Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

causes inflammation of the digestive
tract. Used after drying or as
a homoeopathic medicine for skin
diseases.
The plant contains anemonin, protoanemonin,
ranunculine, serotonin
and other tryptamine derivatives.
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine)
is a potent vaso-constrictor. Protoanemonin
possesses strong antibacterial,
antiviral, cytopathogenic and
vermicidal properties, and is effective
against both Gram-positive and Gramnegative
bacteria, similar to penicillic
acid. It inhibits the growth of E. coli,
Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.
It inactivates in vitro diptheria
toxin.
Dosgae ◮ Whole plant—1–3 g
powder. (CCRAS.)
Ranunculus trichophyllus Chaix.
Synonym ◮ R. aquatilis Linn. var.
capillaceus DC.
Family ◮ Ranunculaceae.
Habitat ◮ Kashmir to Sikkim.
English ◮
Fennel.
Water Crowfoot, Water
Ayurvedic ◮ Kaandira (var.).
Folk ◮ Tohlab (Kashmir).
Action ◮ Herb—used in intermittent
fevers, rheumatism and asthma.
Ranunculus muricatus Linn. (Punjab
and Kashmir) is used in intermittent
fevers, gout and asthma in Europe.
The herb is rubefacient, vesicant and
narcotic.
Raphanus sativus Linn.
Raphanus sativus Linn. 537
Family ◮ Cruciferae; Brassicaceae.
Habitat ◮ Cultivated in Uttar
Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra and
Gujarat.
English ◮ Radish.
Ayurvedic ◮ Muulaka, Laghumuulaka,
Muulakapotikaa, Visra,
Shaaleya, Marusambhava. Pods—
Sungraa, Singri, Mungraa.
Unani ◮ Muuli, Turb Fajal.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Mullangi.
Action ◮ Radish—preparations
are used in liver, gallbladder and
urinary complaints. Green leaves—
diuretic and carminative. Seeds—
diuretic, purgative, expectorant.
A decoction of dry radish is given
orally in piles. Extract of the dry root
is given for hiccough, influenza, dysentery,
colic and urinary troubles.
Key application ◮ In peptic disorders,
especially those related to dyskinesia
of the bile ducts; and in catarrhs
of the upper respiratory tract.
(German Commission E.)
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India
recommends the juice of the whole
plant in sinusitis; juice of the root in
diseases of the throat and sinusitis; and
the seed in amenorrhoea, cough and
dyspnoea.
The fleshy root and seeds contain
trans-4-methyl-thiobutenyl isothiocyanate
glucoside (the pungent principle),cyanidin-5-glucoside-3-sophoro-
R