Cajanus cajan Health Dictionary

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Cajanus Cajan: From 1 Different Sources

(Linn.) Millsp.

Synonym: C. indicus Spreng.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated as pulse crop, chiefly in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

English: Pigeon Pea, Red Gram.

Ayurvedic: Aadhaki, Tuvari, Tuvara, Shanapushpikaa.

Unani: Arhar.

Siddha/Tamil: Thuvarai.

Action: Green leaves are considered hypocholesterolaemic. Pulse shows cholesterol and phospholipid lowering effect (reported to cause flatulence). A paste of leaves with salt and water, is taken on an empty stomach for jaundice. Leaves are used in diseases of the mouth, and topically for treating measles and other eruptions.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia indicated the use of the seed in lipid disorders and obesity; externally for promoting breast development, and attributed blood purifying properties to the root.

Amino acid analysis of the seed extract showed that phenylalanine (26.3% of the total amino acids) is responsible for about 70% of the anti- sickling potency of the seed extract.

Seeds also contain riboflavin and pyridoxine. Root bark contains isofla- vones, sterols, triterpenoids, flavones, anthraquinone derivatives. Plant also contains an isoflavone, cajanol.

The aqueous extract of leaves showed vasodilatory effect in experimental animals.

Unroasted nuts had hypoglycaemic effect in mice; roasted seeds, in contrast, had a hyperglycaemic effect. (Sharon M. Herr.)

Dosage: Root—2-6 g powder. (API Vol. III.)
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Dolichos Biflorus

Linn.

Synonym: Vigna unquiculata (L.) Walp.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: A pulse crop, particularly in Madras, Mysore, Mumbai and Hyderabad.

English: Horsegram.

Ayurvedic: Kulattha, Kulittha, Khalva, Vardhipatraka.

Unani: Kulthi.

Siddha/Tamil: Kollu, Kaanam.

Action: Plant—used in measles, smallpox, adenitis, burns, sores. Seeds—astringent, antipyretic, diuretic. Decoction or soup is used in affections of the liver and spleen, intestinal colic, in leucorrhoea and menstrual dissorders, urinary discharges. A valuable protein supplement.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the decoction of dry seeds in calculus and amenorrhoea.

The seeds contain crude protein 20.8, pentosan 10.8 and water-soluble gum 2.8%. The presence of antinu- tritional components such as haemag- glutinin and a protease inhibitor has been reported. The inhibitor activity decreased during germination.

The mean protein value of the seeds is 25.47% which is more or less equivalent to soybean, winged bean and gram. Nutritionally, the horsegram seeds are richer in lysine content when compared to Cajanus cajan (Arhar) pulse and gram pulse.

Presence of vitamin A in the green pods makes them a valuable diet for children; green leaves may be used in vitamin C deficiency syndrome, due to the presence of ascorbic acid and calcium. The seeds contain several common phytosterols.

Strepogenin—several times higher than in casein.

A decoction of seeds (soaked or boiled in water) is prescribed as diuretic and antilithiatic and has been clinically established.

Diuretic activity of a dipeptide (py- roglutamylglutamine) has been found to be 2-3 times that of acetazolamide in albino rats.

Globulin fraction of the seeds showed hypolipidaemic effects in rats.

A lectin-like glycoprotein from stems and leaves possesses carbohydrate- binding activity.

Dosage: Seed—6 g powder; decoction 50-100 ml. (CCRAS.)... dolichos biflorus

Guandúl

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan).

Plant Part Used: Leaf, root, seed (bean).

Dominican Medicinal Uses: Seeds: cooked as a legume for nutrition. Leaf: poultice, applied externally for arthritis and joint pain. Root: strong decoction, to induce abortion.

Safety: Seeds widely consumed and generally considered safe; plant extracts have shown toxic effects in animal studies; more information needed to determine safety of plant in humans.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: In vitro: antibacterial, antimicrobial, antigonorrheal (leaf extracts); antimalarial (root constituents); antisickling (seed extract).

* See entry for Guandúl in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... guandúl

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