Myrsine africana Health Dictionary

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Myrsine Africana: From 1 Different Sources

Linn.

Family: Myrsinaceae.

Habitat: Outer Himalayas from Kashmir to Nepal and in Khasi Hills at 300-2,700 m.

Ayurvedic: Vaayavidanga (substitute). (Embelia ribes is the authentic source of Vidanga.)

Folk: Bebrang (Punjab), Kakhum, Shamshaad (according to Unani reference books, Shamshaad is obtained from a Pinaceae tree).

Action: Fruit—anthelmintic (used for the expulsion of tape worms; also as a substitute for Emblia ribes); antispasmodic, purgative; used externally against ringworm and other skin affections. Aerial parts—antifertility, abortifacient. (According to Unani medicine, the fruits of Shamshaad show antifertility activity in females.)

Berries and seeds contain embelic acid and quercitol (1%). Embelin (3%) is present in the dried fruit. Seeds also contain embelin.

Seeds of M. semiserrata Wall. contain embelin (0.4%) and quercitol (0.8%).

Seeds of M. capitellata Wall. contain 1.6% embelin.

These related species are found in Nepal, Bhutan, Assam and North Bengal.
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Kigelia Pinnata

(Jacq.) DC.

Synonym: K. africana (Lam.) Benth.

Family: Bignoniaceae.

Habitat: Native to West Africa, cultivated as a roadside tree.

English: Common Sausage tree.

Folk: Jhaar Phaanuus.

Action: Bark—antidysenteric, antirheumatic, diuretic. Used in venereal diseases. Fruits— purgative.

The root bark contains monoter- penoids, pinnatal, isopinnatal and iso- kigelinol napthoquinones.

The fruit gave a cytostatic compound.

In Africa, the root bark is used in the treatment of venereal diseases, haemorrhoids and rheumatism; also as a vermifuge.... kigelia pinnata

Zanonia Indica

Linn.

Family: Cucurbitaceae.

Habitat: The peninsular India, khasi hills of Meghalaya and the Andamans.

Ayurvedic: Chirpoti, Chirpotaa, Kuntali, Tiktaka.

Siddha/Tamil: Penar-valli.

Folk: Parpoti.

Action: Fruits—cathartic, used for cough and asthma. Leaves— antispasmodic; topically applied to reduce inflammation and irritation. Plant—febrifuge.

Synonym: Richardia africana Kunth.

Family: Araceae.

Habitat: Cooler parts of Bihar and Orissa.

Action: Leaves—used as a poultice on sores, boils, wounds, burns, insect-bites and on painful parts of gout and rheumatism.

The plant contains an acrid juice which is poisonous and irritant; irritation is caused by raphides of calcium oxalate. A toxic principle has been reported from the inflorescence, spathe and flower stem. It produced effect in rabbits ranging from hypo-aesthesia to paralysis.

The flowers contain cytokinin along with swertisin, swertiajaponin, cyani- din, peonidin and ferulic acid.

Roasting and boiling appear to destroy the toxicity of leaves.... zanonia indica

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