Mentha arvensis Health Dictionary

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Mentha Arvensis: From 1 Different Sources

Linn. var. piperascens Holmes.

Family: Labiatae; Lamiaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in Jammu and Kashmir.

English: Japanese Mint.

Unani: Naanaa.

Action: Carminative, chola- gogue, expectorant, antibacterial, antifungal.

Key application: Mint oil— internally for flatulence, functional gastrointestinal and gallbladder disorders; catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract. Externally, for myalgia and neuralgia. (German Commission E.)

Major components of the essential oil are menthol (up to 95%) and men- thone. Others are alpha-and beta- pinene, alpha-thujene, l-limonene, beta-phellandrene, furfural, methyl- cyclohexanone and camphene. The essential oil possesses both antibacterial and antifungal properties.

The leaves show anti-implantation effect. Seeds showed abortifacient activity (29%) in albino rats with marked malformations in neonates where pregnancy was not terminated.
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Anagallis Arvensis

Linn.

Family: Primulaceae.

Habitat: Northwestern Himalayas from Kashmir eastwards to Nepal, hills of West Bengal; Central and southern India.

English: Bird's Eye, Bird's Tongue, Blue Pimpernel, Scarlet Pimpernel.

Unani: Anaaghaalis.

Folk: Jonkmaari (Maharashtra), Dhabbar (Punjab), Jighanaa, Jenghani.

Action: Plant—anti-inflammatory, astringent, deobstructant, an- tifungal, nematocidal; toxic to leeches.

The plant yields anagalligenone B. The presence of quaternary alkaloids, gluco-fructoside and tannin have been reported. The root yields glycosidic saponins, including cyclamin. An acetyl saponin, isolated from the plant, was found to possess marked taenici- dal activity but had no effect on round- worms.

A methanolic extract of the aerial parts showed activity against herpes simplex I, adenovirus type II and polio type II. Triterepene saponins have oestrogenic activity.... anagallis arvensis

Convolvulus Arvensis

Linn.

Family: Convolvulaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, up to 3,000 m in the Himalayas.

English: Deer's Foot.

Ayurvedic: Bhadrabalaa, Hiranpadi.

Unani: Lablaab.

Folk: Hirankhuri, Haranpagaa.

Action: Plant—cooling, anticonvul- sant. Root—cathartic.

Plant extract—hypotensive in cats; raises coronary rate. Alkaloids—hy- potensive, without vasodilation. EtOH extract—anticonvulsant in rats. Aqueous extract—exhibited muscarinic and micotinic activity.

The dried rhizome contains 4.9% resin. The cathartic action of the resinous substance is about one third of that of jalap (Ipomoea purga Hayne) resin.

All parts of the plant contain beta- Me-esculetin; aerial parts n-alkanes, n-alkanols, alpha-amyrin and sterols; roots gave cuscohygrine.... convolvulus arvensis

Mentha Aquatica

Linn.

Family: Labiatae; Lamiaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in Indian gardens.

English: Water Mint, Wild Mint.

Unani: Pudinaa Nahari.

Action: Leaf—stimulant, astringent. Used for diarrhoea and dysmenorrhoea.

The essential oil is composed of 40-50% menthofuran, with menthol, methyl acetate, pulegone among other constituents.... mentha aquatica

Mentha Longifolia

(Linn.) Huds.

Synonym: M. sylvestris Linn.

Family: Labiatae; Lamiaceae.

Habitat: Native to Europe and Asia; cultivated in Kashmir, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

English: English Horsemint.

Unani: Pudinaa-Barri, Jangali Pudinaa.

Action: Leaf and flowering top— carminative, stimulant, antiseptic, febrifuge. Used for digestive disorders and headaches. Essential oil—antibacterial.

Chief components of the volatile oil are 1,8-cineole 28.8, piperitone 13.9, cis- piperitone oxide 15.4 and piperitenone 13.8%. The aerial parts contain flavonoids—3'-hydroxy-4',5,6,7-tetra- methoxyflavone, hesperetin-7-rutino- side, luteolin, ursolic acid and beta- sitosterol. The essential oil acts as a CNS depressant and has somnifacient properties. Phenolic extract showed stimulative effect on CNS of mice. Administration of the oil leads to a drop in body temperature.

American Horsemint is equated with Monarda punctata L. The major component of the volatile oil is thymol. The leaves and tops are used as stimulant, carminative and emmenagogue.... mentha longifolia

Mentha Piperata

Linn. emend. Huds.

Family: Labiatae; Lamiaceae.

Habitat: Native to Europe; cultivated in Maharashtra, Kashmir and Punjab.

English: Peppermint, Brandy Mint.

Ayurvedic: Vilaayati Pudinaa.

Action: Oil—digestive, carminative, chloretic, antispasmodic, diuretic, antiemetic, mild sedative, diaphoretic, antiseptic, antiviral, used in many mixtures of indigestion and colic and cough and cold remedies.

Key application: Leaf—internally for spastic complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder and bile ducts. (German Commission E, ESCOP.) The British Herbal Compendium indicates peppermint leaf for dyspepsia, flatulence, intestinal colic, and biliary disorders.

Key application: Oil—as a carminative. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) In spastic discomfort fo the upper gastrointestinal tract and bile ducts, irritable colon, the respiratory tract and inflammation of the oral mucosa. Externally, for myalgia and neuralgia. (German Commission E.) ESCOP indicates its use for irritable bowel syndrome, coughs and colds. Externally, for coughs and colds, rheumatic complaints, pruritus, urticaria, and pain in irritable skin conditions. (ESCOP.)

The essential oil has both antibacterial and antifungal properties.

The major constituents of the essential oil are: menthol, menthone, pulegone, menthofuran, 1,8-cineole, men- thyl acetate, isomenthone. The leaves contain flavonoid glycosides, erioc- itrin, luteolin 7-O-rutinoside, hesperi- din, isorhoifolin, diosmin, eriodictyol 7-O-glucoside and narirutin, besides rosmarinic acid, azulenes, cholene, carotenes.

Peppermint oil relaxed carvachol- contracted guinea-pig tenia coli, and inhibited spontaneous activity in guinea-pig colon and rabbit jejunum. It relaxes gastrointestinal smooth muscle by reducing calcium influx. Peppermint oil reduced gastric emptying time in dyspeptics.

The aqueous and ethanolic extracts exhibited antiviral activity against RPV (rinder pest virus), a highly contagious viral disease of cattle.... mentha piperata

Mentha Spicata

Linn. emend. Nathh.

Synonym: M. viridis Linn.

Family: Labiatae; Lamiaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

English: Spearmint, Garden Mint.

Ayurvedic: Pudinaa, Podinaka, Puutihaa, Rochini.

Unani: Nanaa. Pudinaa Kohi.

Action: Carminative, stimulant, antispasmodic, antiemetic, diaphoretic, antiseptic. A tea of dry flowers and leaves is prescribed for tracheobronchitis and hypertension.

The chief constituents of the essential oil are carvone (55-75%) and limonene (up to 21.4%). The herb gave flavonoids, diosmin and diosmetin. Caffeic acid derivatives include ros- marinic acid in the volatile oil.

Dosage: Leaf—5-10 ml juice; 35 ml extract. (CCRAS.)... mentha spicata

Ranunculus Arvensis

Linn.

Family: Ranunculaceae.

Habitat: The Western Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.

English: Corn Buttercup.

Folk: Chambul (Punjab). Gager- kanda (Kashmir).

Action: Used in intermittent fevers, asthma and gout.

The active principle of the herb is protoanemonin (0.54%) and its glyco- sidic precursor, ranunculin. The herb yields hydrocyanic acid in very small amounts.

The leaves contain the antifungal lactone protoanemonin which inhibited growth of Epidermophyton floccosum and the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis.... ranunculus arvensis

Sonchus Arvensis

Linn.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: Waste places and fields throughout India, up to an altitude of 2,400 m.

English: Corn Sow Thistle.

Ayurvedic: Sahadevi (bigger var.). (Vernonia cinerea is equated with Sahadevi.)

Action: Plant—sedative, hypnotic, anodyne, expectorant, diuretic. Used for nervous debility. Seeds— used for asthma, bronchitis, cough, pertussis, fever; decoction in insomnia. Leaves—applied to swellings. Root—used for diseases of the respiratory tract.

The plant contains amino acids, lipids, polymeric hydrocarbons, polyphenols, protein; alpha- and beta- amyrins, lupeol, pseudotaraxasterol, taraxasterol. The latex contains manni- tol, alpha-and beta-lactucerols. Aerial parts and fruits contain ceryl alcohol, choline, palmitic, tartaric and stearic acids.... sonchus arvensis

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