Terminalia bellerica- The Baher tree, विभीतकी , താന്നിക്ക , தான்றிக்காய்.

Terminalia belerica- Vibheetaki

It is one of the ingredients of the famous triphala or the three myrobalans(may refer to several unrelated fruit bearing plant species) . It is very easily available throughout India.
Based upon its clinical usage , it has been classified under the group of "kasa hara " oushadhas or cough relievers.

Family : Combretaceae (Trees, shrubs or lianas. Indumentum of simple hairs often present. Leaves, exstipulate, simple, entire, spirally arranged or alternate. Domatia and glands often present. Flowers bisexual or male, 4-5 merous, actinomorphic, in axillary spikes or racemes, epigynous. Bracteoles present or absent. Hypanthium usually in 2 distinct parts, the lower surrounding and adnate to the inferior ovary with the upper part projecting to form a short or long tube terminating in the 4-5 (-8) calyx lobes. Petals 0, 4-5. Stamens usually twice as many as petals (when the latter are present) , inserted inside calyx, in 2 series. Ovary unilocular, usually with 2-6 pendulous ovules. Fruit a drupaceous or dry pseudocarp, indehiscent, often winged or ridged, 1-seeded. A family of 20 genera and 500 species , wide spread in tropical and sub tropical regions of the world. )

Scientific name : Terminalia bellerica Roxb.

Nomenclature in other languages :
Sanskrit : vibheetaki, vibheetaka, anilanghnaka, aksham, kalidruma, bhootavasa
Hindi : baheda, bahera
Bengali : bohera
Tamil : tanti
Telugu : tani, tandi
English : Belleric myrobalan, Bahera tree

Distribution : Except in the desert areas of India, the tree grows in the wilderness of areas 900m above sea level.

According to Dymock, warden, Hooper : Pharmacographia indica 1890 :
" this tree, in sanskrit vibhita and vibhitaka (fearless), is avoided by the hindus of northern india, who will not sit in its shade, as it is supposed to be inhabited by demons. Two varieties of T.bellerica are found in India, one with nearly globular fruit, 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter, the other with ovate and much larger fruit. The pulp of the fruit is considered by hindu physicians to be astringent and laxative, and is prescribed with salt and long pepper in affections of the throat and chest. As a constituent of the triphala ie., embelic, beleric and chebulic myrobalans, it is employed in a great number of diseases , and the kernel is used sometimes as an external application to inflamed parts. On account of its medicinal properties the tree bears the sanskrit synonym of anila-ghnaka or wind killing. According to the nighantus the kernels are narcotic. "

Description :
It is a big tree that grows to a height of 20-30m. The trunk of this tree grows branchless for a long distance before branching out. Upon branching , it branches out profusely and the foilage is very wide and dense. It sheds off leaves in winter as well as summer. Leaves are big, oval to round shaped, opposite or sub-opposite ; 10-18cm long and 5-7cm broad. The inflorescence is from the axilla of the leaf. Flowers are small, light yellow coloured and has a pungent smell. In the inflorescence the upper part consists of male flowers while the lower part consists of bi sexual flowers. The sepals are tube shaped. It has no petals , but 5 separated parts covering the stamens and stigma. The stamens are 10 in a two circle of 5 each. The ovary is egg shaped. Fruits 2-3 cm diameter, 2-5cm long drupe. The unripe fruits are fleshy and covered by gery hairs, contains only one seed per fruit.

Chemical composition :
The fruit contains gallo tannic acid, colouring substances, resin, glucose, fructose etc.
The fruit contains beta - sitosterol, gallic and ellagic acids, ethyl gallate, galloyl glucose, chebulagic acid and a cardiac glycoside, bellaricanin.
The fruits produce hepato-protective effect in CCl4 induced liver injury in mice. Alcoholic extract of the fruit exerted a negative chrono and inotropic and hypotnesive effect of varying magnitude in a dose dependant fashion on isolated rat and frog atria and rabbit heart.
The fruit contains all contains all components of chebulic myrobalans except corilagin and chebulic acid.
The fleshy pulp contains 21.4% tannin, both condensed and hydrolisable types.
The flower showed spermicidal activity.

Dosage : Fruit- 3-6gm powder (API, Vol I )

Action : Fruit- purgative when half ripe, astringent when ripe; antipyretic; used in prescriptions for diarhhoea, dyspepsia, biliousness; cough, bronchitis and upper RTI; tropical pulmonary eosinophilia and allergic eruptions.
The API recommends the drug in powder form in emesis and worm infestation, in addition to other therapeutic applications.
Cures kapha, pitta and vata diseases. Also eye diseases, cough, constipation. Used for excessive thirst, vomitting. Oil is beneficial for nutrition and colour of hair.

Useful parts : Fruit

Ayurvedic properties :
Rasa : kashaya, tikta
Guna: rooksha, laghu
Virya: sheeta
Vipaka: madhura

Therapeutic usages :
-for cough outer covering of fruit powdered and taken 3-6gms mixed with honey or warm water taken thrice daily is beneficial
-for tonsilitis, cough a mixture of powder of vibhitaki, pippali and rock salt taken in butter milk is beneficial
-the kernel of bellerica 1gm powdered mixed with ghee is effective in premature ejaculation
-the triphala powder of which bellerica is an ingredient is used in eye diseases, anemia, constipation, cough, fever in a dosage of 3-6gm

विभीतकस्य नामानि गुणाश्च 
विभीतक स्त्रीलिङ्ग स्यदक्ष कर्ष फलस्तथ
कलिद्रुमो भूतवासस्तथ कलियुगालय
विभीतकं स्वदुपाकम् कषायं कफ़पित्तनुत्त
उष्नवीर्यं हिमस्पर्शं भेदनं कासनाशनं
रूक्षंनेत्रहितं केश्यं क्रुमिवैस्वर्यनाशनम्
विभीतमज्ज त्रुत्चर्द्दि कफ़वातहरीलघु
कशायोमदकृचाथ धात्री मज्जानि तद गुण 

   
  

   

  

Cissus quadrangularis-Bone setter, the bone suppliment, anti-obesity drug, अस्थि संहार , ചങ്ങലംപരണ്ട, பிரண்டை .

Vitis quadrangularis-Asthisamhara

Due to its property of uniting the broken bones it is called asthi samhara in sanskrit. Based upon its usage it is classified to the group “asthi sandhana”.

Family : Vitaceae

Scientific name : Vitis quadrangularis, Cissus quadrangularis

Nomenclature in other languages :

Sanskrit : Vajravalli, asthisamhara, granthimaan, asthisrungkhala, kulishsha

Hindi : harshankar, harjora

Bengali : hasjora

Tamil : piradal

Telugu : nulenda, nullendatigeh

English : Bone setter

Distribution : Seen mainly in the tropical areas. Seen in mainly tropical deciduous forests.

Botanical description :

Is a fleshy creeper that is filled with liquid in the stems. In a stem that has four corners like a cube within a space of 15cm there are joints connecting one part of stem with the other one like in a sugarcane. From the above said joints on one side there is tendrils arising and on the other side there are leaves. The leaves are somewhat heart shaped. The flowers grow around opposite to where the leaves are positioned. Flowers are very small. The sepals are like a cup and are large enough to cover the small flowers entirely. The flowers have four petals which are triangular shaped. The stamens are four. The fruit is a berry with one seed. It becomes reddish upon ripening.

Chemical composition :

This plant contains calcium oxalate, carotene, ascorbic acid, protein, cholestrol, carbohydrate, pectin and vitamin C. The ashes of this plant contains calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate, magnesium.

The plant contains steroid, ketosteroids, sitosterol, alphaamyrin, alpha-ampyrone, and tetra cyclic triterpenoids. Phytogenic steroids showed bone healing properties. Coloside A possesses smooth muscle relaxant effect. The total alcoholic extract of the plant neutralizes the anti-anabolic effect of the cortisone in healing of fractures. The aqueous extract of the plant hastens fracture-healing by reducing the total convalescent peroid by 33% in experimental rats and dogs ; it aids in recovery of the strength of the bones upto 90% in 6 weeks.

Dose : Stem -10 – 20 ml juice. (API Vol. III)

Action : The anabolic and steroidal principles of the ariel part showed a marked influence in the rate of fracture healing. The drug exerts influence both on the organic and mineral phase of fracture healing. Stem-alternative in scurvy ( the plant is rich in vitamin C) and irregular menstruation.

Experimental studies :

One preliminary clinical study of found a benefit in reduction and an improvement in the symptoms associated with metabolic syndrome in obese patients when given c.quadrangularis (CQ) supplements.Another study found a potential synergistic effect between CQ and Irvingia gabonensis. A weight loss supplement containing CQ and other ingredients including green tea, soy, selenium, chromium, and B vitamins was evaluated in an 8 week trial. The supplement helped reduce body weight by 4-8% (placebo 2.4%) a clinically significant weight loss.

A paper published in the World journal of gastroentrology in October 2010, on conflicts of interest in alternative weight loss product research, noted that at least three studies supported the safety and effectiveness of CQ for weight loss, but “lack financial disclosures or funding sources, beyond mentioning that the CQ being tested was provided bygeneral health alliances, an herbal product manufacturer. The studies did not disclose that one of its authors was a chief scientific officer for gha that holds a patent on a CQ product.

CQ has been studied for its effects in a rat model for osteoporosis.

CQ has been studied in animal models of bone fracture.

Its bactericidal effects on Helicobacter pylori indicate a potential use for treating gastric ulcers in conjunction with NSAID therapy.

Ayurvedic pharmacoepia :

Rasa : madhura

Guna : Rooksha, laghu

Virya : ushna

Vipaka : madhura

Medicinal uses in Ayurveda :

VAJRAVALLI SARA ROOKSHA KRUMI DUR NAAMA NAASHINI

DEEPATYUSHNA VIPAAKE CHA SYAT DWEEVRUSHYA BALA PRADA

ASTHI SANDHAANA JANANI VAATA SLESHMA HARA GURU (KAIYYADEVA NIGHANTU)

It allieviates kapha, vata. It has a property of uniting broken bones so it is called sandhaneeya. It is deepana as well as pachana. It regulates menstruation.

Useful parts : leaves and stems.

Some therapeutical usages :

-for irregular menstruation ½ an ounce of stem juice (crushed) and an equal amount of honey taken thrice daily is beneficial

-for excessive menstrual bleeding mixing stem juice of CQ with chandana, ghee, honey ( ghee and honey must not be taken in equal quantities)

-for fractures and muscular contusions the paste of stem when bandaged is very beneficial, also oil prepared out of sesame oil and juice & paste of CQ is beneficial for abhyanga or external oil application over affected parts

-the tender leaves of CQ when dried in sun and powdered, taken 3-6gm daily twice cures dyspepsia, anorexia, indigestion

-for ear aches and suppurative diseases (CSOM) of the ears, the juice of stem when poured into the ears is beneficial

-for osteoarthritis, poly arthralgia and other degenerative bone disorders making vada by mixing with stem juice helps in reducing the symptoms

-it is used in piles and rheumatoid arthritis

  

  

  

  

Centella asiatica- Indian pennywort, the anti-aeging, IQ promoter drug, കുടങ്ങള്‍, வல்லாரை , मण्डूक पर्णी , ब्राह्मी भूति .

Centella asiatica-Mandookaparni

It is one of the major rasayana oushadhas in ayurveda. It manily helps in strenghtening the nerves in the brain.

Family : Aapiaceae

Scientific name : Centella asiatics Urb. , Hydrocotyle asiatica Lin.

In Malaya and Ceylon Hydrcotyle javanica is considered to be Mandookaparni while in North India Bacopa moneri belonging to the family Scrofulareaceae is used in medicinal preparations where ever mandookaparni is there. There is also a black variety of mandookaparni which is grown in wild.

Nomenclature in India :

Sanskrit : Mandookaparnika, Mandooki, Brahmi, Saraswathi.

Hindi : Brahmamandooki, Khulakudi.

Gujarathi : Brahmi.

Bengali : Thulakusi.

Telugu : Babbasa.

English : Indian pennywort.

Names :

In South Asia, other common names of centella include సరస్వతి ఆకు (sarswathi aku) in Telugu; കുടവൻ (kudavan), മുത്തിൾ (muththil), or കുടങ്ങൽ (kudangal) in Malayalam; থানকুনি (thankuni) in Bengali; ගොටුකොල (gotu kola) in Sinhala; मधुकपर्णी (mandukaparni) in Sanskrit; ब्राम्ही / ब्राह्मी (brahmi) in Marathi: ಒಂದೆಲಗ (ondelaga) in Kannada; வல்லாரை (vallaarai) in Tamil; brahmi booti in Hindi; perook inManipuri; মানিমুনি (manimuni) in Assamese; timare in Tulu; tangkuanteh in Paite; ब्रह्मबुटि (brahmabuti) or घोड टाप्रे (ghod-tapre) in Nepali; and खोलचा घायँ (kholcha ghyan) in Newari (Nepal Bhasa).

In India, particularly, it is popularly known by a variety of names: bemgsag, brahma manduki, brahmanduki, brahmi, ondelaga or ekpanni (south India, west India), sarswathi aku(Andhra Pradesh), gotu kola, khulakhudi, mandukparni, mandookaparni, or thankuni (Bengal), depending on region. Bacopa monnieri is the more widely known Brahmi; both have some common therapeutic properties in Vedic texts and are used for improving memory. C. asiatica is called brahmi particularly in north India,^[9][10] although that may be a case of mistaken identity introduced during the 16th century, when brahmi was confused with mandukaparni, a name for C. asiatica.^[11] [12] Probably the earliest study of mandookaparnias medya rasayana (improving the mental ability) was carried out at the Dr. A. Lakshmipathy Research Centre (now under CCRAS).^[13]

In Southeast Asia, it is known as ស្លឹកត្រចៀកក្រាញ់ (sleuk tracheakkranh) in Khmer; မြင်းခွာပင် (mying khwar ) in Burmese; ใบบัวบก (bai bua bok) in Thai; rau má ("mother vegetable") in Vietnamese; pegagan or antanan in Indonesian; takip-kohol (literally "snail lid")^[14] or yahong yahong ("little bowl") in Filipino; and pegagan or pegaga in Malay.

In East Asia, it is known as 雷公根 (lei gong gen; literally "thunder god's root") or 崩大碗 ("chipped big bowl") in Chinese; and 병풀 (byeong-pul, literally "bottle/jar plant") in Korean.

Distribution : Seen all throughout India in marshy and shady places. Seen by sides of streams and canals.

Botanical description :

It is a slender, herbaceous, creeper. Stems are long, prostate, filiform, often reddish and with long internodes, rooting at nodes. Leaves are long petioled, 1.3 to 6.3 cm in diameter, several from rootstick and 1 to 3 cm from each node of stem. They are orbicular, reniform, rather broader than long, glabrous on both sides and with numerous slender nerves from a deeply cordate base. Fruit 8mm long, ovoid, hard with a thick pericarp.

Phytochemistry :

The glycosides, brahmosides and brahminosides have been isolated with their genin brahmic acid. Presence of isobrahmic acid, and betulic acid have also been shown. The Madagascar variety contains different glycoside known as asiaticoside. Asiaticoside is not found in the Sri Lankan variety but a related compound, centelloside, and triterpenic acids, centoic acid and centallic acids have been reported. It has been shown that, the more common one containing asiaticoside and madecassoside and the less common one showing the additional presence of arabinosine in the saponins thus forming brahmoside and brahminoside. The sapogenins and the flavonoids components were the same in both varieties.

Ayurvedic pharmacology :

Guna : laghu

Rasa : tikta, kashaya

Veerya : sheeta

Vipaka : katu

Dosha : kapha pitta hara

Karma : vayasthapana, medhya, kanthya, varnya, rochana, hridya.

Pharmacology :

Alcoholic extract prolonged the hypnotic effect of sodium phenobarbitone in mice and rats. It reduced the amphetamine toxicity by 20 to 30 % in mice. No protection was seen against convulsions produced either by metrazol in miceor by electric shock seizures in rats. Significant fall in rectal temperaure of rats which was maximum at two hours, was shown with a dose of 100 mg/kg..A mixture of brahmoside and brahminoside glycosides from the plant increased the hexobarbitone induced sleeping time, antagonizing the amphetamine induced agitation in mice. The Centella glycosides when injected into anasthetized rats significantly lowered the blood pressure. Both the alcoholic extract and the glycosides extract decreased the acetylcholine and histamine content of the whole brain homogenate of albino rats. In hibition of the increase in acetylcholine in the brain in stressed rats was observed. However, catecholamines were increased.

Clinical usage :

The whole plant and the juice of the leaves is traditionally used in various mental disorders. It is regarded as one of the best  drugs. Six week treatment in patinets of anxiety neurosis reduced anxiety levels and showed improvement in the mental fatigue rate and immediate memory span. Significant improvement in both general ability and behavioural pattern was obtained with the powder of the plant in a dose of 05 g/day in 30 mentally retarded children within 12 weeks. In a double blind study of 57 children with an intelligence quotient score ranging from 90 to 110, significant improvement was observed in the intelligence quotient in children treated with a dose of 0.5 g/day of the powder for one year. In a double blind study of the plant in mentally retarded children, Appa rao et al observed a significant increase in the general mental ability , overall general adjustment and mental concentration at the end of six months.

Indications

1.Anxiety neurosis

2.Minor memory disturbances

3.As a psychotropic agent

According to ayurveda :

It is kapha pitta nasana. It enhances intellect and memory power. It is diuretic. It enhances the contractility of heart muscles. It nourishes all the seven dhatus or tissues and is anti-aging. The chemical called brahmoside is a sleep inducing drug. So this drug is useful in insanity, seizures and mental retardation. It is also beneficial for skin diseases.

Useful parts : whole plant.

Therapeutical uses :

-for small children , inorder that their intellect and memory develops, one ounce of juice of this plant mixed with butter given in the morning and evening is beneficial

-for seizures, insanity and insomnia the drug cures it

-the kalka and rasa of this drug made into a ghee taken 10gm regularly twice daily cures debility, intellectual problems, cures aeging

-for skin diseases and ulcers the juice of this palnt or oil prepared out of this palnt cures it

-this plant is also effective in elephentiasis, syphilis, cough, asthma, heart problems, diabetes etc..