Medicinal Plants

Tropane:

 Belladona

Other Names: Deadly Nightshade, Devil's Cherries, Devil's Herb, Divale, Dwale, Dwayberry, Grande.Botanical source: Belladona cosists of the dried leaf and flowering top of Atropabelladona.Family: SolanaceaeGeographical source: The plant is indigenous to central and southern Europe and is cultivated in England, other European countries and the United States of America.Constituents: The leaves contain1% alkaloids. About three fourth of these is Hyoscyamine and other one is Atropine. Leaves also contain Scopoletin and calcium-oxalate.
 Use:

• Belladonna is used as a sedative,
• To stop bronchial spasms in asthma and whooping cough, and as a cold and hay fever remedy.
• It is also used for Parkinson's disease, colic, motion sickness, and as a painkiller.
• Belladonna is used in ointments that are applied to the skin for joint pain (rheumatism), leg pain caused by a disc in the backbone pushing on the sciatic nerve (sciatica), and nerve pain (neuralgia).
• Belladonna is also used in plasters (medicine-filled gauze applied to the skin) for treating psychiatric disorders, a behavior disorder called hyperkinesis, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), and bronchial asthma.
• Rectally, belladonna is used in hemorrhoid suppositories.

StramoniumCommon name: Devil's Apple. Jamestown-weed. Jimson-weed. Stinkweed. Devil's Trumpet. Apple of Peru.Botanical source: It is consists of dried leaves and flowering top of Datura stramonium or it’s variety of D.tatula.Family: SolanaceaeGeographical source: D. stromonium is probably originated in Caspian Sea territories and spreaded to Europe in the first century. At present it grows in waste places in Europe, Asia, America and South Africa. D. stromonium is cultivated in Germany, France, Hungary, South America and throughout the world.
Constituents: The major tropane alkaloids hyoscyamine and scopolamine and several minor tropane alkaloids have been identified in Datura species. Typical examples of minor alkaloids in D. stramonium are tigloidin, aposcopolamine, apoatropin, hyoscyamine N-oxide and scopolamine N-oxide.The plant also contains saponins, tannins, albumin and glycosides.

Use:

• D. stramonium is now used to treat asthma, and gastrointestinal problems, also aches, abscesses,arthritis, boils, headaches, hemorroids, rattlesnake bites, sprains, swellings, and tumors.
• It acts as a sedative in large doses and as a stimulant and deleriant in high ones.
• Datura is an anodyne, antibiotic, antispasmodic and narcotic.
• Relieving the pains of rheumatism and sciatica when applied as an ointment, and easing spasms of Parkinsons disease are unproven accounts of the effects of Jimson weed.

 HyoscyamusSynonyms: Common Henbane, Hyoscyamus, Hog's-bean, Jupiter's-bean, HenbaneBotanical name: It is consists of dried leaves and flowering top of Hyoscyamus niger.
Family: Solanaceae
Geographical source: The plant is an annual, biennial herb indigenous to Europe, Western Asia, Northern Africa and is cultivated in Russia, U.K., USA, and Germany.
Constituents: The chief constituents of hyoscyamus seeds are two alkaloids, hyoscyamine, and hyoscine.are two alkaloids, besides fixed oil and fatty matter, gum, starch, albuminous matter, etc.
Use:

• In treating cramps and irritable bowel syndrome.
• In cramping pain caused by kidney stones and gallstones,
• Parkinson’s disease.
• In addition, it is used to decrease the side effects of insecticides.
• Decreases acid production in the stomach.

Cacao Common Name(s): Cacao , cocoa, chocolate tree .
Botanical Name(s): It is the seeds of Theobroma cacaoFamily: SterculiaceaeG.S.: The plant is a tree found in South and Central America, Westindies, and Java.
Constituents: The seeds contain fixed oil, sarch, protein, theobromine, and caffeinetheobromineUse:

• It has positive effects on mood, high blood pressure, and heart health, improving circulation and having no adverse effects on cholesterol.
• Theobromine is used as diuretic.
• The cocoa syrup is used as a flavoring agent
• Cocoa butter is used as a suppository base.
• Theobromine

Quinoline:

CINCHONA 

Synonyms: Cinchona Bark, Peruvian Bark, Cinchonae Cortex
Botanical source: Cinchona consists of the dried bark of various species, races and hybrids of Cirichona, particularly of Cinchona succirubra Pavon (Red Cinchona), Cinchona calisaya Weddell (Yellow Cinchona), Cinchona ledgeriafla Moens, and Cinchona officinalis Linn.
 Family: Rubiaceae.Geographical source: Cinchona is indigenous to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia and cultivated commercially in Java (Indonesia) and India.
Constituents: Cinchona bark contains four important quinoline alkaloids, which are quinine, quinidine, cinchonine and cinchonidine. It also contains quinic acid, cinchotannic acid, cinchona red and many minor alkaloids.
Uses: Cinchona possesses febrifuge properties and has been used in the treatment of malaria fever

Isoquinoline:
Ipecac
Common names: Ipecac also is known as ipecacuanha, golden root, Rio ipecac or Brazilian ipecac
Scientific names: It is the dried root or rhizome of Cephalelis ipecacuanha or C. acuminate. Family: RubiaceaeG.S.: The plant is indigenous to Brazil. It is also cultivated in Malaysia, Nicaragua
Constituents: Ipecac’s major constituents are the alkaloids emetine and cephaline. The roots also contain tannins,calcium oxalate and small amounts of anthraquinone glycosides

• Emetine

Use: 

• Ipecac is taken by mouth to cause vomiting after suspected poisoning.
• It is also used to treat bronchitis associated with croup in children, a severe kind of diarrhea (amoebic dysentery), and cancer
• Ipecac is also used as an expectorant to thin mucous and make coughing easier. Small doses are used to improve appetite.
• Health professionals sometimes give ipecac by IV (intravenously) for hepatitis and pockets of infection (abscesses).

 Opium

 Synonym: 

common garden poppy

Biological Source: Opium or gum opium is the air dried milky exudates obtained by incising the unripe capsules of Papaver somniferumFamily:PapaveriaceaeG.S.:The plant is cultivated in Burma, Thailand, Afghanstan, China, India, Pakistan, IranConstituents: More than 30 different alkaloids have been obtained. Most important of these are Morphine (4-21%), Codeine ( %), Noscapine formerly narcotine (4-8%), Papaverine ( %), thebaine (0.5-2%) and narceine etc.Uses:

• As an analgesic, a hypnotic, narcotic and antidiarrheal.
• Checks excessive peristalsis.
• Seed used as food and salad dressing.

 How opium is adulterated?
Opium is adulterated with the fragments of capsule, the pulp of figs and other fruits, trgacanth, bees wax, powdered cumin seed, starch and such organic substances as clay, sand, stone, lead piping etc.

Indole:
RAUWOLFIA

Synonyms: Rauwolfia Serpentina, Rauwolfia Root, Indian Snri’ root, Sarpagondha, Chhotachand
Botanical source: Rauwolfia consists of the dried roots Rauvolfia serpentina Benth., a large shrub of the farnil, Apocynaceae.
Geographical source: The Plant is indigenous to Bangladesh, India, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Chemical constituents:

• Rauwolfia contains 1.2 to 1.4 percent of total indole alkaloids , the most important of which are rcscrpjne, descrpidine and recinnamine.
• It also includes resinous matter, fatty acids, unsaturated alcohols, dextrose and sucrose.

 Uses:

• It is used in reducing high blood pressure
• it is also used as a sedative in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, insanity and certain other neurophychiatric dishorders.

 NUX-VOMICA

 Synonyms: Strychni Semina, Crow Fig.
Botanical source: Nux-vomica consists of the dried seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica Linn., Family: Loganiaceae.Geographical source: plant grows wild in India, West Indies and Cameroon and sporadically in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.Chemical constituents:The seed drug Nux-vomica contains the indole alkaloids, strychnine (about 1.24 %) and brucine (about 1.5 %). It also contains caffeotannic acid, a glycoside, loganin and a fixed oil.Uses:

• It is used as a tonic and stomachic and is given in constipation.
• It increases blood pressure. Thus it is also useful in certain cases of heart failure
• In large doses it causes convulsions and thus is used in pharmacological research.

 ErgotB.S.: Ergot is the dried sclertium of a fungus Claviceps purpurea that grows on the ears of rye plant Secale cerealFamily: GramineaeG.S.: The plant is widely cultivated in Germany, France, Russia, Spain and PrtugalUse:

• Ergot is used as rich source of ergot alkaloid
• Ergotamine and it’s semisynthetic derivatives are used in migraine
• Ergometrine is oxytocic and is used in delivery
• It stimulates the tone of uterine muscle

Ergot also contains tyramine, histamine and very small amount of amines and acetyl choline.
Constituents: Ergot contains a number of alkaloids which are classified in to 3 groups. These are-

 Use:Ergot is used as rich source of ergot alkaloidErgotamine and it’s semisynthetic derivatives are used in migraineErgometrine is oxytocic and is used in deliveryIt stimulates the tone of uterine muscleErgotism: It is the danger of ergot that produces various diseases. Before systemic cultivation of ergot if the fungus invade the rye field then it is harvested with rye grain and rye flour is contaminated with the fungus and when people ingest this flour they become victim of some diseases which are known as Ergotism

Imidazole:Pilocarpus.Common Names: Jaborandi, Pernambuco Jaborandi, Maranham Jaborandi.Botanical Source : The dried leaflets of (1) Pilocarpus Jaborandi, Holmes; or (2) Pilocarpus microphyllus,Family: RutaceaeG.S.:The jaborandi shrub is a native of Brazil, it is also found in Central and Southarn America.
Chemical Composition.—The active principle of jaborandi leaves is the alkaloid pilocarpine, Several other active principles were subsequently isolated from the mother liquors of pilocarpine-namely, the alkaloids jaborine, pilocarpidine, jaboridine and volatile jabonine, as well as jaboric and pilocarpic acids;Use:1.it is helpful in renal disease2. Increase the secretion of saliva3. Is used to contract pupil

Steroidal:

Aconite

Common Name(s): Aconite, aconite tuber , monkshood , friar's cap , helmet flowerScientific Name(s): It is the dried root of Aconitum napellus Family:RanunculaceaeG.S.: Most of the commercial supply comes from central and southern Europe and partially from Spain.Chemical Composition.— Aconite contains terpene alkaloids of which the most important is Aconitine.It also contains alkaloids like mesaconitine, hypaconitine, neoaconitine and napelline,Besides these it also contains cane sugar, glucose, resin, fats, aconitic acid (H3C6H3O6), usually combined with calcium in the form of calcium aconitategum, albumen and tannin.Use:

• Some people apply aconite to the skin in liniment as a “counterirritant” for treating facial pain, joint pain, and leg pain.
• It is taken by mouth for gout, finger numbness, cold hands and feet, inflammation, painful breathing and fluid in the space surrounding the lungs
• In certain heart problems (pericarditis sicca), fever, skin diseases, and hair loss.
• Aconite is also used as a disinfectant, to treat wounds, and to promote sweating.

VeratrumCommon Name(s):False hellebore, hellebore, Indian poke, American white helleboreB.s.: It is the dried root and rhizome of Veratrum viride.Family: LiliaceaeG.S.: It is native to eastern and western (but not central) North America and widely cultivated in Canada, USA.Constituents: There are more than 50 steroidal alkaloids found in American hellebore. Isolated chemical constituents include: O-acetyljervine, cevadine, cryptenamine, cyclopamine (11-deoxojervine), cycloposine, germitrine, germidine, jervine, muldamine, protoveratrine (A&B), veratramine, veratridine, and veriloid.Use:

• It is used in hypertension
• It has been used in the treatment of pneumonia, peritonitis, and other sthenic fevers, but is chiefly useful in chronic diseases, such as arterio-sclerosis and interstitial nephritis.

Purine bases:
Coffee

 Synonym: Caffe
B.S.: Coffee bean or coffee seed is the dried ripe seed of Coffea arabica Family: RubiaceaeG.S.: The plant is indigenous to Ethiopia and other parts of Eastern Africa and is widely cultivated in Indonesia, Srilanka and Brazil.Constituents: Beans contain Oil, wax, caffeine, aromatic oil, tannic acid, caffetannic acid, gum, sugar, protein.CaffeineUse:

• People drink coffee to relieve mental and physical fatigue and to increase mental alertness.
• Coffee is also used to prevent Parkinson's disease, gallstones, type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer.
• Other uses include treatment of headache, low blood pressure, obesity, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder

Decaffeinized coffeeDecaffeinized coffee is prepared by extracting most of the caffeine from the coffee bean yet retaining the pleasant aroma of coffee. Such apreparation usually contains 0.085% caffeinUse: Acts as stimulant;diuretic; in CNS depressant poisoning

 TeaSynonym: ChaB.S.: It is consists of the prepared leaves and leaf buds of Camellia sinensis or Camellia thea or Thea sinensisFamily:TheaceaeG.S.: Camellia sinensis is native to East, South and Southeast Asia, but it is today cultivated across the world in tropical and subtropical regions.Constituent: Tea contains Tannin, caffeine, adenine, theophylline, theobromine, Xanthine and volatile oil.

 Use:

• Theophylline and Theobromine are used as smooth muscle relaxant and diuretic
• The chief use of tea is as a source of caffeine which has a marked stimulating action on the CNS, kidney, muscle and heart.

Processing of tea: There are two types of tea on the basis of their processing:

• Green tea: It is prepared by in China and Japan by rapidly drying the freshly peaked leaves in copper pan over a mild artificial heat. The leaves are often rolled in the palm of the hand as they dry.
• Black tea: It is prepared in Srilanka and India by heaping the fresh leaves until fermentation has begun. They are then rapidly dried with artificial heat.

 Lupinane:

 Lupins 

B.S.: It is the dried Seeds, herb of Lupinus albus
Family: LeguminosaeG.S.: The Lupinus are a large genus of handsome plants, represented in Europe, Asia and North and South AmericaConstituents: The bitter principle Lupinin is a glucoside occurring in yellowish needles.Use:The bruised seeds of White Lupine, after soaking in water, are sometimes used as an external application to ulcers, etc., and internally are said to be anthelmintic, diuretic and emmenagogue.

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