Sunday, February 15, 2009

Canscora decussata SCHUL

English Name : Canscora

Family : Gentianaceae

Origin : Madagascar

Description
A slender, erect, annual herb up to 60 cm tall. Leaves narrowly ovate to oblong lanceolate, 0.5 to 4.0 cm long and 0.4 to 1.6 cm wide, apex, acute, base subcordate to rounded, basally three nerved. Flowers white borne in lax cymes; calyx 8 to 13 mm long, 4 winged; corolla tube as long as the calyx, lobes 6 mm long, obovate. Fruits capsules linear-oblong, 6 to 8 mm long and 2 mm broad, obutse at apex, persistent style at the tip.

Habitat
On hills and in forests of India (ascending to 1500 m).

Parts Used : Entire plant and fresh juice

Herb Effects
Antitubercular (flower tops and root) and anticonvulsant (plant); nervine and alterative tonic.

Active Ingredients
Gluanone, sitosterol, canscoridione, loliolide, stigmasterol, campesterol and a combination of n-alkanols and n-alkanes (aerial part); polyoxygenated xanthones (root and flower tops).

Medicinal Use
Nerve disorders, in insanity, scrofula and epilepsy (plant decoction); as laxative and tonic; as a febrifuge; to promote memory power, cure leprosy, ulcers, oedema, urinary disorders and snake-bites; to treat liver disorders, intermittent fever, leucoderma, tuberculosis, inflammation and abdominal troubles.

Dosage
2–10g/day dried or 3–15ml of a 1:5 @ 25% tincture.

Reference

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