Morphological information

An annual erect herb, hispidly hairy. Leaves opposite or the upper alternate, ovate, crenate; sparsely pilose on both surfaces. Heads in corymbs, involucral bracts eximbricate 2-serriate; outer bracts, oblong  lanceolate; 2-ribbed; inner bracts lanceolate with scarious margins, corolla white or blue, hairy along the angles; pappus scales 5, lanceolate.

Flowering       : May-December

Fruiting           : May-December

History           :

Parts               : Whole plants, leaves and root.

Status             : Low risk

 

Phytochemistry

Volatile oil found to contain ageratochromene, caryophyllene „ -cadinene and 6 demethoxyageratochromene (Perfume Essent oil. Rec 1969, 60, 303; Chem. Abstr.1970, 72, 51815p; Flavour Ind, 1973, 4, 77; Chem. Abstr. 1973, 79, 96835f; sci.1976,193,542); demethoxyagertochromene (60 66), , -caryophyllene (14.52), d-K-pinene (6.62), ocimene (5.3), d-cadinene (4.25), eugenol (4.42) and methyleugenol (1.82%) detected in essential oil by TLC (Riechst, Aronen, Koerperflegem 1973, 23, 209; Chem. Abstr. 1973, 79, 96837h); 7-methoxy-2, 2-dimethylchromene (6-demethoxyageratochromene) and ageratochromene dimer (6, 6' 7, 7’ -tetramethoxy-2, 2, 2’ 2'-tetramethyl-3' (4’-dehydro-3’, 45-bichroman) from essential oil* (Indian J. Chem 1973, 11, 91); saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-C27-32), stigmasterol and K-spinasterol isolated (Tai-wan K’o Hseuch 1976, 30, 701; chem Abstr. 1977, 86, 52655n); stigmast-7-en-ol, quercitin, Kaempferol, fumaric and caffeic acids identified in leaves (Indian J.Pharm.1977, 39, 108); structure of a new chromene-conyzorigun (Chem.Commun 1978, 152); quercitin, Kaempferol-3 rhamnoglucoside, Kaempferol-3,7, digllucoside and unidentified quercitin derivative isolated (Acta Pol.Pharm.1978, 35, 241; Chem Abstr. 1978, 89, 176387h).

 

Agrocultivation

The plant is easily propagated from seeds in the open and thrives on any garden soil.

 

Medicinal

A decoction or infusion of the herb is given in stomach ailments such as diarrhoea, dysentery and intestinal colic with flatulence and also in rheumatism and fever. Boiled with oil, is applied in rheumatism. The leaves are used along with salt to prevent tetanus. They are also used for fermentation in leprosy and other cutaneous diseases.The juice of the leaves and roots are used as an eye lotion. The root juice is antidysentric and antilithic. The plant is used to cure cuts, wounds, sores and stone formation.

 

Traditional

The powdered root of 10 -15 gm is prepared in solution and 100  150 gm taken early morning after breakfast in case of blood dysentery.

 

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