Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

Key application ◮ Externally in
catarrhal diseases of the respiratory
tract and muscular rheumatism;
internally in hypotonic circulatory
regulation disorders, Catarrhal
diseases of the respiratory tract.
(German Commission E.)
The plant contains a volatile oil
comprising camphor, safrole, linalool,
eugenol and terpeneol. It also contains
lignans (including secoisosolariciresinol
dimethyl ether and kusunokiol).
Safrole is thought to be carcinogenic.
Theleafoilisanaturalsourceof
linalool (94.9%); also contained citronellal
(2.4%).
Camphor in concentration of 500
mcg/ml completely inhibits the growth
of vibro parahaemolyticus, one of the
causative agents of diarrhoea and dysentery.
Ethanolic extract (50%) of
fruits show antibacterial activity
against several Gram-positive and
Gram-negative bacteria. The essential
oil from the plant possesses antifungal
activity against many fungi.
Camphor is toxic at 2–20 g.
Dosage ◮ Concentrate—125–375 mg
(CCRAS.)
Cinnamomum cassia Blume.
Synonym ◮ C. aromaticum Nees.
Family ◮ Lauraceae.
Habitat ◮ Native to China, Indonesia
and Vietnam.
English ◮
Bark.
Chinese Cinnamon, Cassia
Ayurvedic ◮ Tvak, Daalchini (bark).
Cinnamomum cassia Blume. 149
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Lavangappattai.
Action ◮ Antispasmodic, carminative,
antiputrescent, antidiarrhoeal,
antiemetic, antimicrobial, mild
analgesic. Used for flatulent
dyspepsia, colic, irritable bowel,
diverticulosis; also for influenza
and colds.
Key application ◮ In loss of appetite,
dyspeptic complaints such as mild
spasma of gastrointestinal tract,
bloating, flatulence. (German
Commission E, The British Herbal
Pharmacopoeia, ESCOP.)
The bark yields an essential oil containing
cinnamaldehyde (82.2%) and
eugenol (1.5%) as major constituents.
Cinnamaldehyde is a weak CNS
stimulant at low doses and a depressant
at high doses and has spasmolytic
activity. It is hypotensive, hypoglycaemic
and increases peripheral blood
flow; it reduces platelet aggregability
by inhibiting both cyclooxygenase and
lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic
acid metabolism.
Aqueous extract of the bark shows
significant antiallergic activity in
guinea pig. Diterpenes (Cinncassiols)
are thought to be responsible for
atleast some of the antiallergic effects.
The herb inhibited ulcers induced
by ethanol, also ulcers induced by
phenylbutazone; failed to prevent ulcers
induced by indomethacin. (Planta
Med 1989,55(3),245–248.)
The extract, when administered
orally to rats with nephritis, prevents
the increase of protein level in urine.
The bark markedly reduces blood
pressure in experimental rats; exhibits
tranquilizing effect and is used as
C