glucosinolates.
Alcoholic extract of the whole plant exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats.
The medicinal properties of the seeds are attributed to the presence of cleomin. Seeds also contain 1% tannins.
Dosage Seed—1—3 g powder. (API Vol. I.) Leaf—50—100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)
Gynocardia odorata R.Br.
Synonym Hydnocarpus odorata Landl.
Family Flacourtiaceae.
Habitat Eastern Himalayas, Khasi Hills and Sikkim.
Ayurvedic Chaalmograa (substitute). Tuvaraka (var.) (Controversial synonyms.)
Unani Tukhm-e-Biranj Mograa. Folk Chaaval-mungari.
Action Oil from seed used in psoriasis, eczema, scrofula, gout, rheumatic affections.
A triterpenoid ketolactone, odolactone, has been isolated from the plant.
The fruit pulp is used as piscic. The seeds of G. odorata were formerly, erroneously, thought to be the source Chaalmograa oil of commerce obtained from the seeds of Hydno car-
300 Gynura pseudo-china (L.) DC.
pus kurzii, used in leprosy. Gynocardia Action Plant—emollient, resolvent.
oil does not contain chaulmoogric or Used as a poultice in erysipelas
hydnocarpic acid. and for tumours in the breast.
Root—used both externally and
internally for enhancing blood
circulation especially when blue
Gynura pseudo-china (L.) DC. spots and blotches result from
Synonym G. nudicaulis Am, blows. The powdered root,
mixed with tea, is given to
G) Family Asteraceae, Compositae. parturient women. Leaves—used
Habitat ‘ Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim, for poulticing pimples. The juice is
Assam, and Western Ghats in Tamil used asa gargle for inflammations
Nadu and Kerala. of the throat.
Family Orchidaceae.
