Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

Ayurvedic ◮ Bajradanti (Kumaon
and Garhwal). Potentilla fulgens
HK. is also equated with Bajradanti.
Action ◮ Rootstock—antidiarrhoeal;
used in tooth powders for
strengthening gum and teeth.
Potentilla nepalensis Hook.
Family ◮ Rosaceae.
Habitat ◮ The Himalayas from
Kashmir to Kumaon.
Folk ◮ Ratanjot (substitute).
Action ◮ Rootstocks—depurative;
ash, mixed with oil, is applied to
burns.
Pothos scandens Linn.
Family ◮ Araceae.
Habitat ◮ Cultivated as an ornamental.
Found in Bihar, North
Bengal, Orissa, Western Ghats and
Southwards.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Aanaparuga.
Action ◮ Leaves—anti-inflammatory,
antiseptic, antimicrobial. Applied to
smallpox pustules. Root—bruised
and fried in oil, applied to abscesses.
Prangos pabularia Lindl.
Family ◮ Umbelliferae; Apiaceae.
Habitat ◮ Kashmir and Himachal
Pradesh at altitudes of 1,800–
4,000 m.
Ayurvedic ◮ Avipriya.
Premna herbacea Roxb. 515
Unani ◮ Baadiyaan-kohi, Karafs-ekohi,
Fitraasaaliyun (also equated
with Petroselinum crispum Mill.
Nym. ex auct. Kew.).
Folk ◮ Komal.
Action ◮ Root and fruit—diuretic,
emmenagogue. An infusion of root
is given for indigestion and irregular
menses.
The roots and umbels yielded coumarins
and their glycosides. Osthol
(7-methoxy-8-isopentenyl-coumarin),
which occurs in the dried roots up to
the extent of 3.6%, has been found to
be a potent respiratory and circulatory
stimulant in experimental animals. Its
respirotonic effect was more marked
than that of coramine, leptazol and
caffeine.
Premna herbacea Roxb.
Synonym ◮ Pygmaeopremna herbacea
Moldenke.
Family ◮ Verbenaceae.
Habitat ◮ The sub-tropical Himalayas
and in Assam, extending southwards
through West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa
into Deccan Peninsula. Roots are
usually confused with those of
Clerodendrum serratum and are
sold as Bhaarangi.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Siru Thekku.
Folk ◮ Gethiaa, Ghantu Bhaarangi.
Baaman-haati (Bengal). Fruits
are known as Bhuumi-jambu,
Phin Jaamun. The root is known
as Bhaarangamuula; in Andhra
Pradesh, Gandu Bhaarangi.
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