Aerial parts contain coumarins— clausmarins A and B. Coumarins exhibit spasmolytic activity. The root also contains coumarins. Root and stem bark of Clausena excavata Burm. f. Eastern sub-Himalayan tract, Orissa and Bihar) also contain coumarins— clausenin and clausenidin. The root bark exhibits antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram- negative bacteria.
A related species, C. anisata (Willd.) Oliver, is reported from Uttar Pradesh. Ethanolic extract of the aerial parts exhibited spasmolytic activity. The furanocoumarins, anisolactone, xanthotoxol, indicolactone, imperatorin and 2’, 3’-epoxy-anisolactone have been isolated from the extract.
In West African traditional medicine, the decoction of the root is given to control convulsions in children. The

anticonvulsant agent has been found to be heliettin, extracted from the stem bark and roots.

Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul.

Family Hypocreaceae.

Habitat A fungous parasite on a number of grasses particularly in rye, cultivated in the Nilgiris and at Chakrohi farm in Jammu.
English Ergot of Rye. Fungus of Rye.
Ayurvedic Annamaya, Sraavikaa.

Unani Argot.

Siddha/Tamil Ergot.

Action Uterine stimulant. Oxytocic, abortifacient, parturient, vasoconstrictor, haemostatic. Used in obstetrics (difficult childbirth, for exciting uterine contractions in the final stages of parturition). Also used after abortion for removal of the placenta. It is no more employed in internal haemorrhages, as it has been found to raise blood pressure in pulmonary and cerebral haemorrhage. Included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.
The fungus gave indole alkaloids. The ergometrine or ergonovine group includes ergometrine and ergometrinine. The ergotamine group includes ergotamine and ergotaminine. The ergotoxine group includes ergocristine, ergocristinine, ergocryptine, ergocryptinine, ergocornine and ergocorninine. The fungus also contains histamine, tyramine and other amines, sterols and acetylcholine.

158 Clematis gouriana Roxb.

The alkaloids of ergot are being used independently (not as a herbal medicine). Ergotamine is used to relieve migrainous headaches as it is a vasoconstrictor and has antiserotonin activity. Ergometrine is used after childbirth in the third stage of labour and for post-partum haemorrhage, as it is a powerful uterine stimulant, particularly of the puerperal uterus. (Both the constituents are used under medical

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