Lecture - 35 A general account of medicinal plants: Rauwolfia, Quinine Opium, Ephedrine, Belladona, Ocimum, Convolvulus, Adhatoda, Aloe, Azadirachta, Balanites
A general account of medicinal plants: Rauwolfia, Quinine Opium, Ephedrine, Belladona, Ocimum, Convolvulus, Adhatoda, Aloe, Azadirachta, Balanites:-
1. Rauwolfia:-
Botanical Name:- Rauvolfia serpentina
Family:- Apocynaceae
Medicinal Importance:-
> Source of reserpine (antihypertensive drug)
> Used for treating high blood pressure
> Effective in mental disorders
> Used in snakebite treatment
> Sedative and tranquilizer
> Root is medicinally valuable
> Treats insomnia
> Used in ayurvedic formulations
> Exported for pharmaceutical use
> Cultivated commercially in India
2. Quinine (Cinchona):-
Botanical Name:- Cinchona officinalis
Family:- Rubiaceae
Medicinal Importance:-
> Bark contains quinine (antimalarial)
> Used to treat malaria and fever
> Anti-inflammatory properties
> Used in making tonic water
> Relieves muscle cramps
> Used as bittering agent in beverages
> Useful in neuralgia
> Bark extract used in traditional medicine
> Cultivated in hilly regions
> Major source of alkaloids
3. Opium:-
Botanical Name:- Papaver somniferum
Family:- Papaveraceae
Medicinal Importance:-
> Source of morphine, codeine
> Powerful pain reliever
> Used in cough syrups
> Used in anesthesia
> Antispasmodic use (e.g., papaverine)
> Source of narcotic drugs
> Cultivated under government regulation
> Used in treating diarrhea (paregoric)
> Component in many traditional medicines
> Seeds used in food (non-narcotic)
4. Ephedrine:-
Botanical Name:- Ephedra sinica
Family:- Ephedraceae
Medicinal Importance:-
> Source of ephedrine (bronchodilator)
> Used in asthma treatment
> Relief in nasal congestion
> Increases blood pressure
> Mild stimulant effect
> Used in weight-loss products (formerly)
> Important in traditional Chinese medicine
> Treats cold, flu, and allergies
> Used in production of synthetic drugs
> Medicinal tea preparation
5. Belladonna:-
Botanical Name:- Atropa belladonna
Family:- Solanaceae
Medicinal Importance:-
> Source of atropine
> Antispasmodic drug
> Used in ophthalmology (dilates pupils)
> Relieves motion sickness
> Used to treat Parkinson’s disease symptoms
> Sedative in small doses
> Antidote for poisoning
> Muscle relaxant
> Pain reliever
> Dangerous in high doses – used under regulation
6. Ocimum (Tulsi):-
Botanical Name:- Ocimum sanctum (syn: Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Family:- Lamiaceae
Medicinal Importance:-
> Sacred plant in India
> Used in cold and cough relief
> Boosts immunity
> Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory
> Effective against asthma
> Used in tea and home remedies
> Mosquito repellent properties
> Good for digestive health
> Used in Ayurvedic medicine
> Cultivated widely in home gardens
7. Convolvulus:-
Botanical Name:- Convolvulus pluricaulis
Family:- Convolvulaceae
Medicinal Importance:-
> Known as Shankhpushpi in Ayurveda
> Used as brain tonic
> Improves memory and intelligence
> Reduces anxiety and stress
> Treats insomnia
> Used in epilepsy and hysteria
> Nervine tonic in Ayurveda
> Used in child growth supplements
> Liver tonic
> Cultivated or found in wild
8. Adhatoda:-
Botanical Name:- Justicia adhatoda
Family:- Acanthaceae
Medicinal Importance:-
> Leaves used to treat cough and cold
> Source of vasicine (bronchodilator)
> Treats asthma and bronchitis
> Used in Ayurvedic syrups
> Acts as expectorant
> Helps relieve sore throat
> Antimicrobial properties
> Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic
> Leaf juice used traditionally
> Available in herbal cough medicines
9. Aloe:-
Botanical Name:- Aloe vera
Family:- Asphodelaceae (formerly Liliaceae)
Medicinal Importance:-
> Gel used for skin care
> Treats burns and wounds
> Used in cosmetics and lotions
> Aids in digestion
> Juice used for detoxification
> Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial
> Laxative properties in latex
> Used in soaps, creams, and shampoos
> Helps in diabetes management
> Widely cultivated commercially
10. Azadirachta (Neem):-
Botanical Name:- Azadirachta indica
Family:- Meliaceae
Medicinal Importance:-
> Antibacterial and antifungal
> Used in dental care (toothpaste, datun)
> Neem oil used in cosmetics
> Natural pesticide and insect repellent
> Used in skin treatments (acne, eczema)
> Neem leaves used in Ayurvedic decoctions
> Helps in treating malaria
> Used in animal care products
> Acts as mosquito repellent
> Tree has ecological value
11. Balanites (Desert Date):-
Botanical Name:- Balanites aegyptiaca
Family:- Zygophyllaceae
Medicinal Importance:-
> Fruits used in traditional medicine
> Oil used for skin care and hair
> Anthelmintic (kills worms)
> Bark used in treating jaundice
> Seeds contain saponins (medicinal)
> Treats liver disorders
> Used for diabetes management
> Fodder for livestock
> Source of bio-pesticides
> Drought-resistant tree, used in afforestation
