Action Tuber—drastic hydragogue cathartic, acts briskly, causes watery evacuations. Overdoses produce hypercatharsis. Contraindicated in inflammatory conditions of the bowels. (The roots of Operculina turpethum synonym Ipomoea turpethum are used as a substitute for jalap.’)
Fagonia cretica Linn.
The fruits are rich in ascorbic acid.
Synonym F arabica Linn. (Correct name for Indian sp. is Fagonia schwefurthii Hadidi. F bruguieri DC. is not a synonym ofF cretica, according to CDRI.)
Family Zygophyllaceae.
Habitat Western India, upper Gangetic plains and Peninsular India.
Ayurvedic Dhanvayaasa, Dhanvayavaasa, Dhanvayaasaka, Duraalabhaa, Samudraantaa. Gaandhaari, Kachhuraa, Anantaa, Duhsparshaa. (Aihagi pseudaihagi is used as a substitute for F cretica.)
Unani Dhamaasaa.
Action Astringent, antiseptic, blood-purifier and febrifuge. Applied to abscesses, scrofulous glands and wounds; also given as a prophylactic against smallpox. Bark—used for dermatosis Extract of aerial parts—antiviral, antiamphetaminic, spasmogenic. Plant ash—given to children suffering from anaemia.
The aerial parts contain several tnterpenoid saponins which gave sap ogenin, nahagenin, oleanolic acid. Aerial parts also gave diterpenes, fagonone and its derivatives, besides flavonoids.
The flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol, isolated from the leaves and flowers, showed antimicrobial activity.
Dosage Whole plant—50—100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)
Fagopyrum esculentum
Moench.
Family Polygonaceae.
Habitat Native to Central Asia;
now grown as minor grain-crop in hilly regions of North India and the Nilgiris.
English Buckwheat.
Ayurvedic Kotu.
Folk Kutu, Phaapar.
Action Used for treating fragile capillaries, chilbains and for
strengthening varicose veins. Used at a supporting herb for treating high blood pressure. Rutin is obtained from fresh or dried leaves and
flowers. (Rutin is used in a variety of haemorrhagic conditions.)
