| Latin Names |
English Names |
Sanskrit Names |
Vernonia cinerea
Less. (Asteraceae)
|
Purple Fleabane |
Sahadevi |
|
| |
 History
It was mentioned in Sanskrit writings as being present in northern, western and southern India. In the Nighantus it was described as
cold, sweet and astringent.
Habitat
It is a common weed found throughout India.
Morphology Description (Habit)
The stem is slender, grooved and ribbed. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly elliptic or lanceolate, membranous or rather coriaceous. The flowers are pinkish and purple,in minute |
heads in rounded or flat-topped corymbs. The achenes are oblong, terete, & slightly narrowed at the base.
Principal Constituents
Triterpenes are the major constituent of the herb1. 24-hydroxytaraxer-14-ene was identified and the structure was elucidated2. b-amyrin acetate, b-amyrin benzoate, lupeol and its acetate, b-sitosterol, sigmasterol and a-spinasterol were isolated3.
Toxicology
No adverse effect was reported on usage of this plant as a drug.
Indications
The juice of the plant is given to children with urinary incontinence. The leaves are eaten as a potherb. A decoction of it is also given in diarrhea, stomachache and for cough and colic.
References
- J. Nat. Prod. 1984, 47, 865; Planta medica, 1993, 59, 458.
- J. Nat. Prod. 1984, 47, 865.
- J. Indian Chem. Soc. 1962, 39, 749.
|
| |
