Chlorogenic acid in coffee might inhibit glucose-6-phosphatase, which
Family Rubiaceae.
Coichicum luteum Baker. 165
Coix lacryma-jobi Linn.
Synonym C. lachryma Linn. Family Gramineae; Poaceae. Habitat Warm and damp areas up
to about 2,000 m, both wild and cultivated as an annual grass.
English Job’s Tears.
Ayurvedic Gavedhukaa.
Siddha/Tamil Kaatu Kunthumani. Folk Garaheduaa, Gargari.
Action Fruits—a decoction is used for catarrhal affections of the air passage and inflammation of the urinary tract. Seed— diuretic. Root—used in menstrual disorders. Leaves—used as a drink for inducing fertility in women.
The seeds contain trans-ferulyl stigmastanol and trans ferulyl campes tanol, which form part of an ovulation- inducing drug. Seed extract—immuno-enhancer, used for the prevention of cancer and infections. Seeds exhibit anti-tumour and anticomplimentary activities. Seeds contain coixenolides, a mixed ester of palmitoleic and vaccenic acids, which is an anticancer agent.
The bigger var. of the grass is equated with Coix gigantea Koenig ex Roxb., also known as Gavedhukaa and Gar Coichicu
luteum Baker.
Family Liliaceae.
Habitat The temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Chamba. Major supplies of the drug are received from Kashmir.
English Hermodactyls, Colchicum,
Meadow Saffron, Golden Collyrium
(Indian substitute). (C. luteum is
a good substitute for C. autumnale
L. which is official in the B.P.) Ayurvedic Hiranyatuttha.
Unani Suranjaan Talkh.
Action Non-steroidal anti- inflammatory, anti-gout (relieves inflammation and pain of acute gout but does not increase expulsion of uric acid, is used with an alkaline diuretic), emetic, cathartic. Anti-chemotactic, antiphiogistic, inhibitor of mitosis. Highly toxic. Used for external application to lessen inflammation and pain.
