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Botanical Classification |
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Botanical classification |
kingdom |
Plantae |
Division |
magnoliophyta |
Class |
magnolipsida |
Order |
caryophyllales |
Family |
plumbaginnaceae |
Genus |
Plumbago |
Species |
zeylanica |
Plumbago zeylanica |
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Family |
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Botanical – plumbaginnaceae
Ayurvedic – chitrak kul
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Synonyms |
- English name – lead wort
- Hindi name – chita
- Sanskrit name- chitrak
- Gujarati name – chitro
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Habitat |
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It is found in Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, south India and Sri Lanka. It is also cultivated for commercial purposes.
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Morphology |
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It is a perennial bushy shrub that attains a height to 2 to 4 feet height. Leaves are 3 inch long and 1 ½ inch broad. Flower stalk is 4 to 12 inch in length that bears white colored flowers having ½ to ¾ inch diameter. These are present in bunches. Fruit is long, sharp, slimy, which contains a seed in it that is long. Roots are similar to that of a finger. That has a pungent taste. The plant flowers in autumn. Fruits ripes in one year time.
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Chemical Constituents |
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| The root contains pungent, yellowish substance that is called as plumbagin which is 0.91 %. Besides this it contains sucrose, fructose and protease
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Pharmacology |
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| It suppresses vata and pitta. It is a good anti-inflammatory agent and also works in reducing the burning sensation in the body due to its cold potency. It is also helpful in curbing infection in the body. It also helps in adhesion of tissues in the body and works as anti diarrheal due to heavy properties. It works as expectorant and tones up the urinary tract. It also provides strength to the body due to its sweet taste.
According to ayurveda it contains
- Gunna (properties) – laghu (light), ruksh (dry) and tikshan (sharp)
- Rasa (taste) – katu (pungent)
- Virya (potency) –ushan (hot)
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Toxicology |
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It is safe for human consumption when taken in normal dosage.
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Plant part used |
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Roots bark
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Indication |
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- Elephantiasis
- Inflammation
- Skin related problems
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Nervine weakness
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Liver related problems
- Piles
- Worms
- Ulcers
- Rhinitis
- Cough
- Menstrual disturbances
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fever
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Uses |
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- Oil and paste –it is applied on the wounds, inflammation, joint pains, skin related problems.
- Powder – it is also helpful in nervous weakness and body aches. It regularizes the digestive tract and helps in stimulating liver for proper functioning. It also improves the peristaltic movements. It also maintaining the proper menstrual cycle and also is very effective in fading the respiratory disturbances. It is also helpful in maintaining the proper body temperature.
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