Decoction of seeds and roots is
given in bilious disorders. Leaves— emetocathartic.
Constituents of the aerial parts in clud benzofurans; flavonoids includ in sophoraisoflavone A and B, sopho ronol iso-sophoranone-and iso-bava chin The leaves and seeds contain al kaloids—matrine cytisine and small
amounts of methylcytisine. Cytisine
is also present in the roots.
Cytisine possesses insecticidal and
physiological properties similar to
those of nicotine.
Sophoraisoflavone A exhibits anti funga activity.
Sopubia deiphinifolia G. Don.
Habitat Western India, as a root parasite.
Folk Dudhaali (Maharashtra).
Action Root—juice applied to sores on feet, caused by constant exposure to water and moisture.
Alcoholic extract of air-dried powdered stems yielded isoflavonoids, which were found to be estrogenically active in albino rats.
Sorbus aucuparia Linn.
Family Rosaceae.
Habitat Native to Europe and Asia; distributed in temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.
English European Mountain Ash, Rowan tree, Mountain Ash Berry.
Folk Battal (Punjab), Syaar (Garhwal).
Action Fruits—antiscorbutic, depurative, diuretic, astringent, aperient, emmenagogue. An infusion is given in haemorrhoids, strangury and irritation of bladder; for disorders of the uric acid metabolism, for dissolution of uric acid deposits; and for alkalization of the blood (“blood purification”). (Seeds contain cyanogenic acid; should be removed before the fruit is used.) Leaves—laxative; used as a pectoral in cough and bronchitis. Bark—astringent. Decoction is given in diarrhoea. (It is said to produce irritation of the alimentary mucous membrane.)
Family Scrophulariaceae.
Spathodea campanulata Beauv. 619
Included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.
The fruit gave ursolic acid, parasorboside, quercetin, iso-quercetin, rutin and anthocyanins.
