As diaphoretic. (The
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) Internally
for feverish conditions,
common cold and digestive complaints;
topically for slow-healing
wounds and skin inflammations.
(The British Herbal Compendium.)
The plant contains flavonoids, alkaloids
(achilleine), polyacetylenes,
triterpenes, coumarins, tannins, salicylic
acid, a volatile oil containing
linalool, camphor, sabinene, chamazulene
and other azulenes.
Sesquiterpene lactones are bitter and
tonic. Achilleine helps arrest internal
and external bleeding. Flavonoids contribute
to the antispasmodic action.
The flavonoid apigenin is anti-inflammatory,
antiplatelet and spasmolytic.
Alkaloids and bases are antiinflammatory.
Alkaloid betoncine is