activity of the plant is partially attributed to rosmarinic acid. Antigonadotropic activity of the leaf extract is attributed to phenolic precursors.
Ethanol extract of the plant showed diverse effects on the pituitary, thyroid and gonadal glands of rats.
A closely related species, Lycopus virginicus of Europe, exhibits antithyrotropic activity. It induces TSH repletion in hypothyroid rats and reduction of TSH levels in euthyroid rats. Antigonadotropic activity has been demonstrated in rats.
Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. Synonym L. pinnatijidum Sw. Family Schizaeaceae.
Habitat Throughout India; up to an elevation of 1,500 m in the Himalayas.
Folk Vallipana (Malyalam);
Bhuuta-bhairavi (Bengal), Bhuutaraaj; Kalzhaa (Bihar). Rudrajataa is a doubtful synonym.
Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude. 389
Action Plant—expectorant. Root— used in external applications for rheumatism, sprains, cut wounds, eczema, scabies, carbuncles. A decoction in drunk in gastric attacks.
The acetone extract of fresh leaves exhibits antifungal activity The fern contains a methyl ester of gibberellin.
The plant contains lygodinolide, dryocrassol, tectoquinone, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The root contains quercetin.
Alcoholic extract of the plant exhibited potent antifertility activity.
L. japonicum Sw., found in North
India from Kashmir to Sikkim and
Bhutan, and in Western mountains of
South India, is used as an expectorant
in China.
L.yonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude. Synonym Pieris ovalfolia D. Don. Family Ericaceae.
Habitat Outer Himalayas from
Kashmir to Sikkim, at 1,000 to
2,500 m, and in Khasi hills between
1,200 to 2,000 m.
Folk Angyaar (Garhwal), Arwan (Punjab), Angeri (Nepal).
Action Young leaves and buds— used externally for cutaneous affections. Leaves—insecticidal. Honey from flowers— poisonous.
Leaves contain a toxic, insecticidal substance andromedotoxin.
