A betaxanthin, humilixanthin, has been isolated from the berry.
A decoction of the herb is used for cold, chest congestion and pain, diarrhoea and jaundice. Berries alleviate dysentery and amenorrhoea.
Pounded leaves are used for wound- healing and for treating catarrh.
Robinia pseudoacacia Linn.
Family Fabaceae.
Habitat Western Himalayas and Jammu & Kashmir.
English Locust tree, False Acacia, Robinia, Black Locust.
Action Leaves—laxative, antispasmodic (an infusion is prescribed in digestive disorders). Flowers— diuretic, antispasmodic.
The bark, leaves and roots contain a toxalbumin, robin (1.6% in the bark), which resembles ricin present in the castor seed. The bark also contains a glucoside robinitin (3%), syringin, tannin (up to about 7.0%). Inner bark contains amygdalin and urease.
The leaves are rich in calcium, phosphorus and potash. The presence of glycosides, acaciin, apigenin-7-bioside, apigenin-7-trioside and indican, have also been reported.
The flowers are powerfully diuretic due to a glycoside, robinin. Flowers also contain l-asparagine.
The roots are rich in asparagine, also contain robin. Root bark, if taken in excess, is emetic and purgative.
The bark and young shoots are poisonous to livestock.
Rorippa dufia Hara.
Synonym R. indica Hiern.
Nasturtium indicum DC.
Family Brassicaceae.
Habitat Throughout India, in damp places, ascending up to 2,100 m in the Himalayas.
Unani Khoobkalaan (also equated with Sisymbrium iro Linn., Hedge Mustard, London Rocket).
Siddha/Tamil Kattu-kadugu.
Action Plant—antiscorbutic, stimulant, diuretic (given in
diarrhoea, dysentery and fever).
Seeds—laxative, prescribed in the
treatment of asthma.
Glucosinolates of 8-methylthio-oc- tyl, 8-methylsulphinyloctyl and 2-phe- nylethyl have been isolated from the seeds.
