Indian Medicinal Plants

562 Rumex acetosa Linn.
R
Rumex acetosa Linn.
Family ◮
Polygonaceae.
Habitat ◮ Western Himalayas from
Kashmir to Kumaon.
English ◮ Garden Sorrel, Sorrel
Dock.
Ayurvedic ◮ Chukram, Chuukaa.
Unani ◮ Hammaaz-Barri.
Action ◮ Laxative, diuretic, antiscorbutic,
refrigerant. Used for scurvy,
as a cooling drink in febrile disorders,
as a corrective of scrofulous
deposits. Seeds—astringent (in
haemorrhages).
Flowers—hepatoprotective and antihaemorrhagic.
Root—used for jaundice,
also for gravel and stone in the
kidneys.
Aerial parts gave rutin, hyperin
and vitexin and traces of oxymethylanthraquinone.
The roots contain
anthraquinones—chrysophanol, physcion
and emodin anthrones.
The leaves contain 124.0 mg/100 g
ascorbic acid, about 0.3% oxalic acid.
Free oxalic acid caused fatal hypoglycaemia
in rabbits.
Rumex acetosella Linn.
Family ◮
Polygonaceae.
Habitat ◮ Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim
and the Nilgiris.
English ◮ Sheep Sorrel.
Ayurvedic ◮ Chukrikaa, Chuko.
Unani ◮ Hammaaz, Shaaka-turshak,
Tursh, Jangali Paalak.
Action ◮ Diuretic, diaphoretic,
antiscorbutic, refrigerant. Fresh
plant is used in urinary and kidney
diseases.
The herb contains anthraquinones,
chrysophanol, emodin and physcion.
Free ascorbic acid content (50–150
mg/100 g) remains constant throughout
the year.
Rumex crispus Linn.
Family ◮
Polygonaceae.
Habitat ◮ Native to Europe; found in
Mt. Abu.
English ◮ Yellow Dock, Curled Dock.
Ayurvedic ◮ Chukra, Chukrikaa,
Patraamla, Rochani, Shatvedhani.
Action ◮ Root—used as a laxative
in rheumatism, bilious disorders,
and as an astringent in piles and
haemorrhagic affections; also
used for skin eruptions, chronic
skin diseases, scrofula, scurvy,
congested liver and jaundice. Acts
like Sarsaparilla when used for
scrofulous skin affections and
glandular swellings. Seeds—
astringent. Used for dysentery.
The root contains anthraquinones
(about 2.17–4%) including nepodin,
and other glycosides based on chrysophanol,
physcion and emodin; also
tannins, rumicin and oxalates. Large
doses should be avoided. Disturbances
caused by the plant are attributed
to rumicin. The root and rhizome
are reported to stimulate bile production.
(Natural Medicines Comprehensive
Database, 2007.)