Ayurvedic Granthiparni, Kaakapuchha.
Folk Gathivan, Deepamaal (Maharashtra).
Action Leaves—spasmolytic. Ash of flower head—applied to burns and scalds, in ringworm and other skin diseases.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the root in cough, bronchitis and dyspnoea.
The root contains n-octacosanol, n-octacosanoic acid, quercetin, 4,6,7- trimethoxy-5 -methylchromene-2- one, campesterol and beta-sitosterol-betaD-glucopyranoside.
The plant contains 4,6,7-trimethoxy- 5-methyl-chromene-2-one.
The leaves contain neptaefolin, neptaefuran, neptaefuranol, neptaefolinol, leonitin, neptaefolinin and (—)-55, 6- octadecadienoic acid.
The seed oil contains oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic acids. The fatty
oil, extracted from the seeds, is similar to olive oil. The seeds possess feeble antimalarial activity. The seed extract showed 100% toxicity against Alternaria alternata and marked toxicity against Aspergillus niger.
Dosage Root—5—10 g powder. (API, Vol. IV.)
Leonurus cardiaca Linn.
Family Labiatae; Lamiaceae.
Habitat Native to Europe; also distributed in Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.
English Common Motherwort, Lion’s Tail.
Unani Baranjaasif. (Also equated with Artemesia vulgaris Linn; and Achillea millifolium Linn.)
Action Stomachic, laxative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue (used in absent or painful menstruation, premenstrual tension, menopausal flushes). Hypnotic, sedative. Used as a cardiac tonic. (Studies in China have shown that Motherwort extracts show antiplatelet aggregation actions and decrease the levels of blood lipids.)
Key application In nervous cardiac disorders and as adjuvant for
thyroid hyperfunction. (German
Commission E.) As antispasmodic. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) The British Herbal Compendium
indicated its use for patients who have neuropathic cardiac disorders and cardiac complaints of nervous origin.
Lepidium ruderale Linn. 369
The plant contains diterpene bitter principles, iridoid monoterpenes, flavonoids including rutin and
