(Native American) A prophetess
Habitat: Native to Europe and West Asia.
English: Asparagus, Sparrow grass.Ayurvedic: Shataavari, Vari, Shatviryaa, Shatmuuli, Shatpadi, Bhiru, Naaraayani, Bahusutaa, Atirasaa.Unani: Haliyun.Family: Asparagaceae.Habitat: Found wild in tropical and subtropical parts of India, including the Andamans and ascending in the Himalayas to 1,500 m.
English: Indian asparagus.Ayurvedic: Shataavari, Shatmuuli, Atirasaa, Bahusutaa, Shatpadi, Shatviryaa, Bhiru, Indivari, Vari. (Substitute for Medaa, Mahaamedaa.)Unani: Sataavar.Siddha/Tamil: Thanneervittan kizhangu, Sataavari Kizhangu.Action: Used as a galactagogue and for disorders of female genitourinary tract; as a styptic and ulcer-healing agent; as an intestinal disinfectant and astringent in diarrhoea; as a nervine tonic, and in sexual debility for spermatogenesis.
Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of the tuberous root in gout, puerperal diseases, lactic disorders, haematuria, bleeding disorders and also recommends it for hyperacidity.The plant contains saponins—sha- tavarins I-IV. Shatavarin IV is a glycoside of sarsasapogenin. The saponin in doses of 20-500 mcg/ml produces a special blockade of syntocinon (oxy- tocin)-induced contraction of rat, guinea-pig and rabbit uteri in vitro and in situ. It also blocks the uterine spontaneous motility.The dried root yields sitosterol; 4,6- dihydroxy-2-O-(2' hydroxyisobutyl) benzaldehyde and undecanyl cetano- ate, and contains a large amount of saccharine matter, mucilage and miner- als—Ca (0.172), Cu (0.033), Na (14.60), K (8.32), Mg (0.169), Mn (0.0074), Ni (0.105) and Zn (0.072) mg/g(dry weight).The root was found to reduce gastric emptying time comparable to that of metoclopramide. (J Postgrad Med, 1990, 36(2), 91-94).The root extracts exhibited antiallergic activity in animal studies.The root, when fed orally, acted as immunomodulator against induced sepsis and peritonitis in rats and mice.... asparagus racemosusHabitat: Sub-Himalayan tracts of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and Deccan Peninsula up to an altitude of 900 m.
Ayurvedic: Jivanti; Jivaniya, Jiva- pushpa, Hemavati, Jivana. Shaaka- shreshtha, Payaswini, Maangalya, Madhusravaa. (Guduuchi, Medaa, Kaakoli and Vrkshaadani are also known as Jivanti.) (Haimavati is equated with Orris Root and Hemapushpa with Sarca asoca flower.)Siddha/Tamil: Keerippaalai.Folk: Dodishaak (Gujarat).Action: Plant—stimulant and restorative. Improves eyesight. Found useful in the treatment of habitual abortion. Leaves and roots used in skin diseases.
The herb contains «-triacontane, cetyl alcohol, beta-sitosterol, beta- amyrin acetate, lupanol 3-O-digluco- side and lepitidin glycoside.Stigmasterol and lipoid fraction of the plant exhibited estrogen mimetic effects.Alcoholic extract of roots and leaves show antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.Intravenous administration of aqueous extract of stems has a pronounced and hypotensive action in anaesthetized dogs.Dosage: Root—3-6 g powder. (CCRAS.)... leptadenia reticulataLishana, Lishanna, Lyshan, Lyshana, Lyshanna... lishan
Habitat: Punjab, Khasi Hills, Bengal, Assam and South India.
English: Common Tallow Lowrel.Ayurvedic: Medaasaka.Unani: Maidaa-lakdi, MaghaaseHindi.Siddha/Tamil: Mushaippeyetti, Elumpurukki, Uralli.Action: Leaf—antispasmodic and emollient. Bark—demulcent, emollient, astringent, antidiarrhoeal, anodyne. Root—decoction is used as an emmenagogue. Oil from berries—used in rheumatism. Essential oil—antibacterial, antifungal.
The bark is mucilaginous. The plant contains a polysaccharide. Leaves and stem contain aporphine al- kaloids—boldine, laurotetanine, acti- nodaphnine and their derivatives. The trunk bark gave sebiferine and litsefer- ine.Boldine produced dose-dependent inhibition of induced microsomal peroxidation in experimental studies.Dosage: Bark—3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... litsea glutinosaEAU de COLOGNE. Sydney Gold Medal. Mix, parts: oils of Bergamot (1), Citronella (2), Neroli (1), Rosemary (1), Alcohol (say vodka) 20 parts. Dissolve. For perfumery, or to neutralise sick-room effluvia of the terminally ill. ... ears
Habitat: Northern Himalayas, from 1,500 to 3,300 m.
Ayurvedic: Mahaa-medaa, Medaa, (substitute: Asparagus racemosus, also Saalab-misri.)Folk: Devarigaanl (Gharwal).Action: Root—rejuvenating tonic for nervous system.
The root gave neoprazerigenin A- 3-O-beta-lycotetraoside (PS-III) and its methyl proto-type congener (PS- II) and steroidal saponins, sibiricoside A (PS-I) and sibiricoside B (PS-IV).Dosage: Root—3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... polygonatum cirrhifoliumHabitat: Western Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon and in Manipur.
English: Solomon's Seal.Ayurvedic: Mahaa-medaa, Medaa (var.). (Substitute: Asparagus racemosus.)Action: Anti-inflammatory, nervine, astringent. Used as an infusion for pulmonary complaints; as a poultice for piles and bruises.
The root and herb gave diosgenin and its glycosides.Dosage: Root—3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... polygonatum multiflorumHabitat: Temperate Himalayas and Manipur.
Ayurvedic: Medaa. (Substitute: Asparagus racemosus.)Unani: Shaqaaqul. (Substitute: Pastinaca secacul.)Folk: Mithaa-dudhiaa.Action: Used in Tibetan medicine for treating emaciation, senility, pulmonary affections. The rhizomes is valued as salep.
The dried rhizomes contain 6.2-9% diosgenin.The lactins of the rootstock did not contain carbohydrates; the amino acid revealed presence of 28% aspartic acid and asparagine.The plant exhibits diuretic properties. It gave a digitalis glucoside and is considered poisonous by the hill people in the Himalayas.... polygonatum verticillatum
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