Indian Medicinal Plants

74 Averrhoa bilimbi Linn.
A
Action ◮ Nervine tonic (used
in spermatorrhoea, palpitation,
sleeplessness), cardiac tonic (used in
debility), stimulant, antispasmodic,
thymoleptic, antidepressant (used
in menopausal phase). Also used
in diarrhoea, dysentery, colitis.
Externally, emollient.
Key application ◮ Oat straw—
externally in baths for inflammatory
and seborrhoeic skin diseases.
(German Commission E.) Theeffect
on blood sugar is less than that from
most of the fiber-containing herbs
and foods. (Sharon M. Herr.)
The seeds contain proteins and prolamines
(avenins); C-glycosyl flavones;
avenacosides (spirostanol glycosides);
fixed oil, vitamin E, starch.
Silicon dioxide (2%) occurs in the
leaves and in the straw in soluble form
as esters of silicic acid with polyphenols
and monosaccharides and oligosaccharides.
Oat straw contains a high content of
iron (39 mg/kg dry weight), manganese
(8.5 mg) and zinc (19.2 mg).
In an experimental study, oat straw
stimulated the release of luteinizing
hormone from the adenohypophysis of
rats. (Expanded Commission E Monographs.)
An alcoholic extract of green oats
was tried on opium addicts. Six chronic
opium addicts gave up opium completely,
two reduced their intake and
twoshowednochangefollowingregular
use of 2 ml three times daily (human
clinical study). A significant diminishment
of the number of cigarettes used
by habitual tobacco smokers resulted
from using 1 ml (four times daily) of
fresh Avena alcoholic extract of mature
plants; however, a few studies gave disappointing
results. (Francis Brinker.)
Oat polyphenol composition prevented
the increase of cholesterol and
beta-lipoprotein of blood serum of
fasting rabbits. Antioxidant property
of the oat flour remains unaffected
by heat. Homoeopathic tincture
ofseedsisusedasanervinetonic.
Beta-glucan from the oats stimulated
immune functions.
Avenacosides exhibit strong antifungal
activity in vitro.
Averrhoa bilimbi Linn.
Family ◮ Oxalidaceae; Averrhoaceae.
Habitat ◮ Native to Malaysia;
cultivated throughout the country.
English ◮ Bilimbi, Tree Sorrel.
Ayurvedic ◮ Karmaranga (var.).
Unani ◮ Belambu (a variety of
Kamrakh).
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Pilimbi, Pulichakkai.
Action ◮ Asyrupmadefromthe
fruits is used in febrile excitement,
haemorrhages and internal haemorrhoids;
also in diarrhoea, bilious
colic and hepatitis. The fruit is used
for scurvy. An infusion of flowers is
given for cough.
Averrhoa carambola Linn.
Family ◮ Oxalidaceae; Averrhoaceae.
Habitat ◮ Native to Malaysia;
cultivated throughout the warmer
parts of India, especially in Kerala.