National Formulary of Unani Medicine, Part I, equated Jirjeer with Brucea sativa Mill. or Nasturtium officinale R. Br.
Nasturtium officinale, found in Europe, is known as watercress. Indian cress is cultivated in gardens as a creeper. Brucea is a totally different species (Simaroubaceae). Taraamirra of Unani medicine should be equated with Eruca sativa and not with Brucea sativa.
Action Taraamiraa (Jirjeer)— used in Unani medicine as a spermatic tonic (powder of seeds is administered with a half-fried egg), also as a blood purifier, diuretic, emmenagogue and deobstruent. Leaf juice—used as a lotion for blotches, spots and blemishes.
Nasturtium officinale (Brassicaceae):
Antiscorbutic and stimulant. A rich source of vitamins A and E, also of ascorbic acid. Seeds contain gluconcasturtin. Used for metabolic disorders, anaemia, strangury, kidney and bladder disorders and catarrh of the respiratory tract.
Eruca sativa Mill.: Cultivated in North India; known as Taraamiraa, Siddhaartha, Bhutaghna. Seeds are used like mustard. Seeds—antibacterial. Crude juice of the plant inhibited E. coli, S. typhi and B. subtlis. Seeds contain (4-Me-thio)-Bu-glucosinolate (glucoerucin) as K and tetra-Me-N salts. A composition is used in induration of liver.
Brugmansia suaveolens
Bercht. & Presl.
Synonym Datura suaveolens Humb. & Bonpl. ex Wild.
Family Solanaceae.
Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Kurz.
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Habitat Native to Mexico; grown in Indian gardens.
English Angel’s Trumpet.
Action Leaf and flower—used to treat asthma; to induce hallucinations. Can cause severe toxicity.
Aliparts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids (concentration highest in the foliage and seeds), particularly atropine, hyoscyamine and hyoscine (scopolamine.)
Brunella vulgaris Linn.
Synonym Prunella vulgaris Linn. Family Labiatae; Lam iaceae. Habitat The Himalayas from
Kashmir to Bhutan at altitudes of 1,400—4,000 m, in Khasi Hills and hills of South India.
English Self-heal.
Unani Substitute for Ustukhudduus. (Lavandula stoechas Linn.)
