Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Plumbago zeylanica L. [Kirtikar, Kanhoba Ranchoddas, and Baman Das Basu. "Indian Medicinal Plants." Indian Medicinal Plants. (1918)].
Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Plumbago zeylanica L. [Kirtikar,
Kanhoba Ranchoddas, and Baman Das Basu. "Indian Medicinal Plants." Indian Medicinal Plants. (1918)].
Pankaj Oudhia
Introduction
Based on Ethnobotanical
surveys since year 1990 in different parts of India Pankaj Oudhia has
documented vital information about Medicinal Plants mentioned in the famous
publication by Kirtikar and Basu (1918). Through this research document Pankaj
Oudhia has tried to present original document with additional notes. For
complete paper with pictures, Interactive Tables, Video and Audio clips please
visit pankajoudhia.com
For original publication by Kirtikar and Basu (1918) please visit https://archive.org/details/indianmedicinalp01kirt
712. Plumbago zeylanica, Linn., H.F.B.I., III.
480 ; Rosb. 155.
Sans. : — Agni-shikha, Chitraka. (Also Vahni , and all the
other names of fire. Roxburgh).
Vern. : — Chitra, chita, chitarak (Hind.); Chitu (Beng.) ;
Shitaraj (Arab.) ; Shitaruk (Pers.) ; Chatrmul, Chitrakmul,
(Dec.) ;
Venchittira (Tarn.) ; Tella-chitra (Tel.); Kotuveli (Mat);
Sudu-
nitul (Cingh.) ; Kn-khen-pbfu (Burm.) ; Chitrak (Bom).
Habitat : — Cultivated, and wild throughout India. Common
in Bengal, South India, and Kumaun hills.
An evergreen perennial herb, or undershrub, diffuse, ram-
bling. Stems several, 2-5ffc., eylindric, glabrous striate.
Root
long, succulent, often much contorted, substantial, diffuse,
strait-
ed longitudinally, 4-5ft. long, procumbent branches, on
reach-
ing the soil, often strike root. Leaves alternate,
exstipulate,
entire sessile, l|-3Jin. long, lin. broad, ovate. Petiole
fin., base
dilated, amplexicaul. Spikes 4-12in., often branched ; rachis
of
the spike pubescent or glandular. Flowers white, scentless,
re-
gular, bisexual, in long spike-like racemes, the rachis
glandular,
striate. Bracts and bracteoles persistent, leafy, shorter
than
the Calyx. Calyx inferior, free, i-Jin. by j^iia.,
persistent,
narrowly tubular or spindle-shaped ; 5-10 ribbed, often
hyaline
between the ribs, mouth frequently funnel-shaped, scarious ;
seg-
ments five, with membranous margins, covered with short, large,
stalked, spreading, globose, crimson glands ; teeth very
short.
Corolla inferior, persistent, tubular ; tube lin., slender ;
lobes
5, spreading, nearly Jin. long, oval ovate or ovoid, acute.
Stamens
5, free, hypogynous, opposite the petals ; filaments free, as
long-
as the Corolla- tube, linear, dilated at base ; anthers
protruded,
2-celled. Ovary superior, I-celled, 5-angular, narrowed at
apex.
Style simple filiform, divided into 5 stigmatose branches,
nearly
throughout the length. Stigmas 5, capillary and quite
distinct.
Ovule solitary. Capsule membranous, oblong, sharply pointed,
included within the persistent Calyx and Corolla ; pericarp
thickened above. Dehiscence circumciss near the base. Seed
cylindrical or oblong rotund.
N. 0. PLUMBAGINEiE. 737
Uses : — "The root of P. zeylanica is said to increase
the
digestive power [Pankaj Oudhia’s Comment: With
so many harmful effects if not used judiciously.], to promote the appetite, and to be useful in
dyspepsia, piles [Pankaj Oudhia’s Comment: Very
promising in treatment of Piles.
I have documented information about over 28000 Herbal Formulations in which
Plumbago plays vital role. These Formulations are used for Piles.] anasarca, diarrhoea, skin diseases [Pankaj
Oudhia’s Comment: In treatment of skin diseases from common itch to
Lichenoid Dermatitis the Traditional Healers use Plumbago plant parts with
different herbs in form of complex herbal formulations. I have collected
information about over 150,000 Formulations so far.] , &c." (Hindu
Mat. Med.). " A tincture of the root-bark has been
employed as
an antiperiodic. Dr. Oswald says that he has employed it in
the treatment of intermittents with good effect. It acts as a
powerful sudorific." (Pharm. Ind., p. 1701.)
Mahomedan writers describe it as caustic and vesicant, an
expellant of phlegmatic humors ; useful in rheumatism [Pankaj
Oudhia’s Comment: In treatment of rheumatism and related troubles Plumbago
based Formulations are used in different forms in different parts of India. I
have collected information about 200,000 Formulations in which it is added as
primary, secondary, tertiary to nonary ingredients.] and
spleen, digestive ; it also causes abortion. For external ad-
ministration, it is made into a paste with milk, vinegar or
salt
and water. Such a paste may be applied externally in leprosy
and other skin diseases of an obstinate character, and be al-
lowed to remain until a blister has formed
In the Concan, the following formula is used : — Chitrak
root,
Emblic myrobalans, small black myrobalans (Bahhartaki),
long pepper, pepper root, rhubarb and rock salt. Powder and
give 6 massas with hot water every night at bed time, in
flatu-
lence with rheumatic pains (Dymock).
Taylor comments on its sialogogue properties. The milky
juice is used as an application to unhealthy ulcers and in
cases
of scabies. (Dr. Thornton in Watt's Dictionary.)
[Pankaj
Oudhia’s Comment: Please see Tables Plumbago-1 to Plumbago-300 for
exhaustive information about this species.]
E-documents on Plumbago
Citation
Oudhia, Pankaj (2013).
Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Plumbago
zeylanica L. [Kirtikar, Kanhoba Ranchoddas, and Baman Das Basu.
"Indian Medicinal Plants." Indian
Medicinal Plants. (1918)]. www.pankajoudhia.com
Comments