Free oxalic acid caused fatal hypogly caemi in rabbits.
Rumex acetosella Linn.
Family Polygonaceae.
Habitat Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim and the Nilgiris.
English Sheep Sorrel.
Ayurvedic Chukrikaa, Chuko.
Unani Hammaaz, Shaaka-turshak, Tursh, Jangali Paalak.
Action Diuretic, diaphoretic, antiscorbutic, refrigerant. Fresh
plant is used in urinary and kidney
diseases.
The herb contains anthraquinones, chrysophanol, emodin and physcion.
Free ascorbic acid content (50—150 mg!l00 g) remains constant throughout the year.
Rumex crispus Linn.
Family Polygonaceae.
Habitat Native to Europe; found in Mt. Abu.
English Yellow Dock, Curled Dock.
Ayurvedic Chukra, Chukrilcaa, Patraamla, Rochani, Shatvedhani.
Action Root—used as a laxative in rheumatism, bilious disorders, and as an astringent in piles and haemorrhagic affections; also
used for skin eruptions, chronic skin diseases, scrofula, scurvy, congested liver and jaundice. Acts like Sarsaparifia when used for scrofulous skin affections and glandular swellings. Seeds— astringent. Used for dysentery.
The root contains anthraquinones (about 2.17—4%) including nepodin, and other glycosides based on chrysophanol, physcion and emodin; also tannins, rumicin and oxalates. Large doses should be avoided. Disturbances caused by the plant are attributed to rumicin. The root and rhizome are reported to stimulate bile production. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)
Rumex nepalensis Spreng. 563
The leaves contain 30 mg!100 g ascorbic acid.
R. crispus is pharmacologically more active than rhubarb, because the extracts of the roots of the former contain more quantity of anthraquinones (2.17%) than the extracts of the latter (1.42%).
It has been suggested that Amlavetas should be equated with R. crispus.
