Morphological information

 A perennial erect herb with stout rootstock. Leaves alternate, radical 2.5-12.5 cm long of variable width, ovate or ovate-oblong, obtuse or sub acute, entire or toothed, nearly glabrous, base taperingand decurrent into the petiole 3.7 nerved; petioles usually longer than the leaf- blade, broad, sheathing at the base. Flowers scattered or crowded in long slender rather lax spikes 5-15 cm long; bracts 1.5- 2 mm long, shorter than the calyx, broadly ovate-oblong obtuse, with scarious margins. Calyx 3mm long, glabrous, sepals oblong, obtuse or sub acute, obtusely keeled on the back and with broad scarious margins. Corolla 4 mm long glabrous; lobes lanceolate acute, reflexed. Capsules ovoid 3-4 mm long, glabrous, dehiscing circumscissilely a little above the base, the top coming off as a conical lid tipped with the remains of the style. Seeds 4-8, angled, regulose, dull black 0.85 mm long.

Flowering                       : April-July

Fruiting                          : June-October

History                           :

Parts                               : Seeds, leaves and root.

Status                            : Low risk.

Phytochemistry

Baicalein, baicalin, scutellarein, luteolin, chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids isolated; apigenin, luteolin- 7- O- β- glucoside and luteolin- 7-O- β- D- glucuronide isolated from leaves; acuboside present in leaves and seeds.

 

Medicinal

In homeopathy, it is used in disorders of the epidermis and in headache earache and toothache. The leaves are considered cooling alternative, febrifuge, diuretic, astringent and vulnerary. The roots are considered astringent and febrifuge and their decoction is used for coughs. The seeds are considered demulscent, stimulant, diuretic and tonic and are used as a remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea. Contains mucilaginous matter mainly in the seed coat and used as an adulterant of Isabgol.

Unani
The plant is used in rheumatism and griping pain of the bowels. The leaves and roots are astringent and is used in fevers. The seeds are used in dysentery.

Traditional

The root paste is normally applied on the wound in burns and also in inflammations of tissues. An infusion of the leaves is useful in diarrhoea and piles

 

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