Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam. [Kirtikar, Kanhoba Ranchoddas, and Baman Das Basu. "Indian Medicinal Plants." Indian Medicinal Plants. (1918)].

Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam. [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

117. Polycarpaea corymbose, Lam. h.f.b.l,

i. 245.

Vern, : — In Porebunder, it is called the small-leaved

Okharad.

Habitat: — Throughout India, Ceylon, Burma. Found on

Burda Mt, in Porebunder State (J. Indraji).

An erect or decumbent annual or perennial herb. Stems

6-12 in., erect or ascending, much dichotonously branched ;

branches very numerous, wings diffuse, 4-10 in. long, spreading

from the centre, hoary, tomentose or glabrescent. Leaves

numerous, narrow, linear or subulate, pseudo-verticillate (\i\

opposite clusters), i-1 in., acuminate, acute or obtuse, much

exceeding the stipules. Stipules lanceolate or subulate,

scarious. Flowers crowded in conspicuous terminal dichotomous

silvery cymes, | in. Sepals somewhat unequal, 5, free with

scarious white margins, shining white or coloured, narrowly

lanceolate, j G in , very acute, keeled on the back, glabrous or

pilose, much exceeding the petals and capsule. Petals 5,

truncate, white, much, shorter than the sepals. Style 1, tip

3-toothed. Capsule much shorter than the calyx opening by 3

valves. Seeds numerous, rough, pale-brown, small.

Use : — In Pudukota, used both externally and internally

as a remedy for the bites of venomous reptiles (Pharmaco-

graphia Indica, Vol. 1, 158). In Porebunder it is similarly

used as pounded leaves for bites from animals. Its pounded

leaves are also used with molasses in the form of a pill in

jaundice by the villagers of Porbunder.

The pounded leaves are also used over boils and in-

flammatory swellings, as poultice, warmed or cold (J. Indraji.).

[Pankaj Oudhia’s Comment: Through Ethnobotanical surveys I have collected information about over 35000 Herbal Formulations in which Polycarpaea is added as secondary ingredient. These Formulations are used for liver related diseases. In over 18000 Herbal Formulations used for blood related diseases Polycarpaea is added as tertiary ingredient. In over 20000 Herbal Formulations used for snake bites Polycarpaea is added as septenary ingredient. For Indian Traditional Healers Polycarpaea is valuable medicine for spleen related diseases but its judicious use is required. There are tens of herbs and herbal formulations in practice for Polycarpaea excess, overdose and toxicity. Please see Polycar-1 to Polycar-100 for details.]  

E-documents on Polycarpaea

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Citation

Oudhia, Pankaj (2013). Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam. [Kirtikar, Kanhoba Ranchoddas, and Baman Das Basu. "Indian Medicinal Plants." Indian Medicinal Plants. (1918)]. www.pankajoudhia.com