Unani Raajmah (seed), Lobia, Frashbean.
Action Bean—diuretic, hypotensive, resolvent, regulates blood
sugar. Used for water retention; albuminuria, especially of pregnancy; premenstrual tension.
Key application Seed-free pods—in supportive treatment for inability to urinate. (German Commission E.)
The seeds of French Bean contain triterpenoid glucosides and soyasaponm V.
Raajmah consumption by diabetic patients is reported to produce highly significant reduction in their blood glucose level and glycaemic index, as compared to wheat and rice consumption.
Raw bean contains lectins which are destroyed when cooked. Its hypoglycaemic activity is most likely due to its chromium, trigonelline and fiber content. (Sharon M. Herr.)
Phiogacanthus thyrsiflorus
Nees.
Family Acanthaceae.
Habitat The sub-tropical Himalayas, Upper Gangetic Plain, Bihar, North Bengal and Assam.
Folk Dieng-soh kajut (Meghalaya), Chuhai (Bihar), Titaaphul (Assam).
Action Whole plant—used like Adhatoda vasica in whooping cough and menorrhagia. Fruits
and leaves—burnt and prescribed for fevers. The leaves are reported to contain diterpene lactone, phlogantholide A and its glucoside.
A related species, P jenkinsii C. B. Clarke, found in Assam, is also known as Titaaphul. A decoction of leaves is given for diseases of spleen and liver and for fevers.
Phoenix dactylifera Linn.
Family Palmae; Arecaceae.
Habitat Cultivated in Punjab and Rajasthan.
English Date Palm.
Ayurvedic Kharjuura, Kharjuuraka, Kharjuurikaa. Pindaltharjuurikaa. Chhuhaaraa (dry date). Pindakharjuura is the fruit of Phoenix acaulis Roxb.
Unani Khurmaa, Khajuur, Chhuharaa.
Siddha/Tamil Perichchankay, Ita. Action Fruit pulp—antitussive,
expectorant, demulcent, laxative, diuretic, restorative. Sap—cooling, laxative. Gum—used in diarrhoea and genitourinary diseases.
The fruit contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C), carotene (as vitamin A), nicotinic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, sugars (60—80%). Besides sucrose and invert sugars, rhamnose, xylose, arabinose, ribose,
