Indian Medicinal Plants

602 Setaria italica (Linn.) Beauv.
S
Ayurvedic ◮ Bhuutakeshi. Selinum
sp. are also known as Bhuutakeshi.
Action ◮ Used for mental disorders
as a tranquilizer. Volatile oil—
hypotensive.
The volatile oil, distilled from the
root, contains alpha-and beta-pinene,
myrcene, limonene, p-cymene, betaphellandrene
(major constituent), fenchone,
fenchyl alcohol and acetate,
fenchyl hydroxy cinnamate, osthol, p-
hydroxy cinnamate (0.1%), sesibricin,
imperatorin and bergapten.
The volatile oil from aerial parts
causes a fall in blood pressure, vasoconstriction
and stimulation of respiration.
The action appears to be
tranquillizing. It potentiates the effects
of pentobarbital in rats and has no anticonvulsant
activity. Smooth muscle
activity is inhibited by the oil and negative
inotropic and chronotropic effects
are observed on heart muscle.
Setaria italica (Linn.) Beauv.
Family ◮
Gramineae; Poaceae.
Habitat ◮ Cultivated in Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat,
Maharashtra and Karnataka.
English ◮ Italian Millet, Fox-tail
Millet.
Ayurvedic ◮ Kangu, Kanguni,
Kangunikaa, Priyangu Dhaanya
(Millet). (Priyangu, aromatic flower
buds or seed kernels, is a different
drug. Callicarpa macrophylla and
Prunus mahaleb are equated with
Priyangu.)
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Tenai.
Action ◮ Plant—used as a sedative to
the gravid uterus. Grain—used for
alleviating pain after parturition.
Applied externally in rheumatism.
(The grain is reported injurious to
horses. Overfeeding affects kidneys
and causes swelling and inflammation
of joints.)
Analysis of a dehusked sample (79%
of whole grain) gave following values:
protein 12.3, fat 4.3, minerals 3.3,
crude fibre 8.0, and other carbohydrates
60.9%. The principal protein
of the millet is prolamin (48%), albumin
and globulin together form 13–
14% of the total protein, and glutelin
37%. The oxidation of unsaturated fatty
acids, present in the grain, during
the cold winter months is reported to
yield toxic substances.
Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.
Family ◮ Dipterocarpaceae.
Habitat ◮ North, east and central
India.
English ◮ Sal tree. Oleoresin: Sal
Dammer or Bengal Dammer.
Ayurvedic ◮ Shaala, Saalasaara,
Dhuupa-vriksha. (Substitute:
Vateria indica.)
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kungiliyam,
Venkungiliyam (resin).
Action ◮ Fruit—a paste is prescribed
in diarrhoea. Resin—astringent,
detergent; antidiarrhoeal and
antidysenteric. Essential oil of Sal
resin—antiseptic. Used for skin
diseases.