Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

exhibited anti-tubercular activity, also
antitumour in vitro, and hypotensive.
Dosage ◮ Leaf—40–80 ml infusion;
latex—3–6 g (CCRAS.)
Carissa carandas Linn. var.
congesta (Wt.) Bedd.
Family ◮ Apocynaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout India.
English ◮ Christ’s Thorn, Bengal
Currant.
Ayurvedic ◮ Karinkaara, Karamarda,
Krishnapaakphal, Kshirphena,
Sushena, (Karamardakaa is equated
with C. spinarum Linn.)
Unani ◮ Karondaa.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kalakke.
Action ◮ Used for acidity, flatulence,
poor digestion, as a slimming diet.
Juice of the fresh plant is used for
infected wounds that refuse to heal.
Root—paste used for diabetic ulcer.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India
indicated the stem bark in obstinate
skin diseases, and the root in urinary
disorders.
Alcoholic extract of roots exhibit
hypotensive activity. Roots yield cardioactive
compounds; cardiotonic activity
is due to glucoside of odoroside
H.
Fresh fruits are rich in ascorbic acid
(105 g/100 g fruit juice). The seeds are
rich in potassium (360 mg/100 g fresh
matter).
Dosage ◮ Stem bark—48 g for
decoction. (API Vol. II); root—
1–3 g (API Vol. III).
Carthamus tinctorius Linn. 123
Carissa opaca Stapf. Ex Haines.
Synonym ◮ C. spinarum auct. non L.
Family ◮ Apocynaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout the country
in dry regions, especially in Punjab
and Kashmir.
Ayurvedic ◮ Karamardikaa.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Chirukila Chiru.
Folk ◮ Jangali Karondaa. Garnaa
(Punjab).
Action ◮ Plant—cardiotonic. Root—
purgative.
The root contains caffeic acid, cardiac
glycosides—odorosides B, C, G
and H, and evomonoside.
Carissa paucinervia A. DC. is also
equated with the wild var. of Karondaa.
Carthamus tinctorius Linn.
Family ◮ Asteraceae.
Habitat ◮ Cultivated mainly as an
oil-seed crop in Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra.
English ◮ Safflower.
Ayurvedic ◮ Kusumbha, Vahinshikhaa,
Vastraranjaka, Kusum.
Unani ◮ Qurtum.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Chendurakam.
Action ◮ Oil—aids prevention of
arteriosclerosis, coronary heart
disease and kidney disorders as
a polyunsaturated fat. Flowers—
stimulant, sedative, diuretic,
emmenagogue; used in fevers and
eruptive skin conditions, measles.
C