Dendrophthoe falcata
(Linn. f.) Etting.
Family Loranthaceae.
Habitat Throughout India.
Ayurvedic Bandaaka, Vrkshaadani, Vrkshruuhaa.
Siddha Pulluri, Plavithfi (Tamil). Folk Baandaa.
Action Bark—astringent and narcotic; used in menstrual
disorders, consumption, asthma, also for treating wounds.
The plant contains several flavonoids. Being parasitic, different flavonoids have been recorded in plants growing on different host plants. Quercitrin has been found to be the major common constituent. The plant also contains gallic, ellagic and chebulinic
Family Orchidaceae.
acids.
Descurainia sophia (Linn.) Webb ex Pranti.
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Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the plant were tested in rats for their diuretic and anti-lithiatic activities. Alcoholic extract was found to be more effective than aqueous extract.
Dosage Leaf, flower—lO—20 ml juice. (CCRAS.)
Derris indica (Lamk.) Bennet.
Synonym Pongamiapinnata Pierre. Family Fabaceae.
Habitat Native to the Western
Ghats. Found all over India on the banks of rivers and streams.
English Indian Beech. Pongamia oil tree.
Ayurvedic Naktmaal, Guchpushpak, Ghritpuur, Udkirya, Karanja.
Siddha/Tamil Pungu.
Action Used for skin diseases— eczema, scabies, leprosy, and for ulcers, tumours, piles, enlargement of spleen, vaginal and urinary
discharges. Juice of root—used for closing fistulous sores and cleaning foul ulcers. Flowers— used in diabetes. Powder of seeds— used for whooping and irritating coughs of children. Seed oil—used in cutaneous affections, herpes and scabies.
The tree is rich in flavonoids and related compounds. These include simple flavones, furanoflavonoids, chromenoflavones, chromenochalcones, coumarones, flavone glucosides, sterols, triterpenes and a
