Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

A
42 Amaranthus tricolor Linn.
English ◮ Spiny Amaranth, Thorny
Amaranth, Spiny Pigweed.
Ayurvedic ◮ Tanduliya, Tandulaka,
Meghnaad, Megharava, Vishaghn,
Alpamaarish.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Mullukkeerai.
Folk ◮ Katili-chaulai.
Action ◮ Galactogenic, laxative,
emollient, spasmolytic, diuretic.
Pollen extract—used for allergic
asthma and allergic rhinitis. Root—
used in menorrhoea.
Plant contains sterols. Leaves and
stems contain alpha-spinasterol and
hentriacontane. Leaves also contain
amino acids with high content of lysine.
Dosage ◮ Whole plant—10–20 ml
juice; 400–800 mg powder.
(CCRAS.)
Amaranthus tricolor Linn.
Synonym ◮ A. gangeticus Linn.
A. melancholicus Linn.
A. polygamus Linn. Hook. f. in part.
A. tristis Linn.
Family ◮ Amaranthaceae.
Habitat ◮ Cultivated throughout
India.
English ◮ Chinese Spinach, Garden
Amaranth, Fountain Plant.
Ayurvedic ◮ Maarisha-rakta (red
var.).
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Arai-keerai, Sirukeerai,
Thandu-keerai, Mulakkerai
(Tamil).
Folk ◮ Laal Shaak, Laal Marashaa.
Action ◮ Astringent (in menorrhagia,
leucorrhoea, dysentery, diarrhoea,
haemorrhagic colitis); also used in
cough, bronchitis and consumption;
externally emollient.
The plant contains amarantin, isoamarantin,
betaine, amino acids, sterols.
Dosage ◮ Leaf, seed, root—10–20 ml
juice. (API Vol. III.) Powder—2–
4g.(CCRAS.)
Amberboa divaricata Kuntze
Synonym ◮ Volutarella divaricata
Benth. and Hook. F.
Family ◮ Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat ◮ Distributed in the Mediterranean
region, extending to Central
Asia and India.
Ayurvedic ◮ Brahmadandi (Tricholepis
glaberrima DC. of the
same family is also equated with
Brahmadandi.)
Unani ◮ Baadaavard.
Action ◮ Deobstruent, aperient,
febrifuge, nervine (used in debility),
antiseptic (used in leucoderma).
Ammannia baccifera Linn.
Family ◮ Lythraceae.
Habitat ◮ Marshy areas throughout
India, as a weed.
English ◮ Blistering Ammannia.
Ayurvedic ◮ Agnipatri.