Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

Family ◮ Poaceae.
Habitat ◮ Warmer parts of India,
from Punjab to Bengal and in South
India.
English ◮ Camel-Hay.
Ayurvedic ◮ Rohisha (var.).
Unani ◮ Rusaa Ghaas, Izkhar.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Karpurapul, Rohishatrna.
Action ◮ Roots and rhizome—
carminative, stimulant, diaphoretic,
emmenagogue; used for fever, cold
and genitourinary affections.
Fresh leaves yield an essential oil
(yield 0.8%). It contains a series of
methyl ketones, along with limonene
19.5, camphene 8.0%, and a group of
oxygenated sesquiterpenes, the major
being elemol 4.5%.
The fragrant oil is known as Rusa
or Geranium Oil and is used as a substitute
for rose oil. It exhibits stimulant,
carminative, antispasmodic and
diaphoretic properties. It is applied externally
in rheumatism and neuralgia.
Cynara scolymus Linn.
Family ◮ Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat ◮ Monastery gardens of
Europe. Now cultivated in India.
English ◮ Globe Artichoke.
Unani ◮ Harshaf.
Action ◮ Herb—antitoxic, liver
restorative, hypocholesterolaemic.
Water soluble extract is used for
liver and renal diseases for its
cholagogic and choleretic action
Cynodon dactylon Pers. 193
(flow of bile increases up to 60 per
cent). Artichokes assist digestion of
fats, are known as diabetic’s potato
in Europe.
Key application ◮ In dyspeptic
problems. (German Commission E.)
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia
reported hepatic action.
All parts of the plant contains sesquiterpene
lactone cynaropecrin and
inulin. The leaves contain cynarin.
Hepatic activity of the leaves is due
topolyphenolssuchascynarin,caffeoylquinic
acid derivatives and flavonoids.
Cynarin and caffeic acid exhibited
hepatoprotective activity in
CCl4-treated rats. (A minimum of
1% polyphenols and 0.2% flavonoids
in the dried leaves is required for the
activity.)
The plant is included in indigenous
compound formulations recommended
for viral and drug-induced hepatitis.
All parts of the plant stimulate digestive
secretions, especially bile, and are
used for the treatment of gallbladder
problems. Plant is used as a diuretic
in dropsy. The plant is also used
against atherosclerosis and for lowering
cholesterol levels.
The extract gave mixed results in
preventing alcohol-induced hangover.
(CMAJ, 169, 2003, 1269–73; Natural
Medicines Comprehensive Database,
2007.)
Cynodon dactylon Pers.
Family ◮ Gramineae; Poaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout India up to
3,000 m.
C