Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

Remusatia vivipara Schott.
Family ◮ Araceae.
Habitat ◮ Maharashtra, Karnataka.
Folk ◮ Rukhaalu, Maanakand
(Maharashtra). Lakshmanaa is
a doubtful synonym
Action ◮ Root—use for obstinate
skin diseases and pruritus; also
for disinfecting genitourinary tract
and for promoting conception.
Alocasia indica and Eulophia nuda
are also known as Maanakanda in
Indian medicine. Alocasia indica
is used in Siddha medicine as an
anti-inflammatory and diuretic
herb.
Reseda luteola Linn.
Family ◮ Resedaccae.
Habitat ◮ Indigenous to western
Europe; grown in gardens in India.
English ◮ Dyer’s Rocket, Weld.
Action ◮ Plant—diuretic, diaphoretic,
anthelmintic.
A luteolin glucoside, luteoloside, has
been isolated from the fresh blossoms
and outer parts of the plant. It has a low
toxicityandmildinfluenceoncapillary
resistance and possesses diuretic properties.
Reseda odorata Linn., known as
Mignonette, is indigenous to North
Africa and cultivated in gardens in
India.
The herb is reported to allay irritation
and ease pains. The seeds are
applied externally as a resolvent. The
Rhamnus purshiana DC. 541
root is acrid and is used in Spain as
a laxative, diuretic and diaphoretic.
Rhamnus procumbens Edgew.
Family ◮ Rhamnaceae.
Habitat ◮ Western Himalayas from
Simla to Kumaon at an altitude of
2,300 to 2,600 m.
English ◮ Buckthorn (related
species).
Action ◮ Plant—anticonvulsant,
anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer.
The plant contains kaempferol,
kaempferol-7-O-methyl ether and
kaempferol-4 ′ -O-methyl ether.
The ethyl acetate soluble portion
of the alcoholic extract showed antinociceptive,
anticonvulsant and antiinflammatory
activity. Kaempferol-4 ′ -
O-methyl ether was found to exhibit
central nervous system depressant,
cardiac stimulant, antispasmodic and
anti-inflammatory activity.
The plant also contain emodin,
which exhibited cardiac and intestinal
stimulant, central nervous system
depressant and analgesic activity in
experimental animals.
Rhamnus purshiana DC.
Synonym ◮ Frangula purshiana (DC)
A. Grey.
Family ◮ Rhamnaceae.
Habitat ◮ Native to Europe;
introduced in Kashmir, Himachal
Pradesh, Bhutan and the Nilgiris.
R