Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

G
294 Grangea maderaspatana Poir.
Habitat ◮ The coasts of Indian Ocean
and Chilka Lake.
English ◮ Moss.
Folk ◮ Chinai-ghaas. Known as
Ceylon Agar-Agar or Agal-Agal.
Action ◮ Emollient, diuretic,
alterative. Aqueous extract—
antihypotensive and spasmolytic.
Aqueous extract contains prostaglandins.
Grangea maderaspatana Poir.
Synonym ◮ Artemisia maderaspatana
Linn.
Family ◮ Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout the greater
part of India.
Ayurvedic ◮ Aakaarakarabha
substitute (doubtful).
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Maasipathri.
Folk ◮ Mastaru, Mukhatari,
Maachipatri (Maharashtra).
Action ◮ Leaf—stomachic, antispasmodic,
sedative, emmenagogue,
deobstruent, antiseptic. Used in
amenorrhoea.
Aerial parts of the plant afforded
clerodane derivatives. Presence of
phytol, lupeol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid,
a phenylalanine derivative, hardwickiic
acid, strictic acid and butenolides, is
reported. Aura amide was also isolated
from the aerial parts.
A mixture of flavonoids extracted
from the aerial parts exhibited oestrogenicity
and anti-implantation activity
in mice. A crude extract of the plant
exhibited strong cytotoxic activity.
Graptophyllum picum (L.) Griff.
Synonym ◮ G. hortense Nees.
Justica picta L.
Family ◮ Acanthaceae.
Habitat ◮ A native to Polynesia;
introduced into Indian gardens.
English ◮ Caricature Plant.
Folk ◮ Kaalaa-aduusaa (Maharashtra).
Ysjudemaram (Tamil
Nadu).
Action ◮ Leaves—emollient and
resolvent; applied to swellings and
ulcers. (Used as a substitute for
Adhatoda vasica).
Grewia asiatica auct. non L.
Synonym ◮ G. subinaequalis DC.
Family ◮ Tiliaceae.
Habitat ◮
India.
Extensively cultivated in
Ayurvedic ◮ Parushaka, Parusha.
Unani ◮ Phaalsaa.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Palisa, Thadachi.
Action ◮ Fruit—stomachic, astringent,
cooling. Bark—demulcent.
Root bark—antirheumatic. Leaf—
used in pastular eruptions.
The bark contains taraxasterol, betasitosterol,
erythrodiol; lupeol, betulin,
lupenone, friedelin; alpha-amyrin. The