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.6 _ABUTILON In some parts of Kerala, Urena spp. are also used as Atibalaa. Marshmallow of the West (Althaea officinalis) is used medicinally in much the same way as Abuti- Jon indicum. (Andrew Chevallier.) Parts used Root, seeds. Dose Powder 3-6 g, fresh juice 10-20 mi. Classical use During 1000 BG, the extract of the entire plant was used in prescriptions for loss of vitality, fever and theumatic conditions (Charaka). During Sush- rruta’s period thick aqueous decoction, as an ingre- dient of a massage cream, was used for promoting growth of normal healthy tissue after surgery. Charaka and Sushruta both used the drug as a ras- ayana (aphrodisiac, revitalising nervine tonic). ‘The powdered herb was used during the 16th cen- tury for meno-metrorthagia (Bhaavaprakaasha). ‘The herb is being used in both Ayurvedic and Unani systems as a styptic, diuretic and anti- inflammatory agent. The leaves contain mucilage. They are cooked and eaten for bleeding piles. The extract is demulcent and useful as an emollient fomentation. Along with clarified butte, itis con- sidered a remedy for diarrhoea. A decoction of the leaves is used as a mouthwash in toothache and gum ailments; also as a wash for wounds and ulcers. Powdered flowers are used in cough. Leaves, due to mucilage, are used as pectoral. ‘The root is a nervine tonic and antipyretic. ts. decoction alleviates all types of dysuria. It was used in the same way during the 16th century (Bhaavaprakaasha). In Unani medicine, the herb is, given in strangury polyuria and haematuria. In the South, the root is given for neurological disor- ders like hemiplegia, facial paralysis, sciatica and debility. ‘The seeds, known as Beejbandsurkh andsiyah, are used in Unani medicine for treating impo- tency and spermatorrhoea. Active principles and pharmacology ‘The plant contains gallic acid. Showed analgesic action in albino rats. ‘The leave contains 1.5 % asparagine, a diuretic principle. Mucilage of the herb exerts wound-healing properties, reduces inflammation, pain and irrita- tion and protects the mucous membrane (during bronchitis) and urinary system. The demulcent action of the herb acts on gastro-intestinal inflam- mations, lesions and ulcers, reduces excessive stomach acid and gives relief to acid dyspepsia. Due to tannins, the herb used externally, proves haemostatic, checks haemorrhaging and subdues exposed inflammations. Internally it not, only controls diarrhoea but also reduces the inflammation of the small intestine. ‘The plant is reported to contain fructose, galac- tose, glucose n-alkaline mixture, an alkanol frac- tion, beta-sitosterol, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, fumaric acid, p-beta-D-glycosyloxybenzoic acid, leucine, histidine, threonine, serine, glutamic acid, aspar- tic acid and galacturonic acid. (WOI, Rev Vol. 1.) ‘The plant also contains two (new) sesquiterpene lactones, alantolactone and isoalantolactone. Pres- ence of alkaloids, leucoanthocyanins, flavonoids, sterols, triterpenoids, saponins and cardiac gluco- sides is also reported. ‘The seeds contain protein (31.0 %). The amino acid composition of protein is: asparagine 1.53 threonine 3.9; serine 6.9, glutamine 17.6; proline 2.5; glycine 8.6; alanine 7.0; cysteine 5.9; methio- nine 0.6; isoleucine 3.5; valine 5.9, leucine 5.3; tyro- sine 0.4; phenylalanine 2.4; histidine 2.7; lysine 3.03 and arginine 6.5 g/100 g, The seeds act as an aph- rodisiac. ‘An alcoholic extract of flowers and fruits has shown activity against Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus and E. coli. ‘The synergistic effect of herb’s constituents substantiate its various clinical applications, as, discussed above, and also reaffirms its immuno- logical value, which was pointed out by Pliny in 77AD (quoted below). Use in Western herbal Abutilon indicum and its related spp. Abutilon tri- sulcatum, native to Central America, is used to protect respiratory and urinary systems. A decoc- tion of the root is given for bronchitis and other chest affections; mucilage is used for the skin; infusion, poultice or paste made from the pow-ACACIA 7 dered root or bark is applied to wounds, boils and ulcers; the seeds are used as laxative and for killing threadworms; the plant exhibits an antiseptic effect within the urinary tract. (Andrew Cheval- lier.) Althaea officinalis (Malvaceae), known as ‘marshmallow, is native to Europe, naturalized in Americas. The leaves, flowers, root contain about 37 9 starch, 11% mucilage, 1 % pectin, flavonoids, phenolic acids, sucrose and asparagine. ‘The herb protects and soothes mucus mem- branes, counters excessive stomach acid, and is used in peptic ulceration and gastritis, ‘The herb is a mild laxative and is prescribed for many intestinal problems, incl. regional ileits, col- itis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome. ‘A warm infusion of the leaves is given to treat cystitis and frequent urination. ‘The herb’s derulcent qualities bring relief to ry coughs, bronchial asthma, bronchial catarth and pleurisy. Flowers crushed fresh, oF in warm infusion, are applied to help soothe inflamed skin. ‘The root is used in an ointment for boils and abscesses and in a mouthwash for inflammation. Other species ‘Althaea rosea (Hollyhock) and Malva sylvestris {common mallow). All members of the mallow family possess sim- ilar properties. In 77 AD, Pliny wrote; “..whoever swallows daily half a cyathus of the juice of any of the mal- lows will be immune to all diseases? Caution ‘The plant is considered as abortifacent. ACACIA Acacia arabica Willd. var. indica Benth. Habitat Found throughout the drier parts of India, ascend- ing to an altitude of 900 m. Figure 1 Acacia arabica [ZANDU] Classical & common names Ayurvedic: Babbuula, Aabhaa, Shuulikaa, Shitaka, Babbuuri, Kinkiraata, Yugmakantka, Sukshmap- atra, Pitapushpaka. Sthula baboolikaa (wild spp.) Unani: Babool, Kikar, Samur (Arabic), Mughilaan (Pers.). Siddha: Karval. English: Babul, Akakia. Parts used Bark, pods, leaves, gum. Dose Fruit powder 3-5 g, decoction 50-100 ml (herb 6 12g) leaves 2-4 g, gum 3-6 g, paste 5-10 g. Classical use ‘During the 16th century Babul’s bark was used for skin diseases and as an anthelmintic (Bhaav- aprakaasha). The gum was used as a styptic and for urinary and vaginal discharges. Pods were