constituents. The essential oil showed significant antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus oryzae.
The plant, made into a liniment with coconut oil, is used in elephantiasis.
L. conferia Benth., known as Munganan in Kerala, contains flavonoids showing anti-inflammatory activity, quercetin showed significant activity only at a dose of 150 mg/kg, while wogonin, nevadensin and quercetinpentamethyl ether at 75 mg/kg. The essential oil from the plant exhibited antifungal activity against ringworm fungi.
Limnophila indica (Lam.) Bruce.
Synonym L. gratioloides R. Br.
L. racemosa Benth.
Family Scrophulariaceae.
Habitat Throughout India in damp places, swamps and rice fields.
Folk Kuttra; Karpuur (Bengal), Ambuli (Maharashtra); Manganari (Kerala).
Action Plant—carminative,
antiseptic. Leaves—an infusion is given in dyspepsia and dysentery. A liniment prepared from the plant is used in elephantiasis.
Related species: L. rugosa (Roth) Merrill, synonymL. roxburghii G. Don,
376 Limonia crenulata Roxb.
known as Kaalaa Karpuur (throughout India), is used as diuretic, stomachic, digestive tonic. Also used as a hair perfume.
Limonia crenulata Roxb.
Synonym Hesperethusa crenulata (Roxb.) M. Roem.
Family Rutaceae.
Habitat Throughout India, from Punjab and Kumaon eastwards; in Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and South India.
Ayurvedic Bilvaparni.
Siddha/Tamil Nayvila.
Folk Ran-limbu, Naringi (Mumbai), Tondsha (Maharashtra), Beli, Bainthaa.
Action Dried fruit—stomachic; used in pestilent fevers, also as an antidote to poisons. Root— purgative, sudorific.
The plant showed anti-inflammatory activity which was attributed to 8- hydroxy 6 methoxy 2 methyl anthra quinone-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside in animal studies.
