(L.) Gaertn.
Family: Verbenaceae.
Habitat: Throughout India in tidal forests, wild all over coastal areas; planted in gardens in Tamil Nadu.
English: Smooth Volkameria.
Ayurvedic: Putigandhaa, Kundali, Vanajai.
Siddha/Tamil: Peenaari, Sangan- kuppi.
Folk: Lanjai.
Action: Leaf—febrifuge, alterative. Used as a substitute for Swertia chirayita and quinine in remittent and intermittent fevers. The leaf juice is taken orally to relieve muscular pains and stiffness of legs (in tetanus).
The leaves and stem contain a number of triterpenes, neolignans, diter- penoids, sterols and flavones.The roots are prescribed in venereal diseases. The methanolic extract of the roots contains verbascoside which exhibits analgesic and antimicrobial properties.
(Linn.) Moon.
Family: Verbenaceae.
Habitat: A shrub distributed throughout the country, especially common in Assam and Bengal.
English: Blue-flowered Glory tree, Beetle Killer.
Ayurvedic: Bhaargi, Bhaaran- gi, Angaarvalli, Phanji, Braah- manyashtikaa, Kharshaak, Padma, Bhragubhavaa, Brahmayashtikaa.
Siddha/Tamil: Kandoorbarangi (root), cherutekku.
Action: Root—Antiasthmatic, antihistaminic, antispasmodic, antitussive carminative, febrifuge. Leaf—febrifuge.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicated the use of the dried roots in cough, bronchitis, dyspnoea, chest diseases and sinusitis.The bark contains triterpenoids— serratagenic, oleanolic and queretaric acids; leaves contain alpha-spinasterol and flavonoids, including luteolin, api- genin, baicalein, scutellarein, phenolic acids—caffeic and ferulic acids.EtOH (50%) extract of the plant exhibited hypotensive and spasmolytic activity. Polyhydric property on isolated guinea pig ileum. Antiasthmatic effect was also observed pharmacologically.
Dosage: Root—3-6 g powder; 1020 g for decoction. (API Vol. III.)... clerodendrum serratum