n. one of a group of simple proteins found in plants and soluble only in dilute acids and bases. An example is glutenin, found in wheat (see gluten).
Habitat: Cultivated mainly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
English: Japanese Barnyard Millet.Ayurvedic: Shyaamaaka.Siddha: Kudrraivali pillu (Tamil).Folk: Shamaa, Saanvaa.Action: Plant—cooling and digestible, considered useful in biliousness and constipation.
The millet has a well balanced amino acid composition, but is deficient in lysine. Glutelin is the major constituent of protein.... echinochloa frumentaceaHabitat: Cultivated mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
English: Common Millet, Proso Millet, Hog Millet.Ayurvedic: Chinaaka, Cheenaa.Unani: Chinaa Ghaas, Faaluudaa.Siddha/Tamil: Panivaragu.Folk: Chenaa, Chi-Tibet.Action: Seeds (grains)—demul- cent; used in diarrhoea. Plant— antigonorrhoeal.
The seedlings contain an alkaloid hordenine (beta-p-hydroxyphenethyl dimethylamine). Saponins afforded diosgenin and yamogenin isolated from the leaves.The grains contain 10-18% of proteins which include prolamin, glutelin and smaller amounts of albumin and globulin. The protein has a biological value of 56% and a digestibility coefficient of 91% at 10% level of protein intake.In Indian medicine, Chinaaka and Kangu (Setaria italica L. Beauv.) are synonyms.(0.015%). The capsules contain morphine, thebine and narcotine and me- conic acid.Other species, commonly grown in Indian gardens, are P. nudicaule Linn. (Iceland Poppy) and P. orientale (Oriental Poppy). P. nudicaule plants with yellow flowers are more cyanogenetic than those with red or white flowers. P. orientate contains 0.16% alkaloids, which include the- baine, isothebaine, protopine, glauci- dine and oripavine. Isothebaine stimulates and later depresses the central nervous system.... panicum miliaceumHabitat: Ladakh, Lahul and other north-western Himalayan areas; and as host for cultivation of medicinal ergot (fungus) in Kashmir.
English: Rye Grass.Action: Grass—used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), chronic prostatis and prostatodynia.
Rye bread, biscuits, porridge and alcoholic products are available in European countries and the US. Rye grain contains 12.1% protein; made up of 42% gliadin (a prolamine), 42% glutelin, 8% globulin and 8% albumin. The biological value of Rye protein at 5% level of intake is 80.4% and the coefficient of true digestibility 91.0%.The mineral contents in the grain are: calcium 61, potassium 453, magnesium 155, phosphorus 376, sulphur 146 and iron 4.8 mg/100 g; and small amounts of zinc, copper, manganese and aluminium. The carbohydrates (73.4%) include surcose, pentosans, starch and raffinose.Medicinally applicable part of Rye Grass is the polan extract. The extract contains beta-sitosterol; relaxes urethral smooth muscle tone and increases bladder muscle contraction. Some evidence suggests that it might affect alpha-adrenergic receptors and relax the internal and external bladder sphincter muscle. The extract does not affect LH, FSH, testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. A specific Rye Grass pollen extract 126 mg three times daily has been used for BHP. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)(It is not known if Rye Grass pollen is comparable to finasteride or hytrin. However, it is comparable to Pygeum and Paraprost, a Japanese prostate remedy containing L-glutamic acid, L-alanine and aminoacetic acid.)... secale cerealeHabitat: Cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
English: Italian Millet, Fox-tail Millet.Ayurvedic: Kangu, Kanguni, Kangunikaa, Priyangu Dhaanya (Millet). (Priyangu, aromatic flower buds or seed kernels, is a different drug. Callicarpa macrophylla and Prunus mahaleb are equated with Priyangu.)Action: Plant—used as a sedative to the gravid uterus. Grain—used for alleviating pain after parturition. Applied externally in rheumatism.
(The grain is reported injurious to horses. Overfeeding affects kidneys and causes swelling and inflammation of joints.)Analysis of a dehusked sample (79% of whole grain) gave following values: protein 12.3, fat 4.3, minerals 3.3, crude fibre 8.0, and other carbohydrates 60.9%. The principal protein of the millet is prolamin (48%), albumin and globulin together form 1314% of the total protein, and glutelin 37%. The oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, present in the grain, during the cold winter months is reported to yield toxic substances.... setaria italica
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