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.