Folk Chiraval (Maharashtra).
Action Leaves and roots—used in bronchitis, asthma, consumption.
The plant gave anthraquinone derivatives. The root gave alizarin, rubichloric acid and ruberythric acid, also anthraquinones. Purpurin, pupur oxanthin carboxylic acid, present in Madder (Rubia tinctorum), are almost entirely absent.
Olea europaea Linn.
Family Olaeaceae.
Habitat Native of Mediterranean region; cultivated in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
English Olive.
Unani Zaitoon.
Action Leaves and bark— febrifugal, astringent, diuretic, antihypertensive.
Oil—preparations are used for cholangiitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, icterus, flatulence, meteorism, lack of bacteria in the intestines. Demulcent and mild laxative. Externally used
for wound dressing and for minor burns, psoriasis and pruritus. (Included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.)
Chemical investigations of two vaneties—Ascotrinia and Ascolina— grown in Jammu region have shown that the characteristics of fruits and their oils are similar to those of European varieties.
Leaves of Olea europaea gave indoid monoterpenes including oleuropein and oleuroside; triterpenes including oleanolic and maslinic acids; flavonoids including luteolin and apigenine derivatives. The oil contains glycerides of oleic acid about 70—80%, with smaller amounts of linoleic, palmitic and stearic acid glycerides.
The leaves exhibited hypotensive, antiarrhythmic and spasmolytic activities in animal studies. The oil exhibited contraction of gallbladder due to raising of the cholecystokinin level in the plasma.
India’s requirements of olive oil are met by imports.
Onosma bracteatum Wall.
Family Boraginaceae.
Habitat Kashmir and Kumaon.
English Borage.
Ayurvedic Gojihvaa, Kharpatraa, D arvipatraa, Vrishj ihvaa.
Unani Gaozabaan (related species). Siddha/Tamil Ununjil.
Action Cooling, astringent, diuretic, cardiac tonic. Used for cold,
Operculina turpethum (Linn.) SilvaManso.
