Habitat Native to Central America; introduced into Indian garden as ornament.
Folk Kiranti-takkaaram (Tamil Nadu).
Action Herb—diuretic; used for urinary disorders in Siddha medicine.
Ruellia suifruticosa Roxb.
Synonym Dipteracanthus suffruticosus Viogt.
Family Acanthaceae.
Habitat Native to central America; introduced into Indian gardens as ornament.
Folk Chaarapaatu, Chaaraparaad (Bihar).
Action Plant—used in renal affections, gonorrhoea, syphilis and other venereal diseases.
Ruellia tuberosa Linn.
Family Acanthaceae.
Habitat Native to central America; grown in Indian gardens.
English Meadow-weed. Siddha/Tamil Tapas-kaaya.
Action Herb—emetic; used as a substitute for ipecacuanha. A decoction is given in chronic bronchitis; also used as a diuretic for the treatment of stones in the bladder.
Family Acanthaceae.
562 Rumex acetosa Linn.
Rumex acetosa Linn.
Family Polygonaceae.
Habitat Western Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.
English Garden Sorrel, Sorrel Dock.
Ayurvedic Chukram, Chuukaa. Unani Hammaaz-Barri.
Action Laxative, diuretic, antiscorbutic, refrigerant. Used for scurvy, as a cooling drink in febrile disorders, as a corrective of scrofulous deposits. Seeds—astringent (in
haemorrhages).
Flowers—hepatoprotective and antihaemorrhagic. Root—used for jaundice, also for gravel and stone in the kidneys.
Aerial parts gave rutin, hyperin and vitexin and traces of oxymethylanthraquinone. The roots contain anthraquinones—chrysophanol, physR) cion and emodin anthrones.
______ The leaves contain 124.0 mg!l00 g
ascorbic acid, about 0.3% oxalic acid.
