The lichen contains lecanoric acid and atranorin.
Several lichen species contain abundant quantities of usnic acid which exhibits antimicrobial and antifungal activity and is immunologically active in contact dermatitis.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the thallus in dysuria.
Dosage Whole thallus—l—3 g powder. (API, Vol. III.)
Parthenium hysterophorus
Linn.
Family Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat Tropical and subtropical countries of the world.
English Congress Grass.
Folk Pichhi, Machhipatri.
Action Anti-amoebic, antidysenteric, febrifuge, analgesic, emmenagogue.
The grass was introduced into India during 1950 s (it first appeared in Pune).
The grass exhibits in vitro anti- amoebic activity against axenic and polygenic cultures of Entamoeba histolytica, comparable to the standard drug for amoebiasis, Metronidazole.
Parthenin and some of its derivatives exhibited significant antimalarial activity against a multi drug-resistant strain of Plasmodiumfalciparum.
The main toxic constituent of the grass responsible for causing dermatitis and other forms of allergy are parthenin and coronopilin. Parthenin in present up to 8% in the capitulum and 5% in the leaves.
Parthenocissus himalayana
(Royle) Planch.
Synonym Vitis himalayana Brandis.
Family Vitaceae.
Habitat Throughout the Himalayas.
Folk Kandur (Jaunsar), Philunaa (Garhwal) Laden (Kumaon).
Passiflora foetida Linn. 465
Action Bark and twigs—astringent and expectorant.
Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn.
Family Gramineae; Poaceae.
Habitat Cultivated throughout
India.
