Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

624 Stellaria aquatica (L.) Scop.
S
inflammations and fever. An
infusion of the bark is used against
diarrhoea and dysentery.
The leaves contain friedelin, stigmasterol,
ursolic acid, hispidulin, scutellarein,
choline, phenolic acids, chlorogenic
acid and flavonoids—6-hydroxyluteolol-7-glucuronide,
luteolol-
7-glucuronide and apigenol-7-glucuronide.
Stems and leaves gave an iridoid
glycoside, tarphetalin (ipolamiide).
The leaves are reported to be
used for colds and cough.
Stellaria aquatica (L.) Scop.
Family ◮ Caryophyllaceae.
Habitat ◮ Temperate Himalayas
from Kashmir to Uttar Pradesh at
1,200–2,400 m.
English ◮ Chickweed, Water
Starwort.
Folk ◮ Budeolaa.
Action ◮ Leaves—decoction used in
galactorrhoea.
Fresh plant contains an essential oil
having 3-hydroxymethylfuran, alphapinene,
limonene, n-hexanol, geraniol,
camphor, benzyl alcohol, guaiacol,
cresol, eugenol and carvacrol as
the major constituents.
Stellaria media (Linn.) Vill.
Synonym ◮ Alsine media Linn.
Family ◮ Caryophyllaceae.
Habitat ◮
1,650 m.
Throughout India at 600–
English ◮ Common Chickweed.
Folk ◮ Kokoon (Jammu); Safed Fulki,
Buchbuchaa (Delhi).
Action ◮ Antirheumatic, antiinflammatory,
astringent, refrigerant,
demulcent, emollient,
vulnerary, antipruritic. Dispels excessive
body heat, relieves irritation.
Used internally for rheumatism,
externally in the form of ointment
for chronic skin conditions, varicose
ulcers and abscesses. Applied as
a plaster for broken bones and
swellings.
The plant contains saponin glycosides,
coumarins, flavonoids (including
rutin), carboxylic acid. The leaves
contain vitamin C and carotene.
The plant also contains mucilage and
is rich in potassium and silicon. The
aerial parts, in post-flowering period,
contain 44 mg/100 g of vitamn E.
Stephania glabra Miers.
Family ◮ Menispermaceae.
Habitat ◮ Himalayas from Simla
to Sikkim, Khasi Hills and
Assam.
Ayurvedic ◮ Used as Paathaa
(Cissampelos pareira).
Folk ◮ Gidaangu (Garhwal), Paahraa
(Dehradun).
Action ◮ Tubers—used in pulmonary
diseases, asthma, intestinal,
disorders and hyperglycaemia.
Alkaloid palmitine exhibits antibiotic
activity; stepharine anti-cholinesterase,
cycleanine anti-inflammatory