the tannins). The young leaves and shoots contain 50% tannins (dry basis). The bark contains 12—18% tannins. Heart- wood contains gallic acid, ellagic acid, its derivatives, quercetin and myricetin.
The gum is mainly the calcium salt of a complex, high molecular weight polysaccharic acid (ghattic acid). The gum is a substitute for Gum arabic.
Anthemis nobilis Linn.
Synonym Charnaernel urn no bile (L.) Allioni.
Family Asteraceae.
Habitat The temperate regions of the Himalayas. Wild at several
places.
English Roman Chamomile, Double Chamomile.
Unani Gul-e-Baabuuna.
Siddha/Tamil Shimai chamantipu. Action Mild sedative, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, anti- inflammatory, mild analgesic; used externally for skin disorders, poultice of flowers in sprains and rheumatism.
Key application Used mainly in France for mild spasmodic gastrointestinal disturbances and sluggishness of bowels, also for nervousness. (PDR.) (German Chamomile has been included by German Cornmission E among approved herbs, whereas Roman
Antiaris toxicaria Lesch. 55
chamomile remains unapproved due to lack of clinical evidence.) The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes antispasmodic activity of Anthemis nobilis.
The flower heads contain volatile oil (including azulenes and bisabolol); sesquiterpene lactone (nobilin); flavonoids, cyanogenic glycoside, bitter glu coside (anthemic acid); acetylenic salicylic derivatives, coumarins (including scopolin), valerianic acid; tannins.
Azulenes and bisabolol are anti- inflammatory and antispasmodic, reducing histamine- induced reactions, including hay fever and asthma. Flavonoids, especially anthemidin, are also antispasmodic. Valerianic acid and cyanogenic glycosides are sedative.
Anthocephalus cadamba Miq.
Synonym A. indicus A. Rich.
A. chinensis (Lam.) A. Rich. ex Walp.
Family Rubiaceae.
Habitat Assam, Bengal, southwards to Andhra Pradesh and western
Ghats.
