Miliaria rubra Health Dictionary

Also known as prickly heat. An intensely itchy vesicular and erythematous rash induced by intense heat and humidity. It is caused by a disturbance of sweat-gland function.... miliaria

Roxb. ex Salisb.

Synonym: N. nouchali Burm. f. N. lotus Hook. f. Thoms non L.

Family: Nymphaeaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the warmer parts of India.

English: Indian Red Water-lily.

Ayurvedic: Kumuda, utpala (red-flowered var.).

Siddha/Tamil: Alli-tamarai, Vellam- bal.

Action: Flower—astringent, cardiac tonic; used in palpitation of heart. Rhizomes—used for dysentery and dyspepsia.... nymphaea rubra

Linn.

Family: Apocynaceae.

Habitat: Native to Mexico; grown throughout India.

English: Red Jasmine.

Ayurvedic: Kshira Champaka (red-flowered var.).

Action: Root bark—used in blennorrhagia. Flower—bechic (used in pectoral syrups). Bark— a decoction is used in venereal diseases and leprosy.

The bark contains cytotoxic iridoids (including fulvoplumierin which also inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and the lignin, lirioden- drin.

The plant contains the triterpene rubrinol which showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a causative agent responsible for infecting burns, wounds, urinary tract and infection in cystic fibrosis) and Pseudomonas pseu- domallei (which causes melioidosis or pseudoglandess).

The herb contains cardiac glycosides which have a narrow-margin of safety. (Sharon M. Herr.)... plumeria rubra

Blackw.

Synonym: R. gallica Linn.

Family: Rosaceae.

Habitat: Indian gardens.

English: French Rose.

Ayurvedic: Rakta-Taruni (non- classical), Gulaab.

Action: Dried petals—tonic and astringent. Used in debility, excessive mucous discharges and bowel complaints. The oil and rose water—used in bronchial asthma and as a remedy for skin irritation.

The flowers yield 0.027-0.036% of an essential oil. It contains geraniol 40-76, l-citronellol 15-37, nerol 5-10, phenyl ethyl alcohol 3-9, eugenol 1, esters 3-5, phenyl acetic acid traces; and stearoptene 15-30%; citronellol, citral, farnesol, l-linalool and nonylaldehyde are also present. (The flowers, unlike those of Rosa damascena, develop their perfume when dried.)

The petals also contain fatty oil, sugars (3-14% as invert), tannin (Rosa tan- nic acid 10-24%), cyanin (up to 10%), cyanidin and quercitrin.

The pollen contains carotene (1.67 mg/100 g), free and bound amino acids and sugars.

Fresh hips and their pulp contain 545 and 847 mg/100 g vitamin C respectively.

Action: Fruits—rich in vitamin C (751 mg/100 g,) concentration up to 8% in dry pulp.... rosa rubra

(Linn.) J. Persl S C. Persl.

Synonym: Spergula rubra D. Dietr.

Family: Caryophylaceae.

Habitat: Native to Southern France and Malta; found in Punjab and Western Uttar Pradesh.

English: Sand-Spurry, Sandwort, Arenaria Rubra.

Action: Diuretic. Used in cystitis and urethral colic, dysuria and urinary calculi.... spergularia rubra