Ricinus communis Health Dictionary

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Ricinus Communis: From 1 Different Sources

Linn.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated chiefly in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Orissa.

English: Castor seed.

Ayurvedic: Eranda, Chitra- bija, Triputi; Tribija, Vaataari, Chanchu, Manda, Uruvaka, Gandharva-hastaa, Panchaan- gula, Vardhamaana, Uttaanpatraka, Vyaaghrapuchha, Chitraa.

Unani: Bedanjeer, Arand.

Siddha/Tamil: Ammanakku.

Action: Oil from seeds and young leaf—purgative. Oil is used in dermatosis and eczema. Leaves— used as poultice to extract the worm.

Root—a decoction is administered for lumbago and allied complaints.

Bark—purgative.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia recommends the decoction of the dried, mature root in rheumatism, pain in the urinary bladder, lumbago, diseases of the abdomen and inflammations; fresh leaf in helminthiasis, dysu- ria, arthritis, pain in the urinary bladder, dysuria, abscesses; dried seed powder in constipation, rheumatism, diseases of the liver and spleen, piles, lumbago, sciatica.

The root extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-, bradykinin-, 5-HT-and dextran-induced rat hind paw oedema. N-Demethylricinine showed dose-dependent anticholestatic and hepato- protective activities in rats.

Castor oil, derived from the seeds, is a well-known purgative (dose 520 ml).

Castor seed contains toxic components (2.8-3.0% on whole seed; about 10% in the flour) which are highly poisonous to human beings and animals. The principal toxic substance is the albumin, ricin. Allergens and a feebly toxic alkaloid ricinine is also present. An ulcerative factor in the seed is reported. Like other toxalbumins, ricin agglutinizes the mammalian red bleed corpuscles. (Ricin loses its toxicity and antigenic action on treatment with potassium permanganate.)

Castor oil consists principally of ri- cinoleic acid. Stearic, oleic, linoleic and dihydroxystearic acids are present in small amounts. The strong laxative property of castor oil is reported due to the local irritant action caused in the intestines by ricinoleic acid formed by hydrolysis under the influence of lipolytic enzymes. (The oil should not be used with fat-soluble vermifuge, it may increase its absorption and toxic- ity.)

Dosage: Root—20-30 g for decoction. (API, Vol. I.) Leaf—10- 20 ml juice; 2-5 g powder; seed— 0.5-3 g powder. (API, Vol. III.)
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Amygdalus Communis

Linn.

Synonym: Prunus amygdalus Baill. A. communis var. dulcis (sweet almond).

A. communis var. amara (bitter almond).

Family: Rosaceae.

Habitat: Native to Asia Minor and Persia; cultivated in India in cooler parts of Punjab and Kashmir.

English: Almond

Ayurvedic: Vaataama, Vaataada.

Unani: Badaam, Loz.

Siddha/Tamil: Vaadumai.

Action: Sweet almonds—nutrient, nervine tonic, demulcent. Oil— externally for skin. Bitter almonds— not used medicinally.

Almond flour and almond butter are free from starch and used in foods for diabetics and for patients with peptic ulcers. Chief protein in kernels is globulin.... amygdalus communis

Juniperus Communis

Linn. var. saxatillis Palias.

Synonym: J. communis auct. non L.

Family: Pinaceae; Cupressaceae.

Habitat: Native to Europe and North America. Distributed in Western Himalayas from Kumaon westwards at 1,700-4,200 m.

English: Common Juniper.

Ayurvedic: Hapushaa, Havushaa, Haauber, Matsyagandha.

Unani: Abahal, Haauber, Hubb-ul- arar, Aarar.

Action: Berries—diuretic, urinary antiseptic, carminative, digestive, sudorific, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue. Used for acute and chronic cystitis, renal suppression (scanty micturition), catarrh of the bladder, albuminuria, amenorrhoea, leucorrhoea. Aerial parts—abortifacient.

Key application: In dyspepsia. (German Commission E.) Juniper berry may increase glucose levels in diabetics. (ESCOP.) As a diuretic.

(The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the dried fruit in malabsorption syndrome.

Animal studies have shown an increase in urine excretion as well as a direct effect on sooth muscle contraction. (German Commission E, ESCOP.)Con- traindicated in kidney disease. (Sharon M. Herr.)

(In Kerala, Hapushaa and Mundi are considered to be synonyms; Syphaer- anthus indicus,Asteraceae, is used as Hapushaa.)

The major constituents of the volatile oil are alpha-pinene, sabinene and alpha-terpinene. Methanolic extract of the plant gave several labdane diter- penoids and diterpenes. The leaves contain the biflavones, cupressufla- vone, amentoflavone, hinokiflavone, isocryptomerin and sciadopitysin. The berries also contain condensed tannins. Seeds gave haemagglutinin.

Juniperus recurva Buch-Ham ex D. Don, syn. J. excelsa auct. non-Bieb. (temperate Himalaya from Kashmir to Bhutan) is known as Weeping Blue Juniper. J. macropoda Boiss. (the Himalaya from Nepal onwards) is known as Himalayan Indian Juniper. Both the species are used like J. communis var. saxatillis.

The berries gave a diterpene ketone, sugrol, beta-sitosterol glucoside and 10-nonacosanol.

Plant extract can be used in toothpastes and mouth-rinses to reduce dental plaque and bleeding.

Dosage: Dried fruit—2-6 g powder. (API, Vol. III.)... juniperus communis

Myrtus Communis

Linn.

Family: Myrtaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in gardens of Northwestern India and Tamil Nadu.

English: Myrtle, Clove Myrtle, Spanish Myrtle.

Unani: Habb-ul-Aas, Muurad, Muurad-daan.

Folk: Vilaayati Mehndi. Sutrasowa (Bengal). Kulinaval (Tamil Nadu).

Action: Leaves—antiseptic, antimicrobial, antiparasitic. Used for acute and chronic respiratory tract infections, bladder conditions, urinary infections, and worm infestation.

Key application: As a cough remedy. (German Commission E.)

The leaves contain tannins (pyrogal- lol derivative), flavonoids (including myricetin, about 90%, with kaempfer- ol and quercetin glycosides; volatile oil containing alpha-pinene, cineole, myrtenol, nerol, geraniol and dipen- tene.

Myrtol, a fraction of myrtenol, is absorbed in the intestines, stimulates the mucous membrance of the stomach and deodorizes the breath.

Berry exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves and branches exhibit hypoglycaemic activity in rats.

The essential oil and myrtucommu- lone B, isolated from the plant, are antibacterial and antitubercular. (Clove myrtle is used in Homoeopathy for treating lung complication of pleuro- dynia and dry hollow cough.)... myrtus communis

Phragmites Communis

Trin.

Family: Gramineae; Poaceae.

Habitat: The Himalayas, from Kashmir to Kumaon up to an altitude of 4,000 m.

English: Common Reed.

Folk: Dila, Dambu (Punjab).

Action: Rhizomes and roots—diuretic, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, hypoglycaemic, antiemetic.

The rhizomes are rich in carbohydrates; contain nitrogenous substances 5.2, fat 0.9, N-free extr. 50.8, crude fibre 32.0, sucrose 5.1, reducing sugars 1.1, and ash (rich in silica) 5.8%; as- paragine 0.1% is also present. Leaves possess a high ascorbic acid content (200 mg/100 g).Nodes and sheaths yield 6.6% and the underground parts over 13% of furfural.

The root of common Reed is prescribed in Chinese traditional medicine as an antipyretic against influenza and fevers. Presence of polyols, betaines and free poline has been reported in the methanolic extract. The extract is reported to show bactericidal activity. The root gave a polysaccha- ride which contains sugars, arabinose, xylose and glucose in a molar ratio of 10:19:94; some ofthe fractions showed immunological activity.... phragmites communis

Pyrus Communis

Linn.

Family: Rosaceae.

Habitat: Distributed in the temperate regions of Europe and West Asia. Grown in Punjab and Kashmir.

English: Common or European Pear.

Folk: Bagu-goshaa, Babbu-goshaa.

Action: Fruits—a good source of pectin, help in maintaining a desirable acid balance in the body. Recommended to patients suffering from diabetes because of low sucrose content; and included in low antigen content diets to alleviate the symptoms in the management of immune-mediated disease.

Fresh pear juice exhibited good activity against Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus and Escherichia coli.

An aqueous extract of the leaves was active against some strains of E. coli.

The leaves contain arbutin, iso- quercitrin, sorbitol, ursolic acid, astra- galin and tannin (0.8-2.9%). The bark contains friedelin, epifriedelanol and beta-sitosterol. Phloridzin is present in the root bark.

The plant extract controls the development of freckles and blemishes on the skin and prevents melanin formation. It finds application in skin- lightening creams.... pyrus communis

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