Indian Medicinal Plants/Natural Order Scrophularineæ
N. 0. SCROPHULARINEÆ
881. Verbascum Thapsus, Linn, h.f.b.i., iv. 250; Roxb. 188.
English :—" Great Mullein."
Vern. : — Vúlr, phúl ; bantamáku, phásrúk, bhum ke dhúm, eklbir, kadanda, phúntar, kwispre, khargosh, khar kharuar, spin kharuár, gurganna, karâthri, ravand chini (Pb.) ; Gidar tamáku. (H.).
Habitat: — Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Bhotan.
A densely woolly eglandular herb. Stem simple, stout, 2-3ft. Root-leaves 6-18in ; cauline oblong, upper acuminate, oblanceolate, very decurrent, entire or crenate. Spikes simple, dense woolly, 6-10in. Bracts longer than the flowers. Stamens 5, fertile, 2 glabrous and three with white hairs. Fruit a capsule. Seeds numerous, not winged.
Uses : — In Bassahir, the root is given as a febrifuge. The name rewand chini of this plant seems to indicate that it is sometimes used to adulterate rhubarb (Dr. Stewart). Digitalis leaves are occasionally found mixed with those of Verbascum Thapsus and of other plants (Garrod. )
The seeds are supposed to be narcotic and are used for poisoning fish (O'Shaughnessy). Mr. Duthie's Trans-Indus collector states that the herb is much employed by the natives of that region for the treatment of asthma and other pulmonary complaints, that it possesses narcotic properties similar to those of tobacco, and that the seeds are considered aphrodisiac. The leaves warmed, and rubbed with oil, are employed as an application to inflamed parts. In Europe and the United States of America, the thick woolly leaves were at one time much valued as demulcents and emollients, not only in domestic medicine, but by practitioners. They were used in the treatment of catarrh and diarrhœa, and as an external application for hæmorrhoids (Watt).
It was formerly used in medicine on account of its emollient properties. A decoction of the leaves was recommended by the physicians of the last century for diarrhœas. Sir James Smith says : —
'That a pint of cow's milk, with a handful of the leaves of this Mullein boiled in it to half a pint, sweetened, strained, and taken at bed time, is a pleasant, emollient, and nutritious medicine for allaying a cough, or removing pain and irritation.'
It is one of the many herbs said to poison, or rather to stupefy fish. According to Alexander Trallianus, its ashes made into a soap will restore hair which has become grey, to its original color. — (JSowerby's Eng. Bot., Vol. vi, pp. 111-112).
The British Medical Journal of 27th January 1883, published an interesting paper from the pen of Dr. F. J. B. Quinlan of Dublin on the use of this plant in the treatment of pulmonary consumption. According to him, this plant which is a wild one in Ireland is a trusted popular remedy for that malady. After describing several cases in which this plant proved useful, he says : — " That it eases phthisical cough there can be no doubt.** Its power of checking phthisical looseness of the bowels was very marked.** It also gave great relief to the dyspnœ̯a. For phthisical night sweats it is utterly useless."
In another note (B. M. J. Feb. 9, 1884 p. 294), he writes " The quantity of mullein is three ounces of the green leaves, which should be boiled for ten minutes in a pint of new milk. This should be strained slightly sweetened with lump sugar, and drunk warm. This quantity should be taken twice or three times a day, and is liked by the patients. There is no doubt of its efficacy as a curative in the earlier, and a palliative in the later stages of pulmonary consumption."
Again, in the B. M. J. for April 5, 1884 p. 664, he mentions the control of phthisical cough by smoking the dried leaves of the mullein plant in an ordinary tobacco pipe.
Chemical composition. — Morin (Journ. Chin. Med. ii, p. 223) obtained from the flowers a yellow volatile oil, a fatty acid, free malic and phosphoric acids, malate and phosphate of lime, acetate of potash, uncrystallizable sugar, gum, chlorophyll, and a yellow resinous colouring matter.
Adolph Latin submitted the leaves to proximate analysis and found the constituents to be 0.80 per cent, of a crystalline wax, a trace of volatile oil, 0.78 per cent, of resin soluble in ether, 1.00 per cent, of resin insoluble in ether, but soluble in absolute alcohol, a small quantity of tannin, a bitter principle, sugar, mucilage, &c. The moisture in the air-dried sample amounted to 5.90 per cent., and the ash to 12.60 per cent. He concludes that the plant contains many of the usual constituents, and a bitter principle which may be prepared by exhausting the drug with alcohol, dissolving the alcoholic extract in water and agitating with ether or chloroform. Several trials failed to secure this substance in a crystalline condition. It was found to be soluble in water, ether, alcohol, and chloroform, and to possess a decidedly bitter taste. It responded to none of the tests for a glucoside or alkaloid. (Am. Journ. Pharm., Feb. 1890. E. L. Janson (1890) found that petroleum ether and stronger ether used successively, extracted from the flowers about ½ per cent, in each case. A decided change in the colour of the drug was noticed after the extraction with ether, which removed the yellow colour, leaving the residue of a dark green. The yellow colouring matter was either a part of, or else it was retained by the resin dissolved by ether, and it was not found possible to separate it in the pure state. The drug after exhaustion with ether yielded 10.06 per cent, to absolute alcohol. A considerable portion of this alcoholic extract was soluble in water acidified with hydrochloric acid. When agitated with petroleum ether the acid solution yielded some colour to it, and this latter solvent on evaporation left a greenish-brown crystalline mass of a strong disagreeable odour and a sweet taste, which proved to be an easily decomposable glucoside, Another crystalline extractive was obtained by making the above acid solution of the alcoholic extract alkaline and agitating with ether ; while chloroform subsequently extracted a red-brown amorphous mass.
Both of these extractives reduced Fehling's solution, and many changes in colour were noticed, indicating that these substances take some part in the colouring matter of the flowers.
The drug was also found to contain 2.49 per cent, of mucilage, 11.76 per cent, of carbohydrate corresponding to dextrin, 5*48 per cent, of glucose, 1.29 per cent, of saccharose, 16.76 per cent, of moisture, 4.11 per cent, of ash, and 32.75 per cent, of cellulose and lignin. No reaction indicating tannin was obtained with iron salts, bat an aqueous solution of the alcoholic extract yielded a slight precipitate with gelatin. The seeds yielded to petroleum ether 20.75 per cent, of a bright green fixed oil. The acrid principle was obtained from the alcoholic extract soluble in water by agitating with petroleum ether. The moisture was 10*86 per cent., and the ash 3.90 per cent, (Amer. Journ, Pharm., Dec. 1890). (Pharmacographia Indica, III. 3-4).
882. Celsia corornandeliana, Vahl. h.f.b.l, IV. 251 ; Roxb. 491.
Sans. : — Kulâhala.
Vern: — Kukshima (B.) ; Kutki (M.) ; Gaidar tambáku (H.); Kolhal (Bom.).
Habitat : — Throughout India, from the Punjab to Ceylon.
An annual herb, with alternate leaves. Stems 2-3ft., stout, hairy, branched at summit. Radical leaves on long petioles, compound or pinnatisect, with several small leaflets or segments at base and large oblong, oval, acute terminal one. Cauline leaves alternate, sessile, oblong-ovate, passing into bracts, all coarsely dentate, hairy on both sides. Flowers yellow, moderate sized, on slender, glandular, pubescent pedicels, in long erect racemes l-2ft., terminating stem and branches ; bracts leafy. Calyx-segments oblong, acute, glandular-pubescent. Corolla ½in. diam., lobes rounded. Filaments hairy. Capsule ¼-⅓in. diam., subglobose, glabrous. Seeds oblong, truncate, verrucose.
Uses : — The inspissated juice of the leaves prescribed in several cases of acute and chronic dysentery with manifest advantage. Its action appears to be that of a sedative and astrigent (Ph. Ind.).
"Juice of the whole plant squeezed out by pounding it, is used in half chittak doses, morning and evening, in cases of syphilitic eruptions. The juice of the leaves, mixed with mustard oil, in equal proportions, is applied as an external application for relieving the burning sensations of the hands and feet" (Surg. Mukerji, in Watt's Dictionary^.
" If a little of the root is chewed in fever, or when there is urgent thirst, a cooling sensation will occur and thirst be appeased " (Surg. Wilson, in Watt's Dictionary..
"Expressed juice of the leaves, mixed with sugar and water, used as a drink in bleeding piles" [Dr. Shircore). "It is reputed to be an emetic and expectorant, being employed in capillary, bronchitis of children. An Asst.-Surgeon tells me he has used it with good results in diabetes" (Surgeon French Mullen, in Watt's Dictionary).
883. Linaria ramosissima, Wall, h.f.b.i,, iv. 251.
Habitat : — Throughout India, on rocks and stony places, from the Punjab and Scinde to Chittagong and Ceylon.
Perennial herbs, nearly glabrous. Branches 1-2 ft. long, prostrate, slender, filiform, numerous, spreading from the rootstock. Leaves alternate, membranous ½-2in., petioled, ovate-cordate, sagittate. Pedicels capillary, longer than the petioles, l-l½in. Flowers yellow. Sepals narrowly lanceolate. Corolla ½in. long, spur shorter than the Corolla-tube, hairy ; upper lip shorter. Capsule with sub-equal lobes. Seeds minute, ovoid, scabrons.
Use : —Highly valued as a remedy for diabetes (Murray).
884. Schweinfurthia sphœrocarpa, A. Braun. h.f.b.i., iv. 252.
Vern. : — Sonpât (Sind) ; Sanipât (H.).
Habitat : — Sindh, in rocky places.
A perennial, robust, glabrous or hairy herb. Branches 6-12in. Leaves nearly always alternate, ½-1½in. ; orbicular ovate or spathulate, fleshy, glaucous, obtuse or subacute, narrowed into a short petiole. Flowers small axillary. Pedicels very short. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, acute, ⅓in. long equalling the Corolla-tubes, enlarged in the fruit. Corolla dirty white. Filaments hairy at the base. Capsule ¼-⅓in. diam. Seeds pale (J. D. H.).
Uses : — The drug which consists of the fruit and the powdered leaves, together with portions of the stem, has a slightly bitter, somewhat tea-like taste, and is prescribed by Native practitioners to patients suffering from typhoid symptoms. The powder is snuffed up for bleeding at the nose (Dr. Stocks).
In Hindu medical literature and in popular use, San-nipata is a term which signifies a combined derangement of the three humors, Vata, Pitta, and Kafa (air, bile, and phlegm), which is supposed to produce Sannipata-jvara, or fever with typhoid symptoms. The remedy for this condition is said to be a plant called Sannipata-nud, " driving away sannipat," and Nepála-nimba, " Nepal Neem " or " Nepal bitter." At the present time the drag sold in the shops is S. sphœrocarpa but whether it is the original Nepal Neem is difficult to decide, as at present we do not even know whether this plant is found in Nepal. In typhoid conditions the drug is considered to act as a tonic, to promote diuresis, subdue fever, and remove the derangement of the humors. We are not aware of any experiments having been made with it by European physicians in India, though its near relationship with the Antirrhinums, which contain glucosides similar to those of Digitalis, would, we should have thought, have excited curiosity in regard to its physiological action." (Pharmacographia Indica, III. 5.)
{{smaller|Chemical composition.— The powdered drug treated with ether yielded a dark olive-green extract, consisting of chlorophyll and uncrystallizable fatty matter. Subsequent percolation with alcohol removed a deep brown extract, from which cubical crystals of alkaline chlorides 'separated on evaporation. An aqueous solution of this extract had a saltish taste and gave distinct precipitates with alkaloidal tests. The alkaloid was removed by ether in an amorphous condition, and gave no well-marked colour reactions with the strong mineral acids. By continuing the exhaustion of the powdered drug with water, a deep reddish brown extract was obtained having a bitterish and nauseous taste, and containing saccharine and other matters which readily fermented. In order to ascertain if the drug contained a substance similar to digitalin, a fresh decoction of the powder was filtered and precipitated by tannin, the precipitate washed, mixed with an excess of alkali, and shaken with ether. The result was the separation of an alkaloid similar to that previously found. As more recent investigators prepare digitalin by exhausting with alcohol after treatment of the drug with water, this process was adopted with Schweinfnrthia, The resinous matter collected had an acrid taste, but no principle could be obtained possessing the properties of digitalin, digitonin or digitoxin, to which, according to Schmiedeberg, the poisonous qualities of digitalis are due. Besides the alkaloid, which we consier to be the active principle, the drug yielded 18*6 per cent, of mineral matter." (Pharmacographia Indica III. 6).
885. Lindenbergia urticœfolia, Lehm. h.f.b.i., iv. 262.
Syn. : — Stemodia ruderalis, Vahl. Roxb.4 90.
Vern. :— Dhol (Mar.) ; Gazdar (Bomb.).
Habitat : — Throughout India, on walls and banks.
An annual herb, 4-10in. high, brittle, slender, glandularly villous or glabrate. Stem sometimes simple ; with all the flowers solitary in the axils of large leaves, at others branched, the branches running out into leafy racemes. Leaves 1-1½ (rarely 2½)in. long, membranous, obtuse, ovate, crenate-serrate, petiole ¼-¾in. Flowers shortly pedicelled unilateral, all axillary and solitary or 2-nate, or in lax, leafy, slender spikes or racemes. Calyx shorter than the ovate leafy bracts, 1/6in., lobes recurved. Corolla twice as long as the Calyx, sparsely hairy, yellow ; ovary pubescent. Capsule hairy above the middle.
Use : — The juice is given in chronic bronchitis, and mixed with that of the coriander, is applied to skin eruptions. The plant has a faint aromatic odor, and a slightly bitter taste (Dymock).
886. Stemodia viscosa, Roxb. h.f.b.i., iv. 265 ; Roxb. 489.
Vern. :— Nnkachuni (B.) ; Boda-sarum, gunta kaminam (Tel.).
Habitat : — From Central India and the Sone river through-out the Deccan.
An erect annual herb, viscidly pubescent, branched from the base, 6-18in. high, aromatic. Stem angular. Leaves ¼-2in. rarely ovate, sessile, oblong, base cordate serrulate, sometimes shortend, sometimes very small throughout the plant. Flowers pedicelled, axillary, and in terminal racemes, very numerous, nearly ½in. long, 2-bracteate. Bracts shorter than the pedicels ; pedicels equalling or exceeding the Calyx. Corolla twice as long as the Calyx. Sepals lanceolate, acute, half as long as the violet Corolla. Anther-cells all polleniferous. Capsule ¼-in⅓. long, equalling the Calyx, acuminate. Seeds ellipsoid, terete, black, or, brown, most minute.
Use : — The dried plant, which is slightly fragrant and mucilaginous, is used by the natives of Bengal in infusion as a demulcent (Irvine).
887. Limnophila gratissima, Blume. h.f.b.i., iv 268.
Vern. —(To this as well as the next species are applied the following namesin common.): —
Kuttra (H.) ; Karpur (B.); Ambuli (Mar.) ; Manga-nâri (Mal).
Habitat. — Watery places. Cachar, Pegu, Mallacca, The Deccan Peninsula, from the Concan southwards.
Glabrous herbs growing in water or marshy places. Stems, stout, erect, simple, l-2ft., rarely branched above. Leaves 1½-2½in., opposite and 3-nately whorled, ½ amplicicaul, linear- oblong, subacute, serrulate nerves few and faint. Racemes rarely solitary, sometimes 1ft. long and paniculately branched, with flowers whorled, at others few-fid, or flower solitary and axillary. Pedicels ½-lin., glandular ; bracteoles minute. Calyx ⅓in. long, glandular, fruiting, striate, hemispheric, lobes lanceolate, acuminate, Corolla ½in. long. Capsule oblong, acute.
Use : — It is used medicinally as a cooling medicine in fever, and given to women who are nursing, when the milk is sour. (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol., III., p. 7).
888. L. gratioloides, Br. h.f.b.i., iv 271.
In the Fl. Br. Ind. are described two varieties, I. inter- media and 2 elongata.
Sanskrit :— Ambuja, " water born," and Amra-Gandhaka, having an odour of mangoes.
Vern : — The same as of the above species.
Habitat. — Throughout India, in swamps, rice-fields.
" In its most common form," says Sir J. D. Hooker, " a simple or branched, plant, 4-8 in, high, smelling of turpentine, with whorled pinnatifid leaves, ¼-¾ in. long, which in wetter places appear to acquire a few emersed opposite entire leaves at the top of the stem and numerous capillaceo-multifid ones at its base. The stems are stout and slender." Flowers axillary, solitary, pedicelled, rarely subracemose, Calyx ⅛-1/6in. long, rarely larger, hemispheric in fruit, lobes ovate acuminate, not striate, Corolla ⅛in. Uses : — It is considered to be antiseptic by the Hindus, and its juice is rubbed over the body in pestilent fevers. Rheede notices its use for this purpose, and also internally in dysentery combined with ginger, cumin, and other aromatics. He also states that a liniment is made from the plant with cocoanut oil which is used in elephantiasis. Roxburgh, under the name of Calumnea balsamea, describes the plant and notices its grateful odour and aromatic taste. The Bengal name signifies " Camphor." The odour of the fresh plant is remarkably refeshing and agreeable and calls to mind that of camphor and oil of lemons. (Pharmacographia Indica, III — 7).
889. Herpestis Monniera, H. B. and K. h.f.b.i., iv. 272,
Syn. : — Gratiola Monniera, Linn. Roxb. 47.
Vern. : — Brahmi, jal-nîm, shwet chamni (Hind.) ; Adhabirni (Beng.); Urishnaparni (Uriya) ; Bâma, Nirbrâhmi (Bom.); Beami nirpirimie (Tam.) ; Sembranichitíû (Tel.).
Habitat :— Common in marshes throughout India, from the Punjab to Ceylon.
Marshy glabrous, often punctate herbs ; creeping, rather succulent ; branches 4-10in. long, rooting at the joints. Leaves ½-¾in, opposite, fleshy, sessile, obtuse, entire in the Indian plant, ovate-oblong or spathulate ; nerves very obscure ; lower surface dotted. Peduncles usually longer than the leaves, and-2 bracteoled. Flowers pale blue, purple-veined, single on alternate, axillary stalks. Calyx 1/6-⅓in. long, 5-parted, upper sepal ovate, Corolla cylindric, twice as long ; lobes and stamens subequal, anthers sagittate or didynamous ; style linear ; stigma capitate, 2-lobed capsule included, ovoid, acute. Seeds pale, irregular, numerous.
Parts used : — The root, stalks and leaves.
Uses :— It is considered by the Hindu physicians a nervine tonic, useful in insanity, epilepsy and hoarseness (Dutt).
It is regarded by the Hindus as a powerful diuretic and apperient (Ainslie, Mat. Ind., vol. ii, p. 239), but there is no trustworthy evidence of its value in these respects. According to Roxburgh) Flor. Ind., vol. i. 141), the juice of the leaves, conjoined with petroleum, is used in India as a local application in rheumatism. Whatever benefit is derived from this formula is dobutless due to the petroleum (Ph. Ind.).
A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves given to infants suffering from catarrh or severe bronchitis gives relief by causing vomiting and purging. (Dr. U. 0. Dutt, in Watt's Dictionary).
In Pondicherry It is considered to be aphrodisiac, and in Ceylon, under the name of Loonoowela, it is prescribed in fevers.
For the analysis the whole plant was used, dried at a low temperature and exhausted with 80 per cent, alcohol. The alcohol freed extractive was then agitated with petroleum ether ; ether from an acid solution, and again with ether from an alkaline solution, and finally with chloroform from an alkaline solution. Operating in this manner, a trace of oily matter was obtained, soluble in alcohol with acid reaction ; two resins, one easily soluble in ether, the other soluble with difficulty, but both soluble in alkaline solutions and reprecipitated by acids ; an organic acid, and a tannin affording a green coloration with ferric chloride. An alkaloidal principle was also isolated, soluble in ether and in chloroform, and affording a cherry red coloratiou in the cold with Frehde's reagent. No other reactions were noted. (Pharmacographia Indica, III. 9).
890. Curanga Amara Juss. h,f.b.i. iv. 275.
Habitat — Sikkim Himalaya ; Asssami ; Mishmi ; Oachar ; Chittagong ; Tenasserim.
A glabrous, diffuse annual. Branches slender, straggling, divaricate, rooting at the lower nodes, 2-3ft. long. Leaves 2-2½in., obtuse or acute ; petiole ½in., slender. Racemes short, few-fid ; pedicels ¼-½in. Calyx in flower £in., in fruit ½in. Outer sepals broadly ovate-cordate, membranous, reticulate. Corolla red brown. Capsule 1/6in. diam., compressed. Foliage very bitter.
Use. — It is used as a febrifuge.
The bitter febrifuge Curangin, C48H77O20, may be extracted by means of ethylacetate. This glucoside is easily soluble in ethyl or methylalcohol, or in acetone or ethylacetate containing water ; 100 parts of water dissolve 0-18 part. The solutions are neutral. When heated at 100°, curangin loses 7-10 per cent of water, but the residue regains this amount on exposure to air. By the action of benzoyl chloride and sodium hydroxide solution, it forms a compound, C48H69O20Bz8 , which melts at 128°, and with phenyl-hydrazine it yields a compound which contains nitrogen and melts at 163.° Attempts to prepare bromide failed, as the hydrogen bromide which is formed decomposes the glucoside. When curangin is boiled with a 2 per cent, solution of hydrogen chloride in alcohol, it is decomposed into curangaegenin and a sugar, which appears to consist mainly of rhamnose.
The crude curangaegenin contains two compounds, of which the one (A) present in the larger quantity is soluble in ether, and is apparently partially converted into the other (B) by prolonged boiling with the alcoholic acid solution, (B) is insoluble in ether. Both substances are easily soluble in ehylacetate, acetone, glacial aceticacid, or methyl, ethyl, or amyl alcohol." J. Ch. S. 1903 A.I. 243.
Curangaegenin, C30H47O7 , does not contain methoxy-groups. The formula was confirmed by molecular weight determinations. Curangin is either non-poisonous or only very slightly poisonous. (J. Ch. S. 1900. A. I. 304.)
891. Torenia asiatica Linn, h.f.b.l, iv. 277.
Vern :— Kâkupu (Mal.).
Habitat: — Western Peninsula, and the Neilgherry Mts.
Nearly glabrous or pubescent herb, diffusely branched ; creeping below. Branches 6-10in. long, slender. Leaves l½-2in., ovate-cordate or lanceolate, serrate, acuminate ; petiole short rarely more than ¼in. Pedicels axillary and subumbellate, fruiting thickened. Calyx tubular, fruiting lin., narrowly oblong, keeled, hardly winged; base decurrent. Corolla 1¼-1½in., blue, with very dark violet lateral lobes. Longer filaments toothed. Stigma 2-lamellate.
Use : — The juice of the leaves is considered on the Malabar coast a cure for gonorrhæa (Rheede).
892. Vandellia erecta, Benth. h.f.b.l, iv. 281.
Vern. : — Vaka-pushpi or " crane flower" (Mar.).
Habitat: — Throughout India, from Kashmir to Assam, Tennasserim and the S. Deccan.
Erect, quite glabrous, annual herbs, branched from the base ; branches divaricate, not rooting, 4-8in. high. Leaves ½-¾in., sessile, elliptic or oblong. Pedicels very slender, usually twice as long as the leaves. Sepals ⅛-1/6in. long, rather obtuse, lanceolate or linear rather shorter than the ovoid orbicular capsule. Use : — Used in a ghrita as a remedy for gonorrhoea, and the juice is given to children who pass green-colored stools (Pharmacographia Indica, iii. 14).
893. V. pedunculata, Benth. h. Fl. Br. i. iv. 282.
Vern. : — Gadagvel (Mar.).
Habitat : — Throughout India.
A glabrous, annual herb. Stem sometimes creeping at the base and rooting from the nodes, sometimes tinged with purple. Branches 4-10 in. long, procumbent, slender. Leaves shortly petioled, ½-lin., obtuse or subacute, obscurely crenate, toothed. Flowers solitary, axillary ; pedicels as long as the leaves sometimes 1½in., Sepals ¼in., narrowly lanceolate. Corolla ⅜in. long white, or pale blue with a white spot. Longer filaments, with a small obtuse tooth. Capsule ⅓in., much longer than the Calyx linear lanceolate. Seeds ellipsoid.
Use. : — It is used for the same purpose as V. erecta.
894. Picrorhiza Kurrooa, Benth. h.f.b.l, iv. 290.
Sans. : — Katuka ; Katurohini.
Vern. :— Katki (B. and (H.) ; Karrû (Pb.);Kâli kutaki, bâlakadû (Bom.); Kutki (Mar.) ; Kadu (Guz.); Kâli-kutki (Dec). ; Katuku-vogani (Tam.) ; Katuku-roni ; Kâtuka-rogani (Tel.).
Habitat : —Common in Alpine Himalaya, from Kashmir to Sikkim.
A low, more or less hairy, herb, with perennial woody bitter stock. Root-stock as thick as the little finger, 6-10in. long, clothed with withered leaf-bases. Leaves subradical, spathulate, serrate, 2-4in., rather coriaceous, tip rounded, base narrowed into a winged sheathing petiole. Flowering stems or scapes ascending, stout, longer than the leaves, naked or with a few bracts below the inflorescence. Spikes 2-4in. long subcylindric, obtuse, many-flowered, subhirsute ; bracts oblong or lanceolate, as long as the Calyx. Sepals ¼in. long, ciliate. Corolla of short stamened form, ¼-⅓in. long, with longer filaments ⅓in. long, of the longer stamened form ¼in., with filaments ¾in. long. Capsule ½in. long.
Uses: — By the Hindu writers, the rooot is described as bitter, acrid and stomachic and in large doses a moderate cathartic. It is used in fever and dyspepsia in many purgative preparations. About two drachms of the powdered root, with sugar and warm water, act as a gentle aperient (Dutt).
"From my experience of the root of P. Kurrooa, I can say that it is a good stomachic and very useful in almost all forms of dyspepsia and in nervous pain of the stomach and bowels. Doses, as an antiperiodic, from 20 to 40 grains, and as a stomachic and tonic, from 10 to 15 grains, three or four times a day" Moodeen Sheriff. " If a strong decoction of this drug be given three or four times a day and continued for three or four days in cases of dropsy, copious watery evacuations are discharged, and the dropsical effusion is relieved. In some cases the medicine must be continued for about a week to bring about the desired result" (Surg.-Maj. D. R. Thomson, M.D., C.I.E., Madras.) Watt's Dictionary.
Major F. J. Crawford, I.M.S. of Madras says : —
" This drug in the form of tincture was tried in several cases of ill-defined fever. In most it brought down the temperature, but as it produced some looseness of the bowels at the same time, its administration had to be stopped. Its use, however, might be advised in cases of low fever accompanied by constipation. In one case of symptomatic fever (elephantiasis) the temperature was appreciably lowered and the bowels regulated, they had previously been irregular. In another case a moderate attack of malarial fever which had resisted home (native) remedies, this drug, after being administered three times in 24 hours, brought the temperature down from 101°F. to 9.5° next morning, but the bowels became loose for a couple of days. This looseness was regulated by diminishing the frequency of the administration. In this case the fever did not return beyond an evening rise to 99°F. for a week. Subsequently it came to normal and remained there till discharge. (Rept. Indigenous Drugs. Com. p : 36.)
In the Second Report of the Indigenous Drugs Committee, p. 29 it is stated that
"The drug has already been admitted into the Indian and Colonial Addendum of the British Pharmacopœla. It is produced in the Himalaya, The following note on it was distributed ; —
Purpose.— To test the efficiency of the root of Picrorhiza Kurroa as to a tonic and febribuge. For the purpose a tincture is provided, made according to the recipe of the British Pharmacopceiu. Indian and Colonial Addendum, Government of India Edition, 1901, page 50.
Dose— ½ to 1 fluid drachm.
Note.— The drug as an antiperiodic seems to be very inferior to quinine, but as a bitter tonic, is, we believe, distinctly serviceable. It is extensively used in India under the name of Kutki, but it is far from being the only Kutki in the bazars, where several drugs bear this name, e.g., Black Hellebore and Gentiana Kurroo.
The root of Picrorhiza Kurroa is somewhat purgative. The active principle is picrorhizin.
The authors of the Pharmacogaphia Indica say :— " We can state from personal obseration that it is used successfully as an antiperiodic in native (practice its slight laxative action is rather beneficial than otherwise. " Pharm. Indica, Volume III, page 11)."
Chemical composition. — A proximate analysis of this drug showed the following percentage composition : —
| Wax | 1.06 |
| Bitter principle (Picrorhizin) | 14.96 |
| Picrorhizetin | 3.85 |
| Organic acid ppt. by lead | 3.54 |
| Glucose | 11.53 |
| Cathartic acid, &c. (water extract) | 9.33 |
| Substances dissolved by NaHO | 7.62 |
| Arabin bodies from crude fibre | 14.56 |
| Fibre | 24.00 |
| Moisture | 5.73 |
| Ash | 3.82 |
The bitter principle is a glucoside Picrorhizin, freely soluble in water and alcohol, but almost insoluble in pure ether. It is acid in reaction, is not precipitated from solution by lead salts or tannin, but is absorbed by animal charcoal together with any colouring matter that is present. It is best obtained by exhausting the powdered drug with crude ether, and is left, after the evaporation of the ether, in brown resinoid drops which form ramified crystals on standing. It is difficult to obtain the picrorhizin in a crystalline condition after heating or after solution in water. Any wax removed by the crude ether can be separated from the dry extract by petroleum spirit, which has no solvent action on the bitter principle. The picrorhizin is decomposed by hydrolizing it with a boiling 1 per cent, solution of hydrochloric acid for three hours, and a decomposition product, which we have named Picrorhizetin is formed together with glucose. In obtaining 0.7 gram of picrorhizetin .368 gram separated during the first hour, .219 gram in the second hour, .113 gram in the second hour, .113 gram in the third hour, and none in the fourth. Weighed quantities of the picrorhizin, after drying at 100° C, afforded, on hydrolysis, 62.48 and 62.79 per cent, of picrorhizetin, as the result of two experiments. The glucose obtained from the decomposition was inactive towards polarized light. An infusion or tincture of the root boiled with diluted acid gradually loses its bitterness, and a large increase in the sugar is detected by Fehling's solution. Picrorhizetin is a red-brown, brittle, resinous, tasteless body soluble in aqueous alkalies. It is insoluble in water, and its solution in alcohol is precipitated by ether. By heating with strong sulphuric acid Or when being burnt it evolves an odour of benzoin.
The wax after bleaching, and purifying by recrystallization from hot alcohol, had a melting point of 51° C. The organic acid separated by lead was red-coloured and gave a greenish colour with ferric salts. No tannic acid was present. Some picrorhizetin was naturally formed in the drug, and existed in a much smaller proportion in the freshly dried rhizome. After removing the bitter principle by continued percolation with alcohol, the marc was dried and exhausted with water, the dark red-brown solution was evaporated to dryness, and .2 gram of the residue was found to act as a decided purge. The aqueous extract treated with four volumes of alcohol afforded precipitates containing 14.5 and 15.3 per cent, of mineral matter, and with six volumes a precipitate was obtained with 10 8 per cent, of ash. We rely upon the physiological action of this extract in considering cathartic acid to be a constituent." Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. VII, pp. 12-13.
Dr. Lai Mohan Ghoshal concludes his thesis on Picrorhiza Kurrooa, in Food and Drugs for January, 1912 as follows : —
1. The drug Picrorrhiza Kurrooa has got a bitter principle named picrorrhizin a glucoside, mainly.
2. Its action is due to its bitter principle.
3. It has got no poisonous action.
4. It increases the gastric secretion and thereby acts as a stomachic and bitter tonic.
5. It diminishes the force of the heart beat and hence may be used in febrile cases, beneficial effect being due to the reduction of blood pressure.
6. It has a mild laxative action due to the presence of cathartic acid.
895. Veronica Anagallis, Linn, h.f.b.l, IV. 293.
Habitat : — N.-W. India, from the plains of the Punjab to Western Tibet, and from Kashmir to Bhutan. Bengal, the Khasia Mts. and Assam, the Deccan Peninsula, in the Concan only.
A perennial, glabrous, rarely pubescent erect, succulent herb. Stem hollow, creeping below, from 6-18in, high and from the thickness of a sparrow's quill to that of the middle finger. Leaves 2-6 by ⅓-⅔in., sessile (stem-clasping) or lowest petioled. oblong lanceolate or linear-oblong, entire or serrate, base, usually cordate. Flowers pale purple, pink or white, 1/6-⅓in. diam., in axillary racemes 3-6in. long. Bracts shorter than the flower stalks. Pedicels spreading, (usually longer than the Calyx . Sepals 1/16-¼in. long subacute. Corrola 1/6-⅓. diam. Capsule notched, ⅛-1/6in diam., somewhat compressed laterally, turgid, orbicular, rarely broadly ovate in some Tibetan specimens (J. D. Hooker). Seeds ovoid or oblong, biconvex.
Use :— Used for the same purposes as V. Beccabunga.
896. V. Beccabunga, Linn, h.f.b.i., iv. 293.
Vern :— Tezak (PbA
Eng. : — Brooklime.
Habitat : — Western Himalaya, from Kashmir and Rawal Pindee to Kanawar
A glabrous or puberulous, decumbent, succulent herb, stem hollow, branches 6-18in., spreading. Leaves l-2in., rarely obovate, sessile or shortly petioled, elliptic or oblong obtuse, crenate-serrate, base rounded. Racemes axillary, few or many-flowered, 2-4in.; pedicels spreading, bracts usually shorter than the pedicels Sepals ovate-oblong, subacute. Corolla ⅓in. diam., blue or pink. Capsule and seed as in Veronica Anagallis, Linn.
Uses: — The plant is used medicinally in Kashmir (Honig-berger.)
The leaves and young stems were once in favor as an antiscorbutic, and even now the young shoots are sometimes eaten as watercresses, the two plants being generally found growing together. They are perfectly wholesome, and might be more frequently employed but for prejudice. In oldentimes the leaves were applied to wounds, and are now sometimes bruised and put on burns. (Sowerby's English Bot. Vol. V., p. 170).
897. Sopubia delphinifolia, G. Don. h.f.b.i., iv. 302.
Syn. : — Gerardia delphinifolia, Linn. Roxb. 491.
Vern. :— Dudhali (Bomb.).
Habitat : — Banda, Behar, on Parasnath, Deccan Peninsula, from the Concan southwards. A tall erect much-branched herb, 1-3 ft. high. Stem 4-sided, grooved, glabrous or scaberulous, often spotted with purple. Leaves pinnatisect, 1-1½ in. long, the uppermost (bracts) simple, segments filiform. Flowers subsessile, axillary, solitary or in few-flowered terminal racemes ; bracteoles ½ in. long, filiform, pedicels slender. Calyx ¾ in. long, tube strongly ribbed ; teeth linear-subulate, erect. Corolla rose-coloured, 1-1½ in. long, limb ¾ in. across ; lobes broad, spreading. Filaments hairy. Capsule as long as the calyx, oblong-ellipsoid. (Duthie).
Use : -The juice of the plant is applied by held labourers in the Deccan to their feet to heal sores caused by exposure to moisture. It is astringent and stains the skin at first yellow and afterwards a black color (Dymock.).
898. Pedicularis pectinata, Wall, h.f.b.i., iv. 306.
Vern : — Mishran (Pb.).
Habitat : — Western Temperate Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon.
Usually tall, stout, glabrous, except the often hairy spike, cauline leaves whorled, lanceolate, pinnatifid, or pinnatisect, with serrate segments or 2-pinnatifid, calyx-teeth acute entire, corolla-tube short, upper lip inflated, sickle-shaped, beak long, tip twisted. Stem 6-18in., simple or branched. Leaves 3-6in., sometimes 4 in. broad, ovate or oblong ; petiole long, slender. Spikes 2-6 in., lax-fid. ; bracts as long as the calyx, ovate or lanceolate. Calyx ½ in. long, inflated in fruit. Corolla ¾ in., rosered, beak with a double flexure, as long as the tube. Filaments hairy. Capsule ½ in., ovoid acute, tip exserted. Seeds large, ⅓ in. long, ridged and deeply pitted, pale.
Use : — In Kanawar the pounded leaves are given for hæmoptysis. The plant is also officinal at Lahore. (Stewart.)
899. P. siphonantha, Don. Prod, h.f.b.i., iv. 313.
Habitat : — Alpine Himalaya, from Kashmir to Sikkim.
Glabrate or sparsely pubescent or hirsute, stems many from the root slender and leafy, rarely solitary with only radical leaves. Leaves petioled linear-oblong pinnatifid or pinnatisect, lobes many, short, crenulate, flowers axillary and in terminal racemes or heads, calyx-lobes crested, corolla pink, tube very slender 3-6 times as long as the calyx, upper lip a slender annular horn gradually narrowed from the base to the point, lower broadly 3-lobed.
Rootstock perennial ? Stems 2-10 in. erect or ascending. Leaves 2-6 by ¼-1½ in., lobes or segments obtuse, cauline and radical alike. Racemes short or long ; bracts leaf-like ; pedicels of the lower flowers sometimes 1 in. Calyx ⅓-½ in., hirsute or glabrate, nerves distinct. Corolla rose-pink, tube very slender, sometimes 2 in. ; upper lip longer than the broad lower. Capsule ½-⅓ in. long, broadly oblong, oblique, acute, half exserted or less. Seeds 1/12-1/10in. oblong, obtuse, base, apiculate, striate. — Varies greatly in the size of the corolla and length of its tube. (J. D. Hooker).
Use : — Some part of this plant is used officinally in the Punjab (Stewart).
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