Action Fern—antiseptic, styptic, vulnerary, detergent, emetic.
The mucilaginous and astringent decoction of the fern is used in angina in Reunion. An ointment, prepared by boiling the herb in oil or fat, is used for wounds.
Ophioglossum pendulum L. (Assam) is used in the form of a scalp ointment for improving the hair growth. American Adder’s Tongue is equated with Erythronium americanum KerGawl (Liliaceae). The fresh leaves gave alpha-methylenebutyrolactone.
Ophiorrhiza mungos Linn.
Family Rubiaceae.
Habitat Khasi Hills up to 600— 700 m, in Western Ghats and the Andaman Islands.
English Mongoose Plant.
Ayurvedic Sarpaakshi. (Gandhanaakuli is a wrong synonym. It is equated with Aristolochia indica.)
Siddha/Tamil Keerippundu.
Folk Sarahati. Mungus-vel (Maharashtra).
Action Root—bitter tonic. Leaves— used for dressing ulcers.
The roots contain starch, a resin and small amounts of a bitter amorphous alkaloid. Beta-sitosterol, 5- alpha-ergost-7.-en-3-beta-ol and 5- alpha-ergost-8 (14)-en-3 beta-ol (as an ester) have been identified in the root. Leaves and stems contain traces of hydrocyanic acid.
Opuntia vulgaris Miii. 451
Opuntia cochinellif era Mill.
Synonym Nopalea cochenilhfera Saim-Dyck.
Family Cactaceae.
Habitat Indian gardens. Introduced into India towards the end of the 18th century.
English Cochineal Cactus. (A host for cochineal insect, Dactylopius cacti Linn.)
Siddha/Tamil Puchikalli.
Action Fruits—emollient, bechic. Mucilaginous joints—used as poultices in cases of articular rheumatism, inflammations, scalds, burns and skin diseases.
Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) Haw.
Synonym 0. stricta Haw. var. dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) Benson.
Family Cactaceae.
Habitat Native of Mexico; well- acclimatized throughout India.
English Prickly Pear, Slipper Thorn. Ayurvedic Naagaphani, Kanthaari.
Unani Naagphani.
