Grangea maderaspatana Poir.
Habitat The coasts of Indian Ocean and Chillca Lake.
English Moss.
Folk Chinai-ghaas. Known as Ceylon Agar-Agar or Agal-Agal.
Action Emollient, diuretic, alterative. Aqueous extract— antihypotensive and spasmolytic.
Aqueous extract contains prostaglandins.
Grangea maderaspatana Poir.
Synonym Artemisia maderaspatana Linn.
Family Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat Throughout the greater part of India.
Ayurvedic Aakaarakarabha substitute (doubtful).
Siddha/Tamil Maasipathri.
Folk Mastaru, Mukhatari, Maachipatri (Maharashtra).
Action Leaf—stomachic, antispasmodic, sedative, emmenagogue, deobstruent, antiseptic. Used in amenorrhoea.
Aerial parts of the plant afforded clerodane derivatives. Presence of phytol, lupeol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, a phenylalanine derivative, hardwickiic acid, strictic acid and butenolides, is reported. Aura amide was also isolated from the aerial parts.
A mixture of flavonoids extracted from the aerial parts exhibited oestrogenicity and anti-implantation activity
in mice. A crude extract of the plant exhibited strong cytotoxic activity.
Graptophyllum picum (L.) Griff.
Synonym G. hortense Nees. Justica picta L.
Family Acanthaceae.
Habitat A native to Polynesia; introduced into Indian gardens.
English Caricature Plant.
Folk Kaalaa-aduusaa (Maharashtra). Ysjudemaram (Tamil Nadu).
Action Leaves—emollient and resolvent; applied to swellings and ulcers. (Used as a substitute for Adhatoda vasica).
Grewia asiatica auct. non L. Synonym G. subinaequalis DC. Family Tiliaceae.
Habitat Extensively cultivated in India.
Ayurvedic Parushaka, Parusha.
