Nees.
Family Acanthaceae.
Habitat Throughout the greater part of India and Andaman Islands.
Ayurvedic Krishna Vaasaa (blue var.), Nila-nirgundi, Krishnanirgundi, Nila-manjari.
Siddha/Tamil Karunochhi, Vadaikkuthi.
Action Febrifuge, diaphoretic, emetic, emmenagogue. Infusion of leaves—given internally in cephalalgia, hemiplegia and facial paralysis. Fresh leaves—used topically in oedema and rheumatism. Bark— emetic.
The leaves contain beta- sitosterol, an alkaloid, lupeol, friedelin and aromatic amines.
iusticia procumbens Linn.
Family Acanthaceae.
Habitat Western Ghats, West Coast from Konkan to Kerala; abundant in the rainy season.
Ayurvedic Parpata (substitute).
Action The plant contains naphthofuranones, justicidin A, B, C, D, G and H, and diphyllin, which are used for the treatment of osteoporosis. The flowers contain peonidine glucoside. Essential oil— antifungal.
Justica tranquebariensis Linn. f.
Family Acanthaceae.
Habitat Deccan, Mysore southwards.
Folk Sivanarvembu (Tamil Nadu).
Action Leaves—cooling, aperient; given for smallpox to children,
bruised leaves applied to contusions.
The alcoholic extract of the aerial parts yielded several lignans, phytosterols, brassicasterol, campesterol, 7,22-ergostadienol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, spinasterol, 28-isofucostil and a sterol glucoside, beta-sitosterol-3-O- glucoside.
Justica vasculosa Wail. (Eastern Himalayas, Assam Khasi Hills) is also used for inflammations.
i
Kadsura heteroclita
(Roxb.) Craib.
Synonym K. roxburghiana Am. K. wightiana Am.
Family Magnoliaceae.
Habitat Eastern Himalaya, Assam, Western Ghats in Malabar.
