Indian Medicinal Plants

Erythrina indica Lam. 245
Folk ◮ Brahma-Dhaniyaa, Jangali
Gaajar (var.).
Action ◮ Root—stomachic. Plant—
galactagogue, diuretic. Fresh
leaves are used as a vegetable and
flavouring agent.
Hot aqueous extract of the plant
possesses anticonvulsant property. The
ethanolic extract (50%) of aerial parts
showed cardiovascular, diuretic and
antistrychnine activity. The plant is
CVS an CNS active and hypothermic.
Sea Holly, found in sandy soils near
the sea in Britain and Europe, is equated
with Eryngium maritimum Linn.
The root possesses diuretic and antiinflammatory
properties and is used
for urinary tract infections (urethritis,
cystitis, polyurea, renal colic, prostatic
affections).
The root gave coumarins, saponins,
flavonoids, plant acids and polyphenolic
acids. Saponins are haemolytic,
rosmarinic acid is known for its antiinflammatory
activity.
Erythraea roxburghii G. Don.
Synonym ◮ Centaurium roxburghii
(G. Don) Druce.
Family ◮ Gentianaceae.
Habitat ◮ Sub-tropical and temperate
regions.
Ayurvedic ◮ Kiraat-tikta (related
species), Yavatiktaa (related species)
(A substitute for Swertia chirayita.)
Folk ◮
Action ◮
Khet-chiraayataa.
Bitter tonic.
Key application ◮ Erythraea centaurium—in
loss of appetite and
peptic discomfort. (German
Commission E.)
Erythrina indica Lam.
Synonym ◮ E. variegata Linn. var.
orientalis (Linn.) Merril.
Family ◮
Habitat ◮
English ◮
Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.
Grownasanornamental.
Indian Coral tree.
Ayurvedic ◮ Paaribhadra, Paaribhadraka,
Paarijaataka, Mandaara,
Dadap. Kantaki-palaasha, Kantkimshuka,
Raktapushpa; Nimbataru.
(Erythrina suberosa Roxb. is
also equated with Paaribhadra.)
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kaliyanamurukkan.
Folk ◮ Farhad.
Action ◮ Leaf—cathartic, diuretic,
antiseptic, anti-inflammatory.
Applied externally for dispersing
venereal buboes. Bark—antibilious,
anthelmintic, febrifuge, astringent,
expectorant. (E. variegata is an
adulterant to the Ayurvedic drug
Rohitaka.) Different parts of
the plant are used as nervine
sedative, antiepileptic, astringent,
antiasthmatic and antiseptic. Bark
is used in liver ailments, fever and
rheumatism.
A number of tetracyclic alkaloids
have been isolated from the plant.
The alkaloids showed a muscle relaxant
activity and increased the sedative
effects of hexabarbital. The alkaloids
extracted from the leaves are re-
E