Uva Ursi grows on sunny and damp grasslands. The plant bears bell shaped flowers and dark green leaves. The berries are red, glossy and small. These are available throughout the winter and spring and are eaten by bears (and also by deer, grouse) and hence it is named Bearberry in English. The literal meaning of word Uva ursi in Latin, is also Bear's Grape. Arctostaphylos uva-urs, is a European plant found in cooler climate. It is distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

It is a medicinal plant and used since ancient times in Europe for treatment of stones and urogenital disorders. It has significant prophylactic effect on recurrentcystitis. The leaves have diuretic properties and used in retention of fluid, swelling, bloating, and urinary infections.

In Homeopathy it is recommended for cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder), dysuria (painful or difficult urination), hematuria (presence of blood in urine), incontinence (involuntary loss of urine from the bladder), pyelitis (inflammation of the renal pelvis), urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), and urogenital (urinary and genital organs) disorders.

It is also used for cervicalulcerations, blennorrhea (mucous discharge, especially from the urethra or vagina), enuresis (involuntary urination, especially by children at night), gallstones, gonorrhea (venereal disease involving inflammatory discharge from the urethra or vagina), gout and UTI.

General Information

Bearberry is native to North America, Europe and Asia. It is a prostrate, evergreen shrub reaching upto height of 6 inches. It has dark green, leathery leaves and twisted stems.

Leaves are obovate and smooth edged. Bark is reddish brown in colour. Flowers appear in cluster and are white-pink in colour. After flowering berries develop.

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Bearberry is Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. It belongs to plant family Ericaceae. Ericaceae, commonly known as the heath or heather family is found in acid and infertile growing conditions. To this family, many well-known and economically important plants belong such as cranberry, blueberry, huckleberry and rhododendron.

Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
• Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
• Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
• Subclass: Dilleniidae
• Order: Ericales
• Family: Ericaceae – Heath family
• Genus: Arctostaphylos Adans. – manzanita P
• Species: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. – kinnikinnick

Synonyms

Arbutus uva-ursi L.

Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Leaves

Plant type: Shrub

Distribution: Found across the northern hemisphere, North American, Canada, Europe, Alaska, Russia, New England

Habitat: At altitudes from 3000 to 9000 feet; in open, rocky slopes and sandy areas.

Propagation: Seeds, softwood cuttings or pre-rooted stem cuttings

Vernacular names / Synonyms

Scientific name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Spreng

English: Arctostaphylos, Beargrape Bearberry, Kinnikinnick, Hog Berry, Mealberry, Mountain Box, Rock Berry, Upland Berry

Unani: Inbud-dub, Angur-e-khiras, Rechh Dakh

Constituents of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Bearberry contains phenols, tanning agents and flavonoids. The leaves gave a flavanol glucoside, isoquercitin, arbutin and methyl arbutin. The main flavonoid found in leaves is quercetin-3-0-galactoside.

Main phenolic constituent is arbutin. Total arbutin content varies from 5-18%, tannins 15-20%.

Arbutin 5-18%

Tannins 6-40%

Arbutin hydrolyses to hydroquinone, a urinary antiseptic. It has antimicrobial, astringent, antiseptic, disinfectant effects on the urinary mucous membrane.

Arbutin is also used as a stabilizer for color photographic images.

It is an inhibitor of melanin formation and is use in some skin lightening products.

It also contains methyl arbutin, ericinol, ericolin, allantoin, isoquercetin, gallic acid, malic acid, quinic acid, ursolic acid, ursone, ellagic acid, uvaol, hyperin, myricetin, myricitrin, corilagin, and pyroside.

Important Medicinal Properties

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. These also indicate the conditions in which we should avoid it. For example it has emmenagogue action and should not be used in pregnancy.

Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

1. Astringents: Constrict tissues; styptic.
2. Antibacterial: Active against bacteria.
3. Antiseptic: Preventing the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.
4. Anti-inflammatory: Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms.
5. Antitussive: Prevent or relieve a cough.
6. Depurative: Purifying agent.
7. Diuretic: Promoting excretion of urine/agent that increases the amount of urine excreted.
8. Emetic: Causes vomiting.
9. Emmenagogue: Stimulates or increases menstrual flow.
10. Laxative: Tending to stimulate or facilitate evacuation of the bowels.

Main Indications of Uva Ursi

Uva Ursi has diuretic properties and has urinary antiseptic properties. It is used for treatment of disorders of urinary and genital organs. It works only when the urine is alkaline so while on treatment one should not use the foods which increases acidity of urine.

1. As a diuretic
2. Antiseptic for Urinary tract
3. Inflammatory conditions of Urinary Tract
4. Kidney stones
5. Mild Acute UTI (Urinary Tract Infections)
6. Recurrent Cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder; caused by infection and accompanied by frequent painful urination)
7. Urinary tonic
8. Weight control

Uses of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Uva Ursi)

1. It is used to get relief from symptoms of mild recurrent lower urinary tract infections such as burning sensation during urination and/or frequent urination in women.
2. Infusion of leaves is used for urinary tract infections and in venereal disease.
3. The tea prepared from the leaves is used in congestion, cold and cough.
4. The leaves are also used traditionally to treat pain in kidney.
5. The leaves of plant have astringent action and used to wash sores.
6. Leaves are used for tanning.
7. The poultice of leaves in applied on sprains and swellings.

Uva ursi Fluid extract, Uva-ursi complex drops, Uva Ursi capsules, are available in market and used as urinary tonic and to treat urinary tract infections and bladder related conditions.

Dosage of Uva Ursi

5 grams of fresh leaves or 3-6 grams of dried leaves can be taken only for few days.

2-4 ml tincture (1:5) / 1-3 (500 mg) capsules, can be taken thrice a day.

For preparing herbal tea / infusion, 1.5-4 gram of the herb is soaked in 150 ml of boiling water. It can be taken 2 to 4 times daily corresponding to the maximum daily dose of 8 g.

Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects and Warnings of Uva Ursi

1. It is contraindicated in irritated digestive conditions and acidic urine.
2. Its intake should be avoided by lactating mother, pregnant woman, or patient of inflammatory disease of kidney.
3. Its use is not recommended in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
4. It is emmenagogue and must not be used in pregnancy.
5. Do not use if suffering from kidney or liver disorders.
6. Do not take in chronic kidney diseases, peptic ulcers, and duodenal ulcers.
7. Do not use continuously or in high quantities.
8. Due to high tannin content and the hydroquinones it can damage the liver when taken in excess or for longer duration.
9. It contain tannins. Intake of tannins in large doses, can cause stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, and liver damage.
10. Longer duration use can cause chronic liver impairment.
11. It should not be taken more than 2 weeks or at a time or more than 5 times a year.
12. It can reduce the effectiveness of digestive enzymes.
13. Very large doses containing hydroquinone are oxytoxic and can lead to collapse, convulsion, delirium, nausea, and possibly lethal.
14. It may cause a greenish-brown coloration of the urine. This is harmless.
15. It may cause nausea, vomiting, stomach-ache.
16. While on treatment increase intake of alkaline food. Avoid intake of acidic food.
17. It may aggravate gastroesophageal reflux disease.
18. It may aggravate tinnitus or Ringing in the ears. If the herb has caused this condition, it will go away 2-3 after the herb in discontinued.
19. Do not take iron along with the herb.

Ziziphus xylopyrus is known as Ghoti and Ghotika in Ayurveda, Ghonta and Katber in Hindi, Kottai, Mulkottai in Tamil, and Gotti, Got, Gotiki in Telugu.

Ghonta is a medicinal tree and its fruits are used in treatment of diseases of skin, urinary disorders, diseases occurring due to vitiation of blood, obesity, diabetes, snake bite, fever, diarrhea, insomnia and digestive disorders. This tree is found mainly in moist deciduous forests of North-West India, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and South India.

General Information

Ziziphus xylopyrus is a thorny ever-green shrub reaching up to 4 meters. The prickles are present in pairs. Its branches are rusty tomentose.

Leaves are slight aromatic and green in color with pungent taste. They are alternate, entire in arrangement, glabrous surface with oblique, rounded symmetrical base and obtuse at apex. They have pinnate venation, serrulate margin and about 2-7 cm long.

Flowers are small, yellowish or yellowish white in color, 4-6 cm across. Buds are ovoids, densely pubescent. Pedicels 3-4 mm long. Calyx lobes 2.0-2.5 mm long, keeled up to themiddle, glabrous inside pubescent outside. Five petals, 1.5-2.0 mm long, obovate while sepals are five. Stamens five, disc 10-60 lobed, rarely 5-lobed and glabrous.

Fruit is a drupaceous berry, globular or round in shape with 1.2 to 1.8 cm in diameter with astringent taste. Fruit is 3-celled with leathery and hard pericarp while endocarp is stony. Point of detachment of stalk is marked by a rounded concave depression up to 2 mm in diameter. It has about 5-8 mm long seed.

Fruiting and flowering takes place in May to July.

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Ghonta, Ghoti or Gotika is Ziziphus xylopyrus. It belongs to plant family Rhamnaceae or buckthorn family.

Family Rhamnaceae are distributed in whole world and consists of 45 genera. Rhamnaceae are cosmopolitan family and found in drier regions and may be classified as mesothermal. They mainly consist of flowering shrubs with berries, nuts or drupes. Ber, Ziziphus zizyphus belongs to this family.

Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
• Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
• Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
• Subclass: Rosidae
• Order: Rhamnales
• Family: Rhamnaceae – Buckthorn family
• Genus: Ziziphus Mill. – Jujube
• Species: Ziziphus xylopyrus

Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Leaves, bark, seeds, and roots

Plant type: Shrub

Distribution: North-West India, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and South India

Habitat: Moist deciduous forests

Vernacular names / Synonyms

1. Scientificname: Ziziphus xylopyrus
2. Sanskrit: Ghoti, Gotika
3. Bengali: Kulphal
4. English: Jujab
5. Gujrati: Gatbadar, Gatabordi
6. Hindi: Ghunta, Kakora, Kaathabera
7. Kannada: Yeranu
8. Marathi: Ghoti, Bhorghoti
9. Tamil: Kottai, Mulkottai
10. Telugu: Gotti, Got, Gotiki

Constituents of Ziziphus xylopyrus

• The pulp of the fruit contains reducing sugars, sucrose, citric acid, carotene, vitamin C and tannins.
• Leaves contain quercetin and quercitrin.
• Seed contain unsaponifiable matter (sterol), insoluble mixed fatty acids (myristic, linoleic and oleic acid).
• Stem bark contains Tannins, d-7, 3', 4'-trihydroxyfavan-3,4-diol, oleanolic acid, Cyclopeptide alkaloids( Amphibine H, Nummularine- K).

Important Medicinal Properties

Ziziphus xylopyrus is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. These also indicate the conditions in which we should avoid it.

Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

1. Aphrodisiac: Stimulates sexual desire.
2. Antimicrobial: Active against microbes.
3. Anti-inflammatory: Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms.
4. Antinociceptive: Reducing sensitivity to painful stimuli.
5. Anticonvulsant: Prevent or reduce the severity of epileptic fits or other convulsions.
6. Antisteroidogenic: inhibits the production of steroid hormones.
7. Anti-diarrheal: Relieving or preventing diarrhea.
8. Contraceptive: Birth Control.
9. Woundhealing: Heals wounds.

Ayurvedic Properties and Action

Ghoti, Gotika is astringent, sweet and pungent in taste (Rasa), pungent after digestion (Vipaka), and is hot in effect (Virya).

It is an Ushna Virya herb. Ushna Virya or hot potency herb, subdues Vata (Wind) and Kapha (Mucus) and increases Pitta (Bile). It has property of digestion, vomiting and purging, and gives feeling of lightness. It is considered bad for sperms and fetus.

1. Rasa (taste on tongue): Kashaya (Astringent), Madhura (Sweet), Katu (Pungent)
2. Guna (Pharmacological Action): Laghu (Light)
3. Virya (Action): Ushna (Heating)
4. Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Katu (Pungent)

It is a Katu Vipak herb. Vipak refers to post-digestive (effect after digestion / cooking of Rasa) effect of tastes after its mixing with digestive juices. It is the long term effect of herb.

Katu Vipak means pungent after digestion. It increases dryness in body. Such foods reduce fertility and Kapha. Katu Vipaka has catabolic effects on body.

Action / Karma

1. Vishaghna: Poison-destroying
2. Kaphahara: Pacifies Kapha Dosha
3. Vatahara: Pacifies Vata Dosha

Important Indications in Ayurveda

Prameha (chronic urinary disorders; ‘Pra’ means excess and ‘Meha’ means to pass urine so ‘Prameha’ means disease in which excess urine is passed). In Ayurveda, twenty different types of Prameha are described and they are put under Vataj, Pittaj and Kaphaj category according to Dosha involved.

1. Non-healing ulcers, skin diseases, wounds
2. Vomiting (Vaman)
3. Fever (Jwar)
4. Diseases due to vitiation of blood
5. Pilonidal sinus (Nadi vrana)

Medicinal Uses of Ziziphus xylopyrus (Ghoti)

Ziziphus xylopyrus is most commonly known as Challe, Chotti, Cotte, Dodda chotti, Gotti, Gotika, Ghonta, Ghontaphal, Kotte mullu, Kotti,Kottai, Sotemullu, Sothakkota in India. It is used in Ayurveda and Siddha for treatment of many diseases.

Leaves

1. The paste of leaves is applied on forehead for headaches.
2. The paste of leaves is applied on pimples and acne.
3. The leaves are chewed in Prameha or urinary disorders.
4. The Paste of leaves and flowers of Datura inoxia are applied on leukoderma patches.

Stem Bark

1. The decoction of stem bark with Dry ginger powder and long Pippali is given for hysteria.
2. Bark is boiled with water and this water is used to bath in skin rashes.
3. Bark is used for tanning.

Fruits

1. Fresh fruits crushed with water and taken twice a day for sudden gush of urine.
2. The fruits are given in stomach ailments. Fruit powder (3-4 g) + pinch of ginger powder, taken orally thrice in a day for stomach ache.
3. The fruit powder is taken in diabetes.
4. The fruits are used as birth control in women. The crushed fruit powder is soaked in water and kept overnight. Next day decoction is prepared and taken orally by women early in the morning for one week.
5. Fruit and Root bark are used to treat Bronchial asthma, Thirst, Diarrhea and as Aphrodisiac.

Seeds

1. The powder of seeds is given to treat diarrhea. For diarrhea, seed powder (One table spoon) is mixed in a cup of (50 mL) water or boiled milk and taken orally, thrice a day, for 2 days.
2. The roasted seed powder paste is applied over the chest for paindue to cough and colds.

Dosage of Ziziphus xylopyrus

The therapeutic dose of plant is 3-6 grams.

The fruits of plant Piper longum are known as Pippali/Pipri and the roots as Pippali or Pippala Mool. Both are used for medicinal purpose in Ayurveda. The roots are anti-inflammatory, analgesic, carminative, laxative, and expectorant. They are hot in potency and used to treat diseases that occur due to vitiation of Vata (air) and Kapha (phlegm) Dosha/humour. Due to hot potency the roots are used in digestive weakness and excessive phlegm inside body.

Pippali roots relieves inflammations, edema and restores the structures of the body to normalcy, improves appetite, and relieves flatulence. It is stomachic, digestive, pungent, hot, and very useful for digesting food, bile producing and laxative.

Pippali Moola has milder effects than Pippali. It is available in small cylindrical pieces of nodal and internodal pieces, about 2 mm thick. The nodal pieces are considered superior to intermodal ones.

General Information

Piper longum is perennial herb with a thick, erect, jointed, branched rootstock, stems numerous 60—90 cm long,, ascending or prostrate (not climbing), much branched, stout, cylindrical, thickened above nodes, finely pubescent.

The leaves are simple, alternate, numerous, 3.7—8.7 cm long, lower ones broadly ovate, very cordate with broad rounded lobes at base, upper ones oblongoval, cordate at base, all subacute, entire, glabrous, thin, bullate with reticulate venation sunk above and raised beneath, dark green and shining above, pale and dull beneath, petioles of lower leaves 5—7.5 cm long, stout, of upper ones very short or none, stipules about 1.2 cm long, membranous, lanceolate, obtuse, enclosing the bud but soon falling off.

flowers naked, unisexual, dioecious, sessile in axils of fleshy bracts supported by two lateral bracts arranged in solitary, pedunculate spikes, male spikes slender, bracts narrow, female spikes 1.2—2.5 cm long, bracts circular, flat, peltate, perianth absent, stamens 2, anther 2-celled.

Ovary superior unilocular with a solitary erect ovule, stigmas 3 or 4, short, spreading, persistent.

Fruit very small ovoid, completely sunk in solid fleshy spike which is 2.5—3.7 cm long, ovoid-oblong, erect blunt, blackish green and shining.

Root is greyish brown in colour,longitudinally wrinkled and having roots and root scars on the surface. It is stout, cylindrical, 0.2-0.6 cm thick, reddish brown to grey. It is aromatic and tastes pungent.

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Pippali is Piper longum. It belongs to plant family Piperaceae.

Piperaceae is a large tropical family, having more than 10 genera and approximately 1500 species. This family belongs to class dicotyledons but due to its unique anatomical features it resembles monocotyledon.

Piperaceae family comprises of two larger genera, Piper and Peperomia. The genus Piper, the largest in the family, occurs throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions. Most important economic species of this genus include Piper nigrum, Piper betle (Paan / Betle leaf), Chavya (Piper cubeba) and Piper longam (Pippali / long pepper). Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
• Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
• Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
• Subclass: Magnoliidae
• Order: Piperales
• Family: Piperaceae – Pepper family
• Genus: Piper L. – pepper
• Species: Piper longum
• Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: The fruits and Roots
• Plant type: Herb
• Habitat: Hotter parts of India

Distribution: From the central Himalayas to Assam, Khasi and Mikir hills, lower hills of Bengal, evergreen forests of Western Ghats from Konkan to Travancore, also the Car Nicobar Islands.

Also cultivated in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Malaysia and Singapore.

Vernacular names / Synonyms

• Scientificname: Piper longum
• Sanskrit: Pippalimuula, piplamul, Pippali-Jataa, Granthi, Shadgranthi, Granthika, Maagadhi-muula, Kanaamuula, Krishnaamuula Pippaliamuula
• Bengali: Pipulmul
• English: Piper root, Indian Long Pepper roots
• Gujrati: Gantoda, Ganthoda
• Hindi: Piparamula
• Kannada: Modikaddi, Hippali, Tippali, Modi
• Malayalam: Kattuthippaliver, Tippaliveru
• Marathi: Pimplimula
• Oriya: Pippalimula, Bana Pippalimula
• Punjabi: Pippalimula, Magha
• Tamil: Kanda Tippili, Ambinadi Desavaram
• Telugu: Modi, Madikatta
• Urdu: Filfil Daraz
• Unani: Bekh-Filfil Daraaz , Bekh-Daarfilfil, Peeplamool

Constituents of Piper longum

Piper longum root gave the alkaloids piperine, Piplartine (piperlongumine) and piperlonguminine,

sesamin, methyl-j, 4, y-trlmethoxycinnamate.

Piperine has hypotensive, antipyretic, CNS-stimulant, analeptic activity. It improves availability of medicine for absorption.

Important Medicinal Properties

The roots of Pippali plant (Pippali Mula) have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect is nearly equal to that of Ibuprofen according to a study on animals. This indicates that Piper longum Linn root has weak opioid but potent NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) type of analgesic activity.

Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

• Antibacterial: Active against bacteria.
• Antispasmodic: Antispasmodic: Used to relieve spasm of involuntary muscle.
• Anti-inflammatory: Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms.
• Anthelmintic: Expel Parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body.
• Analgesic: Relieve pain.
• Carminative: Preventing the formation or causing the expulsion of flatulence.
• Digestive: Digestant.
• Diuretic: Promoting excretion of urine/agent that increases the amount of urine excreted.
• Emmenagogue: Stimulates or increases menstrual flow.
• Expectorant: Promotes the secretion of sputum by the air passages, used to treat coughs.
• Laxative: Tending to stimulate or facilitate evacuation of the bowels.
• Thermogenic: Warming

Ayurvedic Properties and Action

Pippali Mula is pungent in taste (Rasa), pungent after digestion (Vipaka), and is hot in effect (Virya).

The Pungent (Katu), Hot (Ushna), Penetrative (Teekshna), Dry (Ruksha), Light (Laghu) properties (guans) act against vitiated Air Humour (Vata) and Phlegm (Kapha).

• Rasa: Katu
• Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
• Virya: Ushna
• Vipaka: Katu
• Tissues: All but bone
• Systems: Digestive, reproductive, respiratory

Action / Karma

• Deepana: Promote appetite but do not aid in digesting undigested food
• Kaphahara: Pacifies Kapha Dosha
• Pachan: Assist in digesting undigested food, but do not increase the appetite
• Pitta vardhak: Increases pitta
• Ruchikarak: Improve taste
• Vatahara: Pacifies Vata Dosha
• Vatanulomana: Takes vata / wind downward, mild laxative

Pipri mula is an Ushna Virya herb. Ushna Virya or hot potency herb, subdues Vata (Wind) and Kapha (Mucus) and increases Pitta (Bile). It has property of digestion, vomiting and purging, and gives feeling of lightness. It is considered bad for sperms and fetus.

It is a Katu Vipak herb. Vipak refers to post-digestive (effect after digestion / cooking of Rasa) effect of tastes after its mixing with digestive juices. It is the long term effect of herb.

Katu Viapk herbs / foods, pungent after digestion. It increases dryness in body. Such foods reduce fertility and Kapha. Katu vipaak has catabolic effect on body.

Important Formulations

1. Panchakola Churna
2. Dashamhula Taila
3. Dashamhulapancakoladi Kvatha Churna

Therapeutic Uses

1. Anaha (Constipation), Arsha (piles), Gulma, Udararoga (diseases of abdomen), Pliha roga (spleen disorders)
2. Kshaya (Pulmonary tuberculosis), Grahani (Dysentery)
3. Shvasa (dyspnoea), cough, cold, and chronic bronchitis
4. Krimiroga (intestinal parasites)
5. Vishama jvara (intermittent fever),
6. Urustambha (stiffness of thigh), Vatavyadhi (Nervous diseases)
7. Nidranasha (Insomnia), Headache

Medicinal Uses of Piper longum (Pippalimool)

Pippalimool or roots of Pippali (long pepper) plant, are used in dried powder (reddish-brown to creamy-grey bitter powder) form with warm water, milk or preferably with ghee. When used with Ghee, the drying and hot properties of Pippalamula are balanced. This combination is beneficial in headaches due to vitiation of Vata.

1. For sleeplessness and high blood pressure, the Pippla Moola churna should be taken with cold water, twice a day.
2. The decoction of roots is prepared by boiling the 2 tablespoon of roots in one glass water and cooking till water reduces to half cup. This is filtered and taken twice a day.
3. Pippali roots can be taken in form of tea for cold, cough and congestion. For making the tea, the powder is boiled in water and sugar and milk is added.
4. In case of enlarged liver and spleen, five grams root powder and one gram pippali fruit powder is boiled in 200 ml water and cooked for few minutes. This is filtered and taken.

Dosage of Piper longum

1. Dose of the powder for adults is 2 to 3 grams and for children it is 250 mg to 500 mg, to be taken twice daily, preferably on an empty stomach mixed with 3 to 5 gm of ghee or butter or Honey and followed by warm water or milk.
2. Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects and Warnings Piper longum
3. No toxic effect or adverse reaction is reported with recommended dose of Pippali root powder.
4. It is hot in potency, it decreases Vata and Kapha and increases pitta. So it should be used carefully in person with pitta Prakriti.
5. It should not be used if tissues are inflamed.
6. It should be taken only in recommended doses. High doses causes burning sensation and vitiation of all Dosha.
7. Avoid in pregnancy and lactation.
8. Avoid in blisters, dryness and persistent bitter taste in the mouth, red eyes, hot and watery face, inflammation of the body, inflammations of the intestines and high pitta.
9. Low dose is safe for long-term use.
10. Do not use at a high dose for long periods of time.

Suranjan is Unani name of Colchicum luteum Baker, a type of lily plant with yellow flowers. It is found growing on grassy slopes in the temperate Himalayas, Afghanistan and Turkestan.

The corm or rhizome of plant is used for therapeutic purpose. It is traditionally used for headache, gout, rheumatism, diseases of the liver and spleen. In Afghanistan, the roots were used in preparation of a medicine Harantutiha.

Types of Suranjan

There are two varieties of Suranjan available in the market, Sweet and Bitter. The bitter variety contains alkaloid Colchicine in fairly large amount whereas Sweet variety contains traces of this alkaloid in physiologically inactive form. Both varieties are pain relieving, anti-gout, anti-rheumatic, purgative and emetic.

• Suranjan Talkh (Bitter variety)
• Suranjan Shirin (Sweet variety)

Suranjan Talkh, is differentiated from Suranjan Shireen by its bitter taste, smaller size, and darker colour. Suranjan Talkh is preferred for external use in gout whereas Suranjan Shireen (Meetha Suranjan) is used for internal purpose. Suranjan is indicated in arthritis, gout, rheumatism, and constipation.

Suranjan is included in list of poisonous plants of India. It must be used with caution. It is toxic plant due to presence of from several alkaloids (mainly colchicine, demecolcine and colchicoside), which are present in all plant parts.

Alkaloid Colchicine

The alkaloid, Colchicine present in the form of bitter variety of Colchicum luteum and Colchicum autumnale, is an amorphous, yellowish-white alkaloid, which darkens on exposure to light and gives a yellow coloration with strong mineral acids. It is a weak base and readily dissolves in water, alcohol or chloroform but is only slightly soluble in ether or petroleum spirit.

Colchicine is effective in treatment of gout and periodic diseases though the exact mechanism of action by which it works is not known. This phytochemical has anti-gout and anti-inflammatory activities. It can be used as an option to relieve gout attacks for people who cannot take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for some reason. Colchicine is considered best remedies for acute gout pain. Colchicine is frequently prescribed in tablet form and transdermal preparations containing colchicine are the subject of a Japanese patent. It is available in Homeopathy as tincture.

General Information

Suranjan is the conical or gibbously avoid corm of Colchicum luteum Baker. The corm is enlarged underground stem bearing foliage leaves, sheathing leaves and fibrous roots. It is off white to brownish white in colour. The corm is flattened on one side and the other side has a longitudinal groove in the middle extending throughout the length. The apex is marked by dark depression representing the position of flowering shoot and a prominent dark brown scar at the base, marking the point of attachment with parent corm. The smooth surface is marked by indefinite and irregular longitudinal striations. The corm is nearly odourless with bitter and starchy taste. Cross section of corm shows the single layered epidermis which consists of rectangular to squarish, slightly thick walled parenchymatous cells filled with starch granules and coated with thick cuticle. Cells of ground tissue are polygonal to oval to spherical, slightly thick walled, compact and filled with starch granules.

Starch granules are simple spherical and are of 4.5-23.0 μ in size but usually compounded with 2-4 or more components which are often muller shaped. A well marked central hilum, which is irregularly oval in smaller granules and triangular to sttelate in larger granules. Vascular bundles are numerous conjoint, collateral or bi-collateral and scattered in the ground tissue.

Leaves are few, lorate, linear-oblong or oblanceolate, obtuse, appearing with the flowers, short at flowering time, at fruiting IS-3~ em. by 8-13 mm., tip rounded.

Flowering takes place in spring. Flowers are 1-2, 2.5-3.8 cm. diameter when expanded. perianth golden yellow, tube 7.5-10 em., segments oblong or oblanceolate, obtuse, many-nerved. Stamens shorter than the perianth. Filaments very much shorter than the long yellow anthers. Style filiform, much longer than the perianth. Capsule 2.5·3.8 cm.

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Suranjan is Colchicum luteum. It belongs to plant family Liliaceae. The genus derives its name from Colchis on the Black Sea, one of the places where this plant is found. The drug was recommended in Arabian writings for use in gout.

Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
• Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
• Class: Liliopsida – Monocotyledons
• Subclass: Liliidae
• Order: Liliales
• Family: Liliaceae – Lily family
• Genus: Colchicum L. – colchicum
• Species: Colchicum luteum L. – Suranjan
• Species: Colchicum autumnale L. – autumn crocus

Colchicum autumnale, a flowering plant commonly known as autumn crocus, meadow saffron or naked lady, is found wild in Europe and Africa, and cultivated in North America is used in West for medicinal purpose. Alkaloid Colchicine is prepared from dried corms and seeds of Colchicum autumnale and used for gout.

This plant species grows as weed in Europe but it is not found in India. Colchicum luteum, which is found in Himalaya is a good substitute of this plant.

German Commission E monograph recognized the efficacy of Colchicum autumnale in the following conditions:

• Gout
• Mediterranean fever

Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Corm

Plant type: herb

Distribution: West temperate Himalaya from Kashmir to the

Himachal Pradesh at 700-2800 m. Also found in Afghanistan, China in the Himalayan range.

Habitat: Stony or earthy hillsides and alpine meadows at higher altitudes.

Vernacular names / Synonyms

1. Scientific name: Colchicum luteum (Colchicum luteum is a good substitute for Colchicum autumnale)
2. Ayurvedic: Hiranyatuttha
3. Unani: Suranjaan talkh
4. Tehran: Surinjan-i-kirmani
5. Persia: Surinjan-i-talkh
6. Greek: Hermodactyl (finger of Hermes)
7. English: Hermodactyls, Colchicum, Meadow Saffron, Autumn Crocus

Constituents of Colchicum luteum

Fresh corm contains about 0.95% alkaloids. Up to about 0.6% colchicine, other related alkaloids and starch are present in the corm. Aerial parts also contain colchicine but in lesser amount.

1. Colchicine
2. Colchicoside
3. N-deacetyl-N-formyl-colchicine

Unani Properties

Yellow or black variety of Colchicum luteum is known as Suranjaan talkh in Unani and is externally used in swellings, rheumatic affections. For internal use, the white variety is used, known as Suranjaan shireen is used.

It possess following properties:

1. Mamooli Mus-hil (Mild purgative): Discharges one or two stool.
2. Moarriq (Sudorific): Causes sweat.
3. Mufatteh (Deobstruent): remove the obstruction in form of thick or sticky secretion or any other form.
4. Mudirat Safra (Cholagogue): increase production of bile in liver. Also a liver tonic.

Unani Medicines

Given below is the list of few Unani medicines available over the counter:

1. Habbe Suranjan
2. Roghan Suranjan
3. Majun Suranjan

Important Medicinal Properties

Colchicum luteum is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. These also indicate the conditions in which we should avoid it.

Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

• Anaphrodisiac: Reduces sexual libido.
• Anti-inflammatory: Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms.
• Anti-gout: Relieves inflammation and pain of acute gout but does not increase expulsion of uric acid.
• Antiphlogistic: Reducing inflammation or fever.
• Antimitotic: Inhibit mitosis.
• Antirheumatic: Alleviating or preventing rheumatism.
• Antitumor: preventing or inhibiting the formation or growth of tumors
• Carminative: Preventing the formation or causing the expulsion of flatulence.
• Cathartic: Purgative
• Diaphoretic: Promote sweating.
• Diuretic: Promoting excretion of urine/agent that increases the amount of urine excreted.
• Emetic: Causes vomiting.
• Poison: Toxic
• Sedative: Promoting calm or inducing sleep

Medicinal Uses of Colchicum luteum (Suranjan)

1. Suranjan has bitter bad taste. It gives relief in gas, flatulence and constipation. It reduces swelling, inflammation and pain and hence used in treatment of gout, rheumatism and similar joint affections.
2. Suranjan is applied on piles to reduce pain and heal wounds.
3. For Pain, inflammation, stiffness and degenerative changes in joints, Mix powder of Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) 1 part + Suranjana (Colchicum luteum) 1 part, and take half gram with water for 2 months.

Dosage of Colchicum luteum

1. Powder of sweet variety is taken in dose of 1-3 g.
2. For an acute attack of gout, an initial oral dose corresponding to 0.5 colchicine, followed by to 1 mg - 1.5 mg can be given by the physician. Total daily dosage must not exceed 8 mg of colchicine.

Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects and Warnings Colchicum luteum (Bitter variety of Suranjan)

1. Do not take in pregnancy. It may cause fetal abnormalities.
2. It is contraindicated in debility, cardiac, kidney, or gastrointestinal problems.
3. Side effects include alopecia, aplastic anemia, diarrhea, enterosis, leukopenia, myopathy, nausea, skin alterations, vomiting, violent purging, serious inflammation of the stomach and bowels, and death.
4. It is a toxic plant.
5. It must not be used for longer period of times.
6. Prolonged use may cause agranulocytosis (deficiency of granulocytes in the blood, causing increased vulnerability to infection), aplastic anaemia (deficiency of all types of blood cell caused by failure of bone marrow development) and peripheral nerve inflammation (damage to or disease affecting nerves).
7. In larger doses it is lethal.

Rauvolfia serpentina is known by many common names such as Serpentwood, The Himalayan snakeroot, Serpentina root, Serpentine root, Rauwolfia, Chandrabhaga and Sarpagandha. Sarpagandha is a medicinal plant and its leaves and roots are used mainly for therapeutic purpose. It is the main herb for hypertension.

The dried roots of plant are source of the pharmacologically important alkaloids such as reserpine, rescinnamine, deserpidine, ajamalacine, ajmaline, neoajmalin, serpentine, a-yohimbine. The plant received world recognition after isolation of alkaloid reserpine by Swiss scientists in year 1952 (Muller, Schlitter and Bain). Reserpine based medicines are prescribed as antihypertensive and antipsychotic drugs.

By Forestowlet - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34757318

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The main biomedical action of the roots are alterative, antispasmodic, analgesic, carminative, hypotensive, nervine, sedative and vasodilatory. Roots are sedative due to presence of several alkaloids and used in treatment of mild to moderate hypertension (high blood pressure), stress, certain forms of insanity, insomnia and cardiac oedema. The bark, leaves, and roots are used against snake and scorpion poisoning. The juice of the leaves is used as a remedy for the removal of opacities of the cornea.

In Ayurvedic formulations, Sarpagandha is prescribed in treatment of high blood pressure, insomnia, asthma, acute stomach ache and painful delivery and for mental illness (neuropsychiatric disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia). It is used in snake-bite, insect stings, and mental disorders.

Sarpagandha, is also used in treatment of other diseases such as gastric tumor, general weakness, goiter, hysteria, insomnia, insanity, lipoma, paraplegia, paratyphoid, piles, pneumonia, splenomegaly, stomach disorder, tonsillitis, traumatic wound, tuberculosis and vertigo and pain in abdomen, body, and chest.

There is no doubt that Sarpgandha lowers blood pressure. It dilates blood vessel and has sedative effects. But it also causes many side effects. For example, alkaloid Reserpine has potent hypotensive and tranquillizer effect but its prolonged usage stimulates prolactine release and causes breast cancer. There are many other side effects of this herb including muscles relaxation, decrease of fertility, lowering of male hormones, abnormal heart rhythm, acidosis and shock. It must not be taken in ulcers, ulcerative colitis and depression.

Sarpagandha has depressive effects which can persist long after its use. So any one suffering from depression should not take its root powder. The most common side effects or negative effects on health include dizziness, headache, faintness, drowsiness, redness of eyes, dry mouth, diarrheas, impotence (erection problems), and low sex drive. The other less common side effects are irregular/slow heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, stiffness, trembling of hands, swelling in feet and legs etc. Few rare side-effects include rash, skin itchiness, sore throat, fever, pain in abdomen, nausea, vomiting, Bleeding, nightmares, and urinary problems.

People suffering from epilepsy, and those who have given general or spinal anesthesia should take it only after consulting doctor. People above the age of 60 should avoid taking it as they are at the greater risk of suffering its side-effects.

Please read on to know benefits, harmful effects, side effects, drug interactions, contraindications of this medicinal. This page is intended to give right information about the herb, so that people can use it safely.

General Information

Rauvolfia is a perennial undershrub widely distributed in India in the sub- Himalayan tracts upto 1,000 m as well as, in the lower ranges of the Eastern and Western Ghats and in the Andamans.

It is an herbaceous perennial with a long, vertical, yellowish, somewhat tuberous, nodular rootstock and simple, woody stems, 30—60 cm high.

Leaves are simple, in whorls of 3, exstipulate, confined to the ends of branchlets, 7—13.5 cm long, 2.3—5 cm broad, lanceolate, tapering to both ends, undulate, glabrous, thin, light green, lateral veins 7—11 pairs, petioles 5—8 mm long.

Flowers are regular, bisexual, 1.3 cm diameter, on short pedicels 8 mm long, in rather close, irregular corymbose cymes, peduncle terminal, erect, glabrous, 1.5—3.5 cm long, bracts small, 2.5—3 mm long, 1 mm broad, filiform. Calyx segments 5, free, 3—3.5 mm long, 1—1.5 mm broad, linear, glabrous, acute or subacute ; corolla segments fused into a long, glabrous tube, about 2 cm long, pink, dilated 1.2 cm from base at insertion of stamens, above this corolla tube bent and of a lighter shade of pink, lobes 5,white or bright red, 6 mm long, 4 mm broad, oblong, rounded, convolute, contorted, overlapping anti-clockwise. Stamens 5, inserted above the middle of the corolla-tube.

Fruit a follicle, up to 0.8 cm long, more or less connate, minutely apiculate, glabrous, purplish-black when ripe.

The root pieces are mostly about 8 to 15 cm long and 0.5 to 2 cm in thickness, sub-cylindrical, curved, stout, thick and rarely branched. The outer surface greyish-yellow to brown with irregular longitudinal fissures. The rootlets are 0.1mm in diameter fracture, short, slight odour. The roots are bitter in taste.

The root powder is coarse to fine, yellowish-brown, free flowing, and has slight odour. There are simple to compound starch grains, calcium oxalate prisms and clusters.

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of is Rauvolfia serpentina. It belongs to plant family Apocynaceae and Genus Rauvolfia.

Family Apocynaceae mainly consists of trees, shrubs, or vines. There are about 155 genera and 2000 species distributed primarily in the tropics and subtropics. They are poorly represented in the temperate regions.

Few other medicinally important plants belonging to family Apocynaceae are Alstonia scholaris (Saptaparna), Catharanthus roseus (Sadabahar), Holarrhena antidysenterica (Kutaj), Nerium oleander (Kaner) and Wrightia tomentosa (Pala indigo plant or dyers's oleander).

Genus Rauvolfia is named in honor of German physician, Leonhard Rauwolf and consists of more than 100 species distributed throughout the world in moist tropical forests.

Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
• Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
• Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
• Subclass: Asteridae
• Order: Gentianales
• Family: Apocynaceae – Dogbane family
• Genus: Rauvolfia L. – devil's-pepper
• Species: Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz – serpentine wood

Synonym (s):

• Ophioxylon serpentinum L.
• Ophioxylon trifoliatum Gaertn.
• Tabernaemontana cylindracea Wall

Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Roots with bark, roots and leaves

Plant type: Shrub

Native: Originated from South-East Asia, indigenous to India.

Distribution: Found in India including tropical Himalayas, from Punjab to Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam, Western Ghats and the Andamans.

Also distributed in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Habitat: Tropical regions, in shady places among grass and as an undershrub in moist areas. It cannot stand the full open sun. In its natural habitat the plant thrives under the shade of forest trees or at the very edge of the forests where three of the four sides are protected against too intense sunlight. It grows more frequent under the shade of Sal (Shorea robusta), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Asna (Terminalia alata), Sisso (Dalbergia sisso), Khayar (Acacia catechu) and Karma (Adina cordifolia).

The plant grows in a wide variety of soils from sandy alluvial loam to red lateritic loam or stiff dark loam. The soil should be acidic with pH about 4.0-7.0.

Ecological adaptation: Grows in both evergreen and deciduous forests as undergrowth and also along the edge of the hill forests of high rainfall areas.

Plant status: Endangered

Flowering: from March to May and November.

Propagation and management: Propagated through seeds, root cuttings, root stumps and stem cuttings.

Safety Profile: UNSAFE in pregnancy.

Vernacular names / Synonyms

Latin name: Rauvolfia serpentina

Sanskrit: Nakuli, Chandrika, Chandramarah, Ahibhuka, Ahilata, Ahimardani, Bhadra, Bhujangakshi, Chandrasura, Chandrika, Charmahantri, Gandhanakuli, Ishwari, Karavi, Mahaahigandha, Mahasugandha, Nagagandha, Nagasugandha, Nakuladhya, Nakuleshta, Nakuli, Nandani, Patalaganda, Pashumahanakarika, Phanihantri, Raktapatrika, Sarpagandha, Sarpakshi, Sarpangi, Sarvagandha, Sugandha, Surasa, Surpadini, Suvaha, Vasara, Vasupushpa, Vishamardani, Vishamardanika,Vishanashini

Bengali: Chaandar, Chhoto Chadar, Chhoto Chand, Chandra, Sarpagandha

English: Rauvolfia Root, Serpentine or Serpentina Root

Gujrati: Amelpodee

Hindi: Chhotaa Chaand, Dhavalbaruaa, Nai, Nakulikanda

Kannada: Sutranaabhu, Sutranbhi

Malayalam: Amalpori

Marathi: Adkai, Chandra

Oriya: Dhanbarua, Sanochado

Tamil: Sarppaganti, Chivan amelpodi

Telugu: Sarpagandhi, Patalagandhi

Marma: Abomaraja, Bumraja, Bhomaraja, Bomangraja, Bong Mayaja Gach, Bong Maraja, Mahaga, Maiba Gach, Tuchro

Mandi: Do-grek-mi

Khumi: Mahaga

Tripura: Khungchak, Mahagay

Chakma: Bomara, Chota Chand, Chandra, Sarpagandha, Sursan, Surchan, Surshan

Garo: Badap, Durakmi

Urdu: Asrel

Nepal: Sarpagandha, Chandmaruwa, Dhaulebir

Chepang: Chyarangro

Trade name: Rauwolfia, Sarpagandha

Constituents of Rauvolfia serpentina

Rauvolfia serpentina Roots contain more than 50 indole alkaloids including the therapeutically important reserpine, deserpidine, rescinnamine and yohimbine. Others include ajmaline, ajmalinine, ajmalicine, serpentine, serpentinine, iso-ajmaline, reserpidine, raubasine, rauwolfinine and alstonine. Besides the alkaloids they contain rutin, oleoresin and a sterol, serpasterol, oleic acid and unsaturated alcohols. Stem bark and leaves contain small amounts of some of the above alkaloids and also rutin.

The alkaloids are classified into 3 groups

1. Reserpine (hypotensive, sedative and tranquillizing agent): Reserpine, rescinnamine, deserpine etc.

2. Ajmaline (stimulate central nervous system, respiration and intestinal movement with slight hypotensive action): Ajmaline, ajmalicine, ajmalinine, iso-ajmaline etc.

3. Serpentine (antihypertensive): Serpentine, sepentinine, alstonine etc.

Reserpine, Ajmalicine and rescinnamine are hypotensive and tranquilizer. Alkaloid Ajmaline is named after Hakin Ajmal Khan. Deserpidine is sedative, as well as hypotensive. Ajmaline exhibits antiarrhythmic activity. Reserpine has powerful sedative and depressant action.

The alkaloids of Sarpagandha roots

1. Acts on Vasomotor center and causes generalized vasodilation.

2. Depresses cerebral center and sooths nervous system.

3. Relax the blood vessels.

Other substances present include phytosterols, fatty acids, unsaturated alcohols and sugars.

Main action on Body

1. Blood pressure lowering
2. Depressive
3. Sedative
4. Tranquilizing

Ayurvedic Properties and Action of Sarpagandha

In Ayurveda, Sarpagandha consists of dried root of Rauwolfia serpentina (Linn.) Benth. ex Kurz. Sarpagandha means ‘smell of the snake’ and it is renowned as an antidote for poisonous snake bites. It is bitter and pungent in taste (Rasa), pungent after digestion (Vipaka), and is hot in effect (Virya).

Sarpagandha is pungent in both the initial and post-digestive tastes (Rasa and Vipaka) and gives relief in Vata and Kapha and increases pitta. It has property of digestion, vomiting and purging, and gives feeling of lightness. It is considered bad for sperms and fetus.

Rasa (taste on tongue): Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter), Amla (Sour)

Guna (Pharmacological Action): Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry),

Virya (Action): Ushna (Heating)

Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Katu (Pungent)

Srotas: Mental, nervous, circulatory and reproductive

It is a Katu Vipak herb. Vipak refers to post-digestive (effect after digestion / cooking of Rasa) effect of tastes after its mixing with digestive juices. It is the long term effect of herb. Katu Viapk herbs / foods, pungent after digestion. It increases dryness in body. Such foods reduce fertility and Kapha. Katu vipaak has catabolic effect on body.

Karma / Action

• Deepana: Promote appetite but do not aid in digesting undigested food
• Pachan: Assist in digesting undigested food, but do not increase the appetite
• Ruchikarak: Improve taste
• Kapha-Vata har: Remover of the Humor of Kapha-Vata
• Vishaghna: Poison-destroying
• Nidraprad: Sleep inducing
• Kamavasadaka: Depresses (avsadak) Kama (desire)
• Hridyavasadaka: Depresses (avsadak) Hridya (heart)

Sarpagandha is used in Ayurveda for Shula / pain, Anidra/insomnia, Apasmara/epilepsy, Bhut Badha /influence of evil spirits, psychotic disorder, Bhrama / hallucination, Jwar / fever, Krimiroga/intestinal parasites, Unmad/insanity, Yoni shula/ pain in vagina, Raktvikar/diseases of blood, Manas Roga/mental disorder, and Vrana.

Important Medicines

1. Sarpagandha Choornam
2. Sarpagandha Ghan Vati
3. Sarpagandha Vati
4. Serpasil Tablet
5. Serpina Himalaya
6. Reserpine Tablet

Reserpine Tablet (0.1 mg, 0.25 mg and 0.5mg)

Reserpine Tablet contains the insoluble alkaloid Reserpine, extracted from the roots of the plant Rauwolfia serpentina. It is antihypertensive, sedative and tranquillizer and contain the labeled amount of reserpine (C₃₃H₄₀N₂O₉) viz. 0.1 mg, 0.25 mg or 0.5mg.

Molecule formula: C₃₃H₄₀N₂O₉

Chemical name: (3β,16β,17α,18β,20α)-11,17-Dimethoxy-18-[(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)oxy]yohimban-16- carboxylic acid methyl ester.

Biological description of Reserpine: Irreversible vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2) antagonist. Long-lasting bioamine depleter. Prevents bioamine transport into synaptic vesicles and chromaffin granules. Depletes biogenic amine stores. Antihypertensive and antipsychotic.

It is taken orally with a glass of water in recommended doses.

This medicine should not be taken with Levodopa, Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate and Procarbazine.

It may interact with blood pressure medicines, Digoxin, breathing problem medicines, cold-congestion medicine and medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances.

Reserpine may cause Bad dreams, Diarrhea, Dry mouth, Headache, Loss of appetite, Nausea, vomiting, and Stuffy nose.

There can be some serious side-effects. In case of skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue , breathing problems, vision change, depression, lightheadedness, hearing problems, painful urinations, trouble sleeping and any other serious health issue contact doctor immediately.

Important Medicinal Properties of Sarpagandha

Rauvolfia serpentina is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. These also indicate the conditions in which we should avoid it. For example, it is Teratogenic and disturb the development of an embryo or fetus. It is Uterocontractant and starts contraction of uterus. Due to all these factor it must not be used in pregnancy.

Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

• Antiandrogenic: Blocks the action of androgens (male sex hormones)
• Antiarrhythmic: Treat abnormal heart rhythms resulting from irregular electrical activity of the heart.
• Antifertility: Reduces fertility.
• Antipsychotic: Manage psychosis.
• Cardiodepressant: Decreases heart rate and contractility.
• CNS Depressant: Depresses, or slows, the sympathetic impulses of the central nervous system (respiratory rate, heart rate).
• Expectorant: Promotes the ejection of mucus
• Hypnotic: Sleep-inducing.
• Hypotensive: Lowers blood pressure
• Hypothyroid: Lowers thyroid.
• Narcotic: Affecting mood or behavior.
• Sedative: Causes depression of the central nervous system, which reduces mental activity.
• Teratogenic: Causing congenital anomalies or birth defects.
• Tranquilizer: Promotes tranquility.

Advantages / Benefits of Sarpagandha

1. This is the main herb for high blood pressure.
2. It dilates the blood vessels and reduces blood pressure.
3. It reduces Vata and gives relief in insomnia and agitation.
4. It is sedating and tranquillizing.
5. It is Brain tonic and given in combination with other brain nourishing herbs.
6. It gives relief in pain and colic.
7. It is an exceptionally powerful.

Disadvantages of Sarpagandha

1. It is hot in potency and has warming effect on body.
2. It can cause deformities in developing baby, if taken during pregnancy.
3. It can cause serious depression, tiredness and nasal congestion.
4. It may induce peptic ulceration.
5. It may aggravate allergic disorders.
6. Wrong dose can cause hypotension and lead to giddiness and sleepiness.
7. It can cause fluid retention.
8. It may increase salivation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
9. Overdose may cause diarrhea, bradycardia and drowsiness.
10. Prolonged use can cause sterility.

Who should take Sarpagandha?

This herb is not for everyone. It can be given to people who are strong but highly irritable.

It is not meant for weak, lean, and depressive patient.

Medicinal Uses of Rauvolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha)

Sarpagandha has affinity for heart. It has vasodilatory properties and causes dropping of blood pressure. Its main indication is mild to moderate hypertension.

Sarpgandha formulations and reserpine are used in the management of essential hypertension and in certain neuropsychiatric disorders. For Hypertension, Heart diseases, Insomnia, Epilepsy, the root powder is taken in dose of half gram, twice a day.

1. Antihypertensive medicine

2. Antipsychotic medicine

Another important therapeutic use of the roots of Sarpagandha is in psychotic disorders such as delusions, hallucinations, schizophrenia, paranoia or disordered thought. Sarpagandha is sedative, narcotic and tranquilizing. The sedative and tranquillizing properties of the drug are thought to be related to depletion of catecholamine and serotonin from the brain.

It is used to get relief from various central nervous system disorders, anxiety states, excitement, maniacal behavior associated with psychosis, schizophrenia, insanity, insomnia, fits and epilepsy.

Combination of Rauvolfia serpentina, Nardostachys jatamansi and Tinospora cordifolia helps to induce better sleep in insomnia patients.

1. For all mental problems, one part Sarpgandha, three parts of Brahmi and two parts of Shankhpushpi are mixed to form a power. This powder is taken in dose of 1-3 grams, thrice a day. Or equal amount of Sarpgandha, Brahmi and Sankhpushpi are mixed and taken in dose of 250 mg thrice day.
2. For migraine, it is given in dose of 50mg to 100mg.
3. For fits, the root paste is taken in dose of 5 grams twice a day with water for one month.
4. The decoction of the roots is given to increase uterine contraction for expulsion of fetus in difficult cases.
5. It helps to get rid of intestinal parasite.
6. The juice of the leaves is used on the eyes to remove opacities of the cornea and consumptions of fresh small pieces lower the blood pressures.
7. It is used as a snake-bite remedy. Root Decoction and leaves is given to cure snakebite.
8. For snakebite, insectstings the root paste is applied at the affected area.
9. The root paste is applied topically to treat eczema (atopic dermatitis). Decoctions of the leaves is applied externally on scabies, ulcers and injuries.
10. For Stomach disorder, Root Juice, extracted by rubbing on stone, is taken twice a day for 3 days. Or the Leaf and flower Juice, extracted by smashing, is taken orally after boiling.
11. In Constipation, Root Juice, is taken directly three times a day for 2 weeks or the leaf juice is taken.
12. For arthritis, the roots of Sarpgandha and Chitrak/Plumbago are boiled in mustard oil. This oil is used for massaging the aching parts.

Dosage of Rauvolfia serpentina

• The Average dose is 500-600 mg corresponding to 6 mg total alkaloid once a day for 1-2 weeks. Then for maintenance 100 to 250 mg once a day is given.
• The tincture is taken in dose of 2–12 drops.
• The powdered root is given in dose of 20-30 grains.
• The root is given with a diuretic to prevent fluid retention which may develop if Rauvolfia root is given alone.

Remember, this herb directly affects heart. It has depressive action on the body organs. Therefore the dose must be properly controlled. High dose has negative effects. Wrong dose, can cause hypotension and lead to giddiness and sleepiness.

Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects and Warnings Rauvolfia serpentina

1. It has teratogenic (disturb the development of an embryo or fetus) and abortifacient action and must not be used in pregnancy.
2. It is contraindicated in patients with a history of mental depression, bleeding disorders, gastric and Duodenal ulcers, pregnancy, breast-feeding, asthma, ulcers and kidney pain, decreased renal function, and in patients receiving Electroconvulsive therapy (ECTs). ECT formerly known as electroshock therapy, and often referred to as shock treatment, is a psychiatric treatment in which seizures are electrically induced in patients to provide relief from psychiatric illnesses.
3. Side effects, include depression, dizziness, drowsiness, dyspnea, erectile dysfunction, lethargy, rash, and reactive changes (dangerous while driving), reduced sexual potency, and stuffy nose.
4. Drug interactions occurs with appetite suppressants, barbiturates, digitalis glycosides, levodopa, neuroleptics, and sympathomimetics.
5. When taken with cough / flu medicines or with appetite lowering medicine it causes significant initial increase of blood pressure.
6. Do not use with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, beta-blockers, levodopa, tricyclic and antidepressants.
7. It should not be used with alcohol as it severely increases the impairment of motor reactions.
8. Excessive dose causes drowsiness, weak-slow pulse, slow breathing, diarrhea, lower body temperature and contraction of pupils.
9. It is banned for use in the UK unless prescribed by a doctor.
10. Only to be used under the guidance of doctor as it can cause severe reactions.

Fagopyrum esculentum, is known as Buckwheat in English. It derived its name, perhaps from German word, bukweten meaning goat's wheat, as it is inferior to true Wheat or from Dutch word bockweit, meaning beech-wheat, due to its beechnut shape and wheat-like characteristics.

Buckwheat is an annual herb native to central and northern Asia and later introduced to Europe in middle ages. It is found in wild and now cultivated all over the world for its seeds. The plant has short growing period of three months. The seeds are mainly of commercial use.

Seed or fruit of the plant are three sided and smooth. They are rich in starch and fiber. Seeds are not true cereals (pseudocereal seeds) but can be used in same manner. Buckwheat groats (hulled / husked buckwheat seeds) are used to make porridge by boiling with water. Seeds are used all over world in different ways. In Japan, it is consumed as noddle, Soba. In China it is used to make vinegar. In Russia the groats and flour are used to make porridge and soup. In Europe and North America buckwheat flour is generally mixed with wheat flour to prepare pancakes, biscuits and noodles.

Buckwheat is excellent source of Rutin. It is the only known pseudo cereal to contain rutin in its seeds. From 100 grams of buckwheat seeds approximately 0.48mg to 4.97mg Rutin is obtained. Rutin is bioflavonoid and vitamin. It is used in prevention and treatment of variety of diseases including piles, hemorrhage, heart diseases, varicose veins, bruises on skin, allergy etc. Rutin is antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, β-amyloid oligomer-reducing, antimicrobial, antifungal, neuroprotective and anti-allergic. It is available in market as dietary supplement in form of tablets (Rutin 500 mg tablets).

Buckwheat seeds are ground to make a flour known as Buckwheat flour which can be used as ordinary flour to make noodles, bread, pancakes, biscuits, and cakes. In India, it is commonly known as Kuttu Ka Atta and used to make various dishes eaten during fasts such as Navratri when intake of cereals, is prohibited. The flour is used to make Poori, Pakora, and other items. In Hilly regions, the leaves are cooked as Sag.

Buckwheat can be used as healthy, nutritive alternative to other cereals. It is gluten free. Though it is not as nutritive as wheat. It contains eight essential amino acids, including lysine. The protein of buckwheat is of excellentquality. It is good source of manganese, copper, Magnesium, phosphorus and dietary fiber.

In Ayurveda, Buckwheat is known as Kutu. It considered hot in potency. It increases Pitta/bile and Vata/wind but reduces Kapha/phlegm. Its intake should be restricted in person suffering from disorders due to Vata and Pitta aggravation. Buckwheat should be included in Kapha Pacifying Diet.

General Information

Buckwheat is not a variety of wheat. It is not related to wheat but to Rhubarb, Sorrel, Dock and other plants of polygonaceae. It is a fruit seed and not a cereal. It grows on an herbaceous plant and the seeds are used as a food.

Buckwheat plant is a hardy plant. It can grow to a height of one to three feet. It has short taproot and fine lateral roots. The plant is erect with single main stem. Stem is hollow, sub-cylindrical, delicate, juicy, grooved, succulent and smooth except at the nodes. As stems are hollow and therefore are subject to breakage by high winds and hails. Stems and branches are green to red initally and turn reddish brown at maturity.

Leaves of plant are halberd shaped. They are petiolate, blades are ovate-triangular to triangular, 2-8 cm long, with acuminate tips, bases are cordate or approximately hastate. Upper leaves are smaller and sessile.

Inflorescences are terminal and auxiliary, branch in dense corymbose or paniculate cyme. Flowers are perfect but incomplete as they do not have petals. The calyx is composed of five petal-like sepals that are usually white, pink or dark pink.

Buckwheat is dimorphic, having plants bearing one of two flower types. The pin flowers have long pistils and short stamens while the thrum flowers have short pistils and long stamens.

Fruit or seed is a triangular nut, approximately 0.5 cm long with keeled edges. The colour can vary from silvery-grey to brown or black.

The main producer countries of common buckwheat are The Russian Federation, China, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. In India, it is mainly cultivated in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, North east and few areas in Tamil Nadu.

Buckwheat is a quick growing crop. It grows on the worst and poorest soils. It prefers a moist cool climate and a well-drained sand soil. It is a plant of temperate region. In Northern India, Buckwheat is usually a rainy season crop. It is sown in July and harvested in October. In Nilgiris, it is generally sown in April and harvested in August.

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Kuttu / Buckwheat is Fagopyrum esculentum. It belongs to plant family Polygonaceae.

Polygonaceae is a family of herbs, shrubs and small trees. There are about 50 genera and 1120 species in this family mainly found in temperate regions. Polygonum bistorta (Adderwort, Patient Dock, Snakeweed), Rheum palmatum (Rhubarb, Turkey), Rumex aquaticus (Water Dock), Polygonum barbatum (Ola), Polygonum chinense, Polygonum pulchrum (Swastika, Sunnysanna) are few other important medicinal plant belonging to this family.

Polygonaceae is generally referred to as the buckwheat, rhubarb or sorrel family. In the buckwheat family, the content of oxalic acid in leaves is almost twice as great as the content in the stalk.

Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
• Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
• Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
• Subclass: Caryophyllidae
• Order: Polygonales
• Family: Polygonaceae – Buckwheat family
• Genus: Fagopyrum Mill. – buckwheat
• Species: Fagopyrum esculentum Moench – buckwheat

Synonyms

• Fagopyrum saggittatum Gilib
• Fagopyrum vulgare Hill
• Fagopyrum fagopyrum (L.) Karst., nom. inval.
• Polygonum fagopyrum L.

Part(s) used: Seeds

Group: Dicot

Plant type: Herb

Origin: Native to central and northern Asia

Distribution: In India, it is grown in hilly regions of North India and the Nilgiris. It is distributed throughout the world in China, Europe, United States, Canada, and France, Russia and Poland.

Habitat: Temperate regions (temperatures in Temperate region are generally relatively moderate, rather than extremely hot or cold, and the changes between summer and winter are also usually moderate)

Main producers: China, Russian Federation, Ukraine and Kazakhstan

Flowering and fruiting: July to September-October

Vernacular names / Synonyms

1. Scientific name: Fagopyrum esculentum
2. Ayurvedic: Kotu
3. Folk: Kutu, Phapar
4. India: Doron, Kadda Godhi, Kaiyuk, Akli Indrayan, Kathu, Kotu, Kuttu, Ogal (Kumaon), Oggal, Ogla, Olgo, Phapar, Suel, Tyat
5. Hindi: Kaspat
6. Maharashtra: Kutu
7. English: Buckwheat, Common Buckwheat
8. China: Qiao mai, Chiao mai, Wu Mai, Hua Chiao
9. Japan: Soba, Buckwheat noddles
10. Tibetan: Rgya bra
11. Russia: Grechevnaya, groats, Krupa

Nutritional Value

Composition of buckwheat (per 100 g) compared with other food grains (Source: USDA Composition of Food Agricultural Handbook No. 8.)

Average mineral and vitamin contents of Buckwheat

Health Benefits of Buckwheat Flour or Kuttu Ka Atta

Buckwheat is a pseudocereal. It is not a cereal grain but can be used to make bread, poori, porridge and cakes. Buckwheat is fruit seed. The nutritional value of buckwheat is comparable to wheat. It contains protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber and minerals. Starch is the major component.

Dark buckwheat flour contains more hull and so it has more protein content compared to light buckwheat flour. Buckwheat flour should be stored in refrigerator and should be used within 2-3 months.

1. It can be used as alternative to wheat.
2. It is glutenfree, the sticky protein found in wheat and other grains. It can be safely eaten by people with celiac disease.
3. It contains very high quality protein containing all 8 essential amino acids.
4. It contains thiamin B1 and riboflavin B2, the water soluble B complex vitamins.
5. It is good source of manganese, copper, magnesium and phosphorus.
6. It lowers the risk of developing diabetes.
7. It helps in the management of diabetes.
8. It is rich in insoluble fiber.
9. It is low in glycemic index (the relative ability of a carbohydrate food to increase the level of glucose in the blood). Low glycemic index or GI implies, there is slower rise in blood sugar level on consumption of particular food. Diabetes are recommended to take lo GI foods.
10. It maintains blood flow.
11. It lowers the risk of developing cholesterol and high blood pressure.
12. It reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL).
13. It is rich in flavonoids, particularly Rutin. Bioflavonoids Rutin a potent antioxidants, is a useful element to improve the elasticity of the veins and helps in varicose veins.
14. It is excellent for heart health.

It rich source of magnesium, an essential mineral required as a cofactor for many enzyme systems. Magnesium performs a number of criticalfunctions in the body, such as energy production by activating ATP, for working of enzymes that break down glucose (blood sugar), production of cholesterol, breaking of fat, supporting bone health, helping muscles contract and relax, assisting in nerve function, and keeping heart rhythm steady and strong. Magnesium plays a multifunctional role in cell metabolism. Deficiency of Magnesium leads to cardiovascular, skeletal, gastrointestinal and central nervous system disorders. Intake of 100 grams of cooked buckwheat provides approximately 21% of daily required magnesium.

It is warming and aid digestion.

Other Uses of Buckwheat Plant

Buckwheat flowers attracts Honey bee and the honey produced using nectar of its flower is dark in colour and strongly flavored.

Buckwheat leaves locally known as Phafru in hilly regions of Himalaya. They are cooked as Sag. First the leaves are washed, chopped and boiled by adding salt. After boiling it grind to make paste. mustard oil is heated in a pan. Tadaka of coriander seeds and red chilies are added to the heated oil and then paste of buckwheat leaves is added. This is cooked for few minutes and then served with Roti.

1. The leaves were used for high blood pressure, chilblains, and frostbite.
2. For anemia, constipation the Leaves are cooked in iron vessel and given.
3. Juice of plant is used in urinary disorders.
4. In headaches, leaves paste is applied.
5. For gastrointestinal disorders, infusion or decoction of leaves is given.
6. The dried leaves are given for constipation.
7. The leaves are fried in ghee and taken in fever.
8. The roots decoction of plant is used for rheumatism, lung diseases and typhoid.
9. For Urinary disorders roots juice is given.
10. The flowers and green leaves are used for rutin extraction for use in medicine.

Homeopathic remedy, FAGOPYRUM is made using whole plant. The aerial parts are picked after flowering and before the fruits ripen, then chopped and macerated in alcohol. It is generaly used for eczema and itching skin, possibly on the genitals, scalp, eyelids, and ears, or in the folds of the skin of infants and the elderly, Heart complaints associated with visibly pulsing arteries, either with or without concurrent skin conditions.

Buckwheat hulls are used for pillow filling.

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Buckwheat)

1. It is very heating and drying. Hence should be used with caution in people with Pitta and Vata Dosha.
2. It increases Vata and Pitta.
3. It is hot in potency.
4. It may increase heat in body.
5. It may produce harmful effects under certain conditions due to which this plant is considered poisonous.
6. Buckwheat grains and leaves produce primary photosensitization in pigs, horses, cattle, goats, sheep and other animals, but not in human.
7. Human can sensitized to dust from Buckwheat flour only after long exposure. asthma like condition occur.
8. Photosensitization is an increase in susceptibility to ultraviolet light. There is abnormally heightened reactivity of the skin or eyes to sunlight. Sensitization of the skin to light, usually due to the action of plant may occur shortly after administration of the drug (phototoxic sensitivity), or may occur only after a latent period of from days to months (photo allergic sensitivity, or photo allergy).

Exposure to sun is necessary for toxic reaction.

The phototoxic reactions occur when a drug absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun and a sunburn like response occurs in a short period of time. Within hours there is a burning sensation of the exposed skin, followed by redness and swelling. Within a day or two the skin becomes heavily pigmented and begins to peel, a severe reaction can cause scarring.

Atibala, Kanghi, Kakhi, Kakhiya, Petari, Country Mallow, Flowering Maples, Chinese Bell-flowers, Indian mallow, Kanghi, Kakahi,Kakahiya are few common names of plant Abutilon indicum. It is a medicinal plant with showy golden-yellow flowers and used in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani system of medicine for preparation of many medicines. Traditionally, all parts of plant are used for medicinal purpose.

Atibala is used for medicinal purpose since ancient times. For medicinal purpose, all parts of plant (leaves, roots, seeds) are used. Atibala is aphrodisiac and nervinetonic. It is diuretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-hemorrhagic. Atibala is used in inflammation, piles, gonorrhea, impotence, low libido, infertility, sperm loss, debility and as an immune stimulant.

Acharya Charak gave extract of whole plant for fever, weakness and joint problems. It was used as Rasayan to promote health and keep diseases at bay. It treats wounds, ulcers and vaginal infections.

Root and bark are used as aphrodisiac, anti-diabetic, nervine tonic, and diuretic. They have diuretic and anthelmintic properties. The roots reduces fever, nerves weakness and helps in urinary problems. They are given for neurological disorders (hemiplegia, facial paralysis, sciatica) and debility.

Leaves are astringent and stop Bleeding and are helpful in bleeding piles, diarrhea etc.

Seeds are very nutritive and strengthening. They are aphrodisiac, emollient and demulcent. They contain about 30 % protein of good quality. They are used for treating impotency, loss of semen (spermatorrhoea) and low libido. The seeds are also used in urinary disorders, as a laxative in piles and in the treatment of cough.

General Information

Plant Description: Abutilon indicum, is a perennial plant with very finely downy branches. It is hairy herb or under-shrub reaching upto a height of 1.0-1.5 m.

The leaves of plant are simple, alternate, stipulated, 1.9—5 cm long, broadly ovate, very cordate at base, acute, irregularly and coarsely dentate. Petioles are very long, 2.5—7.5 cm.

Flowers are regular, bisexual, orange yellow, solitary and axillary and of 2.5 cm diameter. Sepals are 5, fused into a 5-lobed, cup-shaped calyx. Lobes are shallow, apiculate. Petals 5, convolute, adnate to stamen-tube; stamens numerous, fused into a tube.

Ovary is superior, 10-carpellary. style pass through the stamen-tube and dividing into 5 branches each terminating in a capitate stigma. Seeds minutely dotted.

Tap roots are fairly long with a number of lateral branches, 1.5-2 cm in diameter, light brown, outer surface smooth with dot like lenticels, bark thin and can be easily peeled off, odour, feeble, taste, astringent and bitter.

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Atibala / Indian mallow is Abutilon indicum. It belongs to plant family Malvaceae.

Malvaceae includes herbs, shrubs, or less often trees. It consists of about 82 genera, 9 subfamilies and more than 1,500 species, distributed more abundantly in warm and temperate regions. There are about 22 genera and 125 species of this family in India.

Plants of the family bears flowers which are often showy and beautiful. They mostly have five petals and sepals and a filament.

Most of the plants belonging to this family contain free mucilage, and, generally speaking, have emollient, laxative, anti-bilious, and antiscorbutic properties. Some members yield volatile oils which are stimulant, diaphoretic, and diuretic. The seeds are often oleaginous. Very few species have toxic properties.

Some of the economically important plants belonging to Malvaceae are, The cotton plant (Gossypiurn sp.), Corchorus (Jute), Hibiscus, Okra (A. esculentus), Bombax (Silk cotton tree), Marshmallow (Althaea ojficinalis Linn.) and Sida.

Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
• Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
• Class: Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
• Subclass: Dilleniidae
• Order: Malvales
• Family: Malvaceae – Mallow family
• Genus: Abutilon Mill. – Indian mallow
• Species: Abutilon indicum (L.)

Synonyms

• Abutilon asiaticum W.&A.
• Sida indica Linn.
• Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Fruit, leaves, seed and roots
• Plant type / Growth Habit: Shrub Subshrub
• Duration: Perennial
• Distribution: Hotter parts of India, in the sub-Himalayan tract and other hills up to 1200 m.
• Habitat: Warm, temperate regions, as a common weed on road sides and other waste places in plains and hills.
• Group: Dicot
• Unani: Mizaj (Temperament): Hot2 Moist1

Vernacular names / Synonyms

1. Scientific name: Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet ssp. Indicum
2. Sanskrit: Atibala, Balika, Balya, Bhuribala, Ghanta, Rishiprokta, Shita, Shitapushpa, Vikantaka, Vatyapushpika, Vrishyagandha, Vrishyagandhika
3. Siddha: Thuthi
4. Unani: Kanghi, Kangahi, Kakahiya, Kakahi, Beejband surkh, siyah
5. Hindi: Kanghi
6. Assamese: Jayavandha, Jayapateri
7. Bengali: Badela
8. Kannada: Shrimudrigida, Mudragida, Turube
9. Kashmiri: Kath
10. Malayalam: Uram, Katuvan, Urubam, Urabam, Vankuruntott, Oorpam, Tutti
11. Marathi: Chakrabhendi, Petari, Mudra
12. Maharashtra: Peeli booti, karandi
13. Oriya: Pedipidika
14. Punjabi: Kangi, Kangibooti
15. Rajasthan: Tara-Kanchi, Kanghi, Debi, Jhili, Itwari
16. Tamil: Nallatutti, Paniyarattutti, Perundutti, Tutti, Vaddattutti
17. Folk: Kanghi, Kakahi, Kakahiyaa
18. Arabic: Musht-ul-ghoul
19. Sinhalese: Anoda
20. English: Country Mallow, Flowering Maples, Chinese Bell-flowers, Indian mallow

Constituents of Abutilon indicum

The leaves contain mucilage, tannin, amino acids, glucose, fructose, galactose, gallic acid sesquiterpene alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, triterpenoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and asparagin (11.5 %). Asparagin has diuretic activities.

Mucilage present in the plant protectsthe mucous membrane, urinary system and helps in gastro-intestinal inflammations, lesions and ulcers. Mucilage is diuretic and demulcent (relieve irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth by forming a protective film). It reduces acidity.

Tannin is astringent and stops bleeding on topical application and diarrhea on oral use.

Roots contain fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, stearic, palmitic, lauric, myristic, caprylic, capric etc.).

Flowers contain seven flavonoid compounds including quercetin and its glycosides.

Ayurvedic Properties and Action (Atibala)

In Ayurveda, term Atibala is used for roots of plant Abutilon indicum. Atibala is sweet in taste (Rasa), sweet after digestion (Vipaka), and is cool in effect (Virya).

Atibala is a Madhur Vipak herb. Madhur-Vipak digests into sweet. It has building, moistening and nourishing effect on body. It is heavy to digest and reduces metabolism. It is cooling and reducesswelling. It increases Kapha and decreases Pitta. Madhur Vipak has Anabolic effect on body.

• Rasa (taste on tongue): Madhura (Sweet)
• Guna (Pharmacological Action): Snigdha (Unctuous)
• Virya (Action): Shita (Cooling)
• Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Madhura (Sweet)
• Action / Karma
• Balya, Vrishya: Increases strength
• Vatahara: Pacify Vata/Wind.
• Grahi: Inspissants, stomachic, digestive and heating qualities dry the fluids of the bod
• Shukral: Improves sperms.
• Mutral: Diuretic.

Atibala is a Sheet Virya herb. Sheet Virya or Cool potency herb, subdues Pitta (Bile) Vata (Wind) and increases Kapha (Mucus). Sheet Virya herb gives nourishment to body and steadiness. It supports building of body fluids.

Atibala roots are used in Ayurveda for treatment of bleeding disorders (Raktapitta), gout (Vatahar) and urinary disorders (Meha).

Atibala is a nourishing, strength promoting with Rasayana and fetal growth promoting action. A study was done to find role of Atibala (abutilon indicum) in garbha sthapaka and garbha vruddhikara prabhava in pregnant women with history of repeated abortion by Department of Kaumarabritya Prasuti Stree Roga Institute of Post Graduate Teaching and Research Gujarat Ayurved University Jamnagar.

The study was designed to find out the effect of Atibala as a single drug for Garbhasthapaka prabhava and Garbha vruddhikara prabhava in pregnancy with repeated abortion history. Sixty pregnant women of second and third trimester were included and they were divided into two groups. The effect of Atibala was compared to that of combination of Amalaki, Godanthi and Garbhapalarasa (Amalaki group). Studying results of Atibala and Amalaki groups during the treatment or after no abortion took place.

The study concluded Ati Bala (Abutilon indicum) powder is highly effective for fetal development in compared with powder of Amalaki, Godanthi Bashma and Garbhapala rasa in pregnant women who have previous repeated abortions due to Garbhasthapaka (beneficial for maintenance of pregnancy)and Garbha Vriddhikara Prabhava (Promote fetal development).

Important Formulations

Atibala is generally as used an ingredient in preparation of Ayurvedic medicated oil used externally for massaging in Vatavyadhi (diseases due to Vata dosha) such as gout, rheumatism, facial palsy, paraplegia etc.

1. Bala Taila
2. Narayan Taila
3. Mahanarayan Taila

Important Medicinal Properties

Abutilon indicum is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. These also indicate the conditions in which we should avoid it.

Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

1. Antioxidant: Seeds, Neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals and other substances.
2. Anti-inflammatory: Leaves, Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms.
3. Antifungal: Leaves, inhibit fungal infections.
4. Analgesic: Roots, Relieve pain.
5. Anti-convulsant: Leaves, Prevent or reduce the severity of epileptic fits or other convulsions.
6. Anti-diarrheal: Leaves, gives relief in diarrhoea.
7. Antidiabetic: Leaves, controls diabetes level.
8. Anti-estrogenic: Estrogen antagonist.
9. Demulcent: Seeds-Leaves, Relieving inflammation or irritation.
10. Diuretic: Seeds-Root extract, Promoting excretion of urine/agent that increases the amount of urine excreted.
11. Hepatoprotective: Whole plant, Prevent damage to the liver.
12. Hypoglycemic: Leaves, Reducing level of the sugar glucose in the blood.
13. Immunomodulatory: Leaves, Modifies the immune response or the functioning of the immune system.
14. Laxative: Seed-Leaves, Tending to stimulate or facilitate evacuation of the bowels.
15. Lipid lowering: Leaves, lowers lipid.

Medicinal Uses of Abutilon indicum (Atibala)

Atibala is used both internally and externally. It possess potent anti-hemorrhagic, diuretic, demulcent and laxative properties. Its topical application stops bleeding from wounds and heals ulcers, wounds and infections. The seeds give strength and vigor.

1. Aphrodisiac, piles, cough: The seeds are used.
2. Bleeding piles: The leaves are cooked and eaten.
3. Dental problems: Leaf juice and root are taken orally.
4. Indigestion: Leaves made into a chutney and consumed.

Piles:

1. Root extract is taken orally twice a day for two weeks to cure piles.

2. Atibala Abutilon indicum leaves + Makoi (Solanum nigrum) leaves + kali mirch ( Piper nigrum seeds), are ground and paste is taken in dose of 5 grams for 2 weeks.

3. Leaves paste of Atibala is taken in dose of 5 grams for one month.

Rheumatism: Paste of leaves prepared with mustard oil applied externally.

Toothache and tender gums: As mouthwash decoction of leaves is used.

Ulcers: juice of the leaves prepared into an ointment is applied.

Urinary problems, strangury and hematuria: The roots of plant are used due to diuretic activities.

Vaginal infections, wounds and ulcers: Decoction of leaves is used.

Dosage of Abutilon indicum

1. Leaf powder is taken in dose of 5-7 grams.
2. Seed powder is taken in dose of 1-3 grams. Seed Extract is taken in dose of 125 mg-500 mg.
3. Root powder is taken in dose of 3-6 grams. Root extract is taken in dose of 250mg-750mg.

Maximum dose of root powder or seed powder is 12 grams.

Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects and Warnings Abutilon indicum

1. It is cool in potency and may increase phlegm.
2. It reduces Pitta.

Cranberries are edible fruits of plant found in cooler climates of northern hemisphere. They are only found in cooler, sunny, wet and moist environment. It is one of few commercially grown fruits native to North America. Cranberries were used by Native Americans as food and medicine.

Cranberries can be eaten fresh, boiled, baked in a pit, dried, canned or in form of jams, jellies, and pies. Fresh berries are red in colour and are very tart.

Cranberries offer numerous health benefits due to their flavonoid and phytonutrient content. They are antioxidant, antiviral, anti-tumor, anticancer, antifungal, ACE inhibitor, lipid lowering and anti-inflammatory. They are especially beneficial in urinary infections. They increase good cholesterol and protects heart.

Cranberries have significant antioxidant properties and prevents body cells from free radical damage. Cranberry products, in particular the juice, with high concentrations of proanthocyanidin (or condensed tannins, are very powerful antioxidants that remove harmful free oxygen radicals from cells), reduces the risk of developing UTI. Cranberries are good support good health of oral cavity, gastrointestinal (GI) tract and urinary tract.

In India, nowadays, Cranberry Juice is available. It not only tastes great but also improves overall health. It is important to select only 100 % juice product. The one which comes with added sugar tastes great but is not so good for health owing to high sugar content.

General Information

Cranberry is a trailing, vine-like shrub with soft stems and grow at a fast rate.

The plant has alternate small evergreen leaves with rolled edges that are dark green above, pale beneath, and pointed at the tip. Flowers are pink to red borne singly or in clusters at the ends of stems. The flowers are have both male and female parts (hermaphrodite) and are self-pollinated or insect pollinated. Plant prefer sandy and loamy soils and prefers wet soil.

The fruit of plant is a red, juicyberry.

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Cranberry is Vaccinium oxycoccos. It belongs to plant family Ericaceae.

Ericaceae is also known as Heath or rhododendron family. There are more than 100 genera of this family distributed all over the world. The largest genera of this family are Rhododendron (1200 species) and Erica (heaths, 700 species). To genus Vaccinium, berries such as blueberries, cranberries belong.

Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
• Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
• Class: Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
• Subclass: Dilleniidae
• Order: Ericales
• Family: Ericaceae (Heath family)
• Genus: Vaccinium L. (blueberry)
• Species: Vaccinium oxycoccos L. (small cranberry)

Synonyms

1. Oxycoccus hagerupii
2. Oxycoccus intermedius
3. Oxycoccus microcarpos
4. Oxycoccus ovalifolius
5. Oxycoccus palustris
6. Oxycoccus quadripetalus
7. Oxycoccus vulgaris

Native: North America, Eurasia (combined continental landmass of Europe and Asia)

Group: Dicot

Part (s) used: Fruits

Planttype / Growth Habit: Shrub Subshrub

Duration: Perennial

Distribution: Throughout Alaska, Canada, Labrador, Greenland, Newfoundland, England, western Washington, Oregon

Habitat: Coniferous swamps; Moist to very wet, nitrogen-poor soils and high surface groundwater.

Propagation: Natural vegetative propagation. Also from seeds.

Vernacular names / Synonyms

Scientific name: Vaccinium oxycoccos, Vaccinium macrocarpon

English: Small cranberry, bog cranberry, swamp cranberry, wild cranberry

Constituents of Vaccinium oxycoccos

Cranberries contain Catechin, flavone glycosides, fructose, organic acids, proanthocyanidins and vitamin C.

Cranberry has a high Flavonols content (100–263 mg/kg) compared to other fruits. Flavonols are a class of flavonoids. They are phytochemicals present in plants and provide several health benefits owing to richness in medicinal properties such as antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant etc.

Cranberry also contain Citric, malic and benzoic acids.

Important Medicinal Properties

Cranberry is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. These also indicate the conditions in which we should avoid it.

Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

1. ACE inhibitor: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) that block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, used in the treatment of hypertension.
2. Antioxidant: Significantly delays or prevents oxidation by destroying free radicals.
3. Antiviral: Destroys viruses or suppresses their replication
4. Antifungal: Destroys fungi or suppresses their growth/reproduction
5. Anti-inflammatory: Helps to counter the inflammatory process
6. Bacteriostatic: Stops bacteria from reproducing.
7. Chemoprotective: Protect healthy tissue from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs
8. Diuretic: Increase passing of urine

Nutrition of Cranberries (100 gram fresh, whole; 45 Calories Glycemic Index: low)

Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice

Cranberries are highly nutritious. They contain vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K along with Manganese, Cooper, pantothenic acid and fiber. This combination is very beneficial for health.

Vitamin C and E are antioxidant. Vitamin C, water soluble vitamin helps in absorption of iron and boosts body immunity. Vitamin K, fat-soluble vitamin, helps in blood clotting. It is opposite in effect of blood thinning medicines.

Manganese is a component of a number of enzymes and activates a range of others. Low level of manganese in body can cause skeletal malformations, and impaired growth and reproductive function.

Cranberries are excellent for kidney, urethra, and bladder disorders. They are intestinal and urinary antiseptic.

Urinary problems

Cranberry improve urinary tract health by lowering the pH of the urinary tract. They are highly acidic and preventsgrowth of bacteria in urinary tract.

Cranberry juice also helps in urinary tract infections as it contain proanthocyanidin or condensed tannins which prevent adhesion of bacteria in tract. This allows flushing of bacteria out of the body along with urine.

Regular drinking of juice for one or more month reduces UTIs episodes. Researches indicate it can be used as an adjunctive treatment in UTI.

Antioxidant

Cranberries have more antioxidant activity compared to other fruits. It contains Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

Antioxidants are those substance which prevent oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen, peroxides, or free radicals. Free radicals are formed in body either from normal metabolic processes or by exposure to external sources (X-rays, ozone, cigarette smoking, chemicals, pollution etc.). Free radicals are highly reactive and can attack the healthy cells of the body, causing them to lose their structure and function. Damage to cells leads to premature ageing and development and progression of many diseases.

Intake of potent antioxidants, such as Cranberry helps to maintain normal functioning and integrity of cells and thus delaying the ageing process and keeping good health. The free radical scavenging activity of Cranberry is comparable or superior to that of vitamin E, another antioxidant.

Drinking of cranberry juice increases plasma antioxidant status.

Good for heart

Cranberries reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-oxidation, maintain or improve high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, reducing platelet aggregation and improve vascular function.

A small study of 30 abdominally obese, healthy, middle-aged men who consumed increasing doses of cranberry juice, up to 500 mL/day over 12 weeks, found a significant reduction in plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9, a substance which can accelerate atherosclerotic (deposition of fatty material on inner walls of arteries) progression.

Chemo protective

Cranberry prevents the growth and proliferation of several types of tumor or abnormal growth of cells in body due to its high bioflavonoid content and antioxidant properties.

Other Benefits

1. Cranberries are good for overall health. They provide vitamin C, energy, antioxidants, and minerals.
2. Cranberry juice prevents tooth decay due to presence of proanthocyanidin which prevent adhesion of bacteria to teeth. Inhibition of bacterial growth also protects gums from bacterial diseases.
3. Cranberries are effective in prevention of recurrent cold, cough, respiratory and ear infections due to presence of immunity boosting, antioxidant and other important phytochemicals.
4. Intake of Cranberry cures vitamin C deficiency.
5. Cranberry contains vitamins and is good for skin.
6. Antioxidant effect of Cranberry is on whole body.

Dose of Cranberry Juice

• Cranberry can be taken in dose of 120–400 ml daily by adults or 15 mL/kg or up to 300 mL daily by children.
• For recurrent UTIs the juice should be taken continuously for 4–8 weeks.
• As Cranberry is sour in taste, you may dilute it by adding water.
• Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects and Warnings
• Opt only for 100 percent juice without added sugar and sweeteners.
• Commercially available Cranberry juice contains high amount of sugar and hence should not be taken by diabetics.
• In case the symptoms of UTI become more severe after taking juice medical advice is recommended.
• Cranberries contain oxalates and calcium. So person at the risk of oxalate kidney stones should take it cautiously. Cranberry juice can increase level of oxalate in urine by 43 percent.
• At high doses (more than three liters), gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea can occur.
• Cranberries are hot in potency.
• People who take anticoagulant / blood thinning medicines (Warfarin, to prevent the formation of blood clots in the blood) should take Cranberries cautiously. As it may affect efficacy and safety of anticoagulant medicines in body.
• People taking blood-thinning medicines and prescribed Aspirin, should not drink too much Cranberry juice.

Kalanchoe laciniata is known as Parnabija, Zakhm-e-Hayaat, Malakalli in Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha system of medicine respectively. It is medicinal plant with succulent leaves and belong to plant family Crassulaceae, commonly referred as Stonecrop or Orpine family and Genus Kalanchoe.

The genus ‘Kalanchoe’ consists of about 125 species of plant found in tropical parts. Previously this genus was divided into three genera (Kalanchoe, Bryophyllum, Kitchingia). But now it is recognized as only one genus Kalanchoe. Kalanchoe are primarily ornamentals and houseplants. They can be planted in pots.

Another important medicinal plant belonging to its genus is, Kalanchoe pinnata / Bryophyllum pinnatum (Pattharchatta, cathedral bells) which is used to expel urinary stones.

It is important to note, Kalanchoe pinnata and Kalanchoe laciniata are to different species but are used in the same way. Also as described in classical texts, species of Kalanchoe viz. Kalanchoe lanciniata, Kalanchoe integra, or Kalanchoe pinnata can be equated to the botanical source of Parnabija.

Parnabija (Parna=leaf; bija=seeds, the naming is due to the fact that plant leaf produces roots and baby plants which becomes independent plants, so the leaf acts as seeds) plant possess diuretic, astringent, and hemostatic properties. Due to all these properties they are used in treatment of urinary diseases, bleeding disorders and wound healing. Kalanchoe laciniata is found only in few regions of India.

General Information

Kalanchoe laciniata is a succulent herb. The plant grows up to a height of 0.9–1.2 m.

The stems are succulent, glabrous or more or less pubescent and slightly branched.

Leaves are numerous, large and very succulent, 7.5 cm–10 cm long. The petiole is 2.5 cm–3.8 cm long, flattened above, fleshy and amplexicaul. The blade is narrow oblong, acute, dentate, serrate or crenate.

The leaves are glossy and pale glaucous to green in colour. The lowest leaves are divided into segments. The middle leaves are more or less deeply pinnatifid and the uppermost leaves are with narrow almost cylindrical segments.

Flowers are regular, bisexual, large, bright in colour yellow and occur in paniculate cymes. The calyx is 3-5 mm long, glabrous or glandular- pubescent. Corolla is 1.6 cm long. Sepal and petals are four in number. A few hypogenous scales of 3-4 mm long are present. Stamens are eight, inserted in two rows on the tube of the corolla. Ovary is superior.

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Hemsagar is Kalanchoe laciniata.

Latin word laciniata is derived from lacer meaning 'fringed or very deeply cut, torn or slashed into narrow divisions'. Since the leaves are fringed and divided, the species is given name Kalanchoe (name of genus) laciniata (type of leaf).

It belongs to plant family Crassulaceae. Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
• Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
• Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
• Subclass: Rosidae
• Order: Rosales
• Family: Crassulaceae – Stonecrop family
• Genus: Kalanchoe Adans. – widow's-thrill
• Species: Kalanchoe laciniata (L.) DC. – Christmas tree plant

Synonyms

Kalanchoe schweinfurthii Penzig.

Cotyledon laciniata Roxb

• Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Leaves
• Plant type / Growth Habit: Herb
• Duration: Perennial
• Distribution: It is found in India (Maharashtra, Deccan Peninsula, Bengal), Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Java and tropical Africa.
• Habitat: Warm, moist regions
• Soil: Prefer sandy soil
• Leaves: Decompound and pinnatifid
• Flower: Yellow, with 4 sepals and petals.

Main Indications

1. Urinary disorders
2. Diabetes
3. Common cold and cough
4. Inflammation

Vernacular names / Synonyms

• Scientific name: Kalanchoe laciniata
• Sanskrit / Ayurvedic: Hamsagar, Asthibhaksha, Hemasagara, Parnaviji, Parnabija, Vatapatri
• Unani: Zakhm-e-Hayaat
• Siddha: Malakalli
• Tamil: Malakalli, Mala-kulli
• Sri Lanka: Akkapana
• English: Christmas tree plant
• Marathi: Parnabij, Ghaimari, Ghaipat, Aranmaran
• Folk: Hemasaagar

Constituents of Kalanchoe laciniata

The leaves contain a yellow organic acid, cream of tartar, sulphate and oxalate of calcium, tartaric acid, fat and malic acid.

Flavonoids, triterpenoids, lignins, phenols, saponins and glycosides are also present.

Important Medicinal Properties

Kalanchoe laciniata is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. These also indicate the conditions in which we should avoid it.

Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

• Anti-dysenteric: Relieving or preventing dysentery.
• Astringents: Constrict tissues; styptic.
• Anti-inflammatory: Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms.
• Antiseptic: Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents.
• Antiulcer: Tending to prevent or heal ulcers.
• Anti-irritant: Reduces signs of inflammation, such as swelling, tenderness, pain, itching, or redness.
• Diuretic: Promoting excretion of urine/agent that increases the amount of urine excreted.
• Emollient: Soothing and softening effect on the skin or an irritated internal surface.
• Hemostatic: Checking blood flow.

Medicinal Uses of Kalanchoe laciniata (Christmastree plant)

Kalanchoe laciniata is used in the same way as Kalanchoe pinnata or Patharchatta.

1. The leaves are used both internally and externally. Externally, roasted or crushed leaves are applied on cuts, wounds, abrasions, ulcers and bites of poisonous insects. They are antiseptic, astringent and helps to stop bleeding. Internally, leaf juice in given to treat diarrhea, dysentery, and stones.
2. The leaves and roots are used for the treatment of urinarydiseases.
3. The intake of leaves help to dissolvestones in the bladder.
4. The decoction of the whole plant is drunk in gastric pain and heart discomfort.
5. The leaves juice is given in dose of 3 ml to 10 ml with 6- 20 ml melted butter in in diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera.
6. Leaf paste is applied to chronic sores and ulcers.
7. Leaf poultice is applied to the chest for coughs and colds.
8. The juice of the roasted leaves is applied to bruises and contusions.
9. The leaf paste is applied topically on itch.
10. The leaves are used as lotion in small pox.
11. Crushed leaves are used in headache.
12. Leaf juice is applied externally for joint pain.
13. Pounded leaves are applied in indolent ulcers.

Helicteres isora is most commonly known as Marori, Marorphali, Marodphali, Enthani, Mriga-shinga, Kevani, Varkati, Dhiniani, Valumbirikai, Atmorha and East Indian Screw tree. In Sanskrit it is called Avartani and Mriga-shinga which literally means deer's horn.

The tree is named so because of the appearance of its pods (fruits) which are peculiarly twisted. The pods are singular-looking contorted capsule, consisting of five fibers closely twisted together in the form of a screw. It is of various lengths varying from one inch to two and a half.

By Adityamadhav83 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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The plant possess antioxidant, hypolipidemic, antibacterial, anti-plasmid, cardiac antioxidant, anticancer, anodyne, hepatoprotective, anti-diarrheal activity.

The bark and fruits are used traditionally in treatment of diarrhea, worm infestation, offensive sores inside the ears, colic, flatulence and chronic dysentery. The root bark is prescribed in diabetes. It acts in diabetes by insulin-sensitizing activity.

General Information

• Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Stembark, Root juice, Fruit, Seed
• Plant type / Growth Habit: Sub-deciduous shrub
• Duration: Perennial
• Distribution: Throughout Central and Western India, especially in Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar, Bengal, Andaman. Also found in Sri Lanka, Java, and northern Australia.
• Habitat: Dry forests
• Flowering: April to December
• Fruiting: October to June

Description of plant:

Marorphali / Marorfali, is a tall shrub or small tree, found throughout Central and western India. The stem is 2-12.5 cm in diameter and the plant reach upto height of 5-10 feet.

Bark of tree us grey in colour and young parts are covered with stellate hairs.

Leaves are simple, alternate, petioled and acute. They are palmately nerved or obliquely cordate. The margins are serrated.

Peduncles are many-flowered and terminating. Flowers are orange-red in colour and turn pale blue later. The petals are long.

The fruit consists of five slender angularcarpels, twisted like a corkscrew, and together forming a cone about 1.5 to 2 inches long. The carpels are greenish brown in colour. Single row of dark brown angular seeds are present inside the fruit. The internal surface is of a light greenish hue and highly polished. The taste mucilaginous.

The rootbark is of a dark-brown colour and is very thickly studded with small round warts.

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Maror Phali is Helicteres isora. It belongs to plant family Sterculiaceae.

The word Helicteres is derived from, the Greek word helikteres meaning anything twisted / in spiral. Isora is a Japanese name for boys meaning God of the seashore. Helicteres is a large genus of tropical trees and shrubs with axillary flowers and fruits consisting of five twisted carpels.

Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Subclass: Rosidae
• Order: Malvales
• Family: Sterculiaceae - large family of plants of order Malvales
• Subfamily: Helicteroideae
• Genus: Helicteres - genus of shrubs and small trees of tropical America and Asia having cylindrical fruits spirally twisted around one another
• Species: isora

Vernacular names / Synonyms

1. Scientific name: Helicteres isora
2. Ayurvedic: Aavartani, Aavartphalaa, Aavartaki, Murva, Avartani, Avartaphala
3. Unani: Marorphali, Maroor phalli
4. Siddha: Valamburi, Valambiri
5. English: East Indian Screw Tree, Indian screw tree
6. Hindi: Marori, Marorphali, Mrigashinga, Marodshingi, Gomathi, Enthani
7. Bengali: Atmora, Antmora
8. Gujrati: Mriga Shinga, Maradashingh, Maradashinghi
9. Marathi: Kevani, Varkati, Dhamni, Kewad, Muradsheng
10. Madhya Pradesh: Anthi
11. Payyannur: Kayyula
12. Kannada: Pedamuri
13. Malayalam: Ishwarmuri
14. Oriya: Murmuriya
15. Tamil: Valumbirikai, Balampari
16. Telugu: Guvadarra
17. Persia: Kisht-bar-kisht, Pechak
18. Tehran: Bahman-i-pich, Pachman-i-puh

Unani Properties

In Unani medicine, it is described as hot and dry in the third degree.

Mulattiff (Demulcent): Break the matter into pieces and make humor more liquid by their mild hotness.

Ayurvedic Properties and Action

In Ayurveda, Marorphali is known as Avartaki or Avartani. It cures aggravated kapha and pitta both from upper and lower parts of the body. It also curesKushtha (obstinate skin diseases including leprosy).

Marorphali is astringent in taste (Rasa), pungent after digestion (Vipaka), and is cool in effect (Virya).

• Rasa (taste on tongue): Kashaya (Astringent)
• Guna (Pharmacological Action): Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)
• Virya (Action): Shita (Cooling)
• Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Katu (Pungent)

It is a Katu Vipak herb. Vipak refers to post-digestive (effect after digestion / cooking of Rasa) effect of tastes after its mixing with digestive juices. It is the long term effect of herb. Katu Vipak herbs, increases dryness in body. Such foods reduce fertility and Kapha. Avartani is indicated in Atisar (diarrhoea), Shula (colic) and Krimi (intestinal parasites).

Constituents of Helicteres isora

The plant contains a 4-quinolone alkaloid,malatyamine, an antidiarrhoeal principle. Roots contain cytotoxic principles—cucurbitacin B and iso-cucurbitacin B.

• Root: Cucurbitacin b, isocucurbitacin b β-sitosterol, betulic acid, oleanolic acid, daucosterol, isorin, 3 β27diacetoxylup20(29)en-28-oic methyl ester Catechol, Gallic acid
• Bark/stem: β-sitosterol; 10-methyl, 4-isopropenyl and dodecahydro- ethanophenanthrene
• Fruits: Rosmarinic acid and their derivatives; isoscutellarein and their derivatives; D-glucopyranosyl isorinic acid with rosmarinic acid; Helisterculins A and B, Helisorin Gallic acid, Caffeic acid, vanillin, p-Coumaric acid

Important Medicinal Properties

Various parts of Helicteres isora possess important medicinal properties. The understanding of properties helps to better utilize the herb. These also indicate the conditions in which we should avoid its internal use. For example, the roots and stem bark are, anti-galactagogue which means an agent for suppressing lactation. Therefore it should not be used during breastfeeding.

Below is given medicinal properties along with meaning.

Pods & Bark

• Anti-dysenteric: Relieving or preventing dysentery.
• Antidiarrheal: Relieving or preventing diarrhea.
• Astringents: Constrict tissues; styptic.
• Anti-bilious: Serving to prevent or cure biliousness or excess secretion of bile.
• Antioxidant: Neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals and other substances.
• Anthelmintic: Antiparasitic, expel Parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body.
• Demulcent: Relieving inflammation or irritation.

Root & Stembark

• Anti-diabetic: Manages diabetes.
• Anti-hyperglycemic: Counteracting high levels of glucose in the blood.
• Astringents: Constrict tissues; styptic.
• Antigalactagogue: Prevents breast milk.
• Anodyne: Relieves pain without causing loss of consciousness.
• Demulcent: Relieving inflammation or irritation.
• Expectorant: Promotes the secretion of sputum by the air passages, used to treat coughs.
• Hepatoprotective: Prevent damage to the liver.
• Hypolipidemic: Lowers lipid level in blood.

Medicinal Uses of Helicteres isora (Marorphali)

According to the doctrine of signatures, the shape, appearance of plant part itself suggests its use. The pods of Maror phali are twisted like intestine and it is mainly used in treatment of intestinal complaints such as colic, flatulence diarrhea, and dysentery. Other important medicinal use include in diabetes and locally in otorrhoea (discharge from ear).

The fruit and bark of Marorphali are astringent in gripes, anti-diarrheal and anthelmintic. They are used most commonly in treatment of intestinal complaints such as griping in the bowels and flatulence, diarrhea, dysentery and worm infestation.

In one clinical study, 37 patients of intestinal amoebiasis were treated with a combination of Bekh-e-Madaar (root-bark of Calotropis procera 125 mg) + Marorphali (1000 mg), thrice daily for one month. The clinical efficacy was found close to that of Metronidazole.

The root juice is given in diabetes, empyema, snakebite, stomach trouble.

Below is given some of the traditional therapeutic uses of vicious parts of Maror Phali.

As an ear drop, Discharge from ear

Boil the crushed pods in castor oil and use as earn drop.

Asthma, Cough

Drink decoction of bark.

Colic pain

Roots of tree are chewed in dose of 5 grams per day for three days.

Cut and wounds

Fresh root paste with turmeric paste is applied externally.

Dysentery, stomach ache

1. The fruit paste or powder is taken in dose of 5 grams twice a day for three days.
2. Bark boiled with water taken orally thrice per day.
3. Seed powder, 5 g boiled in water is taken twice a day.

Diabetes

1. One fresh fruit taken orally.
2. Fresh root juice taken twice a day.

Gastrointestinal problems

Fruit powder 5 g is taken thrice daily with water.

Scabies

1. The root or bark paste is applied topically for scabies.
2. The Paste is applied externally twice per day till cure on infection area of scabies.

Skin infections

Fresh leaf paste applied thrice a day.

Snakebite

1. Fresh leaf paste applied on affected area.
2. Weakness in new born baby
3. Fruit paste mixed with mustard oil and turmeric is used for massaging in new born baby to cure profound weakness.

Dosage of Helicteres isora

• The recommended dose of Helicteres isora decoction is 50-100 ml.
• The powder of fruit, bark is taken in dose of 3-6 grams.
• Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects and Warnings Helicteres isora
• There are no known side-effects.
• Avoid use in pregnancy and breast feeding.

Marsdenia tenacissima is a medicinal plant and commonly known as Murva or Moorva. It is a perennial climber, bearing green flowers and found in tropical hilly tracts of peninsular India and Vindhya ranges as well as lower Himalayan tracts. This plant prefers poor soil. Murva is found growing in tropical and subtropical dry and moist deciduous forests having annual rainfall between 1000 mm and 1500 mm. It grows in moist places in nature and is a shade-loving plant.

The roots of Murva plant are used as single drug and also in compound formulations of Ayurveda for treating of fever, polyuria, dryness of mouth, worm infestations, itching, bleeding piles, bleeding disorders and excessive thirst. It belongs to Aragwadhadi group of herbs, which are especially used for chronic obstinate urinary disorders, diseases of skin, vomiting etc. It is detoxifies blood and gives relief in skin diseases. It has purgative action.

Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon. is accepted source of Murva. Murva is one of the most controversial drugs in Ayurveda with more than 7 plant species from different families being used as the source in different parts of the country.

Lannea coromandelica and Maerua arenaria are also referred as Murva. Chonemorpha fragrans (macrophylla) is used as Murva in Kerala, Sansevieria roxburghiana in Tamil Nadu, Clematis triloba in Gujrat and Maharashtra and Helicteres isora in Punjab and Marsdenia volubilis in Southern states.

The roots of this medicinal herb are wrongly supplied as Trivrit / White Turpeth (Safed Nishoth) in Northern India because the accepted botanical source of Turpeth (Nishoth) is Operculina turpethum (Linn.) Silva Manso synonym Ipomoea turpethum R. Br.

General Information

1. Plant Description: Marsdenia tenacissima is a large, extensive twining shrub with very stout, bluntly angular, densely velvety and hairy branches. Stem and branches are slightly stout and densely tomentose.
2. Leaves are simple, opposite, petiolate, very large, 15—17.5 cm long and nearly as wide, deeply cordate with rounded lobes at base, shortly, acuminate, acute, softly velvety on both sides or nearly glabrous above, petioles 7.5 cm long, softly hairy.
3. Flowers are greenish yellow, regular, bisexual, numerous in large, paniculate, axillary cymes, pedicels long and hairy. Sepals 5 almost distinct, oblong, hairy. Petals 5, fused into a sub-campanulate corolla, velvety outside, lobes as long as the tube, oblong, obtuse spreading, contorted. Stamens 5, connate, anthers with inflexed lips, pollen masses one in each chamber, stalked, oblong, erect. Corona staminal, of 5, flat, erect scales, adnate to the back of the anthers.
4. Ovary is superior, of 2 distinct carpels, stigma large, convex. Fruit-follicles 15 cm long, tapering to a point, smooth, fusiform.
5. Fruit a follicles of 2, cylindric, up to 8 cm long pubescent.
6. Roots are cylindrical, externally yellow to buff colored with dark brown patches on the cork. There are prominent longitudinal ridges and furrows and transverse cracks present. The bark easily get separated from wood. The roots taste slightly bitter.
7. Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Dried roots, whole plant
8. Plant type / Growth Habit: twining shrub
9. Duration: Perennial
10. Distribution: Throughout India, from Kumaun to Asaam upto altitude of 1500 meters, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Southern states, Deccan peninsula. Also found in Bangladesh (Chittagong, Bandarban, Rangamati and Tangail districts), Sri Lanka, Myanmar, China, Nepal and Thailand
11. Habitat: Scrub jungles of rain forests, shady-moist places in Sandy-loam soil
12. Flowering and fruiting: June to December
13. Propagation: Propagation is done by stem and root cuttings.

Vernacular names / Synonyms

• Scientific name: Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon
• Sanskrit/Ayurvedic: Madhusrava, Madhurasa, Devi, Piluparni, Devashreni, Snigdhaparni, Prithakparni, Morata, Piluparnika
• Assam: Murha
• Bengali: Chitti, Jitti, Siti
• Gujarat: Moravel
• Hindi: Murva, Jartor, Safed Nishoth, Chinhaur
• Kannada: Koratige Hambu, Kallu Shambu, Koratige, Halukaratige, Kadaluhaleballi
• Malayalam: Perumkurumba
• Marathi: Morvel
• Oriya: Murva, Murga
• Tamil: Perunkurinjan
• Telugu: Chagaveru
• Urdu: Turbud Safed
• Siddha: Perunkurinjan
• Unani: Moorwa
• Folk: Maruaa-bel
• English: White Nishoth and Rajmahal Hemp
• Sinhalese: Muruva-dul
• Marma: Sakmaburo, Townoy
• Tripura: Duabotoi
• Khumi: Ayukaethui
• Trade name: Murva

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Murva is Marsdenia tenacissima. It belongs to plant family Asclepiadaceae. Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
• Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
• Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
• Subclass: Asteridae
• Order: Gentianales
• Family: Asclepiadaceae – Milkweed family
• Genus: Marsdenia R. Br. – marsdenia P
• Species: Marsdenia tenacissima

Synonym

Asclepias tenacissima Roxb.

Constituents of Marsdenia tenacissima

The root and seed are rich in pregnane glycosides of z-deoxysugars, which on hydrolysis gave genins and sugars including cissogenin, tenasogenin, tenacissigenin, iso-drevogenin P, drevogenin Q, D-cymarose, asclepobiose, D-canarose, 3-0methyl- 6-deoxy-D-allose, iz-alpha-tz-betamarsdenin, beta-O-glucosyl-L-thevetose, cinnamic and acetic acids. Stems yielded five more glycosides named tenacissoides A-E.

The bark of the young shoots yields a very strong, silky fibre and a milky juice containing caoutchouc. The fine silky fibers are used for making bow strings and ropes.

The latex (the coagulated milky sap) obtained from the stem can be used like rubber.

Important Medicinal Properties

Marsdenia tenacissima is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

1. Antiscorbutic: Curing or preventing scurvy.
2. Antioxidant: Neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals and other substances.
3. Antispasmodic: Used to relieve spasm of involuntary muscle.
4. Anthelmintic: Antiparasitic, expel Parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body.
5. Antibacterial: Active against bacteria.
6. Anti-obesity: Reducing or controlling obesity.
7. Mild CNS depressant: depression of the central nervous system that can result in decreased rate of breathing, decreased heart rate, and loss of consciousness.
8. Depurative: Purifying agent.
9. Laxative: Tending to stimulate or facilitate evacuation of the bowels.

Ayurvedic Properties and Action of Murva Roots

Murva is bitter, sweet in taste (Rasa), sweet after digestion (Vipaka), and is hot in effect (Virya).

The roots are available in cut pieces of varying length and 0.5-3 cm thick. They are ground to make powder. This medicinal herb is known as Madhusravi in Sanskrit as it possess milky juice or latex.

• Rasa (taste on tongue): Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (Bitter)
• Guna (Pharmacological Action): Guru (Heavy), Sara
• Virya (Action): Ushna (Heating)
• Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Madhura (Sweet)

Karma/ Action

• Rakshoghna: Anti-bacterial
• Kaphahara: Pacifies Kapha Dosha
• Pittahara: Pacifies Pitta Dosha
• Vatahara: Pacifies Vata Dosha
• Vishaghna: Poison-destroying
• Trishgna: Alleviates thirst

In Ayurveda, it is used in treatment of variety of diseases such as:

1. Fever / Jwar
2. Obesity / Medoroga
3. Urinary disorders, polyuria / Meha
4. Intestinal parasites / Krimi Roga
5. Heart diseases / Hridya Roga
6. Itching / Kandu
7. Piles / Arsha
8. Bleeding disorders, abnormal bleeding from organs, hemorrhagic diseases / Raktpitta
9. Excessive thirst / Trishna

Important Formulations

1. Aragvadhadi Kvatha Churna
2. Patoladi Kvatha Churna
3. Prameha Mihira Tail
4. Sudarshana Churna

Medicinal Uses of Marsdenia tenacissima (Murva)

1. The decoction of the leaves is given for flatulence and as a remedy for gonorrhea.
2. The dried flowers and leaves of are used internally for cough, vomiting, fever and as an appetizer.
3. The paste is applied externally over major burns.
4. It is used as ingredient in preparation of medicated oil which is applied on skin diseases, fractures, convulsions, hemiplegia, facial paralysis and cephalalgia.
5. For fungal infections of skin, the sap obtained by breaking the leaf is applied externally.
6. This plant is also used in the treatment of paralysis.

Dosage of Marsdenia tenacissima

1. The recommended dose of roots is 2-5 grams powder.
2. The decoction can be prepared from 10-20 grams of roots. The recommended dose of decoction is 50-100ml.

Paeonia emodi or Himalayan Peony is found in Western Himalayas. It is a perennial plant with tuberous roots and beautiful big whiteflowers with central boss of yellow stamens. It is also known as Chandra (meaning moon in Hindi) in some Himalayan states as the flowers are round and white as moon. Lovely gregarious patches of blooming peony can be seen in Kagan and Kashmir during spring season.

By Epibase - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4241796

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Himalayan Peony is an ornamental, economic and medicinal plant. The roots of various Paeonia species are used for medicinal purpose since time immemorial. In ancient times, it was believed that the peony root, if worn by children round their necks, has the power of preventing epileptic attacks. The roots of plant are given in uterine diseases, colic, bilious obstructions, dropsy, epilepsy, convulsions, hysteria diseases of liver, spleen and bladder.

General Information

• Plant Description: It is a stout glabrous perennial plant that reaches upto 1-3 ft. in height. The roots are thick and fleshy.
• Leaves are oblong or lanceolate, alternate, 6-12 inch long. Leaflets 3, usually 3-parted, segments lanceolate, pointed, and entire.
• Flowers are large, white, 3-4 in. diameter, long-peduncled, usually in the axil of upper leaves. Follicles 1, rarely 2, ovoid. Buds globose. Sepals 5, orbicular, concave, green, persistent the outer ones ending in a leaf-like point. Petals 5-10, broadly ovate, concave, red or white. Yellow stamens many.
• Ovaries 1-3, densely hairy, many-ovuled, seated on a fleshy disk; style short, broad, recurved. Follicles ovoid, 1 in. Seeds few, large.
• Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: tuber/root, flowers, seeds
• Plant type / Growth Habit: Herb/undershrub
• Duration: Perennial
• Distribution: Found in the temperate Western Himalayas from Hazara to Kumaon at altitudes of 5,000 to 10,000 ft.
• Habitat: West Temperate Himalaya, western Nepal, Afghanistan, southern Tibet and China
• Native: Central Asia to Mediterranean region
• Soil: Well drained fertile soil

Vernacular names / Synonyms

• Scientific name: Paeonia emoai Wall. ex Royle
• Hindi: Udsalap
• English: Himalayan Peony, Peony Rose
• Bhutia: Bhuma madiya, Yet Ghas
• Kashmir: Mid
• Punjab: Mamekh, Chandra
• Urdu: Ood Gharqi (Neem Kofta), Ood-e-Saleeb

Unani Medicines containing Paeonia emodi:

1. Arq-e-Amber
2. Majoon-e-Zabeeb
3. Habb-e-Ood Saleeb (epilepsy, hysteria, paralysis, convulsions, insanity, nervous affections)

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Himalayan Peony is Paeonia emodi. It belongs to genus Paeonia and family Paeoniaceae. The name Peony refers to any of the flowering plants of genus Paeonia. It is a Himalayan plant and in Latin 'emodi montes' refers to Himalaya.

Paeoniaceae or the peony family, consists of the genus Paeonia with about 33 species distributed in Europe, Asia, and western North America. The plants belonging to this family are perennial herbs or sometimes shrubs.

Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
• Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
• Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
• Subclass: Dilleniidae
• Order: Dilleniales
• Family: Paeoniaceae – Peony family
• Genus: Paeonia L. – peony P
• Species: Paeonia emodi
• European species: Paeonia officinalis - Common peony
• Chinese species: Paeonia lactiflora - Chinese peony

Constituents of Paeonia emodi

The tubers of plant contain essential oil. Salicylaldehyde is the chief component of the root essential oil.

Mixture of n-alkanes, beta-amyrin, butyrospermol, cycloartenol, lupeol, 24-methylenecycloartenol, cholesterol, campesterol, sitosterol;octanoic, decanoic, lauric, myristic, myristoleic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic acids, and ethyl gallate are present in root oil.

European species, Paeonia officinalis, roots and seeds contain a toxic alkaloid. This alkaloid is stated to produce contraction of the renal capillaries and increase the coagulability of the blood.

Important Medicinal Properties

Paeonia emodi is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. These also indicate the conditions in which we should avoid it. For example it is Uterocontractant and hence should not be used in pregnancy.

Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

1. Anticonvulsant: Prevent or reduce the severity of epileptic fits or other convulsions.
2. Antitumor: inhibit growth of tumor.
3. Antiulcer: Tending to prevent or heal ulcers.
4. Anticonvulsant: Prevent or reduce the severity of epileptic fits or other convulsions.
5. Anti-testosterone: Lowers male hormone Testosterone.
6. CNSdepressing: depression of the central nervous system that can result in decreased rate of breathing, decreased heart rate, and loss of consciousness.
7. Diuretic: Promoting excretion of urine/agent that increases the amount of urine excreted.
8. Depurative: Purifying agent.
9. Hepatoprotective: Prevent damage to the liver.
10. Hypotensive: Lowers blood pressure.
11. Hypothermic: Lowers body temperature.
12. Utero-contractant: Contracts womb.

Medicinal Uses of Paeonia emodi or Himalayan Peony

Himalayan Peony is a medicinal plant and for medicinal purpose its roots, flowers and leaves are used. The tuberous roots of plant are highly esteemed as a medicine for uterine diseases, colic, bilious obstructions, dropsy, epilepsy, convulsions, hysteria and in nervous affections.

1. Paeonia emodi Root powder mixed with Selinum vaginatum root powder is given ½ teaspoon twice a day up to 6 months for the treatment of hysteria, convulsion and epilepsy.
2. The root powder of Paeonia emodi, Acorus calamus and Selinum vaginatum are mixed and given in dose of half teaspoon twice a day for hysteria and epilepsy.
3. The shade dried Leaves washed with hot water thrice, and then used as vegetable twice a day for the treatment of colic, blood dysentery, diabetes and urinary complaints.
4. It is generally given to children as a blood-purifier.
5. The flowers have anti-diarrheal properties. The infusion of the dried flowers is highly valued as a remedy for diarrhea.
6. The roots are used to cure backache and dropsy.
7. It is also used improve lactation and treat menstrual problems.

Dosage of Paeonia emodi

The root powder is taken in 1-3 grams.

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Peony)

1. Health hazards not known with proper therapeutic dosages.
2. It must not be taken in pregnancy.
3. In excess (60 grains) the drug produces headache, noise in the ears, confused vision, and vomiting.
4. Side effects that may occur, particularly in cases of over dosages, include gastroenterosis with vomiting, colic, and diarrhea.
5. The seeds are emetic and cathartic.
6. The plant contains oxalic acid and tannins.