Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

G
284 Geophila repens (Linn.)I.M.Johnson.
Balbhra, Paalani. (Paakhaanabheda
is a wrong synonym)
Unani ◮ Ghaafis.
Action ◮ Sialagogue, digestant,
appetite-stimulant, antispasmodic,
anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue.
Used for alkalosis, feeble digestion
in the elderly from gastric acid
deficiency (increases gastric juices
without altering PH); also used for
jaundice, nausea, vomiting, travel
sickness, diarrhoea, malaria and
nervous exhaustion. (In Chinese
medicine, Gentiana sp., known as
Longdan, are used for jaundice,
hepatitis, urinary tract infections,
pruritis and eczema.)
Key application ◮ Gentiana lutea—
internally, for digestive disorders,
such as lack of appetite, fullness and
flatulence (German Commission
E, WHO), for anorexia following
illness and dyspepsia (ESCOP).
The British Herbal Compendium
approves gentian for lack of
appetite, anorexia, atonic dyspepsia,
gastrointestinal atony, and as
antiemetic. The British Herbal
Pharmacopoia recognizes it as
a bitter tonic.
The rhizome and roots of G. Kurroo
contain iridoid glycoside; major
component was identified as 6 ′ -
cinnamoylcatalpol.
The rhizomes and roots of Picrorhiza
kurrooa Royle ex Benth., found in
the Himalayas, have similar properties
and uses and are mixed or substituted
for those of G. kurroo.
Gentiana lutea (Yellow Gentian) is
a native of Europe and Asia Minor and
is imported into India. The most important
constituents of the drug are
secoiridoid bitter compounds, amarogentin
and gentiopicroside, together
with traces of swertiamarin and
sweroside. The roots also contain alkaloids,
gentianine and gentioflavine,
xanthones, and bitter oligosaccharides,
gentiobiose and gentianose.
Amarogentin, gentiopicrin, swertiamarin,
sioeroside (iridoid monoterpenes)
are toxic constituents.
Gentiana tenella Rottb., synonym
Gentianella tenella H. Smith and G.
decumbens Linn.f. occur at high altitudes
in the Himalayas, and are used
as substitutes for gentian. G. tenella is
known as Kadu in Kashmir and Titaa
in Punjab. The rhizome is used as
Traayamaana in Ayurvedic medicine.
The flowering tops of G. olivieri
Griseb., synonym G. dahurica Fisch.,
used in Unani medicine as Gul-e-
Ghaafis, are imported into India from
Persia.
Dosage ◮ Root—1–3 g powder.
(CCRAS.)
Geophila repens
(Linn.) I. M. Johnson.
Synonym ◮ G. reniformis D. Don.
Family ◮ Rubiaceae.
Habitat ◮ Assam, Western Ghats and
Andaman Islands.
Folk ◮ Karintakaali (Kerala).
Action ◮ Properties are similar
(though inferior) to those of Ipeac
(Cephaelis ipecacuanha A. Rich.).