and inhibits intestinal movements in
rabbits.
Rhus chinensis Mill.
Synonym R. javanica Linn.
R. semialata Murr.
Bruceajavanica (L.) Merill. Family Anacardiaceae.
Habitat The temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan at 1,300— 2,400 m.
Folk Tatri, Arkhar (Punjab).
Action Galls—astringent and expectorant. Used in ointments and suppositories employed in the treatment of haemorrhoids, swellings and wounds. Fruits— spasmolytic. Used for colic, diarrhoea and dysentery.
Dry galls contain 50 to 80% tannin (in the form of Gallo tannic acid); small amounts of fat, resin and gum. The stem-bark contains 10.5% tannin. The fruit contains tannin, gallic acid and potassium acid salts, together with small amounts of aluminium, calcium, magnesium and iron acid salts of malic, tartaric and citric acids.
The heartwood contained the flavonoids, p ongapin, tetramethoxyfisetin and demethoxykanugin, and a dibenzoylmethane, ovalitenone.
Rhus hookeri Sahni & Bahadur, synonym R. insignis Hk. f. is found in Sikkim Himalaya from Nepal to Bhutan at 1,600—2,000 m and in Khasi Hills at 1,500 m. Juice of the plant is a powerful vesicant. The fruit contain a fat similar to that found in the fruit of R. javanica.
Rhus coriaria Linn.
Family Anacardiaceae.
Rhus succedanea Linn. 549
Habitat Mediterranean region.
English European or Sicilian
Sumach (used in Unani medicine). Unani Sumaaq, Taatraak.
Action Leaves and seeds— astringent, styptic.
Limonene, nonanal and dec-2 (Z)enal were obtained from pericarp oil, whereas the leaf oil contained betacaryophyllene and patchoulane. Cembrane and beta-caryophyilene were isolated from branch and bark oil.
Rhus parviflora Roxb.
Family Anacardiaceae.
