Folk Poi.
Action Demulcent, diuretic, laxative (a good substitute for spinach and purslane). Used as a cooling medicine in digestive disorders. Leaf juice is used in balanitis and catarrhal affections. Externally applied in urticaria, burns, scalds. Root—decoction is given to stop bilious vomiting and in intestinal complaints. Used as poultice to reduce local swellings; sap is used in acne.
Used for checking malnutrition in children.
The essential amino acids are arginine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan. The plant contains several vitamins and minerals, is rich in calcium and iron compounds and contains a low percentage of soluble oxalates. The leaves also contain carotenoids, organic acids and water- soluble polysaccharides, bioflavonoids and vitamin K.
Dosage Whole plant—10—20 ml juice. (CCRAS.)
Bassia longifolia Koen.
Synonym Madhuca longifolia (Linn.) Macbride.
Family Sapotaceae.
Habitat South India; common in the monsoon forests of Western Ghats.
English Mowra Butter tree, South Indian Mahua.
Siddha/Tamil Illupei, Elupa, Naatu, Iluppei, Iruppei.
Action Flowers—laxative, bechic (used in coughs, colds and bronchitis), stimulant and nervine
tonic. Seed oil—galactogenic, anticephalalgic, laxative in cases
of habitual constipation and piles;
used externally in rheumatism and
skin affections. Bark, seed oil and
gum—antirheumatic.
The herb contains 17% tannins and is used for bleeding and spongy gums, tonsillitis, ulcers, rheumatism and diabetes mellitus. Roots are applied to ulcers.
Seed kernel gave protobassic acid (a sapogenol) and two major saponins— Mi-saponins A and B. Mi-saponins (bisdesmosides of protobassic acid) exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in rheumatism.
The carollas are a rich source of sugars and contain an appreciable amount of vitamins and calcium (total sugars 72.9%, calcium 140 mg!100 g). Sugars are identified as sucrose, maltose, glucose, fructose, arabinose and rhamnose. Flowers are largely used in the preparation of distilled liquors. They constitute the most important raw material for fermentative production of alcohol.
Bauhinia racemosa Lamk 85
