The herb contains about 3% volatile oil comprising sabinene hydrate, sabinene, linalool, carvacrol, estrogole, eugenol and terpenes; flavonoids including luteolin-7-glucoside, diosmetin-7-glucoside, apigenin-7-gluco- side; rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid; and triterpenoids such as ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, sterols.
Marjoram herb and oil exhibit antibacterial action. (German Comm ission F.) The herb contains arbutin and hydroxyquinone (a carcinogenic agent) in low concentrations. The herb is not suited for extended use. Topical application of hydroxyquinone leads to depigmentation of the skin. There is no reports of similar side effects with marjoram ointment. (German Commission E.)
Origanum vulgare Linn. (Wild Marjoram) contains volatile oil with a wide ly varying composition; major components include thymol, beta-bisabolene, caryophyllene, linalool and borneol; other constituents are similar to those of 0. majorana.
The leaves of Wild Marjoram contain phenolic acids. The phenyl propionic acid and the phenyl glucoside showed antioxidant activity comparable to that of BHA, a synthetic antioxidant.
Wild Marjoram preparations are used for bronchial catarrh and dis turbance
of the gastrointestinal tract in Unani medicine.
Sweet Marjoram shows stronger effect on the nervous system than Wild Marjoram and gives better results in anxiety, headaches and insomnia.
Both the species have been included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.
Oroxylum indicum Vent. Family Bignoniaceae.
Habitat Throughout the greater part of India.
English Indian Trumpet Flower.
Ayurvedic Shyonaaka, Shoshana, Tuntuka, Kutannata, Madhukparna, Patrorna, Bhalluka, Prthushimba, Nata.
Siddha/Tamil Peruvaagai.
Folk Sonaa-paathaa.
Action Tender fruit—carminative, stomachic, spasmolytic. Seed— purgative. Root bark—astringent, antidiarrhoeal. Used for amoebic dysentery. Bark—antirheumatic, diuretic.
The leaves contained flavones and their glycosides including baicalein and scutellarein; also anthraquinone, aloe-emodin. Bark of the root gave chrysin, baicalein and oroxylin A. Bark also gave dihydrobaicalein. Heart- wood yielded beta-sitosterol and an iso-flavone, prunetin.
Dosage Root—5—10 g powder; 25— 50 g for decoction. (API, Vol. III.)
454 Orthosiphon grandiflorus Boldingh.
