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

Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Gynandropsis pentaphylla (L.) DC. [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

87. Gynandropsis pentaphylla, DC. h.f.b.i.,

1.171.

Syn. : — Cleome pentaphyla, Linn. ; Roxb. 500, 501.

Sci72S. : — Surjavarta; Arkapushpika.

Vern. : — Hurfmr, hulhul, karaila, churota (H.) ; Harhuriya

Kanala, bansarisha, arkahuli, Sadahurhidia (B.) ; Setakata arak,

Guma (Santal.) ; kathal parhar (U. P.); Halhal (Dec); kinro,

(SindJ, Tilavana, mabli (Mar.) : velai, neivaylla, kadughu (Tarn.) ;

Vaminta, vela-kura, (Tel.); tai-vela, kara-vela, vela (Malay.)

Habitat : — A common weed throughout the warm parts of

India. Very common in Ceylon in waste and cultivated ground.

An erect, branched annual 2-4 ft. Stem shaggy with

long, white, spreading hair. Leaves 5-foliate, leaflets sessile,

broadly ovate, acute, entire, pubescent on both sides and

ciliate, pale beneath, terminal largest, 1J-2 in. ; petiole 2 in.,

stout, hairy and rough with prickles ; flowers at first distinctly

corymbose, afterwards in long erect racemes, bracts of 3 sessile

leaflets, many empty. Pedicels over \ in., viscoid, pubescent ;

sepals narrowly lanceolate, acute gladular-pubescent ; petals

rotund ate, with a long narrow claw thrice the length of sepals,

all curved upward ; stamens inserted about half-way up ; ovary

on summit of a gynophore, linear-oblong, very glandular ; style

0, stigma capitate, flat ; ovules numerous ; pods 2-3 in., linear,

slightly curved, somewhat compressed, viscid, pubescent. Seeds

helicoid-reniform, rough, dark brown (Trimen).

N. 0. CAPPARIDEiE. 101

Petals white or very pale pink, with pink claws, gynophore

and stamens purplish.

The inter nodes of the floral axis (gynophore) between the

whorl of petals, stamens and ovary are remarkably developed

in this plant (Trimen).

Parts used : — The seeds, leaves and root. [Pankaj Oudhia’s Comment: All parts are used as medicine.]

Uses : —Sir W. Jones observes that its sensible qualities

seem to promise great antispasmodic virtues, it having a smell

much resembling assafoetida, but comparatively delicate.

According to Dr. Wight (Illust. L, p. 34), the bruised leaves

are rubefacient and vesicant, producing a very copious exuda-

tion, affording in many cases the relief obtained from a blister

without its inconveniences. The expressed juice is a popular

remedy, in high repute as a local application in otalgia, both

amongst the natives of India and the settlers in the West Indies,

where the plant is also indigenous. Dr. J. Shortt states that

the seeds are used as a substitute for mustard, and yield a good

(fixed?) oil. (Ph.Ind.).

The seeds are anthelmintic and rubefacient,and are employ-

ed internally for the expulsion of round worms, and, externally as

a counter-irritant. The juice of the leaves is used in otalgia.

The leaves are applied externally to boils to prevent the form-

ation of pus. A decoction of the root is said to be a mild

febrifuge.

The seeds yield to ether about 25 per cent, of a thick greenish, drying

oil, having an acid value of 6'4 ; saponification value, 194"6, and iodine

value, 119. 5. [D. Hooper, Ann. Rept. Indian Museum, Industrial section

1908-9].

[Pankaj Oudhia’s Comment: In over 13000 Commelina based Herbal Formulations Gynandropsis is added as denary ingredient. These Formulations are used for treatment of gynecological diseases. In over 30000 Psoralea based Herbal Formulations Gynandropsis is added as quaternary ingredient. These Formulations are used for treatment of Vitiligo. In over 5000 Neem and 20000 Mahua based Herbal Formulations Gynandropsis is added as tertiary and nonary ingredients. These Formulations are used for treatment of old wounds. In over 10000 Jonkmari based Herbal Formulations Gynandropsis is added as quinary ingredient. These Formulations are used for treatment of diseases of nervous system. For details please see Tables Gynandropsis-1 to Gynandropsis-300.]

E-documents on Gynandropsis

http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=earticleList&Author=oudhia&Text=Gynandropsis

Citation

Oudhia, Pankaj (2014). Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Gynandropsis pentaphylla (L.) DC. [Kirtikar, Kanhoba Ranchoddas, and Baman Das Basu. "Indian Medicinal Plants." Indian Medicinal Plants. (1918)]. www.pankajoudhia.com