Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

G
290 Gmelina arborea Roxb.
Action ◮ Demulcent, expectorant,
antiallergic, anti-inflammatory,
spasmolytic, mild laxative, antistress,
antidepressive, antiulcer,
liver protective, estrogenic, emmenagogue,
antidiabetic. Used in
bronchitis, dry cough, respiratory
infections, catarrh, tuberculosis;
genitourinary diseases, urinary tract
infections; abdominal pain, gastric
and duodenal ulcers, inflamed
stomach, mouth ulcer. Also used
for adrenocorticoid insufficiency.
Key application ◮ In catarrh of
the upper respiratory tract and
gastric, duodenal ulcers. (German
Commission E, ESCOP, WHO.)
The British Herbal Compendium indicates
the use of liquorice for bronchitis,
chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer,
rheumatism and arthritis, adrenocorticoid
insufficiency, and to prevent
liver toxicity. Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia
recognizes its use as an antiinflammatory
and antiulcer agent.
The main chemical constituent of
liquorice is glycyrrhizin (about 2–
9%), a triterpene saponin with low
haemolytic index. Glycyrrhetinic (glycyrrhetic)
acid (0.5–0.9%), the aglycone
of glycyrrhizin is also present in
the root. Other active constituents of
liquorice include isoflavonoids, chalcones,
coumarins, triterpenoids and
sterols, lignans, amino acids, amines,
gums and volatile oils.
Hypokalemia is the greatest threat
when liquorice preparations high in
glycyrrhizin are prescribed for prolonged
periods. Liquorice causes fluid
retention. Patients should be placed
on a high potassium and low sodi-
um diet. Special precautions should be
taken with elderly patients and patients
with hypertension or cardiac, renal or
hepatic disease.
A special liquorice extract known as
DGL (deglycyrrhizinated liquorice) is
used in the treatment of peptic ulcer.
Oral liquorice preparations, containing
glycyrrhetinic
acid, are used for the treatment of
viral infections—viral hepatitis, common
cold. Topical preparations, containing
glycyrrhetinic acid, are used
for herpes, eczema, psoriasis.
In Japan, a preparation of glycyrrhizin,
cysteine and glycine is used by injection
for the treatment of acute and
chronic hepatitis.
Dosage ◮ Root—2–4 g powder. (API
Vol. I.)
Gmelina arborea Roxb.
Synonym ◮ Premna arborea Roth.
Family ◮ Verbenaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout India, up to
1,700 m on the hills and in Andaman
Island; also grown in gardens.
English ◮ Candahar tree, White Teak.
Ayurvedic ◮ Gambhaari, Kaashmari,
Kaashmarya, Sarvatobhadraa,
Bhadra, Mahaabhadraa, Sadaabhadraa,
Madhuparnikaa, Sriparni,
Pitarohini, Hiraa, Bhadraparni,
Trishati.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kattanam, Kumizham
Action ◮ Leaf—demulcent, bechic.
Used for removing foetid dis-