Habitat: Native of tropical America; found throughout greater part of India, grown in gardens.
English: Tall Morning-Glory.Folk: Karakatiyaa (seeds).Action: Purgative. Seed extract— antibacterial.
The stem contains a soft resin (4.8%), essential oil (0.08%) and tannin. The resin is the active principle, it contains ipuranol, which is identical with sitosterol glucoside, ipurolic acid, d- methyl acetic acid, hydroxylauric acid and glucose.Habitat: The Himalayas, and distributed in Northern India, Assam, Khasi Hills. Also cultivated in gardens.
English: Camel's Foot tree, Pink Bauhinia, Butterfly tree, Geramium tree, Orchid tree.Ayurvedic: Kovidaara, Rakta Kaanchanaara.Unani/Siddha: Sivappu mandaarai.Siddha: Mandarai.Folk: Koilaara, Khairwaal, Kaliaar, Rakta Kanchan.Action: Bark—astringent, antidiar- rhoeal. Flower buds and flowers, fried in purified butter, are given to patients suffering from dysentery. Extract of stems are used internally and externally for fractured bones. Plant is used in goitre. It exhibited antithyroid-like activity in experimental animals.
The flowers contain astragalin, iso- quercitrin and quercetin, also antho- cyanins. Seeds contain chalcone gly- cosides.... bauhinia purpureaHabitat: A fungous parasite on a number of grasses particularly in rye, cultivated in the Nilgiris and at Chakrohi farm in Jammu.
English: Ergot of Rye. Fungus of Rye.Ayurvedic: Annamaya, Sraavikaa.Unani: Argot.Siddha/Tamil: Ergot.Action: Uterine stimulant. Oxy- tocic, abortifacient, parturient, vasoconstrictor, haemostatic. Used in obstetrics (difficult childbirth, for exciting uterine contractions in the final stages of parturition). Also used after abortion for removal of the placenta. It is no more employed in internal haemorrhages, as it has been found to raise blood pressure in pulmonary and cerebral haemorrhage. Included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.
The fungus gave indole alkaloids. The ergometrine or ergonovine group includes ergometrine and ergometri- nine. The ergotamine group includes ergotamine and ergotaminine. The er- gotoxine group includes ergocristine, ergocristinine, ergocryptine, ergo- cryptinine, ergocornine and ergo- corninine. The fungus also contains histamine, tyramine and other amines, sterols and acetylcholine.The alkaloids of ergot are being used independently (not as a herbal medicine). Ergotamine is used to relieve migrainous headaches as it is a vasoconstrictor and has antisero- tonin activity. Ergometrine is used after childbirth in the third stage of labour and for post-partum haemorrhage, as it is a powerful uterine stimulant, particularly of the puerperal uterus. (Both the constituents are used under medical supervision). Er- gocornine significantly inhibited the development of induced mammary tumours in rats. The derivatives of ergot alkaloids are known to have suppressing effect on human breast cancer in initial stages. This activity is linked to prolactin inhibitory action.The extract is toxic at 1.0-3.9 g, ergot alkaloids at 1 g in adults, 12 mg in infants. (Francis Brinker).Dosage: Whole plant—10-30 ml infusion. (CCRAS.)... claviceps purpureaHabitat: Native to West Europe. Cultivated in Tangmarg and Kishtawar in Kashmir, Darjeeling and the Nilgiris.
English: Digitalis, Foxglove.Ayurvedic: Hritpatri, Tilapushpi (non-classical). (Purple var.)Action: Main source of digoxin for the pharmaceutical industry. Digitalis glycosides increase the force of contraction of heart without increasing the oxygen consumption and slow the heart rate when auricular fibrillation is present. To be used only under strict medical supervision.
Not used as a herbal drug.... digitalis purpureaHabitat: Throughout the greater part of India.
English: Swamp Cabbage.Ayurvedic: Kalambi, Naalikaa.Siddha/Tamil: Vellaikeerai, Koilan- gu.Action: Emetic and purgative. Used as an antidote to arsenical or opium poisoning. Plant juice is used for liver complaints; buds for ringworm.
The leaves are a good source of minerals (2.1%), vitamins (especially, carotene and tocopherol). Plant is given for nervous and general debility. Whole plant gave beta-carotene, xan- thophyll, traces of taraxanthin, hentri- acontane, beta-sitosterol and its gluco- side.The buds of pigmented variety are recommended as a food for diabetics. An insulin-like substance is reported from the buds.The stems contain N-trans- and N- ris-feruloyltyramines, which have been found to be the inhibitors of in vitro prostaglandin synthesis.The plant shows abundant growth in waste water and absorbs some organic and inorganic components, including heavy metals from waste water. The plant may be useful in the treatment of waste water by biogeofiltration.... ipomoea aquaticaHabitat: North American species. Not found wild in India. Grown in Indian gardens.
Folk: Krishna-bija, Kaalaadaanaa. Kakkattan (Tamil Nadu). Jirki (Andhra Pradesh).Action: Seed—purgative. Used as a substitute for Jalap (Exogonium purga).
The seed gave alkaloids—lysergol, chanoclavine, penniclavine, iso-penni- clavine and elymoclavine.... ipomoea hederaceaHabitat: Throughout warmer parts of India, except the north-western arid region.
Folk: Nauli, Nawal (Maharashtra).Action: Diuretic. Used in strangury, urethral discharges.... ipomoea vitifolia
Habitat: Native to tropical America; cultivated throughout India for edible tubers.
English: Sweet potato.Ayurvedic: Mukhaaluka, Rataalu, Raktaalu, Raktapindaka, Raktakan- da.Siddha/Tamil: Sakkareivelleikulan- gu.Unani: Shakarkand, Rataalu.Action: Root—used in strangury, urinary discharges, burning sensation, thirst. Whole plant—used in low fever and skin diseases.
Cooked tubers contain reducing sugars 6.45, sucrose 2.23, maltose 864, dextrins 0.51 and polysaccharides 14-13%. Cooking increases the sweetness as a result of the hydrolysis of starch to maltose and dextrins through the action of beta-amylase.Sweet potatoes are rich in starch content. During the storage a part of starch content is converted into reducing sugars and subsequently into sucrose. In a sample stored for 5 months, the starch content was reduced from 19.1% to 14.1% while the percentage of reducing sugars (as dextrose) and sucrose increased from 0.9 to 1.7 and 1.9 to 6.1% respectively.Indian types with white flesh contain little or no carotene, while American types with pink flesh contain as high as 5.4-7.2 mg/100 g of carotene. Vitamins present in the tubers are : thiamine 0.09-0.14, riboflavin 0.05-0.10 and vitamin C 16-22 mg/100 g.The hot aqueous extract of leaves exhibits significant inhibitory activity of rat lens aldose reductase (AR). Ellagic and 3,5-dicaffoylquinic acids have been isolated as potent inhibitors.The leaves also contain polysaccha- rides which increase the platelet count in experimental animals due to enhanced production ofthrombopoietin.From the stem and root, hexadecyl, octadecyl and eicosyl p-coumarates have been isolated.The tubers show significant lectin activity and exhibit haemagglutinating activity in trypsinized rabbit erythro- cytes.... ipomoea batatasHabitat: Throughout India.
English: Moon Flower.Ayurvedic: Chandrakaanti, Gul- chaandani, Dudhiaa Kalami.Siddha/Tamil: Naganamukkori.Folk: Chaandani, Dudhiaa Kalami.Action: Root bark—purgative. Leaves—used in filariasis.
The plant contains pentasaccharide glucoside of ethyl-ll-hydroxy hexade- canoate. The seeds contain alkaloids, ipomine, isoipomine, methoxyipo- mine, dimethoxyipomine, ipalkidini- um, ipalbidine and ipalbine.... ipomoea bona-noxHabitat: Tropical India in moist regions.
English: Milky Yam.Ayurvedic: Kshira-vidaari, Kshir- valli, Payasvini, Swaadukandaa, Ikshukandaa, Gajavaajipriyaa, Kan- dapalaasha, Bhuumikuushmaanda.Siddha: Paalmudukkan kizhangu.Folk: Bilaaikanda. Bhuin Kakhaaru (Orissa).Action: Cholagogue, galactagogue, alterative, demulcent, purgative. Resin from root—uses similar to Jalap. Flour of raw rhizome is given in enlargement of liver and spleen, also for menorrhagia, debility and fat accumulation.
Rhizomes gave taraxerol acetate and beta-sitosterol. Fresh leaves contain 6.3 mg/100 g of carotene.Vidaari is equated with Pueraria tuberosa DC. (Fabaceae). Dry pieces of Dioscorea pentaphylla Linn. are sold as Vidaari Kanda.Dosage: Tuber—3-6 g powder. (CCRAS.)... ipomoea digitataHabitat: Throughout India.
Ayurvedic: Aakhukarni (related species), Sheetavalli (provisional synonym).Folk: Nikhari, Bhanwar (Punjab).Action: Antirheumatic, anticepha- lalgic, antiepileptic and antileprotic.
The plant is boiled in oil and used as an application for rheumatism, headache, epilepsy, fevers, ulcers, leprosy. The seeds are reported to contain a resin similar to that present in the seeds of Ipomoea nil.... ipomoea eriocarpaHabitat: Throughout India in the plains, especially on the bank of stream and rivers.
Ayurvedic: Lakshmanaa (Also equated with Ipomoea obscura (Linn.) Ker-Gawler.), Putradaa, Putrajanani.Folk: Tirutaalli (Kerala).Action: Used as a single drug for curing sterility in women, and for promoting fertility and virility.
The seeds of Ipomoea obscura contain non-ergolin type indole alkaloids, ipobscurine A and B and serotonin also alkaloid ipobscurine C.... ipomoea marginataHabitat: The Himalayas, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Maharashtra and South India.
English: Traveller’s Midnight Lilies.Ayurvedic: Krishnabija (related species). (Sold as Kaalaadaanaa, seeds of Ipomoea nil.)Siddha/Tamil: Kattu Talai.Folk: Michaai.Action: Purgative, febrifuge. Seeds—cardiac depressant, spasmolytic, hypotensive, antibacterial, antifungal. Plant juice destroys bedbugs.
The seeds contain resin glycosides which are laxative. Lysergol is also present in the seeds. It exhibits hypotensive, psychotropic, analgesic, and uterus and intestine-stimulating properties. The presence of indole alkaloids is reported in the seed.... ipomoea muricataHabitat: Throughout India; also occurs as a weed.
English: Pharbitis seeds.Ayurvedic: Antah-kotarpushpi, Kaalaanjani (provisional synonym), Krishnabija, Kaalaadaanaa, Shyaamabija, Shankhani, Jhaara- maaricha.Unani: Kaalaadaanaa.Siddha/Tamil: Kaakkattan.Action: Purgative and blood- purifier. A substitute for Jalap. Seeds—antifungal.
The seeds from Pakistan contain al- kaloids—lysergol, chanoclavine, pen- niclavine, isopenniclavine and elymo- clavine. Also contain 14.2% resin and glucosides.Commercial samples of the drug contain 14-15% of crude resinous matter. Research has shown that glycosi- dal part of the resin is inert; the non- glycosidal resin (2% of the drug) causes copious purgation in doses of 250 mg. Besides the resinous matter, the seeds contain a fixed oil (12.4%) and small amounts of saponin, mucilage and tannin.The flowers of the plant contains an- thocyanin pigments.The plant extract exhibited hypogly- caemic activity in rats.Dosage: Seed—3-6 g powder. (CCRAS.)Synonym: I. hederacea auct., non- Jacq.... ipomoea nilHabitat: Near sea, especially on the West Coast.
English: Goat's Foot Creeper.Ayurvedic: Chhagalaantri, Mar- yaada-valli.Siddha/Tamil: Adambu, Attukkal, Musattalai.Action: Astringent, stomachic, laxative, antidiarrhoeal, antiemetic, analgesic. Leaf—diuretic, anti- inflammatory. Used in colic, prolapsus ani; externally in rheumatism. Essential oil of leaves— antagonistic to histamine. Leaf extract is used for different types of inflammations including injuries caused by poisonous jelly-fish.
Clinical trials have proved that an extract (IPA) inhibited the action of jelly-fish toxins. Its topical application inhibited carrageenan-induced paw and ear oedema induced by arachi- donic acid or ethyl phenylpropionate in rats. The crude extract of leaves also show inhibitory effect on prostaglan- din synthesis in vitro.Crude extract (IPA) of the leaves has also been shown to antagonize smooth muscle contraction induced by several agonists via non-specific mechanism. Antispasmodic isoprenoids, beta-damascenone and E-phytol have been isolated from the extract. The an- tispasmodic activity was found to be in the same range as that of papaverine.The alcoholic extract of leaves showed insulinogenic and hypogly- caemic activities in rats, comparable to the hypoglycaemic drug chlor- propamide.The leaves and seeds contain indole alkaloid. Plant also contains a steroid, an amide, pentatriacontane, triacon- tane, volatile oil and behenic, melissic, butyric and myristic acids.... ipomoea pes-capraeHabitat: Throughout India; ascending to 300 m.
Ayurvedic: Shyaamaa, Chhaa- galaantri, Vriddhadaaraka, Vrid- dhadaaru. Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Boj., synonym A. spiciosa Sweet, Convolvulaceae, is equated with Vriddhadaaru and Vriddhadaaruka, while Ipomoea petaloidea and I. pes-caprae are also known by identical synonyms. Operculina turpethum, synonym I. turpethum is used as a substitute for I. petaloidea.Unani: Shaaraf.Siddha: Nilapoosani.Folk: Bidhaaraa, Nishoth (black var.)Action: Purgative. Used as a supporting herb for diseases of the nervous system.
Dosage: Leaf, root—3-6 g powder; leaf juice—5-10 ml. (CCRAS.)... ipomoea petaloideaHabitat: Cultivated in the Nilgiris and Poona.
English: Jalap.Folk: Jalaapaa.Action: Strong cathartic and purgative. Usually used with carminatives.
Resin from dried root (commercial jalap) contains beta-D-quinovoside of 11-OH-tetradecanoic acid. The glycosi- dal resin is known as "convolvulin'l... ipomoea purgaHabitat: Native to tropical America; grown as an ornamental.
English: Cypress Vine, Indian Pink.Ayurvedic: Kaamalataa.Siddha/Tamil: Kembumalligai, Mayirmanikkam.Folk: Sitaakesh.Action: Powdered root is given as a sternutatory. Pounded leaves are applied to bleeding piles.
The leaves and stems are reported to contain small amounts of alkaloids. Traces of hydrocyanic acid are present also in roots, stems and flowers.... ipomoea quamoclitHabitat: In damp places in upper Gangetic plains; Bihar, Bengal, Peninsular India.
Ayurvedic: Aakhuparni, Aakhu- parnika, Muusaakarni, Aakhukarni. Undurukarnikaa. (Also equated with Dravanti.)Siddha/Tamil: Yelikkaadhukeerai, Perettaikkirai.Action: Deobstruent, diuretic, alterative. Used for rheumatic affections, neuralgia, headache, skin diseases and urinary affections.
Evolvulus nummularis Linn. (Con- volvulaceae) is also known as Muusa- akarni (Muusaakaani) and is used for cutaneous affections.... ipomoea reniformisHabitat: Throughout greater part of India.
Ayurvedic: Banakalami, Hanumaan- Vel, Manjika. (Also equated with Lakshmanaa.)Siddha/Tamil: Thaalikeerai (Laksh- manaa of the South).Action: Juice of the plant—de- obstruent, diuretic, hypotensive, uterine tonic, antidote to arsenic poisoning. Seeds—cardiac depressant, hypotensive, spasmolytic.... ipomoea sepiaria
Habitat: All over India; also grown as green manure and as cover crop.
English: Purple Tephrosia, Wild Indigo.Ayurvedic: Sharapunkhaa, Vishikha-punkhaa, Sarphokaa.Unani: Sarponkhaa, Sarphukaa.Siddha/Tamil: Kattu-kolingi, Kolingi, Paavali, Mollukkay, Kollukkayvelai.Action: The drug is considered specific for the treatment of inflammation of spleen and liver (is known as Plihaa-shatru, Plihaari in Indian medicine).
Dried herb—diuretic, deobstruent, laxative. Given for the treatment of cough, bronchitis, bilious febrile attacks, insufficiency of the liver, jaundice (not effective in infantile cirrhosis), kidney disorders and for the treatment of bleeding piles, boils, pimples. Also used as a gargle. Root—decoction used in dyspepsia, diarrhoea, cough, bronchitis, adenoids, asthma and rheumatism. Juice is applied to skin eruptions. A liniment prepared from the root is employed in elephantiasis. Oil from seeds—specific against eruptions of the skin, eczema, scabies, leprosy. Seed extract—hypoglycaemic.Powdered aerial parts prevented elevation of SGOP, SGPT and bilirubin levels.Hepatoprotective effect of aerial parts was evaluated against (+)-galac- tosamine-induced and carbon tetra- chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.The leaves contain rutin and rote- noids (0.65-0.80% on dry basis). Rote- noid content is highest in the seed (1.60-1.80%).The leaves also contain a triterpe- noid, lupeol, and beta-sitosterol.Seeds contain a diketone-pongamol; a dimethylchromene flavanone iso- lonchocarpin; furanoflavones karan- jin and kanjone; a flavanone purpurin; and sitosterol. A flavonoid, lanceolarin B, is also present in seeds.The plant extract led to marked lowering of blood glucose level in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. In diabetic rabbits the extract exerted 60-70% hypoglycaemic effect as compared to tolbutamide.Shveta Sharapunkhaa (stems: covered with white hair; flowers: pale pink or pale violet) is equated with T. villosa Pers.The roots gave a prenylated fla- vanone 7-methylglabranin; pods contain rotenoids—villosin, villon, vil- losol, villosinol, villinol and villosone.The fresh root is credited with hy- poglycaemic properties, but leaves did not show any such effect. The juice of the leaf is given in dropsy. Ayurve- dic classical texts describe it as a special drug for treating sterility in women.Boiled leaves of T. uniflora subspecies petrosa (Kant-punkhaa) are used for the treatment of syphilis. The medicinal properties of the plant are more or less similar to those of T. purpurea, but to a milder degree.T. spinosa Pers. (South India, ascending to 400 m in hills) is also known as Kant-punkhaa (Mulukolingi in Tamil Nadu).The root is applied to inflammations and swellings of joints; a decoction is given in rheumatism.Chalcones, spinochalones A and B and flemistrictin A have been isolated from the root. Spinochalone C and spinoflavonones A and B, and fulvin- ervin A have been isolated from the plant.Dosage: Plant, root, seed—3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... tephrosia purpurea
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