Folk Arvi, Ghuiyaa.
Action Juice from petiole—styptic, rubefacient. Juice of corn—used in alopaecia.
The leaves contain flavones, apigenin and luteolin, also anthocyanins. Leaves cause severe irritation in mouth. Cooked leaves are a source of dietary fibre for diabetics helping in lowering post-prandial blood glucose level. A significant increase in total lipids, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels was observed in hypercholesterolaemic rats when fed with dried leaf powder.
The pressed juice of the petioles is used as an astringent and styptic. All parts of the plant show an acridity. The acridity is removed by boiling and by addition of baking soda.
From the tubers two dihydroxys terols, besides beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol, have been isolated. Five novel aliphatic compounds have been reported. Trypsin inhibitors are isolated from the tubers.
The total amino acids recorded in
the tubers range from 1380 to 2397 mg/
100 g. The lysine concentration was relatively low. Besides starch, the tubers
contain natural polysaccharides with
56% neutral sugars and 40% anionic
components. Steamed corms contain
30% starch and 3% sugar.
Commelina benghalensis Linn. Family Commelinaceae.
Habitat Throughout India in moist places.
Ayurvedic Kanchata, Karnamorata, Karnasphota.
Siddha/Tamil Kanavazhai, Kananagakarai.
Folk Kenaa (vegetable) (Maharashtra).
Action Emollient, demulcent, laxative, diuretic, antileprotic.
The rhizomes are starchy and mucilaginous.
The plant contains n-octacosanol, ntriacontanol, n- dotriacontanol. stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol and campesterol.
Commelina nudiflora Linn. Family Commelinaceae.
Habitat Throughout India. Ayurvedic Kanchata (var.).
Folk Kenaa (vegetable) (Maharashtra).
Action Antidermatosis. The plant is used as a blood purifier.
Commelina dffusa Burm f; C. paludosa Blume synonym C. obliqua Buch.Ham. and C. salicifolia Roxb. are related species of Kanchata and are known as Kenaa vegetable.
