Alba Health Dictionary

Basil (Ocimum basilicum).

Plant Part Used: Aerial parts: leaf, stem, flower.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: The aerial parts or leaves are traditionally prepared as a tea and taken orally for stomach ache, indigestion, gastro-intestinal pain, internal cleansing and women’s health conditions.

Safety: This herb is generally regarded as safe for human consumption in moderate amounts and widely used as a culinary seasoning.

Contraindications: The essential oil should not be used during pregnancy, lactation or in small children.

Drug Interactions: Synergistic effects may occur with drugs that share similar pharmacological activities as those described for this plant in the “Laboratory and Preclinical Data” section; metabolism of one of basil’s active constituents, estragole, may be hindered by concomitant use of medications metabolized by UGT2B7 or UGT1A9 phase II enzymes.

Clinical Data: No human clinical trials of this plant have been identified in the available literature.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: The following biological activities of this plant have been investigated in laboratory and preclinical studies (in vitro or animal models): analgesic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, anti-ulcerogenic, gastric anti-ulcerogenic, glutathione S-transferase and smooth muscle relaxant.

* See entry for Albahaca in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... albahaca

(Latin) From the white hill; white- skinned

Albaney, Albani, Albanie, Albanee, Albanye, Albin, Alban, Albhda, Albinia, Albinka, Albiona, Aubine, Aubina, Albanea, Albaneah... albany

Linn. var. rubra Stewart.

Synonym: B. rubra Linn.

Family: Basellaceae.

Habitat: Grown as a pot herb in almost every part of India, except hills.

English: Indian Spinach.

Ayurvedic: Upodikaa, Potaki, Maalvaa, Amritvallari.

Siddha/Tamil: Vaslakkirai.

Folk: Poi.

Action: Demulcent, diuretic, laxative (a good substitute for spinach and purslane). Used as a cooling medicine in digestive disorders. Leaf juice is used in balanitis and catarrhal affections. Externally applied in urticaria, burns, scalds. Root—decoction is given to stop bilious vomiting and in intestinal complaints. Used as poultice to reduce local swellings; sap is used in acne.

Used for checking malnutrition in children.

The essential amino acids are argi- nine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan. The plant contains several vitamins and minerals, is rich in calcium and iron compounds and contains a low percentage of soluble oxalates. The leaves also contain carotenoids, organic acids and water- soluble polysaccharides, bioflavonoids and vitamin K.

Dosage: Whole plant—10-20 ml juice. (CCRAS.)... basella alba

(L.) Boiss.

Synonym: Sinapis alba L.

Family: Cruciferae; Brassicaceae.

Habitat: Native of Europe and West Asia. Cultivated in North India as a crop.

English: White Mustard.

Ayurvedic: Siddhaartha, Shveta Sarshapa, Sarshapa-Gaura.

Unani: Khardal Safed.

Siddha/Tamil: Venkadugu.

Folk: Safed Raai.

Action: Stimulant to gastric mucosa, increases pancreatic secretions; emetic (used in narcotic poisoning), diaphoretic, rubefacient. (As a counter-irritant it increases flow of blood to a specific area.) Used externally as a poultice in bronchitis, pleurisy, intercostal neuralgia, chilbains.

Seeds contain glucosinolates. Sinalbin in B. alba and sinigrin in B. juneja oil are toxic constituents. The oil with toxic constituents should be avoided in gastrointestinal ulcers and kidney disorders. When moistened, sinigrin in the seeds is degraded to allyl isothiocyanate, a potent irritant volatile oil. (Francis Brinker.)

Glucosinolates are goitrogenic. Excessive consumption of Brassica sp. vegetables may alter absorption of thyroid hormone in G2 tract. (Sharon M. Herr.)... brassica alba

Nees.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India in plains; wastelands, roadsides and gardens.

Ayurvedic: Dhattuura (white var.). (Dhattura consists of dried seeds of Datura sp.)

Unani: Dhaturaa.

Action: See D. Metel Linn.... datura alba

The line of ?brous tissue stretching down the mid line of the belly from the lower end of the sternum to the pubic bone (see PUBIS). The linea alba gives attachment to the muscles of the wall of the stomach.... linea alba

Desr.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to Europe and Asia; grown in North India.

English: White Sweet Clover.

Unani: Ilkil-ul-Malik, Naakhunaa (white-flowered var.).

Action: See Melilotus indica.... melilotus alba

A common skin condition of childhood and adolescence.

Irregular, fine, scaly, pale patches appear on the face.

Caused by mild eczema, it usually clears up with emollients.... pityriasis alba

(Linn.) Hassk.

Synonym: E. prostrata Roxb.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, up to 2,000 m on the hills.

English: Trailing Eclipta Plant.

Ayurvedic: Bhringaraaja, Bhringa, Bhringaja, Bhrngaaraka, Bhrngaara, Maarkava, Kesharaaja, Keshranjana.

Siddha/Tamil: Karisalaankanni.

Folk: Bhangaraa.

Action: Deobstruent, antihepato- toxic, anticatarrhal, febrifuge. Used in hepatitis, spleen enlargements, chronic skin diseases. Leaf—promotes hair growth. Its extract in oil is applied to scalp before bed time in insomnia. The herb is also used as an ingredient in shampoos.

Key application: As hepatoprotec- tive. (Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia; The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.)

The herb should be dried at room temperature under shade. Its active principles are lost due to aerial oxidation during sun drying or drying under reduced pressure below 40°C. The herb contains wedelolactone and demethyl- wedelolactone, which showed a dose- dependenteffectagainstCCl4, d-galac- tosamine- or phalloidin-induced cyto- toxicity in primary cultured rat hep- atocytes, and exhibited potent anti- hepatotoxic property. The whole plant shows effect on liver cell regeneration. Immunoactive property has been observed against surface antigen of hepatitis B-virus. The plant is also reported to be effective in the treatment of peptic ulcer, inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, diseases of the gallbladder and skin infections.

Aqueous extract of leaves exhibits myocardial depressant and hypoten- sive activity (unrelated to cholinergic and histaminergic effects).

The roots are very rich in thio- phene acetylenes. Thiophene derivatives show activity against nematodes.

Dosage: Whole plant—3-6 ml fresh juice; 13-36 g for decoction. (API Vol. II.)... eclipta alba

Linn.

Family: Moraceae.

Habitat: Native to China; cultivated in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Kashmir and North-Western Himalayas. English: Chinese White-Mulberry. Unani: Shahtuut, Tuut.

Action: Fruit—cooling, mild laxative. Used for sore throat, dyspepsia and melancholia. Leaves and root bark—expectorant, diuretic, hypotensive. Bark extract—hypoglycaemic. Leaf— anti-inflammatory, emollient, diaphoretic. Used as a gargle in inflammations of the throat.

The plant is rich in phenolics. The leaves gave flavonoids (including rutin, moracetin); anthocyanins (cyanidin and delphinidin glucosides); artocarpin, cycloartocarpin and analogues. The root bark contained fla- vonoids including the kuwanons, san- gennons, mulberrosides and mulber- rofurans.

Hot water extract of the dried mulberry leaves fed to rabbits on 1% cholesterol diet exhibited significant hypolip- idaemic or hypocholesterolaemic effect. In addition, suppression of hepatic enlargement and fat deposition in the hepatic cells was also observed.

An aqueous methanol extract of the root bark significantly reduced plasma sugar levels in mice.

The extract also showed anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity in exudative, proliferative and chronic phases of inflammation.

Aqueous and alkali extracts of leaves and stems are active against GramPositive bacteria and yeast.... morus alba

Linn.

Family: Nymphaeaceae.

Habitat: Kashmir (in lakes).

English: European White Water-lily.

Ayurvedic: Kumuda, Utpala (white- flowered var.) (Mahotpla is the synonym of Nelumbo nucifera.)

Unani: Nilofar.

Siddha/Tamil: Alli (water lilies).

Action: Flowers and rhizomes—astringent, demulcent, mild sedative, spasmolytic, antiseptic, antimicrobial. Used in the form of an infusion internally for chronic diarrhoea, as a douche for leucorrhoea and vaginitis, as a gargle for sore throat. Also given internally in prostatis.... nymphaea alba

Linn.

Family: Apocynaceae.

Habitat: Native to West Indies; cultivated in Indian gardens.

English: White Champa.

Ayurvedic: Kshira Champaka (white-flowered var.).

Siddha/Tamil: Perumal Arali, Seemai Arali.

Action: Root bark—used in blenn- orrhagia. Bark and latex—used externally in herpes, syphilitic ulcers and scabies. Seed—haemostatic.

The root gave iridoids—iso-plu- mericin, plumericin, plumieride, plu- mieride coumarate and its glucoside. The bark gave alpha-and beta-amyrin and their acetates, beta-sitosterol, sco- poletin and plumieride. The flowers also contain plumieride coumarate and its glucoside, in addition to quercetin derivatives.... plumeria alba

Linn.

Family: Salicaceae.

Habitat: Northwestern Himalaya at 1,200-3,000 m, also grown in avenues.

English: White Poplar.

Folk: Safedaa, Jangali Fraas.

Action: Bark—antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antipyretic, diuretic, febrifuge, stimulant, antiseptic. Used for arthritis, rheumatic affections, cystitis and other urinary diseases, stomach and liver disorders, anorexia and debility.

Key application: Unopened leaf- buds externally for haemorrhoids, frostbite and sunburn. (German Commission E.)

The bark contains glycosides, salicin and populin, erisin and tannin (5-9%). Salicin, a bitter tonic and antiperiod- ic, is used like quinine in intermittent fever, also in rheumatism.... populus alba

Linn.

Family: Rosaceae.

Habitat: Asian Minor region. Cultivated in Indian gardens.

English: Common English Dog Rose, White Cottage Rose.

Ayurvedic: Sevati, Shveta Taruni. (Flowers—white or bluish.)

Unani: Sevati. Garden var.— Gul-safed Bustaani, Vard Abyaz. Wild var.—Gul-safed Sahraai, Vard Abyaz Barri.

Action: Flower—cardiac tonic, prescribed in palpitation of heart, febrifuge. Petal—laxative.

Rose hip contains pectin, citric acid and malic acid which are responsible for its laxative activity.

The pollen contains carotene (2.08 mg/100 g), free and bound amino acids and sugars.

The major constituents of the essential oil are geraniol, beta-phenylethyl alcohol, beta-geranic acid, geraniol esters, nerol, citronellol, eugenol, methyl- eugenol and benzoate.

R. Canina Linn. is equated with (Indian) Dog Rose. The anthocyanin, isolated from the petals, exhibits radio- protective effect. The scavenging and antilipoperoxidant activities of the fruit depend on the polyphenol content.... rosa alba

Linn.

Family: Salicaceae.

Habitat: North-western Himalayas, up to an altitude of 2,400 m.

English: White Willow, European Willow.

Ayurvedic: Jalavetasa.

Unani: Bed Saadaa.

Folk: Vivir (Kashmir).

Action: Analgesic, antiinflammatory, febrifuge. Used for rheumatic inflammation, painful muscles, spondylitis, lumbago, sciatica, neuralgia, gout and fever. (In 1838, chemists identified salicylic acid in the bark. Afterwards, synthesized it as acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin, in 1899.)

Key application: In diseases accompanied by fever, headache, rheumatic ailments. (German Commission E.) The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia reported anti- inflammatory action. The British Herbal Compendium additionally reported analgesic, antipyretic, antirheumatic and astringent actions of the willow bark.

The bark contains phenolic glyco- sides; salicin, picein and triandrin with esters of salicylic acid and salicyl alcohol, acetylated salicin, salicortin and salireposide; tannins; catechin; p- coumaric acid; flavonoids and polysac- charides.

Salicylic acid inhibits prostaglandin production, relives pain and brings down fever.... salix alba