Linn.
Synonym: Borreria articularis (Linn. f.) F.N. Williams. Borreria hispida (L.) K. Schum. Spermacoce articularis L. f.
Family: Rubiaceae.
Habitat: The Himalaya, from Simla westwards to Assam and southwards to Kanyakumari.
Ayurvedic: Madana Ghanti.
Siddha/Tamil: Nellichoori.
Action: Leaves—an extract is given as an astringent in haemorrhoids and gall stones. Seeds—demulcent; given in diarrhoea and dysentery. Root—prescribed as a mouthwash to cure toothache. A decoction of the herb is used in the treatment of headache.
The weed is rich in calcium and phosphorus; contains beta-sitosterol, ursolic acid and D-mannitol.The plant gave alkaloid borreline, along with beta-sitosterol, ursolic acid and iso-rhamnetin.
(Thunb.) Cogn.
Synonym: B. cerifera Savi. Cucurbita hispada Thunb.
Family: Cucurbitaceae.
Habitat: Cultivated largely in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Bihar.
English: Ash Gourd, White Gourd, Wax Gourd, White Pumpkin.
Ayurvedic: Kuushmaanda, Kuush- maandaka, Kuushmaandanaadi.
Unani: Pethaa, Mahdabaa, Kaddu- e-Roomi.
Siddha/Tamil: Ven-poosani, Saambalpushani.
Action: Leaves—cooling, juice rubbed on bruises. Fruit decoction—laxative, diuretic, nutritious, styptic (given for internal haemorrhages and diseases of the respiratory tract.) Juice of fruit— used for treating epilepsy, insanity and other nervous diseases. The ash of fruit rind—applied on painful swellings. Seeds—anthelmintic.
The fruits contain lupeol, beta-sitos- terol, their acetates and several amino acids. The fruit juice produces tran- quilizing activity and mild CNS depressant effect in mice.The roots of mature plant contain a pentacyclic triterpene, which exhibits antiallergic activity against both homologous passive cutaneous ana- phylaxis and delayed hypersensitivity in mice. The fruit beverage contains pyrazine compounds.Isomultiflorenol acetate, a penta- cyclic triterpene, has been isolated as the major constituent of wax coating of fruits.
Dosage: Dried pieces of the fruit— 5-10 g (API Vol. IV.) Fruit juice— 10-20 m (CCRAS.)... benincasa hispida
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