Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

Action ◮ Stimulant, cordial, rubefacient.A
gargle of infusion is prescribed
for relaxed vulva. Root—
used for toothache, rheumatic and
neuralgic affections and rhinitis.
Roots, along with the root of Withania
somnifera and Vitis vinifera, are
used in epilepsy.
Along with other therapeutic applications,
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia
of India indicates the use of the root
in sciatica, paralysis, hemiplegia and
amenorrhoea.
The root contains anacycline, isobutylamide,
inulin and a trace of essential
oil.
The local anaesthetic activity of the
alcoholic (2%) extract of the root was
found to be comparable to that of xylocaine
hydrochloride (2%) in dental
patients.
Use of the drug in patients with
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
reduces the dose of insulin. It decreased
the plasma glucose and serum
cholesterol levels after oral administration
for 3–6 weeks. (The plant is
mixed with Helleborus nigar in a ratio
of 1:3.) The plant extract inhibited
tobacco-induced mutagenesis by 47.5%
at a concentration of 1 mg/plate.
Dosage ◮ Root—500 mg to 1 g
powder. (CCRAS.)
Anagallis arvensis Linn.
Family ◮ Primulaceae.
Habitat ◮ Northwestern Himalayas
from Kashmir eastwards to Nepal,
hills of West Bengal; Central and
southern India.
Anamirta cocculus (Linn.) Wight and Arn. 47
English ◮ Bird’s Eye, Bird’s Tongue,
Blue Pimpernel, Scarlet Pimpernel.
Unani ◮ Anaaghaalis.
Folk ◮ Jonkmaari (Maharashtra),
Dhabbar (Punjab), Jighanaa,
Jenghani.
Action ◮ Plant—anti-inflammatory,
astringent, deobstructant, antifungal,
nematocidal; toxic to
leeches.
The plant yields anagalligenone B.
The presence of quaternary alkaloids,
gluco-fructoside and tannin have been
reported. The root yields glycosidic
saponins, including cyclamin. An
acetyl saponin, isolated from the plant,
was found to possess marked taenicidal
activity but had no effect on roundworms.
A methanolic extract of the aerial
parts showed activity against herpes
simplex I, adenovirus type II and polio
type II. Triterepene saponins have
oestrogenic activity.
Anamirta cocculus
(Linn.) Wight and Arn.
Synonym ◮ A. paniculata Colebr.
Family ◮ Menispermaceae.
Habitat ◮ The Khasi Hills, Orissa and
peninsular India.
English ◮ Fish Berry, Levant Berry,
Poison Berry, Crow Killer.
Ayurvedic ◮ Kaakaadani, Kaakamaari.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kaakkaikkollividai.
Action ◮ Insecticide, antifungal;
highly valued in skin diseases; used
A