Urtica parviflora Roxb.
Family Urticaceae.
Habitat Temperate Himalayas and the Nilgiris.
Ayurvedic Vrishchhiyaa-shaaka. Folk Shisuun (Kumaon). Action Roots—employed for
the treatment of fractures and dislocations. Leaves and inflorescences—prescribed as a tonic and as a cleaning agent after parturition.
Urtica pilulifera Linn.
Family Urticaceae.
688 Usnea longissima Ach.
Habitat Simla and other hill stations.
English Roman Nettle.
Ayurvedic Used as a substitute for Vrishchiyaa-shaaka.
Unani Anjuraa.
Action Diuretic, astringent, haemostatic.
The leaves and stems contain an in- dole alkaloid, bufotenin. 5-hydroxy- tryptamine is located mainly in strings.
Urtica urens Linn. (Dog Nettle, Small Nettle) is found in Dehra Dun and is Udhampur district of J. & K. The inflorescence and leaves contain the flavonoid compounds of kaempferol, isorhamnetin, quercetin, apigenin, diosmetin and luteolin. Presence of chiorogenic acid is also reported.
The fluid extract of roots has been found to be useful in mild cases of prostate enlargement by improving micturia in men over 60 years.
Usnea longissima Ach.
Family Usneaceae.
Habitat Common in temperate and alpine Himalayas, as a moss on trees.
English Lichen.
Unani Ushnaa.
Action Moss—used as an expectorant and in the treatment of ulcers.
Key application German Commission E approves Usnea (dried thallus of U. barbata, Uflorida, U hirta and
U plicata) for mild inflammations
of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa.
Usnea preparations are used clinically by North American herbalists for antibacterial action against
