Benincasa hispida, Kuushmaanda, Ash gourd, Boodida gummadi

Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.
Family: Cucurbitaceae

Synonyms: Benincasa cerifera Savi, Benincasa cylindrica Ser, Benincasa hispida var. chieh-qua F.C.How, Benincasa hispida var. hispida, Benincasa pruriens (Parkinson) W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes , Benincasa pruriens f. hispida (Thunb.) W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes, Benincasa vacua (F.Muell.) F.Muell., Cucurbita alba Roxb. ex Wight & Arn., Cucurbita farinosa Blume, Cucurbita hispida Thunb., Cucurbita littoralis Hassk., Cucurbita pruriens Parkinson , Cucurbita pruriens Seem., Cucurbita vacua F.Muell., Cucurbita villosa Blume, Gymnopetalum septemlobum Miq., Lagenaria dasystemon Miq., Lagenaria leucantha var. clavata Makino, Lagenaria leucantha var. hispida (Thunb.) Nakai, Lagenaria sicerariawar. hispida (Thunb.) H.Hara, Lagenaria vulgaris var. hispida (Thunb.) Nakai

Common name: White Gourd, Ash Gourd, Wax Gourd, Winter Melon
Assamese:  Komora,   তোৰোবোত  Torobot (Manipuri).
Bengali: kumra, chalkumra
Burmese : Kyauk-hpayon.
Chinese :  冬 瓜  Dong gua (Cantonese Tung kwa), Bai dong gua, Yin dong gua.
Danish : Voksagurk, Voksgræskar.
Dutch : Waskalebas.
preserving melon, Tallow gourd.
French :  Courge à cire, Courge à la cire, Courge cireuse, Pastèque de Chine.
German: Wachskürbis, Prügelkürbis.
Hindi :  पेठा  Pethaa (Petha), पेठाकद्दू   Pethaa kaddu,  Safed kaddu .
Italian : Zucca della cera.
Japanese :   ド ングワ Don guwa (translit. Mand.),  ト ンクワ Ton kuwa (translit. Cant.),   ト ウガン  Tougan,  冬瓜 Tougan, とう がん Tougan.
Kannada :   Boodagumbala, Boodu gumbala, Budekumbalakayi.
Korean :    동 아  Donga, 동과 Donggwa.
Malay : Kundor, Kundur (Indonesia).
Malayalam: കുമ്പളങ്ങ Kumbalanga
Manipuri: তোৰোবোত Torobot
Marathi: कोहळा Kohla
Nepali: Kubiindo (Kubindo), Pethaa (Petha).
Portuguese : Abóbora d'água, Calabaza branca.
Russian :  Восковая тыква  Voskovaya tykva.
Sanskrit : Kushmanda. brihatphala, ghrinavasa, gramyakarkati, karkaru
Sinhalese :  පුහුල්  Puhul.
Spanish : Calabaza blanca, Calabaza china.
Swedish :  Vaxpumpa.
Tagalog : Kandol.
Tamil :  Neer poosanikai, Pooshnikai.
Telugu:  బూడిద గుమ్మడికాయ  Boodida gummadikaaya, Budida gummadikaya.
Thai : Faeng, ฟัก Fak, Mafak khom, Mafak mon, Mafak mon khom.
Turkish : Mom kabagi.
Urdu :  پیٹھہ
Vietnamese :   Bí đao, Cây bí đao, Quả bí đao, Trái bí đao.

Description: It is a climber native to tropical Asia which is cultivated mainly in warm countries. The plant has a musky smell. The stems are angular, 3 mm–4 mm in diameter and hispid. Leaves: simple, alternate and without stipules. The petiole is 6 cm–8 cm × 2 mm and hispid. The blade is palmately 5-lobed, very thin, and hispid underneath. The blade is serrate, and shows 5–6 pairs of secondary nerves. The flowers are simple, axillary and showy. The flower pedicels are 5 cm–10 cm long and hispid. The calyx consists of 5 linear, 8 mm long hispid sepals. The corolla consists of 5 yellow, orbicular, very thin and showily nerved petals. The fruits are massive, 40 cm long, ovate berries covered with a dense chalky white powder Ayurvedic uses: Mutraghata, Mutrakruchha, Prameha, Trishna, Asmari, Manasa vikara, Malabandha [API, Vol-4]

The  fruits  are  useful  in  asthma,  cough,  diabetes,  haemoptysis, hemorrhages from internal organs, epilepsy, fever and vitiated conditions of pitta. The seeds are useful in dry cough, fever, urethrorrhea, syphilis, hyperdipsia and vitiated conditions of pitta  (Warrier  et  al,1993).  It  is  a  rejuvenative  drug  capable  of  improving  intellect  and physical strength. In Ayurveda, the fresh juice of the fruit is administered as a specific in haemoptysis  and other  haemorrhages  from  internal  organs.  The  fruit  is  useful  in  insanity, epilepsy and other nervous  diseases, burning sensation, diabetes, piles and dyspepsia. It is a good  antidote  for  many  kinds  of  vegetable,  mercurial  and  alcoholic  poisoning.  It  is  also administered in cough, asthma or respiratory diseases, heart diseases and catarrah. Seeds are useful  in  expelling  tapeworms  and  curing  difficult  urination  and  bladder  stones. [Medicinal  Plants]

Leaves—cooling, juice rubbed on bruises. Fruit decoc tion—laxative, diuretic, nutritious, styptic (given for internal haem orrhages and diseases of the respiratory tract.) Juice of fruit— used for treating epilepsy, insanity and other nervous diseases. The ash of fruit rind—applied on painful swellings. Seeds—anthelmintic. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

In China, the fruits of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. are eaten to treat diabetes, dropsy and kidney diseases. The seeds are eaten to promote urination, relieve the bowels of costiveness, treat fever, heal hemorrhoids, and soothe inflamed intestines. The rind is eaten to promote urination and to invigorate the spleen. The pulp is used to promote urination, treat fever and as a demulcent. In India, the fruits are eaten to relieve the bowels of costiveness, promote urination and libido, check hemorrhages, treat strangury and expel urinary stones. The oil expressed from the seeds is soporific. In Indonesia, the fruits are eaten to invigorate health and to check hemorrhages. In Malaysia, the leaves are applied to bruises and a decoction of the fruit is drunk to combat hystero-epilepsy. In the Philippines, the fruits are eaten to treat disorders of the respiratory organs and applied to inflamed eyes. [Medicinal Plants of the Asia-Pacific: Drugs For The Future?]

282 Published articles of Benincasa hispida

Butea monosperma Palash Flame of fores,t moduga

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taubert
Family: Leguminosae
Synonyms: Butea braamania DC., Butea frondosa Roxb., Butea frondosa Willd., Butea frondosa var. lutea (Witt.) Maheshw., Butea monosperma Kuntze, Erythrina monosperma Lam., Plaso monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze, Plaso monosperma var. flava Kuntze, Plaso monosperma var. rubra Kuntze, Rudolphia frondosa (Willd.) Poir.,

Common names: Flame of the Forest, Bastard teak
Assamese: বিপৰ্ণক bipornok, কিংশুক kingxuk, পলাশ polax
Bengali: পলাশ palash
Gujarati: કેસૂડો kesudo, ખાખરો khakhro, પલાશ palash
Hindi: ढाक dhak, पलाश palash, टेसू tesu
Kannada: ಮುತ್ತುಗ muttuga, ಪಲಾಶ palasha, ವಾತಪೋಥ ಮರ vaatapotha mara
Kashmiri: पलाश् palash
Konkani: पळस palas
Malayalam: ചമത chamata, കിംശുകം kinsukam, പ്ലാശ് plaas
Manipuri: পাঙ গোঙ pangong
Marathi: ढाक dhak, पळस palas
Nepali: पलाँस palans
Oriya: ପଳାଶ palasha
Pali: किंशुक kimshuka, पलाश palasha
Punjabi: ਢਾਕ dhak, ਪਲਾਸ palas
Sanskrit: किंशुक kimshuka, पलाश palasha
Tamil: கிஞ்சுகம் kincukam, பலாசம் palasam
Telugu: కింశుకము kimsukamu, పలాశము palasamu, మోదుగ Moduga
Tibetan: rgya skyegs sin, tshos-sin
Urdu: ڐهاك dhak

Latest Published articles of Butea monosperma Older publications and other details here.

Memecylon edule, Kora kaha, Nipis Kulit

Memecylon edule Roxb.
Family: Melastomataceae
Common name: anjani
[From Greek, memecylon = the fruit of Arbutus unedo and from Latin, edule = edible]

Memecylon edule is a small evergreen tree native to India, especially the Deccan Plateau, including most of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Tamil Nadu and dry parts of Sri Lanka. Common names include kaayam, delek bangas, delek air, miat, and nemaaru and in Sri Lanka it is known as "Kora kaha" in sinhala language.

The tree grows on rocky soils and blooms once or twice per year. The fruit is about a centimeter long and green, turning red then black as it ripens. The tree has a thin bark, so it is sometimes also called nipis kulit or "thin-skinned" in Malay. This tree is valued as an ornamental and a source of wood for construction.

Description: It is a hand some coastal shrub found in South-east Asia. The stems are terete and glabrous. Leaves: simple, opposite and without stipules. The petiole is grooved, 1 cm–1.5 cm long. The blade is elliptic-lanceolate, coriaceous, and 7.3 cm × 4.2 cm–8.6 cm × 5 cm. The midrib is sunken above and raised below. The inflorescences are axillary racemes. The fruits are pinkish, globose, open at the apex, 5 mm–7 mm in diameter.

Uses: In Burma, the leaves of Memecylon edule Roxb. are used for their astringent properties. In Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, Memecylon edule Roxb. is used to treat fever. In the Philippines, a variety of Memecylon edule Roxb. is used to promote menses and treat ophthalmia. [Medicinal Plants of the Aisa-Pacific: Drugs For The Future?]

Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. Root decoction in controlling excessive menstrual discharges. Leaves astringent, cooling, for gonorrhea, conjunctivitis. 

6 Published articles of Memecylon edule

Memecylon umbellatum, Ironwood Tree, Anjan

Memecylon umbellatum Burm. f.
Family: Melastomataceae
English: Ironwood Tree
Bengali: অঞ্জন
Hindi: Anjan अंजन
Kannada: Huli Soppu
Malayalam: കാശാവ്, Kasavu, കായാമ്പൂ
Marati: anjan
Oriya: Neymaru
Tamil: காயாம்பூ, kayampu, Sirugasa
Telugu: Lakhonde

Description: A large shrub or small tree, up to 8-14m tall with amazing bright blue flowers that look almost unreal. Delek air produces showy clusters of tiny purple flowers, about 1cm each. The trees bloom once or twice a year, and are then indeed a beautiful sight. As the flower petals are shed, the sand and rocks below are dusted in mauve. The fruits are small (about 1cm) and are green, turning red then black as they ripen. The tree has a thin bark, so it is sometimes also called 'Nipis kulit' or 'thin-skinned' in Malay. Delek air belongs to the same family as the more familiar Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum) This tree is not only beautiful, but also useful. It provides hard timber used for building houses and boats. A yellow dye can be extracted from the leaves and the bark is used to treat bruises.

Uses: In Burma, the leaves of Memecylon edule Roxb. are used for their astringent properties. In Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, Memecylon edule Roxb. is used to treat fever. In the Philippines, a variety of Memecylon edule Roxb. is used to promote menses and treat ophthalmia.
Memecylon umbellatum lowers the serum glucose level in glucose and alloxan-induced diabetic mice. [Medicinal Plants of The Aisa-Pacific: Drugs For The Future?]

Published articles of Memecylon umbellatum

Dendrobium densiflorum, Pineapple orchid

Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl.
Family: Orchidaceae
Synonyms: Callista densiflora (Lindl.) Kuntze, Dendrobium clavatum Roxb., Dendrobium schroederi B.S.Williams, Endeisa flava Raf., Epidendrum dumunsuttu Buch.-Ham. ex Lindl.

Chinese: 密花石斛
Manipuri: মেলৈ লৈশনা Melei Leishna
Common name: Pineapple orchid

Distribution: Tropical valleys and forests, at an altitude between 600 to 4200 ft.
Description: Epiphyte. Stems erect, long as 20 to 45 cm, clavate, with swollen nodes and four angled. Leaves 4 to 6 from the apex of the stem only, oblong-lanceolate, 6 to 10 cm long and 2 to 4 cm in width, acute, slightly narrowed to the base. Flowers crowded, in long pendulous racemose of 10 to 25 cm, sometimes even more, from the apex of the stem. Sepals and petals pale bright yellow, lip is bright orange yellow with paler margins. Sepals ovate-elliptic, obtuse. Petals broader than the sepals, ovate-orbicular. Lip orbicular-rhomboid, basal half convolute, apical half spreading, its upper surface hairy and with fringed margins.

20 Published articles of Dendrobium densiflorum

Sphenoclea zeylanica, Sfenoclea, Chicken-spike, Nandu Kannu

Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn.
Family: Sphenocleaceae

English: Chicken-spike
Chinese: 尖瓣花
Spanish: Sfenoclea
Tamil: Nandu Kannu

Description: Erect herb; stem to 125 cm high, divaricately branched, thickened towards base to 3.5 cm in breadth, with long fibrous roots, fistulous, the cortex replaced by spongy, aerenchymatous tissue. Leaves oval to oblong-elliptic, 8.6-11.5 x 2.2-4.7 cm, cuneate or abruptly acute at base, subacute to obtuse at apex, entire, membranous, glaucous; petioles 1-3 cm long. Spikes ovoid, to 3 cm long, bluntly tapering to apex; peduncles to 6 cm long; flowers many. Bracts spathulate, to 3 x 2 mm, clawed, cuspidate-acute, inflexed over calyx. Bracteoles lateral to bracts, linear, 2-3 mm long. Calyx tube cupular, 1 mm long; lobes obovate-deltoid, 1 x 2 mm, concave, pale green. Corolla white; tube 1-1.5 mm long; lobes ovate-triangular. Filaments glabrous. Top of ovary truncate; stigma flattened, obscurely 2-lobed. Capsule depressed-globose, 3-3.5 mm in diameter, chartaceous; seeds oblong-cuneate, 0.5-0.8 x 0.2 mm, minutely ridged longitudinally, yellowish-brown.

22 Published articles of Sphenoclea zeylanica

Helianthus annuus, Sunflower

Helianthus annuus L.
Family: Compositae
Chinese: 丈菊
Finnish: Isoauringonkukka
French: Tournesol, Grand-soleil, Graines-à-perroquets
German: Gewöhnliche Sonnenblume
Italian: Girasole comune
Latin: Oleum Helianthi annui
Portuguese: Girassol
Romanian: floarea soarelui
Russian: подсолнечник однолетний, podsolnečnik odnoletnij
Spanish: Girasol
Swedish: solros
Welsh: blodyn yr haul
 Malayalam: Sooryakanthi
Tamil: சூரியகாந்தி suryakaanti
Hindi: Surajmukhi सूरजमुखी
Telugu: Poddu thirugudu పొద్దుతిరుగుడు
Manipuri: Numitlei

The seeds, flower petals and tender leaf petioles  are  edible. Flower petals can be eaten raw or  cooked but are best eaten in the young bud stage  when it has an artichoke flavour. Young flower  buds can be lightly boiled or steamed and eaten.   Sunflower  ‘whole  seed’  (fruit)  are  sold  as  a  snack  food  after  roasting  within  heated  ovens  with or without salt added and also used in con- fectionary. The roasted seeds or its roasted hulls can be used as a coffee and drinking chocolate  substitute. Sunflower seeds can be grounded into  flour and processed into a peanut butter alternative, SunButter, especially in China, Russia, the  United  States,  the  Middle  East  and  Europe.  In  Germany,  it  is  used  together  with  rye  flour  to  make  a  sunflower  whole  seed  bread  called  ‘Sonnenblumenkernbrot’.  The germinated seed can be blended with water and left to ferment to make seed yoghurt.  The sprouted seed can be eaten raw. The leaf petioles are boiled and mixed in with other foodstuffs.   Sunflower oil, extracted from the  seeds,  is  used primarily as salad and cooking oil or in margarine  for  cooking.  Sunflower  oil  is  generally  considered  a  premium  oil  because  of  its  light  colour, high level of unsaturated fatty acids and  lack  of  linolenic  acid,  bland  flavour  and  high  smoke points.   Flour free from chlorogenic acid and high protein  concentrate  obtained  from  sunflower  seeds  could be added to wheat fl our in as high a proportion as 65 % in weight to prepare cookies containing  16 g/100 g high-quality protein, 80–90 % in relation to casein, and with adequate sensorial properties. [ Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants]

127 Pharmacy / Pharmacology related ublished articles of Sunflower

Mahonia napaulensis, Indian barberry, Maramanjal

Mahonia napaulensis DC.
Family: Berberidaceae
Synonyms: Berberis napaulensis, Mahonia griffithii Takeda, Mahonia longlinensis Y.S. Wang & P.G. Xiao, Mahonia manipurensis Takeda, Mahonia napaulensis var. leschenaultii (Wall. ex Wight & Arn.) Fedde, Mahonia pomensis Ahrendt, Mahonia salweenensis Ahrendt, Mahonia sikkimensis Takeda

Common name: Nepal Mahonia, Indian barberry
Chinese: 尼泊尔十大功劳
Malayalam: Maramanjal, Mullukadambu

Description: Evergreen trees, 4-7 m tall; bark light brown, corky, vertically and horizontally fissured; blaze sulphur yellow. Leaves compound, imparipinnate, verticelled at the tips of branches; rachis 17-33 cm, slender, glabrous, base sheathing with 2 subulate stipules; leaflets 7-17, opposite, sessile; lamina 3-9 x 1-5 cm, ovate, ovate-lanceolate or oblong-ovate; base obliquely truncate, rounded, subcordate or very obtuse; apex cuspidate; margin spinose, glabrous, rigid, coriaceous, shining above, pale beneath; 3-5 nerved from the base, raised beneath; secondary laterals 3-5 pairs, pinnate; intercostae reticulate, faint. Flowers bisexual, yellow, in racemes generally fascicled at the apices of stem, in umbel fashion, erect or oblique, often paniculate, 7.5-40 cm; pedicels 6-16 mm, with 2-3 appressed bracts; sepals 6, imbricate in 2 series; petals 6, imbricate in 2 series; nectaries distinct; stamens 6, free, anthers-cells opening by recurved valves; ovary single celled; ovules 5-6, basal, erect; style stout; stigma peltate. Fruit a berry, 8 mm across, broadly ellipsoid-globose, purple, pruinose, bitter, 3-5 seeded.

3 Published articles of Mahonia napaulensis

Cyananthus lobatus, Rönsykello, Trailing Bellflower

Cyananthus lobatus Wall. ex Benth.
Family: Campanulaceae
Synonyms: Cyananthus farreri (C.Marquand) C.Marquand, Cyananthus insignis R.E.Grahame, Cyananthus lobatus var. farreri C.Marquand
Chinese: 裂叶蓝钟花
Common name: Trailing Bellflower
Finnish: Rönsykello

Meadows, shrubberies; 3300-4700 m, WCE Nepal.  Low spreading perennial   herb. Leaves obovate to wedge-shaped, deeply lobed. Flowers bright blue-purple; calyx conspicuous covered with short blackish hairs; corolla-tube hairy in the throat.

Uses: Lymph disorders. Flowers are mildly rubbed in case of chapped lips. Also offered during religious ceremonies.

2 Published articles of Cyananthus lobatus

Campanula latifolia, Breitblättrige Glockenblume, Storklokke, Колокольчик широколистный

Campanula latifolia L.
Family: Campanulaceae
Synonyms: Campanula macrantha (Fisch. ex Sims) Hook., Drymocodon latifolium (L.) Fourr., Trachelioides latifolia (L.) Opiz
Other vernacular names:
Belarusian: Званочак шыракалісты
Dutch: Breed klokje
Finnisch: Ukonkello
Finnish: Ukonkello
Georgian: ალოშა
German: Breitblättrige Glockenblume
Lithuanian: Plačialapis katilėlis
Magyar: Széleslevelű harangvirág
Norwegian: Storklokke
Polish: Dzwonek szerokolistny
Russian: Колокольчик широколистный
Slovenian: Širokolistna zvončnica
Svenska: Hässleklocka

Perennial,  stems erect,  50-100  cm  high,  unramified,  bluntly angular,  bare  or  downy.  Seeds  obovoid,  ellipsoid, compressed, biconvex, winged, 2-2.4 x  1.1-1.3 mm.  Surface longitudinal fine furrowed, lustrous, pale- brown, wing light-brown. 2n = 34. [Atlas of Seeds and Fruits of Central and East-European Flora]

9 Published articles of Campanula latifolia

Swertia angustifolia

Swertia angustifolia Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don
Family: Gentianaceae

Folk Names: Pahaari Kiretta, Mithaa (sweet) Kiryaat.
Action: Used as a substitute for S.chirayita. (Inferior in bitter tonic properties.) Aerial parts gave ursolic acid, xanthones and beta-sitosterol. Several tetra-and pentaoxygenated xanthones have been isolated from the plant.

16 Published articles of Swertia angustifolia

Plumbago auriculata, Nila chitrak, Südafrikanische Bleiwurz

Plumbago auriculata Lam.
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Synonyms: Plumbagidium auriculatum (Lam.) Spach, Plumbago capensis Thunb.

Common name: Plumbago, Cape Leadwort
Hindi: Nila chitrak नीला चित्रक
Manipuri: Telhidak (Manipuri)
Chinese: 蓝茉莉
Finnish: Sinilyijykukka
French: Plumbago du Cap, Dentelaire du Cap
German: Südafrikanische Bleiwurz, Kap-Bleiwurz

Description: Shrub, sometimes semi-climbing, up to 2 (-4) m. Leaves obovate or elliptic, glabrous above, bearing scales beneath; apex obtuse and mucronate. Peduncles bearing dense short white hairs. Calyx with short white hairs and in addition stalked glands in upper part. Corolla pale blue; lobes obtuse.

Plants evergreen shrubs. Stems erect, trailing, or climbing, diffusely branched, to 3+ m, glabrous or pubescent on youngest shoots. Leaves usually sessile, sometimes short-petiolate; blade elliptic, oblanceolate, or spatulate, (1-)2.5-9 × 0.5-2.5 cm, base usually long-attenuate, sometimes auriculate, apex acute or obtuse, mucronate. Inflorescences 2.5-3(-5) cm, rachises short-pilose (hairs ca. 0.1 mm), eglandular; floral bracts lanceolate, 3-9 × 1-2 mm. Flowers 3-stylous; calyx 10-13 mm, tube usually short-pilose and with stalked, capitate, glandlike protuberances ca. 1 mm along distal 1/ 3/ 4 of ribs; corolla pale blue, 37-53 mm, tube 28-40 mm (more than 2 times length of calyx), lobes 10-16 × 6-15 mm; stamens included or exserted. Capsules 8 mm. Seeds brown, 7 mm. 2n = 14 + 0-1B.



Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. The entire plant, especially the root, contains plumbagin, a toxic naphthoquinone derivative (oil of plumbago), which may cause severe skin irritation or blistering in humans and may also be toxic to other animals. Maceration of root and seed given in pyorrhea and dental caries. [CRC World Dictionary of MEDICINAL AND POISONOUS PLANTS]

Publication and other details here:

Persicaria nepalensis, Kangany, Machan-pilu, Cherumukkala

Persicaria nepalensis (Meisn.) Miyabe
Family: Polygonaceae

Synonyms: Cephalophilon nepalense (Meisn.) Tzvelev , Persicaria alata (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) Nakai , Persicaria nepalensis (Meisn.) H. Gross , Polygonum alatum Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don , Polygonum alatum var. nepalense (Meisn.) Hook. f. , Polygonum nepalense Meisn. , Polygonum nepalense var. adenothrix Nakai , Polygonum punctatum var. alatum Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don , Polygonum quadrifidum Hayata.

Hindi: Kangany, Machan-pilu
Malayalam: Cherumukkala

Description: Diffuse herbs, rooting from lowers nodes. Leaves deltoid, acute at apex, cuneate at base, sparsely hairy along the nerves below, glandulose; petiole 5-10 mm long; ochrea truncate at mouth, glabrous. Spike on the axils of terminal leaf, sessile, conical; bracts elliptic, acute, glabrous. Flowers solitary or paired; tepals white, 2 mm long, oblong, obtuse, glabrous; stamens 5; styles 2, joined below. Nut 1.5 x 1.5 mm, biconvex, apiculate, minutely puberulus, brown.

3 Published articles of Persicaria nepalensis

Helinus lanceolatus

Helinus lanceolatus Brandis
Family: Rhamnaceae
Synonym: Gouania lanceolata Wall. 

Anagallis arvensis 165 publications and medicinal uses

Anagallis arvensis var. caerulea (L.) Gouan
Family: Primulaceae
Synonyms: Anagallis arvensis f. aiurea Hyl., Anagallis arvensis f. caerulea (L.) Ludi Anagallis caerulea L., Anagallis coerulea Schreb. [Spelling variant], Lysimachia arvensis var. caerulea (L.)Turland & Bergmeier

English: Blue Pimpernel
Hindi: कृष्ण नील, Krishnaneel
Marathi: रान द्राक्ष Ran draksh
Malayalam: Bellichina
Kannada: Suryakanti soppu
Tamil: அனிச்சை (தாவரம்)

Scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) is a naturalized plant found across parts of southern Canada. The plant contains several toxins that have poisoned livestock, and an irritant in the plant hairs can cause allergies in humans. The occurrence of poisoning appears to depend on unknown conditions, which may account for the conflicting literature reports. However, the plant has been implicated in enough cases of poisoning to be treated as a potentially toxic plant [Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System]

20  grains  flower  4  ×/day  for  epilepsy  (GMH);  15–60  grains powdered  leaf  (GMH);  1.8  g  powdered  herb  4  ×/day  (HH2;  PH2);  for  dropsy,  hepatosis,  and nephrosis, steep 1 tsp powdered herb/glass water 10 minutes and sip throughout the day (HH2; PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Scarlet Pimpernel) — Not covered (AHP). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). Cucurbitacins could eventually generate GI problems or nephrosis (PH2). The aromatic oil, if taken internally, can cause headache and nausea (WO2). Of 22 plant extracts tested against Microsporium canis, pimpernel was most potent (IC90, 100–15 µg/ml) [Handbook of Medicinal Herbs]

Diuretic, hepatic, diaphoretic. The properties of this herb, although very active, are not yet fully known,  and  care  should  be  exercised  in  using  it.  It  has  been  successful  in  the  treatment  of  liver  irregularities,  forms  of  rheumatism  and  dropsy.  The  pulverised leaves are administered in doses of from 15 to 60 grains. [HERBAL MANUAL The Medicinal, Toilet, Culinary and other Uses of 130 of the most Commonly Used Herbs]

Plant—anti-inflammatory, astringent, deobstructant, antifungal, nematocidal; toxic to leeches. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

Oral (juice ordecoction);Topical (leaf juice).: Folk Medicinal Uses:  1) Snake bite, 2) Mad dog bite. [INTERNATIONAL COLLATION OF TRADITIONAL  AND FOLK MEDICINE, NORTHEAST ASIA Part IV ]

Folk usage (they recommended it for fevers, abdominal complaints, profuse menstruation and festering swellings); it is impossible to be sure,however,that it was this species they understood by this name. Indeed, paucity of the records for folk uses of A. arvensis and the absence of any focus in these on one ailment above all others hardly give the impression of a herb that was particularly highly valued. [Medicinal Plants in Folk Tradition, An Ethnobotany of Britian & Ireland]

Traditional use:  A decoction of the herb is used to treat shortness of breath, tuberculosis, gynecological disorders, rabies, and as a diuretic in cases of edema, and is used externally for washing wounds (Khalmatov  1964  ) . The essence from blooming plants is used in homeopathy [The Medicinal Plants of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan]

Interesting Facts: Scarlet pimpernel is said to be an e√ective diuretic that helps eliminate gravel from the kidney and is used in dyspepsia. As a poultice, it was applied to the skin to relieve the itch and sting of insects. [Wild Plants of the Sierra Nevada]

165 Published articles of Anagallis arvensis

Primula vulgaris, Primrose, Stängellose Schlüsselblume, Первоцвет обыкновенный, Griciorei,

Primula vulgaris Huds.
Family: Primulaceae
Synonyms: Primula acaulis (L.) Hill, Primula veris var. acaulis L.

English: Primrose
Arabic: زهرة الربيع عديمة الساق
Bosnian: Jagorčevina
Czech: Prvosenka bezlodyžná
Deutsch: Stängellose Schlüsselblume
Finnish: Kääpiöesikko
French: Primevère acaule
German: Garten-Schlüsselblume, Stengellose Schlüsselblume
Irish: Sabhaircín
Italian: Primavera
Persian: پامچال
Romanian: Griciorei
Russian: Первоцвет обыкновенный
Swedish: Jordviva

Perennial,  without  a  stem, rhizome short, more-headed, leaves in a basal rosette.  Seeds  irregular  in  shape  and  size,  margin  indistinct  serrate,  with  caruncle,  1.5-2  x  1-1.5 mm.  Surface  verrucose,  viscid,  dull,  lustreless,  dark- brown. 2n = 22. [ATLAS OF SEEDS AND FRUITS OF CENTRAL AND EAST-EUROPEAN FLORA]

Plant—anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, vermifuge, emetic. Used only externally. The plant gave phenolic glycosides, flavonoids, saponins. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

109 Published articles of Primula vulgaris

Maesa argentea

Maesa argentea (Wall.) A. DC.
Family: Primulaceae


Uses; Leaves as fish poison

Couroupita guianensis, নাগকেশর, Sala, శివలింగపుష్పం, สาละลังกา, நாகலிங்கம்

Couroupita guianensis Aubl.
Family: Lecythidaceae
Common name: Cannonball tree
Bengali: নাগকেশর
Czech: Lončatník guyanský
Deutsch: Kanonenkugelbaum
Gujarati: શિવલીંગી
Upper Serbian: Wšědny kanonowc
Bahasa Indonesia: Sala
Kannada: ನಾಗಲಿಂಗ ಪುಷ್ಪ ಮರ, Nagalinga pushpa mara
Malayalam: നാഗലിംഗം Nagalingam
Marati: नागलिंगम Nagalingam
Malay: Pokok Peluru Meriam
Polish: Czerpnia gujańska
Portuguese: Abricó-de-macaco
Russian: Курупита гвианская
Sinhala: සල්ගස
Tamil: நாகலிங்கம் nagalingam
Telugu: శివలింగపుష్పం, Sivalinga pushpam
Thai: สาละลังกา

Synonyms: Couratari pedicellaris Rizzini, Couroupita acreensis R.Knuth, Couroupita antillana Miers, Couroupita froesii R.Knuth, Couroupita guianensis var. surinamensis (Mart. ex Berg) , Eyma Couroupita idolica Dwyer    , Couroupita membranacea Miers, Couroupita peruviana O.Berg, Couroupita saintcroixiana R.Knuth, Couroupita surinamensis Mart. ex Berg, Couroupita surinamensis Mart. ex O. Berg  , Couroupita venezuelensis R.Knuth , Lecythis bracteata Willd.
Indications: Acariasis, Arthritis, Bacteria, Dermatosis, Dysmenorrhea,, Fungus, Gastrosis, Infection, Mange,, Mycosis, Pain, Rheumatism, Stomachache,, Toothache, Viruses, Wounds. (Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of Latin America)

Fruit-pulp and seeds are ingested as a refreshant in French Guiana. (Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana)

53 Published articles of Couroupita guianensis

Eryngium foetidum, बन धनिया, Hosszú koriander, Ketumbar Jawa, Ngò gai, ผักชีฝรั่ง

Eryngium foetidum L.
Family: Apiaceae
Synonym: Eryngium antihystericum Rottler, Eryngium antihystericum Rottb., Eryngium foetidum f. comosum Urb., Eryngium molleri Gand.
Common name: Long Coriander, Wild coriander, Fitweed, Mexican coriander
Assamese: Jongali memedo, Ori
Bengali: Bon dhonia, বন_ধনিয়া
Dutch: stinkdistel
Esperanto: Eringio
French: Chardon étoile fétide
German: Langer Koriander, Mexikanischer Koriander
Hindi: बन धनिया Ban dhaniya
Hungarian: Hosszú koriander
Indonesian: Walangan
Japanese: ペレニアルコリアンダー
Khmer: chi barong
Lao: Phak Hom thet
Lithuanian: Kvapioji zunda
Malay: Ketumbar Jawa
Malayalam: ആഫ്രിക്കൻ മല്ലി
Manipuri: Awa phadigom
Thai: pak ch farang, ผักชีฝรั่ง
Vietnamese: Ngò gai

Spiny  herb  15–60 cm  tall,  flowering  stem  much-branched,  tough,  from  a  stout  taproot,  smelling  strongly  of  coriander  (Coriandrum  sativum,  cilantro).  Leaves  mostly  in  a  basal  rosette,  blade  10–16 cm  long,  3–4 cm  wide,  narrow,  tip  rounded,  base  tapered,  margin  toothed,  spiny;  stem  leaves  opposite,  stalkless,  blade  2–3 cm  long,  0.5–1.5 cm wide,  often  3-parted,  margins  with  spine-tipped  teeth. Flowers pale green, minute, in dense, conical  heads to 1 cm long, above a ring of spiny bracts, lon- ger than inflorescence, Feb.–Mar. Fruit dry, 0.2 cm, spiny,  2-seeded.  Habitat:  common  weed  of  open  habitats in wet regions, lawns, edges. Altitude: Sea  level  to  1200 m.  Conservation  areas:  CVC,  GUA,  LAC, OSA, PAC. Range: Mex–Pr and Brz. Widely  cultivated. Introduced to Africa and Asia. Invasive  on some Pacific islands. Notes: Leaves used as a sea- soning and also medicinally.  [A Field Guide To Plants of Costa Rica]

Action: Blood Tonic, Laxative, Purgative Part Used:  Leaf, Bud, Young Shoot Internal Application: The Hill-Tribes use this herb to flavor soups and curries. Medicinally, it is used as a laxative and as a detoxifying purgative for malaria, allergic reactions, and
poisonous insect bites. Another species, the Amethyst Holly (E. amethystinum) is also used for these purposes, as well as for increased immunity, chronic colds, and general longevity. Preparation: Decoction [A Thai Herbal Traditional Recipes for
Health and Harmony]

Extract juice from leaves and drink for abdominal pains. Leaves menstrual pain, remove placenta, shorten labour [ Ethnomedicinal Plants Revitalization of Traditional Knowledge of Herbs]

Considered antimalarial, antispasmodic, carminative, and pectoral (DAW).  Roots  contain  saponin  and  have  an  offensive  odor.  They  are  used  as  a  stomachic.  A decoction of root is valued in Venezuela as a stimulant, antipyretic, a powerful abortive, and sedative. In Cuba, it is a valuable emmenagogue. It is used throughout tropical America as a remedy for seizures and high blood pressure. Its infusion with salt is taken for colic. Leaf infusion used for stomachaches. The seeds and roots are used for earache (Mustalish and Baxter, 2001). Around our camps in Peru, “sacha culantro” is boiled for cramps and stomachache. Around Pucallpa, Peru, culantro with meat broth is taken for bronchitis and fever. Chamis Indians braise the dried fruits and have the children inhale smoke to treat diarrhea. Green fruits are crushed and mixed with food to treat insomnia. Créoles drink the decoction for colds and flu, and rub crushed leaves over the body to reduce high fever   [CRC Handbook of Medicinal Spices]

Root—stomachic. Plant— galactagogue, diuretic. Fresh leaves are used as a vegetable and flavouring agent. Hot aqueous extract of the plant possesses anticonvulsant property. The ethanolic extract of aerial parts showed cardiovascular, diuretic and antistrychnine activity. The plant is CVS an CNS active and hypothermic. Sea Holly, found in sandy soils near the sea in Britain and Europe, is equat- ed with Eryngium maritimum Linn. The root possesses diuretic and anti- inflammatory properties and is used for urinary tract infections (urethritis, cystitis, polyurea, renal colic, prostatic affections). The root gave coumarins, saponins, flavonoids, plant acids and polyphe- nolic acids. Saponins are haemolytic, rosmarinic acid is known for its anti- inflammatory activity. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

A decoction of the plant is used for colds and fits in children. The plant is also rubbed on the body for fainting fits and convulsions. Since it is said to have magical properties in connection with protection from duppies (ghosts) this may explain its use in convulsions, fainting and hysteria for which it has long been employed in Jamaica. It contains essential oil (0.02 to 0.04 per cent) and saponin has been found in the root. In Africa it is used for ulcers and headaches.  [MEDlCINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. PARTS 1 & 2]

82 Published articles of Eryngium foetidum

Persicaria amplexicaulis, Polygonum amplexicaule

Persicaria amplexicaulis (D.Don) Ronse Decr.
Synonyms: Polygonum amplexicaule, Bistorta amplexicaulis, Bistorta henryi, Bistorta oxyphylla, Bistorta petioiata, Bistorta sinomontana, Bistorta speciosa
Chinese : Bao jing liao, Xuesanqi
Estonian : Kaelus-kirburohi.
French : Renouée ornementale.
Polish : Rdest himalajski.
Swedish : Blodormrot

19 Published articles of Persicaria amplexicaulis / Polygonum amplexicaule