lymphoma ascites tumour. The extract of the fruit and ascorbic acid prevented hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects induced by lead and aluminium. The toxicity could be counteracted to a great extent by the fruit extract than by an amount of ascorbic acid alone equivalent to that contained in fruits. (The fruit can be used as a dietary supplement to counteract prolonged exposure to metals in population in industrial areas.)
The fruits are reported to activate trypsin (proteolytic enzyme) activity.
The fruits can be used as coagulant in the treatment ofwater and can purify low turbidity water.
The fruits can be consumed safely all round the year.
Dosage Fresh fruit—10—20 g; pulp juice—5—10 ml. (API Vol. I.)
Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC.
Family Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat Throughout India,
ascending to 1,350 m in the hills.
Ayurvedic Shash-shruti (non- classical).
Unani Hirankhuri.
Action Plant—sudorific, febrifuge, antiseptic. Used in infantile
tympanitis and bowel complaints. Root—antidiarrhoeal. Leaf—used for otitis media under medical
supervision.
The aerial parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, senkirkine and doronine. Presence of simiaral, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, palmitic and triacontannic acids is also reported.
Enhydra fluctuans Lour.
Family Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat Hifis of Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.
English Marsh Herb, Water Cress.
Ayurvedic Hil-mochikaa.
Folk Harakuch.
Action Leaf—antibilious, laxative, demulcent, antidermatosis. Used in dyspepsia, diseases of the nervous system and cutaneous affections.
The plant is a good source of beta- carotene (3.7—4.2 mg!l00 g fresh basis) which is lost during cooking. Used as a leafy vegetable.
Enicostemma littorale
auct. non-Bl.
