Action Stimulant, expectorant and diaphoretic. Juice of fresh leaves is used in urticaria and other allergic conditions; a domestic remedy for coughs and cold. Alcoholic extract of the whole plant—antibacterial. Essential oll—antitubercular.
The oil exhibits antihistaminic property in vitro on smooth muscles of the uterus and the intestines. It also possesses muscle-relaxant action; bactericidal and fungicidal properties. The
Annona squamosa Linn. 53
leaves contain glucosides of luteolin and apigenin.
Anisomeles malabarica
(Linn.) R. Br. ex Sims
Family Labiatae; Lam iaceae. Habitat The western Ghats from
Maharashtra to Karnataka; Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
English Malabar Catmint.
Ayurvedic Sprikkaa.
Siddha/TamiI Irattaipeyameratti. Action Antispasmodic (used
in dyspepsia, colic), antipyretic, diaphoretic, antiperiodic, emmenagogue, antirheumatic. The oil is used externally as an embrocation in rheumatic arthritis.
The plant contains beta-sitosterol, letulinic acid, ovatodiolide and anisomelic acid. The essential oil from tops and flowers yield a terpene hydrocarbon, citral and geranic acid.
Annona reticulata Linn.
Family Annonaceae.
Habitat Native to the West Indies. Cultivated in Bengal, Assam, Khasi Hills and southern India.
English Bullock’s Heart, Common Custard Apple.
Ayurvedic Raamphala.
Siddha/Tamil Aninuna.
Action Leaves—insecticide, anthelmintic, styptic, externally used as suppurant. Unripe and dried fruit—antidysenteric. Bark— powerful astringent, used as antidysenteric and vermifuge.
Rootbark, leaves and stems gave isoquinoline alkaloids. Two acetogenins, annoreticuin and isoannoreticuin, isolated from the leaves, were found to be selectively cytotoxic to certain human tumours.
The leaves and stems also gave alkaloids—dopamine, salsolinol and coclaurine.
Annona reticulata, Annona muricata, Annona squamosa and Annona cherimola are known as Raamphala, Lakshman-phala, Sitaa-phala and Hanumaan-phala, respectively.
