Thursday, March 26, 2009

Plumbago zeylanica L.


English Name : White Leadwort

Family : Plumbaginaceae

Description
A perennial herb 1.5 m tall. Leaves thin glabrous 4 to 16 cm long and 2.0 to 7.5 cm wide, ovate apex subacute, margins entire, base tapering into amplexicaul petiole, auricles present. Flowers white, borne in elongated spikes up to 30 cm long; sepals green, persistent with membranous margins, corolla tube less than 2.2 cm long, petals 6 to 7 cm long, obovate. Fruit capsule, oblong, sharply pointed with furrows, enclosed with persistent calyx.

Habitat
Found wild in Peninsular India

Parts Used : Bark, root, wood and powder

Herb Effects
Antiperiodic, stimulant, sudorific, stomachic, carminative, astringent, anthelmintic, laxative, expectorant, tonic, alterative, abortifacient, and alexipharmic.

Active Ingredients
Plumbagin

Medicinal Use
For dyspepsia, piles, anasarca, diarrhea, skin disease, obstinate skin diseases, ulcers, for treating laryngitis, rheumatism, diseases of the spleen, ring worm, scabies. The root of the herb is used in cases of enlarged spleen, helps improve digestion and it stimulates the appetite.

Dosage
To improve digestion: 2-3 grams one hour before the main meal of the day with warm water.
Colicky abdominal pain: 0.5 to 2 grams each with warm water.

Contraindication
It causes abortion. Large doses cause death from respiratory failure.

Reference

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