Thw.Synonym: A. salviifolium (Linn. f.) Wang.Family: Alangiaceae.
Habitat: The drier parts of India, in plains and foothills of southern India.
Ayurvedic: Ankola, Ankota, Taamraphala, Guptasneha, Dirgha- keelaka.Siddha/Tamil: Azinjil.Action: Rootbark—astringent, spasmolytic, hypotensive, also diaphoretic and antipyretic. Leaves— hypoglycaemic. Fruits—acidic, astringent, laxative and refrigerant. Used in haemorrhages, strangury and consumption. The bark is used as a substitute for Cephaelis ipecacuanha. It is a rich source of alkaloids structurally related to ipecac alkaloids (emetin).
The bark contains the alkaloid alan- gine which shows a selective action of the parasympathetic mechanism, the action being more marked on gastrointestinal tract. The root extract shows hypotensive action. Flowers contain deoxytubulosine, a potent antiplatelet aggregation component, which has a strong binding with DNA.The plant extract possesses antineo- plastic properties.Dosage: Rootbark—1-2 g powder. (CCRAS.)
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