Aphthae Health Dictionary

Linn.

Synonym: Chamaemelum nobile (L.) Allioni.

Family: Asteraceae.

Habitat: The temperate regions of the Himalayas. Wild at several places.

English: Roman Chamomile, Double Chamomile.

Unani: Gul-e-Baabuuna.

Siddha/Tamil: Shimai chamantipu.

Action: Mild sedative, anticon- vulsant, antispasmodic, anti- inflammatory, mild analgesic; used externally for skin disorders, poultice of flowers in sprains and rheumatism.

Key application: Used mainly in France for mild spasmodic gastrointestinal disturbances and sluggishness of bowels, also for nervousness. (PDR.) (German Chamomile has been included by German Commission E among approved herbs, whereas Roman chamomile remains unapproved due to lack of clinical evidence.) The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes antispasmodic activity of Anthemis nobilis.

The flower heads contain volatile oil (including azulenes and bisabolol); sesquiterpene lactone (nobilin); flavo- noids, cyanogenic glycoside, bitter glu- coside (anthemic acid); acetylenic salicylic derivatives, coumarins (including scopolin), valerianic acid; tannins.

Azulenes and bisabolol are anti- inflammatory and antispasmodic, reducing histamine-induced reactions, including hay fever and asthma. Flavo- noids, especially anthemidin, are also antispasmodic. Valerianic acid and cyanogenic glycosides are sedative.

Flowers and root—abortifacient. Leaves—astringent. A decoction is used for gargling in stomatitis and aphthae.

Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of dried stembark in disorders of female genital tract and bleeding disorders.

The dried bark contains alkaloids, steroids, reducing sugars and also tannins (4.61%). The ether-soluble alkaloid of the bark shows antibacterial activity.

Dosage: Stembark—0.5-1.5 g powder. (API Vol. II.)... anthemis nobilis

Baker.

Family: Liliaceae.

Habitat: The Himalaya from Nepal to Bhutan, Assam and Bihar.

Ayurvedic: Shveta-Musali. (Considered different from Asparagus adscendens Roxb.)

Unani: Musali Safed, Biskandri.

Siddha/Tamil: Vallaimusali.

Folk: Nising, Tibbati Ginseng.

Action: Tuber—nervine and general tonic. The plant is used as a substitute for onion. Fried powder of the root is chewed in aphthae of mouth and throat. A decoction of the root with turmeric is given in rheumatism.

The roots contain a bibenzyl xylo- side, the steroidal sapogenins, besides stigmasterol and its glucoside, nona- cosane and tetracosanoic, and triacon- tanoic acids.

The root extract exhibited good adaptogenic properties. The fruits yield a polysaccharide, galactoglucan.... chlorophytum arundinaceum

Roxb.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Central and Eastern Himalayas, Uttar Pradesh and Orissa.

Ayurvedic: Gorakhi.

Siddha/Tamil: Punali.

Folk: Bankharaa, Bhatiaa.

Action: Leaves—used in aphthae. Root—genitourinary tract disinfectant; used in scalding of urine, also in foetid discharges.

The stem bark afforded isoflavo- noids, dalbergio, tectorigenin. The leaves gave flavonoid glycosides. The wood gave friedelin.... dalbergia volubilis

Pers.

Synonym: D. peregrina (Gaertn.) Gurke D. malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.

Family: Ebenaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India in shady wet places and near streams.

English: Gaub Persimmon, Riber Ebony

Ayurvedic: Tinduka, Tinduki, Sphu- urjaka, Kaalaskandha, Asitkaaraka. Nilasaara.

Unani: Tendu.

Siddha/Tamil: Tumbika, Kattatti.

Action: Fruit and stem bark— astringent. Infusion of fruits—used as gargle in aphthae and sore throat. Fruit juice—used as application for wounds and ulcers. Oil of seeds— given in diarrhoea and dysentery Ether extract of fruit—antibacterial. Bark—astringent and styptic, used in menorrhagia, diarrhoea, dysentery and intermittent fevers.

A paste is applied to boils and tumours. The ethyl acetate extract showed antistress and anti-ulcerogenic activity. It also prevented hepatotoxi- city and leucocytosis in experimental animals.

The bark contains betulinic acid, myricyl alcohol, triterpenoids and sa- ponin. The leaves gave beta-sitosterol, betulin and oleanolic acid. Fruit pulp and seeds contain lupeol, betulin, gallic acid, betulinic acid, hexacosane, hex- acosanol, sitosterol, beta-D-glucoside of sitosterol and a triterpene ketone.

Stem bark—antiprotozoal, antiviral, hypoglycaemic, semen-coagulant. Stems yielded nonadecan-7-ol-one.

Dosage: Bark—50-100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)... diospyros embryopteris

Vahl ex DC.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Plains of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

English: Wiry Indigo.

Ayurvedic: Nili (related species), Shivanimba.

Siddha/Tamil: Sivanaarvembu, Iraivanvembu.

Folk: Shivanimba (Maharashtra).

Action: Antileprotic, antitumour, anti-inflammatory. Used in psoriasis and erysipelas. Ash of the burnt plant is used for dandruff. Root is used in aphthae.... indigofera aspalathoides

Retz.

Synonym: L. speciosa (L.) Pers. L. reginae Roxb.

Family: Lythraceae.

Habitat: Tropical Himalaya, and Assam, Western and Eastern Ghats, up to 1,000 m.

English: Pride of India, Queen's Flowers, Queen Crape Myrtle.

Siddha/Tamil: Kadalai, Pumaruttu.

Folk: Jaarul. Kramuk and Arjun are confusing synonyms.

Action: Seed—narcotic. Root— astringent, stimulant, febrifuge. Fruit—used for aphthae of the mouth. Leaves—purgative, diuretic, deobstruent. Bark—an infusion is given in diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

A decoction of the leaves, also of dried fruits, is used like tea for diabetes mellitus in Philippines. Mature leaves and fruits, in fresh condition, exhibit hypoglycaemic activity experimentally The potency decreases on storing the material.

The leaf extract, when administered as powder and as tannin-free extract, showed hypoglycaemic activity in mice. Amino acids constitute the insulin-like principle. The plant contains triterpenoids, colocolic acid and maslinic acid. Colocolic acid is known to possess hypoglycaemic activity.

Leaves contain lageracetal and sitos- terol. Ellagitannins have been isolated from fruits and leaves.... lagerstroemia flos-reginae

(Houtt.) Merrill.

Synonym: L. grandis (Dennst.) Engl.; Odina wodier Roxb.

Family: Anacardiaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, ascending to 1,500 m in the Himalayas.

Ayurvedic: Jingini, Jhingan, Gudamanjari.

Siddha/Tamil: Kalasan, Anaikkarai, Odiyan.

Action: Bark—stimulant and astringent; used in gout; decoction for aphthae of the mouth and for toothache. Leaves— boiled and applied to sprains, bruises, local swellings, elephantiasis. Gum— given in asthma; as a cordial to women during lactation.

The roots contain cluytyl ferulate; heartwood gave lanosterol; bark, dl- epi-catechin and (+)-leucocyanidin; flowers and leaves, ellagic acid, querce- tin and quercetin-3-arabinoside. Flowers also contain iso-quercetin and morin. Leaves in addition contain beta-sitosterol, leucocyanidin and leu- codelphinidin.... lannea coromandelica

Linn.

Family: Labiatae; Lamiaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India.

English: Shrubby Basil.

Ayurvedic: Vriddha Tulasi, Raam- Tulasi, Raan-Tulasi.

Siddha: Elumicha-Tulasi, Peria- Tulasi.

Action: Plant—used in neurological and rheumatic affections, in seminal weakness and in aphthae of children. Seed—used in cephalalgia and neuralgia. Essential oil— antibacterial, antifungal.

In homoeopathy, fresh mature leaves are used in constipation, cough, fever, nasal catarrh; also in gonorrhoea with difficult urination.

A heterotic hybrid 'Clocimum' (po- lycross of gratissimum) has been developed in India which yields 4.55.7% essential oil having a eugenol content up to 95%. Direct production of methyl eugenol and eugenol acetate from 'Clocimum' oil is reported.

Major constituents reported from 'Clocimum' oil are myrcene 8.87, eugenol 68.14, isoeugenol 13.88, methyl- eugenol 1.74%; other constituents are alpha- pinene, limonene, phellandrene, terpene 4-ol, alpha-terpineol, carveol, carvene, geranyl acetate, caryophyl- lone and caryophyllone oxide.

(At Regional Research Laboratory, CSIR, Jammu, a study was conducted Ocimum kilimandscharicum Guerke.

Synonym: O. camphora Guerke.

Family: Labiatae; Lamiaceae.

Habitat: Native of Kenya. Cultivated on a small scale in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Dehr Dun.

English: Camphor Basil.

Ayurvedic: Karpura Tulasi.

Action: Plant—spasmolytic, antibacterial. Decamphorized oil— insecticidal, mosquito repellent.

Essential oil contains camphor, pi- nene, limonene, terpinolene, myrcene, beta-phellandrene, linalool, camphene, p-cymene, borneol and alpha-selinene. The Camphor content varies in different samples from 61 to 80.5%.... ocimum gratissimum

Plumbago spp.

Plumbaginaceae

The genus Plumbago belonging to the family Plumbaginaceae is a popular and medicinally very important group of medicinal plants. Three species, namely P. rosea, P. zeylanica and P. auriculata have been identified. Among these P. rosea and P. zeylanica are important ones.

Plumbago, in general is an esteemed remedy for leucoderma and other skin diseases. The synonyms of fire like agnih, vahnih, etc. are attributed to this drug to indicate the very burning action of the root, causing blisters on the skin (daranah). The drug is used only after adequate curing and purification. Root is the officinal part and it enters into the composition of preparations like Citrakasavam, Dasamularista, Gulgulutiktaka kasaya, Yogarajachurna, etc.

1. P. rosea Linn. syn. P. indica Linn.

Eng: Rosy-flowered Leadwort; San: Citrakah, Dhahanah;

Hin: Lalcitra, Raktacitra;

Ben: Lalchita;

Mal: Kotuveli, Chettikkoduveli, Chuvannakotuveli;

Tam: Chenkotuveli, Cittiramulam;

Kan: Kempacitramula;

Tel: Yerracitramulam

Rosy-flowered leadwort or Fire plant is a native of Coromandel Coast. It is found throughout India, in moist situations as well as cultivated. The roots are useful in dyspepsia, colic, inflammations, cough, bronchitis, helmenthiasis, haemorrhoids, elephantiasis, chronic and intermittent fever, leprosy, leucoderma, ringworm, scabies, hepatosplenomegaly, amenorrhoea, odontalgia, vitiated conditions of vata, kapha and anaemia. It is a pretty subscandent perennial shrub with semi -woody striate stems and flexible branches. Leaves are simple, alternate oblong, short cuneate at the base passing into a very short amplexicaul, exauriculate, and reddish petiole. Flowers are bright red, arranged in long terminal spikes. The calyx ribs are covered with stipitate, bifarious and subsessile gland. Corolla tube is slender and four times as long as the calyx. The stout roots are cylindrical, irregularly bent, light yellowish brown with smooth surface having short transverse shallow fissures at the regions of the bents. A light yellowish juice excudes from the cut surface. A healthy plant may produce 18-20 stout roots (Warrier et al, 1995).

The chemical constituents include plumbagin and sitosterol glucoside. Clinical trials have demonstrated that plumbagin oil from P. indica is useful in common wart (Satyavati et al, 1987). The roots are acrid, astringent, thermogenic, anthelmintic, constipating, expectorant, antiinflammmatory, abortifacient, alterant, anti-periodic, carminative, digestive, sudorific, narcotic, gastric, nervous stimulant and rejuvenating. Root is a powerful sialogogue and vesicant.

2. P. zeylanica Linn.

Eng:White flowered Leadwort; San:Chitraka;

Hin, Ben:Chitarak, Chitra; Mal:Vellakotuveli

Tam: Sittragam, Chittiramoolam;

Kan: Vahini; Mar: Chitraka;

Tel: Chitramulam

White flowered Leadwort or Chitarak is found wild in peninsular India and mostly in West Bengal. Root is used externally in leprosy and other skin diseases or obstinate character, aphthae, abscesses, influenza, piles and anasarca. Juice is used externally in scabies and ulcers. One of the important preparations of Chitrak is “Yograjguggal”, prescribed for arthritis, rheumatism, etc. The other well known preparations are “Chitrak Adivati” and “ Chitraka Haritaki”. In Unani system it is an ingredient of “Aqaruva-i- Kabir”, “Hab Ashkhar”, “Ma’jun Baladur”, “Ma’jun Raig Mahi”, etc. It is a branched undershrub. Roots are long and tuberous. Stem is striate. Leaves are simple, alternate, short petioled, ovate or ovate-oblong, acute with entire or wavy margin, 7x3.8cm and glabrous. Flowers are white, arranged in terminal spikes. Calyx is tubular, glandular-hairy. Corolla tube is slender; limb rotate and 5 lobbed. Stamens are 5 on a disc. Style is slender with 5 stigmatic branches. Fruit is membranous capsule enclosed within the persistent calyx.

The roots of P. zeylanica have been exhaustively studied and naphthaquinones have been isolated, namely, plumbagin, 3-chlroplumbagin, droserone (Sidhu et al, 1971; Padhye et al, 1973), 3,3’-biplumbagin(Chitranone), zeylanone and iso-zeylanone and a coumarin, elliptinone (Sankaram et al, 1976, 1979). It also contains 1,2(3)-tetrahydro-3,3’-biplumbagin and plumbazeylanone. The leaf is antirheumatic. Root is appetiser, sudorific, relieves pain, vasicant, diuretic, caustic, antidiarrhoeal and expellent of phlegmatic tumours. Root is uterine stimulant. Root and fruits have antiimplantation activity. Plumbagin induces antiimplantation, has abortifacient and antiovulatory activity and causes selective testicular lesions in dogs. It is also a mitotic inhibitor. In lower concentration it behaves like a spindle, poison but in higher concentration it exhibits radiomimetic, nucleotoxic and cyclotoxic effects. It also has antibacterial, antifungal and anticoagulant activities and shows antagonism to amphetamine hyperactivity in mice.

3. P. auriculata Lam. syn. P. capensis

Eng: Blue flowered Leadwort;

Mal: Neelakotuveli

The blue flowered Leadwort is often grown in gardens throughout India (Moos, 1976; Chunekar, 1982; Sharma, 1983). It is a native of Cape Province in South Africa. It is a constituent of many Ayurvedic drugs (KAU, 1991). The plant is a subshrub growing to a height of 1-1.5m. Leaves are elliptic to obovate, 3-4 x 1.5-2cm. Inflorescence is a raceme of length 3-4cm. Corolla is blue to violet. Stamens are 5 in number. Flowers and fruits may be upto 12 in number (Matthew, 1995).

Agrotechnology: The plant is grown in tropical to subtropical ecosystems. Warm humid tropical climate is most suited. They come up well in almost all types of deep and well drained soils. It is propagated vegetatively by stem cuttings. Three stem cuttings of size 15cm long are planted in polybags of size 14x10cm. IAA and IBA treatments will improve rooting of cuttings. The land is to be ploughed well. About 4 tonnes of FYM are to be applied, mixed thoroughly and seed bed of size 50cm breadth, 1.5cm height and convenient length are to be prepared. On these beds pits are taken at a distance of 25cm and the rooted plants are transplanted from the polybags. Regular irrigation and weeding are to be carried out. In the second year with the onset of monsoon, seedbeds are again refreshed after adding about 4 tonnes of FYM. At the end of second year tubers are collected. Care should be taken to wear gloves, else the chemical plumbagin present in the roots will cause burning sensation. The collected tubers are washed, tied into bundles and marketed. Plumbago yields about 7-10t tubers/ha with good management (Prasad et al, 1997).... leadwort

Merrill.

Synonym: T. assa DC.

Family: Dilleniaceae.

Habitat: Assam.

Siddha/Tamil: Anaittichal. (A related species T. laevis Vahl, is found in the forests of Kerala.)

Action: Leaves—an infusion of shoots is given in pulmonary haemorrhages and is used as a gargle in aphthae.

The leaves yielded beta-sitosterol, lupeol, betulin and betulinic acid.

T. laevis (Vennelvalli, Piripul) also possesses similar properties. A decoction of leaves, mixed with rice-gruel, is given for the treatment of aphthae.... tetracera indica

Linn. Mast.

Family: Malvaceae.

Habitat: Throughout warmer parts of India, frequent in West Bengal.

Ayurvedic: Naagabalaa (Grewia hirsuta and Sida veronicaefolia are also equated with Naagabalaa). Used as Balaa in Kerala.

Siddha/Tamil: Ottatti.

Action: Root—diuretic, emollient, antispasmodic (roots and stem used in severe windy colic), antirheumatic. Flowers—used as a pectoral and expectorant in dry and inveterate coughs. An infusion is used as a gargle for aphthae amd sore throat.

The aerial parts gave magniferin and quercetin. Alkanes, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol are reported from the whole plant. The seeds contain protein, pentosan and mucilage.... urena lobata