English Eel-Grass, Tape Grass, Wild Celery.
Ayurvedic Shaivala, Shaivaala.
(Ceratophyllum demersum Linn. is
also equated with Shaivala.) Folk Sevaar.
Action Plant—stomachic, refrigerant, demulcent. Also used in
leucorrhoea and spermatorrhoea.
Extracts of the plant yielded polysaccharides containing D -galactose, D-xylose, L-arabinose, L-rhamnose, uronic acid, acidic xylan and an arabino galactan.
Vanda roxburghii R. Br.
Synonym V tessellata G. Don. Family Orchidaceae.
Habitat From Uttar Pradesh to
West Bengal, extending southwards
to Kerala.
Ayurvedic Raasnaa (used in
Eastern India). Pluchea lanceolata is the accepted source of Raasnaa.
Throughout South India Alpinia galanga is used as Raasnaa.
Folk Baandaa-Raasnaa.
Action Roots—antipyretic, anti- inflammatory, tranquilizer, tonic to
liver, laxative. Used in rheumatism, lumbago, inflammations; diseases of the nervous system; diseases of the abdomen, dyspepsia; bronchitis, chest diseases. Roots form a constituent of medicated oils, used
externally on rheumatic swellings and neurological affections. Root is also used in the treatment of fractures.
Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of the root showed anti-inflammatory activity in rats. Ethanolic extract of the root also showed hepatoprotective activity in albino mice.
The root yielded tetracosyl ferulate and beta-sitosterol D-glucoside. Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of the root showed 54.3, 42.1 and 21.9% anti-inflammatory activity at a dose of 0.5 g!kg in rats. Heptacosane, octacosanol and traces of their higher homologues, a bitter principle, sap onin, beta- sitosterol and tannins were isolated from the plant.
Vanda spathulata Spreng.
Family Orchidaceae.
Habitat Kerala.
Ayu rved ic Svarna-pushpa Bandaa, Baandaa.
