Siddha/Tamil Kodaga-saleh.
Folk Kharmor.
Action Herb—vermifuge, diuretic; dried and pulverized herb is used for cough and fever. Fresh, bruised leaves, mixed with castor oil, are
applied to scalp to cure tinea capitis (a scaly fungoid infection).
The flavonoid pigments in ivory- white and pale yellow flowers (the plant also bears blue and pink flowers) showed the presence of luteolin and chrysoerial (3’ -0-methyl lute olin) and their glucosides. Deep yellow flowers contain isosalipurposide; the bluish pink flowers showed presence of delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside.
Ruscus aculeatus Linn.
Family Liliaceae; Ruscaceae.
Habitat Native to western Europe, Mediterranean region and Iran; widely grown as ornament in India.
English Butcher’s Broom, Jews Myrtle.
Action Rhizomes—deobstruent, anti-inflammatory, haemostatic.
Key application As supportive therapy for discomforts of chronic venous insufficiency and for complaints of hemorrhoids.(German Commission E, ESCOP.)
Aqueous-alcoholic extract of the rhizomes contains steroid sap onins (up to 6% of the extract). The spirostanol glycosides, degluconeoruscin and deglucoruscin from the extract are absorbed in human plasma after oral administration. Besides, the rhizomes contain two furastanol glycosides, degluconeoruscoide and deglucoruscoside. The extract is used for the treatment of venous insufficiency and enters into dermatological and cosmetic compositions for the treatment of dark skin under the eye and into anti-ageing and anti-sun-tanning preparations.
Ruta chalepensis Linn.
Family Rutaceae.
Habitat Native to Southern
Europe and North Africa; cultivated in Indian gardens. (Most of
the reports of the Garden Rue, cultivated in India, refer to this
species and not to Ruta graveolens.)
Unani Jangali Sudaab.
Siddha/Tamil Aruvadam-chedi, Arvada.
Action Plant—antispasmodic, sudorific. Stimulates the nervous
system; commonly used in decoction in convulsions and fever. Also used as a fumigant in infant catarrh.
