Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

Ayurvedic ◮ Aakshiki (non-classical).
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Puvatti, Shempuvan.
Folk ◮ Aashaphala (Bengal), Naaglichi
(Assam).
Action ◮ The aril of the fruit is
used in prescriptions of Chinese
traditional medicine for treating
insomnia, neurosis, palpitation,
amnesia and anaemia.
It has been found to ameliorate the
impaired learning process in mice.
An aqueous extract of the fruit pulp
showed stimulating effect on superoxide
dimutase activity in red blood cells
of mice., indicating its possible use in
delaying the aging process.
The seeds contain antimutagens,
amino-hydroxy-hexynoic acid, hypoglycin
A (which causes hypoglycaemia)
and amino-hydroxy-heptynoic acid.
Euphrasia simplex D. Don.
Synonym ◮ E. officinalis Linn.
Family ◮ Scrophulariaceae.
Habitat ◮ The Temperate Himalaya
from Kashmir to Sikkim, from 1,350
to 4,000 m.
English ◮ Eyebright.
Action ◮ Plant—astringent, antiallergic,
bechic, anticatarrhal.
Key application ◮ Externally as
lotions, eye-baths, poultices, for
eye complaints associated with
inflammatory conditions, and as
a preventive measure against mucus
of the eyes, “glued” and inflammed
eyes. (Traditional uses mentioned
by German Comission E.)
Euryale ferox Salisb. 255
Orally, Eyebright is used to treat allergies,
common cold, bronchial conditions
and sinusitis. Ophthalmic application
is not recommended. Eyebright
has been used in a British herbal
tobacco product, which was smoked
for cold and chronic bronchial conditions.
Aerial parts showed presence of
phenol, carboxylic acid, flavones and
methyl flavone derivatives. Plant gave
quercetin glucoside, diosmetin, kaempferol,
caffeic and ferulic acids, stigmasterol
and beta-sitosterol. Iridoid
glycosides, including aucubin, are also
present. Tannins include both condensed
and hydrolysable gallic acid
type.
Euryale ferox Salisb.
Family ◮ Nymphaeaceae.
Habitat ◮ Kashmir, Bihar, Rajasthan,
Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Bengal
and Uttar Pradesh, in lakes and
ponds.
English ◮ Gorgan Nut, Fox Nut.
Ayurvedic ◮ Makhaann, Paaniyaphala,
Padma-bijaabha, Ankalodya.
Unani ◮ Makhaanaa.
Action ◮ Seed—deobstruent,
astringent, nervine tonic. Used
in spermatorrhoea and sexual
affections (restrains seminal gleet)
and debility.
Edible parts of the seeds gave the following
values: moisture 12.8, protein
9.7, fat 0.1, mineral matter 0.5, carbohydrates
76.9, calcium 0.02, and phosphorus
0.09%; iron 1.4 mg/100 g.
E