Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

An aqueous extract of the fruit has
been reported to provide protection
against radiation-induced chromosomal
damage in both pre-and postirradiation
treatment. The fruit is reported
to enhance natural killer cell activity
and antibody dependent cellular
cytotoxicity in mice bearing Dalton’s
lymphoma ascites tumour. The extract
of the fruit and ascorbic acid prevented
hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects
induced by lead and aluminium.
The toxicity could be counteracted to
a great extent by the fruit extract than
by an amount of ascorbic acid alone
equivalent to that contained in fruits.
(The fruit can be used as a dietary
supplement to counteract prolonged
exposure to metals in population in
industrial areas.)
The fruits are reported to activate
trypsin (proteolytic enzyme) activity.
The fruits can be used as coagulant
in the treatment of water and can purify
low turbidity water.
The fruits can be consumed safely
all round the year.
Dosage ◮ Fresh fruit—10–20 g; pulp
juice—5–10 ml. (API Vol. I.)
Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC.
Family ◮ Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout India,
ascending to 1,350 m in the hills.
Ayurvedic ◮ Shash-shruti (nonclassical).
Unani ◮ Hirankhuri.
Folk ◮ Sadamandi.
Enicostemma littorale auct. non-Bl. 239
Action ◮ Plant—sudorific, febrifuge,
antiseptic. Used in infantile
tympanitis and bowel complaints.
Root—antidiarrhoeal. Leaf—used
for otitis media under medical
supervision.
The aerial parts contain pyrrolizidine
alkaloids, senkirkine and doronine.
Presence of simiaral, beta-sitosterol,
stigmasterol, palmitic and triacontannic
acids is also reported.
Enhydra fluctuans Lour.
Family ◮ Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat ◮ Hills of Bihar, West Bengal
and Assam.
English ◮ Marsh Herb, Water Cress.
Ayurvedic ◮ Hil-mochikaa.
Folk ◮ Harakuch.
Action ◮ Leaf—antibilious, laxative,
demulcent, antidermatosis. Used in
dyspepsia, diseases of the nervous
system and cutaneous affections.
The plant is a good source of betacarotene
(3.7–4.2 mg/100 g fresh basis)
which is lost during cooking. Used as
aleafyvegetable.
Enicostemma littorale
auct. non-Bl.
Synonym ◮ E. hyssopifolium (Willd)
I. C. Verdoorn.
E. axillare (Lam.) Raynal.
Exacum hyssopifolium Willd.
Adenema hyssopifolium G. Don.
Family ◮ Gentianaceae.
E