Punica granatum Linn. 527
dhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, up to 1,100 m) is equated with Tropical Kudze. The plant is used against ulcers and boils.
Pueraria tuberosa DC.
Family Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.
Habitat Punjab, Western Uttar Pradesh, Central India.
English Indian Kudze.
Ayurvedic Vidaari, Swaadukandaa, Ikshugandhaa, Gajavaajipriyaa, Kandapalaasha, Bhuumikushmaanda. (Substitute for Jivaka and Rshabhaka.)
Folk Bhui-kumhadaa, Suraal.
Action Tuber—diuretic, cardiac tonic, galactagogue. Also used for fertility control. Root—used as a demulcent, and refrigerant in fevers, as cataplasm for swelling of joints, as galactagogue.
The butanolic extract of Pueraria tuberosa showed significant protection against hepatic damage in rats. The ethanolic extract of the tubers and its butanol and pre-puerarin fractions exhibited anti-implantation effect. The pure compounds, puerarin, daidzein and tuberosin, exhibited significant anti-implantation activity in hamsters.
In Indian medicine, Vidaari and Kshira-vidaari are used for promoting breast milk and semen, and as a restorative tonic. Most authors have equated Vidaari with Pueraria tuberosa and Kshira-vidaari with Ipomoea digitata.
In Western herbal, Pueraria lobata and P tuberosa roots are used alone or in combination with other products for symptoms due to alcoholism. But preliminary research shows that Kudze does not improve sobriety in chronic alcoholics. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)
Dosage Tuber—3—5 g powder. (CCRAS.)
Pulicaria dysenterica Bernh.
Family Asteraceae.
Habitat Kashmir at 1,500—1,800 m.
Action Plant—astringent, diuretic. Root—antidiarrhoeal. Leaf— antiasthmatic.
Punica granatum Linn.
Family Punicaceae.
Habitat Native to Iran; but cultivated throughout India.
English Pomegranate.
Ayurvedic Daadima, Daadim ba, Raktapushpa, Dantabijaa, Raktakusumaa, Lohitpushpaka.
