Gracilaria lichenoides Health Dictionary

(Linn.) Hary.

Habitat: Native to South America, particularly its north-western parts. Also cultivated in India.

English: Egyptian Cotton, Sea- Island Cotton.

Ayurvedic: Kaarpaasa.

Siddha/Tamil: Semparutthi.

Folk: Kapaasa.

Action: Root—emmenagogue, oxytocic, abortifacient, parturient, lactagogue. Seed and leaf— antidysenteric. Seed—galacto- gogue, pectoral, febrifuge. Seed oil—used externally for clearing spots and freckles from the skin. Leaf—hypotensive, an- tirheumatic. Flower—used in hypochondriasis and bronchial inflammations.

The seed contains 26.2-27.9% protein; 1.22-2.42 free gossypol.

(Linn.) Harv.

Family: Rhodophyceae.

Habitat: The coasts of Indian Ocean and Chilka Lake.

English: Moss.

Folk: Chinai-ghaas. Known as Ceylon Agar-Agar or Agal-Agal.

Action: Emollient, diuretic, alterative. Aqueous extract— antihypotensive and spasmolytic.

Aqueous extract contains prosta- glandins.