n. a substance that can either reduce the spontaneous production of mutations or prevent or reverse the action of a *mutagen.
Habitat: Cultivated in Kashmir up to 2,000 m and in Chaubattia in Uttar Pradesh.
English: Saffron, Crocus.Ayurvedic: Kumkuma, Rudhira, Vadrika, Kaashmira, Kaashmiraka, Vaalhika, Agnishikhaa, Ghrusrrn, Rakta, Kshataja. Keshara (usually Keshara indicates Naagakeshara, Mesuaferrea Linn.)Unani: Zaafraan.Siddha/Tamil: Kumgumappoo (dried stigma).Action: Stigma and style—nervine tonic, sedative, antispasmodic expectorant (in dry cough, whooping cough, bronchitis), stomachic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicated the use of the stigma and style in migraine, chronic sinusitis, and in urinary obstruction, inflammation of the urinary tract.The saffron is used in Chinese medicine for melancholia, depression, shock and menstrual disorders.Saffron contains a volatile oil composed of terpenes, terpene alcohols and esters. The herb also contains crocin, picrocrocin, crocetin, carotenoids and riboflavin and thiamine.Preliminary evidence suggests that crocetin may improved atherosclerosis by increasing plasma oxygen diffusion and decreasing cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In addition, cro- cetin binds to albumin, potentially increasing oxygen diffusion and improving atherosclerosis. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)The stigma showed remarkable inhibitory effect on blood coagulation due to the presence of platelet aggregation inhibitor containing adenosine. It accelerated in vitro fibrinolytic activity of urokinase and plasmin.Small amounts of Saffron stimulate gastric secretion; larger amounts stimulate uterine smooth muscle and exhibit emmenagogue and abortifacient effects.Saffron extract showed cytotoxic and antimutagenic activity and antitu- mour activity against ascites tumours in mice. Chemical analysis indicated that the naturally occurring crocin may be the active principle responsible for the observed anticancer activity.A xanthone, carotenoid glycosidic conjugate, mangi-crocin, isolated from saffron, showed significant adapto- genic activity. A natural antioxidant, isolated from saffron stem callus, showed better antioxidant activity than vitamin E. Saffron bulbs are toxic, stigmas in overdoses narcotic.The dose of stigma and styles at 1.55.0 g is toxic. (Recommended dose : 0.5-1.5 g per day).Dosage: Dried style and stigma—20-50 mg (API Vol. IV.)... crocus sativusHabitat: South India, Assam and Bengal.
Ayurvedic: Aakshiki (non-classical).Siddha/Tamil: Puvatti, Shempuvan.Folk: Aashaphala (Bengal), Naag- lichi (Assam).Action: The aril of the fruit is used in prescriptions of Chinese traditional medicine for treating insomnia, neurosis, palpitation, amnesia and anaemia.
It has been found to ameliorate the impaired learning process in mice.An aqueous extract of the fruit pulp showed stimulating effect on superoxide dimutase activity in red blood cells of mice., indicating its possible use in delaying the aging process.The seeds contain antimutagens, amino-hydroxy-hexynoic acid, hypo- glycin A (which causes hypoglycaemia) and amino-hydroxy-heptynoic acid.... euphoria longanHabitat: Marshy places and river banks in North India from Kashmir to Assam.
Folk: Jateraa (Meghalaya); Pan- turasi (Bengal).Action: The plant extract showed strong antimutagenic and antitu- mour activity.
From the herb, beta-sitosteryl gluco- side, stigmasteryl glucoside, isorham- netin and hyperin were isolated. The fruit yield 1.5% of an essential oil, containing phellandrene and myristicin.Linalool (70.0%) was determined in the flower oil.Evening Primrose is equated with Oenothera biennis L. (native to North America). The oil from seeds, known as Evening Primrose oil, contains about 70% cis-linolenic acid and about 9% cis-gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Evening Primrose oil is one of the most widely prescribed plant-derived medicines in the world. Sold under the trade name Epogam, it is recognized by the governments of Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Greece, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand as a treatment for eczema. A combination, known as Efamol Marine, used for eczema, contains 80% Evening Primrose Oil and 20% fish oil.Evening Primrose Oil has become a frontline treatment in Great Britain for initial treatment of cyclical breast pain and fibrocystic breast disease.... oenanthe javanica
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