for rheumatic inflammation,
Salicornia brachiata Roxb.
painful muscles, spondylitis,
Family Chenopodiaceae. lumbago, sciatica, neuralgia, gout
and fever. (In 1838, chemists
Habitat Sea coast from Bengal to identified salicylic acid in the
Gujarat. bark. Afterwards, synthesized it as
Folk Kohlu (Andhra Pradesh). acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin, in 1899.)
Action Ash—used in mange and Key application In diseases
itch. accompanied by fever, headache,
Salix caprea Linn. 571
rheumatic ailments. (German
Commission E.) The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia reported anti- inflammatory action. The British Herbal Compendium additionally reported analgesic, antipyretic, antirheumatic and astringent actions of the willow bark.
The bark contains phenolic glycosides; salicin, picein and triandrin with esters of salicylic acid and salicyl alcohol, acetylated salicin, salicortin and salireposide; tannins; catechin; pcoumaric acid; flavonoids and polysaccharides.
Salicylic acid inhibits prostaglandin production, relives pain and brings down fever.
Salix babylonica Linn.
Family Salicaceae.
Habitat North India, along the banks of rivers nad water-courses.
English Weeping Willow.
Siddha/Tamil Aatru Paalai.
Folk Giur (Kashmir). Bed.
Action Leaves and bark— astringent, antipyretic. Used in intermittent and remittent fevers. Bark—anthelmintic. Biological activity of aerial part—antiviral, CNS active, hypothermic.
The leaves are reported to contain delphinidin and cyanidin, fragiin, salicin, salicortin, salidroside, tremuloidin, triandrin and vimalin. Salicin content in the stems and leaves is reported to be 3 to 4%. The bark yields
phenolics—triandrin, salicin, gallocatechol, catechol.
Salix caprea Linn.
