Block 2 Beverages, Fibers, Timber, Medicinal and Oil Yielding Plants

UNIT 8
MEDICINAL PLANTS

Structure
8.1 Introduction 8.4 Summary
Objectives 8.5 Terminal Questions
8.2 Distribution of Medicinal 8.6 Answers
Plants
8.3 Important Medicinal Plants
Digitalis
Papaver
Rauwolfia
Artemisia
Catharanthus
Adhatoda
Ephedra

8.1 INTRODUCTION
In the unit 7 of this course you have studied about fibre yielding plants. In this
unit we shall be discussing about some important medicinal plants. Medicinal
plants have been used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times.
Medicinal plants play an important role in the life of the people. In ancient
Indian texts, all the plants on this earth are considered as medicinal (Jivak in
Astanga Hriday (Sutra: 9-10)).The medicinal plants could be defined in the
simplest way as the plants which are used in official and various traditional
systems of medicine throughout the world. We can say that, the medicinal
plants are the plants that provide people with medicines to prevent disease,
maintain health or cure ailments.

India has one of the richest, oldest and most diverse cultural traditions
associated with the use of medicinal plants. Plants and plant based products
have been used traditionally in India from the time immemorial. References of
the healing power of plants are depicted in Rig -Veda (4000-1500 B.C.),
Atharvaveda (1500B.C.), Upanishada (1000 B.C.) and Mahabharata and
Puranas (700-400 B.C.). Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita are the two
146 important compendia on medicinal plants published between 1000 and 600
Unit 8 Medicinal Plants
B.C. The invasion of Greeks and Muslims had a considerable influence on the
use of plant-based medicines. The rise of Buddhism also gave an impetus to
the study of herbal medicines in ancient India.

At present, many systems of medicines such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani,

Homeopathy, Tibetian, tribal medicines, folk medicines constituting the Indian
systems of medicine (ISM) are being practiced in India. Medicinal plants are
used by majority of rural population in self help mode for their primary health
care requirements. In recent years, demand for herbal medicines and
cosmetic products is increasing globally. It has created a quantum jump in
volume of plant material traded within and outside the country.

In modern medicine about 25 percent of drugs prescribed to patients are

derived from medicinal plants. We can define medicinal plants more
appropriately as a plant that possess therapeutic properties or exert beneficial
pharmacological effect on human or animal body.

Objectives
Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to:

define the medicinal plants and outline the importance of medicinal

plants;

identify the sources of availability and distribution of these groups of
plants;

explain the origin, morphology, chemical composition and ecology of
some important medicinal plants; and

appreciate the uses of mentioned medicinal plants.

8.2 DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS

About 70 per cent of India's medicinal plants are found in natural habitat of
Himalayas, tropical forests of Western and Eastern Ghats, the Vindhyas,
Chotta Nagpur plateau and Aravalis. A large percentage of known medicinal
plants occur in the dry and moist deciduous vegetation area compared to
evergreen and temperate regions. About one third of all medicinal plants are
trees, 32 per cent are herbs, 20 per cent are shrubs, 12 per cent creepers and
3 per cent are other forms.

Various plant parts like roots, bark, wood, stem or the whole plant in case of
herbs are used for preparation of various medicines and related products
(Fig.8.1).

Fig. 8.1: Percentage of different plant parts used in Indian Medicines. 147
Block 2 Beverages, Fibers, Timber, Medicinal and Oil Yielding Plants
8.3 IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANTS

The Food and Plants synthesize hundreds of chemical compounds for various purposes like
Agriculture defence against insects, fungi, pathogenic microbes, diseases and grazing by
Organization (FAO) herbivores. A medicinal plant is grown for its secondary metabolites.
estimated in 2002 Secondary metabolites are responsible for the therapeutic or aromatic
that more than 50000 properties of the plants. Alkaloids, steroids and essential oils are some of the
medicinal plants are
examples of secondary metabolites. As medicinal plants are used for
used across the
preparation of medicines, even a small quantity of pesticides or heavy metal is
world. However the
Royal Botanical harmful to them. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has
Garden, Kew, in recommended development of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for
2016, more precisely medicinal plants to guarantee quality of drug. A large number of laboratories in
estimated that 17,810 the State Agricultural Universities, Indian Council of Agricultural Research
plant species have a (ICAR) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are engaged
medicinal use.
in developing GAP for medicinal plants.

Many ancient plant remedies for diseases have in some way or another played
a significant role in modern medicine, for example, aspirin, is the most widely
used medicine in the world and is entirely synthetic (a -, from acetyl; and -
spirin, from Spiracea species of family Rosaceae, one of the sources of
salicylic acid); but knowledge of the pain-relieving agent we know today as
aspirin is traceable to the use of willow (Salix species, Salicaceae) bark by the
ancient Greeks to alleviate pain. An active ingredient, salicin was isolated in
1827 from the leaves of willow. Salicin could not be taken internally, but a
derivative, acetylsalicylic acid produced in Germany in 1899, provided relief
from all types of pains. It is important to know here that the prototype of this
drug was infact, a natural product obtained from plants. Similarly, many
synthetic drugs have a botanical history - in the use of some sort of crude
extract. The classical medical systems, such as Ayurveda of India and
Chinese medicine depend on plant drugs. Although once viewed with a lot of
scepticism by the western World, these systems have created lot of interest in
the recent times as a source of alternative medicine. An inventory of medicinal
plants used by people in different countries has been compiled by the World
Health Organisation.

Modern drugs contain plant products like fatty acids and essential oils, gums,
resins, alkaloids and steroids. Oils and gums are used as emulsifiers in many
of the present drug preparations. Volatile oils and resins are often used to help
penetrate tissues and also as antiseptics. The two major classes of plant-
derived compounds used in medicine are: (1) steroids, and (2) alkaloids (see
boxes 8.1 and 8.2). They can occur with one or more sugar molecules
attached. Such forms are called glycosides and these are generally the
medicinally active forms of the compound.

Box 8.1: Steroids

Steroids are complex compounds which have the following fundamental structure
comprising four carbon rings called the steroid backbone.
The addition of different chemical moieties at different places of the backbone leads
to the production of a variety of different steroidal compounds. Addition of sugar
molecules to the steroidal backbone produces steroidal glycosides. 'These are also
148 called secondary products, and no direct physiological functions of steroids in plants
Unit 8 Medicinal Plants
have been found. On the contrary, they have a pronounced effect on animals,
particularly vertebrates. Many biologists believe that the production of these
compounds is for the protection of the plants from animals. The monarch butterfly in
its larval' stage (as a caterpillar) feeds on milkweeds, i.e., the members of
Asclepiadaceae. Milkweeds are toxic to humans because they contain steroidal
glycosides. Monarch larvae store these compounds in parts of their bodies and are
not poisoned by the glycosides. When the caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies,
these stored glycosides occur primarily in their wings. Thus, the butterflies become
toxic to their vertebrate predators such as birds. Interestingly the birds quickly learn
to avoid these toxin-containing butterflies.

Box 8.2: Alkaloids

Alkaloids as a group have no specific definition. The word alkaloid means alkaline but
there is no uniform model for an alkaloid molecule. Alkaloid molecules generally have
single or multiple rings and contain nitrogen. In plants, alkaloids have in the past been
considered as waste products or secondary products of metabolism with no clarity
about their roles. However, there is strong evidence to show that unlike steroids,
alkaloids enter the primary metabolism of plants. They have also been found to play
an important role in chemical defense in plants, specifically in controlling animal
predation. In animals especially in mammals, the effect of many alkaloids, even in
minute quantities, can be profound. The consideration of a plant as poisonous versus
medicinal is often only one of dosage.

There are various methods to categorize or group medicinal plants. They can
be classified in terms of i) chemical nature of the compounds involved, ii)
effect they produce or iii) the source from which the drugs are obtained.

For convenience, we have grouped the plants on the basis of the source from
which the drug is obtained.

8.3.1 Digitalis spp.

Family: Plantaginaceae (Scrophulariaceae)

Vernacular name: "Witch's Bells", foxglove

n=7

Origin and Distribution: D. purpurea – Europe, United Kingdom and D.

lanata – Austria, United States of America, Central Europe, England and
Argentina are cultivated or well distributed. In India, D. purpurea is cultivated
chiefly in Kashmir and the Nilgiri hills; while D. lanata is grown in Kashmir (at
altitudes of above 2100 m) and Uttar Pradesh (Chakrata).

Cultivation: For cultivation, disease-free strains of the seeds are selected to

produce healthy plants. Soil should contain manure and leaf mould. Seedlings
are hand transplanted.

Morphology: The plants are biennial (rarely perennial) herbs (height 45-
150cm). Leaves are simple, dorsiventral, lance-shaped to oval, alternate or
opposite and covered with gray white pubescent hairs. A rosette of long-
stalked leaves is formed in the first year. Inflorescence is raceme (Fig 8.2 a).
Flowers are arranged in showy terminal elongated clusters, purple or
yellowish, hermaphrodite, zygomorphic with protruding lower lip. The flowers
are conspicuously spotted on the inner bottom surface of the tube (Fig. 8.2b).
The fruit is a capsule. 149
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Digitoxigenin
It is a cardenolide and
aglycone found in
digitoxin, obtained
from foxglove plant.
The compound
Digitoxigenin
obtained by
hydrolysis of digitoxin.
It is highly cytotoxic.

(a) (b)
Fig. 8.2: a) A twig of Digitalis purpurea plant showing inflorescence; b)
photograph showing a bunch of flowers in Digitalis.

Box 8.3: Glycosides

Glycosides are non-reducing organic substances which on hydrolysis yield aglycone

usually known as genin, and sugar (occur as oxide rings). All cardiac glycosides are
steroids or cyclopentanophenanthrene derivatives; they have an unsaturated lactone
at C17 position. Digitalis glycosides are C 23 glycoside and have 5-membered lactone
ring. Addition of sugar molecules to the steroidal backbone produces steroidal
glycosides.

Harvesting of crop is done before flowering and then they are thorougly dried
at temperatures not exceeding 600° C.

Chemical composition - The active constituents of Digitalis are mainly

confined to the epidermal and subepidermal collenchyma and the endodermal
cells. D. purpurea leaves contain 0.2 - 0.45 per cent of a mixture of
cardenolides. The physiologically active glycosides digitoxin, gitoxin and gitalin
are derived from the naturally occurring purpurea glycoside A, B and C
respectively by the loss of a glucose residue.

Digitoxin is the most potent of the Digitalis glycosides. Its activity is 1000
times that of powdered digitalis. Digitalin is another active cardiac glycoside
obtained from the seeds of D. purpurea. Digitalis lanata has stronger medicinal
properties and its side effects are not as toxic as D. purpurea. The active
150 glycosides of the leaves are digitoxin, gitoxin and digoxin.
Unit 8 Medicinal Plants
Uses

1. Cardiac glycosides have a strong effect on the cardiac (heart) muscles.

2. When used medicinally they can also improve: (a) blood circulation in
general, (b) relieve oedema (dropsy) which is often associated with heart
attack, (c) reduce swelling in hands and ankles and (d) help renal
secretion.

SAQ 1
Fill in the blanks.

a) Seeds of Digitalis purpurea are the source of a glycoside ……………

used in the treatment of cardiac disorders.

b) Alkaloids and ………………. are two major plant derived compounds

used in medicine.

c) In many drug preparations oils and gums are used as ………………

d) To guarantee the quality of drugs WHO has recommended the

development of ………………. for medicinal plants.

8.3.2 Papaver somniferum

Family: Papaveraceae

Vernacular names: Opium, poppy Pasto, Post, Afim, Kashakasha, Khuskhus,

Abini

n = 11

Origin and Distribution: The plant is native to Eastern Europe and Western
Asia. It is widely distributed in Nepal, India, Turkey, Russia, Laos and
Cambodia. In India it is cultivated in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar
Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Cultivation: In India, the opium poppy is cultivated as a rabi (winter) crop. The
seeds are sown in October-November and the latex is collected the following
March-April. The plants prefer a well drained sandy loam. It cannot tolerate
extreme cold. Propagation is from seeds, and flowering starts after 90 - 115
days. Three to four days after flowering, petals fall and capsule development
begins. When the capsule turns from green to yellowish, lancing (incisions are
made in the capsule from starting, the bottom upwards with the help of
specially designed tools) and is carried out in the afternoon and the opium is
collected in the early morning.

Morphology: It is an erect, annual, glaucous herb (height 30- 100 cm). The
leaves are ovate-oblong, with leaf bases embracing the stem. They are often
shallowly pinnately lobed. Flowers are solitary, bisexual and actinomorphic
(Fig. 8.3). Fruit is a capsule; seeds small with minute embryo, endosperm oily.
All parts of the plant contain latex. 151
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Fig. 8.3: A part of flowering twig of Papaver somniferum.

Chemical Composition : Opium (latex obtained from the capsules) is a
complex blend of dextrose, pectin, wax, pigments, volatile oil, triterpenoids and
alkaloids (20-30 per cent on a dry weight basis) occurring as salts derived
from a number of acids including meconic, lactic, citric, succinic, sulphuric and
phosphoric acid.

Crude opium contains about 40 alkaloids, and some of the important ones
from the commercial and medicinal points of view are (as percentage of opium
on a dry weight basis):

i) morphine [named after Morpheus- the god of dreams] (9 -14 per cent).
ii) codeine (2 – 3 per cent)
iii) thebaine (5 – 7 per cent)
iv) narcotine (noscopine, 5 – 8 per cent)
v) papaverine (1 per cent)

Box 8.4: Morphine and its derivatives.

In an attempt to develop a non-addicting pain-killer, scientists discovered that

morphine could be chemically altered by the addition of two acetyl groups. The end
product is a semisynthetic compound known as heroin. It is an even more powerful
analgesic than morphine, but it is physically addicting and produces pronounced
withdrawal symptoms once the habit has become established. The main cause of
death for heroin addicts is by overdose.

Uses
• Morphine is a powerful analgesic and narcotic, which also stimulates the
central nervous system.

• Codeine is an important analgesic and an anticough agent, which is less

sedative and less toxic in comparison to morphine.

• Thebaine is a convulsant (that induces violent irregular motions of the

body), poison and is used only as a raw material for the manufacture of
codeine or other semisynthetic analgesics and narcotic antagonists
152 (neutralize the effect of narcotic) such as nalorphine and etorphine.
Unit 8 Medicinal Plants
• Narcotine is generally used in the preparation of cough medicines.

• Papaverine is a smooth muscle relaxant and cerebral vasodilator. It has

been used in the treatment of asthma and angina pectoris.

• The poppy seeds are quite nutritious and have a pleasant nutty flavour,
and are often sprinkled on breads and cakes. The seeds are also a
source of fatty oil called poppy oil used in the preparation of sweetmeats.

8.3.3 Rauwolfia serpentina

Family: Apocynaceae

Vernacular names: Snake root, Serpent wood, Chandrabhaga, Sarpgandha

n = 10, 11, 12, 22

The genus Rauwolfia was named after the 16th century German physician and
explorer Dr Leonhard Rauwolf.

Cultivation: The plants grow in tropical or sub-tropical regions and flourish in

hot humid conditions. These are best raised from root cuttings. Seeds and
stem cuttings are also used for propagation. Although pharmaceutical
companies have tried to mass cultivate the plants, they have not been
successful and commercial supplies still come from nature. Indonesia was
once a major source, but now its supplies have been exhausted. Presently,
the leading producers are India and Thailand.

Morphology: R. serpentina is an erect, evergreen, perennating glabrous

undershrub. The roots are greyish brown, tuberous and have a characteristic
slightly wrinkled and coarse surface. The cylindrical, tapering and twisted
taproot is of commercial value. The bark of the root is considered more
valuabIe than the wood. Roots are harvested from 2- 3 year old plants after
they have shed their leaves. At this stage they are richer in alkaloids than the
roots dug at earlier stages. 'The leaves are simple, glabrous, lanceolate or
obovate; and arranged in whorls of 3 or 4, crowding the upper part of the stem.
The leaves and stems too contain small amounts of alkaloids. Leaves are
simple, glabrous, lanceolate or ovate in shape and arranged in the whorls of 3
or 4. Inflorescence is generally terminal but sometimes [Link]. Flowers
are tubular, pinkish white or greenish white in colour. Fruits are small (0.5 cm),
oval, fleshy drupes, they become shiny black when ripe (Fig. 8.4 and 8.5).

Fig. 8.4 Photograph of a flowering twig of Rauwolfia serpentina. 153

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Fig. 8.5: A twig of Rauwolfia serpentine with inflorescence and a single flower.

Rauwolfia species contain about 80 or more alkaloids, of which reserpine,

rescinnamine, ajmaline, ajmalicine and serpentine are of commercial
importance. Of these, the most important is reserpine. It is chemically similar
to seratonin, a substance in the brain and structurally is related to LSD
(Lysergic acid diethylamide).

Uses

• For centuries in India, powdered taproots have been used for the
treatment of "moon disease", or lunacy, and also against snakebites
(hence the common names Chandrabhaga, Chota-chand and
Sarpgandha) and insect stings. Reserpine was also used as medicine in
U.S. in the treatment of the mental disorder known as schizophrenia.

• As a result of the discovery that reserpine was hypotensive and that it

could lower blood pressure, it found even greater use in the treatment of
high blood pressure (often in combination with other drugs) than of
schizophrenia. The use of reserpine in hypertension therapy is based on
the action of the drug in dilating blood vessels thereby reducing
pressure.

• An extract of the leaves has been used as a cure for the opacity of the
cornea.

• Extracts of roots are used for intestinal disorders; sometimes they are
mixed with other plant extracts and used in the treatment of cholera,
colic and fever;

• Root extract also stimulates uterine contraction and is used in child-birth.

8.3.4 Artemisia annua

Family: Asteraceae

Vernacular name- Mugwort, Wormwood, Sagebrush, Hindi name Nagdauna

154 n = 8, 9
Unit 8 Medicinal Plants

Origin and Distribution Artemisia comprises of a large genus with more than
200 species. Artemisia annua is a native of temperate areas covering Europe,
Asia, Northern Africa and Alaska. It is a common invasive weed in North
America. According to a saying it is named after the Greek goddess of the
hunt, forests, and childbirth named Artemis.

Cultivation

The plant prefers sunny and warm conditions. Its optimal growth temperature
lies within 20 and 25 °C. The rainfall of about 600 mm is required for the
growth of the plant. Artemisia species grow usually in dry or semiarid habitats
.It commonly grows on nitrogenous soils at wastelands and roadsides. Notable
species include A. vulgaris (common mugwort), A. annua (sagewort), A.
absinthium (wormwood), and A. abrotanum (southernwood). Drugs obtained
from Roots, leaves and flowers.

Morphology

Artemisia plants are hardy, tall, perennial, herbs and shrubs. The plant grows
from 30 to 100 cm in height. The stem is erect brownish or violet brown. The
leaves have a length of 3-10 cm and are divided by deep cuts into two or three
small leaflets. The leaves are dark green, pinnate, sessile with dense white
tomentose hairs on underside. Inflorescence is capitulum. Small florets (5 mm.
long) are radially symmetrical with many yellow or dark red petals. Numerous
heads spreads out in racemose panicles (Fig. 8.6). The plant flowers from
midsummer to early autumn.

(a) (b)
Fig 8.6 a) A flowering twig of Artimisia annua; b) Photograph of A. annua plant.

These plant spp. are known for the powerful chemical constituents in
their essential oils which is used in folk and modern medicine, and in the
cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry. Most species have strong aromas
and bitter tastes due to the presence of terpenoids and sesquiterpene 155
Block 2 Beverages, Fibers, Timber, Medicinal and Oil Yielding Plants
lactones, which discourage herbivory. Artemisia species are used as food
plants by the larvae of a number of Lepidoptera species.

Chemical Composition: A sesquiterpene lactone, Artemisinin is produced in

the glandular trichomes present on the leaves and floral buds of A. annua.
Astemisinin is the therapeutic agent used for treating malaria. Traditionally, A.
annua was used by the Chinese as a tea to treat “fever”. More recently,
investigators have shown that tea infusions and oral consumption of the dried
leaves of the plant have prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy. The essential
oils of this aromatic medicinal plant contain volatile compounds like thujone (A.
vulgaris plants are rich in an isomer alphathujone and camphor), isothujone,
alpha pinene, beta pinene, myrcene, camphor, camphene, caryophyllene,
cineole and artimesia ketone besides terpenes, terpenoids, and phenolic
compounds.

Uses

• Different Artemisia oils and their compounds have been reported as

effective antimicrobial, insecticidal, and antioxidant agent. It is also used
for treatment of parasitic infections such as roundworms, pinworms,
tapeworms, hookworms and flukes.

• Chinese mugwort, Artemisia argyi, is used in traditional Chinese

medicine.

• Mugwort roots are general tonic and boost physical as well as mental
strength. It is known to stimulate the secretion of gastric juices and
improves digestion. Mugwort is helpful in relief from rheumatic pain.
Excess dosages can cause some side effects like acidity and heartburn.

• Leaves and flower tops are used for therapeutic purposes. It is used for
pain relief, treatment of fever and as a diuretic agent. It also stimulates
bile secretion which corrects fat metabolism and improves intestinal
movements and cures constipation.

• Plant contains sedatives, antidepressants and compounds having

calming action on mind relieving mental stress, depression and anxiety.

• Use of mugwort is unsafe during pregnancy as it can stimulate uterine

contraction increasing the chances of spotting and bleeding and in
extreme cases may cause miscarriage.

• The aromatic leaves of some species are used for flavouring. Artemisia
arborescens (tree wormwood, or sheeba in Arabic) is an aromatic herb
indigenous to the Middle East used in tea, usually with mint.

• Artemisinin derived from Artemisia annua is used to treat

malaria. Artemisinin derivatives are used for treatment of malaria
caused by Plasmodium falciparum worldwide.

• Artemisia cina and other Old World species are the source of the
156 antihelminthic drug, santonin.
Unit 8 Medicinal Plants

SAQ 2
State whether the following statements are T (True) or F (False).

a) The chief source of the alkaloid reserpine is Claviceps purpurea.

b) The powerful analgesic and narcotic morphine and codien are obtained
from Papaver somniferum.

c) Poppy seeds are very nutritious and obtained from Rauwolfia spp.

d) Two important anticancer alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine are

obtained from Artimisia leaves.

e) The most abundant alkaloid found in crude opium is papaverine.

f) Mugwort relieves mental stress, depression and anxiety.

8.3.5 Catharanthus roseus

Family: Apocynaceae

Vernucular name: Madagascar Periwinkle, Sadabahar

n =12

Origin and Distribution The plant Catharanthus roseus (Vinca rosea, Fig.
8.7) is native to West Indies and Indian Ocean island of Madagascar. It is
cultivated as an ornamental plant throughout the world and on commercial
basis in India, Israel and the USA. In India it is cultivated on commercial scale
chiefly in Ramnathpuram, Triunelveli, and Madurai districts of Tamil Nadu.

(a) (b)

Fig. 8.7: a) Flowering twig of Catharanthus roseus b) Photograph of

Catharanthus flower. 157
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Cultivation: Fresh seeds are used for its propagation. The plant is well
adapted to all types of soils and tropical climate. Annual rainfall of about 100
cm or more is ideal for its cultivation.

Morphology: It is a perennial, erect subshrub of height 1 m; it branches near

the base and spreads over an area of some 60- 70 cm in diameter. Leaves are
smooth, glossy, dark green up to 5 cm long. There are two flower varieties,
alba (white) and roseus (pink) in the natural state, and several hybrids. The
flowers are borne at the ends of the branching stems. The flowers are fragile,
and have purplish-red or yellowish circular nectar guide at the mouth of the
corolla tube. The fruit is a cylindrical follicle containing many black seeds.

Chemical Composition: The interest of the scientific community arose in this

plant in 1950's after hearing of a "periwinkle tea” that was drunk in Jamaica for
its antidiabetic properties. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids but leaves are
used as a commercial source for the isolation of the two important anticancer
alkaloids - vincristine and vinblastine. These are known to inhibit the growth of
tumors. Today, we know that periwinkle is endowed with other medicinal
properties also. In all, it contains more than 90 known alkaloid agents.

Uses

1. Vinblastine sulphate is mainly used for the treatment of Hodgkin's

disease (cancer of the lymphatic system).

2. Vincristine sulphate is useful for treatment of leukaemia and lymphocytic

leukaemia.

3. Long before modern researchers learned of this plant's medicinal

properties, folk healers in faraway places used the Madagascar
periwinkle for a number of medicinal uses. In India, wasp sting was
treated with the juice from the leaves.

4. In Hawaii, an extract of the boiled plant is used to stop bleeding.

5. In Central America, it is used for gargle to ease sore throats and chest
ailments.

6. In Cuba, Puerlo Rico, Jamaica, and other islands, an extract of the

flowers is commonly used as eyewash.

8.3.6 Adhatoda vasica L. ([Link] adhatoda)

Family: Acanthaceae

Vernacular name: Malabar nut, Adulsa and Vasakat.

n = 17

Origin and Distribution This medicinal plant is native to Asia and widely
distributed in India, Bangladesh Nepal, Srilanka and Myanmar. It has been
introduced elsewhere and used in Siddha Medicine, Ayurvedic, homeopathy
and Unani systems of medicine. Plant grows in crowded areas along
158 wasteland and roadsides throughout India.
Unit 8 Medicinal Plants
Morphology Adhatoda is a large, perennial, evergreen shrub which reaches
the average height of 3 m. Leaves are simple, ovate or lance-shaped about 10
to 15 cm in length and 4 cm. wide. They are oppositely arranged, smooth-
edged, and borne on short petioles. Bark is yellowish in colour. Flowers are
usually white arranged in large, dense, axillary spike inflorescence with large
attractive white petals having purple line on lower lip. Fruits are small ovate or
club-shaped capsules (Fig. 8.8).

Cultivation: The plant thrives well in loamy soil of hills and plains. The growth
of the plant is best at temperature range of 20-27° C.

(a) (b)
Fig. 8.8: a) A twig of Adhatoda vasica showing flowers; b) inflorescence in Adhatoda

Chemical composition The leaves of Adhatoda vasica contain

phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics and
flavonoids. The most important alkaloids include vasicine, vasicol and
adhatodinine. The vasicine yield of the herbage has been measured as 0.541
to 1.1% by dry weight.

Uses
This shrub has a number of traditional medicinal uses in Siddha
Medicine, Ayurvedic, Homeopathy and Unani systems of medicine.

• In Ayurveda A. vasica is used for treating respiratory diseases. It is a

main ingredient in medicines for cough, cold and asthma. It reduces the
inflammation of lung airways.

• Vasicine compound found in A. vasica is bronchodilator which eases the

breathing and reduces wheezing due to asthma.

• Adhatoda vasica also possess antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

• According to Ayurveda it is beneficial in bleeding disorders and

ulcerations. Its use can also be helpful in peptic and duodenal ulcer.

• A. vasica reduces hyperacidity in stomach. It also has shown good

results in treatment of dyspepsia and [Link] is an appetite stimulant
and improves appetite. 159
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• It is a mild anti-hypertensive that is it reduces blood pressure.

• A vasica also reduces joint inflammation. In combination with other herbs

it helps in reducing raised uric acid and pain and tenderness associated
with gout. In gouty arthritis it is used in combination with giloy (Tinospora
cordifolia) and amaltas (Cassia fistula)

• Vasica root decoction is found beneficial in decreasing the urea level

and other nitrogenous wastes in blood.

8.3.7 Ephedra sinica L.

Family: Ephedraceae

Vernacular name: Joint Pine, Mahuang

n=7

Origin and Distribution Ephedra is a genus of gymnosperms and the only

genus of family Ephedraceae and order Ephedrales. This plant is of Chinese
origin. Various species of Ephedra are widespread in ard and semi arid
regions of South Western America, Southern Europe, Northern Africa, South
west and Central Asia northern China and Mangolia. It grows in dry climate
and is found worldwide except Australia. In India plant is found in dry parts of
Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Jammu and Kashmir.

Cultivation Ephedra is well adapted to arid and semi arid regions. Most
Ephedra species grow on shores or on sandy soils with direct sun exposure. It
is easily propagated by its rhizomes.

Morphology Plant is an evergreen shrub but some species are climbers,

vines and rarely trees too. The prominent underground tap root system with
many adventitious roots is present in Ephedra. The stems are green, ribbed,
profusely branched, hard and photosynthetic. Leaves are scale like or needles
upto 3 cm. long, opposite or whorled. Scale like leaves fuse at their base to
form a sheath. Plants are mostly dioecious with male strobili in whorls of upto
10 cones, each consisting of a series of decussate bracts (Fig.8.9a). Female
cones also occur in whorls. They have bracts which fuse around a single
ovule. Each strobilus contains 1 or 2 yellow to dark brown seeds (Fig.8.9b).

160 Fig.8.9: Ephedra plants showing male strobili, flowers, fruit and seed.
Unit 8 Medicinal Plants
Chemical composition: Dried stem and leaves of the plant are used as
medicine. Ephedra contains the alkaloids ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, nor
pseudoephedrine, methyl ephedrine tannins, amino acids and phenolic
compounds.

Uses
• Ephedra (E. sinica) has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese
medicine primarily for treatment of hay fever, asthma and bronchitis.

• Ephedra is used for treatment of flu, cold, nasal congestion and

headache. The dried stem and leaves of the plant have been used to
make tablets, capsules, extracts and teas.

• Ephedra is also used for weight loss and obesity, sometimes in

combination with aspirin and caffeine.

• The plant is known for enhancing energy level and sometimes taken by
athletes to enhance their performance.

• According to recent researches by U S Food and Drug Administration

(FDA) there is little evidence of Ephedral effectiveness except short term
weight loss but it increases the risk of heart problems and stroke, so its
use is banned in America.

• Adverse effects of Ephedra consumption may include severe skin

reactions, irritability, nervousness, dizziness,
trembling, headache, insomnia, profuse perspiration, dehydration, itchy
scalp and skin, vomiting etc. More serious potential side effects
include irregular heartbeat, seizures, heart attack, stroke, and
even death.

SAQ 3
a) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words

i) Adhatoda contains an alkaloid ………………., which is a

bronchodilator and eases in breathing.

ii) Leaves of Catharanthus are the source of two anticancer alkaloids.

……………………….. and …………….. .

iii) Periwinkle is known for its …………… and ………… properties.

iv) In Chinese medicine ………………..is used for treatment of

hayfever, bronchitis and asthma.

v) ………………….. is used for weight loss and obesity.

b) Correctly match the medicinal plants given in column 1 with their use in
column 2:

Column1 Column 2

i) Papaver somniferum 1. weight loss

ii) Catharanthus 2. moon disease
iii) Adhatoda vasica 3. analgesic and narcotic 161
Block 2 Beverages, Fibers, Timber, Medicinal and Oil Yielding Plants
iv) Ephedra 4. anticancer drug

v) Digitalis purpurea 5. cardiac disorders

vi) Rauwolfia 6. bronchodilator and ease in breathing

vii) Artemisia 7. antimicrobial and insecticidal

8.4 SUMMARY
• Digitalis sp. (Foxglove) is a biennial rarely perennial herb belonging to
the family Plantaginaceae (Former Scrophulariaceae). The leaves
contain active glycosides digitoxin, gitoxin, and digoxin. These
glycosides increase cardiac contractibility and are used for treatment of
heart diseases.

• Papaver somniferum (Opium poppy) is an erect glaucus, annual herb of

family Papaveraceae and yields opium. Crude opium contains about 40
alkaloids. Some important ones are morphine, codeine, thebaine,
narcotine and papaverine known for their powerful analgesic and
narcotic properties.

• Rauwolfia sp. (Serpentwood or Sarpagandha) belonging to the family

Apocynaceae is an erect, evergreen, perennating, glabrous undershrub.
Roots especially the bark of root is rich in alkaloids of which reserpine,
rescinamine, ajmaline, ajmalisine and serpentine are of commercial
importance. Powdered taproots are used for treatment of Moon disease,
snake bite and also for mental disorder named Schizophrenia.

• Artemisia (Mugwort) belonging to the family Asteraceae is a tall

herbaceous perennial plant with extensive rhizome system. Mugwort
root extract is used as a general tonic. Artemisia contains sedatives,
antidepressants and has calming effect on mental stress, depression
and anxiety.

• Catharanthus roseus (Periwinkle) of family Apocyanaceae is a perennial

erect shrub of about 1m. It is used for its antibiotic properties. Leaves of
the plant contain two anticancer alkaloids – Vincristine and Vinblastin.
Besides, this plant also possesses many other therapeutic properties.

• Adhatoda vasica (Malabar nut) of family Acanthaceae is a large shrub. It

is used for treatment of respiratory ailments. It contains an alkaloid
Vasicine which is bronchodilator and eases breathing. It also contains
antibacterial and antimircrobial properties.

• Ephedra sp. (Joint pine) of Gymnosperm family Ephedraceae grows in

arid and semi arid regions on shores and sandy soils. Plants are
evergreen shrubs. It contains ephedrine alkaloids and used for treatment
of cold, fever, flu, nasal congestion and headache. It is also taken for
162 weight loss and as energy boosting drug.
Unit 8 Medicinal Plants

8.5 TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1. Give the botanical names, family, general morphology and uses of any
two: Poppy, Mugwort, Sarpagandha.

2. Discuss in brief the morphology, chemical composition and therapeutic

uses of Ephedra. Why its use is banned in America?

3. Describe in brief the morphology, chemical composition and uses of

Digitalis purpurea.

8.6 ANSWERS
Self-Assessment Questions
1. a) Digitalin; b) Steroids; c) Emulsifiers; d) good agricultural practices

2. a) False; b) True; c) False; d) False; e) False; f) True

3. a) i) Vasicine; ii) Vincristine, vinblastine; iii) Antidiabetic, anticancer

iv) Ephedra sincia; v) Ephedra

b) i) analgesic and narcotic; ii) anticancer drug; iii) bronchodilator and ease in breathing

iv) weight loss; v) cardiac disorders; vi) moon disease;

vii) antimicrobial and insecticidal

Terminal Questions
1. Refer to Section 8.3.

2. Refer to Subsection 8.3.7.

3. Refer to Subsection 8.3.1.

Acknowledgements
Fig. 8.2 b : Source:
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Fig. 8.4: : Source:

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