Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

Folk ◮ Navananji (Maharashtra),
Vajradanti (Punjab).
Action ◮ Febrifuge (used in febrile
attacks after childbirth. Applied
locally to putrescent wounds.
In Indian medicine, Vajradanti,
equated with Potentilla arbuscula D.
Don and its related species (Rosaceae),
is used topically for strengthening
gums and teeth.
Dictamnus albus Linn.
Family ◮ Rutaceae.
Habitat ◮ Western Himalayas from
Kashmir to Kunawar, common in
Pangi.
English ◮ Gas Plant, Dittany, Burning
Bush.
Action ◮ Root bark—used in nervous
diseases, hysteria, intermittent
fevers, urinogenital disorders, and
amenorrhoea; a decoction for
scabies and other skin affections.
Toxic.
Dittany stimulates the muscles of
the uterus, while its effect on the
gastro-intestinal tract is antispasmodic,
it relaxes the gut. (The plant is
used in Greek folk medicine as antispasmodic.)
The herb contains furoquinoline
alkaloids (including dictamnine),
furococumarins, limonoids, and
flavonoids (including rutin).
Volatile oil contains estragol, anethole,
and a toxic alkaloid dictamnine.
Flowers yield 0.05% essential oil containing
methylchavicol and anethole.
Leaves yield 0.15% essential oil.
Digitalis lanata Ehrh. 213
Didymocarpus pedicellata R.Br.
Synonym ◮ D. macrophylla auct.
non-Wall. ex D. Don.
Family ◮ Gesneriaceae.
Habitat ◮ Sub-tropical Himalaya
from Himachal Pradesh to Arunachal
Pradesh at 500–2,500 m.
Ayurvedic ◮ Kshudra-Paashaanabheda,
Shilaa-valkaa, Shilaapushpa.
Action ◮ Leaf—antilithic. Used for
stones in kidney and bladder.
The leaves contain a number of chalcones,
quinochalcones and flavanones.
Pediflavone has also been isolated from
young leaves.
Digera muricata (Linn.) Mart.
Synonym ◮ D. arvensis Forsk.
Desmochaeta muricata (L.) DC.
Family ◮ Amaranthaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout the plains of
India, as a weed in cultivated fields.
Ayurvedic ◮ Katthinjara, Kunanjara.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Thoyya-keerai.
Folk ◮ Lat-mahuriaa, Lahsuvaa.
Action ◮ Astringent, antibilious.
Laxative in large doses. Flowers and
seeds—diuretic; given for urinary
discharges.
The plant contains alpha-and betaspinasterol.
Digitalis lanata Ehrh.
Family ◮ Scrophulariaceae.
D