Phyllanthus amarus

2011-12-04T23:21:00.001-08:00

Botanical Name: Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn

Plant Family: Euphorbiaceae

Indian Common Names:

Hindi: Jar amla or Jangli amla

English: Niruri

Sanskrit: Bhumyamlaki

Bengali: Bhuinamla

Tamil: Kizhanelli

Kannada: Nela nelli

Malayalam: Keelar nelli

Botanical trait:

Plant height 60 cm to 75 cm

Blooms with many yellow flowers.

On its side, branches below the leafs, small fruits will be seen to sprout uniformly

Active constituents:

The plant parts contain phyllanthin D, hypophyllanthine and five flavonaoids viz.

quercertin, astralgin, quercertrin, isoquercitrin and rutin.

APPLICATION :

Phyllanthus is an herbal medicine with anti-viral effect.

It is used for support in treatment of in Hepatitis, Jaundice, Gonorrhea, Frequent menstruation, and Diabetes.

It has also been used on the skin for sores, swelling, and itchiness. Entire plant ( Root, stem, leaf area)are having its medicinal value and the whole plant is used in Ayurvedic formulation

Research shows that this herb acts primarily on the liver. This action in the liver confirms its historical use as a remedy for jaundice.

The plant has been traditionally used to promote liver functions. Detoxification is an important function performed by the liver.

Pharmacological Activities:

Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antidiarrheal, Antihepatoxic, Antihypercholeserolemic, Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipemic, Antimutagenic, Antipyretic, Antispasmodic, Antitumer, Antiviral, Cardiotoxic, Cytotoxic, Hepatitis B Surface antigen inactivation

Bacopa monnieri

2011-12-04T07:42:00.000-08:00

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennel (Scrophulariaceae)

Syn: Herpestis monniera (L.) H.B. & K., Moniera cuneifolia Michx., Gratiola monniera L.

English name: Thyme leaved gratiola.

Sanskrit names: Brahmi, Nira brahmi.

Vernacular names: Ben

Adhabirni, Birmi shak, Barmi shak, Brahmi; Hin : Barambhi, Safed chammi; Mal: Nir bramhi; Mar: Barna; Ori : Urishnaparni; Tam: Nirbrami; Tel: Sambranichettu.

Trade name: Brahmi.

Traditional use: ATHARVA VEDA: strengthens body, improves quality of semen; CHARAKA SAMHITA: invigorat ing, life sustaining; SUSHRUTA SAMHITA : increases memory and lifespan;AYURVEDA: (a) Plant: bitter, diuretic, blood-purifier, invigorates sex; (b) Plant-extract: used in purification of blood, for anaemia, dermatitis, diabetes, filaria; (c) Plant-juice (along with ginger, sugar and bark extract of Moringa oleifera) : to children in stomach disorder; (d) Leaves (fried in ghee) : as a brain tonic, in nervous weakness, hysteria, epilepsy, insanity, anxiety neurosis, and to sharpen dull memory.

AGNI PURANA: Plant: poison-killer; Plant-juice: good for epilepsy. UNANI: invigorating and good for cold and cough.

Modern use: Plant-extract: In experiments with mice, rat and dog, it has been proved to be tranquilizer, musculature relaxant, antispasmodic, anticancer; Powdered dried leaf: satisfactory results obtained in man in cases of asthenia, nervous breakdown, and other low adynamic conditions.

Phytography : Annual creeper, rooting at each node; stem soft, succulent, soft hairs present; branches 10-25 cm long; leaves alternate, simple, 1.25-1.8 cm long, sessile or subsessile, oval-shaped; flowers light blue or white, 0.8-1.5 cm long; capsules 2- grooved, valves separating from entire column, many-seeded.

Phenology: Flowering: April-June; Fruiting: June-December.

Distribution: Marshes throughout India, ascending up to 1300 m; Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Ecology and cultivation: Grows in damp or marshy areas, on the banks of ponds and canals, in the crop fields.

Chemical contents: Plant: Becoside A & B, betulic acid, betulinic acid, d-mannitol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, saponin, stigmastanol, hersaponin, monnierin, nicotine, luteoline and its glucosides.

MEDICINAL PLANTS OF INDIA

Phyllanthus amarus

Bacopa monnieri