Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

134 Ceiba pentandra (Linn.) Gaertn.
C
ity against acute and chronic inflammations.
Aqueous extract of the bark
is found effective in reducing sugar
content of diabetic patient’s urine and
blood to normal levels.
Dosage ◮ Heartwood—3–6 g
powder. (API Vol. IV.)
Ceiba pentandra (Linn.) Gaertn.
Synonym ◮ Eriodendron anafractuosum
DC.
Family ◮ Bombacaceae.
Habitat ◮ West and South India.
Often found planted around villages
and temples.
English ◮ Kapok, White Silk Cotton.
Ayurvedic ◮ Kuuta-Shaalmali, Shveta
Shaalmali.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Ielavum (Tamil).
Action ◮ Gum—laxative, astringent,
demulcent (given in painful micturition).
Unripe fruit—astringent.
Root—diuretic, antidiabetic, antispasmodic
(used in dysentery).
Flowers—laxative; used in lochiorrhoea.
Unripe pods—used in
vertigo and migraine. Seed oil—
used in rheumatism.
The plant contains linarin (acacetin
7-rutinoside). Seeds contain fatty acids,
diglycerides and phospholipids. Leaves
are considered a good source of iron
and calcium. Stem-bark extract—antimicrobial.
Celastrus paniculatus Willd.
Family ◮ Celastraceae.
Habitat ◮ Sub-Himalayan tract up to
2,000 m and South Indian hills.
English ◮ Staff tree, Intellect tree.
Ayurvedic ◮ Jyotishmati, Paaraavatpadi.
Kangunikaa, Kanguni, Vegaa,
Maalkaanguni, Svarnalatikaa,
Kaakaandaki, Katuveekaa.
Unani ◮ Maalkangani.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Vaaluluvai.
Action ◮ Seeds—nervine and
brain tonic, diaphoretic, febrifugal,
emetic. Seed-oil—used for treating
mental depression, hysteria and for
improving memory; also used for
scabies, eczema, wounds, rheumatic
pains, paralysis. A decoction of
seeds is given in gout, rheumatism,
paralysis and for treating leprosy
and other skin diseases. Leaves—
antidysenteric, emmenagogue.
Root—a paste of root-bark is
applied to swollen veins and
pneumonic affections.
Key application ◮ As a tranquilizer
(Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia)
and brain tonic (The Ayurvedic
Pharmacopoeia of India). The
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India
indicated the use of ripe seed in
leucoderma and vitiligo.
The seeds are reported to contain the
alkaloids, celastrine and paniculatine,
which are the active principles of the
drug.
In experimental animals, the drug
showed lowering of leptazol toxicity,
motor activity and amphetamine toxicity,
and raising the capacity for learning
process. It showed significant CNS
depressant effect and a clear synergism