Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

antiseptic. Used for indigestion,
diarrhoea, dysentery and disorders
of liver and gallbladder.
Key application ◮ In constipation.
Contraindicated in acute intestinal
inflammation and obstruction.
(German Commission E, ESCOP,
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia,
WHO.)
Rhubarb contains 1,8-dihydroxyanthracene
derivatives. The laxative
effect of the herb is primarily due to its
influence on the motility of the colon,
inhibiting stationary and stimulating
propulsive contractions. Stimulation
of the chloride secretion increases the
water and electrolyte content of stool.
(German Commission E.)
The plant extract of R. officinale
is found to be strong and effective
scavenger of oxygen radicals in xanthine/xanthine
oxidase and other systems
in vitro.
Rheum rhaponticum, known as Rhapontic
or English rhubarb, is extensively
cultivated all over Europe and America;
also cultivated to a small extent in
India in the Khasi Hills, the Nilgiris
and West Bengal.
Rhubarbs contain anthraquinones
but English rhubarb contains only
chrysophanic acid and some of its glycosides.
Stilbene glycosides, present in
other types, are also found in English
rhubarb. The roots contain rhapontin.
(1.42%), reported to restore oestrus
cycle in castrated female rats.
Rheum webbianum Royle.
Family ◮ Polygonaceae.
Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz. 545
Habitat ◮ Western Himalayas.
Folk ◮ Archa.
Action ◮ Antispasmodic, muscle
relaxant, antiseptic.
The rhizomes contain desoxyrhapontigenin.
The compound, like papaverine,
exhibited smooth muscle relaxant
activity in a wide variety of in
vitro and in vivo tests. Aqueous alcoholic
extract showed papaverine-like
non-specific spasmolytic activity.
The paste of fresh rhizomes is applied
on burns, blisters and boils to
prevent scar formation.
Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz.
Synonym ◮ R. communis Nees.
Justicia nasuta L.
Family ◮ Acanthaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout the greater
part of India.
English ◮ Snake Jasmine.
Ayurvedic ◮ Yuuthiparni, Yuuthikaparni.
Paalaka-Juuhi.
Unani ◮ Gul-baglaa.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Nagamalli.
Action ◮ Leaf, seed and root—used
for skin diseases. A paste of the
root, with lime juice, is applied
externally to eczema, ringworm and
Dhobi’s itch.
The roots are reported to contain an
antiseptic and antiparasitic active principle,
rhinacanthin (1.9%). The plant is
rich in potassium salts; also contains
oxymethyl anthraquinones.
The flowers contain rutin.
R