Trifolium pratense Linn.
Family Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.
Habitat Kashmir to Garhwal at 1,200—2,400 m, and the Nilgiris.
English Red Clover.
Unani Ispast, Berseem, Clover (equated with T alexandricum
Linn.)
Folk Trepatra (Punjab).
Action Flower—deobstruent, antispasmodic, expectorant, sedative, anti- inflammatory, antidermatosis.
Used for psoriasis, eczema and other skin diseases; and as an expectorant in coughs and bronchitis. Also used as antineoplastic against tumours and hard swellings.
The plant contains iso-flavonoids— calycosin -7- galactoside, calycosin,
pseudobaptigenin, fornononetin, di T adzein and medicagol; also hydroxy
pterocarpans.
The flowerheads contain pheno li glycosides, flavonoids, salicylates,
coumarins, cyanogenic glycosides,
starch and fatty acids. Flavonoids
in the flowers and leaves are oestro genic provide relief in menopausal
complaints.
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia
recognizes anti-inflammatory proper t of the flower.
Trfolium alexandricum, according
to National Form ulary of Unani Medi cine
is used as Ispast. The seeds contain xanthosin.
Trigonella corniculata Linn.
Family Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.
Habitat Kashmir to Sikkim, and in Bihar and West Bengal. Cultivated in North India.
Unani Pirang.
Folk Kasuri Methi, Maarwaari Methi, Champaa Methi.
Action Leaves—rich in phosphorus. Fruits—bitter, astringent and
styptic. Applied to swellings and
bruises.
The seeds afforded ethyl-alpha-Dgalactopyranoside, glycoflavones—vitexin (apigenin-C-glucoside),
