Aira Health Dictionary

(Arabic) An opinionated woman Aira, Arah, Arae, Ahraya, Aaraa... ara

(Lam.) Kurz.

Synonym: B. calycinum Salisb. Kalanchoe pinnata Pers.

Family: Crassulaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the warm and moist parts of India, especially abundant in West Bengal.

Ayurvedic: Parnabija, Airaavati. (Also known as Paashaanabheda.)

Unani: Zakhm-e-Hayaat.

Action: Leaf—disinfectant, antibacterial (used for boils, insect bites, swellings, burns, wounds).

Leaves, mixed with those of Aegle marmelos, are given in blood and amoebic dysentery. Leaves are also eaten to control diabetes.

Leaves yield glycosides of querce- tin and kaempferol, and fumaric acid. Plant extracts—antifungal.

Dosage: Leaf—10-30 ml juice. (CCRAS.)... bryophyllum pinnatum

(Linn.) Burm.f.

Family: Rutaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated all over India.

English: Lemon.

Ayurvedic: Jambira, Jambh, Jambhir, Jaamphal, Nimbu, Nimbuka, Naaranga, Limpaka, Dantashatha, Airaavata, Neebu (bigger var.).

Unani: Utraj.

Siddha/Tamil: Periya elumuchhai.

Action: Fruit—antiscorbutic, carminative, stomachic, antihistaminic, antibacterial. Used during coughs, colds, influenza and onset of fever (juice of roasted lemon), hiccoughs, biliousness. Fruit juice—used externally for ringworm (mixed with salt), erysipelas, also in the treatment of leprosy and white spots. Leaves and stems—antibacterial.

All parts of the plants of citrus sp. contain coumarins and psoralins. The fruits contain flavonoids and li- monoids. The flavonoids comprise three main groups—flavanones, fla- vones and 3-hydroxyflavylium (antho- cyanins); flavanones being predominantly followed by flavones and antho- cyanins. Bitter flavonoids do not occur in lemon and lime.

Lemon juice is a richer source of antiscorbutic vitamin (contains 4050 mg/100 g of vitamin C) than lime, and a fair source of carotene and vitamin B1. Volatile oil (about 2.5% of the peel) consists of about 75% limonene, alpha-and beta-pinenes, alpha-ter- pinene and citral. The fruit juice also contains coumarins and bioflavonoids.

The acid content of the fruit, once digested, provides an alkaline effect within the body and is found useful in conditions where acidity is a contributory factor (as in case of rheumatic conditions). The bioflavonoids strengthen the inner lining of blood vessels, especially veins and capillaries, and help counter varicose veins, arteriosclerosis, circulatory disorders and infections of liver, stomach and intestines.

Major flavonoid glycosides, isolated from citrus peels and juices, include hesperidin (with properties of vitamin P). Rutin and other flavanones, isolated from citrus fruits, form the principal components of vitamin P. Flavanone glycosides contained in lemon and lime juices are eriocitrin 47 and 94; hesperidin 84 and 196 mg/l, respectively.

The composition of cold pressed lime oil is quite similar to lemon oil, but citral content of lime oil is higher.

Monoterpene alcohols and their esters, aldehydes—geraniol, geranial and neral, contribute to the characteristic aroma of lemon and lime.

Dosage: Fruit—6-12 g (Juice—5- 10 ml). (API Vol. IV.)... citrus limon

Lepech.

Family: Typhaceae.

Habitat: Kashmir (Gilgit), at 2,700 m. English: Scented Flag. Ayurvedic: Airakaa. Folk: Pizh (Kashmir).

Action: Stamens—astringent and styptic. Used externally.... typha laxmanni