Indian Medicinal Plants

Achyranthes aspera Linn. 11
haemostatic. Salicylic acid is antiinflammatory.
Chamazulene is antiinflammatory
and antiallergenic. (Natural
Medicines Comprehensive Database,
2007.)
Anextractoftheplantwasfound
to be rich in luteolin or luteolin 7-
glucoside and can be used for the treatment
of hyperpigmentation of skin.
Achras zapota Linn.
Synonym ◮ Manilkara zapota (Linn.)
P. van Royan
Manilkara achras (Mill.) Fosberg
Sapota achras Mill.
Family ◮ Sapotaceae.
Habitat ◮ Native to Central America.
Cultivated chiefly in Maharashtra,
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
English ◮ Sapota, Sapodilla Plum,
Chicle.
Unani ◮ Sapotaa, Cheeku.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Shimai eluppai.
Action ◮ Fruit—antibilious. Seed—
diuretic. Fruit and bark—febrifuge.
The bark contains latex (20–25%
of which consists of gutta-percha-like
substance); also contains tannin
(11.8%). The seeds contain quercitol.
Chewing gum consists of approximately
20% chicle, plus sugar, corn
syrup and flavourings.
Achyranthes aspera Linn.
Family ◮ Amaranthaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout the tropical
and subtropical regions, up to an
altitude of 2,100 m, in the southern
Andaman Islands.
English ◮ Prickly Chaff Flower.
Ayurvedic ◮ Apaamaarga, Chirchitaa,
Shikhari, Shaikharika, Adahshalya,
Mayura, Mayuraka, Kharamanjari,
Kharapushpaa, Pratyakpushpaa,
Aaghaat, Vashira, Kanihi.
Unani ◮ Chirchitaa.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Naayuruvi.
Folk ◮ Chirchitta, Chichidaa,
Latjeeraa.
Action ◮ Astringent, pectoral (ashes
of the plant used in asthma and
cough), diuretic, hepatoprotective,
emmenagogue. Benzene extract of
the plant exhibited abortifacient
activity. The flowers, ground and
mixed with sugar, are given for
menorrhagia. Roots—astringent,
haemostatic. Seeds—emetic; used
for biliousness. Essential oil—
antifungal.
Key application ◮ As astringent,
emetic. (Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)
Along with other therapeutic applications,
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia
of India indicates the use of the whole
plant in lipid disorders and obesity, the
root for its blood-purifying property.
The plant juice and ash are used
for treating bleeding piles. An alkaline
powder of the plant is used in
preparing Kshaarasutra of Ayurvedic
medicine, which is recommended for
treating fistula-in-ano.
The whole plant contains the alkaloids
achyranthine and betaine. Achyranthine,
a water-soluble alkaloid, is
A