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Introduction
This herb has
been known from as early as the vedic period. It is grown in flower
pots in most Hindu homes. Its leaves are used in the worhip of gods
& goddesses & partaken as Prasad.It is native to India. It reached
western Europe only in the 16th century. Is has widely grown
throughout the world.
Origin
A herbaceous plant throughout India.
Chemical
composition / key active constituents
Volatile oil 0.4-0.8% containing chiefly eugenol app. 21% & B-caryophyllene
37% (eugenol content reaches maximum in spring & minimum in autumm).
A no. of sesquiterpenes & monoterpenes viz., bornyl acetate, ß -elemene,
methyleugenol, neral, ß-pinene, camphene, a-pinene etc. : ursolic
acid, campesterol, cholesterol, stigmasterol, ß-sitosterol and
methyl esters of common fatty acids.
Pharmacology
The drug has numeropus pharmacological activities like hypoglycaemic
immunomodulatory, antistress, analgesic, antipyretic,
anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, antihypertensive, CNS
depressant, radioprotective, antitumor & antibacterial.
Remedies
Anti-inflammatory, Expectorant, Analgesic, Antitumor &
Antibacterial.
Dosage
Leaf infusion :- 4-12 ml
Decoction :- 28-56 ml
References:
1.
Ghosal Set al., (1971) Planta Med 24: 434
2. Sachin Saksena and V.K. Dixit. Role of Total Alkaloids of Mucuna
pruriens Baker in Spermatogenesis
in Albino Rats. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. H.S.
Gour Vishwavidyalaya
3. Manyam BV, et al. J of Alternative and Comp Med. 1995;1(3):249-55
4. Amin KMY. Fitoterapia. 1996;67:53-8
5. Ghosal, S, Singh, S & Bhattacharya, S K [1971]'Alkaloids of
Mucuna pruriens, Chemistry and Pharmacology' Planta Med. 19:
279. |
