Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

Siddha/Tamil ◮ Erumaikkottan.
Action ◮ Astringent, diuretic (given
in dropsy and anasarca, also in
biliousness, chronic dysentery,
haemoptysis and for supressing
lactation after still-birth); piscicidal
and insecticidal (used as a hair-wash
for killing vermin).
The plant contains aporphine alkaloids.
Castanea sativa Mill.
Synonym ◮ C. vulgaris Lam.
Family ◮ Fagaceae.
Habitat ◮ Darjeeling, Khasi Hills,
Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
English ◮ Spanish Chestnut, Sweet
Chestnut.
Folk ◮ Singhaaraa (not to be confused
with water-chestnut, Tripa natans
L.)
Action ◮ Leaves—astringent,
antitussive and febrifuge (used
for fevers and diseases of the
respiratory tract). An infusion is
used as a gargle in pharyngitis,
proxysmal coughs, catarrh and
whooping cough. Nuts—extract, as
platelet inhibitor in thrombosis and
atherosclerosis.
The leaves contain tannins (8–9%)
flavone glycosides, triterpenoids, ursolic
acid, lupeol and betulin. Heartwood
contains 61.4% tannins and 25.7% nontannins.
The wood and bark contain 7–
14 and 8–14% tannins respectively.
Nuts are eaten raw, roasted or boiled
like potatoes. Nuts contain protein,
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. 131
calcium, phosphorus, thiamine, riboflavin
and niacin; also tocopherols.
Nuts, crushed with vinegar and barley
flour, are used against indurations of
breast. The extract of nuts exhibits possibility
of its use as a platelet inhibitor in
thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Leaves
are inhibitors of pectinolytic enzymes.
American chestnut and European
chestnut are equated with Castanea
dentata and C. sativa,respectively. Both
are used for respiratory ailments.
Casuarina equisetifolia Linn.
Family ◮ Casuarinaceae.
Habitat ◮ Cultivated in coastal
regions of Peninsular India.
English ◮ Casuarina, She-Oak,
Australian or Whistling Pine,
Beefwood.
Ayurvedic ◮ Jhaau, Vilaayati Jhaau.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Savukku.
Action ◮ Bark—astringent, antidiarrhoeal.
Leaf—antispasmodic,
used in colic. Aerial parts—
hypoglycaemic.
The plant contains kaempferol glycoside,
quercetin glycoside, cupressuflavone,
tannins, shikimic acid, quinic
acid, amino acids, sugars.
Catharanthus roseus
(L.) G. Don.
Synonym ◮ Vinca rosea L.
Lochnera rosea (L.) Reichub.
Family ◮ Apocynaceae.
C