English Moon Plant, Soma Plant. Ayurvedic Somavalli, Somalataa,
Somakshiri, Saumyaa, Dwijpriyaa.
(Not to be confused with Soma of
the Vedas.) (Substitute: Ephedra
gerardiana.)
Siddha/Tamil Somamum, Kodi Kalli. Action Dried stems—emetic.
Plant—insecticidal.
The plant contains malic acid, succinic acid, reducing sugar, surcosa, traces of tannin, an alkaloid, a phytosterol, alpha-and beta-amyrins, lupeol and lupeol acetate and beta-sitosterol. The milky exudate from the stem contains 4.1% of caoutchouc. Coagulum contains: caoutchouc 16, resins 68.1 and insolubles 15.9%.
Related species, Sarcostemma brunonianum W. & A. (South India),
known as Perumaattaan kodi in Tamil Nadu; S. intermedium Decne (Peninsular India), and S. stocksii Hk. f. (Peninsular India), are also said to have similar uses as those of S. acidum.
Sarcostemma secamone (L.) Bennet, synonym S. esculentum (L. f.) Holm. (throughout the plains in semi marshy places) is known as Dughdhikaa or Duudhilataa in Northern India and Usippalai in Tamil Nadu. Whole plant is depurative, galactagogue and antiseptic (used as a gargle in sore throat and stomatitis; fresh root is prescribed in jaundice. A pregnane triglycoside, esculentin and cardenolide tetraglycosides have been isolated from the root.
Dosage Milky exudate from stem— 1—3 drops. (CCRAS.)
Sarcostigma kleinii W. &A.
Family Icacinaceae.
Habitat The Western Ghats, from Konkan southwards.
Ayurvedic Ingudi. (Balanites aegyptiaca is also equated with Ingudi.)
Siddha Odal (Tamil).
Action Seed oil—used externally in rheumatism. Powdered bark— given in rheumatism, neurological disorders and skin diseases.
Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees.
Synonym S. officinale Nees and Eberm.
S. varitfolium Kuntze.
Saussurea affinis Spreng. exDC. 585
Family Lauraceae.
