Rowan Health Dictionary

(Roxb.) DC.

Family: Rutaceae.

Habitat: The sub-Himalayan tract from Garhwal to Sikkim; also in Chakrata range.

Folk: Ratanjot (var.), Rowana. Surasi is a doubtful synonym.

Action: Bark—anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic; used in veterinary medicine for wounds and sprains.

Aerial parts contain coumarins— clausmarins A and B. Coumarins exhibit spasmolytic activity. The root also contains coumarins. Root and stem bark of Clausena excavata Burm. f. Eastern sub-Himalayan tract, Orissa and Bihar) also contain coumarins— clausenin and clausenidin. The root bark exhibits antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria.

A related species, C. anisata (Willd.) Oliver, is reported from Uttar Pradesh. Ethanolic extract of the aerial parts exhibited spasmolytic activity. The fu- ranocoumarins, anisolactone, xantho- toxol, indicolactone, imperatorin and 2', 3'-epoxy-anisolactone have been isolated from the extract.

In West African traditional medicine, the decoction of the root is given to control convulsions in children. The anticonvulsant agent has been found to be heliettin, extracted from the stem bark and roots.... clausena pentaphylla

Linn.

Family: Rosaceae.

Habitat: Native to Europe and Asia; distributed in temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.

English: European Mountain Ash, Rowan tree, Mountain Ash Berry.

Folk: Battal (Punjab), Syaar (Garhwal).

Action: Fruits—antiscorbutic, depurative, diuretic, astringent, aperient, emmenagogue. An infusion is given in haemorrhoids, strangury and irritation of bladder; for disorders of the uric acid metabolism, for dissolution of uric acid deposits; and for alkalization of the blood ("blood purification"). (Seeds contain cyanogenic acid; should be removed before the fruit is used.) Leaves—laxative; used as a pectoral in cough and bronchitis. Bark—astringent. Decoction is given in diarrhoea. (It is said to produce irritation of the alimentary mucous membrane.)

Included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.

The fruit gave ursolic acid, parasor- boside, quercetin, iso-quercetin, rutin and anthocyanins.

Candied fruit may contain 3040 mg/100 g of vitamin C and concentrates up to 240 mg/100 g. Fresh fruit contains vitamin C 39-74 mg, carotene 6.2-9.8 mg/100 g.

Amygdalin (34.27-61.70 mg/100 g) and hydrocyanic acid (2.02-3.72 mg/ 100 g) are reported to be present in frozen fruit.

Leaves, buds, young twigs and bark contain amygdalin; tannin (4.47%); triterpenoids; sorbose, sorbitol and sorbic acid.... sorbus aucuparia