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as Taalispatra in Punjab and Nepal, has not yet been equated scientifically with Abies spp. Another classical name Sthauneyaka of Sushruta Samhitaa has now been identified as Cleroden- drum infortunatum Linn, by INSA scientists. Birmi, Thuno, Thani, Thuner have been equated ‘with Taxus baccata, Abies webbiana is not to be confused with Cin- ‘namomum tamala; known as Taalishpattri (Tamil) and Taalispatri (Telugu) or with Flacourtia cata- phracta/Flacourtia jangomas, known as Taalisa and Taalispatri In Punjab, Rhododendron anthopogon D. Don. or Rhododendron campanulatum D. Don. is used as Taalispatra and is locally known as Taalisfar. But the leaves possess absolutely different proper- ties. They are administered as erthine to produce sneezing. In classical texts, Swarnataali was mentioned as 4 substitute for Taalisa, But Swarnataali could not yet be identified. Related species Abies alba Mill, syn. Abies pectinata DC. is also used in catarrh, cough and asthma. The yellowish needles showed high concentration of flavanols, whereas browning needles contain very low amounts of flavanols, The needles contain an essential oil (0.55 %- 0.82%). The main components of the oil are limonene and phellandrene, The needles of a sam- ple from Netherlands contained glycoside bound volatile compounds, ‘Two lectins (glycoproteins) AAAL and AAA2 have been isolated from the bark. They showed agglutinating activity on human blood group A, B and 0. The fatty acid in the bark are palmitic, lino- leic, linolenic, oleic, and 14-methylhexadecanoic acid. The mixture of diterpenic acids contained mainly abietic, dehydroabietic, neoabietic, livopi- ‘maric, palustric, isopimaric, sandaracopimaric and pimaric acid, The resin yields 19 mono- and 24 sesquiterpe- noids. In the West, the essential oil is obtained from the fresh needles and twig tops of branches of Abies alba, Abies sachalinensis, Abies sibirica or Picea abies (syn. Picea excelsa). Abies alba contains bornyl acetate 2-10 %, Picea abies 5-25 %; limonene 25-55%, and 10- ABRUS 5 30%; camphene 9-20% and 10-25%; alpha- pinene 6-35 % and 10-25 % respectively. German Commission E monograph recog- nized the Scotch Pine's efficacy in the following areas: » Common cold » Cough/bronchitis, » Fevers and cold » Inflammation of the pharynx » Muscular and nerve pains. The oil, as well as fresh fir shoots, are used in medicine, The needles and young buds of Pinus sylvestris, (Scotch Pine), Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea and Pinus nigea are used in cases of bronchitis, sinusi- tis and upper respiratory catarth; mostly, 1-2 ml of tincture 3 times a day is prescribed. According to researchers, various species of Pines possess common medicinal properties (M. Grieve). Papilionaceae ABRUS Abrus precatorius Linn, Figure 1 Abrus precaiorius [CCRAS] Habitat Found throughout India, ascending to an altitude ‘of about 1050 m in the outer Himalayas. Red seed variety is similar to the white seed one anatomi- cally and phytochemically. 4 _ABRUS Figure 2 Abrus precatorius [CCRAS] Classical & common names Ayurvedic: Gunjaa, Chirihintikaa (Sushruta), Gui jaka, Raktikaa, Kakanti, Kaakchinchi, Kamb Kubjaka, Chirmiti. Unaniz Ghungchi, Ghumchi, tin-ud-deek, Chashm-e-khuroos, Ratti. Siddha: Kundrimari. English: Jequirity. (Other synonyms—Indian root or wild liquorice root are misnomers.) Parts used Leaves, roots, detoxified seeds. Dose Seed powder 6omg-150 mg. Gassical use ‘The herb has been classified as a sub-poison. Seeds were used only after they have been boiled in cow's milk for 3 hours. The herb was used for sciatica, stiffness of shoulder joint (the part was incised with fine razor and the paste of seeds was applied thereon), for baldness, dandruff and other hair diseases (as a paste or medicated oil), for erysipelas and obsti- nate skin diseases (as a paste with butter). Sush- ruta applied the herb for cautery, for skin erup- tions, goitre and scrofula, baldness, glandular swellings and also in urinary calculi. By the 16th century, it was widely used for treating skin diseases, incl. leprosy and ulcer. On the basis of long-term use, it was clinically estab- lished that the herb was an efficacious hair vital- iser, cured catarrhal affections, nervous disorders, ophthalmic complications, helminthic infestation and possessed tonic and aphrodisiac properties. ‘The root of the herb, pounded with goat’s urine, hhas been recommended for treating defects of vision and blindness in Gadanigraha. If we are to deviate from the medicinal aspect, ‘we will find that the herb had enjoyed a history due to its seed, which was known as Ratti and was considered equal to 1 carat. The weight of the famous Koh-i-noor diamond was ascertained by means of these seeds. Tn the folk medicine, seeds are ground into paste and made into needles, which are inserted ‘under the skin of the animal. Thus the animal will be poisoned for obtaining the skin. Similar nee- dles have also been used to produce criminal abor- tion. ‘The seeds are an ingredient in many herbal for- ‘ulations in the form of hair oils, which are being prescribed for treating alopecia. Neelibhrangaadi ‘Tailam is the most popular one ‘The leaves steeped in warm mustard oil are applied over painful swellings or they are warmed over the fire and applied after smearing them with warm castor oil. Juice of fresh leaves mixed with some bland oil is also prescribed. Decoction of the leaves is used for cough, cold and hoarseness; also being prescribed in bilious- ness and colic. ‘Active principles and pharmacology ‘The herb is very poisonous because the seed con- tains the toxic lectin abrin and isolectins. Severe poisoning among adults, following the intake of one half to two seeds, as well as cases of death among children after consuming two seeds, have been recorded. The seeds were used for criminal poisoning in India against cattle and other live- stocks; also against human beings. Doses of about thooo mg to 1/2000 mg of abrin per kg body weight injected subcutaneously are poisonous. ‘An infusion of bruised seeds, when applied to the conjunctiva, may cause fatal poisoning due to absorption of the toxic abrin through the conjunc tiva, Abrin produces irritation, oedema and ecchy- ‘mosis at the sight of inoculation, Water extract of seeds is, somehow, used for treating inflamed eye- lids and for inducing conjunctivitis for treating the corneal opacity. This practice was also prevalent in China, but was discontinued long ago due to dan- sgerous consequences. Use in Western herbal ‘An infusion and a paste of the seeds are included in the British Pharmacopoeia; also its use in cer- tain ophthalmic diseases. The root is considered irritant and poisonous, According to R.C. Wren, the herb may be cau- tiously used in eye diseases and not until other means have been exhausted, as it produces a vio- lent conjunctival inflammation and is likely to destroy the corneal structures. Caution Due to toxicity the total herb should no more be used as a herbal medicine. Its constituents should be screened and assessed for their use in modern medicine—the root for anti-estrogenic activity, and as a diuretic; leaves for leucoderma and other skin diseases; seeds for anti-tumour properties. The herb has already fallen into disuse in China, as better alternatives have been identified for ailments covered by the herb. Abrus precatorius has been mentioned as Indian or wild liquorice. This nomenclature is, misleading. The name wild liquorice has also been given to Aralia nudicaulis Linn., indigenous to Canada and the United States. The root of Cephalanthus occidentalis Linn., a member of Madder family, and Ononis arvensis Linn. (Rest harrow) are also called wild liquorice. None of these match with the phytotherapeutic profile of liquorice. Malvaceae ABUTILON Abutilon indicum (Linn.) Sw. Sida rhombifolia Linn. Habitat Abundantly found as a weed in the sub-Hima- layan tract and other hills up to 1200 m, and in the hotter parts of India. Common throughout India. ABUTILON Figure 1 Abutioa indicum [ADPS] Classical & common names Ayurvedic: Atibalaa, Kankatikaa, Rishyaproktaa; Vaatyaayani, Vaatyapushpi (Charaka); Valikaa, Bhaardwai, Uraksha gandhini, Naagbala, Vish- vadevaa, Gavedhuka (16th century). (Naagbala has now been identified as Grewia tenax, syn. G. popu- lifolia.) Unani: Kanghi, Kangahi, Kakahiya, Kakahis Musht-ul-ghoul (Arabic), Darakht-e-shaan, Siddha: Thuthi. English: Country Mallow, Flowering Maples, Chi- nese Bell-flowers. ‘The plant is variable and is divided into subspp. Abutilon populifolium (Lam.) Wright & Arn, ex Mast; Abutilon asiaticum Wright & Am. non (Linn) Sweet; Abutilon graveolens Britten non (Roxb. ex Hornem.) Wight & Arn, ex Wight. (WOT, Rev Vol. 1,21) All the varieties of the plant or its species possess ‘medicinal properties of mallow or marshmallow. (Moodeen Sheriff, PV Sharma.) Sida rhombifolia has been used as synonym of Atibalaa by INSA in its Scientific Synopsis of Charaka Sambitaa and Sushruta Samhita. Though the properties of Abu- tilon indicum and Sida thombifolia are the same, Sida rhombifolia is known as Mahaabalaa. This nomenclature has been accepted by CORAS.

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