L

Lactuca runcinata DC. cin, carotine, iodine, fluorine. A. di- etary allowance of  g of lettuce is ad- Synonym  L. heyneana DC. equate to meet the vitamin K require- Family  Compositae; Asteraceae. ment of the body.  Aqueous extract of roots gave a gua- Habitat Many parts of , as iene-type sesquiterpene glycoside, lac- a common weed. toside C, along with known glycosides, Folk  Undir-chaa-kaan (Maharash- lactoside A and macro-cliniside A. tra). Action  Diuretic, slightly aperient. Used as a diuretic in calculous affec- Lactuca serriola Linn. tions, also for chronic obstruction Synonym  L. scariola Linn. of liver and bowels. Family  Compositae; Asteraceae. A smaller var., found in western Ut- Habitat  The Western , tar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Saurashtra and between,and,m.Found the Deccan Penninsula, is equated with wild. L. remotiflora DC. English  Wild Lettuce, Prickly Lettuce. Ayurvedic  Salaad, Vanya-Kaahuu. Lactuca sativa Linn. Unani  Kaahuu Saharai, Kaahuu Synonym  L. scariola Linn. var. Barri. sativa C.B. Clarke. Siddha/Tamil  Salattu. Family  Compositae; Asteraceae. Action  —mild sedative, Habitat  Native to Southern and diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant, West . Cultivated throughout antiseptic. Seed—demulcent. The India as a cold weather crop. seeds are used in the form of powder for coughs and as a decoction for  English Garden Lettuce. insomnia.  Unani Kaahuu Bustaani, Salaad Seeds contain protein, amino acids; Pattaa, Salaad Baaghi. Mg Al and K as major elements besides Siddha/Tamil  Salattu. Na, Ca, Si, Ti, Mn, Fe and Cu. Action  Plant—used in painful Arachidic, caproic, linoleic, ole- ulcers and burns. ic, palmitic, stearic acids and sitos- terol (from the root); ascorbic acid, The leaves contain calcium, phos- beta-carotene, -deoxylactucin, lac- phorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, nia- ticin, jacquilenin, lactupicrin, ubiqui- 358 Lactuca virosa Linn.

none (from the plant) have been iso- Lagenaria siceraria lated. (Mol.) Standl.

Synonym  L. vulgaris Ser. Lactuca virosa Linn. L. leucanth Rusby. Cucurbita siceraria Mol. Family  Compositae; Asteraceae. Family  Cucurbitaceae. Habitat  Native to Europe. Imported  into India. Habitat Throughout India.  English  Bitter Lettuce, Wild English Bitter Bottle-Gourd. Lettuce. Ayurvedic  Katu-tumbi, Tumbini, Unani  Kaahuu Sahrai (var.), Ikshavaaku. Tiktaalaavu, Pindapha- Kaahuu Barri (var.). laa. Action  Mild sedative, hypnotic, Unani  Kaddu-e-talkh (bitter var.). (once used as a substitute for Siddha/Tamil  Suraikai. opium), anodyne, expectorant. Action  Pulp—purgative, emetic. L Key application  As sedative. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) Leaf—used in jaundice. Used in insomnia, nervous excitabil- Cucurbita lagenaria Linn. is equated ity, anxiety, restlessness, hyperactivity with Lauki or Sweet Bottle-Guard, used in children, nymphomania, smoker’s all over India as a vegetable. cough, irritable cough and bronchitis. Cucurbita siceraria Mol. is equat- Aerial parts contain sesquiterpene ed with Titalauki or the Bitter Bottle- glycosides. Gourd. Bitter fruits yield .% of The leaves and dried juice contain a solid foam containing cucurbitacin lacticin, lactucopicrin (sesquiterpene B,D,G and H, mainly cucurbitacin B. lactones); flavonoids (mainly based on These bitter principles are present in quercetin); coumarins (cichoriin and the fruit as aglycones. Leaves contain aesculin); N-methyl-beta-phenethy- cucurbitacinB,androotscucurbitacins lamine; triterpenes include taraxas- B, D and traces of E. The fruit juice con- terol and beta-amyrin. The sesquiter- tains beta-glycosidase (elaterase). pene lactones have a sedative effect. which yield non-bitter fruits The Wild Lettuce also contains hyos- contain no bitter principles or elat- cyamine, while the dried sap is de- erase; their roots are not bitter. void of it. Morphine content has been found in low concentrations, too low to have pharmacological effect. (Natu- Lagerstroemia flos-reginae ral Medicines Comprehensive Database, Retz. .) The oil of seeds is used for arte- Synonym  L. speciosa (L.) Pers. riosclerosis. L. reginae Roxb. Laggera alata Sch.- Bip. ex Oliver. 359

Family  Lythraceae. English  Common Crape Myrtle. Habitat  Tropical Himalaya, and Siddha/Tamil  Pavalak-kurinji, Assam, Western and Eastern Ghats, Sinappu. up to , m. Folk  Saavani, Faraash. English  Pride of India, Queen’s Action  Seed—narcotic. Bark— Flowers, Queen Crape Myrtle. stimulant, febrifuge. Leaves Siddha/Tamil  Kadalai, Pumaruttu. and flowers—purgative. Root— Folk  Jaarul. Kramuk and Arjun are astringent. Used as a gargle. confusing synonyms. Action  Seed—narcotic. Root— astringent, stimulant, febrifuge. Lagerstroemia parviflora Roxb. Fruit—used for aphthae of the  mouth. Leaves—purgative, diuretic, Family Lythraceae. deobstruent. Bark—an infusion is Habitat  Almost throughout India, given in diarrhoea and abdominal up to an altitude of  m, in the pain. Himalayas. L A decoction of the leaves, also of Ayurvedic  Siddhaka, Siddha, dried fruits, is used like tea for diabetes Syandana (provisional synonym). mellitus in Philippines. Mature leaves Folk  Dhauraa, Bakli. Chungi and fruits, in fresh condition, exhibit (Hyderabad). Lendia (trade). hypoglycaemicactivityexperimentally.  The potency decreases on storing the Action Astringent, fungitoxic. material. The bark and leaves contain tannin The leaf extract, when adminis- – and % respectively. The plant tered as powder and as tannin-free contains a pentacyclic triterpene, lag- extract, showed hypoglycaemic activi- florin. Aqueous extract of fresh and ty in mice. Amino acids constitute the ethanolic extract of dried and pow- insulin-like principle. The plant con- dered leaves exhibit fungitoxic activ- tains triterpenoids, colocolic acid and ity against several fungal pathogens of maslinic acid. Colocolic acid is known rice. to possess hypoglycaemic activity. Leaves contain lageracetal and sitos- terol. Ellagitannins have been isolated from fruits and leaves. Laggera alata Sch.- Bip. ex Oliver. Family  Asteraceae, Compositae. Habitat  Throughout India, Lagerstroemia indica Linn. ascending up to , m in the Family  Lythraceae. hills. (Native to tropical Africa and Habitat  Native to China; grown as Madagascar.) an ornamental. English  False Tobacco. 360 Lallemantia royleana Roxb.

Folk  Amadok (Garhwal). Seeds contain linoleic, oleic, palmi- tic and stearic acids; beta-sitosterol. Action  Disinfectant. Gum contains L-arabinose, D-galac- The plant is one of the major in- tose, L-rhamnose, pentosans, protein, gredients of an ointment used in the uronic anhydride. Amino acids are al- treatment of skin tumours in Chinese so found in the plant. medicine. In Ivory Coast, Burkina Fa- so, Gabon and Tanganyika, different parts of the plant are used for the treat- Lamium album Linn. ment of intercostal pain, rheumatic pain and fever. The leaf and root de- Family  Labiatae; Lamiaceae. coctions are used to treat pneumonia. Habitat  West Himalayas from The plant from Nigeria was found Kashmir to Kumaon. rich in phenolic ethers (%), fol- English  White Dead Nettle, lowed by monoterpenes (%) and Archangel. sesquiterpenes (%). The major com- ponent of the oil was dimethyl thy- Action  Haemostatic (particularly L moquinone (%). It showed activi- on the uterus), astringent, diuretic, ty against Gram-positive microorgan- anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, isms. Dried powder of the plant con- expectorant. Used for menorrhagia, tained artemisetin (artemetin). leucorrhoea, cystitis, prostatitis, bleeding piles, diarrhoea, irritable bowel and respiratory catarrh.  Lallemantia royleana Roxb. Key application Internally, for catarrh of the upper respiratory Family  Labiatae. passages; externally, for mild, superficial inflammation of the skin. Habitat  Plain and hills of Kumaon and Punjab, extending westwards to (German Commission E.)Flowers have been recommended for teas Afghanistan. Imported into India and other galenical preparations from Persia. for internal applications, rinses, Unani  Baalango, Tukhm-e- baths and moist compresses. As Baalango. astringent. (The British Herbal Folk  Tuut-malangaa. Pharmacopoeia.) Action  Seed—cooling, diuretic, The herb contains iridoid monoter- sedative; given internally as penes; triterpene saponins; caffeic acid a soothing agent during urinary derivatives; flavonoids based on kaem- troubles, also for cough. A poultice pferol; tannins (mainly catechins). The of seeds is applied to abscesses, plant also gave a carbocyclic iridoid, boils and inflammations. (Seeds are caryoptoside; besides lambalbide, al- not to be used as a substitute for bosides A and B (iridoid monoter- Plantago sp.) penes). Lansium domesticum Correa. 361

 Laminum amplexicaule Linn. Ayurvedic Jingini, Jhingan, Gudamanjari. Family  Labiatae; Lamiaceae. Siddha/Tamil  Kalasan, Anaikkarai, Habitat  The temperate Himalayas Odiyan. from Kashmir to Kumaon, Sikkim Action  Bark—stimulant and and Assam. astringent; used in gout; decoction Folk  Titpaati (Garhwal), Jipachi for aphthae of the mouth and for (Tibbet). toothache. Leaves— boiled and applied to sprains, bruises, local Action  Plant—stimulant, laxative, swellings, elephantiasis. Gum— diaphoretic, cephalic, antirheum- given in asthma; as a cordial to atic. women during lactation. The roots contain cluytyl ferulate; Lamprachaenium heartwood gave lanosterol; bark, dl- microcephalum Benth. epi-catechin and (+)-leucocyanidin; flowers and leaves, ellagic acid, querce- Family  Compositae; Asteraceae. tin and quercetin--arabinoside. Flow- L ers also contain iso-quercetin and Habitat  Deccan, Konkan and Karnataka. morin. Leaves in addition contain beta-sitosterol, leucocyanidin and leu- Unani  Brahmdandi. (Tricholepis codelphinidin. angustifolia DC. of the same family has also been equated with Brahmdandi in National Formulary Lansium domesticum Correa. of Unani Medicine.)  Folk  Brahmdandi (Maharashtra), Family Meliaceae. Ajadandi. Habitat  Cultivated in Nilgiris and Action  Antiseptic, bitter tonic. a few other places in South India. En  glishLangsat Fruit, Dockoa. Folk  Duku. Lannea coromandelica Action  Bark—astringent, an- (Houtt.) Merrill. tidysenteric. Resin—antidiarrhoeal, prescribed in intestinal spasm.  Synonym L. grandis (Dennst.) Seed—febrifuge, vermifuge. Engl.; Odina wodier Roxb. The peel of the fruit contains a tri-  terpenoidacid(lansicacid).Seedsare Family Anacardiaceae. bitter; contain traces of an alkaloid and Habitat  Throughout India, resin. ascending to , m in the The crude extract of fruit peel, con- Himalayas. taining lansic acid, lansioside A, B and 362 Lantana camara Linn. var. aculeata Moldenke.

C or their derivatives, is used as an in- Laportea crenulata Gaudich. gredient of shampoos and hair tonics. Family  Urticaceae. Habitat  Tropical Himalayas from eastwards, Bihar, Chota Lantana camara Linn. var. Nagpur, Bengal, Assam, Anaimalai aculeata Moldenke. Hills and Western Ghats in . English  Synonym  L. aculeata L. Devil Nettle, Fever Nettle. Siddha/Tamil  Perunkanchori. Family  Verbenaceae. Folk  Utigun, Chorpaat (Bengal). Habitat  Native to tropical America; (Uttangan is equated with Blepharis naturalized and occurs throughout edulis Pers.) India. Also grown as hedge plant. Action  Root—juice used in chronic English  Lantana, Wild Sage, fevers. Roots and leaves are applied Surinam Tea Plant. to swellings and abscesses. L Ayurvedic  Chaturaangi, Vanachch- hedi. Larix griffithiana Carr. Siddha/Tamil  Unnichedi. Synonym  L. griffithii Hook. f. &  Folk Ghaaneri (Maharashtra). Thoms. Action  Plant—antirheumatic, Family  Pinaceae. antimalarial; used in tetanus Habitat  The Himalayas from and ataxy of abdominal viscera. eastern Nepal to at altitudes Pounded leaves are applied to cuts, of ,–, m. ulcers and swellings; a decoction of  leaves and fruits is used as a lotion English Himalayan Larch, Sikkim for wounds. Larch. Folk  Boargasella, Binyi (Nepal). The plant is considered poisonous. Action  Balsam—antiseptic, The leaves contain toxic principles, hypermic. lantadenes A and B, which cause acute  photosensitization, jaundice, kidney Key application Larix decidua and liver lesions. A steroid, lanca- Miller—in rheumatic and neuralgic marone, is cardioactive and fish poi- discomforts, catarrhal diseases son. of the respiratory tract, furuncle The bark of stems and roots contain (in the form of ointments, gels, a quinine-like alkaloid, lantanine. The emulsions and oils). (German extract of the shoot showed antibacte- Commission E.) rial activity against E. coli and Micro- American Larch is equated with Lar- coccus pyogenes var. aureus. Flowers ix laricina Koch., synonym L. ameri- contain anthocyanin. cana Michx. It is known as Tamarac. Lathyrus sativus Linn. 363

European Larch is equated with Lar- Siddha  Nachinaar (Tamil). ix decidua Miller., synonym L. europea Folk  Raamethaa (Maharashtra). DC., Pinus larix L., Abies larix. It is  known as Pine Larch. Action Bark and leaves—poisonous. The bark of American Larch con- Plant—vesicant. Leaves are applied tains –% tannins. The bark of to swellings and contusions. Larix dedidua is also astringent, bal- The stem bark and seeds contain samic and diuretic. It contains lig- a xanthone glycoside, lasioside and nans; lariciresinol, liovil and secoiso- a biscoumarin, lasiocephatin. lariciresinol; –% resins; essential oil, containing alpha- and beta-pinene, limonene, phellandrene, borneol as Lathyrus sativus Linn. major constituents. Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. Habitat  Cultivated chiefly in Lasia spinosa (L.) Thw. Madhya Pradesh, Eastern Uttar  Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Synonym Lasia aculeata Linn. Pradesh and Gujarat. L Family  Araceae. English  Chickling Vetch, Grass Habitat  Tropical Sikkim Himalayas, Pea. Assam, Bengal and Southwards to Folk  Khesaari, Latari, Kalaaya. Sri Lanka. Action  Seeds—toxic. Prolonged  Siddha Kantakachoramu, Mulasari consumption results in paralysis of (Telugu.) legs, both in animals and human Folk  Kantakachu (Bengal), beings, known as lathyrism. The Kaantaasaru. Lakshmanaa and toxic substance responsible for Indiver-kand are doubtful syno- lathyrism had been identified as nyms. selenium. Peritoneal injection Action  Plant—used for colic and of beta-N-oxalylaminoalanine intestinal diseases. Leaves—used (isolated from the seeds) produced for stomachache. Rootstock and acute neurolathyrism at LD fruits—for affections of the throat. doses (. mg/kg) in mice and (. mg/kg) in chicken; liver and kidney cells showed denaturation, vacuolar and fatty degeneration. Lasiosiphon eriocephalus (It is a neuropoison, which mainly Decne. affects central nervous system.)  Family Thymelaceaceae. Related species include, Lathyrus Habitat  Deccan and Western aphaca Linn., L. sphaericus Retz. and Ghats, from Konkan southwards to L. tingitanus Linn., known as Kalaaya Kerala at altitudes of ,–, m. or Khesaari. 364 Launaea mucronata (Forsk.) Muschler.

Launaea mucronata Action  Leaves—mild sedative, gas- (Forsk.) Muschler. tric tonic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, antiseptic, antifungal. Used as a gar- Synonym  L. chondrilloides Hook. f. gle against sore throat. Oil—used Family  Compositae; Asteraceae. externally for rheumatism and in hair dressings for dandruff. Berry— Habitat  Western India, Punjab and emmenagogue, antileucorrhoeic, Sind. antidiarrhoeal. Folk  Dudh-phad (Rajasthan). Fresh leaves from Lahore (Pakistan) Action  Plant—galactagogue. gave an essential oil (.–.%) with, A decoction is administered in ,-cineole ., eugenol ., sabinene constipation. ., alpha terpineol ., alpha-pinene ., methyl eugenol . and terpinolene .%. Major components of Greek and Russian oils were ,-cineole followed Launaea pinnatifida Cass. by alpha-terpinyl acetate. L Synonym  L. sarmentosa (Willd.) The fruit from Kumaon region gave Alston. an essential oil (%), including among others, ,-cineol (.), methyl cinna- Family  Compositae; Asteraceae. mate (.), alpha phellandrene (.) Habitat  Sandy coasts of India. and alpha-pinene (.%). The leaves contain sesquiterpene  Ayurvedic Gojihvaa, Golomikaa. lactones and isoquinoline alkaloids. (Gaozabaan, used in Unani Ethanolic extract of leaves produces medicine, is equated with Bor- a significant decrease in blood glucose aginaceae sp.) level of diabetic rabbits. It contains Folk  Vana-gobhi; Paathri (Maha- amylase inhibitors which can supress rashtra). sugar metabolism and can be used as an antiobesity agent for pet animals. Action  Plant—galactagogue, The leaf extract has been used asan soporific, diuretic, aperient. antidandruff solution.

Laurus nobilis Linn. Lavandula angustifolia Mill. Family  Lauraceae. Synonym  L. officinalis Chaix. L. Habitat  Native to the Mediter- spica Linn. ranean region; cultivated through- Family  Labiatae; Lamiaceae. out India. Habitat  Native to Mediterranean English  Laurel, Sweet Bay. region; cultivated in Jammu and Unani  Habb-ul-Ghaar, Daphni. Kashmir. Lavandula stoechas Linn. 365

English  Lavender. Ayurvedic  Shankhapushpi (Gu- jarat). Action  Herb—mildly sedative, antiflatulent and cholagogue. Es- Action  Used as a substitute for sential oil—antiseptic, antibacterial, Convolvulus pluricaulas Choisy. antispasmodic. Key application  Internally, for mood disturbances, such as rest- Lavandula stoechas Linn. lessness or insomnia; functional  abdominal complaints (nervous Family Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. stomach irritation and discomfort); Habitat  Mediterranean region and for the treatment of functional Asia Minor. Dried plant and flowers circulatory disorders in balneother- are imported into Mumbai from apy. (German Commission E.) The Persian Gulf. Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India English  Arabian or French indicates the use of Lavandula Lavender. sp. for depressive states associated with digestive dysfunction. Unani  Ustukhuddus, Alfaajan. L Folk  Dhaaru. Major constituents of the essential oil are linalool and linalyl acetate. Oth- Action  Flowers—antidepressive, ers include borneol, camphor, lavan- sedative, anticonvulsant, carmina- dulyl, caryophyllene, limonene, beta- tive, antispasmodic, antibacterial, ocimene, terpene--ol-and alpha-ter- antiseptic. Used in depression, ner- pineol. vous headache, sluggish circulation, Aerial parts of the plant contains physical and mental exhaustion, ursolic acid lactone, betulin, betulin- insomnia, epilepsy, neuralgia and ic acid and  beta-formyl ursolic acid. rheumatic affections. The essential oil from flowering shoots Oil—rubefacient, antimicrobial. showed neuro-depressive or anxiolytic Used for nervous palpitations, giddi- activity in albino rats. ness, spasm and colic. Relieves sprains, neuralgia and rheumatism; rubbed for stimulating paralysed limbs. Applied Lavandula bipinnata Kuntze. to sores, burns, scalds and varicose veins. Synonym  L. burmanni Benth. Plant—used for the treatment of Family  Labiatae; Lamiaceae. epilepsy and chronic sinusitis in Unani  medicine. Habitat Bihar, Chota Nagpur, Aerial parts of the plant contain Orissa,MadhyaPradesh,Rajasthan, oleanolic, ursolic and vergatic acid, Maharashtra, Decan and Konkan beta-sitosterol, alpha-amyrin and its southwards to Kerala. acetate, lupeol, erythrodiol, luteolin, English  Wild Lavender. acacetin and vitexin. 366 Lawsonia inermis Linn.

The leaves contain polyphenols, api- rins (laxanthone, I, II and III); flavono- genin--O-beta-D-glucoside, luteolin ids, luteolin and its -O-glucoside, andits-O-beta-D-glucoside, and-O- acacetin--O-glucoside; beta-sitoste- beta-D-glucuronide, rosmarinic acid, rol--O-glucoside; all parts contain and -O-caffeoyl glucose. tannins. For depression, tincture of lavender Chloroform and ethanol extracts of flower ( :  in % alcohol),  drops leaves exhibit promising antibacteri- per day, has been used for  weeks al activity against Shigella and Vibrio in Western herbal. (Natural Medicines cholerae. Leaf extract shows antifun- Comprehensive Database, .) gal activity against several pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Hennapaintisusedasamedica- ment for treatment of hands and feet Lawsonia inermis Linn. for mycosis. The antimycotic activity Family  Lythraceae. is due to lawsone, a naphthoquinone. The ethanol-water ( : ) extract of Habitat  Native to Arabia and the stem bark shows hepatoprotective Persia; now cultivated mainly in activity CCl-induced liver toxicity. L HaryanaandGujarat;toasmall Stem bark and root, probably due to the extent in Madhya Pradesh and presence of isoplumbagin and lawsar- Rajasthan. itol, exhibit anti-inflammatory activity English  Henna. experimentally. Ayurvedic  Madayanti, Madayan- Evidence shows Henna leaf might be tikaa, Mendika, Ranjaka. able to decrease the formation of sick-  led cells in individuals with sickle cell Unani Hinaa, Mehndi. anaemia. (Natural Medicines Compre- Siddha/Tamil  Marithondi, hensive Database, .) Marudum. Dosage   Leaves—– ml juice. Action Leaves—astringent, (API, Vol. IV.) antihaemorrhagic, antispasmodic, oxytocic, antifertility, antifungal, antibacterial. Used externally to treat skin infections (tinea); also as Leea aequata Linn. a hair conditioner. Synonym  L. hirta Roxb. ex The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of In- Hornem. dia indicated the use of the leaves in Family  Vitaceae. dysuria, jaundice, bleeding disorders,  ulcers, prurigoandotherobstinateskin Habitat Northern Eastern India, diseases. The leaf is also recommended West Peninsula and the Andamans. in giddiness and vertigo. Ayurvedic  Kaakajanghaa, The leaves contain naphthoqui- Nadikaantaa, Sulomaasha, Paaraa- nones, in particular lawsone; couma- vatapaadi. Lens culinaris Medic. 367

Folk  Surapadi (Telugu). Action  Root—antidiarrhoeal, Action  Stem and root—astringent, antidysenteric, antispasmodic, anthelmintic. Used for indigestion, cooling, sudorific. A decoction jaundice, chronic fever and malaria. allays thirst. Leaves—juice of Essential oil—inhibits the growth young leaves, digestive. Ointment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis prepared from roasted leaves (Schroeter) Lehmann & Neumann; relieves vertigo. also inhibits the growth of Micro- The leaves contain amorphous froth coccus pyogenes var. aureus and forming acid. Pasteurella pestis. Root, tuber and stem—mucilaginous, astringent. Leaves and twigs—antiseptic; used for poulticing wounds. Leea macrophylla Roxb. Family  Vitaceae. Habitat  Throughout hotter parts Leea crispa Linn. of India.  Family Vitaceae. Ayurvedic  Hastikanda, Hasti-karna L Habitat  North-Eastern India and in Palaasha; Kekidandaa. Western parts of Deccan Peninsula. Folk  Hatkan, Dholsamudra, Haath, Folk  Banachelt (Maharashtra), Kaan. Banachalit (Bengal), Nalugu, Nellu Action  Astringent, anodyne, (Kerala). styptic, antiseptic. Root tubers— Action  Leaves—applied to wounds. astringent, mucilaginous; applied Root tubers—used for guineaworm. to wounds and sores; used for Plant—a host of the Indian lac ringworm and guineaworm. insect.

Lens culinaris Medic. Leea indica Merrill. Synonym  L. esculenta Moench. Family  Vitaceae. Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. Habitat  Forests of tropical and subtropical India, from Himalayas Habitat  Native to South West Asia; as far west as Kumaon, and cultivated as a pulse crop mainly in southwards to the Peninsula. North India, Madhya Pradesh and some parts of Maharashtra. Ayurvedic  Chhatri, Karkatajihvaa, Kukurjihvaa. English  Lentil. Siddha/Tamil  Nalava, Nyekki, Ayurvedic  Masura, Masurikaa, Ottanali. Mangalyaa, Mangalyak, Adaasa. Folk  Karkani (Maharashtra). Unani  Masoor. 368 Leonotis nepetaefolia (L.) R. Br.

Siddha  Misurpurpu. oil, extracted from the seeds, is simi- Action  Seeds—mostly used as lar to olive oil. The seeds possess fee- a pulse. Contain as much as % ble antimalarial activity. The seed ex- proteins (similar to those of peas tract showed % toxicity against Al- and beans). Soup is used in gastric ternaria alternata and marked toxicity troubles and constipation. Paste against Aspergillus niger. or poultice is applied to foul and Dosage  Root—– g powder. indolent ulcers. (API, Vol. IV.) Dosage  Dried seed—– g. (API, Vol. III.) Leonurus cardiaca Linn.  Leonotis nepetaefolia (L.) R. Br. Family Labiatae; Lamiaceae. Habitat   Native to Europe; also Family Labiatae; Lamiaceae. distributed in Himalayas from Habitat  Throughout the warmer Kashmir to Kumaon. parts of India. L English  Common Motherwort, Ayurvedic  Granthiparni, Kaaka- Lion’s Tail. puchha. Unani  Baranjaasif. (Also equated Folk  Gathivan, Deepamaal with Artemesia vulgaris Linn; and (Maharashtra). Achillea millifolium Linn.)  Action Leaves—spasmolytic. Ash Action  Stomachic, laxative, of flower head—applied to burns antispasmodic, diaphoretic, em- and scalds, in ringworm and other menagogue (used in absent or skin diseases. painful menstruation, premenstrual The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of In- tension, menopausal flushes). Hyp- dia recommends the root in cough, notic, sedative. Used as a cardiac bronchitis and dyspnoea. tonic. (Studies in China have shown The root contains n-octacosanol, that Motherwort extracts show n-octacosanoic acid, quercetin, ,,- antiplatelet aggregation actions and trimethoxy--methylchromene--one, decrease the levels of blood lipids.) campesterol and beta-sitosterol-beta- Key application  In nervous cardiac D-glucopyranoside. disorders and as adjuvant for Theplant contains,,-trimethoxy- thyroid hyperfunction. (German -methyl-chromene--one. Commission E.) As antispasmodic. The leaves contain neptaefolin, nep- (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) taefuran, neptaefuranol, neptaefolinol, The British Herbal Compendium leonitin, neptaefolinin and (−)-, - indicated its use for patients who octadecadienoic acid. have neuropathic cardiac disorders The seed oil contains oleic, linoleic, and cardiac complaints of nervous palmitic and stearic acids. The fatty origin. Lepidium ruderale Linn. 369

The plant contains diterpene bit- Habitat  Western Europe. Seeds are ter principles, iridoid monoterpenes, imported into India from Persia. flavonoids including rutin and querci- English  Pepper-Grass. trin, leonurin, betaine, caffeic acid derivatives, tannins and traces of a Unani  Bazr-ul-khumkhum, Todari volatile oil. (white var.). The herb is a slow acting adjuvant Action  Seeds—blood purifier; in functional and neurogenic heart prescribed in bronchitis. diseases. Its sedative and spasmolytic properties combine well with Vale- The fatty acid of the oil are: oleic riana officinalis or other cardioactive ., linoleic ., linolenic ., erucic substances. ., stearic . and palmitic .%. The herb contains several compo- The seed mucilage on hydrolysis nents with sedative effects—alpha- gave galactose, arabinose, rhamnose pinene, benzaldehyde, caryophyllene, and galacturonic acid. limonene and oleanolic acid. (Sharon Flowering tops and seeds contain M. Herr.) a bitter principle, lepidin. The plant yield a sulphur-containing L volatile oil. Lepidagathis trinervis Nees.

Family  Acanthaceae. Lepidium latifolium Linn. Habitat  North-west Himalayas and Sikkim and from Bihar to central, Family  Curciferace; Brassicaceae. western and southern India. Habitat  North-West Himalayas. Folk  Safed Raasnaa (Bihar). Folk  Gonyuch (Ladakh). Hiran-chaaro, Paniru (Gujarat). Action  Plant—depurative, antilith- Action  Plant—bitter tonic. Used ic, diuretic, stomachic, antiscorbu- for rheumatic affections. (Raasnaa tic. An infusion is given for liver is equated with Pluchea lanceolata.) and kidney diseases. Also used as Related species of Lepidagathis: L. a resolvent in skin affections. cristata Willd., and L. hamiltoniana Wall. ex Nees. These are used as a bit- The leaves show dose-dependent in- ter tonic in fevers and are applied to crease of diuretic activity; also increase itchy affections of the skin. The leaves in potassium excretion in urine. of L. incurva D. Don, synonymL. hyali- The leaves contain cholesterol, stig- na Nees are chewed to relieve cough. masterol and beta-sitosterol.

Lepidium iberis Linn. var. alba. Lepidium ruderale Linn.

Family  Curciferace; Brassicaceae. Family  Curciferace; Brassicaceae. 370 Lepidium sativum Linn.

Habitat  Bhutan, Kumaon and total iron). They are used for rapid Kashmir, at altitudes of ,– healingofbonefractures.Theethano- , m. lic extract of seeds significantly in- Action  Plant—used in impetigo. creased collagen synthesis and its de- position at bone fracture portion in the The herb, seeds and volatile oil ex- treated rats. The tensile strength of the hibit properties similar to those of oth- broken tibiae also increased. er Lepidium sp. The seeds contain an alkaloid Aqueous extracts of the herb cause (.%), glucotropaeolin, sinapin (cho- a brief drop in blood pressure and de- line ester of sinapic acid), sinapic acid, press respiration in mice and rabbits. mucilaginous matter (%) and uric acid (. g/kg). The seed oil exhibits pronounced oestrogenic activity. Lepidium sativum Linn. The seed mucilage allays the irri- tation of the mucous membrane of  Family Curciferace, Brassicaceae. intestines in dysentery and diarrhoea. Habitat  Native to West Asia; It consists of a mixture of cellulose L cultivated throughout India as (.%) and uronic acid-containing a salad plant. polysaccharides; acid hydrolysis yield English  Garden Cress, Water Cress. L-arabinose, D-galactose, L-rhamnose,  D-glacturonic acid and D-glucose. Ayurvedic Chandrashuura, Chan- The plant contains pantothenic acid, drikaa, Vaas-pushpaa, Pashume- pyridoxin and rutin. Ethanolic extract hankaarikaa, Nandini, Suvaasaraa, of the plant showed antiviral activity Aashaalim. against rinderpest virus. Unani  Habb-ul-rashaad, Tukh-e-  Taratezak, Haalim, Sipandaan. Dosage Seed—– g powder. (API, Vol. I.) Siddha/Tamil  Alivirai. Action  Used in asthma, bronchial affections and bleeding piles. Leptadenia reticulata W. & A . Seeds—lactagogue, diuretic, and emmenagogue. Used for treating Family  Asclepiadaceae. skin disorders, fever, amoebic Habitat  Sub-Himalayan tracts dysentery and asthma. Leaf— of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and stimulant, antiscorbutic, diuretic. Deccan Peninsula up to an altitude Roots—used in secondary syphilis of  m. and in tenesmus. Ayurvedic  Jivanti; Jivaniya, Jiva- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of In- pushpa, Hemavati, Jivana. Shaaka- dia recommends the use of dried seeds, shreshtha, Payaswini, Maangalya, in powder form, in gout. Madhusravaa. (Guduuchi, Medaa, The seeds are a good source of iron, Kaakoli and Vrkshaadani are also but its bioavailability is poor (.% of known as Jivanti.) (Haimavati Leucaena glauca Benth. 371

is equated with Orris Root and Action  Antiseptic. Plant used for Hemapushpa with Sarca asoca the treatment of burns and wounds. flower.) The plant contains a triterpenoid,  Siddha/Tamil Keerippaalai. leptadenol; also . g/ g tannin. Folk  Dodishaak (Gujarat). Action  Plant—stimulant and restorative. Improves eyesight. Lettsomia elliptica Wight. Found useful in the treatment of habitual abortion. Leaves and roots Synonym  Argyreia elliptica (Wight) used in skin diseases. Choisy.  The herb contains n-triacontane, Family Convolvulaceae. cetyl alcohol, beta-sitosterol, beta- Habitat  Chota Nagpur, Orissa, amyrin acetate, lupanol -O-digluco- Deccan, Karnataka, Anaimalai Hills side and lepitidin glycoside. and Western Ghats from Konkan Stigmasterol and lipoid fraction of southwards to Kerala. the plant exhibited estrogen mimetic English  Silverweed. L effects.  Alcoholic extract of roots and leaves Siddha/Tamil Unnayangodi. show antibacterial activity against Folk  Khedari, Bond vel (Maha- Gram-positive and Gram-negative rashtra). bacteria. Action  Leaves—a paste is applied Intravenous administration of aque- externally in cough and quinsy. ous extract of stems has a pronounced and hypotensive action in anaesthe- tized dogs. Leucaena glauca Benth. Dosage  Root—– g powder. (CCRAS.) Synonym  L. leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. Family  Mimosaceae. Leptadenia spartium Wight. Habitat  The plains of India. Synonym  L. pyrotechnica (Forsk.) English  White Popinac, Lead tree. Decne. Siddha/Tamil  Tagarai.  Family Asclepiadaeae. Folk  Vilaayati Baval Lasobaval Habitat  Punjab, Western Uttar (Gujarat). Pradesh, Rajasthan and northern Action  The bark and leaves contain parts of Mumbai along the sea coast. . and % tannin respectively. Folk  Kheemp (Rajasthan), Kheep Leaves also contain quercitrin (Gujarat). Prasaarani is a doubtful (.%). The toxicity of the plant synonym. is due to an alkaloid leucenine or 372 Leucas aspera Spreng.

leucenol. Beta-and alpha-amino- contains a triterpenoid, leucolactone, propionic acid is reported to be and the sterols, sitosterol, stigmasterol identical with mimosine (from and campesterol. Mimosa pudica). Seeds, in addition to a fatty oil (.%), also contain mucilage com- Leucas cephalotes posed of mannans, glactans and xy- (Roth.) Spreng. lans. Stachyose is also reported to be Family  Labiatae; Lamiaceae. present in the seeds. (Heat treatment Habitat  Throughout the greater of leaves and seeds after moistening part of India, as a weed, ascending lowers the alkaloid content.) up to , m in the Himalayas. Ayurvedic  Dronpushpi, Katumbaa.  Leucas aspera Spreng. Siddha/Tamil Tumbai. Folk  Guumaa, Dhurpi saaga,  Family Labiatae; Laminceae. Halkusa (bigger var.), Tumbaa.  L Habitat Throughout India in Action  Plant—stimulant, diapho- cultivated fields, wastelands, retic, antiseptic (fresh juice is used roadsides. in scabies), insecticidal. Flowers— English  White Dead Nettle. a syrup is used as a domestic remedy for coughs and colds. Dry Ayurvedic  Dronpushpi, Phalepush- paa, Kutambaka. leaves along with tobacco ( : ) are smoked to treat bleeding as well as  Siddha/Tamil Thumbai. itching piles.  Folk Guumaa, Halkusa (smaller The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of In- var.), Tumbaa. dia indicated the use of the dried Action  Carminative, antihis- whole plant in jaundice, inflamma- taminic, antipyretic, febrifuge, anti- tions, cough, bronchial asthma and septic. Used in jaundice, anorexia, intermittent fever. dyspepsia, fever, helminthic mani- The plant contains beta-sitosterol festation, respiratory and skin glycoside and traces of an alkaloid. diseases. Dosage  Whole plant—– ml Flowers—given with honey for juice; – g powder. (API, Vol. II.) coughs and colds to children. Leaves— juice is used as an external application for psoriasis, chronic skin eruptions Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees. and painful swellings. Synonym  L. linifolia Spreng. An alcoholic extract of leaves shows  antibacterial activity. Family Labiatae; Lamiaceae. The plant gave oleanolic acid, urso- Ayurvedic  Dronpushpi (related lic acid and beta-sitosterol. The root species). giganteum Wall. 373

Folk  Tumbaa, Guumaa. Habitat  Native to Southern Europe Action  Leaves—a decoction is and South-West Asia; grown in used as a sedative in nervous Indian gardens. disorders; also as a stomachic and English  Madona Lily, Annunciation vermifuge. Crushed leaves are Lily, White Lily. applied externally for dermatosis, Action  Bulb—astringent, de- a poultice to sores and wounds. mulcent. Used for gynaecological Roots, stems and leaves are cyano- disorders. A decoction of the bulbs genetic. inwaterormilkisgivenfordropsy; a poultice is applied to tumours, ulcers and skin inflammations. Fresh flowering plant is used in Leucas martinicensis R. Br. homoeopathy as an antispasmodic; Family  Labiatae; Lamiaceae. the pollen is used against epilepsy. Habitat  Bihar and South India. A total extract stimulates phago- Folk  Guumaa (var.). Sugandhak is cytosis in mice. The bulbs contain L a doubtful synonym. alkaloids (pyrroline derivatives), jat- ropham, ethyljatropham and citracon-  Action Plant—an infusion is ic acid imides. given for colds and gastrointestinal Mucous, tannin, sterine and gluco- troubles. side impart anti-inflammatory, anal- gesic, diuretic and expectorant prop- erties to the bulb. Ligularia tussilaginea Bulbs of Lilium species contain sol- (Burm. f) Makino. uble polysaccharides (glucomannans),  starch, gamma-methylene glutamic Synonym L. kaempferi Sieb & Zucc. acid and tuliposide. Senecio kaempferi DC. Family  Compositae; Asteraceae.  Habitat Native to Japan; grows in Lilium giganteum Wall. Indian gardens. Family  Action  Used for obstinate skin . diseases. Habitat  Temperate Himalayas from Kumaon and Garhwal to Sikkim, The rhizomes contain inulin and Khasi and Aka hills and Manipur at beta-dimethylacrylic acid. altitudes of ,–, m. Folk  Gaayotraa (Jaunsar).  Lilium candidum Linn. Action Leaves—used as an external cooling applications to alleviate Family  Liliaceae. pains of wounds and bruises. 374 Lilium polyphyllum D. Don.

 Lilium polyphyllum D. Don. Folk Findora. Badai (Lushai). Action   Dried bulb scales— Family Liliaceae. demulcent; used like salep in Habitat  Uttaranchal, Himachal pectoral complaints. Pradesh. Ayurvedic  Kaakoli, Madhuraa, Kshira, Vayhasthaa, Karnikaa, Limnanthemum cristatum Vaayasoli. (Roxb.) Griseb.  Action Tuberous root—used as Synonym  Menyanthes hydrophyl- a tonic in emaciation and as a source lum Lour. of energy, after dry roasting. Nymphoides hydrophyllum Kuntze.  Dosage Tuberous root—– g. Family  Menyanthaceae. (API, Vol. III.) Habitat  Throughout India, in fresh water ponds and tanks. (Considered by some authors L Lilium tigrinumKer-Gawl. a synonym of Nymphoides Hill.)  Family  Liliaceae. Folk Ghainchu, Tagarmuula; Panchuli, Chandmalla (Bengal);  Habitat Native to China and Japan; Kumudini (Maharashtra). cultivated in Indian gardens. Action  Plant—used in fevers and  English Tiger Lily, Crumple Lily. jaundice. Seeds—anthelmintic. Action  Bulbs—used as a cardiac Stalks and leaves—applied to ulcers tonic. Flowers—used for ovarian and insect bites. A decoction is neuralgia, also recommended in used as a wash for parasitic skin myoptic astigmia. affections. The plant is used as a substitute for Swertia Chirata. The bulbs of Lilium martagon Linn., Turk’s Cap Lily, also possesses cardio- The rhizomes and roots of Nympho- tonic properties and are used in the ides macrospermum Vasudevan (Fam- treatment of dysmenorrhoea; external- ily: Menyanthaceae)aresoldinthe ly for ulcers. market as Granthik Tagar. These are used as a substitute for Valeriana hard- wickii Wall. in neurological disorders and colic. Lilium wallichianum Schutt. f.

Family  Liliaceae. Limnanthemum indicum  Habitat Western Himalayas, Nepal, (L.) Griseb. Lushai hills, Manipur and hills of South India at altitudes of – Synonym  Menyanthes indica Linn. , m. Nymphoides indicum (L.) O. Kuntze. Limnophila indica (Lam.) Bruce. 375

Family  Menyanthaceae. fever and to nursing mothers when Habitat  Throughout India, in tanks milk is sour. Oil—antiseptic. and back waters. The plant gave an essential oil (.%), Folk  Barachuli, Chinnambal containing d-limolene and d-perillal- (Kerala). dehyde as principal constituents. The Action  Plant—bitter, febrifuge, essential oil showed significant antimi- antiscorbutic. Used as a substitute crobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, for Swertia Chirata in fever and Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and jaundice. Rhizopus oryzae. The plant, made into a liniment with coconut oil, is used in elephantiasis. L. conferia Benth., known as Munga- Limnanthemum nymphaeoides nari in Kerala, contains flavonoids Hoffm. & Link. showing anti-inflammatory activity, Synonym  Nymphoides peltata quercetin showed significant activity (Gmel.) O. Kuntze. only at a dose of  mg/kg, while wogonin, nevadensin and quercetin-  L Family Menyanthaceae. pentamethyl ether at  mg/kg. The Habitat  Kashmir. essential oil from the plant exhibited antifungal activity against ringworm English  Fringed Water-Lily. fungi. Folk  Kuru, Khairposh (Punjab). Action  Leaf—used in periodic headache. Limnophila indica (Lam.) Bruce.

Synonym  L. gratioloides R. Br. Limnophila aromatica L. racemosa Benth. (Lam.) Druce. Family  Scrophulariaceae. Synonym  L. gratissima Blume. Habitat  Throughout India in damp places, swamps and rice fields. Family  Scrophulariaceae. Folk  Habitat  South Bihar, Orissa, Kuttra; Karpuur (Bengal), Assam, Western parts of South Ambuli (Maharashtra); Manganari India, up to  m, also in back (Kerala). waters. Action  Plant—carminative, Folk  Aamragandha Karpuur antiseptic. Leaves—an infusion is (non-classical); Karpuur (Bengal); given in dyspepsia and dysentery. Ambuli (Maharashtra); Manganari A liniment prepared from the plant (Kerala). Kuttra. is used in elephantiasis. Action  Plant—galactagogue, Related species: L. rugosa (Roth) aperient, antiseptic. Juice given in Merrill, synonym L. roxburghii G. Don, 376 Limonia crenulata Roxb.

known as Kaalaa Karpuur (throughout Lindenbergia indica India),isusedasdiuretic,stomachic, (Linn.) Kuntze. digestive tonic. Also used as a hair perfume. Synonym  L. urticaefolia Lehm. Family  Scrophulariaceae. Habitat  Throughout India, Limonia crenulata Roxb. ascending to , m in the Synonym  Hesperethusa crenulata Himalayas. (Roxb.) M. Roem. Folk  Haldi Basanto (Bengal), Family  Rutaceae. Dhol (Maharashtra), Patthar-chatti Habitat  Throughout India, from (Gujarat), Bheet-chatti. Punjab and Kumaon eastwards; Action  Plant—juice is given in in Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya chronic bronchitis; also applied to Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka skin eruptions. and South India. L Ayurvedic  Bilvaparni. Siddha/Tamil  Nayvila. Lindera nessiana Benth. Folk  Ran-limbu, Naringi (Mum- Family  Lauraceae. bai), Tondsha (Maharashtra), Beli, Bainthaa. Habitat  Temperate Himalayas from Action  Dried fruit—stomachic; Nepal eastwards at ,–, m, used in pestilent fevers, also as and in Assam. an antidote to poisons. Root— Folk  Gandha-daaru (Bengal), purgative, sudorific. Siltimur (Nepal). The plant showed anti-inflammatory Action  Carminative. activity which was attributed to - hydroxy--methoxy--methyl-anthra- The plant is reported to yield sas- quinone--O-beta-D-glucopyranoside safras, which is substituted for the true in animal studies. sassafras from Cinnamomum glan- The leaves contain an essential oil; duliferum Meissn. major constituents are geraniol, alpha- The seeds yield a fatty oil (.%). and beta-pinene, ,-cineole, elemol It gave methyl esters : methyl laurate acetate, linool, alpha-terpinolene, ., methyl caprate ., methyl oleate camphor, eudesmol, p-cymene, cam- ., methyl myristate ., and methyl- phane, azulene, borneol acetate, alpha- palmitate .%. terpenol,alpha-curcumene,alphathu- jone, limolene, myrcene and beta- ocimene. Linum usitatissimum Linn. Leaves also contain anthraquinones and dalbargin galactopyranoside. Family  Linaceae. Lipasis rostrata Rehd. 377

Habitat  Cultivated mainly in The seeds are an excellent source of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, dietary alpha-linolenic acid for modi- Maharashtra, Bihar and Rajasthan. fying plasma and tissue lipids. Flaxseed preparations reduced atherogenic risk English  Linseed, Flax. in hyperlipemic patients. (Cited in Ex- Ayurvedic  Atasi, Umaa, Masrnaa, panded Commission E Monographs.) Nilapushpi, Kshumaa. Human studies have indicated Flax-  seed’s use in atherosclerosis, hyperc- Unani Kattan. holesterolemia, lupus nephritis, chron- Siddha/Tamil  Ali, Virai, Sirrali ic renal diseases and in cancer preven- (Seed). tion (active principle: lignan precur-  sor secoisolariciresinol diglycoside). Action Seed—demulcent, emol- (Sharon M. Herr. Also Am J Clin Nutr, lient, laxative, antilipidemic, , , –.) antitussive, pectoral (used in bron- The PP glucose response to a g chitis and cough). Flowers—used carbohydrate load given as Flaxseed as nervine and cardiac tonic. Oil— breadwasfoundtobe%lowerwhen used in burns, skin injuries and compared with regular white bread. L sores. Taking Flaxseed oil daily for  Key application  Internally, for months did not improve symptoms chronic constipation, for colons of pain and stiffness in rheumatoid damaged by abuse of laxatives, irri- arthritis and no effect was observed table bowel syndrome, diverticular on RA, such as C-reactive protein and disease, symptomatic short-term ESR. (Natural Medicines Comprehen- treatment of gastritis and enteri- sive Database, .) tis. Externally, for painful skin The water-binding capacity and rhe- inflammations. (German Commis- ological properties of linseed mucilage sion E, ESCOP, The British Herbal resembled those of guar gum. Pharmacopoeia.) Dosage  Ripe seed—– g powder. (API, Vol. I.) Flower-bud—– g; The plant contains chlorogenic acid oil—– ml. (CCRAS.) and its isomer. Also present are palmi- tic, stearic, oleic, linoleic acids, along with amino acids, and sugars. Linseed also contains mucilage (–%) in epi- Lipasis rostrata Rehd. dermis; fatty oil (–%); cyanogenic Family  Orchidaceae. glycosides (.–.%) mainly linus-  tatin, neolinustatin and linamarin; lig- Ayurvedic Jivaka-Rshabhaka (bulbs nans; phenylpropane derivatives in- of Microstylis wallichi Lindl. and M. cluding linusitamarin. (Cyanogenic musifera, also of other orchids, are glycosides are not found toxic in ther- sold as Jivaka-Rshabhaka). apeutic doses as these are broken down Action  Used in age-sustaining and only to a limited extent in the body.) invigorating tonics. 378 Lippia geminata H. B. & K.

Lippia geminata H. B. & K. for boils. Leaves—an infusion is given to women after delivery. Synonym  L. alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. L. javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng. An alcoholic extract of the leaves shows antibacterial activity against E. Family  Verbenaceae. coli. The leaf juice enters into hair oils Habitat  Bihar and Orissa to for alopecia areata. Assam; Madhya Pradesh, Nilgiris Aerial parts are reported to con- and Anaimalais up to  m in wet tain flavonoids, flavone aglycones and places and river banks. flavone sulphates. Folk  Basula (Madhya Pradesh),  Naagaa-aiari (Orissa). Dosage Whole plant—– ml juice. (CCRAS.) Action  Leaves—stomachic and nervine. Essential oil—fungitoxic.

The essential oil from leaves contains Liquidambar formosana Hance. citral, neral and geranial. Diterpenes, L d-andl-limonene, l-piperitone, gera- Family  Altingiaceae; Hamameli- nial. Diterpenes, d-and l-limonene, l- daceae. piperitone, lippone, a saturated ketone, Habitat  Native to China; now d-alpha-pinene, dl-dihydrocarvone, reported to have been introduced citral and camphor have been iden- into Lalbagh gardens, Bangalore. tified in different samples. English  Fragrant Maple. Ayurvedic  Silhak (var.). Lippia nodiflora Rich. Unani  Silaaras (var.). Synonym  Phyla nodiflora (Linn.) Action  See Liquidambar orientalis. Greene. Balsam (Chinese Storax) contains  Family Verbenaceae. cinnamic acid (%). Cinnamyl al- Habitat  Throughout India, in wet cohol, borneol, a resin alcohol and places and river banks. volatile constituents (.–%). The English  Wild sage. leaves on steam-distillation yield % of a volatile oil consisting principally  Ayurvedic Jalapippali, Shaaradi, of terpenes (%). Shakulaadani, Jalakarnaa, Matsya- gandhaa. Laangali (now equated with Gloriosa superba). Liquidambar orientalis Mill. Unani  Bukkum Booti. Siddha/Tamil  Paduthalai. Family  Altingiaceae; Hamameli- Action  Plant—cooling, febrifuge, daceae. diuretic. Poultice used as maturant Habitat  Native to Asia Minor. Lithospermum officinanle Linn. 379

 English Storax, Oriental Sweet Litchi chinensis (Gaertn.) Sonn. Gum. Synonym   Nephelium litchi Ayurvedic Turushka, Silhaka, Cambess. Kapitaila. Family  Sapindaceae. Unani  Ambar Saayil, Silaaras. Habitat  Native to China; now Siddha/Tamil  Neri-arishippal. cultivated mainly in Northern Action  Balsam—anti-inflammatory, Bihar, particularly in Muzaffarpur stimulating expectorant, antipara- and Darbhanga districts, and sitic, antiseptic, antimicrobial. Used Saharanpur, Dehra Dun, Muzaffar- externally in scabies, ringworm and nagar, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Gonda, other skin diseases. Used for coughs Basti, Faizabad, Rampur, Bareil- and bronchitis as an inhalation. ly, Bahraich, Kheri and Pilibhit districts of Uttar Pradesh. Storax contained cinnamic acid up English  Litchi, Lychee. to %—cinnamin acid esters, cin-  namyl cinnamate (styracin), phenyl- Action Fruit—refrigerant during propyl cinnamate; triterpene acids; summer. Leaf—used in bites of L vanillin; styrene; aromatic alcohols. animals. Pentacyclic triterpene aldehydes—liq- Litchi aril contains: total sugars (as uidambronal and ambronal—have invert sugar) .–.; reducing sug- been isolated from nonvolatile part ar –.; non-reducing sugar .–.; of resin along with bornyl trans-cinna- acidity (as citric acid) .–.%; and mate. ascorbic acid .–. mg/ g.  The plant contains levulinic, mal- Dosage Gum—– g. (CCRAS.) ic, citric, lactic, malonic, fumaric, suc- cinic, phosphoric and glutaric acids. The Bark contains friedelin and stig- Liriodendron tulipifera Linn. masterol. Litchi seeds are prescribed in Malaya Family  Magnoliaceae. for neurological disorders and orchi- Habitat  Native to North America; tis. In seed lipids, fatty acids cyclo- introduced into hill stations in propanoic .; oleic ., palmitic . India. and linoleic .%, have been deter- mined. English  Tulip tree. Action  Bark—antipyretic, dia- phoretic; used in rheumatism, Lithospermum officinanle Linn. dyspepsia and as antimalarial. Family  Boraginaceae.  The root contains an alkaloid tulip- Habitat Kashmir and Kumaon, at iferin, traces of a glycoside, essential oil altitudes of ,–, m. and tannin. English  Corn Gromwell. 380 Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C. B. Robinson.

Folk  Lubis firmun. Action  Leaf—antispasmodic and Action  Leaves—sedative. Seeds— emollient. Bark—demulcent, emol- diuretic, lithotriptic. A decoction of lient, astringent, antidiarrhoeal, rootsandtwigsisgivenintheform anodyne. Root—decoction is of syrup in eruptive diseases, such used as an emmenagogue. Oil as smallpox and measles. from berries—used in rheuma- tism. Essential oil—antibacterial, The aerial parts contain pyrrolizi- antifungal. dine alkaloids. Saline extracts of the aerial parts The bark is mucilaginous. and roots, administered to experimen- The plant contains a polysaccharide. tal animals by injection, inhibit oestrus Leaves and stem contain aporphine al- and the functioning of ovaries and kaloids—boldine, laurotetanine, acti- testes; the activity of the thyroid gland nodaphnine and their derivatives. The is also reduced. The active principle is trunk bark gave sebiferine and litsefer- formed from phenolic precursors like ine. caffeic,chlorogenic,rosmarinicacidas Boldine produced dose-dependent L well as luteolin- beta-glucuronide by inhibition of induced microsomal per- an oxidation step. Other constituents oxidation in experimental studies. are lithospermic acid and shikonin.  Shikonin and acetyl-shikonin, the Dosage Bark—– g powder. pigments of the root, exhibit anti- (CCRAS.) inflammatory activity comparable to phenylbutazone. An infusion of leaves is used in Spain Litsea monopetala (Roxb.) Pers. as sedative. Synonym  L. polyantha Juss. Family  Lauraceae. Litsea glutinosa Habitat  Assam and Eastern (Lour.) C. B. Robinson. Himalayas, also Tamil Nadu.  Synonym L. sebifera Pers. Ayurvedic  Maidaa-lakdi (var.). L. chinensis Lam. Siddha/Tamil  Maidalagadil, Picin-  Family Lauraceae. pattai. Habitat  Punjab, Khasi Hills, Action  Bark—stimulant, as- Bengal, Assam and South India. tringent, spasmolytic, stomachic, English  Common Tallow Lowrel. antidiarrhoeal. Root—applied Ayurvedic  Medaasaka. externally for pains, bruises and contusions. Unani  Maidaa-lakdi, Maghaase- Hindi. The bark contains beta-sitosterol Siddha/Tamil  Mushaippeyetti, and an aporphine alkaloid, actino- Elumpurukki, Uralli. daphnine. Lobelia inflata Linn. 381

 Litsea stocksii Hook. f. Habitat Native to eastern United States; imported into India. Family  Lauraceae. English  Indian Tabacco, Pukeweed. Habitat  The hills of western Deccan Ayurvedic  Devanala (var.). Peninsula. Action  Antiasthmatic, antispas-  Folk Pisi, Posha (Maharashtra). modic, broncho-dilator, expecto- Action  Leaves—an infusion is rant, mild sedative and relaxant. given in irritation of bladder and Used as a tabacco deterrent (as a ma- urethra. jor ingredient in many antismoking mixtures). The seeds yield a fat consisting most-  ly of lauric acid with a small amount of Key application In the treatment oleic acid. of asthma, bronchitis. (German The leaves are mucilaginous. Commission E.)Asrespiratory stimulant. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

Lobelia chinensis Lour. Lobelia contains piperidine alka- L loids, mainly lobeline, with lobelanine, Synonym  L. radicans Thunb. lobelanidine, norlobelanine, isolobi- nine. Lobeline stimulates respiration Family  Campanulaceae, Lobeli- aceae. in animals by stimulating respiratory centre and at high doses stimulates the Habitat  Nepal, Chota Nagpur vomiting centre. and Khasi hills at altitudes of – Lobeline has similar but less potent , m. pharmacological properties to nicotine Action  Plant—used in China for but /–/ as potent. fevers and asthma. Root—consid- Lobeline (.%) has also been used ered depurative and antirheumatic as an active ingredient in skin-lighte- in Indo-China. The plant is one ning preparations. of the constituent of a tincture Clinical research could not demon- formulation used for the treatment strate lobeline efficacy greater than of scars. placebo in smoking cessation. It was disallowed as an ingredient in anti- The rhizomes of the plant are re- smoking products in the US in . ported to contain the polyfructosan, (Natural Medicines Comprehensive lobelinin. Database, .) The leaves contain beta-amyrin pal- mitate which possesses sedative and Lobelia inflata Linn. antidepressant properties comparable to the antidepressant drug mianserin. Family  Campanulaceae; Lobeli- Methanolic extract of leaves exhibited aceae. antidepressant activity. 382 Lobelia leschenaultina (Persl) Skottsb.

The leaf powder is toxic at .–. g. quantities of nor-lobelanine and small (Francis Brinker.) amounts of lobinine and minor bases. Lobelia cardinalis Linn., Cardinal Flower,iscultivatedinIndiangardens. Lobelia leschenaultina It contains lobinaline as main alkaloid. (Persl) Skottsb. Lobinaline depresses blood pressure but has no influence on respiration. L. Synonym  L. excelsa Lesch. erinus Linn. and L. succulenta Blume, Family  Campanulaceae; Lobeli- synonym L. affinis Wall. also contain aceae. alkaloids with lobinaline .%. Lobelia cordigera Cav., synonym L.  Habitat Hills of South India at fulgens Willd., an ornamental Lobelia altitudes above , m. sp., grown in Indian gardens, contains Ayurvedic  Nala (var.). inulin. Folk  Devanala (var.) (Maharash- Lobelia pyramidalis Wall. (Himala- tra.) yas from Kumaon eastwards to Sikkim andAssamataltitudesof–,m)  L Action Leaves—filtered solution contains .–.% alkaloids as lo- is used in the control of aphids, beline, and may be used as a substitute tingids and mites on vegetable and for Lobelia inflata. other crops. Plant—poisonous to man and livestock. The leaves are cured and smoked as tabacco. Lodoicea maldivica (Poir.) Pers.

Family  Arecaceae; Palmae. Lobelia nicotianaefolia Heyne. Habitat  A dioecious palm, culti- Family  Campanulaceae; Lobeli- vated in gardens as an ornamental. aceae. English  Double Coconut Palm, Sea Habitat  Deccan, Konkan and Coconut Palm. Western Ghats, at altitudes of – Ayurvedic  Samudra-naarikela, , m. Dariyaayee Naariyal.  English Wild Tobacco. Unani  Naarjeel-e-Daryaayee, Ayurvedic  Devanala, Nala (var.). Naarjeel-e-Bahari. Siddha/Tamil  Kattuppugaiyilai, Siddha/Tamil  Kadalthengai, Upperichedi. Aklaari. Action  Used as a substitute for Action  The water of the green fruit Lobelia inflata. and its soft kernel—antacid and antibilious. An analysis of Lobelia nicotianae- folia, grown in Maharashtra, shows A decoction of the fibrous husk is that the plant contains appreciable reported to bring down urinary sugar Loranthus falcatus Linn. f. 383 level in diabetic patients (the effect is The plant contains tannin and a sa- temporary). ponin; lutolin and i-inositol have been The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of In- isolated from the flowers. The berries dia recommends dried endosperm in are rich in carotenoids of which cryp- gastroenteritis. toxanthin is the major component. Lonicera angustifolia Wall. ex DC. (the Dosage  Dried endosperm—– g Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim powder. (API, Vol.IV.) at altitudes of ,–, m), known as Geaang, Chulu and Mithik in Pun- jab; and L. glaucea Hook.f.Thoms. Lolium temulentum Linn. (the Himalayas from Kashmir to Ku- Family  Gramineae; Poaceae. maon at altitudes of ,–, m),  known as Sheaa and Shevaa in Punjab Habitat The Western Himalayas, and Kumaon, possess antispasmodic Punjab and Upper Gangetic Plain. properties. English  Darnel, Taumelloolch. Lonicera periclymenum Linn., Ayurvedic  Mochani. Woodbine Honeysuckle, cultivated in hill stations of India, possesses an- Folk  Mostaki, Visha-ghaasa L tispasmodic, diuretic and sudorific (Bihar). properties. Flowers are used in the  Action Sedative. form of syrup in diseases of the respira- The overground parts of the grass tory tract. The leaves contain an amor- gave alkaloids—loline and perloline. phous glycoside and salicylic acid. Sec- The caryopses of the plant contain oiridoid and secoxyloganin have been volatile alkaloids—N-acetylloline, N- isolated from the plant. formylloline and N-acetylnorloline. Lonicera quinquelocularis Hardw. is Lolinedihydrochloridedidnot show equated with Himalayan Honeysuckle, CNS toxicity. found in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan, up to an altitude of , m. Honeysuckle, also known as Duch Honeysuckle, Goat’s Leaf, is equated Lonicera japonica Thunb. with Lonicera caprifolium Linn. Family  Caprifoliaceae. Habitat  Assam (Lushai hills); cultivated in gardens. Loranthus falcatus Linn. f. English  Japanese Honeysuckle. Action  The plant is used in China Synonym  Dendrophthoe falcate as an antipyretic, stomachic and (Linn. f.) Etting. in dysentery, also as an antidote Family  Loranthaceae. to consumption of poisonous mushroom. Dried flowers are Habitat  Throughout India, as considered diuretic. aparasite. 384 Loranthus pentandrus Linn.

Ayurvedic  Bandaaka, Sanharshaa, The plant contains the oleanane type Vrikshaadani, Vrikshaaruha, triterpene saponins. It is reported to Vriksha-bhakshaa. (A large bushy exhibit antitumour activity. parasite, which causes much damage The fruit juice is used as a homoeo- to the host tree.) pathic drug in hepatic congestion, irri- Folk  Baandaa. tation and inflammation of gastric mu- cosa. Action  Tender shoots—contain % tannins. Bark—astringent and Dosage  Leaf, fruit, root—– ml narcotic. juice. (CCRAS.)

Loranthus pentandrus Linn. Luffa cylindrica  Synonym Dendrophthoe pentandra (Linn.) M. J. Roem. (Linn.) Miq.  Family  Loranthaceae. Synonym L. aegyptiaca Mill. L. pentandra Roxb. Habitat  Sylhet. (A parasite found L on trees.) Family  Cucurbitaceae. Ayurvedic  Bandaaka (var.). Habitat  Cultivated throughout Folk  Baandaa. greater parts of India.  Action  Leaves—used as poultice English Smooth Luffa, Sponge- for sores and ulcers. The twigs gourd, sponge Cucumber. contain quercitrin and a wax, which Ayurvedic  Dhaamaargava, Ma- gives melissyl alcohol. The twig haakoshtaki, Mahaajaalini, Raa- ash (.%) contains manganese jakoshataki. (.%). Siddha/Tamil  Mozhukupeerankai, Pikku. Luffa acutangula (Linn.) Roxb. Action  Plant—used against var. amara (Roxb.) C. B. Clarke. pharyngitis, rhinitis, mastitis, oede- ma, swellings and burns. Leaves—  Family Cucurbitaceae. used for chronic bronchitis. Leaf Habitat  Throughout India. juice is given for amenorrhoea. English  Ribbed or Ridged Gourd Flowers—used for treating mi- (bitter var.). graine. Seeds—alcoholic extract exhibited .% fungitoxic activity. Ayurvedic  Katukoshataki, Tik- takoshtaki. German Commission E included Action  Plant—purgative, diuretic. Luffa aegyptiaca among unapproved Used for oedema, splenic enlarge- herbs. Preparations of Luffa sponge, ment, cough and asthma. Seeds— used as a preventive for infections emetic, expectorant. or cold, as a remedy for colds, nasal Lupinus albus Linn. 385 catarrh as well as sinusitis and suppura- colic; also in nephritis and chronic tion of the sinus, have been negatively bronchitis. evaluated. The saponins isolated from aerial The fruit contains chrysoeriol and parts are effective in controlling obe- its glycosides as principal flavonoids. sity, also the side-effects of steroids. Seeds contain cucurbitacin B, triter- The oleanane saponins, lucyoside A- pene alcohols, and a saponin with olea- H (at least one component) is effective nolic acid as sapogenin. in preventing loss of hair. The alcoholic and ether extracts of Spongegourd extracts or saponins the plant showed protection against (ginsenosides and lucyosides) find ap- CCl-induced hepatic injury in rats. plication in topical medication for skin The aqueous extract of fruits is ben- disorders and haemorrhoids. Lucyo- eficial in jaundice as it significant- sides are also used as antitussive. ly lowered serum bilirubin level in The roots of the mature plants con- chlorpromazine-induced jaundice in tain an acidic pentacyclic triterpene, rats and human patients. The ethano- bryonolic acid. Bryonolic acid showed lic extract (%) of the plant exhibited antiallergic and anti-inflammatory ac- hypoglycaemic activity. L tivity in experimental animals. An The yellow-flowered var. of De- aqueous extract of seeds showed strong vadaali (Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim, fibrinolytic activity. It also showed Bihar, Bengal) is equated with Luffa anticancer activity in transplanted tu- graveolens Roxb. mours. Dosage  Fruit—– g powder. (CCRAS.) Dosage  Leaf, flower, fruit—–  ml juice. (CCRAS.)

Lupinus albus Linn. Luffa echinata Roxb. Family  Leguminosae; Fabaceae. Habitat  Family  Cucurbitaceae. Cultivated in gardens. English  While Lupine, Wolfsbohne. Habitat  Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal and Gujarat. Unani  Turmus.  English  Bristly Luffa. Action Seeds—deobstruent, carmi- native, alterative, anthelmintic. Ayurvedic  Devadaali, Devataadaka, Used as an external application to Jimuuta, Garaagari, Kothaphala. ulcers. Siddha/Tamil  Panibira. The seed contains alkaloids d-and  Folk Bandaal (Varanasi). dl-lupanine and hydroxylupanine. Action  Fruit—purgative (intensely The principal alkaloid of Blue Lu- bitter and fibrous). An infusion pine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) seeds is given in biliary and intestinal is d-lupanine, also hydroxylupanine. 386 Luvunga eleutherandra Dalz in part.

Yellow Lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) seeds The bark contains myricadiol, tara- contain lupinine (.–.%) and xerol and myricolal. sparteine (.–.%). Seeds are feebly cyanogenetic. Other species of Indian gardens, Lupinus hirsutus Linn. and Lupinus mutabilis Sweet, Lycium barbarum Linn. contain sparteine. Family  Solanaceae. Habitat  Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat Luvunga eleutherandra and Maharashtra. Dalz in part. Unani  Chirchataa, Chirchitaa, Chirchitta. Family  Rutaceae. Folk  Kheechar Chirchataa. Habitat  The western part of Peninsular India, from Konkan Action  Immunostimulatory, southwards to Anaimalai and antiproliferatory, antiageing; Travancore hills, up to an altitude antioxidant. L of , m. The leaves and flowers contain free Ayurvedic  Lavanga-lataa (var.). quercetin (. and . mg/g dry Folk  Kokilaa (Bengal). weight, respectively), andboundkaem- Action  See Luvunga scandens. pferol. Total alkaloid percentage is nearly the same in shoots (.%) and fruits (.%) but lower in cal- li (.%) and roots (.%). Fruits Luvunga scandens had highest atropine content (.%) (Roxb.) Buch.-Ham. ex Wight. and shoots the highest hyoscyamine Family  Rutaceae. content (.%). Flavonoids are active against E. coli, Habitat  Bengal, Assam and Khasi Staphylococcus aureus and Candida al- Hills. bicans (quercetin does not show activ- Ayurvedic  Lavanga-lataa. ity against Candida albicans). Folk  Sugandh-kokilaa (Bengal). The polysaccharide extract from fruits showed antiageing, immunos- Action  Essential oil—antifungal. timulatory and antiproliferatory activ- Mature berries contain coumarins. ities. The polysaccharide acts as an an- The essential oil from berries con- tioxidant and prevented CCl-induced tains cinnamyl cinnamate, cineole, d- increases in lipid peroxidases in liv- camphor and methyl cinnamate as ma- er. It can also protect against genetic jor components. damage from mutagenic and genotoxic Dried fruits are used in medicinal compounds. This activity leads to its hair oils, prescribed for treating bald- potential use in preventing the adverse ness. effects of chemotherapeutic agents. Lycopodium clavatum Linn. 387

The fruit contain beta-carotene ( a major dietary source of carotenoid mg/ g dry weight), also free amino lycopene. acids (.–.%); major amino acid is Tomato juice inhibits carcinogenic proline. N-nitrosocompound formation chiefly The dried fruit and root bark re- in the stomach. Most of the inhibition duce cholesterol level by preventing of formation of N-nitrosomorpholine itsabsorptioningastrointestinaltract. by phenolic fraction of tomato juice A constituent of the root bark, kuko- was due to chlorogenic acids. The amine exhibits cholesterol lowering, ascorbate fraction of the juice also antihypertensive and hypoglycaemic contains compounds that inhibit ni- effects. Hepatoprotective activity is at- trosation. tributed to a cerebroside constituent Consumption of tomato juice can found in the fruit. (Natural Medicines significantly increase serum lycopene Comprehensive Database, .) levels. (Decreased serum lycopene The fruit and root bark is contraindi- concentrations are associated with an cated in bleeding disorders and hypo- increaseriskofprostatecancer.) (Natu- glycaemia. (Sharon M. Herr.) ral Medicines Comprehensive Database, .) L The alcoholic extract of tomato pos- sesses CNS depressant and analgesic Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. properties. Synonym  Solanum lycopersicum Linn.  Family Solanaceae. Lycopodium clavatum Linn. Habitat  Cultivated in many parts  of India. Family Lycopodiaceae. English  Tomato, Love Apple. Habitat  Indigenous to North America, Europe, Asia; found in Unani  Tamaatar. Kumaon, eastwards in West Bengal, Action  Mild aperient, blood Sikkim, Asam, Khasi Hills, Manipur purifier, cholagogue, digestive. and in Western Ghats. Used in homoeopathy for treating  rheumatic conditions, colds, chills, English Common Club Moss. digestive disorders, diabetes, Folk  Naaga-beli (Nepal), Bendarali obesity, leucorrhoea, metrorrhagia. (Maharashtra). Tomato is a powerful deobstruent. Action  Sedative, antispasmodic, It promotes flow of bile; mildly laxa- diuretic. At one time used for tive, especially when taken raw. Toma- urinary disorders (spasmodic to stimulates torpid liver and kidneys retention of urine, catarrhal cystitis and helps to wash away toxins. Toma- and chronic kidney disorders), and to is recommended for diabetics. It is as a gastric sedative in gastritis. 388 Lycopus europaeus Linn.

The plant contains alkaloids (about vegetative nervous system; masto- .–.%), including lycopodine, ly- dynia (tension and pain in breast). codoline, faucettimine and lycoflexine; No simultaneous administration triterpenoids including clavatol and of thyroid preparations. Adminis- oxoserrat derivatives; flavonoids in- tration of Bugleweed preparations cluding apigenin; polyphenolic acids interferes with the administration including dihydrocaffeic. of diagnostic procedures using Lycopodine produces uterine con- radioactive isotopes. (German tractions and stimulates peristalsis in Commission E.) the small intestines of rodents. Theleavescontain lithospermicacid. The plant contains (dry basis): lipid Plant contains luteolin--glucoside; ur- . and desmethylsterols .%. solic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic Used in homoeopathy for distended acid, sinapic acid, ellagic acid and oth- abdomen, cough, cystitis, renal colic er derivatives of phenolic acid. The and disorders of menstruation. antioxidant activity of the plant is par- Chinese Club Moss, equated with tially attributed to rosmarinic acid. Huperzia serrata, is a different herb. Its Antigonadotropic activity of the leaf constituent, huperzine A is thought to L extract is attributed to phenolic pre- be beneficial in dementia due to its ef- cursors. fect on acetylcholine levels. Ethanol extract of the plant showed L. annotinum Linn., L. complanatum diverse effects on the pituitary, thyroid Linn. (American Club Moss) and L. and gonadal glands of rats. selago Linn. are among other species A closely related species, Lycopus of Lycopodium occurring in India. virginicus of Europe, exhibits anti- thyrotropic activity. It induces TSH repletion in hypothyroid rats and re- Lycopus europaeus Linn. duction of TSH levels in euthyroid Family  Labiatae. rats. Antigonadotropic activity has been demonstrated in rats. Habitat  Western Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. English  Gipsywort, Bugleweed. Synonym  Folk  Gandam-gundu, Jalneem. L. pinnatifidum Sw.  Action  Cardioactive, diuretic, Family Schizaeaceae. peripheral vasoconstrictor, seda- Habitat  Throughout India; up tive, narcotic, antihaemorrhagic, to an elevation of , m in the antitussive, thyrostatic. Himalayas. Key application  In mild thyroid Folk  Vallipana (Malyalam); hyperfunction (contraindicated in Bhuuta-bhairavi (Bengal), Bhuuta- thyroid hypofunction, enlargement raaj; Kalzhaa (Bihar). Rudrajataa is of thyroid) with disturbances of a doubtful synonym. Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude. 389

 Action Plant—expectorant. Root— Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude. used in external applications for rheumatism, sprains, cut wounds, Synonym  Pieris ovalifolia D. Don. eczema, scabies, carbuncles. Family  Ericaceae. Adecoctionindrunkingastric Habitat  Outer Himalayas from attacks. Kashmir to Sikkim, at , to The acetone extract of fresh leaves , m, and in Khasi hills between exhibits antifungal activity. The fern , to , m. contains a methyl ester of gibberellin. Folk  Angyaar (Garhwal), Arwan The plant contains lygodinolide, (Punjab), Angeri (Nepal). dryocrassol, tectoquinone, kaempfer- Action  Young le aves an d buds— ol, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. used externally for cutaneous The root contains quercetin. affections. Leaves—insectici- Alcoholic extract of the plant exhib- dal. Honey from flowers— ited potent antifertility activity. poisonous. L. japonicum Sw., found in North India from Kashmir to Sikkim and Leaves contain a toxic, insecticidal L Bhutan, and in Western mountains of substance andromedotoxin. SouthIndia,isusedasanexpectorant The wood yields .% ash, rich in in China. soluble potassium salts.