(Chinese) Happy and shiny as a pearl
Habitat: Common in plains as a hedge plant.
English: Ceylon Caper.Ayurvedic: Ahimsra (Himsraa and Ahimsra are synonyms). Vyaaghranakhi.Siddha/Tamil: Aathondai.Folk: Kareruaa.Action: Root bark—sedative, stomachic, anticholerin, diuretic febrifuge. Leaves—applied as poultice to piles, swellings, boils.
The plant contains a saponin and p- hydroxybenzoic, syringic, vanillic, fer- ulic and p-coumaric acids. The leaves contain beta-carotene. The leaves and seeds contain glucocapparin, alpha- amyrin, n-triacontane and a fixed oil.Aerial parts exhibited spasmolytic activity.... capparis zeylanicaHabitat: Western Ghats at low levels. Plantations of cinnamon are confined to Kerala State.
English: Cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon.Ayurvedic: Tvak, Daaruchini, Chochaa, Choncha, Varaanga, Utkata, Daarusitaa (bark).Unani: Daarchini (bark).Siddha/Tamil: Elavangappattai.Folk: Daalchini.Action: Bark—carminative, astringent, antispasmodic, expectorant, haemostatic, antiseptic. Leaf— antidiabetic. Ground cinnamon is used in diarrhoea and dysentery; for cramps of the stomach, gastric irritation; for checking nausea and vomiting; used externally in toothache, neuralgia and rheumatism. The bark is included in medicinal preparations for indigestion, flatulence, flu, mothwashes, gargles, herbal teas.
Key application: As antibacterial and fungistatic. Internally, for loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints such as mild spastic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, bloating and flatulence. (German Commission E, ESCOP.) Contraindicated in stomach and duodenal ulcers. (WHO.)The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia indicated the use of dried mature leaves of Cinnamomum tamala and dried inner bark of C. zeylanicum in sinusitis.Cinnamaldehyde is the major constituent (74%) of the essential oil from bark.Major constituent of the leaf oil is eugenol (28-98%) and that of root- bark oil camphor (60%).Cinnamaldehyde is hypotensive, spasmolytic and increases peripheral blood flow; and it inhibits cyclooxy- genase and lipoxygenase enzymes of arachidonic acid metabolism.Cinnamaldehyde exhibits CNS stimulant effects at high doses. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)The bark oil and extracts exhibit antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities, and enhance trypsin activity.Eugenol content of the leaf oil is antiseptic and anaesthetic. It is not inter- changable with the bark oil.Root bark oil acts as a stimulant in amenorrhoea. The bark contains tannins (6.5%) consisting of tetrahydrox- yflavandiols; diterpenes, cinnzeylanin and cinnzeylanol.C. malabatrum (Burm. f.) Blume is equated with Jangali Daarchini.Dosage: Dried inner bark—1-3 g powder. (API Vol. I.)... cinnamomum zeylanicumHabitat: Cultivated throughout India; wild in Eastern Himalaya.
English: Zedoary, Zerumbet.Ayurvedic: Karchuura, Draavida, Palaashi, Kachura, Gandhmuulaka, Shati.Unani: Zarambaad. Siddha/Tamil: Kichhilikkizhangu.Action: Carminative, stomaehie, gastrointestinal stimulant, diuretic, expectorant, demulcent, rubefacient. Used in flatulence and dyspepsia. Fresh root is used for checking lecorrhoeal discharge; also for blood purification. Zedoary's effect on digestive organs is similar to ginger but milder.
Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicated the use of the rhizome in goiter.The rhizomes are a source of Shoti Starch, used as a food for babies and convalescents, recovering from chronic stomatitis. It is cooling and demulcent.Zedoary, dried rhizomes, contains a number of terpenoids, including curcumene, curcumenone, curdione, curcumenol. Curzerenone, furanoger- menone, germacrone, germacrone epoxide; a volatile oil (1.0-1.5%) resembling ginger oil, and starch (50%).Zedoary is thought to stimulate bile production (due to sesquiterpene ke- tones) and gall bladder emptying (due to cucuminoid constituents).The sesquiterpenes, germacrone, germacrone epoxide, curzerenone and curcumenol showed CNS depressant properties. Curzerenone also showed a potent protective effect against induced lesions in rats. Both curz- erenone and curcumenol showed a moderate analgesic action.The terpenoid furanogermenone exhibits antiallergic activity. (Powdered zedoary, mixed with fructose, is used as an antiallergant in Japan.)Curcumenol and curdione are shown to possess tumour-inhibiting property. The rhizome is used in China for extradural haematomas and certain types of tumours. It has been reported in China that zedoary reduced cervical cancer and increased the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.The volatile oil of zedoary exhibits antimicrobial and antifungal activity. The antifungal constituent of the oil has been reported as methyl-p-methoxy- cinnamate.Dosage: Dried rhizome—1-3 g powder. (API Vol. IV.)... curcuma zedoariaHabitat: Throughout India, in moist and swampy places.
Ayurvedic: Wrongly equated with Laangali. (Laangali is equated with Gloriosa superba Linn.) Known as Ish-languulia (West Bengal).Action: Leaves and paste— used for callous ulcers. Plant— antiprotozoal.... hydrolea zeylanica
Habitat: The tropical forests of eastern Himalayas, Assam, Bengal, Bihar, Deccan Peninsula.
Ayurvedic: Dhanavalli (Kerala), Chhagul-bati (Bengal).Siddha/Tamil: Vathomkolli, Neen- davalli.Action: Astringent, antiinflammatory, vulnerary, anthelmintic. Used for colic, headache, inflammations, rheumatic pain, wounds and ulcers, intestinal worms, leprosy and skin diseases. Saps of stem—effective in onychia.... naravelia zeylanica
Habitat: Throughout greater part of India.
Siddha/Tamil: Sithamutti, Mammat- ti, Peraamutti.Action: Plant—purgative, an- thelmintic, febrifuge.
The stem gave a saponin, pavo- phylline, and a keto-ester, methyl 19- ketotetracosanoate.... pavonia zeylanicaHabitat: Cultivated in gardens throughout India; also found wild in Peninsular India.
English: Ceylon Leadwort, Leadwort.Ayurvedic: Chitraka, Agni, Vahni, Jvalanaakhya, Krshaanu, Hutaasha, Dahana, Sikhi.Unani: Sheetraj Hindi. Siddha/Tamil: Chittramoolam.Action: Root—intestinal flora normalizer, stimulates digestive processes; used for dyspepsia. Root paste is applied in order to open abscesses; a paste prepared with milk, vinegar or salt and water, is used externally in leprosy and other obstinate skin diseases. A cold infusion is used for influenza and black-water fever.
Key application: In sprue, malabsorption syndrome, piles and inflammatory diseases of ano-rectum. (The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.)The root yielded naphthoquinone derivatives, plumbagin being the most important active principle.The root extract, after processing for plumbagin enhancement, has been used in a number of drug formulations for liver ailments. Experimentally, plumbagin prevented the accumulation of triglycerides in liver and aorta and regressed atheromatous plaques and abdominal aorta. The chloroform extract of the root showed significant activity against pencillin-resistant (also non-pencillin resistant) strains of Neisseria gonorrhoea. (The root is used for treating sexually transmitted diseases in traditional Indian medicine.)In Siddha medicine, in Tamil Nadu, the plant is an ingredient in a number of drug formulations for treating cancers of the uterus, breast, lungs and oral cavity, in addition to haemorrhoids.Plumbagin is abortifacient, antiovu- latory; causes selective testicular lesions in dogs; in lower doses it behaves like a spindle poison, in higher concentration exhibits radiomimetic nu- cleotoxic and cytotoxic effects.Dosage: Detoxified root—1-2 g powder. (API, Vol. I.)... plumbago zeylanicaHabitat: Tropical parts of India including hills. Common in eastern Himalayas.
Unani: Jangali Ushbaa.Siddha/Tamil: Malai-thaamara.Action: Root—used in prescriptions for venereal diseases. Decoction, used for abscesses, boils, swellings and rheumatism; also for dysentery Used as a substitute for S. ornata.
Diosgenin is reported from the root and leaf.... smilax zeylanicaHabitat: Maharshtra, Mysore, Kerala, Orissa and Andaman Islands.
Siddha/Tamil: Marungi.Folk: Bhedas (Maharashtra).Action: Leaves and roots— vermifuge. Plant—stimulant, antirheumatic. (Berries—white, the size of a pea; edible.)
Among other members of the genus, S. arnottianum (Wight) Walp. and S. caryophyllatum (Linn.) Alston are distributed in South India, particularly in Western Ghats. The fruits are edible. Stem bark of all the species contain tannin, that of S. arnottianum up to 16%.... syzygium zeylanicumZeale, Zeel, Zeele, Zeyl, Zeyle, Ziel, Ziele... zeal
Habitat: Peninsular India, crossing into West Bengal.
Ayurvedic: Adah-pushpi (related species), Jhingi.Folk: Hetenuriyaa, Jalasirasa. Jinghini (Maharashtra).Action: Flower—sudorific, pectoral. Leaves—diuretic, emollient, demulcent. Root—applied to wounds as analgesic.
Seeds contain a toxic alkaloid supi- nine (1% dry seeds). Aqueous extracts of stems, leaves and fruits is very toxic to cockroaches.... trichodesma zeylanicumHabitat: Throughout India ascending up to 2,100 m.
Siddha/Tamil: Pulivanji.Folk: Tarali. Gometi (Maharashtra). Banakakaraa (Punjab). Kudri (Bengal).Action: Root—used for dysuria and spermatorrhoea. Leaves— topically applied to skin inflammation.
The seed contains linolenic and oleic acids; the root gave columbin.... zehneria umbellataZeliah, Zelya, Zelie, Zele, Zelina, Zelinia... zelia
Zenavieve, Zeneve, Zeneveeve, Zenevie, Zenivee, Zenivieve, Zennie, Zenny, Zenovera, Zenoveva, Zenica, Zenna, Zenae, Zenaya, Zenowefa, Zinerva, Zinebra, Zinessa, Zinevra... zenevieva
Zepelina, Zeppeleana, Zepeleana, Zeppelyna, Zepelyna, Zeppeleina, Zepeleina, Zeppeliena, Zepeliena, Zeppeleena, Zepeleena... zeppelina
Zestah, Zestie, Zestee, Zesti, Zesty, Zestey, Zestea, Zesteah... zesta
Habitat: Throughout India from the Himalayas, southwards. Cultivated in Asian tropics.
English: Zerumbet Ginger.Ayurvedic: Mahaabhari-vachaa (also equated with Alpinia galanga), Sthula-granthi (also equated with Alpinia speciosa). Source of Martinique Ginger, used as Shunthi in Indian medicine.Unani: Narkachoor, Zarambaad. (Curcuma caesia is also equated with Narkachoor.)Folk: Karrallamu (Telugu).Action: Rhizomes—used for cough, asthma; colic; intestinal worms, and in leprosy and skin diseases. Oil— antiseptic.
The rhizome contains several flavo- noid glycosides and curcumin.The oil of Zerumbet contains about 13% monoterpenes and several ses- quiterpenes of which humulene and zerumbone are major constituents. The major constituent of monoter- penes is camphene. Unlike the oil of Z. officinale, Zerumbet oil does not contain any methyl heptanone; instead, it contains camphor.Zerumbone inhibits the growth of Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Indian samples contain only 37.5% of zerumbone, while those from Fiji 58.7, Vietnam 72.3 and Tahiti 65.3%.... zingiber zerumbet
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