Br.
Family Convolvulaceae.
Habitat Throughout India up to 1,000 m; occasionally grown in gardens.
English Indian Jalap, Turpeth.
Ayurvedic Trivrta, Trivrtaa, Tribhandi, Triputaa, Saralaa, Suvahaa,
450 Ophioglossum vulgatum Linn.
Rechani, Nishotra, Kumbha, Kaalaa, Shyaama, Shyaamaa.
Unani Turbud, Nishoth.
Siddha/TamH Karunchivadai.
Action Root—purgative, anti- inflammatory (particularly used in rheumatic and paralytic affections; also in fevers, oedema, hepatic and haemophilic diseases).
White Turpeth is preferred to Black Turpeth as cathartic; the latter produces drastic purgation and causes vomiting, fainting and giddiness.
White Turpeth is derived from Mars deni tenacissima in folk medicine.
The active principle of 0. turpethum
is a glycosidic resin present in the drug
up to 10%. It is similar to jalap resin and
is concentrated mostly in the root bark.
• It contains an ether insoluble glycoside,
turpethin, which constitutes about half
of the resin and two ether soluble gly cosides alpha-and beta-turpethein (8
and 6% respectively).
Dosage Root—1—3 g powder. (API, Vol. III.)
Ophioglossum vulgatum Linn.
Family Ophioglossaceae.
Habitat Moist meadows in Great
Britain. Found in the Himalayas,
Bihar, Assam, Pune (Maharashtra),
Annamalai and Shevaroy hills
(South India); up to an altitude of
2,700 m.
English English Adder’s Tongue. Serpant’s Tongue.
