Siddha/Tamil Shembudu.
Folk Khar-Duudhi (Bengal).
Action Plant—emollient, bechic, febrifuge, purgative, abortifacient. Root—prescribed in internal haemorrhages.
716 Wedelia biflora DC.
The plant yields pelargonidin and cyanidin glycoside and apigeninidin. Anthocyanins were also detected. The alkaloid, adouetin-7 sulfamate, induced hypothermia and sedation at low levels and hyperexcitabiity at high levels.
A decoction of roots possesses antisyphlitic property.
Wedelia biflora DC.
Family Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat Near sea-coasts and the Andamans.
Ayurvedic Bhringaraaja (yellowflowered var).
Action Leaves—used as poultice on ulcers, sores, varicose veins; paste applied to fungal infections. Leaf decction—vulnerary and
antiscabious. The juice of leaf is also given internally with cow’s milk as a tonic after child birth.
The dried leaves contain veratrylidene hydrazide and quercetin derivatives. The stem contains stigmasterol and grandifloric acid. The leaves and stem showed antifungal activity.
Wedelia calendulaceae
Less. non-Rich.
Synonym W chinensis Merrill. Family Compositae; Asteraceae.
Habitat Bengal, Assam, Konkan, and Tamil Nadu.
Ayurvedic Bhringaraaja (yellowflowered var.), Pitabhringi, Pitabhringa-raaja, Avanti, Kesharaaj a, Kesharaaga.
Siddha/Tamil Manjal karisaalai, Potralai kaiyan tagarai, Patalai Kaiantakerai.
Action Leaves—bechic; used in alopecia, juice used for dyeing hair and for promoting hair growth. Plant—deobstruent; used in menorrhagia and abdominal swellings, as a tonic for hepatic and splenic enlargement.
See Eclipta alba.
The expressed juice of the herb contained an oil-soluble black dye 11.2; tannin 220; saponin 500 (contradictory reports) and phytosterol 3.75 mg!100 g among other constituents. The leaves contain isoflavonoids.
