Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

674 Trifolium pratense Linn.
T
of lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic,
arachidic, behenic, palmitoleic, linoleic
and linolenic acid is reported in
aerial parts except flower tops.
Trifolium pratense Linn.
Family ◮ Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.
Habitat ◮ Kashmir to Garhwal at
1,200–2,400 m, and the Nilgiris.
English ◮ Red Clover.
Unani ◮ Ispast, Berseem, Clover
(equated with T. alexandricum
Linn.)
Folk ◮ Trepatra (Punjab).
Action ◮ Flower—deobstruent, antispasmodic,
expectorant, sedative,
anti-inflammatory, antidermatosis.
Used for psoriasis, eczema and other
skin diseases; and as an expectorant
in coughs and bronchitis. Also used
as antineoplastic against tumours and
hard swellings.
The plant contains iso-flavonoids—
calycosin-7-galactoside, calycosin,
pseudobaptigenin, fornononetin, diadzein
and medicagol; also hydroxypterocarpans.
The flowerheads contain phenolic
glycosides, flavonoids, salicylates,
coumarins, cyanogenic glycosides,
starch and fatty acids. Flavonoids
in the flowers and leaves are oestrogenic;
provide relief in menopausal
complaints.
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia
recognizes anti-inflammatory property
of the flower.
Trifolium alexandricum, according
to National Formulary of Unani Medi-
cine, is used as Ispast. The seeds contain
xanthosin.
Trigonella corniculata Linn.
Family ◮ Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.
Habitat ◮ Kashmir to Sikkim, and in
Bihar and West Bengal. Cultivated
in North India.
Unani ◮ Pirang.
Folk ◮ Kasuri Methi, Maarwaari
Methi, Champaa Methi.
Action ◮ Leaves—rich in phosphorus.
Fruits—bitter, astringent and
styptic. Applied to swellings and
bruises.
The seeds afforded ethyl-alpha-Dgalactopyranoside,glycoflavones—vitexin
(apigenin-C-glucoside), apigenin-6-8-di-C-monoglucoside
and its
monoacetate; also contain triacontane,
22,23-dihydrostigmasterol, choline and
betaine; saponins on hydrolysis gave
yuccagenin and diosgenin.
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Linn.
Family ◮ Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.
Habitat ◮ Widely cultivated in many
parts of India.
English ◮ Fenugreek.
Ayurvedic ◮ Methikaa, Methi,
Vastikaa, Selu, Methini, Dipani,
Bahupatrikaa, Bodhaini, Gandhaphala.
Unani ◮ Hulbaa, Methi.