Tender leaves are rich in potassium and in B1 and B6. An alcoholic extract of the leaves and its flavonoids showed antibacterial activity, which was comparable to ampicillin and streptomycin.
The seeds contain 11.6—17% of protein and 6.4—10.9% of a fatty oil. The seeds and roots yield triterpenoid sap 0- nins. An alcoholic extract of the seeds possess significant diuretic activity.
Celosia cristata Linn.
Family Amaranthaceae.
Habitat Indian gardens, as ornamental.
English Cock’s Comb. Ayurvedic Jataadhaari.
Folk b Laal Murgaa.
Action Seeds—demulcent; used for painful micturition, dysentery. Flowers—used in menorrhagia and diarrhoea.
The plant contains betanin, and several sterols. The inflorescence contain amarantin, isoamarantin, celosianin and isocelosianin. The seeds contain 10.1—12.8% of protein and yield 7.2— 7.9% of a fatty oil.
Choline esters of hyaluronic acid from the plant, when fed to rats, showed antiulcer and gastro-protective effect.
Centaurea behen Linn.
Family Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat Indigenous to Iran. Imported into India.
136 Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban.
English White Rhapontic.
Unani Behman Safed, Behmanabyaz.
Action Root—nervine and anabolic tonic, strengthens central nervous system; also used in jaundice and affections of the kidney.
The roots contain taraxasterol, its acetate and myristate.
Centel Ia asiatica (Linn.) Urban.
Synonym Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn.
Family Umbellferae; Apiaceae.
Habitat In marshy places throughout India up to 200 m.
English Asiatic Pennywort, Indian Pennywort.
Ayurvedic Manduukaparni,
Manduukaparnikaa, Maanduuki,
