(Linn.) Roxb. var. amara (Roxb.) C. B. Clarke.
Family: Cucurbitaceae.
Habitat: Throughout India.
English: Ribbed or Ridged Gourd (bitter var.).
Ayurvedic: Katukoshataki, Tik- takoshtaki.
Action: Plant—purgative, diuretic. Used for oedema, splenic enlargement, cough and asthma. Seeds— emetic, expectorant.
The plant contains the oleanane type triterpene saponins. It is reported to exhibit antitumour activity.
The fruit juice is used as a homoeopathic drug in hepatic congestion, irritation and inflammation of gastric mucosa.
Dosage: Leaf, fruit, root—10-20 ml juice. (CCRAS.)
(Linn.) Gaertn.
Synonym: Eugenia acutangula L.
Family: Lecythidaceae; Barringtoni- aceae.
Habitat: Sub-Himalayan tracts from the Ganges eastwards to Assam and Madhya Pradesh.
English: Indian Oak. (Oak is equated with Quercus robur L.)
Ayurvedic: Nichula, Hijjala, Ijjala, Vidula, Ambuj. (Central Council for Research in Ayurveda & Siddha has wrongly equated Hijjala, Nichula and Vidula with Argyreia nervosa, Elephant Creeper.)
Unani: Samandarphal. (Saman- darphal is also equated with Rhus parviflora Roxb. in National Formulary of Unani Medicine.)
Siddha/Tamil: Kadappai, Samudra- phullarni.
Action: Leaf juice—given in diarrhoea. Fruit—bitter, acrid, anthelmintic, haemolytic, vulnerary; prescribed in gingivitis as an expectorant. Powdered seeds— emetic and expectorant. Bark— astringent, used in diarrhoea and blennorrhoea. Febrifuge. Wood— haemostatic (in metrorrhagia).
Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicated the use of the fruit in goitre; also in psychological disorders.
The bark contains tannins (16%), also ellagic acid.
The fruits contain triterpenoid sa- pogenins. Saponins possess haemolyt- ic properties.
A related sp. B. racemosa (L.) Roxb., found in Assam, eastern and western coasts of India and the Andaman Islands, is also equated with Samu- draphala and Hijjala.
European Oak (Quercus robur) contains 15-20% tannins, consisting of phlobatannin, ellagitannins and gallic acid. The bark is used as astringent, antiseptic and haemostatic.
Dosage: Fruit—1-3 g (API Vol. III.)... barringtonia acutangula
(Linn.) M. J. Roem.
Synonym: L. aegyptiaca Mill. L. pentandra Roxb.
Family: Cucurbitaceae.
Habitat: Cultivated throughout greater parts of India.
English: Smooth Luffa, Sponge- gourd, sponge Cucumber.
Ayurvedic: Dhaamaargava, Ma- haakoshtaki, Mahaajaalini, Raa- jakoshataki.
Siddha/Tamil: Mozhukupeerankai, Pikku.
Action: Plant—used against pharyngitis, rhinitis, mastitis, oedema, swellings and burns. Leaves— used for chronic bronchitis. Leaf juice is given for amenorrhoea. Flowers—used for treating migraine. Seeds—alcoholic extract exhibited 9.80% fungitoxic activity.
German Commission E included Luffa aegyptiaca among unapproved herbs. Preparations of Luffa sponge, used as a preventive for infections or cold, as a remedy for colds, nasal catarrh as well as sinusitis and suppuration of the sinus, have been negatively evaluated.
The saponins isolated from aerial parts are effective in controlling obesity, also the side-effects of steroids.
The oleanane saponins, lucyoside AH (at least one component) is effective in preventing loss of hair.
Spongegourd extracts or saponins (ginsenosides and lucyosides) find application in topical medication for skin disorders and haemorrhoids. Lucyo- sides are also used as antitussive.
The roots of the mature plants contain an acidic pentacyclic triterpene, bryonolic acid. Bryonolic acid showed antiallergic and anti-inflammatory activity in experimental animals. An aqueous extract of seeds showed strong fibrinolytic activity. It also showed anticancer activity in transplanted tumours.
Dosage: Leaf, flower, fruit—10- 20 ml juice. (CCRAS.)... luffa cylindrica
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