General account of local plants of medicinal importance: Digitalis, Terminalia, Commiphora, Ocimum, Convolvulus (Sankh Pushpi)
1. Foxglove:-
Botanical Name:- Digitalis purpurea
Family:- Plantaginaceae
Economic Importance:-
> Nicholas Culpeper included Foxglove in his 1652 herbal medicine guide, The English Physician. He cited its use for healing wounds (both fresh and old), as a purgative, for "the King's Evil" ( mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis), for "the falling sickness" (epilepsy), and for "a scabby head".
> Digitalis has long been used as a treatment for heart failure in addition to a range of other traditional uses. Digitoxin is a cardiac glycoside used for the treatment of heart failure and certain kinds of heart arrhythmia. It is a phytosteroid and is similar in structure and effects to digoxin, though the effects are longer-lasting.
> Digoxigenin (DIG) is a steroid found in the flowers and leaves of Digitalis species, and is extracted from D. lanata. Digoxigenin can be used as a molecular probe to detect mRNA in situ and label DNA, RNA, and oligonucleotides.
> Depending on the species, the digitalis plant may contain several deadly physiological and chemically related cardiac and steroidal glycosides. Thus, the digitalis plants have earned several, more sinister, names: dead man's bells and witch's gloves. The toxins can be absorbed via the skin or ingestion.
> According to 1981 speculation Vincent van Gogh's "Yellow Period" may have been influenced by digitalis, because it had been proposed as a therapy to control epilepsy around this time, and there are two paintings by the artist where the plant is present.
2. Arjun:-
Botanical Name:- Terminalia arjuna
Family:- Combretaceae
Economic Importance:- Arjuna is best known as one of the foremost Ayurvedic herbs for supporting all areas of heart health. Here are a few of arjuna's remarkable benefits when it comes to promoting cardiovascular wellness:
i. Strong heart function and healthy circulation:- Arjuna strengthens and tones the circulatory system, rejuvenates the soft tissues, and promotes proper function of the heart muscle.
ii. Healthy flow of blood:- Arjuna's properties support the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels already within the normal range, balanced blood pressure, and proper coagulation in the blood.
iii. Emotional wellness:- Arjuna has also been traditionally used to support the emotional heart, promoting balance for those experiencing grief and sadness.
iv. Balanced lungs:- With its affinity for the chest, arjuna can balance excess kapha and pitta in the lungs for clear, calm breathing.
v. Healthy liver and skin:- Arjuna helps reduce excess pitta in the liver and skin, supporting proper liver function and a healthy, clear complexion.
vi. Comfortable digestion:- When taken as a tea, arjuna has been used to support healthy digestion.11
vii. Healthy reproductive tissues:- Arjuna’s astringency can support healthy and balanced reproductive tissue, known in Ayurveda as shukra dhatu.
3. Guggul:-
Botanical Name:- Commiphora wightii
Family:- Burseraceae
Economic Importance:-
> Commiphora wightii is sought for its gummy resin, which is harvested from the plant's bark through the process of tapping.
> In India and Pakistan, guggul is cultivated commercially.
> The resin of C. wightii, known as gum guggulu, has a fragrance similar to that of myrrh and is commonly used in incense and perfumes. It is the same product that was known in Hebrew, ancient Greek and Latin sources as bdellium.
> Guggul is used in Ayurveda remedies and it is mentioned in Ayurvedic texts dating back to 600 BC.
> It is often sold as a herbal supplement.
> The gum can be purchased in a loosely packed form called dhoop, an incense from India, which is burned over hot coals. This produces a fragrant, dense smoke. It is also sold in the form of incense sticks and dhoop cones which can be burned directly.
> Commiphora wightii has been a key component in ancient Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine.
> The extract of gum guggul, called gugulipid, guggulipid, or guglipid, has been used in Unani and Ayurvedic medicine, for nearly 3,000 years in India.
> One chemical ingredient in the extract is the steroid guggulsterone, which acts as an antagonist of the farnesoid X receptor, once believed to result in decreased cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
> However, several studies have been published that indicate no overall reduction in total cholesterol occurs using various dosages of guggulsterone and levels of low-density lipoprotein ("bad cholesterol") increased in many people.
4. Tulsi:-
Botanical Name:- Ocimum sanctum
Family:- Lamiaceae
Economic Importance:-
i. Promotes Healthy Heart:- Holy basil contains vitamin C and antioxidants such as eugenol, which protects the heart from the harmful effects of free radicals. Eugenol also proves useful in reducing cholesterol levels in the blood.
ii. Anti-aging:- Vitamin C and A, phytonutrients, in Holy Basil are great antioxidants and protect the skin from almost all the damages caused by free radicals.
iii. Treats Kidney Stones:- Tulsi acts a mild diuretic & detoxifying agent which helps in lowering the uric acid levels in the body. Acetic acid present in holy basil helps in the breakdown of the stones.
iv. Relieves Headaches:- Tulsi is a natural headache reliever which can also relieve migraine pain.
v. Fights Acne:- Holy basil helps kill bacteria and infections. The primary active compound of holy basil oil is eugenol which helps fight skin related disorders. Ocimum Sanctum helps treat skin infections both internally and externally.
vi. Relives Fever:- Tulsi is an age-old ingredient for treating fever. It is one of the prime ingredients in the formulation of various ayurvedic medicines & home remedies.
vii. Eye Health:- Tulsi's anti-inflammatory properties help promote eye health by preventing viral, bacterial and fungal infections. It also soothes eye inflammation and reduces stress.
viii. Oral Health:- Tulsi is a natural mouth freshener and an oral disinfectant. Ocimum Sanctum can also cure mouth ulcers. Holy basil destroys the bacteria that are responsible for dental cavities, plaque, tartar, and bad breath, while also protecting the teeth.
ix. Cures Respiratory Disorders:- Due to the presence of compounds like camphene, eugenol, and cineole, tulsi cures viral, bacterial, and fungal infections of the respiratory system. It can cure various respiratory disorders like bronchitis & tuberculosis.
x. Rich Source of Vitamin K:- Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in bone health and heart health.
5. Sankh Pushpi:-
Botanical Name:- Convolvulus prostratus
Family:- Convolvulaceae
Economic Importance:-
i. Benefits for brain:- Shankhpushpi is one of the best brain tonics which has a protective effect on memory and cognition. It also prevents memory loss and age-related neurodegeneration and has been found to be effective in reducing anxiety and depression.
ii. Improves skin health:- Shankpushpi penetrates deep into the skin, nourishing and rejuvenating it so your skin shines with a healthy and natural glow. Being an antioxidant, it reduces oxidative stress and delays the first signs of skin ageing such as wrinkles and dark spots.
iii. Benefits for stomach:- Shankhpushpi is traditionally used to improve digestion process and prevent dysentery. Research studies suggest that it is helpful in protecting the stomach lining in case of peptic ulcers.
iv. For hyperthyroidism:- Recent studies indicate the anti-thyroid properties of shankhpushpi. It reduces the levels of thyroid hormones in case of stress, thereby helping in the management of hyperthyroidism.
v. Benefits for heart:- It has been evidenced that ethanolic extracts of shankhpushpi helps in reducing the levels of non-esterified fatty acids, the major cause of morbidity related to cardiac arrest. This herb also reduces cholesterol and helps manage blood pressure, which are two of the major risk factors for heart diseases.