a series of glucofruc tosans. Raw chicory root contains only citric and tartaric acids; roasted chicory contains acetic, lactic, pyruvic, pyromucic, palmitic and tartaric acids. The carcinogenic hydrocarbons and floranthene are also reported in the chicory (a potent carcinogen 3,4- benzpyrene has been detected).
Added to coffee, chicory root counteracts caffeine and helps in digestion.
An alcoholic extract of the plant was found effective against chlorpromazine-induced hepatic damage in adult
See C. intybus.
Cinchona officinalis Linn. 147
albino rats. The cholagogue activity is attributed to polyphenols.
The sedative effect of chicory is attributed to lactucopicrin. The sedative effect antagonizes the stimulant effect of tea and coffee. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)
The extracts of roots were found to be active against several bacteria.
Dosage Seed—3—6 g powder; leaf—10—20 ml juice; root—50— 100 ml. (CCRAS.)
Cimicifuga racemosa
(Linn.) Nutt.
Family Ran unculaceae.
Habitat Temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan up to at
3,000—4,000 m.
English Black Cohosh Root, Black Snake Root.
Folk Cohosh, Jiuenti (Punjab).
Action Sedative, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, diuretic, emmenagogue. Used in homoeopathy for rheumatic diseases of nervous, hysterical
women, suffering from uterine affections; also for locomotor ataxia.
Key application In climacteric (menopausal), neurovegetative
ailments, premenstrual discomfort and dysmenorrhoea. (German
Commission E, ESCOP.)
The rhizome contains triterpene glycosides (including actein, cimigoside, cimifugine and racemoside; isofla one
(including formononetin; isoferulic acid; volatile oil, tannin.
Pharmacological studies have shown that the menthol extract binds to oestrogen receptors in vitro and in rat uteri; this activity is thought to be due to the presence of formononetin. Racemoside exhibited
