the powdered seeds of Cocculus indicus) is used internally as a homoeopathic medicine for convulsions, neurological disorders and psychosis-related fear.
Picrotoxin at 20 mg is toxic, and two to three berries are lethal. (Francis Brinker.)
Ananas comosus (Linn.) Merrill Family Bromeliaceae.
Habitat Native to South America; cultivated mostly in Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Tripura and Orissa.
English Pineapple.
Ayurvedic Anaanaasa, Bahunetra.
Unani Anannaas.
Siddha/Tamil Annanshippazham, Annasi.
Action Anti-inflammatory (fresh juice used as a gargle for sore
throat). A proteolytic enzyme, bromelain, is derived from the stem—anti-inflammatory, smooth muscle relaxant, digester, inhibitor of blood platelet aggregation. (It is used for cellulitis, post-operative oedema, sinusitis and for promoting digestion of proteins.)
Key application Bromelain, the
proteolytic enzyme, is used in acute postoperative and post-traumatic
conditions of swellings, especially of the nasal and paranasal sinuses. (German Commission E.) In Europe, a patented tape that contains
bromelain is used for debriding escharotic skin. (Internally, bromelain’s bioavailabiity has been questioned.)
Anaphalis neelgerriana DC.
Family Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat The Nilgiri Hills at 2,100— 2,500 m.
Ayurvedic Raktaskandana.
Folk Kaatplaaster (Nilgiri hills).
Action Antiseptic. Fresh leaves are bruised and applied to wounds and cuts as plaster.
An acyl flavonoid glycoside, anaphaloside, along with isoquercitrin and astragalin, has been isolated from the flowers of a related sp. Anaphalis contorta, used as an antibacterial and styptic.
Anastatica hierochuntica Linn.
Family Crucferae.
Habitat Arabia, Palestine, Syria.
English Jericho Rose.
