Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

The fruit contain beta-carotene (8
mg/100 g dry weight), also free amino
acids (1.0–2.6%); major amino acid is
proline.
The dried fruit and root bark reduce
cholesterol level by preventing
itsabsorptioningastrointestinaltract.
A constituent of the root bark, kukoamine
exhibits cholesterol lowering,
antihypertensive and hypoglycaemic
effects. Hepatoprotective activity is attributed
to a cerebroside constituent
found in the fruit. (Natural Medicines
Comprehensive Database, 2007.)
The fruit and root bark is contraindicated
in bleeding disorders and hypoglycaemia.
(Sharon M. Herr.)
Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.
Synonym ◮ Solanum lycopersicum
Linn.
Family ◮ Solanaceae.
Habitat ◮ Cultivated in many parts
of India.
English ◮ Tomato, Love Apple.
Unani ◮ Tamaatar.
Action ◮ Mild aperient, blood
purifier, cholagogue, digestive.
Used in homoeopathy for treating
rheumatic conditions, colds, chills,
digestive disorders, diabetes,
obesity, leucorrhoea, metrorrhagia.
Tomato is a powerful deobstruent.
It promotes flow of bile; mildly laxative,
especially when taken raw. Tomato
stimulates torpid liver and kidneys
and helps to wash away toxins. Tomato
is recommended for diabetics. It is
Lycopodium clavatum Linn. 387
a major dietary source of carotenoid
lycopene.
Tomato juice inhibits carcinogenic
N-nitrosocompound formation chiefly
in the stomach. Most of the inhibition
of formation of N-nitrosomorpholine
by phenolic fraction of tomato juice
was due to chlorogenic acids. The
ascorbate fraction of the juice also
contains compounds that inhibit nitrosation.
Consumption of tomato juice can
significantly increase serum lycopene
levels. (Decreased serum lycopene
concentrations are associated with an
increaseriskof prostatecancer.) (Natural
Medicines Comprehensive Database,
2007.)
The alcoholic extract of tomato possesses
CNS depressant and analgesic
properties.
Lycopodium clavatum Linn.
Family ◮ Lycopodiaceae.
Habitat ◮ Indigenous to North
America, Europe, Asia; found in
Kumaon, eastwards in West Bengal,
Sikkim, Asam, Khasi Hills, Manipur
and in Western Ghats.
English ◮ Common Club Moss.
Folk ◮ Naaga-beli (Nepal), Bendarali
(Maharashtra).
Action ◮ Sedative, antispasmodic,
diuretic. At one time used for
urinary disorders (spasmodic
retention of urine, catarrhal cystitis
and chronic kidney disorders), and
as a gastric sedative in gastritis.
L