Vicia faba Health Dictionary

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Vicia Faba: From 1 Different Sources

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to North Africa; commonly grown in North Western India.

English: Broad bean, Windsor bean.

Unani: Baaqlaa.

Action: Fresh beans—cooked alone or with meat, are prescribed in Unani medicine for cough, also for resolving inflammations. Externally, the bean and flowers are used as a poultice for inflammations, warts and burns.

A number of harmful principles are reported in the broad beans. A large amount of Dopa, mainly in free state and partly in the form of its beta- glucoside; and gluco alkaloids, vicine and convicine, have been isolated.

Ingestion of fresh, uncooked or partially cooked beans is not recommended.

The seeds gave positive test for hydrocyanic acid and also contain arsenic.

The fresh beans exhibit an oestro- genic activity. Phytoalexins of the immature seeds exhibit antifungal activity.

Malic, citric and glyceric acids are the principal organic acids present in the pods (also present in the hulls). The glyceric acid on subcutaneous injection produced a marked diuresis in rabbit. (A decoction of the leaves and stems of the field bean, Faba vulgaris Moench, is used as a diuretic.)

An aqueous extract of the root nodules exhibited vasoconstricting activity on rabbits.
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Favism

A type of haemolytic ANAEMIA, attacks of which occur within an hour or two of eating broad beans (Vicia fava). It is a hereditary disease due to lack of an essential ENZYME called glucose-6phosphate dehydrogenase, which is necessary for the continued integrity of the red cell. This defect is inherited as a sex-linked dominant trait, and the red cells of patients with this abnormality have a normal life-span until challenged by certain drugs or fava beans when the older cells are rapidly destroyed, resulting in haemolytic anaemia. Fourteen per cent of African-Americans are affected and 60 per cent of Yemenite Jews in Israel. The perpetuation of the gene is due to the greater resistance against MALARIA that it carries. Severe and even fatal HAEMOLYSIS has followed the administration of the antimalarial compounds pamaquine and primaquine in sensitive individuals. These red cells are sensitive not only to fava beans and primaquine but also to sulphonamides, acetanilide, phenacetin, para-aminosalicyclic acid, nitrofurantoin, probenecid and vitamin K analogues.... favism

Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum

Fabaceae

San: Methika, Methi, Kalanusari;

Hin: Meti, Mutti; Ben, Mar: Methi;

Mal: Uluva;

Tam: Ventayam;

Kan: Mentya, Menlesoppu;

Tel: Mentulu, Mentikura; Arab: Hulabaha

Importance: Fenugreek or Greek Hayes is cultivated as a leafy vegetable, condiment and as medicinal plant. The leaves are refrigerant and aperient and are given internally for vitiated conditions of pitta. A poultice of the leaves is applied for swellings and burns. Seeds are used for fever, vomiting, anorexia, cough, bronchitis and colonitis. In the famous Malayalam treatises like ‘Padhyam’ ‘Kairali’ and ‘Arunodhayam’, uluva is recommended for use as kalanusari in Dhanvantaram formulations of ‘Astaghradayam’. An infusion of the seeds is a good cool drink for small pox patients. Powdered seeds find application in veterinary medicine. An aqueous extract of the seeds possesses antibacterial property (Kumar et al, 1997; Warrier et al, 1995).

Distribution: Fenugreek is a native of South Eastern Europe and West Asia. In India fenugreek is grown in about 0.30 lakh ha producing annually about 30,000 tonnes of seeds. The major states growing fenugreek are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Karnataka. It is grown wild in Kashmir and Punjab.

Botany: Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. belongs to family, Fabaceae. It is an annual herb, 30-60cm in height, leaves are light green, pinnately trifoliate, leaflets toothed, flowers are white or yellowish white, papilionaceous and axillary. Fruits are legumes, 5-7.5cm long, narrow, curved, tapering with a slender point and containing 10-20 deeply furrowed seeds per pod. There are two species of the genus Trigonella which are of economic importance viz. T. foenum graecum, the common methi and T. corniculata, the Kasuri methi. These two differ in their growth habit and yield. The latter one is a slow growing type and remains in rosette condition during most of the vegetative growth period (Kumar et al, 1997; Warrier et al, 1995).

Agrotechnology: Fenugreek has a wide adaptability and is successfully cultivated both in the tropics as well as temperate regions. It is tolerant to frost and freezing weather. It does well in places receiving moderate or low rainfall areas but not in heavy rainfall area. It can be grown on a wide variety of soils but clayey loam is relatively better. The optimum soil pH should be 6-7 for its better growth and development. Some of the improved cultivars available for cultivation are CO1 (TNAU), Rajendra Kanti (RAU), RMt-1(RAU) and Lam Selection-1 (APAU). Land is prepared by ploughing thrice and beds of uniform size are prepared. Broadcasting the seed on the bed and raking the surface to cover the seeds is normally followed. But to facilitate intercultural operations, line sowing is also advocated in rows at 20-25cm apart. Sowing in the plains is generally in September-November while in the hills it is from March. The seed rate is 20-25kg/ha and the seeds germinate within 6-8 days. Besides 15t of FYM, a fertiliser dose of 25:25:50kg NPK/ha is recommended. Entire P,K and half N are to be applied basally and the remaining half N 30 days after sowing. First irrigation is to be given immediately after sowing and subsequent irrigations at 7-10 days interval. Hoeing and weeding are to be done during the early stages of plant growth and thinning at 25-30 days to have a spacing of 10-15cm between plants and to retain 1-2 plants per hill. Root rot (caused by Rhizoctonia solani) is a serious disease and can be controlled by drenching carbendazim 0.05% first at the onset of the disease and another after one monthof first application. In about 25-30 days, young shoots are nipped off 5cm above ground level and subsequent cuttings of leaves may be taken after 15 days. It is advisable to take 1-2 cuttings before the crop is allowed for flowering and fruiting when pods are dried, the plants are pulled out, dried in the sun and seeds are threshed by beating with stick or by rubbing with hands. Seeds are winnowed, cleaned and dried in the sun. They may be stored in gunny bags lined with paper. An yield of 1200-1500kg of seeds and about 800-1000kg of leaves may be obtained per hectare in crops grown for both the purposes (Kumar et al, 1997).

Properties and activity: Seeds contain sapogenins-diosgenin, its 25-epimer(yamogenin), tigogenin, gitogenin, yuccagenin, 25-2-spirosta-3-5-diene and its -epimer. Seeds also contain a C27-steroidal sapogenin-peptide ester-fenugreekine. Seeds, in addition, contain 4-hydroxyleucine and saponins-fenugrins A-E:two furostanol glycoxides-trigonelloxide C and (255)-22-O-methyl-52-firostan-3 ,22,26,triol-3-O- -rhamnopyrans syl(1-2) C- -D-glucopyranosyl (1-3)- -D- glucopyranoxide-26-O- -D-glucopyranoxide.

Other chemical constituents are sterols- -sitosterol and cholesterol, flavone C- glycosides-vitexin, iso-vitexin, vitexin-2”-O-P-coumarate and vicenin-2. Flavonoids- quercetin and luteolin, flavonoid glycoside-vicenin-I. Invitro seedling callus culture gave flavonoids-luteolin and vitexin-1-glycoside. An essential oil is also reported from seeds. Leaves gave saponins-gracecunins A-G, flavonoids- kaempferol and quercetin; sterols- - sitosterol, sapogenins-diosgenin, gitogenin coumarin-scopoletin is also reported from the plant.

Seeds are bitter, mucilaginous, aromatic, carminative, tonic, diuretic, thermogenic, galactagogue, astringent, emollient, amophrodisiac, antirheumatic, CNS depressant and antiimplantation. Fenugreekine is hypoglycaemic, diuretic, hypotensive, cardiotonic, antiphlogistic. It showed 80% inhibition of vaccina virus.... fenugreek

Abrus Precatorius

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the country, ascending to an altitude of about 1,050 m in the outer Himalayas.

English: Indian Wild Liquorice, Jequirity, Crab's Eye, Precatory Bean.

Ayurvedic: Gunjaa, Gunjaka, Chirihintikaa, Raktikaa, Chirmi- ti, Kakanti, Kabjaka, Tiktikaa, Kaakananti, Kaakchinchi. (Not to be used as a substitute for liquorice.)

Unani: Ghunghchi, Ghamchi.

Siddha/Tamil: Kunri.

Folk: Chirmiti, Ratti.

Action: Uterine stimulant, abortifa- cient, toxic. Seeds—teratogenic. A paste of seeds is applied on vitiligo patches.

Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India has indicated the use of seeds in baldness.

Seeds contain abrin, a toxalbumin, indole derivatives, anthocyanins, ste- rols, terpenes. Abrin causes agglutination of erythrocytes, haemolysis and enlargement of lymph glands. A non- toxic dose of abrin (1.25 mcg/kg body weight), isolated from the seeds of red var., exhibited a noticeable increase in antibody-forming cells, bone marrow cellularity and alpha-esterase-positive bone marrow cells.

Oral administration of agglutinins, isolated from the seeds, is useful in the treatment of hepatitis and AIDS.

The seed extract exhibited antischis- tosomal activity in male hamsters.

The methanolic extract of seeds inhibited the motility of human spermatozoa.

The roots contain precol, abrol, gly- cyrrhizin (1.5%) and alkaloids—abra- sine and precasine. The roots also contain triterpenoids—abruslactone A, methyl abrusgenate and abrusgenic acid.

Alkaloids/bases present in the roots are also present in leaves and stems.

A. fruticulosus Wall. Ex Wight and Arn. synonym A. pulchellus Wall., A. laevigatus E. May. (Shveta Gunjaa) is also used for the same medicinal purposes as A. precatorius.

Dosage: Detoxified seed—1-3 g powder. Root powder—3-6 g. (API Vols. I, II.)... abrus precatorius

Alhagi Pseudalhagi

(Bieb.) Desv.

Synonym: A. camelorum Fisch. ex DC.

A. maurorum Medic.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: The drier parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

English: Camel Thorn, Persian Manna Plant.

Ayurvedic: Yavaasaka, Yavaasa, Yaasa, Duhsparshaa, Duraalab- haa, Kunaashak. Substitute for Dhanvayaasa. Yaasa-sharkaraa (Alhagi-manna).

Unani: Jawaansaa. Turanjabeen (Alhagi-manna).

Siddha/Tamil: Punaikanjuri, Kan- chori.

Action: Laxative, antibilious, diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant. Leaves—used for fever, headache, rheumatism. Flowers—blood coagulant, used for piles. Alhagi- manna—expectorant, antiemetic, laxative.

Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of dried whole plant in gout and haemorrhagic disorders.

The aerial parts contain flavonoids, tannins, sterols, triterpenes, saponins and anthroquinones.

The proanthocyanidins derived from the plant possess hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic properties. The compounds prevented an increase in rat serum cholesterol and triglycerides, and they decreased the manifestation of atherosclerosis.

A polymeric proanthocyanidin, extracted from the plant, improved energy metabolism and increased the work capacity in rats.

Ethanolic extract of the aerial parts produced positive inotropic effect on rabbit heart.

Dosage: Whole plant—20-50 g for decoction. (API Vol. II.) Decoction—50-100 ml. (CCRAS.)... alhagi pseudalhagi

Arachis Hypogaea

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae

Habitat: Native to Brazil, but widely grown for its pods in southern India, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

English: Groundnut, Peanut, Monkeynut.

Ayurvedic: Mandapi, Tailamudga, Bhuumimudga.

Unani: Moongphali.

Siddha/Tamil: Nelakadalai, Verkadalai.

Action: Kernels—contain protease inhibitors. Peanut skin— haemostatic.

There is a haemostatic principle in the peanut flour, which is said to improve the condition of haemophiliacs. The protease inhibitor acts on the fib- rinolytic system, primarily as an an- tiplasmin. It is reported to form complexes not only with the enzymes, but also with the corresponding zymogens.

The peanut (red) skin contains bio- flavonoids, which possess vitamin- P activity; tannins; a lipoxidase and a protease inhibitor. Capric acid, obtained from the (red) skin, showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger.... arachis hypogaea

Astragalus Candolleanus

Royle.

Family: Fabaceae; Papilionaceae.

Habitat: The western Himalayas.

Ayurvedic: Rudanti, Rudravanti.

Action: Depurative, bechic, blood purifier (used in skin diseases). Root powder and decoction also used as an adjunct in tuberculosis.

Dosage: Fruit—3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... astragalus candolleanus

Astragalus Strobiliferus

Royle.

Family: Fabaceae; Papilionaceae.

Habitat: The western Himalayas at 2,400-3,900 m, and Kashmir.

English: Indian Gum tragacanth.

Action: Gum—an Indian substitute for tragacanth (A. gummifer gum).... astragalus strobiliferus

Astragalus Gummifer

Labill.

Family: Fabaceae; Papilionaceae.

Habitat: Highlands of Asia Minor, Iran, Greece, Syria and Russia.

English: Tragacanth Gum.

Unani: Katiraa, Kataad (Gum)

Action: Demulcent, emollient (used for irritation of the internal mucosa, colitis, dry coughs), laxative. Mucilage used as an application to burns.

The gum contains polysaccharides and proteinaceous polysaccharides.

Tragacanthin is water-soluble, consisting of an arbinogalactan and traga- canthic acid. Bassorin is an insoluble methylated fraction (gel). The polysac- charides have been shown to have im- munostimulating activity (stimulation of phagocytosis and an increase in plasma cell counts of T-lymphocytes.

Although tragacanth increases weight of stool and decreases gastrointestinal transit time, it does not appear to affect cholesterol triglyceride or phospholipid levels as other soluble fibres do. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

Tragacanth has been shown to be active against a variety of tumours. It appears to inhibit growth of cancer cells.... astragalus gummifer

Astragalus Hamosus

Linn.

Family: Fabaceae; Papilionaceae.

Habitat: Found in the plains of Punjab.

English: Tonkin bean, Melilot, King's crown, King's clover.

Unani: Naakhunaa, Ikil-ul-Malik. (It is also equated with Melilotus alba Desv. and Trigonela uncata Boiss. in National Formulary of Unani Medicine.)

Action: Nervine tonic (used in nervous and catarrhal affections), antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, emollient, diuretic, galactogenic.

The callus of the plant contains amino acids; roots contain saponins and sterols. The leaves yield 3-nitro- propionic acid.... astragalus hamosus

Astragalus Sarcocola

Dymock.

Family: Fabaceae; Papilionaceae.

Habitat: The mountainous regions from Asia Minor to Iraq and Iran.

English: Sarcocola.

Ayurvedic: Rudanti (substitute).

Unani: Anzaroot, Kohal Kirmaani (Gum).

Action: Gum—antirheumatic, aperient, anthelmintic, emollient.

The rootbark yields alkaloids, atala- phylline and its N-methyl derivatives and atalaphyllidine, which have close structural similarities with the antitu- mour alkaloid, acronycine, and its co- geners. The rootbark also contains the limonoid, atalantin.

The leaf juice forms an ingredient of a compound liniment used in hemiplegia. The essential oil is used in paralysis. The oil contains higher terpene esters belonging to azulene group (29%). (Azulenes impart anti-inflammatory activity.)... astragalus sarcocola

Atylosia Goensis

Dalz.

Synonym: A. barbata Baker Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Subtropical tract of Assam, Maharashtra and Kerala, up to 1050 m.

Ayurvedic: Maashaparni (substitute).

Siddha/Tamil: Peruvidukol.

Action: Febrifuge, antibilious, an- tirheumatic (used in consumption and swellings).... atylosia goensis

Atylosia Scarabaeoides

(L.) Benth.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India; up to 1,800 m in the western Himalayas.

Ayurvedic: Vana-kulattha.

Folk: Jangli Tur, Kulthi.

Action: Antidysenteric, anticholerin, febrifuge; also used in anaemia, anasarca and hemiplegia. Seeds— taeniafuge.

A flavone glucoside, atyloside, has been isolated from the leaves.... atylosia scarabaeoides

Dalbergia Sympathetica

Nimmo ex Grah.

Synonym: D. multiflora Heyne ex Prain.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Common in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Folk: Tibali (Goa), Pentagul (Maharashtra).

Action: Bark—used as a paste for pimples. Leaf—alterative. Aerial part—spasmolytic, CNS active, hypothermic.... dalbergia sympathetica

Fabia

(Latin) Feminine form of Fabius; one who grows beans

Fabiah, Fabeea, Fabiya, Fabea, Fabeah, Fabiana, Fabianna, Fabiann, Fabianne, Fabienne, Fabiene, Fabiola, Fabra, Fabria, Fabrea, Favianna, Faviola, Faba, Fabah... fabia

Indigofera Trifoliata

Linn.

Synonym: I. prostrata Willd.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout greater parts of India.

Folk: Vana-methi.

Action: Astringent, antileucor- rhoeic, antirheumatic, alterative, restorative.

The seeds contain crude protein 31.5 pentosan 7.3, water soluble gum 3.0%.... indigofera trifoliata

Melilotus Alba

Desr.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to Europe and Asia; grown in North India.

English: White Sweet Clover.

Unani: Ilkil-ul-Malik, Naakhunaa (white-flowered var.).

Action: See Melilotus indica.... melilotus alba

Butea Monosperma

(Lam.) Taub.

Synonym: B. frondosa Koenig ex Roxb.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, up to 1,200 m except in very arid regions.

English: Flame of the Forest, Butea Gum, Bengal Kino.

Ayurvedic: Paalasha, Kimshuka, Raktapushpaka, Kshaarshreshtha, Brahmavriksha, Samidvar.

Unani: Dhaak, Samagh Dhaak, Kamarkas.

Siddha/Tamil: Palasam, Purasus.

Folk: Tesu.

Action: Bark—astringent, styptic (prescribed in bleeding piles, ulcers, haemorrhages, menstrual disorders), anthelmintic. Flowers— astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue (also given for leucorrhoea). A decoction of flowers is given in diarrhoea and haematuria, also to puerperal women. Seeds—clinical use of seeds as an anthelmintic drug is not considered safe in humans.

Leaves—antibacterial. Stem bark— antifungal.

An aqueous extract of flowers has shown hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced liver injury in albino rats.

Extracts of flowers have exhibited significant anti-oestrogenic activity in mice. The seed suspension, on oral administration to albino rats (175 and 350 mg/kg body weight), showed 38.46 and 68.75% cases, respectively, where pregnancy was not interrupted but foetus was malformed.

Alcoholic extract of the whole plant produced persistent vasodepression in cats.

The plant contains flavonoids and glucosides—butin, butrin, isobutrin and palastrin. Flowers contain butrin, coreopsin, monospermoside and their derivatives and sulphurein; also chal- cones.

Dosage: Stem bark—5-10 g powder (API Vol. II); flower—3-6 g powder; seed—3 g powder; gum—0.5-1.5 g (API Vol. IV.)... butea monosperma

Butea Superba

Roxb.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Central and Southern India.

Ayurvedic: Lataa-Palaash (orange or orange scarlet-flowered var.).

Action: Seeds—sedative and anthelmintic; decoction emollient and used topically for piles. Seed oil—anthelmintic and hypotensive. Seeds exhibit haemagglutinating activity against human ABO red cells. Roots—hypotensive. Watery sap from stems is used for drinking purposes. Bark is used in tonics and elixirs.

White-flowered var. is equated with Butea parviflora Roxb.... butea superba

Cajanus Cajan

(Linn.) Millsp.

Synonym: C. indicus Spreng.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated as pulse crop, chiefly in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

English: Pigeon Pea, Red Gram.

Ayurvedic: Aadhaki, Tuvari, Tuvara, Shanapushpikaa.

Unani: Arhar.

Siddha/Tamil: Thuvarai.

Action: Green leaves are considered hypocholesterolaemic. Pulse shows cholesterol and phospholipid lowering effect (reported to cause flatulence). A paste of leaves with salt and water, is taken on an empty stomach for jaundice. Leaves are used in diseases of the mouth, and topically for treating measles and other eruptions.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia indicated the use of the seed in lipid disorders and obesity; externally for promoting breast development, and attributed blood purifying properties to the root.

Amino acid analysis of the seed extract showed that phenylalanine (26.3% of the total amino acids) is responsible for about 70% of the anti- sickling potency of the seed extract.

Seeds also contain riboflavin and pyridoxine. Root bark contains isofla- vones, sterols, triterpenoids, flavones, anthraquinone derivatives. Plant also contains an isoflavone, cajanol.

The aqueous extract of leaves showed vasodilatory effect in experimental animals.

Unroasted nuts had hypoglycaemic effect in mice; roasted seeds, in contrast, had a hyperglycaemic effect. (Sharon M. Herr.)

Dosage: Root—2-6 g powder. (API Vol. III.)... cajanus cajan

Mucuna Monosperma

DC.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Nepal, Khasi Hills, Deccan Peninsula and the Andamans.

Ayurvedic: Kaakaandolaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Periyattalargai.

Folk: Kaagadolia (Gujarat).

Action: Seeds—sedative, restorative, expectorant; used in coughs, asthma.... mucuna monosperma

Phaseolus Adenanthus

G. F. W. Mey.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, in the plains.

Ayurvedic: Aranya-mudga. Mudga- parni (Kerala).

Siddha/Tamil: Kattupayaru.

Action: A decoction is used in bowel complaints and stricture. The roots are used to stop excessive salivation.... phaseolus adenanthus

Sutherlandia Frutescens

R.Br.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to South Africa; cultivated in Indian gardens.

English: Bladdersenna, Cancerwort, Cape Baloon Pea.

Action: Leaves—infusion or decoction given in stomach and intestinal disorders and hepatic affections. Much milder in action than true Senna.... sutherlandia frutescens

Cicer Arietinum

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in most parts of India.

English: Bengal Gram, Chick pea.

Ayurvedic: Chanaka, Chanakaa, Harimantha, Vajimantha, Jivan, Sakal-priya.

Unani: Nakhud.

Siddha/Tamil: Kadalai, Mookkuk- kadalai.

Action: Antibilious, hypoc- holesteremic, antihyperlipidemic, antistress. Acid exudate from the plant—used in indigestion, diarrhoea, dysentery. Seed coat extract—diuretic, antifungal (externally). Dry leaf—refrigerant.

Supplementation of gram in wheat based diet helps in lysine absorption which is otherwise a limiting amino acid in cereal based diets. Germination improves mineral bioavailability. In germinated gram flour, there is significant increase in nutritional quality of protein and very significant increase in ascorbic acid.

The seeds contain pangamic acid, the stemina building, antistress and antihyperlipidemic principle of gram. Gram is given as preventive diet to atherosclerosis patients because of its rich phosphorus content.

Isoflavones, biochanin A and for- monetin exhibited hypolipidermic activity in rats. Total flavonoids reduced serum and liver cholesterol in rats.

Seeds reduced postprandial plasma glucose in human.... cicer arietinum

Clitoria Ternatea

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India in tropical areas; also cultivated in hedges.

English: Butterfly Pea, Winged- leaved Clitoria, Mezereon.

Ayurvedic: Girikarnikaa, Aparaa- jitaa, Aasphota, Girimallikaa, Girikanyaa, Kokilaa,Yonipushpaa, Vishnukraantaa. (Evolvulus alsi- noides Linn. is also known as Vishnukraantaa, Vishnukranti). Used as Shankhapushpi in the South.

Unani: Mezereon Hindi.

Siddha/Tamil: Kakkanam.

Folk: Koyal (Punjab).

Action: Root—cathartic like jalap. Roots cause gripe and tenesmus, hence not recommended as purgative. Used in ascites. Root bark—diuretic (infusion used in irritation of bladder and urethra). Root juice—given in cold milk to liquefy phlegm in chronic bronchitis. The root, bark, seeds and leaves—used for gastric acidity. The root is administered with honey as a general tonic to children for improving mental faculty.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the dried leaf in migraine, psychoneurosis and mania.

An alcoholic extract of the plant showed sedative and hypothermic effect in rodents.

Rats, fed with ethanol extract of flowers, showed a significantly lowered serum sugar level in experimentally induced diabetes.

The seeds contain a nucleoprotein with its amino acid sequence similar to insulin, but for the absence of his- tidine, threonine, proline and crystine.

Seeds gave cinnamic acid, flavonol gly- coside. Leaves contain glycosides of kaempferol.

In South India, the seeds and roots constitute the drug Shankhapushpi, used as a nervine tonic. In other regions, Canscora decussata, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Evolvulus alsinoides and Lavendula bipinnata are used as Shan- khapushpi.

Dosage: Root—1-3 g powder (API Vol. II); dried leaf—2-5 g; seed—1- 3 g. (API Vol. IV.)... clitoria ternatea

Crotalaria Juncea

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the plains of India, especially in South India.

English: Sun Hemp.

Ayurvedic: Shana, Shanapushpi, Malyapushpa.

Unani: Sunn.

Siddha/Tamil: Sanal, Manji, Sannappu.

Folk: Jhanjhaniaa.

Action: Leaf—demulcent, purgative, emetic, emmenagogue, abortifa- cient, ant-implantation. Given in diarrhoea, dysentery and bleeding disorders. Seeds—used in psoriasis and impetigo.

Seeds—hepatotoxic. Seed oil gave fatty acids—linoleic, linolenic and oleic.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids—junceine, tricodesmine, riddelline, seneciphyl- line and senecionine were also obtained.

Dosage: Seed—1-3 g powder. (API Vol. III.)... crotalaria juncea

Taverniera Cuneifolia

Arn.

Synonym: T. nummularia Baker non-DC.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Plains of Punjab, Gujarat and the Deccan in waste places.

English: East Indian Moneywort.

Folk: Jethi-madh (Maharashtra).

Action: Leaves—used as a poultice for sloughing wounds. Root—used as a substitute for liquorice.... taverniera cuneifolia

Uraria Alopecuroides

Wight.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Grasslands and forest- glades from Uttar Pradesh to Assam and in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Ayurvedic: Prishniparni (related species).

Action: Pods and roots—used against ringworm.... uraria alopecuroides

Zornia Diphylla

(L.) Pers.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout plains of India, ascending up to 1,200 m in Kumaon.

Folk: Samraapani (Gujarat), Dupatiyaa.

Action: Herb—used for the treatment of dysentery. Root— given to induce sleep.

The herb, collected at the flowering stage from Mumbai, contained silica 3.87, calcium 1.02, magnesium 1.00, potassium 0.53, phosphorus 0.18%; iodine content 0.026-00.049 ppm (dry- matter basis).... zornia diphylla

Crotalaria Verrucosa

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Tropical regions of India from Himalayas to Sri Lanka.

Ayurvedic: Shanapushpi. Shana (var.).

Siddha/Tamil: Sanal, Sannappu.

Folk: Sanai, Jhanjhaniaa.

Action: Juice of leaves—used for biliousness, dyspepsia, blood impurities, scabies and impetigo, both internally and externally.

Taraxerol, beta-sitosterol and linole- ic, palmitic, stearic, lauric, oleic, lino- lenic, arachidic, myristic and ricinoleic acids have been isolated from fixed oil of the stem.

Dosage: Seed—1-3 g powder. (CCRAS.)... crotalaria verrucosa

Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba

(Linn.) Taub.

Family: Fabaceae; Papilionaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated throughout India, particularly in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Orissa.

English: Cluster bean, Guar.

Ayurvedic: Kshudra Shimbi, Gorakshaphalini, Guaar, Gwaalin.

Unani: Guaar phali.

Action: Laxative, antibilious. Gum—hypoglycaemic, hypolipi- daemic, appetite depressor (weight loss not observed), reduces glyco- suria during gum supplementation.

The administration of Guar gum (15 g/day) with normal diet for 6 weeks produced significant reduction in plasma, total cholesterol and LDL-choles- terol. The gum (10 g daily) is reported to decrease blood-glucose level in normal and diabetic volunteers. The supplementation of the gum in the diet of insulin-dependent diabetics failed to improve the long-term diabetic control, but significantly reduced serum cholesterol levels.

Taking Guar gum orally with meals was found to lower post-prandial glucose levels in patients with type 1 diabetes. (Am J clin Nutr, 56, 1992, 10561060.)

Oral administration of an ethanol extract of powdered pods has shown significant antiulcer, antisecretory and cytoprotective effects on various experimentally-induced gastric lesions in rats.

Guarmeal contains galactomannan, 3-epikatonic acid and a saponin.... cyamopsis tetragonoloba

Cytisus Scoparius

(L.) Link.

Synonym: Sarothamnus scoparius (L.) Koch.

Family: Papilionaceae, Fabaceae.

Habitat: Mild climatic regions of south and central Europe, north Africa and West Asia. C. scoparius is fairly common in and around Oatacmund (Nilgiris) and is found wild as a garden escape. It grows also in Simla and neighbouring places. An allied species, C. monspessulanus Linn., White Broom, also occurs in the Nilgiri hills.

English: Broom, Scotch Broom, Yellow Broom.

Folk: Broom.

Action: Green twigs of the plant, collected before flowering, either fresh or after drying, are used as diuretic and cathartic. Emetic in large doses. The seeds are also used similarly. The herb is used chiefly in the form of sulphate in tachycardia and functional palpitation. (The action of the whole plant is stated to be different from that of isolated alkaloids.) The whole herb has been used to treat tumours.

Key application: For functional heart and circulatory disorders. Aqueous-ethanolic extracts are used internally. Simultaneous administration of MAO-inhibitors contraindicated due to the tyramine content. (German Commission E.) The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia reported antiarrhythmic and diuretic action of the herb.

The herb contains quinolizidine alkaloids; main alkaloids are (-)-spar- teine, lupanine, ammodendrine and various derivatives; biogenic amines, including tryramine, epinine, dopa- mine; isoflavone glycosides including genistein, scoparin; flavonoids; essential oil; caffeic acid and p-coumaric acids; tannins. Seeds contain lectins (phytohaemagglutinins).

The herb contains over 2% tyramine. Tyramine acts as an indirect sympa- thomimetic, vasoconstrictive and hy- potensive.

The herb is contraindicated in high blood pressure, A-V block and pregnancy.

Scoparin's action on renal mucous membrane is similar to that of Buchu and Uva-ursi. (A decoction or infusion of broom is used in dropsical complaints of cardiac origin.)

Sparteine produces a transient rise in arterial pressure followed by a longer period of decreased vascular tension (contradictory observations have been recorded). Some researchers are of the opinion that sparteine is a regulator in chronic vulvar disease. It showed no cumulative action like digitalis. In large doses, it is highly toxic and impairs the activity of respiratory organs.

C. monopessulanus (a related species) contains. 9% alkaloids.

Sparteine is toxic at more than 300 mg dose. (Francis Brinker.)... cytisus scoparius

Dalbergia Lanceolaria

Linn.f.

Synonym: D.frondosa Roxb.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: The sub-Himalayan tract, ascending up to 750 m, and throughout India.

Siddha/Tamil: Erigai, Navelangu.

Folk: Gorakh, Takoli, Bithuaa.

Action: A decoction of bark— used in dyspepsia. Oil—applied to rheumatic affections, and cutaneous diseases. Leaf—in leprosy and allied obstinate skin diseases.

Baptigenin from leaves and flowers possesses properties to treat arthritic affections and inflammations. An isoflavone glycoside of biochanin (lanceolarin) has been obtained from the root bark. Ether, EtOH and aqueous extract of leaves exhibited an- tiarthritic activity in rats.

The heartwood of Dalbergia sp. contains quinones. Bark and pods contain tannins.

Root bark gave isoflavone glycosides and lanceolarin.

Dosage: Whole plant—50-100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)... dalbergia lanceolaria

Dalbergia Latifolia

Roxb.

Synonym: D. emerginata Roxb.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Western Peninsula.

English: East Indian Rosewood, Bombay Blackwood.

Ayurvedic: Shimshapaa (related sp.)

Unani: Sheesham.

Siddha/Tamil: Itti, Eravadi, Karun- doroiral.

Folk: Sisu.

Action: Stimulant, appetiser, anthelmintic, spasmogenic. Used in dyspepsia, diarrhoea; also in obesity, cutaneous affections and leprosy.

The bark contains hentriacontane, latifolin, beta-sitosterol and tannins. EtOH (50%) extract of the bark exhibits spasmogenic, and anthelmintic activity against Ascaridia galli.... dalbergia latifolia

Dalbergia Sissoides

Grah.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, especially in the South.

English: Malabar Blackwood.

Ayurvedic: Kushimshapaa. (Shimshapaa related species).

Siddha/Tamil: Vel-itti.

Folk: Sisam.

Action: Anti-inflammatory.

The root contains isoflavones. The alcoholic extract of the root exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in carrage- enan-induced hind paw oedema of male albino rats.

A quinone, sissoidenone and dalbergion, latifolin and dalbergin have been isolated from the heartwood; also oleanolic acid, liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin. The sapwood and young leaves gave sissotrin. Biochanin A, isolated from young leaves, inhibited both serum and epidermal growth factor (EGF)—stimulated growth of human prostate cancer cell lines.... dalbergia sissoides

Dalbergia Sissoo

Roxb ex DC.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: The sub-Himalayan tract, up to 1,200 m from Indus to Assam and in plains throughout India.

English: Sissoo, South Indian Redwood, Sissoo.

Ayurvedic: Shimshapaa, Krishna- shimshapaa, Picchilaa.

Unani: Seesham.

Siddha/Tamil: Irupoolai.

Action: Leaves—bitter, and stimulant. Leaf mucilage, mixed with sweet oil, is applied to excoriations. Wood—anthelmintic, alterative, emetic, stomachic, antileprotic; used in diseases due to vitiated blood. Bark—anticholerin. Root—astringent.

Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicated the use of the heart- wood in turbity of the urine, calculus and lipuria.

The leaves gave isoflavone sissotrin; flowers 7,4'-di-Me-tectorigenin. Seed oil (4.1%) contained fatty acids composed of palmitic (16.2), stearic (7.0%), oleic (14.6), linolenic (9.80) and linole- ic (52.5) acids and lipids comprising neutral lipids (88.5), glycolipids (7.2) and phospholipids (4.0%). Pods contain 2% tannins.

Dosage: Heartwood—1.5-10 g powder; 10-20 g for decoction. (API Vol. III.)... dalbergia sissoo

Dalbergia Volubilis

Roxb.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Central and Eastern Himalayas, Uttar Pradesh and Orissa.

Ayurvedic: Gorakhi.

Siddha/Tamil: Punali.

Folk: Bankharaa, Bhatiaa.

Action: Leaves—used in aphthae. Root—genitourinary tract disinfectant; used in scalding of urine, also in foetid discharges.

The stem bark afforded isoflavo- noids, dalbergio, tectorigenin. The leaves gave flavonoid glycosides. The wood gave friedelin.... dalbergia volubilis

Derris Uliginosa

Benth. Derris indica (Lamk.) Bennet.

Synonym: Pongamia pinnata Pierre.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to the Western Ghats. Found all over India on the banks of rivers and streams.

English: Indian Beech. Pongamia oil tree.

Ayurvedic: Naktmaal, Guchpush- pak, Ghritpuur, Udkirya, Karanja.

Siddha/Tamil: Pungu.

Action: Used for skin diseases— eczema, scabies, leprosy, and for ulcers, tumours, piles, enlargement of spleen, vaginal and urinary discharges. Juice of root—used for closing fistulous sores and cleaning foul ulcers. Flowers— used in diabetes. Powder of seeds— used for whooping and irritating coughs of children. Seed oil—used in cutaneous affections, herpes and scabies.

The tree is rich in flavonoids and related compounds. These include simple flavones, furanoflavonoids, chro- menoflavones, chromenochalcones, coumarones, flavone glucosides, sterols, triterpenes and a modified pheny- lalanine dipeptide.

Synonym: D. trifoliate Lour.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Costal forests of India and the Andamans.

Folk: Paan-lataa (Bengal), Kitani (Maharashtra).

Action: Stimulant, antispasmodic, counter-irritant. Bark—alterative in rheumatism. An oil prepared from the plant is used externally as an embrocation.

The roots contain dehydrorotenone, lupeol and a ketone. Bark contains 9.3% tannic acid. Stems contain tan- nic acid, hexoic, arachidic and stearic acids, ceryl alcohol, isomerides of cholesterol, potassium nitrate, gums and resins.... derris uliginosa

Desmodium Gangeticum

DC.

Synonym: Hedysarum gangeticum Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Ascending to 1,500 m on the Himalaya; common on lower hills and plains throughout India.

Ayurvedic: Shaaliparni, Shaalaparni, Sthiraa, Somyaa, Guhaa, Triparni, Vidaarigandha, Anshumati. Also used as Prshniparni. (Urariapicta Desv., Prshniparni, is used as a substitute for Shaalaparni.)

Siddha/Tamil: Pulladi, Sirupulladi Moovilai (root).

Folk: Sarivan.

Action: Root—antipyretic, diuretic, astringent (used in irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhoea and dysentery), anticatarrhal (used in post-natal care, chronic fever, cough, biliousness, vomiting), diuretic, anthelmintic, laxative and nervine tonic. Desmodium spp.: Roots—carminative, mildly purgative, stomachic, emmenagogue, diuretic. Leaves—galactagogue; a poultice of leaves is used for lumbago. Bark—used in diarrhoea and haemorrhages.

Roots afforded pterocarpanoids— gangetin, gangetinin, desmodin and several alkaloids. The aerial portion gave indole-3-alkylamines and their derivatives.

Gangetin showed significant anti- inflammatory activity in 50 and 100 mg/kg p.o. in rats.

Dosage: Root—5-10 g powder; 1020 g for decoction. (API Vol. III.)... desmodium gangeticum

Desmodium

Desmodium gangeticum

Fabaceae

San: Anshumati, Salaparni;

Hin,

Ben: Salpani;

Mal: Orila;

Tam:Pulladi;

Tel: Gitanaram

Kan: Murelehonne; Mar: Darh;

Guj: Salwan; Ori: Salaparni Pun: Shalpurhi

Importance: Desmodium is a small shrub which is the chief of the ten ingredients in the Dasamula kwatha of Hindu medicine. Roots are useful in vitiated conditions of vata, anorexia, dyspepsia, haemorrhoids, dysentery, strangury, fever, gout, inflammations, cough, asthma, bronchitis, cardiopathy and debility. The unani preparation “Arq dashmul” contains these roots. It is considered a curative for leucorrhoea and for pains due to cold (Warrier et al, 1995).

Distribution: The plant is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics. It grows wild in the forests of India up to 1500m. It is also cultivated in the plains and in the lower Himalayas.

Botany: Desmodium gangeticum (Linn.) DC. syn. Hedysarum gangeticum Linn., Desmodium gangeticum var. maculatum (Linn.) Baker., belongs to the family Fabaceae (Papilionaceae). It is an erect diffusely branched undershrub, 90-120cm in height with a short woody stem and numerous prostrate branches provided with soft grey hairs. Leaves are unifoliate, ovate- lanceolate, membranceous and mottled with grey patches. Flowers are white, purple or lilac in elongate lax, terminal or axillary racemes. Fruits are moniliform, 6-8 jointed, glabrescent pods, joints of pods separately pubescent with hooked hairs, joint separating when ripe into indehiscent one seeded segments. Seeds are compressed and reniform.

Agrotechnology: Desmodium can grow in a variety of climate and soils. However, it prefers tropical and subtropical climatic conditions. Although it can grow on all types of soils, waterlogged and highly alkaline soils are not suitable. Light sandy loam is preferred for commercial cultivation.

It is propagated through seeds. Seeds can be planted directly in the field or seedlings raised on the nursery beds and transplanted. Transplanting always gives better results in commercial cultivation, as it gives assured crop stand. Planting is done at a spacing of 40x20cm on flat beds or ridges. Organic manures are applied at the time of land preparation and thoroughly mixed with the soil. A little quantity of phosphatic and nitrogenous fertilizers are also applied for better crop growth. The inter-row spaces between plants, both in the field and nursery should be kept free from weeds by frequent weeding and hoeing as the plant suffers from weed competition, especially during early stages of growth. Manual hand weeding is usually done. Irrigation of seedlings just after planting is good for crop establishment. Although it can be cultivated as a rainfed crop under humid tropical conditions, irrigation every month is beneficial during summer. The root is the economic part and harvesting can be commenced after 8-9 months. About 500- 700kg roots can be harvested from a hectare of land per year.

Properties and activity: The root contains gangetin, gangetinin, desmodin, N,N-dimethyl tryptamine, hypaphorine, hordenine, candicine, N-methyl tyramine and -phenyl ethyl amine. The total alkaloid fraction showed hypotensive activity. The root is bitter, antiinflammatory, analgesic, aphrodisiac, constipating, diuretic, cardiotonic, expectorant, astringent, antidiarrhoeal, carminative, antiemetic, febrifuge and anti-catarrhal (Thakur et al, 1989).... desmodium

Desmodium Triflorum

(Linn.) DC.

Synonym: Hedysarum triflorum Linn.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, in the plains ascending to 1,200 m in Kumaon and 1,800 m in Kashmir.

Ayurvedic: Tripaadi, Hamsapaadi (Kerala).

Siddha/Tamil: Seruppadi.

Folk: Jangali Methi, Ran-methi.

Action: Fresh leaves—used internally as galactagogue and for diarrhoea; applied externally to wounds and abscesses. Root— diuretic. Also used for cough, asthma.

The leaf contains alkaloids (0.010.15%), major being beta-phenylethyl- amine; also contains tyramine and hy- paphorine. Hypaphorine is present in roots as well. Root contains 0.010.02% alkaloids.... desmodium triflorum

Dolichos Biflorus

Linn.

Synonym: Vigna unquiculata (L.) Walp.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: A pulse crop, particularly in Madras, Mysore, Mumbai and Hyderabad.

English: Horsegram.

Ayurvedic: Kulattha, Kulittha, Khalva, Vardhipatraka.

Unani: Kulthi.

Siddha/Tamil: Kollu, Kaanam.

Action: Plant—used in measles, smallpox, adenitis, burns, sores. Seeds—astringent, antipyretic, diuretic. Decoction or soup is used in affections of the liver and spleen, intestinal colic, in leucorrhoea and menstrual dissorders, urinary discharges. A valuable protein supplement.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the decoction of dry seeds in calculus and amenorrhoea.

The seeds contain crude protein 20.8, pentosan 10.8 and water-soluble gum 2.8%. The presence of antinu- tritional components such as haemag- glutinin and a protease inhibitor has been reported. The inhibitor activity decreased during germination.

The mean protein value of the seeds is 25.47% which is more or less equivalent to soybean, winged bean and gram. Nutritionally, the horsegram seeds are richer in lysine content when compared to Cajanus cajan (Arhar) pulse and gram pulse.

Presence of vitamin A in the green pods makes them a valuable diet for children; green leaves may be used in vitamin C deficiency syndrome, due to the presence of ascorbic acid and calcium. The seeds contain several common phytosterols.

Strepogenin—several times higher than in casein.

A decoction of seeds (soaked or boiled in water) is prescribed as diuretic and antilithiatic and has been clinically established.

Diuretic activity of a dipeptide (py- roglutamylglutamine) has been found to be 2-3 times that of acetazolamide in albino rats.

Globulin fraction of the seeds showed hypolipidaemic effects in rats.

A lectin-like glycoprotein from stems and leaves possesses carbohydrate- binding activity.

Dosage: Seed—6 g powder; decoction 50-100 ml. (CCRAS.)... dolichos biflorus

Dolichos Lablab

Linn. var. typicus Prain.

Synonym: Lablab purpureus Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated throughout India.

English: Indian Butter Bean, Lablab Bean, Horsebean.

Ayurvedic: Nishpaav, Sem.

Unani: Lab Laab, Semphali.

Siddha/Tamil: Avarin.

Action: Seeds—febrifuge, stomachic, antispasmodic, antifungal.

Key application: As expectorant. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

Lablab pods contain protein 4.5, carbohydrates 10.0, calcium 0.05%; vitamin C (7.33 to 10.26 mg/100g in cooked samples; 0.77-1.12 mg/100 g in uncooked samples) increases on cooking. Enzyme liberation of essential amino acids from protein is slower than from casein and wheat.

Callus tissue of Dolichos lablab Linn. (Horsebean) showed presence of beta- sitosterol, stigmasterol, lanosterol and cholesterol. The isolated flavonoids show antifungal activity (the maximum amount of flavonoids was found in the flowers). The plant contains the alkaloid, trigonelline, which exhibits hypoglycaemic activity. The maximum alkaloid was found in the seeds (0.14 mg/g dry weight). In tissue cultures raised from seedlings, the maximum amount was present in the tissue at the age of 6 weeks (0.068 mg/g dry weight).... dolichos lablab

Erythrina Indica

Lam.

Synonym: E. variegata Linn. var. orientalis (Linn.) Merril.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Grown as an ornamental.

English: Indian Coral tree.

Ayurvedic: Paaribhadra, Paarib- hadraka, Paarijaataka, Mandaara, Dadap. Kantaki-palaasha, Kant- kimshuka, Raktapushpa; Nimba- taru. (Erythrina suberosa Roxb. is also equated with Paaribhadra.)

Siddha/Tamil: Kaliyanamurukkan.

Folk: Farhad.

Action: Leaf—cathartic, diuretic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory. Applied externally for dispersing venereal buboes. Bark—antibilious, anthelmintic, febrifuge, astringent, expectorant. (E. variegata is an adulterant to the Ayurvedic drug Rohitaka.) Different parts of the plant are used as nervine sedative, antiepileptic, astringent, antiasthmatic and antiseptic. Bark is used in liver ailments, fever and rheumatism.

A number of tetracyclic alkaloids have been isolated from the plant.

The alkaloids showed a muscle relaxant activity and increased the sedative effects of hexabarbital. The alkaloids extracted from the leaves are reported to have anti-inflammatory activity. Bark alkaloids are neuromus- cular blocking, smooth muscle relaxant, CNS depressant, hydrocholeretic and anticonvulsant. The bark contains 0.05% alkaloids.

The root extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity in vitro against Staphy- lococcus aureus and Mycobacterium smegmatis.

The seeds of many of the species of Erythrina contain alkaloids with curare-like activity. Clinical trials on biologically standardized beta-ery- throidine hydrochloride and dihydro- beta-erythroidine hydrochloride have shown promising results in the treatment of conditions involving certain types of muscular rigidity.

Dosage: Stem bark—6-12 g powder; 12-24 g for decoction. (API Vol. II.)... erythrina indica

Erythrina Stricta

Roxb.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Assam, Manipur, West Bengal and South India.

Ayurvedic: Muraa (controversial).

Siddha/Tamil: Mullu-murukku.

Action: Bark—antibilious, an- tirheumatic, febrifuge, antiasth- matic, antiepileptic, antileprotic. Flowers—antidote to poison. In Assam, the juice of the root bark is given to children in threadworm infection.

The plant gave tetracyclic alkaloids— (+)-erythraline and (+)-erythrinine.... erythrina stricta

Glycine Max

Merrill.

Synonym: G. soja Sieb. & Zucc. G. hispida Maxim.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to South East Asia; now cultivated as pulse crop mainly in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Naga Hills, Mainpur and Kashmir.

English: Soybean, Soya.

Folk: Soyabean, Raam Kurthi, Bhat.

Action: Used as a protein supplement. (Products include fortified wheat flour, soymilk, snack foods, cooking oil.)

Key application: Soy lecithin (phos- pholipids extracted from the seeds of G. max)—used for moderate disturbances of fat metabolism, especially hypercholesterolaemic (if dietary measures are not sufficient). (German Commission E.)

Soybean is rich in protein, oil and minerals, but low in carbohydrates. It also contains water-and fat-soluble vitamins. The major portion of soy protein is composed of glycinin and beta- conglycinin.

Wheat flour can be fortified with full-fat or defatted soyflour for balancing it in essential amino acids, lysine and methionine.

Soy saponins are divided into three groups according to their respective type of aglycon, soyasapogenol A, B and E. Saponin A and AB group fraction protects the liver against antioxi- dation and improved lipid metabolism in the injured liver.

Administration of a small peptide derived from soybean showed antifatigue, antiobesity and hypoglycaemic activity in mice.

Feeding soy protein to hamsters, consistently, resulted in significantly reduced incidence of gallstones.

In studies of experimental carcino- genesis in animals, soybean isoflavones exhibited protective effect in 65% animals.... glycine max

Indigofera Arrecta

Hochst.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in Assam, Bihar and in parts of Uttar Pradesh.

English: Natal Indigo, Java Indigo, Bengal Indigo.

Ayurvedic: Nili (related species).

Action: See I. tinctoria.

Aqueous extract of the plant exhibits antihyperglycaemic activity in rats due to insulinotropic property.

The indigotin content of the plant (0.8-1.0%) is higher than that of other species of Indigofera. The leaves contain up to 4% of a flavonol glycoside which on hydrolysis yields rhamnose and kaempferol.

Indigofera articulata auct. non-Gouan.

Synonym: I. caerulea Roxb.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Bihar and Western and Peninsular India.

English: Egyptian Indigo, Arabian Indigo, Wild Indigo, Surat Indigo.

Ayurvedic: Nili (related species).

Siddha/Tamil: Aaramuri, Irup- pumuri, Kattavuri.

Folk: Surmai Nila.

Action: Root, leaf—bitter tonic. Seed—anthelmintic.... indigofera arrecta

Glycyrrhiza Glabra

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean regions. Now grown in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and South India.

English: Licorice, Liquorice.

Ayurvedic: Yashtimadhu, Mad- huyashtyaahvaa, Madhuli, Mad- huyashtikaa, Atirasaa, Madhurasaa, Madhuka, Yastikaahva, Yashtyaah- va, Yashti, Yashtika, Yashtimadhuka. Klitaka (also equated with Indigofera tinctoria). (Klitaka and Klitanakam were considered as aquatic varieties of Yashtimadhu.)

Unani: Asl-us-soos, Mulethi. Rubb-us-soos (extract).

Siddha/Tamil: Athimathuram.

Action: Demulcent, expectorant, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, mild laxative, antistress, antidepressive, antiulcer, liver protective, estrogenic, em- menagogue, antidiabetic. Used in bronchitis, dry cough, respiratory infections, catarrh, tuberculosis; genitourinary diseases, urinary tract infections; abdominal pain, gastric and duodenal ulcers, inflamed stomach, mouth ulcer. Also used for adrenocorticoid insufficiency.

Key application: In catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and gastric, duodenal ulcers. (German Commission E, ESCOP, WHO.)

The British Herbal Compendium indicates the use of liquorice for bronchitis, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, rheumatism and arthritis, adrenocor- ticoid insufficiency, and to prevent liver toxicity. Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes its use as an anti- inflammatory and antiulcer agent.

The main chemical constituent of liquorice is glycyrrhizin (about 29%), a triterpene saponin with low haemolytic index. Glycyrrhetinic (gly- cyrrhetic) acid (0.5-0.9%), the agly- cone of glycyrrhizin is also present in the root. Other active constituents of liquorice include isoflavonoids, chal- cones, coumarins, triterpenoids and sterols, lignans, amino acids, amines, gums and volatile oils.

Hypokalemia is the greatest threat when liquorice preparations high in glycyrrhizin are prescribed for prolonged periods. Liquorice causes fluid retention. Patients should be placed on a high potassium and low sodium diet. Special precautions should be taken with elderly patients and patients with hypertension or cardiac, renal or hepatic disease.

A special liquorice extract known as DGL (deglycyrrhizinated liquorice) is used in the treatment of peptic ulcer. Oral liquorice preparations, containing glycyrrheti- nic acid, are used for the treatment of viral infections—viral hepatitis, common cold. Topical preparations, containing glycyrrhetinic acid, are used for herpes, eczema, psoriasis.

In Japan, a preparation of glycyrrhi- zin, cysteine and glycine is used by injection for the treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis.

Dosage: Root—2-4 g powder. (API Vol. I.)... glycyrrhiza glabra

Indigofera Aspalathoides

Vahl ex DC.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Plains of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

English: Wiry Indigo.

Ayurvedic: Nili (related species), Shivanimba.

Siddha/Tamil: Sivanaarvembu, Iraivanvembu.

Folk: Shivanimba (Maharashtra).

Action: Antileprotic, antitumour, anti-inflammatory. Used in psoriasis and erysipelas. Ash of the burnt plant is used for dandruff. Root is used in aphthae.... indigofera aspalathoides

Indigofera Enneaphylla

Linn.

Synonym: I. linnaei Ali.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: The Himalayas up to 1,200 m and in plains of India.

English: Trailing indigo.

Ayurvedic: Vaasukaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Cheppunerinjil.

Folk: Hanumaan-buuti, Bhui-nila.

Action: Juice of the plant— antiscorbutic, diuretic, alterative. The plant, boiled with oil, is applied to burns. A decoction is given in epilepsy and insanity.

The plant contains two unsaturat- ed hydrocarbons—indigoferin and en- neaphyllin. The seeds contain 37.8% protein, also yield lipids (4.4%) containing palmitic and oleic acid. The toxicity of the plant is attributed to a non-protein amino acid, indospicine (6-amidino-2-aminohexanoic acid). (Consumption of the plant produces a neurological syndrome, known as Birdsville disease, in horses. The toxic- ity is greatly reduced when the material is chopped and dried.)

The aerial parts gave 3-nitropropa- noyl esters of D-glucose.... indigofera enneaphylla

Indigofera Oblongifolia

Forsk Synonym: I. paucifolia Delile.Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout greater parts of India.English: Wild Indigo, Mysore Panicled Indigo.Ayurvedic: Bana-Nila, Dill, Jhill.Unani: Vasmaa.Siddha/Tamil: Kattukkarchamathi.Folk: Jhil (Gujarat).

Action: Plant—antisyphilitic. All parts of the plant are found useful in enlargement of liver and spleen.The leaves gave apigenin 7-rhamno- glucoside, apigenin 7, 4'-diglucoside, kaempferol-3-neohesperidoside and rhoifolin, along with protocatechuic, p-coumaric, p-hydroxybenzoic, salicylic and vanillic acid.... indigofera oblongifolia

Indigofera Pulchella

Roxb. in part.

Synonym: I. cassioides Rottl. ex DC.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: The hills in India.

Ayurvedic: Nili (related species).

Siddha/Tamil: Nirinji.

Action: Root—used for cough. Powder of the root applied externally for muscular pain in chest.

Leaves and roots—used for swelling of the stomach.

The seeds contain crude protein 27.6, pentosans 8.9 and water soluble gum 12.8%.... indigofera pulchella

Indigofera Tinctoria

Linn.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in many parts of India.

English: Indigo.

Ayurvedic: Nilikaa, Nilaa, Nila, Nili, Nilini, Nilapushpa, Ranjani, Shaaradi, Tutthaa.

Unani: Habb-ul-Neel.

Siddha/Tamil: Nili, Averi, Asidai, Attipurashadam.

Action: Plant—antiseptic, hepato- protective, hypoglycaemic, nervine tonic. Used in enlargement of liver and spleen, skin diseases, leucoder- ma, burns, ulcers, piles, nervous disorders, epilepsy, asthma, lumbago, gout. Leaf—anti-inflammatory. Used in blennorrhagia. Root— diuretic. Used in hepatitis. Root and stem—laxative, expectorant, febrifuge, anticephalalgic, anti- tumour, anthelmintic, promote growth of hair.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the use of dried whole plant in phobia, delusion and disturbed mental state.

Indicine (5-15 mg/g, dry basis) and the flavonoids, apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin and quercetin are present in various plant parts, maximum in the leaves and minimum in the roots (however quercetin was minimum in leaves). The presence of coumarins, cardiac glycosides, saponins and tannins is also reported.

Alcoholic extract of the aerial parts showed hepatoprotective activity in experimental animals against CCl4- induced hepatic injury. The extract increased bile flow and liver weight in rats. The alcoholic extract also exhibited hypoglycaemic activity in rats.

The plant is used in the treatment of endogenous depression. It contains appreciable amounts of conjugated in- doxyl (indican). The use of indigo and its constituents, indirubin and indigotin, prevents allergic contact dermatitis. The 8 weeks old tissues in culture contain maximum histamine content (5.0 mg/g dry weight).

Dosage: Dried leaf—50-100 g for decoction; root—48 g for decoction (API Vol. II); whole plant—10-20 g for decoction. (API Vol. III.)... indigofera tinctoria

Ipomoea Digitata

Linn.

Synonym: I. paniculata R. Br. Burm. I. mauritiana Jacq.

Family: Convolvulaceae.

Habitat: Tropical India in moist regions.

English: Milky Yam.

Ayurvedic: Kshira-vidaari, Kshir- valli, Payasvini, Swaadukandaa, Ikshukandaa, Gajavaajipriyaa, Kan- dapalaasha, Bhuumikuushmaanda.

Siddha: Paalmudukkan kizhangu.

Folk: Bilaaikanda. Bhuin Kakhaaru (Orissa).

Action: Cholagogue, galactagogue, alterative, demulcent, purgative. Resin from root—uses similar to Jalap. Flour of raw rhizome is given in enlargement of liver and spleen, also for menorrhagia, debility and fat accumulation.

Rhizomes gave taraxerol acetate and beta-sitosterol. Fresh leaves contain 6.3 mg/100 g of carotene.

Vidaari is equated with Pueraria tuberosa DC. (Fabaceae). Dry pieces of Dioscorea pentaphylla Linn. are sold as Vidaari Kanda.

Dosage: Tuber—3-6 g powder. (CCRAS.)... ipomoea digitata

Lathyrus Sativus

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated chiefly in Madhya Pradesh, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

English: Chickling Vetch, Grass Pea.

Folk: Khesaari, Latari, Kalaaya.

Action: Seeds—toxic. Prolonged consumption results in paralysis of legs, both in animals and human beings, known as lathyrism. The toxic substance responsible for lathyrism had been identified as selenium. Peritoneal injection of beta-N-oxalylaminoalanine (isolated from the seeds) produced acute neurolathyrism at LD50 doses (748.8 mg/kg) in mice and (694.9 mg/kg) in chicken; liver and kidney cells showed denaturation, vacuolar and fatty degeneration. (It is a neuropoison, which mainly affects central nervous system.)

Related species include, Lathyrus aphaca Linn., L. sphaericus Retz. and L. tingitanus Linn., known as Kalaaya or Khesaari.... lathyrus sativus

Lavandula Stoechas

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Mediterranean region and Asia Minor. Dried plant and flowers are imported into Mumbai from Persian Gulf.

English: Arabian or French Lavender.

Unani: Ustukhuddus, Alfaajan.

Folk: Dhaaru.

Action: Flowers—antidepressive, sedative, anticonvulsant, carminative, antispasmodic, antibacterial, antiseptic. Used in depression, nervous headache, sluggish circulation, physical and mental exhaustion, insomnia, epilepsy, neuralgia and rheumatic affections.

Oil—rubefacient, antimicrobial. Used for nervous palpitations, giddiness, spasm and colic. Relieves sprains, neuralgia and rheumatism; rubbed for stimulating paralysed limbs. Applied to sores, burns, scalds and varicose veins.

Plant—used for the treatment of epilepsy and chronic sinusitis in Unani medicine.

Aerial parts of the plant contain oleanolic, ursolic and vergatic acid, beta-sitosterol, alpha-amyrin and its acetate, lupeol, erythrodiol, luteolin, acacetin and vitexin.

The leaves contain polyphenols, api- genin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside, luteolin andits7-O-beta-D-glucoside, and7-O- beta-D-glucuronide, rosmarinic acid, and 6-O-caffeoyl glucose.

For depression, tincture of lavender flower (1: 5 in 50% alcohol), 60 drops per day, has been used for 4 weeks in Western herbal. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)... lavandula stoechas

Lens Culinaris

Medic.

Family: Vitaceae.

Habitat: Forests of tropical and subtropical India, from Himalayas as far west as Kumaon, and southwards to the Peninsula.

Ayurvedic: Chhatri, Karkatajihvaa, Kukurjihvaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Nalava, Nyekki, Ottanali.

Folk: Karkani (Maharashtra).

Synonym: L. esculenta Moench.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to South West Asia; cultivated as a pulse crop mainly in North India, Madhya Pradesh and some parts of Maharashtra.

English: Lentil.

Ayurvedic: Masura, Masurikaa, Mangalyaa, Mangalyak, Adaasa.

Unani: Masoor.

Siddha: Misurpurpu.

Action: Seeds—mostly used as a pulse. Contain as much as 30% proteins (similar to those of peas and beans). Soup is used in gastric troubles and constipation. Paste or poultice is applied to foul and indolent ulcers.

Dosage: Dried seed—10-20 g. (API, Vol. III.) oil, extracted from the seeds, is similar to olive oil. The seeds possess feeble antimalarial activity. The seed extract showed 100% toxicity against Alternaria alternata and marked toxicity against Aspergillus niger.

Dosage: Root—5-10 g powder. (API, Vol. IV.)... lens culinaris

Lupinus Albus

Linn.

Family: Leguminosae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in gardens. English: While Lupine, Wolfsbohne. Unani: Turmus.

Action: Seeds—deobstruent, carminative, alterative, anthelmintic. Used as an external application to ulcers.

The seed contains alkaloids d-and dl-lupanine and hydroxylupanine.

The principal alkaloid of Blue Lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) seeds is d-lupanine, also hydroxylupanine.

Yellow Lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) seeds contain lupinine (0.43-0.73%) and sparteine (0.20-0.37%). Seeds are feebly cyanogenetic. Other species of Indian gardens, Lupinus hirsutus Linn. and Lupinus mutabilis Sweet, contain sparteine.... lupinus albus

Medicago Sativa

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, as a farm crop.

English: Alfalfa, Lucerne.

Ayurvedic: Alfalfa, Vilaayati- gawuth, Lasunghaas, Lusan.

Unani: Barsem.

Action: Anticholesterolemic, rich in essential enzymes, minerals and vitamins; a preventive of high blood pressure, diabetes, peptic ulcer.

Alfalfa tea is used to strengthen the digestive system. Sprouts (of seeds) are used by diabetics.

The herb contains carotinoids (including lutein), triterpene saponins, isoflavonoids coumarins, triterpenes (including sitgmasterol, spinasterol); also cyanogenic glycosides (corresponding to less than 80 mg HCN/ 100 g); pro-vitamins A, B6, B12, D, K, E and P; calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, magnesium, choline, sodium, silicon and essential enzymes.

The seeds contain 33.2% protein and 4.4% mineral matter; saponins with the aglycones, soyasapogenol B and E and polymines, diaminopropane and norspermine. Two storage globulins, alfin and medicagin are found in the seeds.

The flowers contain flavonoids, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin and laricytrin. The fruits contain beta- amyrin, alpha- and beta-spinasterol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, myrselli- nol, scopoletin and esculetin.

The saponin, medicagenic acid, is found in leaves and roots (leaves 1.49%, roots 2.43% of dry matter).

Alfalfa seed extracts prevented hy- percholesterolemia, triglyceridaemia and atherogenesis in cholesterol-fed rabbits and cynomologus monkeys. The saponins in the extract reduce intestinal absorption of cholesterol in rabbits.

Human trials have indicated the use of the herb in menopause. (Sharon M. Herr.)... medicago sativa

Melilotus Indica

(Linn.) All.

Synonym: M. parviflora Desf.

Family: Paplionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to Eurasia; found as winter weed and cultivated for fodder in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

English: Sweet Clover, Annual Yellow Sweet Clover, Small-flowered Melilot.

Ayurvedic: Vana-methikaa.

Unani: Ilkil-ul-Malik (yellow- flowered var.).

Folk: Ban-Methi, Senji.

Action: Plant—astringent, dis- cutient, emollient. Used as poultice or plaster for swellings. The plant gave coumarins—fraxidin, herniarin, umbelliferone and scopoletin.

When fed alone as a green fodder, it exhibits narcotic properties; causes lethargy, tympanitis and is reported to taint the milk of dairy cattle. It may cause even paralysis. The plant contains 3-methoxyflavone, meliter- natin which experimentally inhibited cell growth, induced granularity, retraction and then lysis of cells.... melilotus indica

Melilotus Officinalis

Linn.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Ladakh, at 3,000-4,000 m, also cultivated.

English: Yellow Sweet Clover, Melilot.

Unani: Iklil-ul-Malik, Asaab-ul- Malik, Naakhunaa.

Action: Plant—astringent, wound healer, styptic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, mild analgesic, anticoagulant, spasmolytic. Flower and leaf—diuretic, analgesic, anti- inflammatory, smooth muscle relaxant, vasodilator. Seed—used in cold.

Key application: In chronic venous insufficiency. For supportive treatment of thrombophlebitis, haemorrhoids and lymphatic congestion. (German Commission E.) As venotonic, vulnerary. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

The herb contains coumarin derivatives; flavonoid glycosides, including kaempferol and quercetin. Di- coumarol (melitoxin) is produced when fermentation takes place in me- lilot. Seeds gave canavanin and trigo- nelline. Reported poisonous to horses. The flowers contain the flavonoids, quercetin and myricetin besides kaem- pferol.

The herb has shown increase in venous reflux and improvement in lymphatic kinetics. Animal experiments show an increase in healing wounds. Flower and leaf extracts have shown analgesic activity, prolongation in pento-barbital-induced hypnosis time and smooth muscle relaxant activity in mice; also exhibited hypotensive and vasodilatory activity in rabbit. Dicoumarol is a potent anticoagulant.

In Europe and China, the plant extract is used for inflammations, arthritis, rheumatism, phlebitis, venous insufficiency, haemorrhoids, brachialgia and bronchitis.

The Red Clove is equated with Tri- folium pratense.... melilotus officinalis

Millettia Auriculata

Baker ex Brandis.

Synonym: M. extensa Benth. ex Baker.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Sub-Himalayan tract and outer Himalaya up to 1,200 m from Kashmir to Bhutan and in Assam and Central and Southern India.

Folk: Godaar (Bihar).

Action: Root—vermifuge, pestici- dal, kills lice and ticks.

The roots, leaves and stems gave iso- flavones (including iso-auriculatin, au- ricularin) and a rotenoid, sumatrol.

Millettia racemosa Benth.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Deccan Peninsula. Folk: Godaar (Bihar).

Action: Insecticidal.

The debarked stem contains isofla- vans, isomillinol, besides behenic acid, beta-amyrin and beta-sitosterol. The isoflavans showed bactericidal and in- secticidal activity. The antibacterial activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli.... millettia auriculata

Mucuna Prurita

Hook.

Synonym: M. pruriens Baker non DC.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughotu India, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

English: Cowhage, Horse-eye Bean.

Ayurvedic: Aatmaguptaa, Kapikac- chuu, Rshabhi, Adhigandhaa, Ajadaaa, Kacchuraa, Laan- guli, Rshyaproktaa, Svaguptaa, Shyaamguptaa, Markati, Kanduraa, Kevaanch, Shuukashimbi.

Unani: Konchh.

Siddha/Tamil: Poonaikkaali.

Action: Seed—astringent, nervine tonic, local stimulant, used in impotence, spermatorrhoea, urinary troubles, leucorrhoea, traditionally used for male virility. Also used in depressive neurosis. Hair on fruit— vermifuge, mild vesicant; used for diseases of liver and gallbladder. Leaf—applied to ulcers. Pod— anthelmintic. Root and fruit—spasmolytic, hypoglycaemic. Root— CNS active.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia recommends the seed in impotence and paralysis agitans; the root in vaginal laxity.

The seeds contain the alkaloids, mu- cunine, mucunadine, mucunadinine, prurieninine, pruriendine and nicotine, besides beta-sitosterol, gluthione, lecithin, vernolic and gallic acids. They contain a number of bioactive substances including tryptamine, alky- lamines, steroids, flavonoids, cou- marins and cardenolides. L-DOPA is present in the seed as well as in the stem, leaves and roots.

Major constituents of the hairs on the pod are amines such as 5-hydroxy- tryptamine (serotonin), and a proteolytic enzyme mucuanain. (Serotonin was present only in pods.)

Prurieninine slowed down heart rate, lowered blood pressure and stimulated intestinal peristalsis in experiments carried out on frogs. The spas- molysis of smooth muscles was caused by indole bases.

Seed diet produced hypoglycaemic effect in normal rats, however, such diet had insignificant effect on alloxan- treated rats.

There is some evidence that Cow- hage might be useful for chlorproma- zine-induced hyperprolactinemia in men. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.) (Males with hy- perprolactinemia frequently face im- potency.) (Cured seeds are used in Indian medicine for male sexual dysfunction.)

Mucuna cochinchinensis Cheval.; synonym M. nivea (Roxb.) DC.; Sti- zolobium niveum Kuntze (cultivated in Bengal and Bihar for edible pods and seeds) is known as Lyon Bean (Khamach in Bengal). The pod yielded L-DOPA (0.06%).

Dosage: Cured seed—3-6 g (API, Vol. III); root—3-6 g powder for decoction (API, Vol. IV.)... mucuna prurita

Ougeinia Dalbergioides

Benth.

Synonym: Ougeinia oojeinensis (Roxb.) Hochr.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Outer Himalayas and sub-Himalayan tract from Jammu to Bhutan up to an altitude of 1,500 m, and extending through the whole of northern and central India into the greater part of Deccan Peninsula.

English: Chariot tree, Punjab Kino.

Ayurvedic: Tinishaa, Tinisha, Syandana, Nemi, Sarvasaara, Ashmagarbhaka, Vajjala, Chitrakrt.

Siddha/Tamil: Narivengai.

Folk: Saanan.

Action: Bark—febrifuge, anti- diarrhoeal, spasmolytic.

The leaves and heartwood contained iso-flavonoids—dalbergion, hemofer- ritin and urgenin. Leaves, in addition, contained flavonoids—querce- tin, kaempferol and leucopelargonidin. Stem bark gave triterpenes, lupeol and betulin.... ougeinia dalbergioides

Phaseolus Aconitifolius

Jacq.

Synonym: Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India. Cultivated.

English: Aconite-Bean, Moth.

Ayurvedic: Makushtha, Moth.

Siddha/Tamil: Tulukkapayir.

Action: Seeds—used as a diet in fever; contains 24.4% protein. Root—narcotic.... phaseolus aconitifolius

Phaseolus Lunatus

Linn.

Synonym: P. inamoenus Linn.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to tropical America; cultivated throughout India.

English: Double Bean, Lima Bean, Burma Bean.

Ayurvedic: Shimbi.

Unani: Lobiyaa, Sem.

Action: Seeds—astringent. Used as a diet in fever. The shoots and pods from Manipur are reported to contain alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids.... phaseolus lunatus

Phaseolus Mungo

Linn. non-Roxb. & auct.

Synonym: Vigna mungo (Linn.) Hepper.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

English: Kidney Bean, Black Gram.

Ayurvedic: Maasha. (P. sublobatus Roxb. and Teramnus labialis Spreng. are equated with Maashaparni; dried aerial parts are used.) Phaseolus dalzellii Cooke and P. sublobatus Roxb. are known as Maashaparni in Kerala.

Unani: Urd-Siyaah.

Siddha/Tamil: Ulunthu.

Action: Used as a pulse. In the form of a confection, used for leucorrhoea and seminal debility. Oil extracts of the pulse is used externally in rheumatism, contracted knee, stiff shoulder. Root—used as a poultice for inflammations and abscesses. Narcotic.

Teramnus labialis Spreng. (grows wild): The whole plant is used in rheumatism, paralysis, nervous diseases, haemoptysis and catarrh of respiratory tract.... phaseolus mungo

Phaseolus Radiatus

Linn. non-Roxb. & auct.

Vigna radiata (Linn.)

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Extensively cultivated all over India.

English: Greengram, Golden Gram.

Ayurvedic: Mudga, Mungalya.

Unani: Moong.

Siddha/Tamil: Pattishai-payaru.

Action: Used as a pulse. Soup is given as a diet to patients of enlarged liver and spleen, and after recovery from acute illness. A poultice of it is used for checking secretion of milk and reducing distention of the mammary glands.... phaseolus radiatus

Phaseolus Trilobus

sensu Ait. & auct.

Synonym: Vigna trilobata (Linn.) Verdcourt.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, up to an elevation of 2,100 m in the northeast.

English: Wild Gram.

Ayurvedic: Mudgaparni, Kaaka- parni, Suuryaparni, Alpikaa, Sahaa, Kaakamudraa, Maarjaargandhikaa. (P. adenanthus G. F. W., and Vigna pilosa Baker are used as Mudgaparni in the South. Dried aerial parts, root and seed are used.)

Siddha/Tamil: Kaatupayaru.

Folk: Jangali Moong, Mugavan.

Action: Whole plant—febrifuge. Leaves—sedative, cooling, an- tibilious. A decoction is used in intermittent fever. The plant contains friedelin, epifriedelin, stigmasterol and tannins. The bean contains methionine, tryptophan and tyrosine; also strepogenin, uridine, diphosphate-galacturonic acid. The seed protein contained lysine, valine, leucine and phenyl- alanine.

Dosage: Seed—50-100 ml. decoction (CCRAS.); whole plant— 3-5 g. (API, Vol. IV.)... phaseolus trilobus

Phaseolus Vulgaris

Linn.

Synonym: P. nanus Linn.

Family: Fabaceae.

English: Kidney Bean, French Bean, Haricot Bean.

Unani: Raajmah (seed), Lobia, Frashbean.

Action: Bean—diuretic, hypotensive, resolvent, regulates blood sugar. Used for water retention; albuminuria, especially of pregnancy; premenstrual tension.

Key application: Seed-free pods—in supportive treatment for inability to urinate. (German Commission E.)

The seeds of French Bean contain triterpenoid glucosides and soyasaponin V.

Raajmah consumption by diabetic patients is reported to produce highly significant reduction in their blood glucose level and glycaemic index, as compared to wheat and rice consumption.

Raw bean contains lectins which are destroyed when cooked. Its hypogly- caemic activity is most likely due to its chromium, trigonelline and fiber content. (Sharon M. Herr.)... phaseolus vulgaris

Piscidia Piscipula

(Linn.) Sarg.

Synonym: P. erythrina Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to America; introduced in India.

English: Jamaica Dogwood.

Action: Sedative, spasmolytic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory.

The bark gave several, isoflavonoids. Piscidone and piscerythrone exhibit spasmolytic activity. Piscidin glycoside and rotenone are toxic constituents.

The bark is used for neuralgia, migraine and insomnia in South America and West Indies.

In some in vitro tests, the root bark's extract exhibited antispasmodic effects as strong as papaverine's (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)... piscidia piscipula

Pongamia Pinnata

Pierre.

Synonym: P. glabra Vent. Derris indica (Lam.) Benett.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Western Ghats, tidal forests up to 1,200 m.

English: Pongam Oil tree, Indian Beech.

Ayurvedic: Karanja.

Siddha/Tamil: Pungam.

Action: Oil—applied in scabies, herpes, leucoderma and other cutaneous diseases; over chest in pneumonia and cold; also used internally as cholagogue in sluggish liver. Leaves—juice is prescribed in flatulence, dyspepsia, diarrhoea and cough. An infusion is given for leprosy and gonorrhoea. Root— a paste is used in scrofulous enlargements; juice is used for cleaning foul ulcers and closing fistulous sores. Stem bark—given internally in bleeding piles. Rind of pod and seed—prescribed in bronchitis and whooping cough. Leaf and seed—antileprotic. Leaf and seed oil—antirheumatic.

The tree is rich in flavonoids and related compounds. These include simple flavones, furanoflavonoids, chro- menoflavones, chromenochalcones, coumarones, flavone glucosides, sterols, triterpenes and a modified phenyl- alanine dipeptide. Seeds and seed oil gave karanjin, pongamol, pongapin and kanjone.

The aqueous extract of stem bark shows significant sedative and antipyretic effects in rats, and antispas- modic effect in vitro on smooth muscles.

In Indonesia, a decoction ofthe bark is drunk after child birth.

The aqueous extract of seeds showed significant antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses HSV-1 and 2 cell lines experimentally. Albino rats, treated with the aqueous extract of seeds, recovered faster from induced infection and skin-burn than the untreated ones.

Dosage: Seed—250 mg powder; 510 g for decoction. (API, Vol. I.)... pongamia pinnata

Pseudarthria Viscida

Wt. & Arn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Orissa throughout South India and Gujarat.

Ayurvedic: Sanaparni, Shaalaparni (Kerala).

Siddha/Tamil: Neermalli.

Action: Root—astringent, febrifuge, antirheumatic. A decoction or powder is used for biliousness and diarrhoea. Used as a substitute for Desmodium gangeticum (Shaalaparni) in South India.

Leucopelargonidin has been isolated from the root.... pseudarthria viscida

Psoralea Corylifolia

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

English: Babchi, Purple Fleabane.

Habitat: Rajasthan., eastern districts of Punjab and adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh.

Ayurvedic: Somaraaji, Somavalli, Somavallik, Soma, Chaandri, Vaakuchi, Baakuchi, Avalguja. (Somaraaji and Avalguja have also been equated with Centratherum anthelminticum.)

Unani: Baabchi, Bakuchi.

Siddha/Tamil: Karpoogaarisi.

Action: Seed—used in leucoderma, vitiligo, leprosy, psoriasis and inflammatory diseases of the skin, both orally and externally. (The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.)

The seed and roots contain chal- cones, flavones, isoflavones, furano- coumarins and coumesterol group of compounds. These include psoralen, isopsoralen, bavachinin.

A mixture of psoralen and isopso- ralen, in a ratio of 1:3, is recommended for topical application in leucoderma. These furanocoumarins initiate transformation of DOPA to melanin under the influence of UV light. Seeds are powdered and administered orally with warm water (5 g/day) in cases of eczema.

Psoralen was found to be cytotoxic in vitro. The combination therapy of psoralen and UV irradiation has been shown to inhibit the growth of tumours in vivo.

Bavachinin-A, isolated from the fruits, exhibited marked anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and mild analgesic properties similar to those of oxyphenylbutazone and hydrocortisone. It demonstrated better antipyretic activity than paracetamol experimentally.

Oral administration of the powdered seeds has generally resulted in side reactions (nausea, vomiting, purging); external application generally proved highly irritant to the skin.

Dosage: Seed—1-3 g powder (CCRAS.); 3-6 g powder (API, Vol. I).... psoralea corylifolia

Pterocarpus Dalbergioides

Roxb.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: The Andamans, sparingly cultivated in West Bengal.

English: Andaman Padauk, Andaman Redwood.

Ayurvedic: Rakta-chandana (var.).

Siddha: Vengai (Tamil), Yerravegisa (Telugu).

Folk: Chalangada (Andamans).

Action: See Pterocarpus santalinus.

The wood contains a red pigment santalin and a yellow flavonoid santal, both of which also occur in Pterocarpus santalinus. The bark and the heartwood contain pterostilbene. The heartwood yields pterocarpin, liquirit- igenin and isoliquiritigenin. The sapwood gave homopterocarpin additionally.

Pterocarpus indicus Willd. non-Baker, Malay Padauk, is also known as Vengai in Tamil and Yerravegisa in Telugu. A decoction of the wood is given in dropsy and for stone in the bladder. The bark-kino is used as an application for sores and a decoction of the bark or kino is used for diarrhoea.... pterocarpus dalbergioides

Pterocarpus Marsupium

Roxb.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the tropical zones of India in the hilly regions.

English: Indian Kino tree, Malabar Kino tree.

Ayurvedic: Asana, Bijaka, Priyaka, Pitashaala.

Unani: Bijaysaar.

Siddha/Tamil: Vengai.

Action: Bark-kino—astringent, antihaemorrhagic, antidiarrhoeal. Flowers—febrifuge. Leaves—used externally for skin diseases.

Key application: Heartwood— in anaemia, worm infestation, skin diseases, urinary disorders, lipid disorders and obesity. Stem bark—in diabetes. (The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.)

The heartwood and roots contain isoflavonoids, terpenoids and tannins. Tannins include the hypoglycaemic principle (-)-epicatechin. Stilbenes, such as pterostilbene; flavonoids, including liquiritigenin, isoliquiritige- nin, 7-hydroxyflavanone, 7,4-dihy- droxyflavanone, 5-deoxykaempferol and pterosupin; a benzofuranone mar- supsin and propterol, p-hydroxy-ben- zaldehyde are active principles of therapeutic importance.

The gum-kino from the bark provides a non-glucosidal tannin, Kino tannic acid (25-80%).

The (-)-epi-catechin increases the cAMP content of the islets which is associated with the increased insulin release, conversion of proinsulin to insulin and cathepsin B activity.

Oral administration of ethylacetate extract of the heartwood and its fla- vonoid constituents, marsupin, ptero- supin and liquiritigenin, for 14 consecutive days to rats exhibited a significant reduction of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL- and VLDL-cholesterol levels, but it did not exert any significant effect on HDL- cholesterol.

The ethanolic and methanolic extracts of the heartwood exhibited significant in vitro antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria and some strains of fungi.

Kino is powerfully astringent. The therapeutic value of kino is due to Kino tannic acid.

Dosage: Heartwood—50-100 g for decoction. (API, Vol. I); stem bark—32-50 g for decoction (API, Vol. III).... pterocarpus marsupium

Pterocarpus Santalinus

Linn. f.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Found in Cuddaph district of Andhra Pradesh, neighbouring areas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

English: Red Sandalwood, Red Sanders.

Ayurvedic: Raktachandana, Raktasaara.

Unani: Sandal Surkh.

Siddha/Tamil: Shivappu chandanam.

Folk: Laal-chandan.

Action: Heartwood—antibilious, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, astringent, diaphoretic, febrifuge.

A paste of wood is used externally for inflammations and headache. Fruit—antidysenteric

The heartwood contains terpeno- ids—eudesmol, iso-pterocarpolone, pterocarpol, cryptomeridiol, ptero- carptriol and pterocarpdiolone; pigments santalins A and B. The bark contains triterp enoids—b eta- ampyrone, lupenone and lupeol derivatives. The sapwood gave acetyl oleanolic aldehyde, acetyl oleanolic acid and ery- throdiol.

An ethanolic extract (95%) of the wood powder was found effective in lowering blood sugar levels in fasting, fed, glucose-loaded and streptozotocin diabetic models in rats.

A cream prepared from the metha- nolic extract of the heartwood of Red Sandalwood and rhizomes of Curcuma longa showed 95.46% inhibition of oedema in combination (Curcuma lon- ga and red sandalwood showed 65.62 and 64.14% inhibition respectively, when used individually).

A decoction of the heartwood produced potentiation of pentobarbitone- induced hypnosis in albino mice; blocked conditioned avoidance response in rats and showed anticonvul- sant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Dosage: Heartwood—3-6 g powder. (API, Vol. III.)... pterocarpus santalinus

Pueraria Lobata

(Willd.) Ohwi.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Eastern Himalayas, Assam and Khasi Hills.

English: Tropical Kudze.

Ayurvedic: Vidaari (var.).

Action: Root—antipyretic, antiinflammatory, spasmolytic. Flower—hepatoprotective.

The root of P. lobata is used in Chinese medicine as an antipyretic and spasmolytic agent.

The root contains pueraria glyco- sides and puerarol. The glycosides showed strong antioxidant activity and inhibited lipid peroxidation. The root also contain several flavones which showed 66.8% inhibition against stomach cancer in vivo in mice. The isofla- yvonoids, daidzein, formononetin, daidzin and puerarin. Daidzein and puerarin show significant anti-inflammatory activity.

The cosmetics containing the root extracts with 20-40% puerarin and 2045% sugars (as sucrose) are used as moisturizing, skin-lightening and sun- screening and hair-growth stimulating preparations.

An isoflavonoid, triterpenoid sapo- nin and tryptophan derivative isolated from the flowers showed protective effect against experimental liver injuries in mice.

The tryptophan derivatives and their glycosides exhibited antihyperglycae- mic activity.

Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth., synonym P. javanica Benth. (Sub-Himalayan regions; Assam, An- dhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, up to 1,100 m) is equated with Tropical Kudze. The plant is used against ulcers and boils.... pueraria lobata

Pueraria Tuberosa

DC.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Punjab, Western Uttar Pradesh, Central India.

English: Indian Kudze.

Ayurvedic: Vidaari, Swaadukandaa, Ikshugandhaa, Gajavaajipriyaa, Kandapalaasha, Bhuumikushmaan- da. (Substitute for Jivaka and Rshabhaka.)

Folk: Bhui-kumhadaa, Suraal.

Action: Tuber—diuretic, cardiac tonic, galactagogue. Also used for fertility control. Root—used as a demulcent, and refrigerant in fevers, as cataplasm for swelling of joints, as galactagogue.

The butanolic extract of Pueraria tuberosa showed significant protection against hepatic damage in rats. The ethanolic extract of the tubers and its butanol and pre-puerarin fractions exhibited anti-implantation effect. The pure compounds, puerarin, daidzein and tuberosin, exhibited significant anti-implantation activity in hamsters.

In Indian medicine, Vidaari and Kshira-vidaari are used for promoting breast milk and semen, and as a restorative tonic. Most authors have equated Vidaari with Pueraria tuberosa and Kshira-vidaari with Ipomoea digi- tata.

In Western herbal, Pueraria lobata and P. tuberosa roots are used alone or in combination with other products for symptoms due to alcoholism. But preliminary research shows that Kudze does not improve sobriety in chronic alcoholics. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

Dosage: Tuber—3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... pueraria tuberosa

Robinia Pseudoacacia

Linn.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Western Himalayas and Jammu & Kashmir.

English: Locust tree, False Acacia, Robinia, Black Locust.

Action: Leaves—laxative, antispas- modic (an infusion is prescribed in digestive disorders). Flowers— diuretic, antispasmodic.

The bark, leaves and roots contain a toxalbumin, robin (1.6% in the bark), which resembles ricin present in the castor seed. The bark also contains a glucoside robinitin (3%), syringin, tannin (up to about 7.0%). Inner bark contains amygdalin and urease.

The leaves are rich in calcium, phosphorus and potash. The presence of glycosides, acaciin, apigenin-7-bioside, apigenin-7-trioside and indican, have also been reported.

The flowers are powerfully diuretic due to a glycoside, robinin. Flowers also contain l-asparagine.

The roots are rich in asparagine, also contain robin. Root bark, if taken in excess, is emetic and purgative.

The bark and young shoots are poisonous to livestock.... robinia pseudoacacia

Sesbania Bispinosa

W. f. Wight.

Synonym: S. aculeata (Willd.) Poir.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Western Himalayas and plains, southwards to Peninsular India.

English: Prickly Sesban, Dhaincha.

Ayurvedic: Jayanti (var.), Itkata (var.).

Siddha/Tamil: Mudchembai.

Action: Seeds—used externally in ringworm and skin diseases. Plant—used for treating wounds.

The leaf, stem and fruit gave positive test for alkaloids. A mixture of saponins, reported to be present in the seeds, yields on hydrolysis oleanolic acid and neutral sapogenin. Colloidal substances similar to those of marine algae, locust bean gum, guar gum and gum tragacanth are reported in the seeds.... sesbania bispinosa

Sesbania Grandiflora

(L.) Poir.

Synonym: Agati grandiflora Desv.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to tropical Asia; grown in Assam, Bengal, Punjab, Vadodara, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

English: Agati Sesban, Swamp Pea.

Ayurvedic: Agastya, Agasti, Munidrum, Munitaru, Muni, Vangasena, Vakrapushpa, Kumbha.

Siddha/Tamil: Agatti.

Action: Plant—astringent, antihistamine, febrifuge. Used for intermittent fevers, catarrh, cough, consumption, glandular enlargement.

The aqueous extract of flowers has been found to produce haemolysis of human and sheet erythrocytes even at low concentration due to methyl ester of oleanolic acid. Flowers also gave nonacosan-6-one and kaempferol-3- rutinoside.

The seed gave kaempferol-3,7-diglu- coside, (+)-leucocyanidin and cyani- din-3-glucoside. Seed also contains galactomannan.

A saponin present in the leaves on hydrolysis gave an acid sapogenin oleanoic acid, galactose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid. Besides saponin, the leaves contain an aliphatic alcohol, grandiflorol.

The bark contains gum and tannin. The red gum is used as a substitute for Gum arabic. An infusion of the bark is given in first stages of smallpox and other eruptive fevers (emetic in large doses).

Dosage: Whole plant—10- 20 ml juice; 50-100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)... sesbania grandiflora

Sesbania Sesban

(Linn.) Merrill.

Synonym: S. aegyptiaca Pers.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated and wild throughout India.

English: Common Sesban.

Ayurvedic: Jayantikaa, Jayanti, Jayaa, Jwaalaamukhi, Suukshma-muulaa, Suukshma-patraa, Keshruuhaa, Balaamotaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Sembai, Karum- sembai (leaf).

Folk: Jainta.

Action: Seed and bark—astringent, emmenagogue. Used in menorrhagia, spleen enlargement and diarrhoea. Leaves—anti- inflammatory. Bark—juice applied to cutaneous eruptions. Unsaponifi- able matter of fixed oil from seeds— cardiac depressant, antibacterial.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia recommends the use of the leaf in dysuria.

The pods and leaves contain cholesterol, campesterol and beta-sitosterol. Flowers contain cyanidin and delphini- din glucosides. Pollen and pollen tubes contain alpha-ketoglutaric, oxaloacetic and pyruvic acids.

Dosage: Leaf—3-6 g powder. (API, Vol. II.)... sesbania sesban

Sophora Japonica

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae, Fabaceae.

Habitat: Kashmir; also introduced into forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun.

English: Japanese Pagoda tree, Chinese Scholar tree, Umbrella tree.

Action: Flower—bitter, astringent, styptic, antibacterial.

Flower buds are a very rich source of rutin (16.0-23.0% dry weight basis), several times more than that present in Buckwheat which is an important source of the flavonoid.

The plant is used for the treatment of bleeding due to hemorrhoids and ulcerative colitis. The antihaemorrhagic principle, quercetin, has been isolated from aqueous extract of dried buds.

The flower extract has been reported to exhibit hepato-protective activity.... sophora japonica

Sophora Mollis

Grah. ex Baker.

Synonym: Edwardsia moltis Royle.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Himalayas from Kashmir to Nepal, up to an altitude of 2,100 m.

English: Himalayan Laburnum.

Action: Seeds—used for destroying vermin. Root—used for promoting hair growth.

The seeds contain an alkaloid cyti- sine. The root imparts dark colour to hair.

The seeds of S. secundiflora Lag. ex DC., known as Mescal-or Coral-Bean (Native to America, grown in Indian gardens) also contain substantial amounts of cytisine.

The alkaloid, (-)-N-methylcytisine, isolated from the seeds, exhibited hy- poglycaemic activity in mice.... sophora mollis

Sophora Tomentosa

Linn.

Family: Popilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Grown in gardens for its bright-yellow flowers.

English: Sea coast Laburnum, Silver Bush.

Action: Seeds—dangerously emetocatharitc, toxic, febrifugal, stomachic. Seeds yield a fatty oil with expectorant properties. Decoction of seeds and roots is given in bilious disorders. Leaves— emetocathartic.

Constituents of the aerial parts include benzofurans; flavonoids including sophoraisoflavone A and B, sopho- ronol, iso-sophoranone-and iso-bava- chin. The leaves and seeds contain al- kaloids—matrine, cytisine and small amounts of methylcytisine. Cytisine is also present in the roots.

Cytisine possesses insecticidal and physiological properties similar to those of nicotine.

Sophoraisoflavone A exhibits anti- fungal activity.... sophora tomentosa

Trifolium Pratense

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Kashmir to Garhwal at 1,200-2,400 m, and the Nilgiris.

English: Red Clover.

Unani: Ispast, Berseem, Clover (equated with T. alexandricum Linn.)

Folk: Trepatra (Punjab).

Action: Flower—deobstruent, antispasmodic, expectorant, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antidermatosis.

Used for psoriasis, eczema and other skin diseases; and as an expectorant in coughs and bronchitis. Also used as antineoplastic against tumours and hard swellings.

The plant contains iso-flavonoids— calycosin - 7 - galactoside, calycosin, pseudobaptigenin, fornononetin, di- adzein and medicagol; also hydroxy- pterocarpans.

The flowerheads contain phenolic glycosides, flavonoids, salicylates, coumarins, cyanogenic glycosides, starch and fatty acids. Flavonoids in the flowers and leaves are oestro- genic; provide relief in menopausal complaints.

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes anti-inflammatory property of the flower.

Trifolium alexandricum, according to National Formulary of Unani MediMedicine, is used as Ispast. The seeds contain xanthosin.... trifolium pratense

Trigonella Corniculata

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Kashmir to Sikkim, and in Bihar and West Bengal. Cultivated in North India.

Unani: Pirang.

Folk: Kasuri Methi, Maarwaari Methi, Champaa Methi.

Action: Leaves—rich in phosphorus. Fruits—bitter, astringent and styptic. Applied to swellings and bruises.

The seeds afforded ethyl-alpha-D- galactopyranoside, glycoflavones—vi- texin (apigenin-C-glucoside), apige- nin-6-8-di-C-monoglucoside and its monoacetate; also contain triacontane, 22,23-dihydrostigmasterol, choline and betaine; saponins on hydrolysis gave yuccagenin and diosgenin.... trigonella corniculata

Tephrosia Purpurea

(L.) Pers.

Synonym: T. hamiltonii Drumm.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: All over India; also grown as green manure and as cover crop.

English: Purple Tephrosia, Wild Indigo.

Ayurvedic: Sharapunkhaa, Vishikha-punkhaa, Sarphokaa.

Unani: Sarponkhaa, Sarphukaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Kattu-kolingi, Kolingi, Paavali, Mollukkay, Kollukkayvelai.

Action: The drug is considered specific for the treatment of inflammation of spleen and liver (is known as Plihaa-shatru, Plihaari in Indian medicine).

Dried herb—diuretic, deobstruent, laxative. Given for the treatment of cough, bronchitis, bilious febrile attacks, insufficiency of the liver, jaundice (not effective in infantile cirrhosis), kidney disorders and for the treatment of bleeding piles, boils, pimples. Also used as a gargle. Root—decoction used in dyspepsia, diarrhoea, cough, bronchitis, adenoids, asthma and rheumatism. Juice is applied to skin eruptions. A liniment prepared from the root is employed in elephantiasis. Oil from seeds—specific against eruptions of the skin, eczema, scabies, leprosy. Seed extract—hypoglycaemic.

Powdered aerial parts prevented elevation of SGOP, SGPT and bilirubin levels.

Hepatoprotective effect of aerial parts was evaluated against (+)-galac- tosamine-induced and carbon tetra- chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The leaves contain rutin and rote- noids (0.65-0.80% on dry basis). Rote- noid content is highest in the seed (1.60-1.80%).

The leaves also contain a triterpe- noid, lupeol, and beta-sitosterol.

Seeds contain a diketone-pongamol; a dimethylchromene flavanone iso- lonchocarpin; furanoflavones karan- jin and kanjone; a flavanone purpurin; and sitosterol. A flavonoid, lanceolarin B, is also present in seeds.

The plant extract led to marked lowering of blood glucose level in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. In diabetic rabbits the extract exerted 60-70% hypoglycaemic effect as compared to tolbutamide.

Shveta Sharapunkhaa (stems: covered with white hair; flowers: pale pink or pale violet) is equated with T. villosa Pers.

The roots gave a prenylated fla- vanone 7-methylglabranin; pods contain rotenoids—villosin, villon, vil- losol, villosinol, villinol and villosone.

The fresh root is credited with hy- poglycaemic properties, but leaves did not show any such effect. The juice of the leaf is given in dropsy. Ayurve- dic classical texts describe it as a special drug for treating sterility in women.

Boiled leaves of T. uniflora subspecies petrosa (Kant-punkhaa) are used for the treatment of syphilis. The medicinal properties of the plant are more or less similar to those of T. purpurea, but to a milder degree.

T. spinosa Pers. (South India, ascending to 400 m in hills) is also known as Kant-punkhaa (Mulukolingi in Tamil Nadu).

The root is applied to inflammations and swellings of joints; a decoction is given in rheumatism.

Chalcones, spinochalones A and B and flemistrictin A have been isolated from the root. Spinochalone C and spinoflavonones A and B, and fulvin- ervin A have been isolated from the plant.

Dosage: Plant, root, seed—3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... tephrosia purpurea

Trigonella Foenum-graecum

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Widely cultivated in many parts of India.

English: Fenugreek.

Ayurvedic: Methikaa, Methi, Vastikaa, Selu, Methini, Dipani, Bahupatrikaa, Bodhaini, Gand- haphala.

Unani: Hulbaa, Methi.

Siddha/Tamil: Vendhayam.

Action: Seeds—used in loss of appetite, flatulence, dyspepsia, colic; diarrhoea, dysentery; enlargement of liver and spleen; and as a lactagogue and puerperal tonic.

Key application: German Commission E reported secretolytic, hypermic and mild antiseptic activity of the seed. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia reported its actions as demulcent and hy- poglycaemic. ESCOP and WHO monographs indicate the use of seeds in adjuvant therapy for diabetes mellitus, anorexia, also in hypercholesterolemia.

The seeds gave alkaloids, including trigonelline, gentianine and carpaine; saponins, based mainly on the sa- pogenins, diosgenin and its isomer yamogenin, gitogenin and tigogenin; flavonoids, including vitexin and its glycosides and esters and luteolin; a volatile oil in small quantities. The mucilage (25-30%) is mostly a galac- tomannan.

A C-steroidal sapogenin peptide ester, fenugreekine, exhibited hypogly- caemic activity.

About 80% of the total content of free amino acids in the seeds is present as 4-hydroxyisoleucine, which appears to directly stimulate insulin. (Eur J Pharmacol, 390, 2000; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

Saponin rich extracts reduce blood levels of the cholesterol. The fibrous fraction of seeds also causes a reduction in blood lipids.

The aqueous extract is demulcent, promoted healing of gastric ulcers produced experimentally in rats and exhibited a smooth muscle relaxing effect in rabbits without affecting either the heart or blood pressure.

Fenugreek has been reported to stimulate the liver microsomal cy- tochrome P450 dependent aryl hy- droxylase and cytochrome b5 in rats; increased bile secretion has also been observed.

Fenugreek extract containing trigo- nelline and trigonellic acid maybe used as a hair growth stimulant.

Dosage: Seed—3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... trigonella foenum-graecum

Trigonella Incisa

Benth.

Synonym: T. polycerata auct. non L.

Family: Papillionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Punjab plains and Western Himalaya, up to 1,800 m.

Folk: Sainji, Chini, Shirgona (Punjab), Chainhari (Delhi), Methi (related species).

Action: Seeds—antidiarrhoeic.

Aerial parts and pods contain steroidal sapogenins—diosgenin 0.04, 0.25; and tigogenin 0.008, 0.18% respectively.

Various plant parts and tissues in culture contain flavonoids, the major being luteolin, besides kaempferol, quercetin and apigenin.... trigonella incisa

Trigonella Uncata

Boiss.

Family: Papilionaceae, Fabaceae.

Habitat: Afghanistan, Persia.

English: Tonkin Bean, Melilot, King's Crown.

Unani: Iklil-ul-Malik (also equated with Melilotus alba Desv., and Astragalus homosus Linn.).

Folk: Sainji (white-flowered var.).

Action: Beans—anti-inflammatory, anodyne, diuretic, emmenagogue. (Indian species, bearing smaller beans, has been equated with Trigonella corniculata and is known as Pirang.)... trigonella uncata

Uraria Crinita

Desv.

Uraria lagopoides DC.

Synonym: U. lagopodioides Desv.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Grasslands of Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal and Palni Hills. Ayurvedic: Prishniparni. (Prishniparni and Shaaliparni are used together in Indian medicine. Both have been equated with Uraria sp., U. lagopoides and U. picta. Siddha: Moovilai.

Action: Whole plant—anticatarrhal and alterative. Root—used in prescriptions for intermittent fevers, pulmonary inflammation and as a recuperating tonic. Leaves— prescribed in diarrhoea.

Flavonoids, including 5-hydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxy flavonol, have been isolated from the plant.

The plant is mentioned as an aborti- facient in ancient Ayurvedic texts. Hot aqueous extract of the shoots showed oxytocic activity on both gravid and non-gravid uteri of experimental animals. The aqueous extract of the plant shows anti-implantation activity on rats and spasmogenic effect on the guts of rabbits and uteri of rats.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout Himalayas, up to an altitude of 2,700 m and in Khasi, Aka and Lushai hills.

Prishniparni (related

Action: Prescribed in dysentery, diarrhoea; enlarged spleen and liver; also for the treatment of pustules, tumours and fistula.... uraria crinita

Uraria Picta

Desv.

Synonym: Hedysarum pictum Jacq.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, in dry grasslands. Ayurvedic: Prishniparni, Prithak- parni, Simhapushpi, Kalashi, Dhaavani, Guhaa, Chitraparni.

Siddha/Tamil: Oripai.

Action: Root—prescribed for cough, chills and fevers. Leaves—antiseptic, used for urinary discharges and genitourinary infections.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends a decoction of whole plant in alcoholism, insanity, psychosis; cough, bronchitis, dyspnoea; diseases due to vitiated blood; gout; bleeding piles; blood dysentery, acute diarrhoea.

The plant is credited with fracture- healing properties. Its total extract exhibits better and quicker healing of fractures in experimental animals due to early accumulation of phosphorus and more deposition of calcium.

Dosage: Whole plant—20-50 g powder for decoction. (API, Vol. IV.)... uraria picta

Beans, Broad

(Vivia faba), leguminosae.

Contain natural L-dopa which penetrates the intestinal epithelial cells and is transported through the blood stream to the brain capillaries where it is converted into dopamine, of value in the nutrition of Parkinson patients.

Beans should be eaten, not when fully mature, but when young, with a thin skin and easy to digest. Ninety per cent afflicted with Parkinson’s disease at an early age respond quickly. It is easily oxidised two or three days after harvest and vanishes completely as the plant stops growing and begins to dry. Patients report a marked improvement each time they eat a meal of fresh broad beans and may not require drug treatment “for many hours”. The young beans are immersed in boiling water for three minutes, and may be eaten as a preventative. ... beans, broad

L. Dopa

An amino acid present in some foods and plants. Prepared synthetically in the laboratory when used as the basic medication for Parkinson’s disease. Has enabled millions of elderly sufferers to lead a useful and less painful life with reduced muscle tension. On entering the brain the substance is known as dopamine.

In old age the concentration of L-dopa in the brain decreases. This substance is available in very high concentrations in the plant Vivia faba (broad bean). Highest concentration is found in type WH 305. Research has shown that regular eating of these golden beans can prolong life expectancy, slow down the ageing process and possibly allow a reduced dosage in medication. ... l. dopa

Parkinson’s Disease

(PD). Paralysis agitans. First described by James Parkinson, 1817. His description is as apt today as when it appeared in his book “Essay on the Shaking Palsy”. He wrote: “It is characterised by involuntary tremulous motion, with lessened muscular power in parts not in action and even when supported. There is a tendency to bend the trunk forward and to pass from a walking to a running pace. The senses and intellect are uninjured.”

Added to the above are:– muscular rigidity, loss of reflexes, drooling – escape of saliva from the mouth. Muscles of the face are stiff giving a fixed expression, the back presents a bowed posture. The skin is excessively greasy and the patient is unable to express emotional feelings. Loss of blinking. Pin- rolling movement of thumb and forefinger.

Causes: degeneration of groups of nerve cells deep within the brain which causes a lack of neurotransmitting chemical, dopamine. Chemicals such as sulphur used by agriculture, drugs and the food industry are suspected. Researchers have found an increase in the disease in patients born during influenza pandemics.

Treatment. While cure is not possible, a patient may be better able to combat the condition with the help of agents that strengthen the brain and nervous system.

Tea. Equal parts: Valerian, Passion flower, Mistletoe. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup water; bring to boil; simmer 1 minute; dose: half-1 cup 2-3 times daily.

Gotu Kola tea. (CNS stimulant).

Tablets/capsules. Black Cohosh, Cramp bark, Ginseng, Prickly Ash, Valerian.

Formula. Ginkgo 2; Black Cohosh 1; Motherwort 2; Ginger 1. Mix. Dose. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 1-3 teaspoons in water or honey. Fava Bean Tea.

Case report. Two patients unresponsive to Levodopa treatment reported improvement following meals of fresh broad beans. (Vicia faba) The beans contain levodopa in large amounts. (Parkinson Disease Update Vol 8, No 66, p186, Medical Publications, PO Box 24622-H, Philadelphia, USA) See also: BROAD BEANS. L-DOPA.

Nacuna Pruriens. Appropriate. Essential active constituent: L-dopa. (Medicinal plants and Traditional Medicine in Africa, by Abayomi Sofowora, Pub: John Wiley)

Practitioner. To reduce tremor: Tincture Hyoscyamus BP. To reduce spasm: Tincture Belladonna BP. To arrest drooling: Tincture Stramonium BP.

Diet. It is known that people who work in manganese factories in Chile may develop Parkinson’s disease after the age of 30. Progress of the disease is arrested on leaving the factory. Two items of diet highest in manganese are wheat and liver which should be avoided, carbohydrates in place of wheat taking the form of rice and potatoes.

Supplements. Daily: B-complex, B2, B6, niacin. C 200mg to reduce side-effects of Levodopa. Vitamin E 400iu to possibly reduce rigidity, tremors and loss of balance.

Treatment of severe nerve conditions should be supervised by neurologists and practitioners whose training prepares them to recognise serious illness and to integrate herbal and supplementary intervention safely into the treatment plan.

Antioxidants. Evidence has been advanced showing how nutritional antioxidants, high doses of Vitamin C and E, can retard onset of the disease, delaying the use of Levodopa for an average of 2 and a half years. (Fahn S., High Dose Alpha-tocopherol and ascorbate in Early Parkinson’s Disease – Annals of Neurology, 32-S pp128-132 1992)

For support and advice: The Parkinson’s Disease Society, 22 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0RA, UK. Send SAE. ... parkinson’s disease

Balsam, Copaiba

Copaifera officinalis

FAMILY: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

SYNONYMS: Copahu balsam, copaiba, copaiva, Jesuit’s balsam, Maracaibo balsam, para balsam.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Wild-growing tropical tree up to 18 metres high, with thick foliage and many branches. The natural oleoresin occurs as a physiological product from various Copaifera species. Not a ‘true’ balsam.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to north east and central South America. Mainly produced in Brazil; also Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam and Colombia.

OTHER SPECIES: Several Copaifera speices yield an oleoresin: the Venezuelan type ‘Maracaibo balsam’ has a low oil content, the Brazilian type ‘para balsam’ has a high oil content. See also Botanical Classification section.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: Used for centuries in Europe in the treatment of chronic cystitis and bronchitis; also for treating piles, chronic diarrhoea and intestinal problems.

ACTIONS: Batericidal, balsamic, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant.

EXTRACTION: 1. The crude balsam is collected by drilling holes into the tree trunks; it is one of the most plentiful naturally occurring perfume materials. 2. An essential oil is obtained by dry distillation from the crude balsam. It is mainly the ‘para balsams’ with a high oil content (60–80 per cent), which are used for distillation.

CHARACTERISTICS: 1. The crude balsam is a viscous, yellowy-brown or greenish-grey liquid which hardens upon exposure to air with a mild, woody, slightly spicy odour. It blends well with styrax, amyris, lavandin, cedarwood, lavender, oakmoss, woods and spices. 2. The oil is a pale yellow or greenish mobile liquid with a mild, sweet, balsamic-peppery odour. It blends well with cananga, ylang ylang, vanilla, jasmine, violet and other florals.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly caryophyllene.

SAFETY DATA: Relatively non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization. Large doses cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE:

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Intestinal infections, piles.

Respiratory System: Bronchitis, chills, colds, coughs, etc.

Genito-Rinary System: Cystitis.

Nervous System: Stress-related conditons.

OTHER USES: The oleoresin is used in pharmaceutical products especially cough medicines and iuretics. The oil and crude balsam are extensively used as a fixative and fragrance component in all types of perfumes, soaps, cosmetics and detergents. The crude is also used in porcelain painting.

BALSAM, PERU... balsam, copaiba

Balsam, Tolu

Myroxylon balsamum var. balsamum

FAMILY: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

SYNONYMS: Toluifera balsamum, Balsamum tolutanum, B. americanum, Myrospermum toluiferum, Thomas balsam, resin Tolu, opobalsam.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A tall, graceful tropical tree, similar in appearance to the Peru balsam tree. The balsam is a pathological product, obtained by making V-shaped incisions into the bark and sap wood, often after the trunk has been beaten and scorched. It is a ‘true’ balsam.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to South America, mainly Venezuela, Colombia and Cuba; also cultivated in the West Indies.

OTHER SPECIES: There are many types of South American balsam-yielding trees, such as the Peru balsam – see entry.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The balsam works primarily on the respiratory mucous membranes, and is good for chronic catarrh and non-inflammatory chest complaints, laryngitis and croup. It is still used as a flavour and mild expectorant in cough syrups and lozenges. As an ingredient in compound benzoin tincture and similar formulations, it is helpful in the treatment of cracked nipples, lips, cuts, bedsores, etc.

ACTIONS: Antitussive, antiseptic, balsamic, expectorant, stimulant.

EXTRACTION: The crude balsam is collected from the trees. It appears first in liquid form, then hardens and solidifies into an orange-brown brittle mass. An ‘essential oil’ is obtained from the crude by 1. steam distillation, or 2. dry distillation. (A resinoid and absolute are also produced for use primarily as fixatives.)

CHARACTERISTICS: 1. A pale yellow-brown liquid with a sweet-floral scent and peppery undertone. 2. An amber-coloured liquid with a rich balsamic-floral scent, which slowly solidfies on cooling into a crystalline mass. Tolu balsam blends well with mimosa, ylang ylang, sandalwood, labdanum, neroli, patchouli, cedarwood and oriental, spicy and floral bases.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: The balsam contains approx. 80 per cent resin, 20 per cent oil, with cinnamic and benzoic acids, small amounts of terpenes, and traces of eugenol and vanillin.

SAFETY DATA: Available information indicates it to be non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization, see Peru Balsam.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

SKIN CARE: Dry, chapped and cracked skin, eczema, rashes, scabies, sores, wounds.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: Bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, croup, laryngitis. ‘It may be used as an inhalant by putting about a teaspoon into a steam bath.’6

OTHER USES: As a fixative and fragrance component in colognes, cosmetics and perfumes (especially the dry distilled type). Some use in pharmaceutical preparations, e.g. cough syrups. Low levels used in many major food products, especially baked goods.... balsam, tolu

Broom, Spanish

Spartium junceum

FAMILY: Fabaceae (Leguminosae).

SYNONYMS: Genista juncea, genista, weavers broom, broom (absolute), genet (absolute).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A decorative plant, often cultivated as an ornamental shrub, up to 3 metres high with upright woody branches and tough flexible stems. It has bright green leaves and large, yellow, pea-like fragrant flowers, also bearing its seeds in pods or legumes.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to southern Europe, especially southern Spain and southern France; mainly cultivated in Spain, France, Italy and USA (as a garden shrub). The absolute is produced in Southern France.

OTHER SPECIES: Closely related to dyer’s greenweed (Genista tinctoria) and the common or green broom (Sarothamnus scoparius or Cytisus scoparius). There are also several other related species of broom, which are rich in their folk tradition.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The twigs and bark have been used since ancient times to produce a strong fibre which can be made into cord or a coarse cloth. The branches were also used for thatching, basketwork, fencing and, of course, for making brooms. Spanish broom has similar therapeutic properties to the common broom, which is still current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia for cardiac dropsy, myocardial weakness, tachycardia and profuse menstruation. However, the Spanish broom is said to be five to six times more active than the common broom, and even that must be used with caution by professional herbalists due to the strength of the active ingredients: ‘A number of cases of poisoning have occurred from the substitution of the dried flowers of Spartium for those of true Broom.’.

ACTIONS: Antihaemorrhagic, cardioactive, diuretic, cathartic, emmenagogue, narcotic, vasoconstrictor.

EXTRACTION: An absolute is obtained by solvent extraction from the dried flowers.

CHARACTERISTICS: A dark brown, viscous liquid with an intensely sweet, floral, hay-like scent with a herbaceous undertone. It blends well with rose, tuberose, cassie, mimosa, violet, vetiver and herbaceous-type fragrances.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: The absolute contains capryllic acid, phenols, aliphatics, terpenes, esters, scoparin and sparteine, as well as wax, etc.

SAFETY DATA: Sparteine, which is contained in the flowers as the main active constituent, is toxic. In large doses, it causes vomiting, renal irritation, weakens the heart, depresses the nerve cells and lowers the blood pressure, and in extreme cases causes death.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE None.

OTHER USES: Used in soaps, cosmetics and high-class perfumery; also as a flavour ingredient in sweet rich ‘preserves’, alcoholic and soft drinks.... broom, spanish


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