Synonym Hibiscus esculentus Linn.
Family Malvaceae.
Habitat Native to tropical Africa; cultivated throughout India, up to 1,350 m.
English Gumbo, Lady Finger, Okra.
Ayurvedic Bhaandi, Bhindaka, Bhendaa.
Unani Baamiyaa.
Siddha/Tamil Vendai.
Folk Bhindi, Raamturai.
Action Immature pods (decoction)—emollient, demulcent and diuretic (in catarrhal affections, ardor urine, dysuria, dysentery). Seeds—antispasmodic.
Fatty fraction of the fresh watery extract of the seeds causes destruction of cancerous cell growth in vitro. The pods are reported to exhibit antitumour activity An ethanolic extract of pods was effective against Gram- positive bacteria.
The ripe fruits contain quercetin, hyperin (hyperoside), hydrolysate of precipitated mucilage, proanthocyanidins, D -glucose, D -glucuronic and galacturonic acids.
Fresh flowers contain flavonol glycosides and anthocyanins.
Abies pind row Royle.
Synonym A. pindrow Spach.
A. webbiana Lindl. var. pindrow
Brandis.
Pinus pindrow Royle.
Family Pinaceae.
Habitat Kashmir, Himachal
Pradesh, Tehri-Garhwal and other areas of northern India, at altitudes of 2,100—3,600 m.
English Pindrow-Fir, Silver-Fir, The West-Himalayan Low-Level Fir.
Ayurvedic Taalisha (related sp.). Folk Badar, Morinda, Raisalla,
Ransla.
Action Uses similar to those of A. webbiana.
Terpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides and steroids of the leaf were found to have mast cell stabilizing action in rats. Terpenoids and flavonoids offered bronchoprotection against histamine challenge in
