Minor Health Dictionary

People who share a cultural heritage which is different from the majority ethnic culture. See also “ethnicity”; “culture”.... minority ethnic group

(Gaertn.) Alston.

Synonym: R. santaloides Wight & Arn.

Connarus santaloides Vahl.

Family: Connaraceae.

Habitat: Western parts of the Peninsula, from Konkan southward and in West Bengal and Assam.

Folk: Kal-vidhaaraa, Vaakeri (Maharashtra), Vardaar.

Action: Roots and twigs—bitter tonic; prescribed in rheumatism, pulmonary complaints, scurvy, diabetes; externally for ulcers and skin diseases. Wood—a decoction is administered after parturition and as a febrifuge. Wood, roots and fruits—poisonous.

The plant is credited with antiseptic and antitubercular properties.

The roots contain beta-D-glucoside of beta-sitosterol, hentriacontane and meso-inositol.... rourea minor

Linn.

Family: Apocynaceae.

Habitat: Grown in Indian gardens as an ornamental.

English: Lesser Periwinkle.

Action: Astringent and circulatory stimulant (contain alkaloid vin- camine). Used for gastric catarrh, chronic dyspepsia; restlessness, headache, dizziness, and for the prevention of premature aging of brain cells, as a geriatic support.

The herb contains indole alkaloids (0.15-1.4%). The major constituent in vincamine; others include vinic, apovincamine, vincadifformin.

Vincamine is hypotensive; increases blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. The vincamine content in the herb is low and fluctuates greatly. Overdose of the extract brings about a severe drop in blood pressure.

Vincamine, as a pure substance is available for therapeutic administration.... vinca minor