1. Avartaki
Cassia auriculata Linn.
Family: Caesalpiniaceae. Habitat: Wild in dry regions of Madhya Pradesh, Tamilnadu, and Rajasthan. Cultivated in other parts of India. English: Tanner's Cassia. C 128 Cassia fistula Linn.
Ayurvedic: Aaavartaki, Aaadaari. Unani: Tarwar. Siddha/Tamil: Aavaarai.
Folk: Tarwar. Action: Roots—used in skin diseases and asthma. Flowers enter into compounds for diabetes, urinary disorders, and nocturnal emissions. Pod husk contains nonacosane and nonacosane-6-one, chrysophanol, emodin, and rubiadin.
Dosage: Whole plant—50–100 ml (CCRAS.)
2. Amrita
Guduci; Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. f. & Homs.
Family: Menispermaceae.
Habitat: Tropical India and the Andamans.
Ayurvedic: Guduuchi, Guduuchikaa, Guluuchi, Amrita, Amritaa, Amritalataa, Amritavalli, Chinnaruuhaa, Chinnodbhavaa, Madhuparni, Vatsaadani, Tantrikaa, Kundalini. Guduuchi sattva (starch).
Unani: Gilo, Gulanchaa. Sat-e-Gilo (starch).
Siddha: Seenil, Amridavalli.
Folk: Giloya.
Action: Herb—anti-pyretic, antiperiodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, spasmolytic, hypo-glycaemic, hepatoprotective.
Water extract increases urine output. Stem juice—prescribed in a high fever; decoction in rheumatic and bilious fevers. Aqueous extract of the plant—febrifuge. Starch—antacid, anti-diarrhoeal, and anti-dysenteric.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, along with other therapeutic applications, recommends the dried stems in jaundice, anemia, polyuria, and skin diseases.
The stem contains alkaloidal constituents, including berberine; bitter principles, including colbin, chasmanthin, palmarin and tinosporon, tinosporic acid and tinosporol.
The drug is reported to possess one-fith of the analgesic effect of sodium salicylate. Its aqueous extract has a high phagocytic index.
Alcoholic extract of the stem shows activity against E. coli. Active principles were found to inhibit in vitro the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Oral administration of alcoholic extract of the root resulted in a significant reduction in blood and urine glucose and in lipids in serum and tissues of alloxan diabetic rats. (Phytother Res. 2003 17 (4), 410–3.)
A significant reduction in levels of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, and bilirubin was observed following T. cordifolia treatment during CCl4 intoxication in mature rats. (J. Toxicol Sci. 2002, 27 (3), 139–46.) The plant extract showed invitro inactivating activity in Hepatitis-B surface antigen. (Indian Drugs, 1993, 30, 549.)
A new hypoglycemic agent was isolated from the plant; it was found to be1,2-substituted pyrrolidine.
The starch from roots and stem, used in chronic diarrhea and dysentery, contains a polysaccharide having1–4 glucan with occasional branching points.
Dosage: Stem—3–6 g powder; 20–30 g for decoction. (API, Vol. I.)
3. Haridra
Curcuma longa Linn.
Synonym: C. domestica Valeton.
Family: Zingiberaceae.
Habitat: Cultivated all over India, particularly in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
English: Turmer ic.
Ayurvedic: Haridraa, Priyaka, Haridruma, Kshanda, Gauri, Kaanchani, Krimighna, Varavarnini, Yoshitapriyaa, Hattavilaasini, Naktaahvaa, Sharvari.
Unani: Zard Chob.
Siddha/Tamil: Manjal.
Action: Anti-inflammatory, cholagogue, hepatoprotective, blood-purifier, anti-oxidant, detoxifier and regenerator of liver tissue, anti-asthmatic, anti-tumor, anti-cutaneous, antiprotozoal, stomachic, carminative. Reduces high plasma cholesterol. The anti-platelet activity offers protection to heart and vessels. Also protects against DNA damage in lymphocytes.
Key application: In dyspeptic conditions. (German Commission E, ESCOP, WHO.) Asanti-inflammatory, stomachic. (Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) the rhizomes gave curcuminoids, the mixture is known as curcumin, consisting of at least four phenolic diarylheptanoids, including curcumin and mono desmethoxy curcumin; volatile oil (–%), containing about % of turmerones which are sesquiterpene ketones, and bitter principles, sugars, starch, resin. Curcumin related phenolics possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and hepatoprotective activities. the antioxidant activity of curcumin is comparable to standard anti-oxidants—vitamin C and E, BHA and BHT. the volatile oil, also curcumin, exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in a variety of experimental models (the effects were comparable to those of cortisone and phenylbutazone). Used orally, curcumin prevents the release of inflammatory mediators. It depletes nerve endings of substance P, the neurotransmitter of pain receptors. C 188 Curcumin's cholesterol-lowering actions include interfering with intestinal cholesterol uptake, increasing the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids and increasing the excretion of bile acids via its choleretic effects. Curcuminoids prevent the increases in liver enzymes, SGOT and SGPT; this validates the use of turmeric as a hepatoprotective drug in liver disorders. Carlone, obtained from the dried rhizome, is used against hepatitis. Turmeric and curcumin increase the mucin content of the stomach and exert gastroprotective effects against stress, alcohol, drug-induced ulcer formation. (Curcumin at doses of mg/kg weight exhibited ulcerogenic activity in rats.) the ethanolic extract of the rhizome exhibited blood sugar lowering activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Piperine (a constituent of black and long pepper) enhances absorption and bioavailability of curcumin.
Dosage: Cured rhizome—– g powder. (API Vol . I .)
4. Ashwagandha
Withania ashwagandha Kaul (cultivated var.) W. somnifera (Linn.) Dunal (Chemo-type I, II, and III: Israele.)
Family: : Solanaceae.
Habitat: throughout the drier and subtropical parts of India.
English: Winter Cherry. (Physalisalkekengi is also known as Winter Cherry.)
Ayurvedic: Ashwagandhaa, Hayagandhaa, Ashwakanda, Gandharvagandhaa, Turaga, Turagagandhaa, Turangagandhaa, Vaajigandhaa, Gokarnaa, Vrishaa, Varaahakarni, Varadaa, Balyaa, Vaajikari. (Substitute for Kaakoli and Kshirakaakoli.) Cultivated var.: Asgandh Naagori. (Indian botanists consider the cultivated plants distinct from the wild ones.)
Unani: Asgandh.
Siddha: Amukkuramkizhangu.
Action: Root—used as an anti-inflammatory drug for swellings, tumors, scrofula and rheumatism; and as a sedative and hypnotic in anxiety neurosis. Leaf—anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-bacterial. Fruits and seeds—diuretic. Withanine—sedative, hypnotic. Withaferin A—a major component of biologically active steroids; as effective as hydrocortisone dose for dose. Anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-arthritic, significantly protective against hepatotoxicity in rats.
The root contains several alkaloids, including withanine, withananine, withananinine, pseudo-withanine, somnine, somniferine, somniferinine. The leaves of Indian chemo type contain 12 withanolides; including withaferin A. Steroidal, lactones of withanolide series have been isolated.
Withanine is sedative and hypnotic. Withaferin A is anti-tumor, anti-arthritic and anti-bacterial. The anti-inflammatory activity has been attributed to biologically active steroids, of which withaferin A is a major component. The activity is comparable to that of hydrocortisone sodium succinate.
Withaferin A also showed significantly protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. It was as effective as hydrocortisone dose for dose.
The root extract contains an ingredient, which has GABA mimetic activity.
The free amino acids present in the root include aspartic acid, glycine, tyrosine, alanine, proline, tryptophan, glutamic acid, and cystine.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends Ashwagandha in impotency. His claim could not be sustained in a recent experiment and raises a doubt about the equation of classical Ashwagandha with Withania somnifera. A methanolic extract of Withania somnifera root-induced a marked impairment in libido, sexual performance, sexual vigor and penile dysfunction in male rats. (Llayperuma et al, Asian J Androl, 2002, 295–298.)
The total alkaloids of the root exhibited prolonged hypotensive, Brady cardiac and depressant Action: of the higher cerebral centers in several experimental animals.
A withanolide-free aqueous fraction isolated from the roots of Withania somnifera exhibited anti-stress activity in a dose-dependent manner in mice. (Phytother Res 2003, 531–6.)
(See also Simon Mills; American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 2000; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)
Dosage: Root—3–6 g powder. (API, Vol. I.)
Family: Caesalpiniaceae. Habitat: Wild in dry regions of Madhya Pradesh, Tamilnadu, and Rajasthan. Cultivated in other parts of India. English: Tanner's Cassia. C 128 Cassia fistula Linn.
Ayurvedic: Aaavartaki, Aaadaari. Unani: Tarwar. Siddha/Tamil: Aavaarai.
Folk: Tarwar. Action: Roots—used in skin diseases and asthma. Flowers enter into compounds for diabetes, urinary disorders, and nocturnal emissions. Pod husk contains nonacosane and nonacosane-6-one, chrysophanol, emodin, and rubiadin.
Dosage: Whole plant—50–100 ml (CCRAS.)
2. Amrita
Guduci; Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. f. & Homs.
Family: Menispermaceae.
Habitat: Tropical India and the Andamans.
Ayurvedic: Guduuchi, Guduuchikaa, Guluuchi, Amrita, Amritaa, Amritalataa, Amritavalli, Chinnaruuhaa, Chinnodbhavaa, Madhuparni, Vatsaadani, Tantrikaa, Kundalini. Guduuchi sattva (starch).
Unani: Gilo, Gulanchaa. Sat-e-Gilo (starch).
Siddha: Seenil, Amridavalli.
Folk: Giloya.
Action: Herb—anti-pyretic, antiperiodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, spasmolytic, hypo-glycaemic, hepatoprotective.
Water extract increases urine output. Stem juice—prescribed in a high fever; decoction in rheumatic and bilious fevers. Aqueous extract of the plant—febrifuge. Starch—antacid, anti-diarrhoeal, and anti-dysenteric.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, along with other therapeutic applications, recommends the dried stems in jaundice, anemia, polyuria, and skin diseases.
The stem contains alkaloidal constituents, including berberine; bitter principles, including colbin, chasmanthin, palmarin and tinosporon, tinosporic acid and tinosporol.
The drug is reported to possess one-fith of the analgesic effect of sodium salicylate. Its aqueous extract has a high phagocytic index.
Alcoholic extract of the stem shows activity against E. coli. Active principles were found to inhibit in vitro the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Oral administration of alcoholic extract of the root resulted in a significant reduction in blood and urine glucose and in lipids in serum and tissues of alloxan diabetic rats. (Phytother Res. 2003 17 (4), 410–3.)
A significant reduction in levels of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, and bilirubin was observed following T. cordifolia treatment during CCl4 intoxication in mature rats. (J. Toxicol Sci. 2002, 27 (3), 139–46.) The plant extract showed invitro inactivating activity in Hepatitis-B surface antigen. (Indian Drugs, 1993, 30, 549.)
A new hypoglycemic agent was isolated from the plant; it was found to be1,2-substituted pyrrolidine.
The starch from roots and stem, used in chronic diarrhea and dysentery, contains a polysaccharide having1–4 glucan with occasional branching points.
Dosage: Stem—3–6 g powder; 20–30 g for decoction. (API, Vol. I.)
3. Haridra
Curcuma longa Linn.
Synonym: C. domestica Valeton.
Family: Zingiberaceae.
Habitat: Cultivated all over India, particularly in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
English: Turmer ic.
Ayurvedic: Haridraa, Priyaka, Haridruma, Kshanda, Gauri, Kaanchani, Krimighna, Varavarnini, Yoshitapriyaa, Hattavilaasini, Naktaahvaa, Sharvari.
Unani: Zard Chob.
Siddha/Tamil: Manjal.
Action: Anti-inflammatory, cholagogue, hepatoprotective, blood-purifier, anti-oxidant, detoxifier and regenerator of liver tissue, anti-asthmatic, anti-tumor, anti-cutaneous, antiprotozoal, stomachic, carminative. Reduces high plasma cholesterol. The anti-platelet activity offers protection to heart and vessels. Also protects against DNA damage in lymphocytes.
Key application: In dyspeptic conditions. (German Commission E, ESCOP, WHO.) Asanti-inflammatory, stomachic. (Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) the rhizomes gave curcuminoids, the mixture is known as curcumin, consisting of at least four phenolic diarylheptanoids, including curcumin and mono desmethoxy curcumin; volatile oil (–%), containing about % of turmerones which are sesquiterpene ketones, and bitter principles, sugars, starch, resin. Curcumin related phenolics possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and hepatoprotective activities. the antioxidant activity of curcumin is comparable to standard anti-oxidants—vitamin C and E, BHA and BHT. the volatile oil, also curcumin, exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in a variety of experimental models (the effects were comparable to those of cortisone and phenylbutazone). Used orally, curcumin prevents the release of inflammatory mediators. It depletes nerve endings of substance P, the neurotransmitter of pain receptors. C 188 Curcumin's cholesterol-lowering actions include interfering with intestinal cholesterol uptake, increasing the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids and increasing the excretion of bile acids via its choleretic effects. Curcuminoids prevent the increases in liver enzymes, SGOT and SGPT; this validates the use of turmeric as a hepatoprotective drug in liver disorders. Carlone, obtained from the dried rhizome, is used against hepatitis. Turmeric and curcumin increase the mucin content of the stomach and exert gastroprotective effects against stress, alcohol, drug-induced ulcer formation. (Curcumin at doses of mg/kg weight exhibited ulcerogenic activity in rats.) the ethanolic extract of the rhizome exhibited blood sugar lowering activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Piperine (a constituent of black and long pepper) enhances absorption and bioavailability of curcumin.
Dosage: Cured rhizome—– g powder. (API Vol . I .)
4. Ashwagandha
Withania ashwagandha Kaul (cultivated var.) W. somnifera (Linn.) Dunal (Chemo-type I, II, and III: Israele.)
Family: : Solanaceae.
Habitat: throughout the drier and subtropical parts of India.
English: Winter Cherry. (Physalisalkekengi is also known as Winter Cherry.)
Ayurvedic: Ashwagandhaa, Hayagandhaa, Ashwakanda, Gandharvagandhaa, Turaga, Turagagandhaa, Turangagandhaa, Vaajigandhaa, Gokarnaa, Vrishaa, Varaahakarni, Varadaa, Balyaa, Vaajikari. (Substitute for Kaakoli and Kshirakaakoli.) Cultivated var.: Asgandh Naagori. (Indian botanists consider the cultivated plants distinct from the wild ones.)
Unani: Asgandh.
Siddha: Amukkuramkizhangu.
Action: Root—used as an anti-inflammatory drug for swellings, tumors, scrofula and rheumatism; and as a sedative and hypnotic in anxiety neurosis. Leaf—anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-bacterial. Fruits and seeds—diuretic. Withanine—sedative, hypnotic. Withaferin A—a major component of biologically active steroids; as effective as hydrocortisone dose for dose. Anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-arthritic, significantly protective against hepatotoxicity in rats.
The root contains several alkaloids, including withanine, withananine, withananinine, pseudo-withanine, somnine, somniferine, somniferinine. The leaves of Indian chemo type contain 12 withanolides; including withaferin A. Steroidal, lactones of withanolide series have been isolated.
Withanine is sedative and hypnotic. Withaferin A is anti-tumor, anti-arthritic and anti-bacterial. The anti-inflammatory activity has been attributed to biologically active steroids, of which withaferin A is a major component. The activity is comparable to that of hydrocortisone sodium succinate.
Withaferin A also showed significantly protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. It was as effective as hydrocortisone dose for dose.
The root extract contains an ingredient, which has GABA mimetic activity.
The free amino acids present in the root include aspartic acid, glycine, tyrosine, alanine, proline, tryptophan, glutamic acid, and cystine.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends Ashwagandha in impotency. His claim could not be sustained in a recent experiment and raises a doubt about the equation of classical Ashwagandha with Withania somnifera. A methanolic extract of Withania somnifera root-induced a marked impairment in libido, sexual performance, sexual vigor and penile dysfunction in male rats. (Llayperuma et al, Asian J Androl, 2002, 295–298.)
The total alkaloids of the root exhibited prolonged hypotensive, Brady cardiac and depressant Action: of the higher cerebral centers in several experimental animals.
A withanolide-free aqueous fraction isolated from the roots of Withania somnifera exhibited anti-stress activity in a dose-dependent manner in mice. (Phytother Res 2003, 531–6.)
(See also Simon Mills; American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 2000; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)
Dosage: Root—3–6 g powder. (API, Vol. I.)
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