Dracontium polyphyllum Linn.
Family Araceae.
Habitat Maharashtra and Karnataka; cultivated in the South.
Siddha/Tamil Kattu Karunayikkilangu.
Folk Jangali Suuran.
Action Root—antidiarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory (prescribed for haemorrhoids), antispasmodic
Action See Daemonorops draco.
Drosera peltata Sm. 225
(used in asthma), emmenagogue, abortifacient.
Dregea volubilis
(Linn. f.) Benth. ex Hook. f.
Synonym Wattakaka volubilis (Linn. f.) Stapf.
Family Asclepiadaceae.
Habitat Konkan and Maharashtra, also in Bengal and Assam.
Ayurvedic Suparnikaa, Madhumaalati. Muurvaa (substitute).
Nak-chhikkini.
Siddha/Tamil Kodippalai.
Action Root and tender stalks— emetic and expectorant, cause
sneezing, used in colds, sinusitis, and biliousness. Leaves—used as an application to boils and abscesses.
The stems and leaves contain a pigment taraxerol, a triterpenoid, kaempferol, a glucoside of kaempferol and saponins. Seeds contain a number of pregnane glycosides which do not exhibit digitalis-like action. Root contains a glucoside which lowered carotid blood pressure in mice and dogs when administered intravenously.
Drosera peltata Sm.
Synonym D. lunata Buch.-Ham. Family Droseraceae.
Habitat Throughout India, up to 2,438 m.
Ayurvedic Brahma-suvarchalaa (doubtful synonym).
Folk Mukhjali. (Drosera burmannii Vahl is also known as Mukhjali.)
Action Resin from plant—used
in bronchitis and whooping cough.
Plant—antisyphyilitic. Bruised
