Neutral principals are crystalline substances with actions similar to those of alkaloids but having a neutral reaction. The name of a neutral principal ends in ‘in’, e.g. digitalin, aloin.
The following are the more important alkaloids, with their source plants:
Aconite, from Monkshood.
Atropine, from Belladonna (juice of Deadly
Nightshade).
Cocaine, from Coca leaves.
Hyoscine, from Henbane.
Morphine, Codeine, from Opium (juice of
Poppy). Thebaine, Nicotine, from Tobacco. Physostigmine, from Calabar beans. Pilocarpine, from Jaborandi leaves. Quinidine, from Cinchona or Peruvian bark. Strychnine, from Nux Vomica seeds.... alkaloids
Habitat: North-western Himalayas. Cultivated on limited scale in North Indian plains.
English: Egyptian Henbane.Ayurvedic: Paarsika-yavaani (related species), Turushkaa.Unani: Ajwaayin Khuraasaani, Shuukraan, Tukhm-bang.Folk: Vajra-bhang.Action: Sedative.
The leaves and flowering tops contain higher concentration of tropane alkaloids than other species of Hyoscy- amus, used as a source of hyoscine.... hyoscyamus muticusHabitat: Native to Europe and Asia. Occurs in the temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Garhwal.
English: Indian Henbane, Black Henbane.Ayurvedic: Paarsika-yavaani, Yavaani, Madkaarini, Turushkaa, Khuraashaanikaa, Khuraasaani Ajwaayin.Unani: Barz-ul-Banj, Khuraasaani Ajwaayin.Siddha/Tamil: Paarseekayavani, Khurasani Omam.Action: Sedative. Narcotic drug. Used for convulsions. Action similar to Belladonna.
Key application: In spasms of gastrointestinal tract. (German Commission E, The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)The leaves and flowering tops contain tropane alkaloids, 0.045-00.14%, the principal ones being hyoscyamine and hyoscine. The alkaloids are para- sympatholytic, with similar actions to Belladonna, although with less cerebral excitement.The seeds show inhibitory activity against digestive enzyme, lipase in vitro.Contraindicated in tachycardias, prostatic hyperplasia, narrow-angle glaucoma, acute pulmonary oedema, stenosis of gastrointestinal tract, maga colon.Dosage: Seed—3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... hyoscyamus nigerChinese: Tse-lan. Indian: Allepa.
Constituents: flavonoids, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, sesquiterpene lactones, volatile oil.
Action: anti-tumoral, diuretic, cathartic. Echinacea-effect to enhance immune system.
Uses: Blood impurities. Tumour. Internal use discouraged except by a general medical practitioner. Preparations. Tea: 1 teaspoon to each cup boiling water: infuse 15 minutes. Dose: half a cup, thrice daily.
Liquid Extract: 30-60 drops in water.
Externally as a poultice. HENBANE. See: HYOSCYAMUS. ... hemp agrimony
Constituents: The leaves contain hyoscine, hyoscamine, scopolamine, choline, mucilage.
Action: Powerful brain relaxant, antispasmodic on smooth muscle, sedative. Inhibits release of acetylcholine as a neuro-transmitter (action similar to Belladonna). Analgesic, narcotic.
Uses: Rabies, delirium tremens, delirium of fevers, cystitis, travel sickness, bronchitis, asthma, renal colic, whooping cough. See: TRANSDERMAL PATCHES.
Preparations: Poultice. Leaves once used for painful rheumatism.
Pharmacy only. Herbal practitioners are exempted up to 300mg daily (100mg per dose). HYPERACIDITY. See: ACIDITY. ... hyoscyamus