Martynia annua Health Dictionary

Linn.

Synonym: M. diandra Glox.

Family: Martyniaceae.

Habitat: Native of Mexico; found throughout India.

English: Devil's Claw, Tiger Claw.

Ayurvedic: Kaakanaasikaa, Kaakaangi, Shirobal.

Siddha/Tamil: Kakatundi, Thelko- dukkukai.

Folk: Hathajori, Bichhuu.

Action: Leaf—used in epilepsy, also applied to tuberculous glands of the neck. Fruit—anti-inflammatory. Ash of the fruit, mixed with coconut oil, is applied on burns. Seed oil— applied on abscesses and for treating itching and skin affections.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia recommends the seed for arresting greying of hair.

Flowers gave (several flavonoids including apigenin, luteolin, apigenin-7- O-beta-D-glucuronide, luteolin-7-O- beta-D-glucuronide, pellargonidin-3, 5-diglucoside, cyanidin-3-galactoside.

The essential oil from the plant moderately inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in animals.

Pentatropis microphylla W. & A. and P. spiralis Decne have also been equated with Kaakanaasaa, Kaakanaasikaa.

Dosage: Dried seed—2-5 g. (API, Vol. III.)