Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

diseases. As a tonic for promoting
conception. (The Ayurvedic
Pharmacopoeia of India.)
The leaves, fruits and bark gave
flavone glycosides. The bark contains
5–7% tannin. The kernel contains
a considerable proportion of hydrocyanic
acid. The leaves contain amygdalin.
(Amygdalin, a nitrile glycoside,
has been reported to inhibit the growth
of Sarcoma-180 cells in culture.)
Prunus domestica Linn.
Synonym ◮ P. communis Huds.
Family ◮ Rosaceae.
Habitat ◮ Cultivated in Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh and Kumaon.
English ◮ Prune.
Ayurvedic ◮ Aaruka (Prunus domestica
var. insititia). Aaluubukhaaraa.
Unani ◮ Aaluuchaa.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Alpagada-pungam.
Action ◮ Fruit—refrigerant, laxative,
nutritive. Improves haemoglobin
levels in iron deficiency. Promotes
excretion of excess calcium by
the kidneys. An adjuvant for
atherosclerosis and arthritis.
Root—astringent.
The fruit pulp contains about 44%
sugar and malic acid as major constituents.
Kernel contains fixed oil
about 45% and amygdalin and benzoic
acid among others.
The crude extract of the fruit was
found effective in controlling centrally
induced emesis in dogs. The ac-
Prunus persica Batsch. 521
tion was comparable to that of Metoclopramide
(Maxolon) and chlorpromazine
(Largactil).
Prunus mahaleb Linn.
Family ◮ Rosaceae.
Habitat ◮ Native to Europe and
West Asia, introduced in India and
grownasanornamental.
English ◮ Mahaleb Cherry.
Ayurvedic ◮ Gandha-priyangu.
(Priyangu is equated with Callicarpa
macrophylla Vahl.)
Unani ◮ Mahlib, Habb-ul-Mihlab.
Folk ◮ Ghaulaa (Maharashtra).
Action ◮ Kernel—paste applied
externally for treating freckles and
blemishes. Contains coumarin,
salicylic acid, amygdalin and hydrocyanic
acid as major constituents;
the oil gave alpha-elecsteric acid.
Prunus persica Batsch.
Synonym ◮ Persica vulgaris Nutt.
Amydgala persica Linn.
Family ◮ Rosaceae.
Habitat ◮ Native to China; cultivated
in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and
Kumaon.
English ◮ Peach.
Ayurvedic ◮ Aaluka, Aaruka, Aru,
Pichuka.
Action ◮ Fruit—mild tranquillizer,
expectorant, diuretic, antipyretic.
Bark or leaves—used as tea for
P