P

Paederia foetida Linn. Dosage  Plant—– ml juice; –  ml decoction. (CCRAS.) Family  Rubiaceae. Habitat  Central and Eastern Himlayas extending to Assam, West Paeonia emodi Wall. ex Royle. Bengal,Bihar,Orissa. Family  Paeoniaceae. Ayurvedic  Talanili, Gand- Habitat  Northwestern Himalaya haprasaarini. (Prasaarini is also from Kashmir to Kumaon at ,– equated with Raaja-balaa, Sida , m. veronicaefolia.). English  Himalayan Paeony. Siddha/Tamil  Talanili, Mudiyar Unani  Ood Saleeb, Ood Gharqi, Kundal. Phaavaaniaa. Folk  Gandhabhaaduli (Bengali). Folk  Root—used in nervous affec- Action  Leaf—carminative, anti- tions, uterine diseases, as a blood inflammatory, astringent, spasmo- purifier. Flower—antidiarrhoeal. lytic, antidiarrhoeal, diuretic, an- Seed—emetic, cathartic. Plant— tilithic. Root— anti-inflammatory. CNS depressant, hypothermic, Used for rheumatic affections, piles, diuretic, anti-inflammatory. inflammations of the liver, spleen and chest. The root contains an essential oil, with salicylaldehyde as the chief com- Aerial parts contain epi-friedelanol, ponent, a fixed oil, benzoic acid and embelin and beta-sitosterol. Leaves sucrose. The plant gave Gallo tannin and stems gave iridoid glycosides, si- and glucogallin. tosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, ur- solicacid,hentriacontane,hentriacon- tanol, ceryl alcohol, palmitic acid and Paeonia officinalis Linn. methyl mercaptan. The foetid smell is  due to methyl mercaptan. Family Paeoniaceae. All parts of the plant have been em- Habitat  Indigenous to Great ployed for rheumatic affections. Britain. A related species, Paederia scandens English  Paeony. (Lour.) Merill, synonym P. t om e nt os a  Blume, is known as Gandha Prasaari- Unani Ood Saleeb, Ood Gharqi. ni. The iridoid glucosides, paedero- Action  Root—antispasmodic, side, paederosidic acid and scando- sedative, smooth muscle relax- sides have been isolated from the plant. ant, vasodilatory, hypotensive, 460 Panax pseudoginseng Wall.

anti-inflammatory, analgesic, em- Panax schinseng Knees have been menagogue, hepatoprotective. equated with Lakshmanaa. Flower—used for diseases of mu- Action  Adaptogen, digestive cous membranes, fissures, anal relaxant, old-age revitalizer. Sus- fissures associated with haemor- tains nerves and immune system in rhoids, also for ailments of the physical exhaustion and during con- respiratory tract, nervous condi- valescence. Antiarrhythmic (used tions and skin diseases. Root— for angina). Activities comparable used for arthritis, neuralgia, neuras- with Korean ginseng. thenia, migraine, epilepsy, allergic disorders, whooping cough and Indian pseudoginseng, including painful spasms. subspecies himalaicus and its vari- The herb gave monoterpene ester eties, variety angustifolius and variety glucosides of the pinen-type (includ- bipinnatifidus, has been found to be ing paeoniflorin); anthocyanin includ- a rich source of oleanolic acid saponins, ing paeonin; tannins (pentagalloyl glu- while dammarane saponins (panaxa- cose); flavonoids including kaempferol diol and panaxatriol) are present in glycosides. minor quantities. Panax burkillianus Paeoniflorin shows a smooth mus- Bennet & Viswan and P. sikkimensis cle relaxant, vasodilatory, anti-inflam- Banerjee are also related to the com- matory, immunostimulating and some mercial ginseng. CNS depressant activity in animal Panax quinquefolium (American studies. Pentagalloyl glucose exhib- Ginseng) has been introduced into In- P ited antiviral activity in animal studies dia in the Kashmir valley during . in vitro against herpes simplex. It is rich in dammarane saponins. The German Commission E included air-dried roots of the plant, introduced Paeony (flower and root) among un- in India, contain total saponin content approved herbs. The Pharmacopoeia of of .%. The saponins isolated in- People’s Republic of China indicates the clude ginsenosides Rb, Rb, Rb, Rc, use of the root in dementia, headache Rd, Re, Rg, pseudoginsenoside F and vertigo. (WHO.) and chikusetsu saponin V; the major saponin being ginsenoside Rb. The saponin fraction of the root yielded panaxadiol, panaxatriol and oleanolic Panax pseudoginseng Wall. acid. Family  Araliaceae. Ginsenosides Rb and Rc are ‘diols’, while Rg is a ‘triol’. (‘triol’ group is Habitat  Western Himalayas, arousing, ‘diol’ is sedative.) In Ameri- Pithoragarh district of Uttaranchal. can ginseng ‘diols’ predominate.  English Indian Ginseng, Indian Panax pseudoginseng, equated with Pseudoginseng. Himalayan ginseng (Natural Medicines Ayurvedic  In Indian medicine, Comprehensive Database, ), is be- Panax quinquefolium Linn. and lieved to dilate the coronary vessels, re- Panicum miliaceum Linn. 461 duce vascular resistance and improve The chief constituent of the oil is the coronary collateral circulation. It methyl ether of beta-phenylethyl alco- increased blood flow while reducing hol. The oil also contains diterpene, blood pressure. d-linalool, phenylethyl acetate, citral, Panax schiseng, synonym P. ginseng phenylethyl alcohol, ester of phthalic Mey. (Asiatic or Chinese Ginseng) is acid, fatty acids and stearoptene. cultivated in northern China, Korea The leaves contain the piperidine al- and Japan. kaloids. Dosage  Root—– g for decoction (API, Vol. I); flower Pandanus facicularis Lam. linctus—– ml. (CCRAS.).

Synonym  P. t e c t or i u s auct. non Soland ex Parkinson. Pandanus utilis Bory. P. odoratissimus Linn. f. Family  Pandanaceae. Family  Pandanaceae. Habitat  Native of Malagasy; grown Habitat  Sea coast of the Indian in Indian gardens. Peninsula on both sides, and the Ayurvedic  Ketaki (related species). Andaman Islands. Action  Root—a decoction is  English Screw Pine. used for the treatment of venereal Ayurvedic  Ketaka, Ketaki, diseases. Suuchikaa pushpaa, Jambuka, P Trinshunya, Ketakark, Krakchhada. Panicum miliaceum Linn. Unani  Keoraa. Family  Poaceae. Siddha/Tamil  Thazhai, Thalay. Habitat  Cultivated mainly in Uttar Action  Flower—carminative, stom- Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra achic, cooling, antiseptic. Used for Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil headache, ulcers, dysuria, scabies Nadu. and other skin diseases. Root— English  Common Millet, Proso used for osteoarthritis, leucorrhoea Millet, Hog Millet. and amenorrhoea; contraindicat- ed during pregnancy. Leaves— Ayurvedic  Chinaaka, Cheenaa. used for skin diseases, small pox, Unani  Chinaa Ghaas, Faaluudaa. scabies, leprosy. The Ayurvedic Siddha/Tamil  Panivaragu. Pharmacopoeia of India recom-  mends the decoction of the root in Folk Chenaa, Chi-Tibet. abdominal inflammation. Oil and Action  Seeds (grains)—demul- otto—stimulant, antispasmodic, cent; used in diarrhoea. Plant— antirheumatic. antigonorrhoeal. 462 Papaver rhoeas L.

The seedlings contain an alkaloid (.%). The capsules contain mor- hordenine (beta-p-hydroxyphenethyl phine, thebine and narcotine and me- dimethylamine). Saponins afforded conic acid. diosgenin and yamogenin isolated Other species, commonly grown from the leaves. in Indian gardens, are P. nu di ca u l e The grains contain –% of pro- Linn. (Iceland Poppy) and P. or i e n - teins which include prolamin, glutelin tale (Oriental Poppy). P. nu di ca u l e and smaller amounts of albumin and plants with yellow flowers are more globulin. The protein has a biologi- cyanogenetic than those with red or cal value of % and a digestibility co- white flowers. P. or i e nt a l e contains efficient of % at % level of protein .% alkaloids, which include the- intake. baine, isothebaine, protopine, glauci- In Indian medicine, Chinaaka and dine and oripavine. Isothebaine stim- Kangu (Setaria italica L. Beauv.) are ulates and later depresses the central synonyms. nervous system.

Papaver rhoeas L. Papaver somniferum Linn. Family  Papaveraceae. Family  Papaveraceae. Habitat   Native to Asia; now grown Habitat Kashmir and throughout in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan the plains of North India; cultivated and Madhya Pradesh. P in gardens. English  Opium Poppy. English  Corn Poppy, Red Poppy. Ayurvedic  Ahiphena, Aaphuuka. Ayurvedic  Rakta Posta. Post-daanaa (seed). Siddha/Tamil  Sivappu, Kasakasa. Unani  Afyum. Tukhm-e- khashkhaash (seed). Folk  Laal Posta, Laal Kaskas. Siddha/Tamil  Kasakasa (seeds). Action  Latex from capsules— narcotic. Petal—expectorant, Action  Opium is obsolete antitussive, sudorific. Used for as a drug. Narcotic, sedative, diseases of the respiratory tract, for hypnotic, analgesic, sudorific, disturbed sleep and as a sedative for anodyne, antispasmodic. Crushed the relief of pain. (Included among poppyheads were in use as a topical unapproved herbs by German poultice for crippling pain in Commission E.) terminal diseases. Poppy seed—nutritive, demulcent, The petals contain cyanidine deriva- emollient, spasmolytic, devoid of tives. An alkaloid rhoeadine is present narcotic properties. Specific against in leaves and flowers (.%), un- obstinate constipation, also used ripe capsules (.%) and in roots in catarrh of the bladder. Poppy Paris polyphylla Sm. 463

seed oil is also free from narcotic .% of alkaloids including rhoeadine, properties. Used against diarrhoea, protopine, and anthocyanins. Petals dysentery and scalds. are sudorific. P. dubi um Linn. (North-western Hi- Opium contains isoquinoline al- malaya form Kashmir to Garhwal; as kaloids; the major one is morphine a winter weed in North Indian plains) with narcotine, codeine, papaverine contains rhoeagenine as the princi- and thebaine. Poppy seeds, used in pal alkaloid, besides rhoeadine, pro- Indian medicine, do not contain alka- topine. Petals contain cyanidin B and loids. The seeds contain thiamine , pelargonidin C. Petals are sudorific. riboflavin , folic acid , pantothenic P. hy br i dum Linn. (gardens of Pun- acid  and niacin  mcg/ g. jab and Uttar Pradesh) is diaphore- The seed oil (from Turkey) contains tic (petals). Plant latex contains al- gamma-tocopherol , alpha-toco- kaloids including berberine, coptisine, pherol  and beta-tocopherol  mcg/ pahybrine, papaverrubines A, B, D and  g. Some low-molecular proteins E and sanguinarine. Plant also gave (% of total protein) have been isolat- glaucine and glucamine. ed, along with cysteine, glutamic acid P. nu di ca u l e Linn. (Gulmarg, Kash- and arginine. The seeds yield a fatty mir, at altitudes of ,–, m), oil (%) containing palmitic, stearic, known as Iceland Poppy, gave alkaloids oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. including papaverrubines B and D; The extract of seeds showed high- leave gave cyanogenic glycosides in- ly significant antisecretory (antidiarr- cluding dhurrin and triglochinin. The hoeal activity) against E. coli entero- flower and fruit are mild diaphoretic. P toxin-induced secretory responses in P. or i e nt a l e Linn. (indigenous to experimental animals. Mediterraneanregion;growninIn- The triglycerides isolated from seeds dian gardens), known as Oriental Pop- showed anti-tumour activity against py, contains .% of alkaloids includ- Ehrlich’s ascites in mice. ing thebaine, isothebane, protopine, The aqueous extract of seeds showed glaucidine and oripavine. Latex from marked hypoglycaemic activity when poppy capsule is narcotic. administered to glucose-loaded and al- loxan diabetic rats. The seeds were found to increase Paris polyphylla Sm. the activity of carcinogen detoxifying enzyme, glutathione-S-transferase by Family  Liliaceae. more than % in the stomach, liver Habitat  Temperate Himalayas and oesophagus in mice. from Simla to Bhutan and in Lushai Following Papaver sp. are found in and Aka Hills. India:  P. a r g e m one Linn. (indigenous to Ayurvedic Haimavati, Shveta- the Mediterranean region; common- vachaa. lygrowningardensinIndia)contains Folk  Baal-bach. 464 Parmelia perlata (Huds.) Ach.

Action  Plant—sedative, analgesic, Parthenium hysterophorus haemostatic, anthelmintic. Linn.

The rhizome contains a glucoside, Family  Compositae; Asteraceae. alpha-paristyphnin, which exhibited  a depressant action on carotid pres- Habitat Tropical and subtropical sure, myocardium, and respiratory countries of the world. movements experimentally. It pro- English  Congress Grass. ducedvasoconstrictioninkidney,but  vasodilation in the spleen and limbs, Folk Pichhi, Machhipatri. and stimulated isolated intestines. Action  Anti-amoebic, antidysen- teric, febrifuge, analgesic, emmena- gogue. Parmelia perlata (Huds.) Ach. The grass was introduced into In- Family  Parmeliaceae. dia during  s (it first appeared in Habitat  Cultivated in Kashmir hills Pune). and the Himalayas. The grass exhibits in vitro anti- amoebic activity against axenic and  Ayurvedic Shaileya, Shaileya- polygenic cultures of Entamoeba his- ka, Shilaapushpa, Shilaadaaru, tolytica, comparable to the standard Shailaka, Shilodbhava, Shaila, drug for amoebiasis, Metronidazole. Shailpushpa. Kaalaanu-saarthaka, Parthenin and some of its deriva- Bhuri-charilla, Sthavira, Vrddha, tives exhibited significant antimalarial P Shitashiva. activity against a multi drug-resistant Unani  Charelaa. strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Action  Astringent, resolvent, The main toxic constituent of the diuretic. Used externally for pain grass responsible for causing dermati- in renal and lumbar regions. Also tis and other forms of allergy are used as an ingredient in cosmetic parthenin and coronopilin. Parthenin preparations. in present up to % in the capitulum and % in the leaves. The lichen contains lecanoric acid and atranorin. Several lichen species contain abun- Parthenocissus himalayana dant quantities of usnic acid which ex- hibits antimicrobial and antifungal ac- (Royle) Planch. tivity and is immunologically active in Synonym  Vitis himalayana Brandis. contact dermatitis.  The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of In- Family Vitaceae. dia recommendsthethallusindysuria. Habitat  Throughout the Himalayas. Dosage  Whole thallus—– g Folk  Kandur (Jaunsar), Philunaa powder. (API, Vol. III.) (Garhwal) Laderi (Kumaon). Passiflora foetida Linn. 465

Action  Bark and twigs—astringent The juice from the yellow variety and expectorant. (equated with Passiflora edulis f. flavi- carpa) contains lesser amounts of as- corbic acid and sugars. The purple Passion fruit contains Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn. the C-glucoside, beta-ionyl-beta-D- Family  Gramineae; Poaceae. glucopyranoside. A protease inhibitor (PEPI) has been isolated from the  Habitat Cultivated throughout juice. PEPI inhibited trypsin and chy- India. motrypsin activities, but did not in- English  Kodo millet. hibit papain activity. The esters and  terpenoids form the major part of fruit Ayurvedic Kodrava, Korduusha. components. The terpenoids include Siddha/Tamil  Varagu. a number of monoterpenes (includ- ing hydroxylated linalool derivatives), Folk  Kodo. and monoterpene glycosides. Norter- Action  Plant—used as a CNS penoid aglycones have also been found. drug for treating schizophrenia and The yellow Passion fruit contains psychoses. sulfur-containing volatiles, acetates, butanoates and hexanoates of -mer- The plant contains hentriacontanol, captohexanol. The leaves contain C- hentriacontanone and sitosterol. The glycosylflavonoids. grains have often been reported to cause poisoning in men and animals when used as a food; non-poisonous P types have been reported from Tamil Passiflora foetida Linn. Nadu. Family  Passifloraceae. Habitat  Native to America; found willd in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka Passiflora edulis Sims. and Tamil Nadu. Family  Passifloraceae. English  Stinking Passion Flower. Habitat  Native of Brazil; cultivated Siddha/Tamil  Siru Ponaikalli. in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Action  Leaves and roots—em- Pradesh, in North India in Punjab menagogue, antihysteric. Fruits— and Himachal Pradesh. emetic. A decoction is used for bil- English  Purple Granadilla, Passion iousness and asthma (for expelling Fruit. bile and cough). Action  Juicefrompurplefruit— The plant contains C-glycosides of a good source of ascorbic acid apigenin and luteolin. Apigenin-- (contains up to  mg/ g), C-glucoside has been detected in the carotene and sugars. plant. 466 Passiflora incarnata Linn.

Passiflora incarnata Linn. The drug is used in homoeopathic medicine for epilepsy. Family  Passifloraceae. The herb exhibits a motility-inhi- Habitat  Native of South-east biting effect in animal experiments. America;growninIndiangardens. Passion Flower, used as an adjunct  to clonidine, was superior to clonidine English Wild Passion Flower, for mental symptoms of opiate with- Maypop. drawal. (Sharon M. Herr.) Action  Flowering and fruit- ing dried herb—mild sedative, hypnotic, tranquilizer, hypoten- sive, vasodilator, antispasmodic, Passiflora laurifolia Linn. anodyne, anti-inflammatory, Family  Passifloraceae. Key application  In nervous rest-  lessness, irritability and difficulty Habitat Native of tropical America; in falling asleep. (German Commis- growninIndiangardens. sion E, ESCOP, The British Herbal English  Water-lemon, Jamaica Compendium, The British Herbal Honey Suckle. Pharmacopoeia, WHO.) The British  Herbal Compendium also indicated Action Leaves—anthelmintic. it in neuralgia, dysmenorrhoea, and Seeds—hypnodil. Fruit—edible. nervous tachycardia. Plant—poisonous (the foliage produces hydrocyanic acid). P The herb contains flavonoids (up to .%), in particularC-glycosylflavones; The fruit pulp contains pantothenic cyanogenic glycoside, gynocardine. acid (. mg/ g); leaves contain The alkaloid harman has been iso-  mg/ g vitamin C. lated, but the presence of harmine, har- maline, harmol and harmalol has been disputed. The alkaloid and flavonoids arereportedtohavesedativeactivity Passiflora quadrangularis Linn. in animals. Apigenin exhibits antispas- Family  Passifloraceae. modic and anti-inflammatory activity. Passion Flower was formerly ap- Habitat  Native of tropical America; proved as an OTC sedative in the USA, growninIndiangardens. butitwastakenoffthemarketin English  Giant Granadilla. because safety and effectiveness had not been proven. An animal study in Action  Fruit—edible; contains  suggested that apigenin binds to  mg/ g ascorbic acid; narcotic central benzodi-zepine receptors (pos- when eaten in excess. Leaves, sibly causing anxiolytic effects). (Natu- the peel and seeds of green fruit, ral Medicines Comprehensive Database, and roots—cyanogenetic. Roots— .) poisonous. Paullinia asiatica Linn. 467

The root contains an alkaloid pas- English  Wild Parsnip. siflora which is identical with harman Unani  Shaqaaq-ul-Misri. from Passiflora incarnata. Action  Root—galactagogue, aphrodisiac, spermatogenetic. An important ingredient of Unani Pastinaca sativa Linn. compounds for oligospermia, low Synonym  Peucedanum sativum sexual drive and debility. Benth. & Hook. f. Shaqaaq-ul-Misri has also been Family  Umbelliferae; Apiaceae. equated with Trachydium lehmanni Habitat  Native to Europe; grows Benth. In Kashmir, Eryngium caeru- in cool climate in India. (Hollow leum Bieb (Umbelliferae)andinChak- Crown, Student and Large Guernsey rata, Polygonatum verticillatum All. are Indian horticultural varieties.) (Liliaceae) are known as shaqaaqul (also Dudhaali). English  Parsnip. Polygonatum verticillatum rhi- Action  Above ground parts— zomes are used in Tibetan medicine diuretic, carminative (eaten as for emaciation and senility. The dried a vegetable and salad), used for rhizomes contain diosgenin. kidney disorders. Root—used for kidney disorders, fever and as adiureticandanalgesic. Paullinia asiatica Linn. The parsnip is a rich source of  P coumarins (.% dry weight). The Synonym Limonia oligandra coumarin fraction of the fruit extract Dalz. Toddalia aculeata Pers. inhibits growth of cancer cells (HeLa- Family  Rutaceae. S)cultured in the dark. The fruit con- Habitat  Found in Konkan and tainssmallamountsofphotoactive Maharashtra. furocoumarins which are phototoxic. (Severe dermatitis results after contact English  Lopez Root tree, Wild with the furocoumarin in the presence Orange tree, Forest Pepper. of light.) The fruit contains xantho- Ayurvedic  Kaanchana, Dahana. toxin (.%), imperatorin (.%) and Siddha/Tamil  Kattu Milagu, bergapten (.%). Coumarin, pasti- Milagaranai. nacin, isolated from the fruit, showed spasmolytic action. Folk  Jangali Kaalimirchi, Limri (Maharashtra). Action  Root bark—bitter, febrifuge, Pastinaca secacul Linn. diaphoretic, antiperiodic. Infusion used in constitutional debility and  Family Umbelliferae; Apiaceae. convalescence after febrile and other Habitat  Native to Europe. exhausting diseases. 468 Pavetta indica Linn.

The root gave coumarins, includ- Siddha/Tamil  Peraamutti, Kastoori ing toddanol, todhanone, toddasin, vendai. pimpinellin, toddalolactone; alkaloids, Action  Plant—anti-inflammatory including toddaline, toddalnine. and spasmolytic. Used in rheumatic affections. Root—stomachic, astringent, demulcent. Used in Pavetta indica Linn. dysentery, haemorrhages from intestines; ulcers and bleeding Synonym  P. t om e nt os a Roxb. ex disorders. Sm. Family  Rubiaceae. The roots gave an essential oil con- taining isovaleric acid, isovaleralde- Habitat  Throughout greater part of India, ascending to an altitude hyde, armomadendrene, pavonene, of about , m in the Himalayas, alpha-terpinene, azulene and pavo- also recorded from the Andamans. nenol. The plant exhibits antiparasitic ac-  English White-Pavetta. tivity against Entamoeba histolytica. Ayurvedic  Papata, Kathachampaa. Siddha/Tamil  Pavattai. Folk  Paapadi (Maharashtra). Pavonia zeylanica Cav. Action  Root—bitter and aperient. Family  Malvaceae. Prescribed in visceral obstructions, P renal dropsy and ascites. Leaves— Habitat  Throughout greater part of used for fomenting piles and for India. haemorrhoidal pains. The root bark Siddha/Tamil  Sithamutti, Mammat- contains d-mannitol. ti, Peraamutti. Action  Plant—purgative, an- Pavonia odorata Willd. thelmintic, febrifuge.

Family  Malvaceae. The stem gave a saponin, pavo- phylline, and a keto-ester, methyl - Habitat  North-West India, Bengal ketotetracosanoate. and Konkan. English  Fragrant Sticky Mallow.  Ayurvedic Vaalaka, Baalaka, Baala, Pedalium murex Linn. Barhishtha, Hrivera, Ambu, Jala, Nira,Paya,Toya,Udichya,Vaari, Family  Pedaliaceae. Muurdhaja. Sugandhbaalaa (also Habitat  Throughout the plains of equated with Valeriana Jatamansi). India. In the South, Celus vettiveroides is equated with Baalaka. English  Caltrops (bigger var.). Pedilanthus tithymaloides Poir. 469

Ayurvedic  Brihatgokshura, Habitat  The Himalayas from Kshouraka, Trikantaka, Gokantaka, Kashmir eastwards at altitudes Swaadukantaka, Bhakshantaka. of ,–, m, extending to Unani  Khaar-e-khasak Kalaan, Sikkim. Gokharu Kalaan. English  Lousewort. Siddha/Tamil  Peru-neranji, Annai- Folk  Mishran, Michren (Punjab), neringi. Lugro-maarpro (Kashmir).  Action Fruit—used for sperma- Action  Leaves—astringent, torrhoea, nocturnal emissions, haemostatic, diuretic. menstrual irregularities, puerperal diseases, genitourinary disor- The herb is closely related to Eye- ders, difficult micturition, chronic bright (Euphrasia officinalis Linn.) of cystitis, renal calculus. Root— the same family, found in the Temper- antibilious. ate Himalayas from Kashmir to Ku- maon. Eyebright is astringent and bac- The stem and fruits contain flavo- teriostatic. noids pedalitin and its glucoside (ped- aliin), diometin, dinatin and its deriva- tives. The fruits contain nonaco- sane, tritriacontane, triacontanoicacid, Pedilanthus tithymaloides Poir. sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside, rubusic Family  Euphorbiaceae. acid, luteolin as major constituents.  Leaves and fruits yield phenolic acids Habitat Native to West Indies; which include caffeic, protocatechuic, cultivated as an ornamental. P p-coumaric and ferulic acids. Flowers English  Slipper Plant, Bird-Cactus. gave dinatin, quercetin and quercetin- Folk  Vilaayati-sher (Maharashtra), -glucoside. Naagaphani, Naagadaman (Madhya Aqueous extract of the fruit is re- Pradesh). ported to produce in vitro inhibitory effect on crystallization in urinary lithi- Action  Latex—used for warts, asis. The solubility of uric acid in aque- leucoderma, venereal diseases. ous extract is reported to be % more Root—emetic (used in West Indies than in water alone. as Ipecacuanha). The plant extracts exhibit diuretic An extract of the air-dried and activity. powdered whole plant contains oc- Dosage  Fruit, root—– g powder; tacosanol, cycloartenone, oxime and –ml.decoction.(CCRAS.) beta-sitosterol. The latex from the stem contains the proteolytic enzyme, pedilanthain. It Pedicularis pectinata Wall. exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema Family  Scrophulariaceae. and was more effective than the control 470 Peganum harmala Linn.

drug phenylbutazone. The enzyme also The alkaloids, harmine, harmaline showed anthelmintic property. and harmol exhibit antibacterial and The leaves contain n-hentriaconta- antifungal activity. nol and dehydrodammaronol-A. The The aqueous extract of seeds exhib- root gave azafrin. ited significant antiviral activity in vit- ro against herpes virus hominis type , slight activity was alsoobserved against influenza viruses A and B. The plant ex- Peganum harmala Linn. tract exhibits significant analgesic ac- Family  Zygophyllaceae. tivity. Habitat  Throughout Northern and Northwestern India, and in drier Pelargonium graveolens regions of Deccan. L’Hert. English  Wild Rue; Foreign Henna,  Syrian Rue. Family Geraniaceae. Habitat  Introduced into India in Ayurvedic  Haramal, Isband. the Shevroy hills of Tamil Nadu; Siddha/Tamil  Simaiyaravandi, cultivated largely in the Nilgiri and Simaiyalavinai. Palni hills of Tamil Nadu. Action  Plant—emmenagogue, English  Geranium. abortifacient. Seeds—narcotic, Action  Oil—antifungal. hypnotic, antispasmodic, anodyne P and emetic; used in asthma, hic- Geranium oil produced from the cough, colic, neuralgia, hysteria, plant grown in the temperate region at dysmenorrhoea; used as abortifa- high altitudes is rich in menthone, cit- cient (properties similar to ergot, ronellol, nerol and geraniol; while the savine and rue). (Dried seeds con- oil produced from the plants grown at stitute the drug Harmal of Indian lower altitudes is rich in isomenthone, medicine.) linalool and citronellyl formate. Geranium oil and its constituents The plant gave flavonoids—kaem- are reported to exhibit marginal an- pferol, quercetin and acacetin. Aeri- titumour activity. al parts and seeds contain alkaloids— The oil also exhibits in vitro antifun- harmine, harmaline and harmalol gal activity. (called harman alkaloids). Harman alkaloids from the seeds have been suggested for use in nervous diseases, Peltophorum pterocarpum and as coronary dilators and embolic. Backer ex K. Heyne. Harmol exhibits hypertensive activi-  ty. Harmine, vasicinone, deoxyvasici- Family Caesalpiniaceae. none and -hydroxy glucosylharmine Habitat  Coastal forests of the exhibit antitumour activity. Andaman Islands. Pentatropis spiralis Decne. 471

English  Copper Pod, Rusty Family  Asclepiadaceae. Shield-Bearer. Habitat  West Bengal, Gujarat and Siddha/Tamil  Ivalvagai, Perun- Peninsular India. gondrai. Ayurvedic  Kaakanaasaa, Action  Bark—used for dysentery; Kaakanaasikaa, Kaakaangi, Kaak- also used as a constituent of gargles, tundphalaa, Shringiritti. tooth-powders and lotions for sores Siddha/Tamil  Uppilankodi. and muscular pains. Folk  Singarauti (Gujarat). Amarvel. The bark contains .% of a cate-  chol type of tannin and .% non-tans. Action Plant—antifungal, antisep- The wood and leaves also contain tan- tic, keratolytic; used in various skin nin. conditions. The pods contain bergenin which The plant gave n-octacosanol, alpha- exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in amyrin, friedelin, beta-sitosterol. An carrageenan-induced rat paw oede- appreciable amount of salicyclic acid ma and is found to be equipotent to has been isolated from the plant. The phenylbutazone. plant also yields a cardiac glycoside. Aqueous extract of leaves and etha- nolic extract of flower exhibit antifun- Dosage  Plant—– ml. gal activity. decoction. (CCRAS.)

Pentapetes phoenicea Linn. Pentatropis spiralis Decne. P Family  Sterculiaceae. Synonym  P. cynanchoides R. Br. Habitat  Ashrubcultivatedasan  ornamental throughout the hotter Family Asclepiadaceae. parts of India. Habitat  A climber found in Ayurvedic  Bandhujiva, Bandhuuka, Punjab, Delhi, Upper Gangetic Arkavallabha. Plain, Rajasthan and Gujarat.  Folk  Gul-dupahariaa. Ayurvedic Kaakanaasaa (related species). Action  Capsule—mucilaginous, used for the diseases of the bowels; Folk  Ambarvel, Vanaveri (Punjab). a decoction is used as emollient. Action  Root—astringent, antigon- Root—astringent, antibilious, orrhoeic, alterative. Plant—emetic, antiphlegmonous, febrifuge. purgative. An acyclic diterpene ester, cis-phy- tyl-l-palmitate, togetherwith the triter- Pentatropis microphylla W. & A . penes, squalene, n-taraxasterol and Synonym  P. ca p e n si s (Linn. f.) taraxasterol, has been isolated from Bullock. the plant. 472 Pergularia extensa N. E. Br.

Pergularia extensa N. E. Br. Pericampylus glaucus (Lam.) Merill. Synonym  P. d a e m i a (Forsk.) Chiov. Family  Menispermaceae. Family  Asclepiadaceae; Periplo- Habitat  Hill forests of Sikkim, caceae. Northern Bengal and Assam.  Habitat Throughout India and Folk  Baarak-kaant (Maharashtra), hotter parts. Goriaa-loti (Assam). English  Hairknot Plant, Whitlow Action  Leaves—an infusion is used Plant. for asthma and high fever. Pounded  leaves are applied in headache. Ayurvedic Uttamaarani, The mucilage in water is used for Vrischikaali, Vishaanikaa. Phala- arresting falling of hair. kantaka. Ajashringi is a doubtful synonym. The bark contains a non-toxic prin-  ciple. The root is reported to contain Siddha/Tamil Utthaamani, Veli- anarcoticalkaloid. paruthi.

Folk  Utaran. Perilepta auriculata  Action Plant—Uterine stimulant, (Nees) Bremek. tones up urinary bladder, stimulates gastric secretion, expectorant, emet- Synonym  Strobilanthes auriculatus P ic. Leaf—used for amenorrhoea, Nees. dysmenorrhoea; externally applied Family  Acanthaceae. to carbuncles. Habitat  Upper Gangetic Plain, The plant gave betaine, a polypep- Madhya Pradesh. tide, hentriacontane, lupeol, alpha-and Siddha/Tamil  Kurinji. beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol as major Folk  Pandadi (Gujarat). constituents. Seeds and stems gave car-  denolides—calactin, calotropin, calo- Action Pounded leaves—rubbed tropagenin, uzarigenin and coroglau- on body during the cold stage of cigenin. intermittent fever. The plant extract exhibits stimulat- ing action on uterine and other invol- untary muscles. The extracts cause rise Perilla frutescens (Linn.) Britton. in arterial blood pressure, increase in Family  Labiatae; Lamiacae. movement and tone of urinary bladder,  and stimulation of gastric secretions. Habitat Throughout the Himalayas An aqueous extract of the leaves shows up to an altitude of about , m, antibacterial activity against E. coli and and in the hills of Assam. Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus. English  Perilla, Wild Coleus. Peristrophe bicalyculata Nees. 473

Folk  Bhanjeer, Ban-tulasi, Ban- The leaves and stems contain .% jiraa, Bhasindi. of resin alcohol, a bitter substance, tan- nin and small quantities of a glucosidal Action  Herb—sedative, antispas- principle which produces first a de- modic, antiasthmatic, resolvent. crease and then an increase in blood P. f r ut e s ce n s var. crispa is used in pressure. The bark contain % tannin. mixtures prescribed for cough and lung affections. Several chemotypes of Perilla have Periploca calophylla Falc. been detected. The Indian type is rich in rosefuran. Other components are Family  Asclepiadaceae. perillene, perilla ketone, beta-caryo- Habitat  The Himalayas, from phyllene, phellandrene and a few ses- Kashmir to Nepal and Meghalaya, quiterpenoids. Aerial parts gave ethyl ascending to , m. linolenate, linolenic acid and beta- Ayurvedic  Krishna Saarivaa sitosterol. The leaves also gave an an- (substitute). (Cryptolepis buchanani thocyanin, perillanin. The leaves and is equated with Krishna Saarivaa.) flowering tops yield essential oils con- taining perilla ketone as major com- Action  Used in place of Cryptolepis ponent—% in leaf oils and % in buchanani and Hemidesmus indicus inflorescence oils at fruiting stage. for rheumatism, urinary and skin Perillaldehyde, a major component diseases. of the plant extract, inhibits (moder- The glycosides locin, plocin, ploci- ately) a broad range of both bacte- nin, calocin, calocinin, as well as triter- P ria and fungi. The MeOH extract of penoids, have been reported from the var. acuta Kudo is reported to prolong twigs. hexobarbital-induced sleep in mice. Dillapiol has been isolated as the active principle from the methanolic extract. Peristrophe bicalyculata Nees.

Family  Acanthaceae. Periploca aphylla Decne. Habitat  Distributed throughout India. Family  Asclepiadaceae; Periplo-  caceae. Ayurvedic Nadikaantaa, Praachibalaa, Sulomshaa, Kaakatik- Habitat  Punjab and Rajasthan. ta, Kaakajanghaa. (Aatarilaal is Folk  Barri (Punjab). awrongsynonym.Itisequated with Anthriscus cerefolium Hoffm.,  Action Plant—stomachic; used used in Unani medicine.) in cerebral fever. Bark—purgative.  Latex—used against tumours and Siddha/Tamil Chebisa. swellings. Folk  Masi. 474 Persea americana Mill.

Action  Plant—febrifuge. The might be responsible for its cholesterol essential oil shows tuberculostatic lowering effects. activity in vitro.Itinhibitsthe Preliminary evidence suggests that growth of various strains of unsaponifiable fractions of Avocado Mycobaterium tuberculosis. and soybean oils (combination) can inhibit cartilage degradation and pro- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India mote cartilage repair in osteoarthritic recommends the dried root in insom- chondrocytes. (Properties of Avocado nia and for fear-psychosis in children. cited in Natural Medicines Comprehen- sive Database, .) Dosage  Root—– g powder. (API, Avocado oil is used in cosmetic Vol III.) preparations, soaps and pharmaceu- ticals. The peel of immature fruit con- tains antifungal compounds. The fruit Persea americana Mill. pulp is used topically to promote hair growth. Synonym  P. gratissima Gaertn. f. Family  Lauraceae. Habitat  Native to Central America; Persea macrantha introduced into India and grown for (Nees) Kosterm. its fruit in Bangalore, Nandi Hills, Synonym  Machilus macrantha Courtallam, Nagarcoil, Shevaroys, Nees. lower Palnis and the foothills of the P Nilgiris; also in Pune. Family  Lauraceae.  English  Avocado, Alligator Pear, Habitat Bihar and Peninsular Butter Fruit. India, up to , m.  Action  Fruit—hypocholestero- English Machilus. laemic. Leaf—bacteriostatic; Action  Bark—antiasthmatic, potentially toxic to goats and sheep. antirheumatic, purgative. The fruit is highly nutritious. The The root gave phytosterols, glyco- fruit from Nilgiris contains .% fat, sides and alkaloids, the major one be- .% protein; also manganese, phos- ing machiline, shown to be identical phorus, iron, potassium, vitamin E, vi- with dl-coclaurine. Machiline exhibits tamin C, beta-carotene, thiamine, ri- hypotensive activity. boflavin, nicotinic acid and foliate. It The leaves are used in external ap- is relatively low in sodium and simple plications for ulcers. sugars. American Avocado is rich in oil (–  g/ g fresh fruit) that is mainly Petiveria alliacea Linn. monounsaturated and a good source of linoleic acid. Its high fiber content Family  Phytolaccaceae. Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Airy-Shaw. 475

Habitat  Native to America; disorders of the same and in introduced into India, grown in prevention and treatment of kidney gardens. gravel. (German Commission Action  Root—diuretic, antispas- E.) Contraindicated in kidney modic, emmenagogue, abortifa- inflammations. cient. Used for whooping cough, also for rheumatism and nervous The British Herbal Compendium ap- diseases. (Long term use in high proves the internal use of the herb doses causes brain damage.) for flatulent dyspepsia, dysuria and rheumatic conditions. Ethanolic extract of the leaves con- The leaves and roots contain furo- tains leridal, leridol, -O-methylleri- coumarins—psoralen, -and -meth- dol and -O-rhamnosides of dihydro- oxy psoralen, imperatorin, oxypeuce- kaempferol, dihydroquercetin and my- danin, iso-pimpinelin. Myristicin has ricetin. The presence of high nitrate been isolated from the leaf oil. The content in the plant has been report- plant gave flavonoids—apiin, luteolin, ed and is considered a risk factor in apigenin--glucoside, luteolin--glu- humans. coside among others. Myristicin showed high activity as an inducer of the detoxifying enzyme Petroselinum crispum system, Glutathione S-transferase (Mill.) Airy-Shaw. (GST) in the liver and small intestines of female mice (may be considered as Synonym  Apium crispum Mill. a cancer chemoprotective agent). P Family  Umbelliferae; Apiaceae. The flavonoids, particularly api-  genin, have been shown to be anti- Habitat Native to Europe, now inflammatory, to inhibit histamine re- cultivated throughout India. lease and to act as a free radical scav- English  Parsley. enger. Apiole, a constituent of the Unani  Fitraasaaliyum, Karafs-e- volatile oil, is reportedly antipyretic Kohi. and phthalides of the root, seed and leaf are sedative in mice.  Action Diuretic (used for bladder Both apiole and myristicin exhibit disorders, painful urination, aquaretic and uterine stimulant activ- retention of excess fluid in the ity, while sodium retention has been tissues), antispasmodic, uterine observed. (Natural Medicines Compre- tonic, emmenagogue, sedative hensive Database, .) (used for PMS and menopausal In homoeopathy,the herb is used for hot flushes, also in prostatitis), the treatment urinary disorders—sud- carminative, expectorant, aperient, den urge to urinate with severe pain, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory. dribbling of urine after urination, gleet Key application  For flushing discharge and for amenorrhoea and out the efferent urinary tract in neuralgic dysmenorrhoea. 476 Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke.

Peucedanum grande Ayurvedic  Aranya-mudga. Mudga- C. B. Clarke. parni (Kerala). Siddha/Tamil  Kattupayaru. Family  Umbelliferae; Apiaceae. Action  A decoction is used in  Habitat Western Ghats and hills of bowel complaints and stricture. The Peninsular India. roots are used to stop excessive Folk  Baaphali (Gujarat), Duku. salivation. Action  Fruits—carminative, diuretic, stimulant. An infusion is used for gastric and intestinal Phaseolus lunatus Linn. troubles. Synonym  P. i na m o e nu s Linn. The seeds and roots gave impera- Family  Fabaceae. torin, byakangelicin and osthol. Seeds, Habitat  Native to tropical America; in addition, gave phelopterin, colum- cultivated throughout India. bianadin and byakangelicol. English  Double Bean, Lima Bean, Burma Bean. Ayurvedic  Shimbi. Phaseolus aconitifolius Jacq. Unani  Lobiyaa, Sem. Synonym  Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Action  Seeds—astringent. Used Marechal. as a diet in fever. The shoots and P Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. pods from Manipur are reported to contain alkaloids, saponins and  Habitat Throughout India. flavonoids. Cultivated. English  Aconite-Bean, Moth. Ayurvedic  Makushtha, Moth. Phaseolus mungo Linn. non-Roxb. & auct. Siddha/Tamil  Tulukkapayir. Synonym  Vigna mungo (Linn.) Action  Seeds—used as a diet Hepper. in fever; contains .% protein. Root—narcotic. Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. English  Kidney Bean, Black Gram. Ayurvedic  Maasha. (P. subl ob at u s Phaseolus adenanthus Roxb. and Teramnus labialis Spreng. G. F. W. Mey. are equated with Maashaparni; dried  aerial parts are used.) Phaseolus Family Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. dalzellii Cooke and P. subl ob at u s Habitat  Throughout India, in the Roxb. are known as Maashaparni in plains. Kerala. Phaseolus vulgaris Linn. 477

Unani  Urd-Siyaah. Phaseolus trilobus Siddha/Tamil  Ulunthu. sensu Ait. & auct. Action  Used asapulse. Intheform Synonym  Vigna trilobata (Linn.) of a confection, used for leucorrhoea Verdcourt. and seminal debility. Oil extracts Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. of the pulse is used externally in Habitat  Throughout India, up rheumatism, contracted knee, stiff to an elevation of , m in the shoulder. Root—used as a poultice northeast. for inflammations and abscesses. Narcotic. English  Wild Gram. Ayurvedic  Mudgaparni, Kaaka- Teramnus labialis Spreng. (grows parni, Suuryaparni, Alpikaa, Sahaa, wild): The whole plant is used in Kaakamudraa, Maarjaargandhikaa. rheumatism, paralysis, nervous dis- (P. adenanthus G. F. W., and Vigna eases, haemoptysis and catarrh of res- pilosa Baker are used as Mudgaparni piratory tract. in the South. Dried aerial parts, root and seed are used.) Siddha/Tamil  Kaatupayaru. Phaseolus radiatus Folk  Jangali Moong, Mugavan. Linn. non-Roxb. & auct. Action  Whole plant—febrifuge. Synonym  Vigna radiata (Linn.) Leaves—sedative, cooling, an- Wilczek. tibilious. A decoction is used P in intermittent fever. The plant  Family Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. contains friedelin, epifriedelin, Habitat  Extensively cultivated all stigmasterol and tannins. The bean over India. contains methionine, tryptophan and tyrosine; also strepogenin,  English Greengram, Golden Gram. uridine, diphosphate-galacturonic Ayurvedic  Mudga, Mungalya. acid. The seed protein contained lysine, valine, leucine and phenyl-  Unani Moong. alanine. Siddha/Tamil  Pattishai-payaru. Dosage  Seed—– ml. Action  Used as a pulse. Soup decoction (CCRAS.); whole plant— is given as a diet to patients of – g. (API, Vol. IV.) enlarged liver and spleen, and after recovery from acute illness. A poultice of it is used for checking Phaseolus vulgaris Linn. secretion of milk and reducing  distention of the mammary Synonym P. nanus Linn. glands. Family  Fabaceae. 478 Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus Nees.

English  Kidney Bean, French Bean, and leaves—burnt and prescribed Haricot Bean. for fevers. The leaves are reported Unani  Raajmah (seed), Lobia, to contain diterpene lactone, Frashbean. phlogantholide A and its glucoside. Action  Bean—diuretic, hypoten- A related species, P. jenkinsii C. B. sive, resolvent, regulates blood Clarke, found in Assam, is also known sugar. Used for water retention; al- as Titaaphul. A decoction of leaves is buminuria, especially of pregnancy; given for diseases of spleen and liver premenstrual tension. and for fevers. Key application  Seed-free pods—in supportive treatment for inability to urinate. (German Commission E.) Phoenix dactylifera Linn.  The seeds of French Bean contain Family Palmae; Arecaceae. triterpenoid glucosides and soyasapo- Habitat  Cultivated in Punjab and nin V. Rajasthan. Raajmah consumption by diabetic English  Date Palm. patients is reported to produce high-  ly significant reduction in their blood Ayurvedic Kharjuura, Kharjuuraka, glucose level and glycaemic index, as Kharjuurikaa. Pindakharjuurikaa. compared to wheat and rice consump- Chhuhaaraa (dry date). Pindakhar- tion. juura is the fruit of Phoenix acaulis P Raw bean contains lectins which are Roxb. destroyed when cooked. Its hypogly- Unani  Khurmaa, Khajuur, caemic activity is most likely due to its Chhuharaa. chromium, trigonelline and fiber con- Siddha/Tamil  Perichchankay, Ita. tent. (Sharon M. Herr.) Action  Fruit pulp—antitussive, expectorant, demulcent, laxative, diuretic, restorative. Sap—cooling, Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus laxative. Gum—used in diarrhoea Nees. and genitourinary diseases. Family  Acanthaceae. The fruit contains ascorbic acid (vi- Habitat  The sub-tropical Hi- tamin C), carotene (as vitamin A), malayas, Upper Gangetic Plain, nicotinic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, Bihar, North Bengal and Assam. sugars (–%). Besides sucrose and  invertsugars,rhamnose,xylose,ara- Folk Dieng-soh kajut (Meghalaya), binose, ribose, galactose and galac- Chuhai (Bihar), Titaaphul (Assam). turonic acid have been identified in Action  Whole plant—used like the fruit. Invert sugar predominates Adhatoda vasica in whooping in the soft dates; sucrose in dry vari- cough and menorrhagia. Fruits eties. The dried date, used in Ayurvedic Pholidota articulata Lindl. 479 and Unani compositions, contains pro- Siddha/Tamil  Kalangu, Ithi, Sagi. tein .–, fat ., carbohydrates .– Action  Fruit—cooling, laxative. .% and calcium ., phosphorus Used in respiratory disorders. . and iron . mg/ g. Gum—used in diarrhoea and Presence of sterols of ergosterol genitourinary diseases. Fresh sap— group, and esterone has been reported laxative. from dried date seeds. Charged C-glycosylflavones and caf- feylshikimic acid, leucocyanidin are Phoenix sylvestris Roxb. characteristically present in the plant. Flavonol glycosides are also common. Family  Palmae; Arecaceae. Several uncharged C-glycosylflavones Habitat  Andhra Pradesh, Karnata- were also detected. ka and Madhya Pradesh.  Dosage  Fresh fruit—– g, dried English Wild Date Palm. fruit—– g. (API, Vol. IV.) Ayurvedic  Kharjuuri. Siddha/Tamil  Periyaitcham, Icham. Folk  Sulemaani Khajuur, Desi Phoenix paludosa Roxb. Khajuur. Action  Fruits—restorative. Juice— Family  Palmae. cooling, gastric stimulant. Seeds— Habitat  Coastal swamps of West used in ague. Root—used for Bengal (particularly Sundarbans), nervous debility. Orissa and the Andamans. P Fresh, unfermented sap (Niraa) is Ayurvedic  Hintala. a good source of ascorbic acid, nico- Folk  Hital (Orissa), Hintalamu tinic and isonicotinic acids, riboflavin, (Telugu). thiamine, sugars; crystine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, phenylalanine, thre- Action  Fruits—antiphlogistic, onine, tyrosine. cooling; used in flatulence. The concentration of amino acids is Triacontanol, beta-sitosterol have much higher in palm jaggery than in been isolated from the plant. sugar cane jaggery. Fresh fruits contain protein ., fat ., calcium . and phosphorus .%. Phoenix pusilla Gaertn. Dosage  Fruit—– g paste. Family  Palmae; Arecaceae. (CCRAS.) Habitat  Coromandel Coast. Ayurvedic  Parushaka (Kerala). Pholidota articulata Lindl. (Grewia asiatica Linn., Tiliaceae, is also equated with Parushaka.) Family  Orchidaceae. 480 Phragmites communis Trin.

Ayurvedic  Jivanti (substitute). of ::; some of the fractions showed (Dendrobium macraei Lindl. is also immunological activity. used as a substitute for Jivanti. Jivanti is equated with Leptadenia reticulata W. & A . ) Phragmites karka Trin. ex Steud. Action  Age-sustaining tonic,  restorative. Synonym P. rox bur g h i i (Kunth) Steud. P. maxima Blatter & McCann in part. Phragmites communis Trin. Family  Gramineae; Poaceae.  Family Gramineae; Poaceae. Habitat  Throughout India, in Habitat  The Himalayas, from marshy places. KashmirtoKumaonuptoan English  Common Reed-grass. altitude of , m. Ayurvedic  Nala. (Arundo donax English  Common Reed. Linn. is also equated with Nala.) Folk  Dila, Dambu (Punjab). Siddha/Tamil  Perunanal. Action  Rhizomes and roots—di- Folk  Narakul. uretic, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, Action  Stem and rhizome— hypoglycaemic, antiemetic. diuretic, diaphoretic. Used topically P The rhizomes are rich in carbohy- to relieve insect bite. drates; contain nitrogenous substances P. ka r ka is not discriminated from P. ., fat ., N-free extr. ., crude communis for medicinal uses in Indian fibre ., sucrose ., reducing sugars medicine. ., and ash (rich in silica) .%; as- paragine .% is also present. Leaves possess a high ascorbic acid content Phyla nodiflora ( mg/ g).Nodes and sheaths (L.) E. Greene. yield .% and the underground parts Synonym  Lippia nodiflora A. Rich. over % of furfural.  The root of common Reed is pre- Family Verbenaceae. scribed in Chinese traditional medi- Habitat  Throughout India, near cine as an antipyretic against influen- fresh water bodies. za and fevers. Presence of polyols, English  Jalapippali, Shaaradi, betaines and free poline has been re- Shakulaadani, Matsyagandhaa, ported in the methanolic extract. The Matsyaadani, Laangali, Vashiraa. extract is reported to show bactericidal  activity. The root gave a polysaccha- Siddha/Tamil Poduthalai. ride which contains sugars, arabinose, Action  Spasmolytic, diuretic, xylose and glucose in a molar ratio febrifuge. Phyllanthus distichus Muell.-Arg. 481

The plant contains flavone glyco- The plant is reported to show antivi- sides—nodiflorins A and B, lipiflorins ral activity againsthepatitis B virus and A and B, as well as free flavones includ- related hepadna virus. It was also found ing -hydroxyluteolin, nepetin and to effectively repair CCl-induced liver nodifloretin along with beta-sitosterol damage in rats. and stigmasterol glucosides. The herb exhibited hypotensive and hypoglycaemic activity. (Indian J Exp  Dosage Plant—– ml. juice. Biol ,  () –.) (CCRAS.) Phyllanthus fraternus Webster: The ethanolic extract of the plant exhib- ited hepatotoxic-protective activity in Phyllanthus amarus albino rats pretreated with CCl-, The Schum. & Thonn. petroleum extract is reported to pos- Phyllanthus fraternus Webster. sess analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The flavonoids, isolat- Family  Euphorbiaceae. ed from the ethanolic extract of the plant, exhibit hypoglycaemic activi- Habitat  Throughout the hotter ty in alloxan-treated albino rats. The parts of India, particularly on ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the cultivated land, up to , m. plant exhibit antibacterial and antifun- Ayurvedic  Bhuumyaamalaki, Bahu- gal activity. patri, Bhuudhaatri, Bahuphalaa,  Taamalaki. Dosage Root, stem, leaf—–. powder. (API, Vol. I and III.) Unani  Bhui Aaamalaa. P Siddha/Tamil  Keelkaay Nelli. Action  Plant—diuretic, deobstru- Phyllanthus distichus Muell.-Arg. ent, astringent, anti-inflammatory,  styptic. Used as a single drug in Synonym P. a c i du s Skeels. the treatment of jaundice. Used Cicca acida (Linn.) Merrill. in prescriptions for dyspepsia, Family  Euphorbiaceae. indigestion, chronic dysentery, Habitat  Indian gardens. urinary tract diseases, diabetes, skin  eruptions. English Country Gooseberry. Ayurvedic  Lavali-phala, Lowani The leaves yielded lignans—phyl- Hariphala. lanthin (bitter), hypophyllanthin (non-  bitter); niranthin, nirtetralin and phyl- Siddha/Tamil Aranelli. tetralin. The whole plant gave a num- Action  Fruit—astringent, tonic to ber of flavonoids, including quercetin, liver; improves appetite, useful in quercitrin, astragalin, rutin, kaempfer- biliousness, constipation, vomiting, ol. Isolation of a hydrolysable tannins, bronchitis. Roots and seed— amarulone, is reported from the plant. cathartic. The juice of the root 482 Phyllanthus maderaspatensis Linn.

bark produces headache and severe Taking Chanca Piedra orally does abdominal pain. not seem to be effective for treating hepatitis B. The herb contains niuride, The root bark contains % tannin, which inhibits specific HIV-protein saponin, gallic acid and a crystalline binding activity, but does not protect substance (probably lupeol). The bark cells from acute HIV infection. (Natu- contains beta-amyrin and phyllanthol. ral Medicines Comprehensive Database, The fruit is sour; contains acidity (as .) acetic acid) .%.

Phyllanthus simplex Retz. Phyllanthus maderaspatensis Synonym  P. v i r g at u s J. R. Linn. et G. Forst. Family  Euphorbiaceae. Family  Euphorbiaceae.  Habitat  Throughout drier parts of Habitat Throughout India. India. Ayurvedic  Bhumyaamalaki (var.). Unani  Kanochaa, Isfahaan Marv. Folk  Mothi-bhuiaamvali (Maha- rashtra). Siddha/Tamil  Mela-nelli. Action  Leaves—an infusion is used Plant—antiseptic. Fresh leaves, in headache. Seeds—carminative, bruised in butter milk, are used as diuretic. a wash for itch. Fresh leaves, flowers P and fruits with cumin seeds and sugar, Whole plant revealed antispasmod- are used in gonorrhoea. Root—applied ic action in isolated guinea-pig ileum, to mammary abscesses. CNS depressant and hypothermic ef- Fruits contain oxalic acid. fects in mice.

Phyllanthus urinaria Linn.

Phyllanthus niruri Linn. Family  Euphorbiaceae. Habitat  Throughout the plains of Family  Euphorbiaceae. India from Punjab to Assam and Habitat  Native to America. SouthwardtoKeralaupto,m. English  Chanca Piedra. Ayurvedic  Bhuumyaamataki (var.), Taamravalli. Ayurvedic  Bhuumyaamalaki, assigned to P. niruri, has now been Siddha/Tamil  Senkeezhnelli. equated with P. f rat e r nu s . Folk  Laal-bhui-aamlaa, Hazaar- Action  Antispasmodic, antipyretic, mani. diuretic, antiviral, bactericidal. Action  See P. amarus. Physalis peruviana Linn. 483

The leaf and stem gave flavonoids— salin B and F have been isolated from quercetin, astragalin, quercitrin, iso- the ethanolic extract of the whole plant. quercitrin and rutin; Me-brevifolin- Both physalin B and F are reported to carboxylate and tri-dehydrochebulic inhibit the growth of several human acid. leukaemia cell systems.

Physalis alkekengi Linn. Physalis minima Linn.  Family Solanaceae. Family  Solanaceae.  Habitat Native to South-east Habitat  Throughout India, Europe and Japan; naturalized in ascending up to , m. many parts of the world; grown in English  Sun-berry. Indian gardens. Ayurvedic  Tankaari, Parpotikaa, English  Strawberry Tomato, Winter Chirapotikaa. Cherry. (Withania somnifera is also known as Winter Cherry.) Siddha/Tamil  Sodakku thakkali.  Ayurvedic  Raajaputrikaa. Action Berries—diuretic, aperient, alterative. Used for gout and urinary Unani  Kaaknaj. diseases. Action  Berries—diuretic, antitus- sive, oxytocic, analgesic, febrifuge; Quercetin -O-galactoside, isolated used for urinary disorders, suppres- from the crude extract of the leaves, is sion of urine, gout and intermittent reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory P fevers. activity comparable to phenylbutazone in carageenan-induced rat paw oede- Berries contain flavonoids, includ- ma. ing luteolin--glucoside and withas- Physalis minima Linn. var indica C. teroids. B. Clarke is common weed in irrigated fields and bunds. The plant contains withasteroids, Physalis angulata Linn. physalindicanols, withaminimin and withaphysalin, -O-glucosides of  Family Solanaceae. kaempferol and quercetin, in addition Habitat  Native to tropical America; to beta-sitosterol and its glucoside. cultivated in Indian gardens in The diuretic action of Physalis mini- Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; also ma leaves is attributed to the high con- grows in moist places as a weed. tent of potassium nitrate (–%). Action  Plant—diuretic.

Aerial parts yielded seco-withano- Physalis peruviana Linn. lides—cleaved steroidal constituents containing physalins. In Taiwan, phy- Family  Solanaceae. 484 Physochlaina praealta Miers.

Habitat  Native to tropical America; The roots of the plant contain .% grown in the hills and plains alkaloids (calculated as hyoscyamine). throughout India. The plant constitutes an excellent English  Cape Gooseberry. source of atropine. Ayurvedic  Parpoti (var.). Siddha/Tamil  Perungunni, Potti- Picea smithiana Boiss. pallam. Folk  Rasbhari, Mako. Synonym  P. m or i nd a Link. Abies smithiana Lindl. Action  Plant—diuretic. Leaf— anthelmintic, an infusion is used Family  Pinaceae. in abdominal disorders. Fruits— Habitat  The Himalayas from a good source of carotene and Kashmir to Kumaon at altitudes of ascorbic acid; eaten as a table fruit. ,–, m. The fruit contain carotene (as vita- English  West Himalayan Spruce. min A) , IU, thiamine ., ri- Folk  Roi, Rhai, Raghaa, Kathela, boflavin ., nicotinic acid . and Kandre, Morindaa. Spruce (trade). ascorbic acid  mg/ g; mineral matter .%; phytin phosphorus , Action  Essential oil—antiseptic. iron ., ionizable iron ., sodium ., Used in bath salts, room sprays and potassium , copper ., and sul- deodorants. phur  mg/ g. The juice from the Key applications  Fir Needle P ripe fruits contain considerable quan- Oil, obtained from Picea abies, tity of pectin. The chief acid is citric synonym P. excelsa)—externally acid, but malic and tartaric acids are and internally, for catarrhal illness also present. of the upper and lower respiratory The plant is a source of highly oxy- tract; externally, for rheumatic genated ergostane-type of steroids— and neuralgic pains. (German withanolides and related compounds. Commission E.) The oil contains alpha-pinene, l- alpha-phellandrene, dipentene, bornyl- Physochlaina praealta Miers. acetate, cadinene, S-guaiazulene and Family  Solanaceae. a bicyclic sesquiterpene. The oil dis- Habitat  Lahul valley (Punjab), tilled from the leaves collected in Gul- Ladakh, North Kashmir. Western marg had a ester content of .% (as Tibbet at altitudes of ,–, m. bornyl acetate). The bark contained .% tannin.  Folk Daturaa (Ladakh), Laangtaan; Picea abies has been introduced at Sholar, Bajarbang (Punjab). Manali (at , m). It yields an ole- Action  Leaves—poisonous and oresin which is used in plasters and narcotic. ointments. The essential oil is used in Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. 485 perfumes and cosmetics. The needles Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. yielded dilignol glycosides. Family  Scrophulariaceae. Habitat  The alpine Himalayas from Picrasma quassioides Bennett. Kashmir to Sikkim. English  Family  Simaroubaceae. Picrorhiza.  Habitat  Garhwal, Himachal Ayurvedic Katukaa, Katurohini, Pradesh and Kulu. Kattarohini, Katuki, Katukikaa, Krishnabhedaa, Kaandaruhaa,  English Quassia (substitute for P. Matsyashakalaa, Chakraangi, Shat- excelsa Lindtl). parvaa, Arishta, Ashokarohinya, Ayurvedic  Bhurangi, Nimbi. Shakuldaani. (Clerodendrum serratum and its Unani  Kutki, Kharbaq-e-Hindi. related species represent Bhaargi or Bhaarangi.) Siddha/Tamil  Kaduguragini. Folk  Nimatotaa. Action  Root—stomachic, antidiar- rhoeal, cholagogue, hepatoprotec- Action  Wood—a non-astringent tive. Used in hepatitis, chronic bitter tonic and stomachic, amoe- dysentery, amoebiasis. bicidal, anthelmintic (used as enema), insect repellent. Used Key application  In jaundice, as a supporting medicine for intermittent fever, dyspnoea and temporary relief in cirrhosis of skin diseases. (The Ayurvedic P liver. Pharmacopoeia of India.) Many indole alkaloids of beta-car- The roots yield a glycosidal bitter boline, canthin--one and beta-carbo- principle, kutkin, found to be a mix- line dimer type, have been isolated ture of two iridoid glycosides, picro- from the wood. These are reported side I and kutkoside. Also obtained to increase the blood flow rate in the were D-mannitol, kutkiol, kutkisterol intestine and stomach of rabbit; also and a ketone (identical with apocynin). exhibited antiviral activity on Herpes Kutkin exhibited hepatoprotective simplex virus. activity in CCl-induced toxic rats. Nigaki lactone and methylnigaki- Picroliv, a standardized fraction none, isolated from the wood, showed from the alcoholic extract of the root antigastric ulcer activity in rats. The and rhizome, containing –% of extract of the wood is reported to pre- a mixture of picroside I and kutkoside vent the secretion of gastric juice in (:) showed dose-dependent protec- a dose-dependent manner in rats. The tive activity on isolated hepatocytes extract also showed the same effects in vitro against thiocetamide-induced on rats having aspirin-induced gastric hepatic damage in rat and was found ulcer. to be more potent than Silymarin, 486 Picrorhiza scrophulariaeflora Pennell.

a known hepatoprotective agent. Pi- Action  Stimulant (excites most croliv is reported to show protective glands), expectorant, powerful effect against rifampicin-induced hep- diaphoretic. Used in hair tonics atotoxicity in rats. It also exerts hy- to stimulate hair growth. (Irritates polipidaemic effect in normal, triton- stomach and causes vomiting in treated and cholesterol-fed rats. overdose.) Kutkin, picroside I and kutkoside exhibit anti-inflammatory property. The leaf contains a parasympathetic The phenolic glycoside, androsin, stimulant pilocarpine (.%). It is an isolated from the plant, prevents al- obsolete medicinal herb, but is used in lergen and platelet activating factor- the production of pilocarpine. (Natu- induced bronchial obstruction in ral Medicines Comprehensive Database, guinea-pigs in vitro. .) Cucurbitacin glycosides, isolated from the root, exhibit liver protective, tumour inhibitory and anti-inflam- Pimenta dioica (Linn.) Merrill. matory activity. Synonym  P. offi c i na l i s Lindl. Dosage  Root—– g; – g as  purgative. (CCRAS.) Family Myrtaceae. Habitat  Native to West Indies and tropical America; grown in Indian Picrorhiza scrophulariaeflora gardens; in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa P Pennell. and Bangalore. English  Allspice tree, Jamaica Family  Scrophulariaceae. Pepper tree, Pimento tree. Habitat  Eastern Himalayan in  Nepal and Sikkim. Action Berry oil and leaf oil— carminative and stimulant. The oil  Action Properties similar to those contains chiefly eugenol (–%), of Picrorhiza kurroa. responsible for the herb’s effect on The root contains the iridoid glyco- the digestive system and its pain sides, amphicoside, catalpol, aucubin relief properties; also for anaesthetic and androsin; also cucurbitacin glyco- effect when crushed berries are sides. applied topically.

Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf. Pimpinella anisum Linn.  Family Rutaceae. Family  Umbelliferae; Apiaceae.  Habitat Native to tropical America; Habitat  Native to the Mediter- cultivated in Indian gardens. ranean region; cultivated in Uttar English  Jaborandi. Pradesh., Punjab, Assam and Orissa. Pinus excelsa Wall. ex D. Don. 487

English  Anise, Aniseed. the hallucinogenic compound myris- ticin as well. (Natural Medicines Com- Unani  Anisoon, Baadiyaan-roomi. prehensive Database, .) Action  Carminative, diuretic, anticholerin, antispasmodic, ex- pectorant. Used for flatulence, Pimpinella saxifraga Linn. var. dry coughs, whooping cough, dissectifolia C. B. Clarke, bronchitis. non-Boiss.  Key application Internally in Family  Umbelliferae; Apiaceae. dyspeptic complaints; internally  and externally in catarrhs of Habitat Kashmir at , m. the respiratory tract. (German English  Burnet Saxifrage, Pimpinel- Commission E, ESCOP, WHO, The la Root. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) Action  Root—carminative, stimulant, expectorant, cholagogue, The fruit gave volatile oil consisting diuretic, emmenagogue. Used for mainly of trans-anethole (–%), diarrhoea. with estragole, anise ketone, anisic acid, beta-caryophyllene, anisalde- Key application  Rhizome—in hyde, linalool. The fruit contained catarrhs of the upper respiratory traces of furocoumarins; seeds gave tract. (German Commission E. benzoic acid, caffeic acid, containing Above ground parts have been protein and myristicin. Roots afforded included among unapproved sterols, coumarins and flavone glyco- herbs.) P sides. Aniseed has been demonstrated The main components of the fruits to increase the mucociliary transport and roots are isoeugenol epoxy tiglic in vitro and to significantly increase ester, isoeugenol epoxy--methylbu- liver-regeneration in rats. tanoic ester and -phenyl tiglic ester. Aniseed is also used as a galacta- Roots also contain pimpinellin and gogue. This property is thought due to isopimpinellin. thepresenceofpolymersofanethole, dianethole and photoanethole. Aqueous extract of roasted aniseed Pinus excelsa Wall. ex D. Don. is reported to show cholinomimetic ef- fect on rat blood pressure, rat jejunum Synonym  P. w a l l i ch i a na and frog rectus abdominis prepara- A. B. Jackson. tions. Family  Pinaceae. Alcoholic extract of aniseeds pos-  sesses antimicrobial and fungicidal ac- Habitat Himalayas from Kashmir tivity. to Bhutan at ,–, m, also Anethole has a structure similar to Assam. catecholamines including adrenaline, English  Indian Blue Pine, Bhutan noradrenaline and dopamine and to Pine, Five-leaved Pine. 488 Pinus gerardiana Wall.

Ayurvedic  Sarala (var.). Family  Pinaceae. Folk  Chillaa. Habitat  Assam; introduced into Action  Uses similar to Pinus hills of North Bengal. roxburghii. English  Khasi Pine. The essential oil contains alpha-and Ayurvedic  Sarala var. beta-pinene as major constituents. Folk  Digsaa (Khasia). Action  Spasmolytic, antimicrobial. Pinus gerardiana Wall. Oleo-resin—considered superior to that of P. rox bur g h i i for turpentine. Family  Pinaceae. The bark contains –% of tannin. Habitat  Northwest Himalayas from Garhwal eastwards at altitudes of The essential oil from oleoresin con- ,–, m. tains chiefly alpha-pinene. Other con- stituents are beta-pinene, longifoline  English Neosia Pine, Edible Pine, and sesquiterpenes. Abetic acid from Chilgoza Pine. rosin possesses weak cardiac and spas- Ayurvedic  Nikochaka. molytic activities. Unani  Chilgozaa. Action  Kernels—stimulant, carminative, expectorant. Oil from Pinus roxburghii Sarg. seeds—externally used for wounds  P and ulcers. Synonym P. l ong i f ol i a Roxb.  The kernels gave protein ., fat Family Pinaceae. ., carbohydrates . and mineral Habitat  The Western and Eastern matter .%. The mineral constituents Himalayas. include calcium ., phosphorus . English  Long-leaved Pine, Three- and iron . mg/ g. Pectin is present leaved Pine, Chir Pine. to the extent of .% (calculated as cal-  cium pectate). Seed protein on hydrol- Ayurvedic Sarala, Pita-vriksha, ysis gave amino acids—leucine, iso- Surabhidaaruka, Dhuupavriksha, leucine, valine, lysine, phenylalanine, Namasu. Oleo-resin—Shriveshtaka, tryptophan and methionine. The oil Ghandh-Birojaa. gave glycerides. The essential oil from Unani  Sanobar-ul-Hindi. Oleo- oleoresin contains alpha-and beta-pi- resin—Gandh-Bihrojaa, Qinn, nene as major constituents; other con- Berzad. stituents are sesquiterpenes. Siddha/Tamil  Simaidevadaru. Action  Needle, needle oil— decongestant, expectorant, antisep- Pinus khasya Royle. tic. Oil—used in cough and cold Synonym  P. i n su l a r i s Endl. remedies, particularly inhalations Piper betle Linn. 489

and in rubefacients for rheumatism Siddha/Tamil  Kattumilaaku. and muscle stiffness. Resin— Action  Root—diuretic. Plant— expectorant, antiseptic, antipruritic. rubefacient; used for muscular The essential oil from oleoresin con- pains and headache. tains chiefly alpha-and beta-pinene; Several aristolactams have been re- carene and longifoline. ported from the aerial parts of the Pinus pinaster Ait (Cluster Pine, plant. Crotepoxide exhibited signifi- Maritime Pine) has been successful- cant antitumour activity. lygrowninKulu,ManaliandRahini. Roots contain alkamides includ- German Commission E recognized the ing piperine, piperlonguminine and efficacy of the needle-oil in catarrhal guineensine. diseases of the upper and lower res- piratory tract (internally, as well as externally). Piper betle Linn.  Dosage Heartwood, root—– g Family  Piperaceae. powder. (API, Vol. III.) Habitat  Cultivated in warmer and damper parts of India; Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Pinus succinifera Karnataka, Kerala. (Goppert) Cornw. English  Betel pepper. Family  Pinaceae. Ayurvedic  Taambula, Naagvallari, P Habitat  Native of northern Naagini, Taambulvalli, Saptashiraa, scandinavia. Bhujangalataa. Unani  Paan, Tambool. English  Baltic Amber, Succinite. Siddha/Tamil  Vetrilai Nagavalli, Unani  Ambar, Kahruubaa, Kammaaruvetritai. Action  Cardiac tonic, styptic. Action  Leaf—stimulant, carmina- Vateria indica is used in Unani tive, astringent, antiseptic. Essential medicine as a substitute for P. oil from leaves—antispasmodic, succinifera gum-resin (Fossil-resin). antiseptic. Used in respiratory catarrhs. Fruit—bechic. The leaves afforded beta- and gam- Piper attenuatum ma-sitosterol, hentriacontane, pen- Buch.-Ham. ex Miq. tatriacontane, n-triacontanol, stearic Synonym  P. bantamense Blume. acid and chavicol. The essential oil  from leaves contained carvacrol, euge- Family Piperaceae. nol, chavicol, allyl catechol, cineole, Habitat  Eastern tropical Himalayas, estragol, caryophyllene, cardinene, p- Assam, Khasi Hills and the Nilgiris. cymene and eugenol methyl ether. 490 Piper chaba Hunter non-Blume.

Administration of the leaf extract re- Key application  In diseases of the sulted in decreased tumour burden and spleen, chlorosis, diseases of the tumour incidence and a delay in the abdomen. colic, worm infestation. onset of mammary tumour in Wistar (The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of rats. India.) The alcoholic extract of the leaf stalk is reported to show antispermatogenic Java long pepper is similar in com- and antiandrogenic effect in male albi- position to black pepper; it contains no rats. less piperine and volatile oil (piperine The essential oil exhibited hypoten- . and volatile oil .%). sive, cardiac as well as respiratory de- The stem is used as a substitute for pressant and cardiotonic properties. Piper longum root. It contains the al- The leaf showed antifungal and an- kaloids piperine and piplartine. Beta- tibacterial activity. The antiseptic ac- sitosterol, glycosides, glucose and fruc- tivity is attributed to chavicol. tose and mucilage have also been re- ported. Active principles show muscle Dosage  Leaf—– ml juice. (API, relaxant property. Vol. III.)

Piper cubeba Linn. f. Piper chaba Hunter non-Blume. Family  Piperaceae.  Synonym P. retrofractum Vahl. Habitat  Native to Indonesia; P P. offi c i na r um DC. cultivated in Assam and Karnataka.  Family Piperaceae. English  Cubeb, Tailed Pepper. Habitat  Native to Moluccas, Ayurvedic  Kankola, Kakkola, cultivated in Indonesia, also in Kankolaka, Takkola, Koraka, India. Kolaka, Kashphala, Sheetalchini, English  Java Long Pepper. Chinoshana.  Ayurvedic  Gajapippali (spikes of Unani Kabaabchini, Habb-ul- Scindapsis officinalis, Araceae, are uruus. also known as Gajapippali), Chavya, Siddha/Tamil  Valmilagu. Chavika. Action  Fruit—Carminative, Siddha/Tamil  Chevuyam. diuretic, expectorant. Used for Action  Similar to P. l ong um coughs, bronchitis, asthma, urinary and P. ni g r um . Fruits—stimulant, tract infections, amoebic dysentery. carminative; used in haemorrhoidal Stimulates genitourinary mucous affections; as a tonic, after- surfaces. Oil—antibacterial, used in childbirth. Roots—chewed or genitourinary diseases and cystitis. brewed in decoction for colic, Key application  In dysuria. (The dyspepsia and gastralgia. Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.) Piper longum Linn. 491

The ground fruits have been found Ghats from Konkan southwards to to be effective in treating amoebic dys- Trivandrum. Often cultivated. tentery. English  Indian Long Pepper, The oil exhibits antiviral activity in Joborandi. rats and antibacterial in vitro. Unripe fruit contains volatile oil (– Ayurvedic  Pippali, Maagadhi, %) consisting of sesquiterpene hy- Maagadha, Maagadhaa, Maagad- drocarbons; lignans, mainly cubebine hikaa, Magadhodbhavaa, Vaidehi, (about %), with (−)-cubebinin and ki- Upkulyaa, Pippalikam, Chapalaa, nokinin; cubebic acid. The oxygenated Kanaa, Krishnaa. Uushnaa, Shaun- cyclohexanes, piperenol A and B, to- di, Kolaa, Tikshna-tandulaa. gether with (+)-crotepoxide and (+)- Unani  Filfil Daraaz, Daarfilfil. zeylenol, have been isolated from the fruit. Polyhydroxy cyclohexanes pos- Siddha/Tamil  Thippili, Arisi thippili. sess antitumour, antileukaemic and an- Thippiliver (root). tibiotic activities. Action  Fruits—used for diseases of the respiratory tract (cough, Dosage  Fruit—– g powder. (API, bronchitis, asthma); as sedative (in Vol. I.) insomnia and epilepsy); as chola- gogue (in obstruction of bile duct and bladder), as emmenagogue, as Piper hamiltonii C. DC. digestive, appetizer and carminative (in indigestion); as general tonic and Family  Piperaceae. haematinic (in anaemia, chronic P  Habitat Sikkim, Terai, West Bengal fevers and for improving intellect). and Khasi hills, up to  m. Applied locally on muscular pains English  Wild Pepper. and inflammations.  Folk Jangali Paan. Several aristolactams and dioxoa- Action  Carminative and diuretic. porphines have been isolated from In- dian long pepper. It also contains the Kadsurin A and isodihydrofuto- long chain isobutyl amide, longamide, quinol B have been isolated from aerial besides guineensine and the lignans, parts. pluviatilol, methyl pluviatilol (farge- sin), sesamin and asarinine. Piperine is the major alkaloid of pep- Piper longum Linn. pers. Piperine is antipyretic, hypotensive,  Family Piperaceae. analeptic, CNS stimulant. It has been Habitat  Warmer parts of India, reported to exert significant protection from Central Himalayas to Assam, against CCl-induced hepatotoxicity lower hills of West Bengal; Uttar in mice. It improves drug availabil- Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Western ity in experimental animals, and is 492 Piper nigrum Linn.

used for enhancing the efficacy of co- Action  Stimulant, carminative, administered medicaments. diuretic, anticholerin, sialagogue, Piperine enhanced bioavailability of bechic, antiasthmatic. Used in hexobarbital, phenytoin, propranolol fevers,dyspepsia,flatulence,indi- and theophylline. (Sharon M. Herr.) gestion, and as mucous membrane (Piperine is also a component of Piper and gastro-intestinal stimulant. Ex- nigrum.) ternally—rubefacient and stimulant N-isobutyl-deca-trans--trans-- to the skin. Used as a gargle for sore dienamide, isolated from the fruit, ex- throat. Used with ginger and Piper hibited antitubercular property. longum for viral hepatitis. Milk extract of the fruit effectively The fruit yielded piperine, pipera- reduced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis tine and piperidine; amides, pipery- in rats. It protected guinea-pigs against line, piperoleins A and B, and N-iso- antigen-induced bronchospasm. butyl-cicosa-trans--trans--dienami- In China, Piper longum oil con- de. stituents were reported to inhibit the The aqueous extract of roasted black increase in serum total cholesterol in- pepper is reported to show cholinomi- ducedbytritoninmice. metic effect on rat abdominis muscles. The root powder exhibited antifer- tility activity. Dosage  Fruit— mg to  g. A related species, P. p e e pu l oi d e s (CCRAS.) Roxb., is known as Saamvali Peepal. It is used specifically against obstinate P skin diseases and as a sialagogue. Piper schmidtii Hook. f.  Dosage Fruit—– mg (API, Vol. Family  Piperaceae. IV); root—– g powder. (CCRAS.) Habitat  Assam, Western Ghats, the Nilgiris and Palni hills above , m. Piper nigrum Linn. English  Nilgiri Pepper.  Family Piperaceae. Action  Carminative.  Habitat Native of the Indo- The neolignan schmiditin, togeth- Malaysian region; cultivated er with lignin galgravin as well as in Western Ghats, Karnataka, friedelin, beta-sitosterol and its beta- Maharashtra, Assam and Kerala. O-glucoside have been isolated from English  Black Pepper. the extract of aerial parts. The extract Ayurvedic  Maricha, Vellaja, exhibited antiamoebic activity. Uushna, Suvrrita, Krishnaa. Unani  Filfil Siyaah, Safed. Piper sylvaticum Roxb. Siddha/Tamil  Milagu. Milaguver (root). Family  Piperaceae. Pisonia aculeata Linn. 493

Habitat  Assam and Bengal. terol. The seeds gave aurantiamide, its Ayurvedic  Vana-Pippali. acetate and auranamide. The fraction, containing alkaloids,  Folk Pahaari Peepal. showed oxytocic activity. The lignin Action  Fruit—carminative. Aerial constituents inhibited platelet aggrega- parts—diuretic. tion caused by platelet-activating fac- tor. The root yielded a lignin, sesamin; amides (including piperine, piperlon- gumine) and beta-sitosterol. Piscidia piscipula (Linn.) Sarg.

Synonym  P. e r y t h r i na Linn. Piper thomsoni Hook. f. Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.  Family Piperaceae. Habitat  Native to America; Habitat  Sikkim, Bengal, Manipur, introduced in India. Khasi and Jaintia hills. English  Jamaica Dogwood. Folk  Jangali Paan. Action  Sedative, spasmolytic, Action  Root—(macerated in water) analgesic, anti-inflammatory. diuretic. The bark gave several, isoflavonoids. Piscidone and piscerythrone exhibit Piper wallichii Hand.-Mazz. spasmolytic activity. Piscidin glycoside and rotenone are toxic constituents. P Synonym  P. a ura nt i a c um Wall ex The bark is used for neuralgia, mi- DC. graine and insomnia in South America and West Indies. Family  Piperaceae. In some in vitro tests, the root bark’s  Habitat Nepal, Lakhimpur and extract exhibited antispasmodic ef- Khasi Hills in Assam. fectsasstrongaspapaverine’s(Natu- Ayurvedic  Wrongly equated with ral Medicines Comprehensive Database, Sambhaaluka. (Sambhaalu has .) been identified as Vitex negundo.) Renukaa is also a wrong synonym (it is equated with the seed of Vitex Pisonia aculeata Linn. agnus-castus).  Siddha/Tamil  Kaattu-milagu. Family Nyctaginaceae.  Action  Fruits—used as uterine Habitat The sea coast in Peninsular stimulant. India, also in the Andaman Islands.  The fruit contain piperine, piperet- Siddha/Tamil Karindu. tine and sylvatine, besides beta-sitos- Folk  Baghachuur (Bengal). 494 Pisonia grandis R. Br.

Action  Bark and leaves—counterir- Karkata, Karkataakhya, Kuli- ritant for swellings and rheumatic rashringaaya, Kuliravishaanikaa, pains. Fresh leaves—used as a wash Vakraa, Vishaani. Ajashringi (also for scabies. equated with Gymnema sylvestre). Unani  Kaakraasingi, Kakar. Siddha/Tamil  Karkatagasingi. Pisonia grandis R. Br. Action  Gall—astringent, expecto- Synonym  P. m or i nd a e f ol i a R. Br. ex rant, antiasthmatic, antidysenteric, Wt. styptic.  Family Nyctaginaceae. Key application  In cough, bronchi- Habitat  Cultivated in gardens in tis and dyspnoea. (The Ayurvedic Chennai and other places near the Pharmacopoeia of India.) sea on both east and west coasts. The tetracyclic triterpenes, pistaci- English  Lettuce tree. gerrimones A, B and C have been iso- Siddha/Tamil  Chandi keerai, lated from the galls produced on the Leechai kottai keerai, Nachu Kottai leaves. keerai. Alpha-pinene ., beta-pinene ., alpha-phellandrene . and delta-ca- Action  Fresh leaf—diuretic, used rene % are major constituents of in inflammations (of elephantoid the essential oil extracted from galls. nature in legs and other parts). The oil is reported to exhibit CNS- Root—purgative. P depressant, antispasmodic, carmina- The plant gave octacosanol, beta- tive and antibacterial, antiprotozoal, sitosterol, alpha-spinasterol, beta-si- antiamoebic, anthelmintic activities. tosterol-beta-D-glucopyranoside, dul- Dosage  Gall—– g powder. (API, citol and quercetin. Vol. I.)

Pistacia integerrima Pistacia lentiscus Linn. Stewart ex Brandis. Family  Anacardiaceae. Synonym  P. ch i ne n si s Bunge subspecies Integerrima (Stewart) Habitat  Mediterranean countries. Rech. f. The resin is imported into India. Family  Anacardiaceae. English  Mastic tree. Habitat  The Himalayas from Indus Unani  Mastagi, Roomi Mastagi, to Kumaon. Mastaki. Ayurvedic  Karkatashringi, Siddha/Tamil  Ponnuikan kungi- Shringi, Karkatashringikaa, liyam. Pistia stratiotes Linn. var. cuneata Engl. 495

Action  Resin—carminative, and Central Asian countries; diuretic, stimulant, astringent. cultivated in North India. English  Pistachio, Green Almond. The mastic gum contains % essen-  tial oil. The oil sample from Spain is Ayurvedic Mukuulaka. reported to contain % monoterpene Unani  Pistaa (Kernel), Ilk-ul- hydrocarbons, the major constituents Ambaat (resin). of which are alpha-pinene % and my- Action  The kernel is used as crene %. a cardiac and brain tonic; flowers Chiefcomponentsoftheresintriter- are included in prescriptions for penes are mastic acid, isomastic acid, leucorrhoea; husk is used against oleanolic acid and tirucallol. dysentery and as astringent in The lyophilized aqueous extract of stomatitis and tonsillitis. the aerial parts gave steroid-triterpe- nes, catechin tannins, flavonoids, sapo- nins, resins and sugars. In some re- gions of Spain, the aerial parts are used Pistia stratiotes Linn. var. against hypertension. cuneata Engl. There is some preliminary evidence Family  Araceae. that Mastic might have hypotensive and antioxidant effects. (The Review of Habitat  Tropical and sub-tropical Natural Products by Facts and Com- Asia, Africa and America. parisons, .) English  Water Lettuce, Tropical For prevention of gastric and duode- Duckweed. P nal ulcers, some researchers think Mas-  tic might have antisecretory and pos- Ayurvedic Jalakumbhi, Vaariparni, sibly cytoprotective effects. (JEthno- Vaarimuuli. pharmacol, (), ; Natural Medi- Siddha/Tamil  Agasatamarai. cines Comprehensive Database, .) Action  Whole plant and root— Pistacia khinjuk Stocks is known as diuretic, used for dysuria. Leaf—an- khinjak, Butum and Roomi Mastagi titussive,demulcent,antidysenteric, in Mumbai and Maharashtra. P. t e re - externally applied to haemorrhoids, binthus Linn. is known as Kabuli Mus- ulcers, skin diseases. Ash—applied taki. to ringworm of the scalp. The plant gave -di-C-glycosylfla- vones of vicenin and lucenin type, Pistacia vera Linn. anthocyanin-cyanidin--glucoside, lu- teolin--glycoside and mono-C-glyco- Family  Anacardiaceae. sylflavones— vitexin and orientin.

Habitat  Native to eastern Mediter- Dosage  Plant—– ml juice. ranean region, Iran, Afghanistan (CCRAS.) 496 Pithecellobium dulce Benth.

 Pithecellobium dulce Benth. Habitat Eastern Himalayas, Khasi, Jaintia and Lushai Hills. Family  Mimosaceae. Siddha/Tamil  Kalpakku. Habitat  Cultivated throughout the  plains of India. Folk Kachloraa.  English  Minila Tamarind, Madras Action Leaf—used externally Thorn, Quamachil. as a mostrum for leprosy; also  applied for promoting growth of Siddha/Tamil Karapilly, Kodukkaa hair. Seed—hypoglycaemic. Aerial Puli. parts—diuretic, spasmolytic. Folk  Vilaayati Imli, Dakhini Babool. The seeds contain .% protein; major amino acids are aspartic acid Action  Bark—astringent, febrifuge, ., glutamic acid ., alanine ., antidysenteric. Stem-bark—spas- leucine ., glycine ., serine .%. molytic. Seeds—anti-inflammatory. Seeds contain a poisonous principle The leaves contain alpha-spinaste- pithecolobine. They are used after re- rol; its beta-D-glucoside, octacosanol, peated boiling and discarding of water. kaempferol, its -rhamnoside, behenic and lignoceric acids. An insulin-like principle has also been reported in the Pittosporum dasycaulon Miq. leaves. Seeds gave kaempferol, quercetin Family  Pittosporaceae. and a saponin consisting of a mixture P Habitat  The rain forests of South of oleanolic and echinocystic acid gly- India. cosides. Lecithin is also reported from  seeds. Folk Gapasundi (Maharashtra), The seed exhibited haemolytic ag- Boogri (Karnataka). glutinating reaction with human blood. Action  Stem-bark—antibacterial, Saponins from seeds show spermicidal antifungal. activity. The bark contains tannins (up to %) of a catechol type; non-tans – Pittosporum floribundum %; .% of pectin. Wight & Arn.

Family  Pittosporaceae. Pithecellobium monadelphum Habitat  Subtropical Himalayas, Kosterm. Ganjam, Konkan, Western Ghats and the Nilgiris. Synonym  P. bi g e m i nat um auct. non-(L.) Mart. ex Benth.; Siddha/Tamil  Kattu Sampangi. P. g ra c i l e Bedd. Folk  Tumari. Vikhaari, Vekhali Family  Mimosaceae. (Maharashtra). Plantago lanceolata Linn. 497

Action  Bark—anti-inflammatory, English  Rib Grass, Ribwort Plan- antispasmodic, narcotic; used in tain, English Plantain, Buckhorn chronic bronchitis; also adminis- Plantain. tered in leprous affections; a paste  is applied to inflammatory and Unani Baartang, Aspaghol. rheumatic swellings. Folk  Balatang. The Himalayan plants yielded an es- Action  Leaf and root—as- sential oil (.%) with alpha-pinene, tringent, bechic, antiasthmatic, dipentene, linalool, cineol, methyl sal- anti-inflammatory, hypothermic, icylate, decyl aldehyde, anisaldehyde, diuretic. Seed—cathartic, diuretic, bergapten, eugenol, indole and sali- haemostatic. cylic and benzoic acids as major con- stituents. The oil is applied topically in Key application  Internally, for sprains, bruises, sciatica, rheumatism, catarrhs of the respiratory tract and chest affections and in certain skin dis- inflammatory alterations of the oral eases. and pharyngeal mucosa; externally The narcotic action of the bark is for inflammatory reactions of the attributed to the presence of a yel- skin. (German Commission E, low oleoresin. The bark also contain ESCOP.) a saponin, pittosporin. Globularin and methyl ester of de- sacetyl asperulosidic acid were iso- Plantago amplexicaulis Cav. var. lated from the plant along with cat- P bauphula (Edgew.) Pilger. apol. A crude mucilage, isolated from the leaves, contains L-arabinose .,  Family Plantaginaceae. D-galactose ., D-glucose ., D- Habitat  Punjab, Rajasthan and mannose ., L-rhamnose . and Delhi. uronic acid .%. Alpha-D-glucan was English  Brown Ispaghula. separated from this mucilage. Leaves gave aucubin and esculetin,  Unani Aspaghol. in addition to polysaccharides. The Action  Seed—astringent. Seed whole plant yielded rhamnosidoglyco- coat—demulcent. side of caffeic acid. Seeds contain .% aucubin. Aucubin exhibits antibacte- See Plantago ovata. rial activity. Hepatoprotective effect is also attributed to the aucubin content. Alcoholic extract of young leaves ex- Plantago lanceolata Linn. hibit antibacterial action against Strep- tococcus betahaemolyticus, Micrococ-  Family Plantaginaceae. cus pyogenes var. aureus and Bacillus Habitat  Western Himalayas, from subtilis, thus confirming their wound- Kashmir to Garhwal and Simla. healing properties. 498 Plantago major Linn.

 Plantago major Linn. English Ispaghula, Spogel seeds, Blond Psyllium. Family  Plantaginaceae. Ayurvedic  Ashvagola. Ashwakarna  Habitat The temperate and alpine (also equated with Shorea robusta). Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan  at altitudes of –, m. Unani Aspaghol.  English  Broadleaf Plantain. Siddha/Tamil Isapppa. Ayurvedic  Ashvagola (var.). Folk  Isabgol. Folk  Isabgol. Action  Seed and husk—laxa- Action  Plant—haemostatic, tive, diuretic, demulcent, bechic, antihistaminic, antibacterial, cholinergic. Used in inflamma- wound-healing in burns and tory conditions of the mucous inflammation of tissues. Leaves— membrane of gastrointestinal and cooling, astringent, diuretic, genitourinary tract, chronic amoe- vulnerary, febrifuge. Used for bic and bacillary dysentery; also in diarrhoea, bacillary dysentery, hypercholesterolemia. hepatitis, urinary diseases, piles, Key application  In chronic ulcers and skin diseases. Leaves constipation and irritable bowel. are used for cystitis with blood, (German Commission E.)Alsoin haematuria and other bladder constipation due to duodenal ulcer disorders. or diverticulitis (WHO.) German The aqueous extract of the leaves Commission E also noted that P showed anti-inflammatory activity in Blond Psyllium seed lowers serum mice. cholesterol levels. It has also been The aerial parts contain an iridoid shown to slow sugar absorption glucoside, majoroside. The leaves thereby reducing blood glucose. contain a phenylpropanoid glycoside, (ESCOP.) Use of Blond Psyllium plantamajoside, exhibiting antibacte- husk up to six months did not rial activity against several pathogenic clinically alter vitamin or mineral bacteria including E. coli and Staphy- status in a review of eight human lococcus aureus. (The glycoside is less trials. It did not reduce absorption inhibitory than the free acids, caffeic, of calcium. (JAmGeriatrSoc,, ferulic, and rosmarinic and esculetin.) ; Am J Clin Nutr, , ; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, .) Plantago ovata Forsk. The seed contains amino acids in- cluding valine, alanine, glutamic acid, Synonym  P. i sp a g h u l a Roxb. glycine, cystine, lysine, leucine and  Family Plantaginaceae. tyrosine; and a mucilage consisting Habitat  Cultivated in parts of of a mixture of polysaccharides com- Rajasthan and Maharashtra. posed mainly of xylose, arabinose and Plectranthus mollis Spreng. 499 galacturonic acid; rhamnose and galac- Platycodon grandiflorum tose are also present. The seeds also (Jacq.) A. DC. gave aucubin, the antibacterial princi- ple. The seed coat contains fatty acids Family  Campanulaceae. mainlylinoleic, oleicandpalmitic acids Habitat  East Asia; introduced into in decreasing concentrations. India and cultivated in rockeries The seeds show a liver protective ef- and borders. fect on induced hepatotoxicity in mice.  In China, the plant is used clinically to English Balloon Flower, Chinese treat certain types of hepatitis (activity Bell Flower. due to aucubin content). Action  Expectorant and antitussive. Root—used to treat cough, tonsillitis Dosage  Husk—– g. (CCRAS.) and asthma, also to treat stomatitis, peptic ulcer and inflammatory diseases. (WHO.) Platanus orientalis Linn. The major chemical constituents of  Family Platanaceae. the root are triterpene saponins. The Habitat  Native to eastern Mediter- root exhibits haemolytic action. ranean region; cultivated in Kashmir and North-western Himalayas at ,–, m. Plectranthus mollis Spreng. English  Oriental Plane, Oriental Sycamore. European Plane tree. Synonym  P. i nca nu s Link. P Folk  Chinaar, Buin (Kashmir and Family  Labiatae; Lamiaceae. Punjab). Habitat  Temperate Himalayas Action  Bark—antidiarrhoeal, from Simla to Sikkim and in Bihar, antiscorbutic, antirheumatic. Madhya Pradesh and Western Leaf—astringent. Buds—antiseptic, Ghats. used for urinary infection. Folk  Laal-Aghaadaa (Maharashtra). The buds yielded kaempferol, its Action  Leaves—styptic, febrifuge. derivatives and caffeic acid. The me- thanolic extract exhibits antiseptic and The aerial parts yielded an essen- antimicrobial activities. tial oil (.%) containing piperitenone The bark contains .% of platanin, oxide (.) and cis-pipestone oxide also .% tannin and .% non-tans. (.%) as major constituents. The shoots and leaves contain alan- The antimicrobial activity of  mg toin; roots phlobaphene. The sap of of the oil was found to be the same as the tree contains up to % mannitol. that of  units of penicillin G. sodium. A triterpene, platanolic acid, is found The essential oil also exhibited cardiac in most parts of the plant except the depressant, respiratory stimulant and fruit. vasoconstrictor action. The leaves and 500 Plesmonium margaritiferum Schott.

flowering tops, in addition to the oil, Theextractsofdefattedrootsshowed also contain resin and tannin. significant anti-inflammatory activity. The extracts inhibited protein exuda- tion and leucocyte migration. Plesmonium margaritiferum Neuropharmacological studies on different experimental models of ro- Schott. dents exhibited potent central nervous Family  Araceae. system depressant activity. The methanolic fraction of the ex- Habitat  Bengal, Chhota Nagpur, tract exhibited significant hepatopro- Ranchi, Purnea, Vishakhapatnam tective activity against induced hepa- and Tamil Nadu. totoxicity in rats and mice. The ex- Ayurvedic  Vajrakanda. tract also caused significant reduction Folk  Kharhar(UttarPradesh). in the elevated serum enzyme levels and serum bilirubin content in acute  Action Anti-inflammatory (well- liver injury. ground tubers are rubbed on swellings of the extremities). Seeds—externally applied to bruises. The tubers are poisonous Pluchea lanceolata C. B. Clarke. (can be eaten after several boilings). Family  Compositae; Asteraceae. Habitat  Punjab, Upper Gangetic P plains, Gujarat, Rajasthan. Pluchea indica Less. Ayurvedic  Raasnaa, Rasanaa, Raas- Family  Compositae; Asteraceae. nikaa, Rasaa, Yuktaa, Yuktrasaa, Suvahaa, Elaaparni. Habitat  Sundarbans, in salt  marshes and mangrove swamps. Folk Vaaya-surai (Uttar Pradesh), Raayasan. Folk  Kukarondh, Manjurukh Action  Aerial parts—smooth (Bengal). muscle relaxant. Stem—anti- Action  Root and leaves—astringent, inflammatory. Pluchea lanceolata antipyretic; given in decoction as is the source of Raasnaa in Punjab, a diaphoretic in fevers. Leaf— Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Vanda juice is given for dysentery; roxburghii is used as Raasnaa in an infusion for lumbago, also Bengal. Throughout South India, against leucorrhoea. Root—anti- Alpinia galanga is accepted as inflammatory, hepatoprotective. Raasnaa. The aerial parts contain terpenic The stem and leaves contain morete- glycosides. The root contains sesqui- nol, moretenol acetate, neolupenol, oc- terpenes, lignin glycosides, thiophene tacosanoic, hexacosanoic and tetra- derivatives. cosanoic acid, tetracosanol, hexaco- Plumbago zeylanica Linn. 501 sanol, triacontanol, stigmasterol and zeylanica contain about .% beta-sitosterol-D-glucoside. plumbagin. The petroleum extract of the stem and leaves and the chloroform-soluble portion of the methanolic extract ex- Plumbago zeylanica Linn. hibited .% and .% antioedema activity, respectively. The triterpenes, Family  Plumbaginaceae. moretenol acetate, moretenol and ne- Habitat  Cultivated in gardens olupenol exhibited ., , and .% throughout India; also found wild anti-inflammatory activity respective- in Peninsular India. ly as against ibuprofen as standard ex- English  Ceylon Leadwort, hibiting .% activity. Leadwort. Ayurvedic  Chitraka, Agni, Vahni, Jvalanaakhya, Krshaanu, Hutaasha, Plumbago capensis Thunb. Dahana, Sikhi.  Synonym  P. a ur i c u l at a Lam. Unani Sheetraj Hindi. Siddha/Tamil  Chittramoolam. Family  Plumbaginaceae. Action  Root—intestinal flora Habitat  Native to South Africa; normalizer, stimulates digestive growningardensinIndia. processes; used for dyspepsia. Root Ayurvedic  Nila-chitraka (blue- paste is applied in order to open flowered var.). (Bears pale-blue abscesses; a paste prepared with flowers.) milk, vinegar or salt and water, is P Action  See P. z e y l a ni ca . used externally in leprosy and other obstinate skin diseases. A cold infusion is used for influenza and black-water fever. Plumbago indica Linn. Key application  In sprue, malab- Synonym  P. ros e a Linn. sorption syndrome, piles and in- flammatory diseases of ano-rectum. Family  Plumbaginaceae. (The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of Habitat  Indigenous to Sikkim and India.) khasi hills, grown in Indian gardens. The root yielded naphthoquinone English  Rose-coloured Leadwort. derivatives, plumbagin being the most Ayurvedic  Rakta-chitraka (red- important active principle. flowered var.). The root extract, after processing  for plumbagin enhancement, has been Siddha/Tamil Chittramoolam. used in a number of drug formula- Action  See P. z e y l a ni ca . P. i ndi ca tions for liver ailments. Experimental- is preferred in West Bengal and ly, plumbagin prevented the accumula- Kerala. Both P. i ndi ca and P. tion of triglycerides in liver and aorta 502 Plumeria acuminata Ait.

and regressed atheromatous plaques Fulvoplumierin (a pigment) inhibits and abdominal aorta. The chloroform the growth of various strains of My- extract of the root showed significant cobacterium tuberculosis. activity against pencillin-resistant (also non-pencillin resistant) strains of Neis- seria gonorrhoea. (The root is used for Plumeria alba treating sexually transmitted diseases Linn. in traditional Indian medicine.) Family  Apocynaceae. In Siddha medicine, in Tamil Nadu,  theplant isan ingredient in anumberof Habitat Native to West Indies; drug formulations for treating cancers cultivated in Indian gardens. of the uterus, breast, lungs and oral English  White Champa. cavity, in addition to haemorrhoids.  Plumbagin is abortifacient, antiovu- Ayurvedic Kshira Champaka latory; causes selective testicular le- (white-flowered var.). sions in dogs; in lower doses it behaves Siddha/Tamil  Perumal Arali, like a spindle poison, in higher con- Seemai Arali. centration exhibits radiomimetic nu- Action  Root bark—used in blenn- cleotoxic and cytotoxic effects. orrhagia. Bark and latex—used Dosage  Detoxified root—– g externally in herpes, syphilitic ulcers powder. (API, Vol. I.) and scabies. Seed—haemostatic. The root gave iridoids—iso-plu- P mericin, plumericin, plumieride, plu- Plumeria acuminata Ait. mieride coumarate and its glucoside. The bark gave alpha-and beta-amyrin  Family Apocynaceae. and their acetates, beta-sitosterol, sco- Habitat  Native to Mexico; poletin and plumieride. The flowers al- cultivated in Indian gardens. so contain plumieride coumarate and its glucoside, in addition to quercetin English  Pagoda tree. derivatives. Action  Root bark—used in herpes, sexually transmitted diseases. Bark—stimulant, emmenagogue. Root—violent cathartic. Latex— Plumeria rubra Linn. purgative, rubefacient. Family  Apocynaceae. Iridoids are present in the leaf, stem, Habitat  Native to Mexico; grown flower and root. Plumieride glucoside throughout India. has been isolated from all parts of the English  Red Jasmine. plant. The plumeric acid, isolated from leaves, exhibits promising cytotoxic ac- Ayurvedic  Kshira Champaka tivity. (red-flowered var.). Podophyllum sikkimensis R. Chatterji & Mukerjee. 503

Action  Root bark—used in to skin and mucous membranes. blennorrhagia. Flower—bechic Used topically as an ointment for (used in pectoral syrups). Bark— venereal warts, verrucae and similar a decoction is used in venereal conditions. diseases and leprosy. Key application  P. p e l t at um — The bark contains cytotoxic iridoids externally, for removal of pointed (including fulvoplumierin which also condyloma (skin adjacent to the inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium treated area should be protected). tuberculosis) and the lignin, lirioden- (German Commission E.) P. h e x a n - drin. drum: Podophyllin (–%) for The plant contains the triterpene external application, – h weekly, rubrinol which showed antibacteri- for anogenital warts. (Indian Herbal al activity against Gram-positive and Pharmacopoeia.) (Podophyllin is Gram-negative bacteria, including a mitotic poison.) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a causative May Apple of North America is agent responsible for infecting burns, equated with Podophyllum peltatum wounds, urinary tract and infection in Linn. The main lignin is podophyllo- cystic fibrosis) and Pseudomonas pseu- toxin. Podophyllum hexandrum con- domallei (which causes melioidosis or tains similar lignans with the excep- pseudoglandess). tion of alpha-and beta-peltatins, which The herb contains cardiac glycosides are reportedly absent; the concentra- which have a narrow-margin of safety. tion of podophyllotoxin is up to .%. (Sharon M. Herr.) P. p e l t at um contains about .% and P the Taiwanese species P. pl e i a nt h um .% podophyllotoxin. Podophyllum hexandrum Royle. (Podophyllotoxin is a valuable lig- nin, as it is used for the synthesis Synonym  P. e m o di Wall. ex of chemically administered cytostat- Hook. f. & Thoms. ic etoposide and tenoposide.) Family  Berberidaceae. Habitat  Inner ranges of the Podophyllum sikkimensis Himalayas, from Kashmir to Sikkim R. Chatterji & Mukerjee. at ,–, m.  English  Indian Podophyllum. Family Berberidaceae.  Ayurvedic  Giriparpata. Habitat Sikkim. Folk  Paapraa (var.). Folk  Bana-kakari (Punjab), Venivel (Gujarat), Patvel (Maharashtra). Action  Resin—used against Paapraa, Paapri. tumours. Action  Rhizomes and roots— The rhizomes and roots yield .% antineoplastic. Strongly irritant resin which gave a lignin lactone desig- 504 Pogostemon benghalensis Kuntze.

nated sikkimotoxin; also -galactosidyl Pogostemon cablin Benth. quercetin, quercetin and isorhamne- tin. It is yet to be established that the Synonym  P. p at ch ou l i var. sauvis lactone possesses properties analogous Hook. f. to those of podophyllotoxin. Family  Labiatae; Lamiaceae. Habitat  Native to the Philippines; introduced in India. Pogostemon benghalensis English  Patchouli. Kuntze. Ayurvedic  Paachi. Synonym  P. plectranthoides Desf. Folk  Paanari.

Family  Labiatae; Lamiaceae. Action  Plant—insecticidal. Leaves—aninfusionisgivenin Habitat  Throughout greater part of menstrual troubles. India.

 The oil, extracted from dried leaves, Folk Ishwar-jataa. Jui-lataa (Bihar, is reported to possess antibacterial ac- Bengal). Phaangalaa (Maharashtra). tivity against E. coli, Staphylococcus au- Action  Root—used in haem- reus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacteri- orrhage, especially in uterine um coli and B. typhosum. It is also haemorrhage. Leaf—styptic; used found effective against Mycobacterium P for cleaning wounds. Essential tuberculosis. The oil is used in insect- oil—antifungal. Acetone extract— repellent preparations. insecticidal, insect repellent.

Pogostemon pubescens Benth., syno- Pogostemon parviflorus Benth. nym P. p a r v i fl or u s Benth. isalsoknown as Phaangalaa in Maharashtra. Aerial Synonym  P. pub e s ce n s Benth. part exhibits antifungal and leaf an-  tibacterial activity. Family Labiatae; Lamiaceae. Sesquiterpene lactone, caryophyl- Habitat  Hills of South-western len--beta--olide, has been isolated India, ascending to , m. from the whole plant.  Pogostemon purpurascens Dalz. Folk Phaangalaa (Maharashtra). (Manipur and South-western India) Action  Aerial parts—antifungal, also possesses properties similar to antibacterial. P. b e ng h a l e n si s . The acetone extract exhibited larvicidal activity against Acetone extract of the aerial parts the larvae of malaria vector, Anophe- exhibits larvicidal activity against the les stephensi. It also showed activity larva of malaria vector, Anopheles ste- against yellow fever mosquito. phensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. Polyalthia longifolia Thw. 505

Pogostemon patchoulis an alkaloid, lycorin, which causes Hook. f. non-Pelletier. vomiting.

Synonym  P. h e y ne a nu s Benth. Dried and powdered bulbs are used for gonorrhoea. Family  Labiatae; Lamiaceae. Habitat  Western Ghats of Karnataka, Kerala and the Nilgiri Polyalthia longifolia Thw. hills up to , m.  English  Patchouli. Family Annonaceae.  Ayurvedic  Paachi, Pancholi. Habitat Native to Sri Lanka; grown in gardens throughout the warmer Siddha/Tamil  Kadir Pachai. parts of India. Folk  Paanch (Maharashtra), English  Mast tree, Fake Asoka tree, Sugandhi Paanadi (Gujarat). False Devadaru, Cemetry tree Action  Leaf—bechic, antiasthmatic. Ayurvedic  Devadaari (Devadaaru Apoulticeofleavesisappliedto is equated with Cedrus deodara). boils and to relieve headache. (An adulterant to the bark of Saraca The plant gave alpha-pyrone deriva- asoca.) tives, pogopyrones A and B; n-octaco- Siddha/Tamil  Nettilingam. sanol, beta-sitosterol and its glucoside Action  Febrifuge. Causes cardiac and several flavones. Pogopyrone B ex- depression. hibited cytotoxic activity. P The stem bark contains clerodane diterpenes, polyalthialdoic acid and Polianthes tuberosa Linn. kolavenic acid. The stem and its bark also contain the cytotoxic aporphine Family  Amaryllidaceae. alkaloid, liriodenine, besides nor-oli- Habitat  Native to Mexico; veroline and oliveroline-beta-N-oxide. cultivated for ornamental use. Azafluorene alkaloids are also present in the bark and leaves. The leaf exhibits  English Tuberose. fungitoxic activity. Ayurvedic  Rajanigandhaa. Polyalthia simiarum Hook. f. & Siddha/Tamil  Nilasampangi. Thoms. (Orissa, Assam, Bengal, Bi- har, Eastern Himalaya) is also equated  Folk Gulcheri, Gulshabbu. with Fake Ashoka tree. It is known Action  Flowers and bulbs— as Boga-khamtou in Assam, Wojarah, diuretic. Externally used for skin Mongai in Orissa and Labshi, Kutti in eruptions. The bulbs are rubbed Nepal. with turmeric and butter and Polyalthia suberosa Thw. (from As- applied over red pimples of infants. sam to Uttar Pradesh in the North The bulbs are reported to contain and Kerala in the South) is known 506 Polycarpaea corymbosa Lam.

as Chamkhirni. The leaves contain Habitat  Throughout the warmer alpha-and beta-amyrin, lupeol, beta- parts of India in fields and waste sitosterol, stigmasterol and campes- places. terol. The stems and leaves contain the Folk  Ghima, Suretaa. triterpene, suberosol, which showed  anti-HIV replication activity. The stem Action Leaves—an infusion of roasted leaves is given for cough bark contains alkaloids, oxostepha- following fever, particularly in nine and lanuginosine, which exhibit- measles. ed antibacterial activity against sever- al Gram-positive and Gram-negative Alcoholic extract of the plant ex- bacteria. hibits spasmolytic activity. The aerial parts contain tetrahydroxy triterpenes. Presence of a triterpenoid saponin, and hentriacontane, hentriacontanol, beta- Polycarpaea corymbosa Lam. amyrin and its acetate, beta-sitosterol Family  Caryophyllaceae. and stigmasterol is also reported. Habitat  Throughout the greater part of India, ascending up to , m in the Himalaya. Polygala chinensis auct. non Linn. Ayurvedic  Parpata (substitute). Synonym  P. a r v e n si s Willd. Siddha/Tamil  Nilaisedachi. Family  Polygalaceae. Folk  Pittapaaparaa (Uttar Pradesh), P Habitat  Throughout India and the Rupaaphuli (Gujarat). Andamans.  Action Leaves—anti-inflammatory, English  Senega. applied as poultice. Also prescribed  in jaundice in the form of pills with Folk Meradu, Maraad, Negali molasses. Flowering head, along (Maharashtra). Maraad (Nepal). with stem and leaves—astringent, Action  Root—antiasthmatic; used demulcent. Plant—spermicidal. as a substitute for Senega obtained from the American plant Polygala The plant gave camelliagenins (bar- senega. (In Chinese medicine rigenol) and stigmasterol. Senega refers to P. t e nui f ol i a Willd.) Key application  Senega Root— in productive cough, catarrh of Polycarpon prostratum the respiratory tract and chronic (Forsk.) Alschers & Schweinf. bronchitis. (German Commission E, ESCOP, WHO.)  Synonym P. l o e fl i ng i i Benth. & Senega yielded lactonic lignans, Hook. f. their glycosides and flavonol glyco- Family  Caryophyllaceae. sides. The root gave arctiin, afzelin, Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle. 507 myricitrin and rutin. A triterpenic Polygala sibirica Linn. saponin was also obtained from the plant. The root contains salicylic acid, Synonym  P. h e y ne a na Wall. methyl salicylate and senegin (a sapo- ex W. & A. nin mixture). Family  Polygalaceae. Senega is used for chronic bronchi-  tis, catarrh, asthma and croup, as an Habitat Throughout the Himalayas infusion. and Western Ghats. Related species are: P. ch i ne si s Linn., English  Common Milkwort. synonym P. g l om e rat a Lour; P. t e l e - Folk  Negali, Meradu (var.). phioides Willd., synonym P. bra chy s - tachya DC. non-Bl., found throughout Action  Leaves—used in spermator- the plains of India. Both the plants are rhoea. Root—a decoction is given used as expectorant, antiasthmatic and as an expectorant in cold and cough anticatarrhal. and chronic chest diseases. (Used Toxic constituents of Polygala sene- as a substitute for Senega.) Also ga root are: triterpene saponins—– used for inflammation of urinary % senegasaponins A-D with agly- bladder; externally for mammary cone presenegenin or senegin. Sapo- abscesses and carbuncles. nins irritate GI tract mucosa and cause reflex secretion of mucous in the bron- chioles. Polygonatum cirrhifolium A French patent is used against graft (Wall.) Royle. rejection, eczema and multiple sclero- P sisasananti-inflammatorydrug. Family  Liliaceae. Habitat  Northern Himalayas, from , to , m. Ayurvedic  Mahaa-medaa, Medaa, Polygala crotalarioides (substitute: Asparagus racemosus, Buch.-Ham. ex DC. also Saalab-misri.) Family  Polygalaceae. Folk  Devarigaanl (Gharwal).  Habitat  Tropical Himalayas from Action Root—rejuvenating tonic Simla to Sikkim and the Khasi Hills. for nervous system.

Folk  Lilakanthi, Lilakaathi. (Bihar). The root gave neoprazerigenin A- Maraad (var.). -O-beta-lycotetraoside (PS-III) and its methyl proto-type congener (PS-  Action Root—used for cough II) and steroidal saponins, sibiricoside and pulmonary catarrh; chewed A (PS-I) and sibiricoside B (PS-IV). or ground and drunk with water to expel phlegm from the throat; Dosage  Root—– g powder. provokes coughing. (CCRAS.) 508 Polygonatum multiflorum All.

Polygonatum multiflorum All. revealed presence of % aspartic acid and asparagine. Family  Liliaceae. The plant exhibits diuretic proper- Habitat  Western Himalayas ties. It gave a digitalis glucoside and is from Kashmir to Kumaon and in considered poisonous by the hill peo- Manipur. ple in the Himalayas. English  Solomon’s Seal. Ayurvedic  Mahaa-medaa, Medaa (var.). (Substitute: Asparagus Polygonum affine D. Don. racemosus.) Synonym  Bistorta affinis (D. Don) Action  Anti-inflammatory, nervine, Green. astringent. Used as an infusion for  pulmonary complaints; as a poultice Family Polygonaceae. for piles and bruises. Habitat  Himalayas from Kashmir to Nepal at altitudes of ,– The root and herb gave diosgenin , m. and its glycosides. Folk  Khukhudi. Dosage  Root—– g powder. Action  Flowers—stimulant. (CCRAS.) The inflorescence gave flavonoids, including quercetin, isorhamnetin, lu- P Polygonatum verticillatum All. teolin and apigenin derivatives. The leaves contain the flavonoids, -C-  Family Liliaceae. glucosyltricin and isorhamnetin. Habitat  Temperate Himalayas and Manipur.  Ayurvedic Medaa. (Substitute: Polygonum aviculare Linn. Asparagus racemosus.) Family  Unani  Shaqaaqul. (Substitute: Polygonaceae. Pastinaca secacul.) Habitat  From Kashmir to Kumaon.  Folk Mithaa-dudhiaa. English  Knotgrass, Knotweed, Action  Used in Tibetan medicine Mexican Sanguinaria. for treating emaciation, senility, Folk  Machoti, Kesri. pulmonary affections. The rhizomes  is valued as salep. Action Astringent and haemostatic. Used for excessive menstruation, The dried rhizomes contain .–% bleeding piles; bleeding from diosgenin. bowel, stomach, lungs, nose, throat; The lactins of the rootstock did not mucous colitis, children’s summer contain carbohydrates; the amino acid diarrhoea. Polygonum glabrum Willd. 509

Key application  In mild catarrhs of uterine affections. Used as a mouth the respiratory tract, inflammatory wash and gargle for ulcerated mouth changes to the oral and pharyngeal and bleeding gums. mucosa. (German Commission E.) The herb contains ferulic, sinapic, The plant gave flavonoids including vanillic, syringic, melilotic, p-couma- quercetin, avicularin, quercitrin, and ric, p-hydroxybenzoic, gentisic, sali- derivatives of kaempferol, esculetin cyclic and ellagic acids, about –% and scopoletin. The plant also gave tannins mainly catechins. gallic, caffeic, oxalic., silicic, chloro- When administered before the in- genic and p-coumaric acids; tannins duction of adjuvant arthritis, the including catechin. aqueous-ethanolic extract of the herb The methanolic extract of the plant inhibited both the maximal oedema re- showed high protection against CCl- sponse and the total oedema response induced hepatotoxicity in mice. This in rat. activity is attributed to the presence of flavonoid glucosides. The flavonoids exhibit astringent properties and are found to decrease Polygonum glabrum Willd. capillary fragility and have a cortisone- like-effect on gingival tissue. (JEthno- Family  Polygonaceae. pharmacol, (), .) Habitat  Throughout India in marshy places, up to , m. in the hills. P

Polygonum bistorta Linn. Ayurvedic  Rakta-rohidaa (Gujarat).

Synonym  P. p a l e a ce um Wall. ex Siddha/Tamil  Attalaree. Hook. f. Action  Plant juice and rootstock— Family  Polygonaceae. used in pneumonia, consump- tion, jaundice, fevers. Leaf— Habitat  The Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim and the hills of antispasmodic. Used for colic. Assam. The leaves contain flavonoids— English  Snake Weed, Bistort, quercetin, rhamnetin, quercitrin, avic- Dragon Wort. ularin and rutin. Flowers contain pigments, delphinidin-,-diglucoside Unani  Anjabaar. and cyanidin-,-diglucoside and Action  Anti-inflammatory, quercetin. haemostatic, astringent, demulcent, The methanolic aqueous extract of anticatarrhal, antidiarrhoeal. Used the leaf gave a pure anthelmintic sub- for internal haemorrhages, irritable stance,aterpenoid(PGA).(Theherb bowel, diverticulosis, urinary and is used as an anthelmintic in Sudan.) 510 Polygonum hydropiper Linn.

 Polygonum hydropiper Linn. Folk Muniyaaraa (Bihar), Raani- phool, Macheti, Dubiaa Saaga. Family  Polygonaceae. Action  Galactogenic, antidiar-  Habitat Throughout India in wet rhoeal. Powdered herb is given in places. pneumonia. English  Water Pepper, Pepperwort, Smartweed. The whole plant yields % tannin. The rootstock contains oxymethylan- Folk  Paakur-muula, Paani-maricha thraquinone. (Bengal). Flowers gave oleanolic acid, betulin- Action  Haemostatic, astrin- ic acid, epi-friedelanol, beta-sitosterol, gent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and flavonoids—quercetin, quercetin- lithotriptic, emmenagogue (used -arabinoside and quercetin--rutino- as infusion for delayed menses side. and amenorrhoea), antifungal (root and leaf used externally). Contraindicated during pregnancy. Polygonum viviparum Linn. The herb contains sesquiterpenes, including warburganal and polygodial, Family  Polygonaceae. in the leaves; polygonal, isodrimeni- Habitat  The Himalayas from nol, isopolygodial and confertifolin in Kashmir to Sikkim at ,– the seeds; and flavonoids including , m. quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin P and rhamnesin; polygonolide (an iso- English  Viviparous Bistort. coumarin). Unani  Anjabaar. (substitute). Isoquercitrin exhibited significant anti-oxidative activity. Polygodial and Folk  Billori, Maamekh (Punjab). warburganal possess significant an- Action  Rootstock—astringent, tifungal property. Warburganal also antidiarrhoeal, antileucorrhoeic, possesses potent cytotoxic and antibi- antiseptic, antiperiodic. Used otic activity. (The herb is used against in haemoptysis; also for gleet. cancer.) A decoction is used as a gargle for sore throat and spungy gums, as a lotion for ulcers. Polygonum plebeium R.Br.

Family  Polygonaceae. English  Throughout warmer parts Polypodium vulgare Linn. of India in moist areas, ascending Family  Polypodiaceae. to , m in the Himalayas. English  Polypody Root. Ayurvedic  Sarpaakshi (a confusing synonym). Unani  Bisfaayaj. Pongamia pinnata Pierre. 511

Action  Expectorant, laxative, Action  Leaf—used in sinusitis, stomachic, cholagogue, alterative, headache, migraine, tonsillitis. Stem antistress. Used in cough, bron- bark—used for promoting expulsion chitis,catarrh,lossofappetite, of placenta after child birth. Root— dyspepsia; and in skin diseases. antibacterial, antifungal, diuretic. Leaf and root—used in dysuria. The rhizome gave saponin glyco- sides, based on polypodosapogenin, The root contains polyacetylenes, including osladin; ecdysteroids; phlo- falcarinol and heptadeca derivatives. roglucin derivatives; tannin. Falcarinol and heptadeca exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and the der- Polyporus officinalis Fries matophytic bacteria, also showed an- tifungal activity. The antibacterial ac- Family  Polyporaceae. tivity of falcarinol was found to be Habitat  On the old trunks of  to  times stronger than that of various coniferous trees. erythromycin, chloramphenicol and  oxytetracyclin. English White Agaric. Polyscias scutellaria (Burm. f.) F. R. Unani  Ghaariqoon. Fosberg (commonly grown in Indian Action  Used in the treatment of gardens) exhibits anti-inflammatory sweats in wasting diseases such as activity. The leaves contain several tri- phthisis (it checks profuse sweats); terpenoid saponins, polyscisaponins, also as an expectorant and diuretic. oleanolic acid derivatives. P The drug contains agaric acid (agari- cin). The resinous extract, when burnt, Pongamia pinnata Pierre. yields not more than % of a white ash, rich in phosphates. The drug gives – Synonym  P. g l abra Vent. % soft resin. Derris indica (Lam.) Benett. Agaric acid acts as a counter-irritant Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. when applied to abraded surfaces or mucous membrane. Habitat  Western Ghats, tidal forests up to , m. English  Pongam Oil tree, Indian Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms. Beech. Synonym  Nothopanax fruticosum Ayurvedic  Karanja. (L.) Miq. Siddha/Tamil  Pungam. Panax fruticosus L. Action  Oil—applied in scabies,  Family Araliaceae. herpes, leucoderma and other Habitat  Cultivated in gardens all cutaneous diseases; over chest in over India. pneumonia and cold; also used 512 Populus alba Linn.

internally as cholagogue in sluggish Populus alba Linn. liver. Leaves—juice is prescribed in flatulence, dyspepsia, diarrhoea Family  Salicaceae. andcough.Aninfusionisgivenfor Habitat  Northwestern Himalaya leprosy and gonorrhoea. Root— at ,–, m, also grown in a paste is used in scrofulous avenues. enlargements; juice is used for cleaning foul ulcers and closing English  White Poplar. fistulous sores. Stem bark—given Folk  Safedaa, Jangali Fraas. internally in bleeding piles. Rind of pod and seed—prescribed in Action  Bark—antirheumatic, bronchitis and whooping cough. anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, Leaf and seed—antileprotic. Leaf antipyretic, diuretic, febrifuge, and seed oil—antirheumatic. stimulant, antiseptic. Used for arthritis, rheumatic affections, cystitis and other urinary diseases, The tree is rich in flavonoids and re- stomach and liver disorders, lated compounds. These include sim- anorexia and debility. ple flavones, furanoflavonoids, chro- menoflavones, chromenochalcones, Key application  Unopened leaf- coumarones, flavone glucosides, ster- buds externally for haemorrhoids, ols, triterpenes and a modified phenyl- frostbite and sunburn. (German alanine dipeptide. Seeds and seed oil Commission E.) gave karanjin, pongamol, pongapin P and kanjone. The bark contains glycosides, salicin The aqueous extract of stem bark and populin, erisin and tannin (–%). shows significant sedative and an- Salicin, a bitter tonic and antiperiod- tipyretic effects in rats, and antispas- ic, is used like quinine in intermittent modic effect in vitro on smooth mus- fever, also in rheumatism. cles. InIndonesia,adecoctionofthebark is drunk after child birth. Populus nigra Linn. var. The aqueous extract of seeds showed italica Kochne. significant antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses HSV- and  Family  Salicaceae. cell lines experimentally. Albino rats, Habitat  North-western Himalaya treated with the aqueous extract of at –, m. seeds, recovered faster from induced infection and skin-burn than the un- English  Black Lombardy Poplar. treated ones. Action  Bark and balsam from leaf bud— used for cold. Bark— Dosage  Seed— mg powder; – depurative. Leaf bud—antiseptic,  g for decoction. (API, Vol. I.) anti-inflammatory. Portulaca quadrifida Linn. 513

The bud exudate contains dimethyl- Action  Refrigerant (reduces body caffeic acid, which was found active heat), mild spasmodic, diuretic, against herpes simplex virus type . antiscorbutic. Used in scurvy and in A%ethanolextractofamixture diseases of liver, spleen, kidney and of flowers and buds showed % inhibi- bladder; also in dysuria, stomatitis tion of enzymatic conversion of testos- and dysentery. A paste of leaves terone into  alpha-dihydrotesterone is applied to swellings, erysipelas, and -androstene-, -dione. The ex- burns and scalds. Seeds—diuretic, tract was partitioned between ethylac- antidysenteric; applied externally to etate and water and the resultant ethy- burns and scalds. lacetate fraction contained the active compounds, pinobanksin, demethyl- A crude protein-free extract of the quercetin and pinocembrin. It exhib- herb contained l-nor-adrenaline, do- ited % inhibitory activity on the en- pamine and l-dopa, also catechol. (The zyme. Pinocembrin was the most po- fresh plant contained . mg/g l-nor- tent, almost equal to estradiol, which adrenaline in one sample.) The extract wasusedasacontrol. gave a strong pressor response when in- The bark of all Populus species con- jected intravenously into anaesthetized tains, phenolic glycosides, salicin and dogs. populin (salicin benzoate). Tannins are The oral administration of the ho- also present (–%). mogenates of P. ol e ra ce a reduced the Both salicin and populin cause elim- blood sugar level of alloxan-diabetic ination of uric acid. Salicin is antiperi- rabbits to normal. odic and is used like quinine in inter- The extract of the leaves and stems P mittent fever, also in coryza, rheuma- reducedmuscletoneinindividuals tism and neuralgia. suffering from spasticity and exhib- ited skeletal muscle relaxant activity both in vitro and in vivo.Theextract produced dose-dependent negative in- Portulaca oleracea Linn. otropic and chronotropic effects and pressor response on rat blood pres- Family  Portulacaceae. sure. Habitat  All over India, cultivated The diuretic action of the herb is as a vegetable. attributedtothepresenceofhighper- centage of potassium salts. English  Common Purslane. Dosage  Plant-– mg powder; Ayurvedic  Brihat Lonikaa, Lonaa, juice—– ml (CCRAS.) Loni, Ghoddhika, Ghotikaa, Upodika, Khursaa. Unani  Khurfaa, Kulfaa. Portulaca quadrifida Linn. Siddha/Tamil  Pulli-keerai, Parup- pukirai. Family  Portulacaceae. 514 Portulaca tuberosa Roxb.

Habitat  Warmer parts of India, leucorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, cultivated as a vegetable. arthritis, cramps, kidney stones, Ayurvedic  Laghu-lonikaa. bleeding piles; as a mouth wash in pyrrhoea, gingivitis and sore throat. Siddha/Tamil  Siru Pasalai-keerai. Key application  Action  Similar to P. ol e ra ce a . In mild dismenor- Used in asthma, cough, urinary rhoeal disorders; as a support for discharges, inflammations and treatment of milder, nonspecific, ulcers. A poultice of the herb acute diarrhoea and in light inflam- is applied to haemorrhoids and mation of the oral and pharyngeal erysipelas. mucosa. (German Commission E.) The plant gave anthocyanins—cy- anidin and delphinidin. Aerial parts Portulaca tuberosa Roxb. gave tannins (–%). The plant al- so gave choline, betaine, histidine, an Synonym  P. pi l os a Linn. essential oil and vitamin E.  Family Portulacaceae. The maximum amounts of tannins Habitat  Peninsular India, near occur in the root stock (up to .% on sea-coasts. dry basis). The ethanolic and aqueous Ayurvedic  Bichhuu-buuti. extract of the herb ( : ) contain . to .% of tannin. The tannin fraction  Folk Jangali Gaajar (Gujarat), exhibited anti-mutagenic effect. Sanjivani (Bihar). Potentilla fruticosa HK. (temperate P Action  Leaves—an infusion Himalaya) is also used like Silverweed. is given internally in dysuria; The flowers and young shoots con- externally applied to erysipelas. The tain flavonoids, quercetin, terniflorin, herb shows diuretic, calculolythic, tribuloside and (−)-catechin. The plant analgesic and antipyretic properties. also contains stigmasterol, beta-sitos- terol and campesterol; (−)-epicatechol The aerial parts contain diterpe- gallate, ()-catechol, (−)-epicatechol, noids, pilosanone A and B. (−)-epigallocatechol and (−)-epigallo- catecholgallatehavebeen isolated from aerial parts. Potentilla anserina Linn. Family  Rosaceae.  Habitat Western Himalayas at Potentilla arbuscula D. Don. altitudes of ,–, m.  English  Silverweed. Family Rosaceae. Action  Astringent, anti- Habitat  Temperate Himalaya from inflammatory, antispasmodic, Himachal Pradesh to Sikkim and haemostatic. Used for diarrhoea, the hills of Assam at ,–, m. Premna herbacea Roxb. 515

Ayurvedic  Bajradanti (Kumaon Unani  Baadiyaan-kohi, Karafs-e- and Garhwal). Potentilla fulgens kohi, Fitraasaaliyun (also equated HK. is also equated with Bajradanti. with Petroselinum crispum Mill. Action  Rootstock—antidiar- Nym. ex auct. Kew.). rhoeal; used in tooth powders for Folk  Komal. strengthening gum and teeth. Action  Root and fruit—diuretic, emmenagogue. An infusion of root is given for indigestion and irregular Potentilla nepalensis Hook. menses. Family  Rosaceae. The roots and umbels yielded cou- Habitat  The Himalayas from marins and their glycosides. Osthol Kashmir to Kumaon. (-methoxy--isopentenyl-coumarin),  which occurs in the dried roots up to Folk Ratanjot (substitute). the extent of .%, has been found to Action  Rootstocks—depurative; be a potent respiratory and circulatory ash, mixed with oil, is applied to stimulant in experimental animals. Its burns. respirotonic effect was more marked than that of coramine, leptazol and caffeine. Pothos scandens Linn.

Family  Araceae. Premna herbacea Roxb. Habitat  Cultivated as an orna- P mental. Found in Bihar, North Synonym  Pygmaeopremna herbacea Bengal, Orissa, Western Ghats and Moldenke. Southwards. Family  Verbenaceae.  Siddha/Tamil Aanaparuga. Habitat  The sub-tropical Himalayas Action  Leaves—anti-inflammatory, and in Assam, extending southwards antiseptic, antimicrobial. Applied to through West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa smallpox pustules. Root—bruised into Deccan Peninsula. Roots are and fried in oil, applied to abscesses. usually confused with those of Clerodendrum serratum and are sold as Bhaarangi. Prangos pabularia Lindl. Siddha/Tamil  Siru Thekku.  Family  Umbelliferae; Apiaceae. Folk Gethiaa, Ghantu Bhaarangi. Baaman-haati (Bengal). Fruits  Habitat Kashmir and Himachal are known as Bhuumi-jambu, Pradesh at altitudes of ,– Phin Jaamun. The root is known , m. as Bhaarangamuula; in Andhra Ayurvedic  Avipriya. Pradesh, Gandu Bhaarangi. 516 Premna integrifolia Linn.

Action  Root and leaves—given in controlling the activity of the adreno- asthma, rheumatism. corticotropic hormone.

The root contains several diterpe- Dosage  Leaf, root bark—– noids. Quinonemethide (bharangin)  ml decoction, powder—– g. is reported from the plant. (CCRAS.)

Premna integrifolia Linn. Premna latifolia Roxb.  Synonym P. obt u si f ol i a R. Br. Family  Verbenaceae. P. cor y mb os a auct. non Rottl. & Habitat  Peninsular India, Bihar, Willd. West Bengal and North-eastern Family  Verbenaceae. India.  Habitat Indian and Andaman English  Dusky Fire Brand Bark. Coasts, plains of Assam and Khasi  hills. Ayurvedic Agnimantha (var.). Siddha/Tamil  Pachumullai, Erumai English  Headache tree. munnai. Ayurvedic  Agnimantha (Kerala),  Shriparni, Jayee, Ganikaarikaa, Folk Agethu (var.). Vaataghni. Action  Leaves—diuretic, spasmo- Siddha/Tamil  Munnai lytic. Stem bark—hypoglycaemic. P Folk  Agethaa, Ganiyaari. The leaves gave a furanoid, prem- Action  Carminative, galactagogue. nalatin, and flavone glycosides. The The tender plant is used for neuralgia stem bark gave iridoid glucosides and and rheumatism. A decoction of geniposidic acid. leaves is used for flatulence and Premna latifolia var. mucronata C. B. colic. Clarke and Premna barbata Wall. are known as Bakaar and Basota (in Garh- Aqueous extracts of the plant wal). These have been equated with the showed a powerful action on the uterus classical herb Vasuhatta. and gout of the experimental animals, causing a marked increase in their ac- tivity. Premna tomentosa Willd. The leaves contain an isoxazole al- kaloid premnazole, which was found Synonym  Cornulia corymbosa to reduce granuloma formation in rats Lam. (.%), its activity was comparable Family  Verbenaceae. to phenylbutazone (–%).  Premnazole also reduced GPT and Habitat Peninsular India and Bihar GOT in serum and liver. Studies sug- up to , m. gest that premnazole acts probably by English  Bastard Teak. Prosopis chilensis Stuntz. 517

Ayurvedic  Agnimanth (var.). The roots and rhizomes of P. v e r i s Siddha/Tamil  Kolakottathekku and P. e l at i or contain a saponin, yield- pinari, Pondanganari. ing a sapogenin, primulagenin A. A fla- vonol glycoside named primulaflavo-  Folk Gineri (var.). noloside has been reported in the flow- Action  Bark and essential oil ers of P. v e r i s . The root of P. v e r i s are of root—used in stomach disor- considered as a substitute for Senega ders. Leaf—diuretic, vulnerary; (Polygala senega)roots. prescribed as a tonic after child Anthocyanidins have been detect- birth; used in dropsical affections. ed in most of the Primula species, al- Pounded leaves—vulnerary. so a highly toxic allergenic substance, primin, in the leaves and glandular The heartwood gave apigenin deri- hairs. The floral and foliar parts of the vatives. The leaves gave essential oil different genotypes showed presence of containing d-and dl-limonene, beta- kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin. caryophyllene a sesquiterpene hydro- carbon, a diterpene hydrocarbon and a sesquiterpene tertiary alcohol. Primula vulgaris Huds.

Synonym  P. acaulis Hill. Primula denticulata Sm. Family  Primulaceae. Family  Primulaceae. Habitat  Sub-Himalayan region. Habitat  Temperate Himalayas from  P Kashmir to Bhutan and in Khasi English Primrose (Evening and Jaintia hills at , m. Primrose is equated with Oenothera biennis), Cowslip. Folk  Keechey (Tibet). Unani   Nakhud. (Also equated Action Root—powder used for with Cicer arietinum by National killing leeches. Flowers—eaten in Formulary of Unani Medicine.) salad. Action  Plant—anti-inflammatory, The whole plant contains several tri- vulnerary, vermifuge, emetic. Used terpenoid saponins. only externally. Primula veris Linn., synonym P. officinalis Hill and P. e l at i or Hill are The plant gave phenolic glycosides, growninIndiangardens. flavonoids, saponins.

Key application  Primula veris, P. elatior Hill—the flower and the root in catarrhs of the respiratory tract. Prosopis chilensis Stuntz. (German Commission E, ESCOP.)  Contraindicated in gastritis and Synonym Prosopis juliflora DC. gastric ulcer. (ESCOP.) Family  Mimosaceae. 518 Prosopis spicigera Linn.

Habitat  Argentine, Arid, Mexican, Habitat  Dry and acrid regions of Peruvian and Australian species India. have been introduced into India. Ayurvedic  Shami, Tungaa, English  Mesquite. Keshahantri, Shankuphalaa. Folk  Khejaraa, Vilaayati Kikar, Siddha/Tamil  Kalisam. Kaabuli Kikar. Action  Pod—astringent, pec- Action  Gum—inferior to Gum toral, demulcent. Bark—anti- arabic. The dry wood contains inflammatory, antirheumatic. ., bark .–., and roots –% Flower—administered to prevent tannin. miscarriage. The leaves contain piperidine alka- The stem bark contains vitamin K, loids, juliprosinene, juliflorinine and n-octacosyl acetate, the long chain N-methyljuliforidine. Other alkaloids aliphatic acid. Presence of glucose, present in the leaves are juliprosine, rhamnose, sucrose and starch is also isojuliprosine, juliflorine, julifloricine reported. and julifloridine. A cytotoxic principle, patulibin, has A mixture of alkaloids containing been isolated from flowers. mainly juliprosine and isojuliprosine  showed significant antifungal activity Dosage Leaf, fruit—– g powder, against dermatophytes (comparable to – ml decoction. (CCRAS.) griseofulvin). P The alkaloid fraction also showed broad spectrum bactericidal action Prosopis stephaniana Kunth. against both Gram-positive and Gram-  negative bacteria (comparable to an- Family Mimosaceae. tibiotics like penicillin, streptomycin, Habitat  Parts of Punjab and ampicillin, sulphamethoxazole and te- Gujarat. tracycline). Ayurvedic  Samudra-shami, Shami Significant activity of juliflorine (var.). against fungi and bacteria, and that  of julifloricine against bacteria has also Folk Khejaraa (var.) been reported. Action  Pods and roots—astringent, The fruit gave a flavone glycoside, styptic, antidysenteric. patulitrin which exhibited cytotoxic activity. Prunus amygdalus Batsch var. amara (bitter); var. sativa (sweet). Prosopis spicigera Linn. Family  Rosaceae.  Synonym P. c i ne ra r i a Druce. Habitat  Cultivated in Kashmir Family  Mimosaceae. at elevation of –, m, also Prunus avium Linn. 519

in Himachal Pradesh and Uttar plasma cholesterol and low-density Pradesh. lipoprotein cholesterol. English  Almond. Ayurvedic  Vaataama, Vaataada. Prunus armeniaca Linn. Unani  Baadaam Shireen, Loz. Family  Rosaceae. Siddha/Tamil  Vaadumai. Habitat  North-western Himalayas, Action  Kernels—nutritious, particularly in the valleys of demulcent and stimulant nervine Kashmir, Chenab and Kullu, and in tonic; valuable in diets for peptic Simla hills at altitudes of , m. ulcer. Unripe fruits— astringent, English  Apricot. applied to gums. Oil—nutritive,  demulcent, slightly laxative. Ayurvedic Peetaalu, Aaluka, Urumaana. Almond flour made from the residue Unani  Khuubaani, Mashmash. left after expressing almond oil, and al-  mond butter, is used for the prepara- Action Powdered kernels— tion of starch-free diabetic food. antitussive, antiasthmatic. The chief protein of almond is a glo- The dried apricot contains, ,- bulin, amandin, an albumin is also re- dihydroxybenzoic, chlorogenic and ported. Amandin has a high arginine vanillic acids, quercetin, quercitrin, content (.%). The primary chemi- rutin, hyperoside and kaempferol. cal difference between the sweet and Apricot leaves contain quercetin, cy- P bitter kernel lies in the high content nadin, kaempferol, caffeic acid and (.–.%) of amygdalin in bitter ker- p-coumaric acid. nel; the ripe sweet almond being free of this cyanogenetic glucoside. Owing tothepresenceofamygdalin,which on enzymatic hydrolysis yields hydro- Prunus avium Linn. cyanic acid, the bitter almond is not fit Family  Rosaceae. for human consumption.  The oil yield from bitter kernels is Habitat Native to Eurasia; usually  to % and from sweet al- cultivated in Kashmir, Kumaon and mond  to %. The bitter almond Himachal Pradesh. oil containing hydrocyanic acid finds English  Sweet Cherry. limited use in medicine as an antispas- Ayurvedic  Elavaaluka, Elaya, modic and sedative. Dissolved in  Harivaaluka. times water, it is applied externally in  prurigo senilis. Hydrocyanic acid-free Folk Gilaas, Krusbal. oil is used for flavouring purposes. Action  Fruit stalks—diuretic, anti- Partial replacement of saturated fat- inflammatory, astringent, used for ty acids with almonds lowers total oedema, inflammation of urinary 520 Prunus cerasoides D. Don.

tract, cystitis, nephritis, urinary Action  Kernel—antilithic. Stem— retention. refrigerant, antipyretic. Tender branches are crushed and soaked in The stems contain salicylic acid, water and taken internally to avert organic acids tannins and potassium abortion. Oil—similar to that of salts. Protocatechuic, p-coumaric, fer- bitter almond oil. ulic and diferculic acids have been identified in the shoots. The plant contains a flavone glu- The fruit contains salicylates and coside, puddumin-A. The root bark cyanogenic glycosides, and vitamin A, contains beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, B and C. Sugars consist mainly of ursolic acid, prunetinoside, glucogen- glucose and fructose, with sucrose as kwanin and neosakuranin. Seeds con- a minor component. Malic acid is the tain flavonoid glycosides. principal acid, small amounts of cit- The leaves, twigs, bark and kernels ric, tartaric and succinic acids are also contain a cyanogenetic substance. reported. The lipids of the fruit pulp Dosage  Heartwood—– g powder. contain cis-vaccenic acid. (API, Vol. III.) The acetone extract of peduncle gave an isoflavone, prunetin, which on hy- drolysis yielded an aglycone identified as prunetin and sugar as glucose. Prunus cerasus Linn. The seeds contain a cyanogenic gly- Family  Rosaceae. coside and are toxic. The bark contains  tannins up to %. Habitat Native of Eurasia; P cultivated in Kashmir, Himachal Dosage  Seed—– g powder. Pradesh and Kumaon for edible (CCRAS.) fruits. English  Sour Cherry. Ayurvedic  Elavaaluka (var.). Prunus cerasoides D. Don. Folk  Aalu-baalu, Gilaas.  Synonym P. pu d dum Roxb. ex Action  Fruit—diuretic, anti- Brandis. non-Miq. inflammatory. Used for genitouri- Family  Rosaceae. nary inflammations, cystitis and  urine retention. Bark—febrifuge, Habitat The temperate Himalayas antidiarrhoeal. Fruit stalk—diuret- from Garhwal to Sikkim, also in ic. Fruit stalk and stem—pectoral. Ootacamund. Bark and fruit stalk—astringent. English  Wild Himalayan Cherry, Kernel—nervine. Leaf—an infusion Bird Cheery. is given for convulsions in children. Ayurvedic  Padmaka, Padma- Key application  Heartwood—in gandhi, Padmaadyaa, Padmaakha, skin eruptions, erysipelas, obstinate Padmakaashtha. skin diseases, haemorrhagic Prunus persica Batsch. 521

diseases. As a tonic for promoting tion was comparable to that of Meto- conception. (The Ayurvedic clopramide (Maxolon) and chlorpro- Pharmacopoeia of India.) mazine (Largactil). The leaves, fruits and bark gave flavone glycosides. The bark contains –% tannin. The kernel contains Prunus mahaleb Linn. a considerable proportion of hydro- Family  Rosaceae. cyanic acid. The leaves contain amyg-  dalin. (Amygdalin, a nitrile glycoside, Habitat Native to Europe and has been reported to inhibit the growth West Asia, introduced in India and of Sarcoma- cells in culture.) grownasanornamental. English  Mahaleb Cherry. Ayurvedic  Gandha-priyangu. Prunus domestica Linn. (Priyangu is equated with Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl.) Synonym  P. communis Huds. Unani  Mahlib, Habb-ul-Mihlab. Family  Rosaceae. Folk  Ghaulaa (Maharashtra). Habitat  Cultivated in Kashmir,  Himachal Pradesh and Kumaon. Action Kernel—paste applied externally for treating freckles and  English Prune. blemishes. Contains coumarin, Ayurvedic  Aaruka (Prunus domes- salicylic acid, amygdalin and hydro- tica var. insititia). Aaluubukhaaraa. cyanic acid as major constituents; P the oil gave alpha-elecsteric acid. Unani  Aaluuchaa. Siddha/Tamil  Alpagada-pungam.  Action Fruit—refrigerant, laxative, Prunus persica Batsch. nutritive. Improves haemoglobin levels in iron deficiency. Promotes Synonym  Persica vulgaris Nutt. excretion of excess calcium by Amydgala persica Linn. the kidneys. An adjuvant for Family  Rosaceae. atherosclerosis and arthritis.  Root—astringent. Habitat Native to China; cultivated in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and The fruit pulp contains about % Kumaon. sugar and malic acid as major con- English  Peach. stituents. Kernel contains fixed oil  about % and amygdalin and benzoic Ayurvedic Aaluka, Aaruka, Aru, acid among others. Pichuka. The crude extract of the fruit was Action  Fruit—mild tranquillizer, found effective in controlling central- expectorant, diuretic, antipyretic. ly induced emesis in dogs. The ac- Bark or leaves—used as tea for 522 Pseudarthria viscida Wt. & Arn.

morning sickness, dry and hard Psidium guajava Linn. cough, whooping cough and bronchitis. Leaves—used in Family  Myrtaceae. leucoderma. Habitat  Native to Central America; Flowers—galactagogue. cultivated chiefly in Uttar Pradesh, Peach seeds are a constituent of a tra- Punjab, Bihar, Maharashtra, and ditional Chinese herbal drug which has Andhra Pradesh. been used for the treatment of gynae- English  Guava cological disorders such as hypermen- orrhea, dysmenorrhoea and infertility. Ayurvedic  Peruka (non-classical), Peach fruit extract containing nitrile Amaruuda. glycosides, such as prunasin and amyg- Siddha/Tamil  Koyya. dalin, has been reported to inhibit the  growth of Sarcoma- cells in culture. Action Unripe fruit—antidiar- Fast-acting, wrinkle-eliminating rhoeal. Leaves—used for dysentery, cosmetic formulations contain peach diabetes, cough and cold. Flowers— kernel extract as one of the compo- anthelmintic. nents. Guava juice may be helpful in reg- The heartwood contains beta-sitos- ulating blood sugar in type  diabetes terol and its D-glucoside, hentriacon- and syndrome X. (Sharon M. Herr.) tane, hentriacontanol, and the flavo- A residue obtained from methanolic noids naringenin, dihydrokaempferol, fraction of unripe fruits was found to kaempferol and quercetin. P possess significant antidiarrhoeal ac- tivity. The fraction decreased gastric motility in an experimental animal Pseudarthria viscida Wt. & Arn. model. The fraction was also found to Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. inhibit significantly the growth of dif- ferent strains of Shigella sp. and Vibrio  Habitat Orissa throughout South cholerae. India and Gujarat. In China and Taiwan, the leaf extract Ayurvedic  Sanaparni, Shaalaparni is administered for treating diarrhoea, (Kerala). dysentery, diabetes and inflammations. Siddha/Tamil  Neermalli. The leaf extract (containing quercetin) inhibits acetylcholine release in the Action  Root—astringent, febrifuge, gastro-intestinal tract which might ac- antirheumatic. A decoction or count for us antidiarrhoeal activity. An powder is used for biliousness extract of leaves with a little salt is given and diarrhoea. Used as a substi- in relieve whooping cough. tute for Desmodium gangeticum In New Papua Guinea, decoction of (Shaalaparni) in South India. new leaf tips is drunk to treat hepatitis. Leucopelargonidin has been isolated Guava seed oil contains very higher from the root. proporation of linoleic acid (.%) Pterocarpus dalbergioides Roxb. 523 than sunflower, groundnut, olive, soy- compounds. These include psoralen, bean and coconut oil. The seeds from isopsoralen, bavachinin. Pakistan yield .% of a fatty oil. A mixture of psoralen and isopso- Vitamin C content of the ripe fruit ralen, in a ratio of :, is recommended ranges from  to  mg/ g. It for topical application in leucoderma. is highest in the skin and in the flesh These furanocoumarins initiate trans- next to it. formation of DOPA to melanin un- Psidium cattleyanum Sabine is equa- der the influence of UV light. Seeds ted with Straberry Guava and is known are powdered and administered orally as Seemai Koyya in Tamil Nadu and with warm water ( g/day) in cases of Pahari Payaar in Bengal. The fruit con- eczema. tains vitamin C – mg/ g. Psoralen was found to be cytotoxic Smaller var. of Guava is equated in vitro. The combination therapy of with Psidium guineense Sw. It is found psoralen and UV irradiation has been in Tripura. shown to inhibit the growth of tumours in vivo. Bavachinin-A, isolated from the fruits, exhibited marked anti-inflam- Psoralea corylifolia Linn. matory, antipyretic and mild anal- Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. gesic properties similar to those of oxyphenylbutazone and hydrocorti- English  Babchi, Purple Fleabane. sone. It demonstrated better antipyret- Habitat  Rajasthan., eastern districts ic activity than paracetamol experi- of Punjab and adjoining areas of mentally. P Uttar Pradesh. Oral administration of the pow- Ayurvedic  Somaraaji, Somavalli, dered seeds has generally resulted in Somavallik, Soma, Chaandri, side reactions (nausea, vomiting, purg- Vaakuchi, Baakuchi, Avalguja. ing); external application generally (Somaraaji and Avalguja have also proved highly irritant to the skin. been equated with Centratherum Dosage  Seed—– g powder anthelminticum.) (CCRAS.); – g powder (API, Unani  Baabchi, Bakuchi. Vol. I). Siddha/Tamil  Karpoogaarisi. Action  Seed—used in leucoderma, vitiligo, leprosy, psoriasis and Pterocarpus dalbergioides Roxb. inflammatory diseases of the skin, both orally and externally. (The Family  Fabaceae. Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.) Habitat  The Andamans, sparingly The seed and roots contain chal- cultivated in West Bengal. cones, flavones, isoflavones, furano- English  Andaman Padauk, coumarins and coumesterol group of Andaman Redwood. 524 Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.

Ayurvedic  Rakta-chandana (var.). Key application  Heartwood— Siddha  Vengai (Tamil), Yerravegisa in anaemia, worm infestation, (Telugu). skin diseases, urinary disorders, lipid disorders and obesity. Stem  Folk Chalangada (Andamans). bark—in diabetes. (The Ayurvedic Action  See Pterocarpus santalinus. Pharmacopoeia of India.)

The wood contains a red pigment The heartwood and roots contain santalin and a yellow flavonoid san- isoflavonoids, terpenoids and tannins. tal, both of which also occur in Pte- Tannins include the hypoglycaemic rocarpus santalinus. The bark and the principle (−)-epicatechin. Stilbenes, heartwood contain pterostilbene. The such as pterostilbene; flavonoids, in- heartwood yields pterocarpin, liquirit- cluding liquiritigenin, isoliquiritige- igenin and isoliquiritigenin. The sap- nin, -hydroxyflavanone, ,-dihy- wood gave homopterocarpin addition- droxyflavanone, -deoxykaempferol ally. and pterosupin; a benzofuranone mar- Pterocarpus indicus Willd. non-Ba- supsin and propterol, p-hydroxy-ben- ker, Malay Padauk, is also known as zaldehyde are active principles of ther- Vengai in Tamil and Yerravegisa in Tel- apeutic importance. ugu. A decoction of the wood is given The gum-kino from the bark pro- in dropsy and for stone in the bladder. vides a non-glucosidal tannin, Kino The bark-kino is used as an application tannic acid (–%). for sores and a decoction of the bark The (−)-epi-catechin increases the P or kino is used for diarrhoea. cAMP content of the islets which is associated with the increased insulin release, conversion of proinsulin to in- Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. sulin and cathepsin B activity. Oral administration of ethylacetate Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. extract of the heartwood and its fla- Habitat  Throughout the tropical vonoid constituents, marsupin, ptero- zones of India in the hilly regions. supin and liquiritigenin, for  con- secutive days to rats exhibited a sig- English  Indian Kino tree, Malabar nificant reduction of serum triglyc- Kino tree. erides, total cholesterol and LDL- and Ayurvedic  Asana, Bijaka, Priyaka, VLDL-cholesterol levels, but it did not Pitashaala. exert any significant effect on HDL- Unani  Bijaysaar. cholesterol.  The ethanolic and methanolic ex- Siddha/Tamil Vengai. tracts of the heartwood exhibited sig- Action  Bark-kino—astringent, nificant in vitro antimicrobial activi- antihaemorrhagic, antidiarrhoeal. ty against Gram-positive and Gram- Flowers—febrifuge. Leaves—used negative bacteria and some strains of externally for skin diseases. fungi. Pterospermum acerifolium Willd. 525

Kino is powerfully astringent. The lowering blood sugar levels in fasting, therapeutic value of kino is due to Kino fed, glucose-loaded and streptozotocin tannic acid. diabetic models in rats. A cream prepared from the metha- Dosage  Heartwood—– g nolic extract of the heartwood of Red for decoction. (API, Vol. I); stem Sandalwood and rhizomes of Curcuma bark—– g for decoction (API, longa showed .% inhibition of Vol. III). oedema in combination (Curcuma lon- ga and red sandalwood showed . and .% inhibition respectively, Pterocarpus santalinus Linn. f. when used individually). Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. A decoction of the heartwood pro- duced potentiation of pentobarbitone-  Habitat Found in Cuddaph district induced hypnosis in albino mice; of Andhra Pradesh, neighbouring blocked conditioned avoidance res- areas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. ponse in rats and showed anticonvul- English  Red Sandalwood, Red sant and anti-inflammatory activities. Sanders. Dosage   Heartwood—– g Ayurvedic Raktachandana, powder. (API, Vol. III.) Raktasaara. Unani  Sandal Surkh.  Siddha/Tamil Shivappu chandanam. Pterospermum acerifolium Folk  Laal-chandan. Willd. P Action  Heartwood—antibilious, Family  Sterculiaceae. anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic,  astringent, diaphoretic, febrifuge. Habitat Maharashtra, Manipur, North Bengal, Bihar and Assam, A paste of wood is used external- Western Ghats and Andaman ly for inflammations and headache. Islands. Fruit—antidysenteric English  Hathipaila. The heartwood contains terpeno- ids—eudesmol, iso-pterocarpolone, Ayurvedic  Muchukun- pterocarpol, cryptomeridiol, ptero- da, Muchakunda, Kshatra- carptriol and pterocarpdiolone; pig- vriksha, Chivuka, Prativishnuka, ments santalins A and B. The bark con- Muchukunda Champaa. Karnikaara tains triterpenoids—beta-ampyrone, (also equated with Cassia fistula). lupenone and lupeol derivatives. The Unani  Gul-e-Muchkun. sapwood gave acetyl oleanolic alde-  hyde, acetyl oleanolic acid and ery- Siddha/Tamil Vennangu. throdiol. Action  Flower—anti-inflammatory, An ethanolic extract (%) of the styptic (used for bleeding piles, wood powder was found effective in haematuria, ulcers). Charred 526 Pterospermum canescens Roxb.

flowers and bark, mixed with the Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi. powder of Mallotus philippinensis, are applied to smallpox eruptions. Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. Habitat  Eastern Himalayas, Assam The fresh flowers yielded kaempfe- and Khasi Hills. rol--O-beta-D-galactoside, along with luteolin and its -O-glucoside. English  Tropical Kudze. The leaves also contain betulin, lu- Ayurvedic  Vidaari (var.). peol, bauerenol, friedelin and beta- Action  Root—antipyretic, anti- sitosterol. inflammatory, spasmolytic. Flow- Dosage  Flower—– g powder. er—hepatoprotective. (CCRAS.) The root of P. l ob at a is used in Chi- nese medicine as an antipyretic and spasmolytic agent. Pterospermum canescens Roxb. The root contains pueraria glyco- sides and puerarol. The glycosides Synonym  P. sub e r i f ol i um Lam. showed strong antioxidant activity and non-Roxb. inhibited lipid peroxidation. The root also contain several flavones which Family  Sterculiaceae. showed .% inhibition against stom- Habitat  Karnataka and Tamil ach cancer in vivo in mice. The isofla- Nadu, occasionally planted in West yvonoids, daidzein, formononetin, P Bengal. daidzin and puerarin. Daidzein and Ayurvedic  Muchukunda (var.) puerarin show significant anti-inflam- matory activity.  Siddha/Tamil Sempulavu. The cosmetics containing the root Action  Flowers—anodyne; a paste extracts with –% puerarin and – with rice-water and vinegar is used % sugars (as sucrose) are used as externally in migraine. Leaves— moisturizing, skin-lightening and sun- applied externally in headache. screening and hair-growth stimulating preparations. Flowers gave arachidic, linoleic, my- An isoflavonoid, triterpenoid sapo- ristic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids nin and tryptophan derivative isolated and beta-sitosterol, kaempferol-- from the flowers showed protective ef- beta-D-galactoside and kaempferol- fect against experimental liver injuries -rutinoside. The flavonoids present in mice. in the leaves are kaempferol--beta-D- The tryptophan derivatives and their galactoside, kaempferol, quercetin and glycosides exhibited antihyperglycae- its -O-arabinoside and -O-rhamno- mic activity. side. The leaves also contain betulin, Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) beta-amyrin, lupeol, bauerenol, friede- Benth., synonym P. j av a ni ca Benth. lin, taraxerone and beta-sitosterol. (Sub-Himalayan regions; Assam, An- Punica granatum Linn. 527 dhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, In Western herbal, Pueraria lobata up to , m) is equated with Tropical and P. t ub e ros a roots are used alone Kudze. The plant is used against ulcers or in combination with other products and boils. for symptoms due to alcoholism. But preliminary research shows that Kudze does not improve sobriety in chron- ic alcoholics. (Natural Medicines Com- Pueraria tuberosa DC. prehensive Database, .) Family  Papilionaceae; Fabaceae. Dosage  Tuber—– g powder. Habitat  Punjab, Western Uttar (CCRAS.) Pradesh, Central India. English  Indian Kudze. Pulicaria dysenterica Bernh. Ayurvedic  Vidaari, Swaadukandaa, Ikshugandhaa, Gajavaajipriyaa, Family  Asteraceae. Kandapalaasha, Bhuumikushmaan- Habitat  Kashmir at ,–, m. da. (Substitute for Jivaka and Rshabhaka.) Action  Plant—astringent, diuretic.  Root—antidiarrhoeal. Leaf— Folk Bhui-kumhadaa, Suraal. antiasthmatic. Action  Tuber—diuretic, cardiac tonic, galactagogue. Also used for fertility control. Root—used as Punica granatum Linn. a demulcent, and refrigerant in P fevers, as cataplasm for swelling of Family  Punicaceae. joints, as galactagogue. Habitat  Native to Iran; but cultivated throughout India. The butanolic extract of Pueraria  tuberosa showed significant protection English Pomegranate. against hepatic damage in rats. The Ayurvedic  Daadima, Daadim- ethanolic extract of the tubers and its ba, Raktapushpa, Dantabijaa, butanol and pre-puerarin fractions ex- Raktakusumaa, Lohitpushpaka. hibited anti-implantation effect. The Unani  Anaar, Roomaan, Gulnaar, pure compounds, puerarin, daidzein Gulnaar Farsi. and tuberosin, exhibited significant  anti-implantation activity in hamsters. Siddha/Tamil Maathulai. In Indian medicine, Vidaari and Action  Rind of fruit—astringent, Kshira-vidaari are used for promot- stomachic, digestive. Used for diar- ing breast milk and semen, and as rhoea, dysentery, colitis, dyspepsia a restorative tonic. Most authors have and uterine disorders. Leaf—used equated Vidaari with Pueraria tuberosa in stomatitis (recommended by The and Kshira-vidaari with Ipomoea digi- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India). tata. Fresh juice of fruit—refrigerant, 528 Putranjiva roxburghii Wall.

cosive, antiemetic; given as an Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. adjuvant in diarrhoea, dyspepsia, biliousness, inflammations of the Synonym  Drypetes roxburghii stomach, palpitation, excessive (Wall.) Hurusawa. thirst and fevers. Bark of stem Family  Euphoriaceae. and root—anthelmintic, febrifuge.  Given for night sweats. Rind of Habitat Throughout tropical India, fruit, bark of stem and root— wild and cultivated as an avenue antidiarrhoeal. Powdered flower tree. buds—used in bronchitis. English  Child-life tree, Indian Amulet Plant, Spurious Wild Olive. The fruit rind (dried) contains up to Ayurvedic  Putranjiva, Putrajivaka, ,stembark–,rootbarkand Putrajiva, Yashtipushpa, Arth- leaves % tannin. saadhana The rind gave an ellagitannin (gra-  natin B, leaves gave granatins A and Siddha/Tamil Karupali Garbhadaa B and punicafolin); punicalagin, puni- and Garbhakaraa are misleading calin and ellagic acid. Pentose gly- synonyms. cosides of malvidin and pentunidin Folk  Jiyaapotaa. have also been isolated from the rind. Action  Fruit—powered (de- Rind extract showed significant hypo- seeded) fruits are used against glycaemic activity in mildly diabetic cough, cold and sprue. Rosaries of rats. hard stones are used for protecting P Seeds gave malvidin pentose glyco- children from infections. (Due side. to misleading nomenclature, the Flowers gave pelargonidin-,-di- “conception-promoting” property glucoside; also sitosterol, ursolic acid, has been attributed to the drug in maslinic acid, asiatic acid, sitosterol- folkmedicine.Itsuseispossiblein beta-D-glucoside and gallic acid. vaginal infections and genitourinary Extracts of the whole fruit were diseases, or skin eruptions during highly active against Micrococcus pyo- pre-conception stage.) genes var. aureus, E. coli and Pseu- domonas aeruginosa; also very effective The seed kernel on steam distillation against intestinal pathogenic bacilli. yield .% of a sharp-smelling essen- Aqueous extract of the root was tial oil of the mustard oil type. The oil found to inhibit the activity of My- contains isopropyl and -butyl isothio- cobacterium tuberculosis . cyanates as the main constituents and The proanthocyanidins of pomegra- -methyl-butyl isothiocyanate as a mi- nateshowedhypolipidaemicactivityby nor component. The iso-thiocyanates their ability to enhance resistance of are produced on enzymic hydrolysis of vascular wall preventing penetration glycosidic progenitors present in the of cholesterol into atherogenic lipopro- kernels, viz. glucoputranjivin, gluco- teins. cochlearin and glucojiaputin respec- Pyrus communis Linn. 529 tively. An additional glucoside, gluco- and leaf—antirheumatic. (Sold in cleomin has been identified in the seed South Indian market as Bhaarangi.) kernel, it affords a non-volatile mus- A diterpenoid quinonemethide tard oil, cleomin. A glycosidic pattern (bharangin) is reported from the plant. similar to that in the seed is reported in the shoots and roots. The fruit pulp contains a large pro- portion of mannitol and small quan- Pyrola rotundifolia Linn. tities of saponin glucosides and alka- Family  Pyrolaceae. loids.  The seed coat gave putranjivoside, Habitat North-Western and putranoside A, B, C and D, beta- eastern Himalaya at altitudes of sitosterol and tis beta-D-glucoside. ,–, m. and in Khasi and The leaves gave amentoflavone and Jaintia hills up to , m. its derivatives, beta-amyrin and its Action  Plant—astringent and palmite, polyphenols, putranjiva sa- antilithic. Used for healing ponin A,B,C, and D and stigmasterol. wounds. A decoction of the plant is The bark contains friedelin, friede- prescribed against profuse menses, lanol, friedelanone, friedelan-,-di- bloody stools, haemorrhages and one (putranjivadione), -alpha-hydro- ulcers in urinary passages. The xy friedelan- -one (roxburgholone), whole herb is used in traditional carboxylic acid, putric acid, putran- chinese medicine for the treatment jivic acid. of arthritis. The essential oil from leaves showed The plant contains ursolic acid, chi- P mild antifungal activity against Rhizoc- maphilin, hyperin, quercetin, myri- tonia solani. cetin and gallic acid. Chimaphilin and ursolic acid inhibit carrageenan- induced oedema in rat paw. Other Pygmaeopemna herbacea constituents act as protective antioxi- (Roxb.) Mold. dants.

Synonym  Premna herbacea Roxb. Pyrus communis Family  Verbenaceae. Linn.  Habitat  Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Family Rosaceae. Nadu and Orissa and in some parts Habitat  Distributed in the of Kerala. temperate regions of Europe and  West Asia. Grown in Punjab and Ayurvedic Bhumi-jambu. Kashmir.  Siddha/Tamil Siru Thekku. English  Common or European Action  Rootstock—antiasthmatic. Pear. Leaf— bechic, febrifuge. Rootstock Folk  Bagu-goshaa, Babbu-goshaa. 530 Pyrus communis Linn.

Action  Fruits—a good source An aqueous extract of the leaves was of pectin, help in maintaining active against some strains of E. coli. a desirable acid balance in the The leaves contain arbutin, iso- body. Recommended to patients quercitrin, sorbitol, ursolic acid, astra- suffering from diabetes because of galin and tannin (.–.%). The bark low sucrose content; and included in contains friedelin, epifriedelanol and low antigen content diets to alleviate beta-sitosterol. Phloridzin is present the symptoms in the management in the root bark. of immune-mediated disease. The plant extract controls the de- velopment of freckles and blemishes Fresh pear juice exhibited good on the skin and prevents melanin for- activity against Micrococcus pyogenes mation. It finds application in skin- var. aureus and Escherichia coli. lightening creams.

P