Habitat The Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.
Folk Ratanjot (substitute).
Action Rootstocks—depurative; ash, mixed with oil, is applied to burns.
Pothos scandens Linn.
Family Araceae.
Habitat Cultivated as an ornamental. Found in Bihar, North Bengal, Orissa, Western Ghats and Southwards.
Siddha/Tamil Aanaparuga.
Action Leaves—anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antimicrobial. Applied to smallpox pustules. Root—bruised and fried in oil, applied to abscesses.
Prangos pabularia Lindl.
Family Umbellferae; Apiaceae.
Habitat Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh at altitudes of 1,800— 4,000 m.
Unani Baadiyaan-kohi, Karafs-ekohi, Fitraasaaliyun (also equated with Petroselinum crispum Mill.
Nym. ex auct. Kew.).
Folk Komal.
Action Root and fruit—diuretic, emmenagogue. An infusion of root is given for indigestion and irregular menses.
The roots and umbels yielded coumarins and their glycosides. Osthol (7-methoxy-8-isopentenyl-coumarin), which occurs in the dried roots up to the extent of 3.6%, has been found to be a potent respiratory and circulatory stimulant in experimental animals. Its respirotonic effect was more marked than that of coramine, leptazol and caffeine.
Premna herbacea Roxb.
Synonym Pygmaeopremna herbacea Moldenke.
Family Verbenaceae.
Habitat The sub-tropical Himalayas and in Assam, extending southwards through West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa into Deccan Peninsula. Roots are usually confused with those of
Clerodendrum serratum and are sold as Bhaarangi.
Siddha/Tamil Siru Thekku.
Folk Gethiaa, Ghantu Bhaarangi. Baaman-haati (Bengal). Fruits
are known as Bhuumi-jambu, Phin Jaamun. The root is known as Bhaarangamuula; in Andhra Pradesh, Gandu Bhaarangi.
