Pterospermum lanceifolium

Pterospermum lanceifolium Roxb.
Family: Malvaceae

Synonyms: Pterospermadendron insulare (Pierre) Kuntze, Pterospermadendron jackianum (Wall.) Kuntze, Pterospermadendron lanceifolium (Roxb. ex DC.) Kuntze, Pterospermadendron pierrei Kuntze, Pterospermadendron saigonense Kuntze, Pterospermum insulare Pierre, Pterospermum jackianum Wall., Pterospermum pierrei Hance, Pterospermum saigonense Pierre ex Laness.,

Description: Trees, to 25 m tall; bark yellow-brown or gray, striate. Branchlets yellow-brown velutinous when young. Stipules 2-3-fimbriate, velutinous, longer than petiole; petiole ca. 0.5 cm; leaf blade lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 5-9 × 2-3 cm, abaxially densely yellow-brown or yellow-white velutinous, adaxially glabrous, base oblique or obtuse, margins entire or with several teeth near apex, apex acuminate or acute. Flowers solitary; pedicels 3-5 cm, articulate, velutinous; epicalyx lobes at middle of pedicel, 4- or 5-fimbriate or linear, 7-8 mm. Sepals linear, ca. 2 × 0.3 cm, both surfaces puberulent. Petals white, lanceolate, as long as sepals or slightly shorter, apex obtuse. Staminodes filiform, longer than stamens, basally villous. Ovary puberulent. Capsule woody, cylindrical-ovoid, ca. 5 × 2 cm, yellow-brown tomentose, base tapering into slender, 3-5 cm stipe, apex obtuse. Seeds 2-4 per locule, 2-2.5 cm including wing. Fl. spring and summer.

Published article of Pterospermum lanceifolium
Studies on the chemical constituents from the leaves of Pterospermum lanceaefolium Roxb
Zhong Yongli, Yan Sujun, Su Jingyu, Zeng Longmei
Natural Product Research and Development [1998, 10(2):15-18]
http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-TRCW199802003.htm

Commelina benghalensis, adavi nabhi, Bengal Dayflower, Intiansoljo, maruba-tsuyu-kusa

Commelina benghalensis L.
Family: Commelinaceae

• Common name: Bengal Dayflower, Whiskered Commelina, tropical spiderwort
• Arabic: بياض
• Bengali: ঢোলপাতা
• Chinese: 卵叶鸭趾草
• Finnish: Intiansoljo
• Hindi: काना Kana, कनकव्वा Kankawa, बुचना Buchna
• Japanese: maruba-tsuyu-kusa
• Kannada: hittagani
• Malayalam: kanankolai, kancatam, Vazhaplaachi, കാനവാഴ
• Manipuri: ৱাঙদেন খোইবী Wangden khoibi
• Marathi: केना Kena
• Nepali: काने Kane, काने घाँस Kane ghas
• Sanskrit: kanchata, kosapuspi, marishajalaja
• Sundanese: gèwor
• Tamil: கானாங்கோழை kanangkozai, adutinnathalai, kanan valai
• Telugu: neerukaassuvu, nirukassuvu, అడవినాభి adavinabhi

Description: Erect to prostrate perennial herb, 20-60 cm long, often dichotomously branched from the base, glabrous to pubescent, rooting below, often developing subterranean or concealed, whitish flowers on underground scapes developed from the lower nodes. Leaves ovate to ovate-oblong, subsessile to shortly petioled, with sheathing base, 2.5-7.5 cm long, 1.5-3.5 cm broad, entire, acute to sub-rounded at apex; petiole 4-10 mm long; sheaths 1-2 cm long, ciliate on the margins. Upper cymes 2-3-flowered, lower 1-2-flowered, sometimes suppressed. Aerial flowers blue, in short cymes subtended by spathes, maturing earlier than the subterranean flowers. Seeds rugose or closely pitted, sometimes wanting in aerial flowers. 

Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. Plant febrifugal, bitter, demulcent, laxative, emollient, astringent, antiinflammatory, cooling, diuretic, used to cure skin inflammations, leprosy, burnt  wounds;  whole  plant  paste  applied  against  pain,  piles  and  chest pain. Roots in fever and liver complaints. Sap used for  treatment  of  eye  ailments,  sore  throat  and  burns  and  topical application for thrush in infants. Leaves antimicrobial,  for pneumonia; leaves decoction to stop profuse menstrual  bleeding; fresh leaves extract applied in fungus infections,  in Tinea pedis; pounded and soaked in warm water and the  solution drunk to treat diarrhea. Knee-joint problems after  prolonged  use.  Veterinary  medicine,  leaves  extract  applied  for cataract;  for  yoke  bite  leaves  made  into  a  paste  and  applied; anthelmintic, whole plant as a fodder. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]

Emollient, demulcent, laxative, diuretic, antileprotic. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

Antibacterial, antipyretic, diuretic, antiedematic, antitoxic; for epidemic influenza, upper respiratory tract infection. [Taiwanese Native Medicinal Plants]

189 Published articles of  Commelina benghalensis

Leonurus cardiaca, Motherwort, cardiaco, Agripaume, ذنب الأسد

Leonurus cardiaca L.
Family: Lamiaceae

Synonyms: Cardiaca crispa (Murray) Moench, Cardiaca glabra Gilib. , Cardiaca stachys Medik., Cardiaca trilobata Lam., Cardiaca vulgaris Moench, Lamium cardiaca (L.) Baill., Leonurus aconitifolius Schltdl. ex Ledeb., Leonurus campestris Andrz. ex Benth., Leonurus canescens Dumort., Leonurus cardiaca var. adscendens K.Koch, Leonurus cardiaca var. canescens (Dumort.) T.Durand, Leonurus cardiaca var. hirtella Holub, Leonurus cardiaca subsp. intermedius (Holub) Dostál, Leonurus cardiaca var. intermedius Holub, Leonurus cardiaca var. rotundifolia Zalewski, Leonurus crispus Murray, Leonurus discolor W.D.J.Koch, Leonurus glabra (Gilib.) Gilib. , Leonurus illyricus Benth., Leonurus intermedius Holub , Leonurus lacerus Lindl., Leonurus multifidus Raf. , Leonurus neglectus Schrank, Leonurus ruderalis Salisb. , Leonurus trilobatus (Lam.) Dulac, Stachys triloba Stokes.

• Common name: Motherwort, Throw-wort, Lion's Ear
• Arabic: ذنب الأسد
• Azerbaijani: Adi damotu
• Bulgarian: Дяволска уста
• Czech: Srdečník obecný
• Danish: Almindelig Hjertespand
• Finnish: Rohtonukula
• French: Agripaume
• French: Agripaume cardiaque, Queue-de-lion
• German: Echtes Herzgespann
• Italian: cardiaco
• Persian: لونوروس کاردیاکا
• Polish: Serdecznik pospolity
• Romanian: coada leului
• Russian: pustyrnik obyknovennyj
• Swedish: hjärtstilla

Description: perennial plant is 2-5' tall and sparingly branched below the inflorescence. The stems are 4-angled, heavily ridged, and slightly pubescent. The opposite leaves are variable in size and shape, although they all have long petioles that are slightly pubescent. The lower leaves often have 5 cleft lobes and several coarse teeth; they are up up to 4" long and 3" across. The middle leaves have 3 cleft lobes and a few coarse teeth; they are up to 3" long and 1½" across. The upper leaves are often oblong-ovate with a pair of coarse teeth; they are up to 2" long and ¾" across. These leaves are nearly hairless and have conspicuous veins along the upper surface. The base of each leaf is more or less wedge-shaped. The stems of Motherwort are normally erect, although older plants toward the end of the growing season have a tendency to sprawl.  Whorls of sessile flowers occur above the axils of the opposite leaves on the middle to upper stems. Each tubular flower is 2-lipped and about 1/3" long. The corolla is white or light pink and quite hairy on the upper side; these fuzzy white hairs exceed 1 mm. in length. The upper lip is undivided, while the lower lip has a central lobe and 2 smaller side lobes. There are usually purple dots on the lower lip and near the throat of the corolla. The tubular green calyx has 5 lanceolate teeth; it is slightly pubescent. These teeth are sharp-pointed and persistent. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 2 months. While the flowers are not noticeably fragrant, the foliage has a slightly rank odor. Each flower is replaced by 4 nutlets that are 3-sided and reddish brown or brown. The root system consists of shallow fibrous roots and rhizomes. This plant spreads by reseeding itself and vegetatively by means of the rhizomes; it often forms colonies.

Motherwort is diaphoretic, tonic, emmenagogue, nervine, and antispasmodic. It is given with thy best effects in hysterical affections, sleeplessness, delirium, and uterine pain and disorders. The usual method of administration takes the form of infusion, of which the usual  dose is given; or, in cases where this does not act with sufficient quickness, it may be given in ad libitum doses. As a tonic it acts without producing febrile excitement, giving tone to the organs and changing the morbid conditions of the secretions. It is well adapted to those cases in which a combined tonic antinervine impression is desired, but where the least excitement would be regarded with serious apprehension. In fevers, attended with nervousness and delirium, it is extremely useful; it calms the nervousness, and induces a quiet and passivity of the whole nervous system, ending generally in a healthy sleep, from which. the patient awakes refreshed and invigorated. In those nervous disorders produced by, or accompanied with, continued wakefulness or irritability of the nervous system, it acts in the most satisfactory manner. It is also employed in spinal diseases, in uterine spasm and disorders, irregularities in the menstrual evacuation, and debility of the uterine system. For all these indications it would perhaps be difficult to indicate a remedy of greater suitability. Motherwort is useful also in heart disease, palpitation, neuralgia and other affections of the heart, in which it has acquired an extensive reputation. [Botanic Pharmacopoeia]

This plant can cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals. A  fragrant  lemon-scented  oil  caused  photosensitivity  when  ingested.  Herb  stomachic,  diaphoretic,  used  for  the  female  reproductive health. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]

Flowering tops are used for fl avouring beers, ales and stout. Fresh or dried flowers can also be added to soups, e.g. split pea soups, and can be brewed into tea. [Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants Vol-8]

Motherwort can be useful in reducing high blood pressure. It is also useful in rapid and irregular heart beat also heart palpitations.  Its primary use is for dealing with irregular menstruation.  I have found it to be of great benefit in dealing with the emotional instability of menopause.  Motherwort is also an effective uterine stimulator.  It can be used in con- junction with other similar herbs for inducing labor, which should only be done under the supervision of an experienced practitioner.   Motherwort is quite useful in reducing post partum bleeding or hemorrhaging.  It causes the uterus to clamp down and thus stops the bleeding.  It is equally as effective as Ergotamine in causing uterine contractions. CAUTION: Do not use during pregnancy. [God's Healing Leaves]

Motherwort is stated to possess sedative and antispasmodic properties. Traditionally, it has been used for cardiac debility, simple tachycardia, effort syndrome, amenorrhoea, and specifi- cally for cardiac symptoms associated with neurosis. [Herbal Medicines 3rd Ed]

Leonurus cardiaca has been used as a folkloric sedative, and sedative activity as well as a hypotensive effect in normo-and hyper- tensive animals have been confirmed. It has been used clinically for hyper- tension in the USSR with good results [Herbal Pharmacology in the People’s Republic of China]

In nervous cardiac disorders and as adjuvant for thyroid hyperfunction. (German Commission E.) As antispasmodic. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) The British Herbal Compendium indicated its use for patients who have neuropathic cardiac disorders and cardiac complaints of nervous origin. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

Leonurus cardiaca is used to tonify the heart, to treat nervous heart disorders, anxiety, shortness of breath. [A Materia Medica for Chinese Medicine: Plants, Minerals and Animal Products]

General protective against female ills,more particularly those associated with the womb and menstruation. [Medicinal Plants in Folk Tradition - An Ethnobotany of Britain & Ireland]

 Traditional use:  A decoction of the aboveground parts is used to treat heart, stomach and nervous system diseases (Khalmatov   1964  ) . A tea and an infusion of the aboveground parts are used to treat nervous disorders, hypertension, hysteria, epilepsy, tachycardia, gastrointestinal, and female diseases, and are used as sopori fi c, anti-in fl ammatory, diaphoretic, and laxative remedies (Khodzhimatov  1989  ) .   Documented effects:  Studies show that a tincture of the herb has a sedative effect, which is twice as strong as the effect of a valerian tincture. The tincture also causes decreased arterial pressure and strengthens the contraction of uterus muscles (Khalmatov  1964  ) . Stachydrine exhibited protective effects when given to rats with experimental myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (Ma and Yang  2006  ) . [Medicinal Plants of Central Asia Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan]

This herb is a pleasant, reliable, diffusive, stimulating and relaxing, antispasmodic nervine. It influences the mucous membrane, especially that of the pelvic organs. A hot infusion promotes a good outward circulation, increases the menstrual flow. It is useful in amenorrhoea and in dysmenorrhoea. when congestion is present, and in hysteria and palpitation when the patient is more or less chlorotic. [Physio-Medical Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Pharmacy]

102 Published articles of Leonurus cardiaca

Pilea microphylla

Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm.
Family: Urticaceae

Synonyms: Adicea microphylla Kuntze, Adicea microphylla var. trianthemoides (Sw.) Kuntze, Chamaecnide microphylla Nees ex Miq., Dubrueilia microphylla (L.) Gaudich., Parietaria microphylla L., Pilea microphylla var. longifolia Wedd., Pilea muscosa Lindl., Pilea muscosa var. microphylla (L.) Wedd., Pilea portula Liebm., Pilea serpyllacea (Kunth) Liebm., Pilea succulenta Hook. f., Pilea trianthemoides var. microphylla (L.) Wedd., Urtica herniarifolia Willd., Urtica microphylla (L.) Sw., Urtica portulacoides Spreng., Urtica serpyllacea Kunth

• Common name: Gunpowder Plant, Artillery plant, Rockweed
• Marathi: rip
• Chinese: 小叶冷水麻
• Finnish: Sammalpiilea
• French: Pilée à petites feuilles
• German: Kleinblättrige Kanonierblume
• Spanish: espumilla
• Swedish: Mosspilea

Description: Slender succulent herbs; branches and leaves bifarious; stem transparent. Leaves to 4 x 3 mm, ovate-orbicular, base attenuate, apex obtuse, subsucculent, 1-nerved; raphides transverse; petiole to 1 mm long. Flowers monoecious in small umbellate clusters, 1-1.5 mm across. Male flowers: tepals 4, free, concave, obtuse; stamens 4. Female flowers: tepals connate, 2-4-toothed; ovary c. 0.5 mm long, ovoid, 1-celled; ovule 1. Achene c. 1 mm long, ellipsoid.

Whole plant diuretic, anthelmintic, a paste applied on rheumatic joints and skin diseases, for gastric and intestinal troubles. Leaves paste applied to sores and bruises. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]

Leaves inflammation, womb cleanser, Antioxidant, radioprotective [Ethnomedicinal Plants Revitalization of Traditional Knowledge of Herbs]

Diuretic, liver and urinary inflammation, diarrhea, sores [Handbook of African Medicinal Plants]

In Jamaica this plant is said to provide relief in cases of asthma. Beckwith reports its use with 'egg trash' to make tea for a woman in labour and for both mother and child after the birth. In the Grenadines it is used for diarrhoea in children.  [ Medicinal Plants of Jamaica]

Antitoxic, stable uterus, lung diseases, hepatitis, sore throat, stroke, brain hemorrhage, lowers blood pressure. [Taiwanese Native Medicinal Plants: Phytopharmacology and Therapeutic Values]

14 Published articles of Pilea microphylla

Leucostemma latifolium

Leucostemma latifolium Majumdar
Family: Caryophyllaceae

Justicia pubigera

Justicia pubigera (Nees) C.B. Clarke
Family: Acanthaceae
Synonyms: Ecbolium pubigerum (Nees) Kuntze, Justicia edgeworthii T. Anders., Peristrophe ciliata Royle ex Nees, Peristrophe pubigera Nees

Description: An erect, basally woody, up to 1.2 m herb with terete, striate (young twigs hairy). Leaves with 5-10 (-15) mm long, hairy petiole; lamina ovate-lanceolate, 4.5-11 x 2-4.5 cm, hairy on both side, entire, apex acuminate, base cuneate. Inflorescence an axillary, lax panicle of cymes, upto 8 cm long. Flowers pinkish-red, c. 1.8 cm long, shortly pedicellate, bracts linear, 2-3 mm long, pubescent; bracteoles rudimentary or absent. Calyx 5-lobed, lobes linear, 4-6 mm hairy. Corolla tube c. 8 mm long, pubescent, upper lip c. 9 mm long, shortly bilobed; lower lip c. 8 mm long, deeply 3-lobed. Capsule oblong clavate, 1.2-1.3 cm long, pubescent. 

Dipteracanthus prostratus, Ruellie prostrée, Prostrate wild petunia, Thuppalampotti, Velipadakkam

Dipteracanthus  prostratus  (Poir.)  Nees
Family: Acanthaceae

English: prostrate wild petunia, Bell Weed
French: Ruellie prostrée
Malayalam:  Thuppalampotti, Velipadakkam
Other Indian names: bheemana  soppu,  kali  dhavani,  kalighavani, kalighawani, maanu pathri, nela neelaambaramu, pottakanchi, upudali

Description: Diffuse herbs, rooting at lower nodes; stems villous. Leaves to 6 x 4 cm, ovate, acute, entire, base acute of obtuse; petiole 2-3 cm long. Flowers axillary, 2 or 3 together; bracts absent; bracteoles foliar, 1.5 x 1 cm, ovate; calyx 5-partite, lobes 10 mm long, linear, ciliate; corolla yellow, tube 8 mm long, lobes subequal, 1 cm long, obovate; stamens 4, didynamous, filaments connate below; ovary 2-celled, style densely hairy. Capsule 1.5 x 0.6 cm, linear oblong; seeds 5 in each cell, orbicular, compressed, marginate, smooth

6 Published articles of Dipteracanthus prostratus

Rungia pectinata, Comb Rungia, 孩儿草, krebuchi, Tavashu murunghie, Punakapundu

Rungia pectinata (L.) Nees
Family: Acanthaceae

Common name: Comb Rungia
Marathi: Sut
Tamil: Tavashu murunghie, Punakapundu
Chinese: 孩儿草
Bangla: krebuchi
Nepal: bisaune jhar
Other Indian names:  bir lopong arak, chhotosibjata, pindi

Description: Herbs, stem hairy. Leaves 4-6 x 2 cm, ovate to linear-oblong or obovate. Spikes 2 x 0.7 cm, 2-5 together, axillary, sessile; sterile bracts 4 x 2 mm, elliptic, narrowly winged on one side; fertile bracts 3 x 2 mm, obovate, broadly winged on either sides, emarginate, pubescent; bracteoles similar to bracts. Flowers small, densely packed; sepals linear, acuminate, hyaline, hairy; corolla 4 mm long, upper lip entire, white; upper anthers hairy. Capsule 2.5 mm long, glabrous; seeds orbicular, rugose, brown.

Plant juice to treat cuts and wounds, a decoction given in measles.  Bruised  leaves  applied  to  contusions.  Leaf  juice aperient, cooling, for indigestion and gastric problems, given to  children  suffering  from  smallpox;  leaf  decoction  spray kills bedbugs. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]

Leaves—juice is aperient, febrifuge, refrigerant; bruised leaves are applied externally to disperse swellings. Root—febrifuge. The juice of leaves is given to children suffering from smallpox. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

8 Published articles of Rungia pectinata

Phalaenopsis taenialis

Phalaenopsis taenialis (Lindl.) Christenson & Pradhan
Family: Orchidaceae

Synonyms: Aerides carnosa Griff., Aerides taenialis Lindl., Biermannia navicularis Tang & F.T.Wang ex Gruss & Rollke, Biermannia taenialis (Lindl.) Tang & F.T.Wang, Doritis braceana Hook.f., Doritis taenialis (Lindl.) Hook.f., Kingidium braceanum (Hook.f.) Seidenf., Kingidium naviculare Z.H. Tsi ex Hashim., Kingidium taeniale (Lindl.) P.F.Hunt, Kingiella taenialis (Lindl.) Rolfe, Phalaenopsis braceana (Hook.f.) Christenson, Polychilos taenialis (Lindl.) Shim

2 Published articles of  Phalaenopsis taenialis
1. Jewel in the crown of the Kathmandu Valley: encounters with Phalaenopsis taenialis.
Vasiljev, A.
Orchids  Volume: 83   Issue: 8   Pages: 494-497   Published: 2014

2. Phalaenopsis taenialis: a case of split personality.
Dalstrom, S.; Gyeltshen, N.; Hoijer, T.
Orchids  Volume: 79   Issue: 8   Pages: 468-471   Published: 2010

Pterygota alata, Sterculia alata, Buddha Coconut, Kolugida, Kodaittondi

Pterygota alata (Roxb.) R.Br.

Synonym: Sterculia alata Roxb., Clompanus alata (Roxb.) Kuntze

Common name: Buddha Coconut
Assamese: Tula, Pahari
Bengali: Tula, Buddha-Narikel
Chinese: 海南苹婆
Kannada: Kolugida, Tattele mara, Bekaro, Daddele, Jaynkathala
Malayalam: Porila
Marathi: करवटी Karvati
Tamil: கொடைத்தோண்டி Kodaittondi

Description: Deciduous trees, to 35 m high, bole straight, buttressed; bark, greyish with light and dark patches, smooth; blaze creamy yellow; young parts covered with dense golden brown stellate-pubescence. Leaves simple, alternate clustered towards the end of branches; stipule free, lateral, cauducous; petiole 3.5-10 cm long, slender, glabrous; lamina 10-30 x 7.5-20 cm, ovate or orbicular, base cordate, subcordate or truncate, apex caudate-acuminate or acuminate, margin entire, glabrous, coriaceous, 5-7 nerved from base, palmate, lateral nerves 3-6 pairs, pinnate, prominent, intercostae reticulate, slender, prominent. Flowers unisexual or polygamous, to 2 cm long, brownish, in rusty brown tomentose panicles from leafless nodes; calyx 5-partite, lobes 1 cm long, curved out, tomentose outside; male flowers: staminal column cylindric bearing 4-5 phalanges of about 5 anthers each; female flowers: staminodes round the base of the ovary; carpels 5, free, superior, ovules many in each; style short, recurved; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit of 3-5 follicles, 10-12.5 cm long, obovoid oblique; seeds 25-30, 5-7.5 cm long, oblong, brown winged.

Stimulant, digestive, aphrodisiac [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]

18 Published articles of Pterygota alata

Urena lobata, Caesar weed, atibala, Kongojute, Congo Jute

Urena lobata L.
Family: Malvaceae

Synonyms: Urena americana L., Urena americana L. f., Urena diversifolia Schumach., Urena grandiflora DC., Urena lobata var. americana (L.) Gürke, Urena lobata subsp. lobata, Urena lobata var. lobata, Urena lobata var. tomentosa (Blume) Walp., Urena lobata var. trilobata (Vell.) Gürke, Urena monopetala Lour., Urena reticulata Cav., Urena tomentosa Blume, Urena trilobata Vell.

• Common name: Burr Mallow, Caesar weed, Congo jute, hibiscus burr, pink burr, pink Chinese burr, urena burr
• Bahasa Indonesia: Pulutan
• Bengali: বনওকড়া
• Chinese: 消风草
• French: Congo Jute
• German: Kongojute
• Hindi: bachita, gataya, लपेटवां lapetua, unga
• Kannada: ಒತ್ತೆ otte
• Konkani: tupkate
• Malayalam: uram, uren, vatto, ഊർപ്പണം
• Manipuri: সমপাকপী sampakpi
• Marathi: वन भेंडी van bhendi, जंगलीकापशी jungli-kapashi
• Oriya: नालु कुरों nalu kuro
• Sanskrit: अतिबल atibala, बल bala
• Tamil: துத்திப்பூண்டுவகை thuththippuntuvakai, ஒட்டுத்துத்தி ottuttutti
• Telugu: నల్ల బెండ nalla benda, పెడ్డబెండ peddabhenda
• Thai: ขี้ครอก

Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. Whole plant paste applied for the treatment of rheumatic pains; twigs or stem cuttings used as tooth brush for healthy gums. The flowers, together with those of Sida rhombifolia, mixed with coconut flesh and eaten as a remedy for chickenpox; flowers heated over fire and applied to sores, to open and draw out the infection; flowers included in treatment for mental disorders and in oral remedies for fevers. Leaves used to treat burns, scalds, heat, hangover, fever; tender leaves poultice applied to wounds and cuts; pounded leaves boiled in coconut oil applied to treat wounds, cuts; for swelling and bone fracture a paste of fresh leaves is applied; leaves of Urena lobata along with vela men root of Vanda roxburghii prepared into a paste applied for skin diseases. Leaf tea diuretic, for flu and stomachache, colds, cough, heat; leaf juice applied as eye drop in con junctivitis. Root diuretic, an infusion in postpartum; roots of Sida rhombifolia, Urena lobata, Elaeagnus caudata and stem bark and roots of Bixa orellana and Randia dumetorum pounded together and boiled in water, the extract taken to cure jaundice; a decoction of roots of Dillenia indica with roots of Ficus auriculata and Urena lobata given in discharge of blood in urine; a decoction of rhizome of Curcuma aro matica with roots of Urena lobata and leaves of Tolypanthus involucratus given to expel catarrh; roots and leaves used to cure diarrhea; root powder given with milk in dog bite; root extract an external application in rheumatic pains, cuts and wounds; for snakebite, chew the root with betel and spit onto the wound. Veterinary medicine, a paste of leaves and coco nut oil smeared on wounds of cattle as insect repellent; leaves paste applied on wounds as an antidote to tiger bite; root tied to the neck of the cattle along with root of Stephania hernan difolia against maggots infection of ulcers. [Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. Whole plant paste applied for the treatment of rheumatic pains; twigs or stem cuttings used as tooth brush for healthy gums. The flowers, together with those of Sida rhombifolia, mixed with coconut flesh and eaten as a remedy for chickenpox; flowers heated over fire and applied to sores, to open and draw out the infection; flowers included in treatment for mental disorders and in oral remedies for fevers. Leaves used to treat burns, scalds, heat, hangover, fever; tender leaves poultice applied to wounds and cuts; pounded leaves boiled in coconut oil applied to treat wounds, cuts; for swelling and bone fracture a paste of fresh leaves is applied; leaves of Urena lobata along with vela men root of Vanda roxburghii prepared into a paste applied for skin diseases. Leaf tea diuretic, for flu and stomachache, colds, cough, heat; leaf juice applied as eye drop in con junctivitis. Root diuretic, an infusion in postpartum; roots of Sida rhombifolia, Urena lobata, Elaeagnus caudata and stem bark and roots of Bixa orellana and Randia dumetorum pounded together and boiled in water, the extract taken to cure jaundice; a decoction of roots of Dillenia indica with roots of Ficus auriculata and Urena lobata given in discharge of blood in urine; a decoction of rhizome of Curcuma aro matica with roots of Urena lobata and leaves of Tolypanthus involucratus given to expel catarrh; roots and leaves used to cure diarrhea; root powder given with milk in dog bite; root extract an external application in rheumatic pains, cuts and wounds; for snakebite, chew the root with betel and spit onto the wound. Veterinary medicine, a paste of leaves and coco nut oil smeared on wounds of cattle as insect repellent; leaves paste applied on wounds as an antidote to tiger bite; root tied to the neck of the cattle along with root of Stephania hernan difolia against maggots infection of ulcers.]

Used in Pneumonia, rheumatism, fevers, wounds, malaria, colds, dysentery, enteritis, goiter, indigestion, coughs, leukorrhea, rheumatism, tonsillitis, respiratory diseases. [Handbook of African Medicinal Plants, Second Edition]

 Whole  plant boiled  in sesamum oil is  applied externally  on  rheumatic  pains  by  the  tribals  in  Western  Maharashtra. Modern  Use  :  Roots  are  externally  used  as  embrocation  in  rheumatism. [Herbal Cures: Traditional Approach]

Root—diuretic, emollient, antispasmodic (roots and stem used in severe windy colic), antirheumatic. Flowers—used as a pectoral and expectorant in dry and inveterate coughs. An infusion is used as a gargle for aphthae amd sore throat. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

This plant is used to make tea for colds and is also employed by the poorer people for washing greasy
dishes. Among the older writers we find Lindley speaking of the use of the flowers as an expectorant for "dry and inveterate coughs". Like other members of the Malvaceae it is mucilaginous and the seeds contain urease and fat. In tropical South America it provides a sedative and in Brazil a root and stem decoction is a treatment for colic. [ Medicinal Plants of Jamaica]

Used  to  treat  “lining  cold”  (puerperal  fever)  in  NW  Guyana.  Flower: Employed in French Guiana in a gargle used to remedy angina and aphthae. Emollient. In Guyana, boiled to make a tea used to remedy urinary tract problems, morning sickness and colds. [Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana)]

Dysentery, vaginal discharge, antitoxic; alleviates pain, flu, fever, appendicitis, stomach diseases [Taiwanese Native Medicinal Plants: Phytopharmacology and Therapeutic Values]

103 Published articles of Urena lobata

Abroma augustum, devil's-cotton, Pishaacha Kaarpaasa, ulatkambal, Pokok Kapas Hantu

Abroma augusta (L.) L.f.
also known as: Abroma augustum
Family: Malvaceae

Synonyms: Abroma alata Blanco, Abroma angulata Lam., Abroma angulosa Poir., Abroma communis Blanco, Abroma denticulata Miq., Abroma elongata Lam., Abroma fastuosa R.Br., Abroma javanica Miq., Abroma mariae Mart., Abroma mollis DC., Abroma obliqua C.Presl, Abroma sinuosa G.Nicholson, Abroma wheleri Retz., Ambroma augustum (L.) L. f., Herrania mariae (Mart.) Decne. ex Goudot, Theobroma augustum L., Theobroma mariae (Mart.) K. Schum.

Common name: devil's-cotton
Chinese: 昂天莲
Hindi: उलाटकमबल ulatkambal
Malay: Pokok Kapas Hantu
Malayalam: ശിവപ്പരുത്തി
Oriya: ଓଲଟ କମଳ
Sanskrit: Pishaacha Kaarpaasa

Used in Diarrhoeal Night wetting [Herbal Cures: Traditional Approach]

Traditional  Use:  Seed:  yields fatty oil, rich in linoleic acid and lowers cholesterol level in blood. Homoeopathy: Used to control  mind, different ailments of head,  heart,  eyes,  ears,  nose,  face,  mouth, throat, stomach, abdomen,  urinary organs, male and female  sexual organs, respiratory organs,  neck,  back  and  limbs,  skin  diseases, fever; to regulate appetite and sleep.  Modem  Use: Fresh and dried root-bark: used as uterine tonic  and emmenagogue;  regulates  menstrual  flow;  Fresh juice from  root-bark:  useful  in  congestive  and  neurologic  forms  of  dysmenorrhoea,  amenorrhoea,  urinary  trouble,  bronchitis, broncho-pneumonia, carbuncles and poisonous boils; Leaf: used  in diabetes, rheumatic pain and sinusitis. [Horticultural, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants]
Rootbark—emmenagogue (used for dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea), abortifacient, galactotrophic. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

Leaves and stems are demulcent; root bark is emmenagogue. Aqueous extract of root is galactagogue in albino rats. Infusion of leaves and stems is very efficacious in gonorrhoea. Root bark Is used in amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea and other menstrual disorders and act as uterine tonic. Leaf stalks are useful In dysentery, weakness and burning urination. Petioles are useful in dysentery, weakness and burning urination. Other uses: The bark of the twigs yields a much-valued fiber, which deserves to be more generally known. It might be used with advantage as a substitute for silk. Traditional use by the herbal healer of Bolipara: Local herbal healers use this species to cure from cold, cough, diarrhoea, fever and menstrual problems. Different ethnic groups, such as, Bawm, Chakma, Marma, Mru  and Tripura use this species for their treatment. Seeds are used for neck pain by the Chakma community. [Selected Medicinal Plants of Chittagong Hill Tracts]

42 Published articles of Abroma augusta

Helicteres isora, Mriga Shringa, Maror Phali, Valampuri, Maror phali, Avartani

Helicteres isora L.
Family: Malvaceae

Synonyms: Helicteres baruensis var. ovata DC., Helicteres chrysocalyx Miq. ex Mast., Helicteres grewiaefolia DC., Helicteres isora var. glabrescens Mast., Helicteres isora var. microphylla Hassk., Helicteres isora var. tomentosa Mast., Helicteres macrophylla Wight, Helicteres ovata var. fructus-regis Lam., Helicteres ovata var. isora-murri Lam., Helicteres roxburghii G. Don, Isora corylifolia Schott & Endl., Isora grewiaefolia (DC.) Schott & Endl., Ixora versicolor Hassk.

• Common name: East-Indian screw tree, Nut-leaved screw tree
• Bengali: Antamora
• Chinese: 鞭龙
• Hindi: मरोड़ फली Maror phali
• Kannada: Yedmuri
• Malayalam: Kayyunanna, Edampiri-Valampiri
• Marathi: मुरुड शेंग Murud sheng
• Oriya: Murmuria
• Sanskrit: म्रिग श्रिंग Mriga Shringa, Avartani
• Sindhi: Vurkatee
• Tamil: வலம்புரி Valampuri
• Telugu: నులితడ Nulitada
• Urdu: مروڙ پهلي Maror Phali

Description: Shrubs or small trees, up to 2(-8) m tall. Branchlets stellate puberulent. Stipules linear, 7-10 mm, caducous; petiole 0.8-2.5 cm, puberulent; leaf blade broadly oblong-obovate, or almost circular, 10-12(-23) × 7-9(-17) cm, thinly leathery, abaxially densely puberulent to tomentose with mixture of stellate and simple hairs, adaxially stellate puberulent, base rounded or obliquely cordate, margin serrate, apex ± truncate with shortly acuminate tip and usually lateral lobes. Inflorescences axillary, usually 2 or 3 per axil, densely clustered, to 2 cm. Flowers 3.5-4 cm in diam. Epicalyx lobes subulate, to 7 mm. Sepals 17-20 mm, usually 4-5-lobed, lobes triangular, ± 2-lipped, densely stellate hairy. Petals red or purple, unequal in length, upper 2 larger, 1.2-1.5 cm, obliquely falcate. Androgynophore 3-4 cm, curved at tip. Stamens 10; staminodes 5, equal to filaments in length. Ovary slightly verrucose, spirally twisted after pollination. Capsule on ca. 2.5 cm stalk, cylindric, conspicuously spirally twisted, black when mature, 4-8 × (0.5-)0.7-0.9(-1) cm, apex acute, with beak to 1 cm, densely stellate puberulent at first, glabrescent. Seeds many, to 2 mm, angular, wrinkled, tomentose. Fl. Apr-Oct, fr. Oct-Jan.  

Used in Diabetes insipidus, diarrhoea and bleeding diathesis [Compendia of World’s Medicinal Flora]

Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. Stem bark in diarrhea and dysentery; bark and fruits antigalactagogue, soothing, demulcent, expectorant, useful in respiratory troubles, dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, stomachache, scabies. Paste made of stem bark of Grewia tiliaefolia and Helicteres isora together with tuber of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius applied for bonesetting. Roots in cough and asthma; root paste warmed and applied on boils; a mixture of water extract of roots of Celastrus paniculatus, Helicteres isora, Imperata cylindrica and Rhynchosia minima given as an antidote for snake poison; root extract of Woodfordia fruticosa along with extract of Helicteres isora given as antidote in snakebite; fruits or roots of Helicteres isora, seeds of Pongamia glabra and stem bark of Tinospora cordifolia mixed and crushed into powder eaten to cure diabetes. Seed decoction or the aqueous extract of the seeds used in dysentery and stomach pains; for snakebite, drink seed infusion. Paste of dried leaves, pepper and coconut oil used in the treatment of skin ailments including eczema. Fruits aphrodisiac, astringent, stomachic, postpartum remedy, used to relieve stomach disorders and dysentery, dried fruits soaked in water and eaten; fruits soaked in boiling oil, this oil applied externally in stomach complaints of children; fruit powder in diarrhea and dysentery. Magicoreligious beliefs, twigs placed on the door of the hut of a pregnant woman to relieve the labor pains; tribal, hang a dry fruit in black thread on neck of children against pain, a fruit hung around the neck of a patient as a postpartum remedy. Ceremonial, ritual, dried fruit in marriage ceremony; contact therapy, magic, fresh fruits made into garland and tied as necklace for scabies; fruits tied to the waist of children to cure muscular pain, fever and swelling. Veterinary medicine, roots along with leaves of Phyllanthus reticulatus pounded and the extract given orally in insect bite; fruits of Gardenia latifolia along with leaves of Jasminum auriculatum, stem bark of Helicteres isora pounded and the extract given orally for tympany; roots along with those of Coccinia grandis and leaves of Jasminum auriculatum pounded and the extract given orally for tympany. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]

The  roots  and  bark  are  useful  in  colic,  scabies,  diabetes,  diarrhoea  and dysentery.  The fruits  are useful in colic  flatulence  diarrhoea,  dysentery,  wounds ulcers and  diabetes. [Herbal Cures: Traditional Approach]

Pods and bark—antidiarrhoeal, astringent, antibilious. Bark and root—antigalactic, demulcent, expectorant (used in cough and asthma). Leaf—paste used against skin diseases. Pods—anthelmintic. Used in fever due to cold. Seeds—
aqueous extract administered in colic and dysentery. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

81 Published articles of Helicteres isora

Kydia calycina, pulia, pola, warang, Motihirwani

Kydia calycina Roxb.
Family: Malvaceae

Synonyms: Kydia fraterna Roxb., Kydia roxburghiana Wight

• Common name: Kydia
• Assamese: পিছোলা Pichhola, কুকুহা Kukuha
• Bengali: পোলা Pola
• Chinese: 桤的木
• Gujarati: મોટી હીરવણી Motihirwani
• Hindi: bharanga, bhoti, illya, potari, pula, पुलिया pulia
• Kannada: ಬೆಮ್ದೆ bende, benda, bendi
• Konkani: वारंग warang
• Malayalam: കാട്ടാവണക്ക് വെളളടച്ച, kaattaavanakk velalatacci, വീമ്പ് viimp, vellachadachi, velukku
• Manipuri: খাবী Khabi
• Marathi: रान भेंडी ranbhendi, वरंग warang
• Oriya: Bankopasia
• Sikkimese: Kubinde
• Tamil: Bendi, பூலா pula, vattakannu, vendai
• Telugu: bolka, eruku tada, konda-podari, konda patti, pacha botuku, పోతరి potari
• Urdu: Kapasia

Description: Trees 10-20 m tall. Branchlets terete, densely brownish stellate pubescent. Petiole 2-4 cm, stellate pilose; leaf blade nearly round, usually palmately 3-5-lobed, 6-14 × 5-11 cm, abaxially densely gray stellate woolly, adaxially stellate pilose, palmate veins 5-7, base rounded or nearly cordate, margin sparsely denticulate, apex acute or obtuse. Inflorescences densely gray stellate puberulent. Flowers ca. 1.6 cm in diam. Epicalyx lobes 4(or 6), oblong, ca. 4 mm. Calyx shallowly cup-shaped, connate for 1/2 length, lobes 5, triangular, nearly as long as epicalyx. Petals reddish, obcordate, apex glandularly fimbriate. Capsule globose, ca. 5 mm in diam., persistent epicalyx lobes obovate-oblong, 1-1.5 × 0.5-0.9 cm, stellate tomentose. Seeds reniform, glandularly veined, glabrous. Fl. Sep-Nov.

Leaves for skin diseases, abscess, wounds, cuts, boils, leaf paste  applied  to  the  body  to  get  relief  from  pain;  leaves chewed to overcome the deficiency of saliva and for stomatitis; leaf decoction eaten for reducing the temperature of the body. Root febrifuge, and for rheumatism. Veterinary medicine, stem bark decoction given to cattle for dyspepsia. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]

Plant—mucilaginous, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge. Leaf and root—anti-rheumatic. The leaves stimulate saliva. A paste of leaves is applied in body pains, used in poultices for skin diseases. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

10 Published articles of Kydia calycina