Urtica dioica Health Dictionary

Urtica Dioica: From 1 Different Sources


Linn.

Family: Urticaceae.

Habitat: North-western Himalaya from Kashmir to Simla at 2,4003,600 m.

English: Stinging Nettle.

Ayurvedic: Vrishchhiyaa-shaaka (related species).

Unani: Anjuraa.

Folk: Shisuun (Kumaon).

Action: Plant—diuretic, astringent, antihaemorrhagic; eliminates uric acid from the body, detoxifies the blood. Externally, astringent and haemostatic.

Used internally for the treatment of nephritis, haemoptysis and other haemorrhages.

Key application: Above ground parts—as a supportive therapy for rheumatic ailments (internally and externally). Internally, in irrigation therapy for inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract and prevention and treatment of kidney gravel. (German Commission E, ESCOP, The British Herbal Compendium, The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) Root—in symptomatic treatment of micturition disorders (dysuria, pol- lakiuria, nocturia, urine retention) in benign prostatic hyperplasia at stages I and II. (German Commission E, ESCOP, WHO, The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

Clinical experiments have confirmed the utility of the herb as a haemostatic in uterine haemorrhage and bleeding from nose. The herb is also used in sciatica, rheumatism and palsy. The treatment for paralysis comprises slapping the patient with a bundle of twigs. Alcoholic extract of Russian sp. is used in the cholecystitis and habitual constipation.

The root exhibits an antiprolifera- tive effect on prostatic epithelial and stromal cells. It may also lessen the effects of androgenic hormones by competitively blocking acess to human sex hormone binding globulin. (Planta Med, 63, 1997; ibid, 66, 2000. Also, ESCOP monograph; Altern Complem Ther, 1998; Simon Mills; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

In Europe, the juice of the leaves or roots, mixed with honey or sugar, was prescribed forbronchial asthma. In the USA, a freeze-dried preparation of the herb (300 mg gelatin capsules) has been found to improve condition of allergic rhinitis patients. The powdered seeds were considered a cure for goitre. (M. Grieve.)

The urticating properties of the hairs are attributed to the presence of acetyl- choline, histamine and 5-hydroxytryp- tamine (5-HT). A histamine-liberating enzyme is also present.

Acetylcholine is present in the leaves, rootlets, rhizomes and cortex in the ascending order of concentration. Histamine is not present in the underground parts of the plant. Its concentration in the leaves is about four times than that in the stem-cortex. Betaine and choline are present in the leaves.

The leaves gave flavonoids (including rutin), sterols, carotenoids, vitamins (including C, B group, K), minerals, plant phenolic acids. The coumarin scopoletin has been isolated from the flowers and the root.

A polysaccharide fraction obtained from aqueous extract showed anti- inflammatory activity in carrageenan- induced rat paw oedema and lymphocyte transformation test. A lectin was found to stimulate proliferation of human lymphocytes. (Planta Med, 55, 1989.)

The leaf and root is contraindicat- ed in kidney disease and pregnancy. 5-hydroxytryptamine is a uterotropic constituent. (Francis Brinker.)
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Momordica Dioica

Roxb. Ex Willd.

Family: Cucurbitaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, up to 1,500 m in the Himalaya.

English: Small Bitter Gourd, Bur Cucumber.

Ayurvedic: Karkotikaa, Karkotikaa- vandhyaa, Karkotaka, Karkota.

Siddha/Tamil: Tholoo-pavai, Paluppakai, Kaattupaagala.

Folk: Jangali Karelaa, Ban-Karelaa, Bhat-Karelaa, Dhar-Karelaa.

Action: Tuberous root—astringent, febrifuge, antiseptic, anthelmintic, spermicidal. Used in bleeding piles, urinary affections; smeared over body in high fever with delirium (as a sedative). A paste, prepared with the root of male plant, is applied externally for pain in the breast.

The root extract exhibited significant anti-allergic activity comparable with standard drugs used against allergy and bronchial asthma (in experimental animals).... momordica dioica

Pimenta Dioica

(Linn.) Merrill.

Synonym: P. officinalis Lindl.

Family: Myrtaceae.

Habitat: Native to West Indies and tropical America; grown in Indian gardens; in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Bangalore.

English: Allspice tree, Jamaica Pepper tree, Pimento tree.

Action: Berry oil and leaf oil— carminative and stimulant. The oil contains chiefly eugenol (65-80%), responsible for the herb's effect on the digestive system and its pain relief properties; also for anaesthetic effect when crushed berries are applied topically.... pimenta dioica

Tamarix Dioica

Roxb.

Family: Tamaricaceae.

Habitat: Throughout in river beds and near sea-coasts in Tamil Nadu.

Ayurvedic: Maachikaa (related species).

Siddha/Tamil: Nirumari.

Folk: Jhaau. Galls—Maayin.

Action: Twigs and galls—astringent. Tannin content—leaves 8%, twig- bark 10%, galls 50%.

The leaves gave tamarixetin, kaemp- feride, quercetiin and D-mannitol. Aerial parts contain trans-2-hydroxy- methoxycinnamic acid and isorham- netin. Hexane extract gave hentriacon- tan-7-ol.

The flavones (tamaridone and tama- done) have also been isolated from ethanolic extract, along with hexaco- syl-p-coumarate, gardenin, nevaden- sin and apigenin. Gardenin B exhibited antiviral and anti-invasive activity against solid tumours.... tamarix dioica

Trichosanthes Dioica

Roxb.

Family: Cucurbitaceae.

Habitat: Warmer regions of India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.

English: Patol, Pointed Gourd.

Ayurvedic: Patola, Kulaka, Raa- jiphala, Karkashchhada, Karkasha, Bijagarbha.

Unani: Parwal.

Siddha: Kommu Patolia.

Action: Aerial parts—hypogly- caemic. Fruits—juice of unripe fruits used in spermatorrhoea. Leaves—febrifuge; prescribed as a diet in enlargement of liver and spleen; piles and fistula. Root— cathartic, febrifuge.

The fruits contain free amino acids, nicotinic acid, riboflavin, vitamin C, thiamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine. Mature plant and root gave cucurbita-5, 24-dienol. Colocynthin, trichosan- thin, hentriacontane have been isolated from the root.

Fatty acids from the seeds comprise elaeostearic, linoleic, oleic and saturated acids.

The whole fruit and pulp produced significant hypocholesterolaemic, hy- potriglyceridaemic and hyper-phos- pholipidaemic effects in normal and midly diabetic human subjects.

Extracts of seeds exhibit haemagglu- nating activity.

Dosage: Leaf—10-2 ml juice. (CCRAS.)... trichosanthes dioica

Urtica Parviflora

Roxb.

Family: Urticaceae.

Habitat: Temperate Himalayas and the Nilgiris.

Ayurvedic: Vrishchhiyaa-shaaka.

Folk: Shisuun (Kumaon).

Action: Roots—employed for the treatment of fractures and dislocations. Leaves and inflorescences—prescribed as a tonic and as a cleaning agent after parturition.... urtica parviflora

Urtica Pilulifera

Linn.

Habitat: Simla and other hill stations.

English: Roman Nettle.

Ayurvedic: Used as a substitute for Vrishchiyaa-shaaka.

Unani: Anjuraa.

Action: Diuretic, astringent, haemostatic.

The leaves and stems contain an indole alkaloid, bufotenin. 5-hydroxy- tryptamine is located mainly in strings.

Urtica urens Linn. (Dog Nettle, Small Nettle) is found in Dehra Dun and is Udhampur district of J. & K. The inflorescence and leaves contain the flavonoid compounds of kaempfer- ol, isorhamnetin, quercetin, apigenin, diosmetin and luteolin. Presence of chlorogenic acid is also reported.

The fluid extract of roots has been found to be useful in mild cases of prostate enlargement by improving micturia in men over 60 years.... urtica pilulifera



Recent Searches