An infusion of leaves is used in Spain as sedative.
Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C. B. Robinson.
Synonym L. sebfera Pers. L. chinensis Lam.
Family Lauraceae.
Habitat Punjab, Khasi Hills, Bengal, Assam and South India.
English Common Tallow Lowrel. Ayurvedic Medaasaka.
Unani Maidaa-lakdi, MaghaaseHindi.
Siddha/Tamil ø Mushaippeyetti, Elumpurukki, Uralli.
Action Leaf—antispasmodic and emollient. Bark—demulcent, emollient, astringent, antidiarrhoeal, anodyne. Root—decoction is used as an emmenagogue. Oil from berries—used in rheumatism. Essential oil—antibacterial, antifungal.
The bark is mucilaginous.
The plant contains a polysaccharide. Leaves and stem contain aporphine alkaloids—boldine, laurotetanine, actinodaphnine and their derivatives. The trunk bark gave sebiferine and litseferme.
Boldine produced dose-dependent inhibition of induced microsomal per- oxidation in experimental studies.
Dosage Bark—3—5 g powder. (CCRAS.)
Litsea monopetala (Roxb.) Pers.
Synonym L. polyantha Juss. Family Lauraceae.
Habitat Assam and Eastern Himalayas, also Tamil Nadu.
Ayurvedic Maidaa-lakdi (var.). Siddha/Tamil Maidalagadil, Picinpattai.
Action Bark—stimulant, astringent, spasmolytic, stomachic, antidiarrhoeal. Root—applied externally for pains, bruises and contusions.
The bark contains beta-sitosterol and an aporphine alkaloid, actinodaphnine.
Lobelia inflata Linn. 381
Litsea stocksii Hook. f.
Family Lauraceae.
Habitat The hills of western Deccan Peninsula.
Folk Pisi, Posha (Maharashtra).
Action Leaves—an infusion is given in irritation of bladder and urethra.
The seeds yield a fat consisting mostly of lauric acid with a small amount of oleic acid.
The leaves are mucilaginous.
