Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. XIX. Meetha Phool (Ixora coccinea, family : Rubiaceae)
Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known
traditional uses. XIX. Meetha Phool (Ixora coccinea, family :
Rubiaceae)
http://www.pankajoudhia.com/RA1.pdf
Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved
Meetha phool is grown as hedge plant for its deep-red, attractive flowers. The children are fond of its sweet tasted flowers. This is reason it is known as Meetha (Sweet) phool (Flower). During my Ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I noted that his herb is popular as ornamental herb and many natives are aware of its medicinal properties and uses. Although, its medicinal uses are not much popular but from documentation point of view, it is important information. In reference literatures, related to different systems of medicine in India, I have yet not found any specific details regarding its medicinal properties and uses. In dense forests and home gardens, I have observed five species of Ixora and among these Ixora coccinea is most common. As medicinal h it is less known and also it is not in the list of non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh. Botanically, it is shrub, upto 4 meters high. Leaves opposite, elliptic-ovate to oblong, sessile or sub-sessile, coriaceous, cordate at base, rounded or apiculate at apex, 4-7x3 cm, stipules triangular, awned. Flowers in sessile or shortly pedunculate corymbose cymes, scarlet. Calyx urceolate, four lobed, lobes triangular, acute. Corolla scarlet or deep red, tube upto 3.5cm long, lobes broadly ovate. Stamens four, alternate with corolla lobes. Ovary 2-celled, ovules solitary in each cell. Fruits globose, fleshy. The natives aware of its medicinal properties and uses, use the fresh flowers internally in treatment of gynaecological trouble particularly in treatment of Safed Pani (Leucorrhoea). The curry prepared from fresh flower is given to the patients till complete cure. The natives also use the roots and flower alone or in combination, in treatment of dysentery but as other promising and cheap alternatives are available, these parts are used less commonly. The detailed surveys are in progress and I will write more on this herb as soon as I will get more information. Botanical differences among major Ixora species. Characteristics. I.coccinea I. cuneifolia I. pavetta 1. Habit Shrubs upto 4m high Shrubs Shrubs or small trees, upto 5m high . Leaves Opposite, elliptic-ovate to oblong, sessile or subsessile, coriaceous, cordate at base, rounded or apiculate at apex, 4-7x3-4 cm. Coriaceous, lanceolate, oblong or elliptic lanceolate, sometimes puberulous beneath, 8-13 x 4-4.5 cm. Elliptic -oblong , coriaceous, rounded or cordate at base, apex obtuse to acute, 6-14 x 3-5 cm. 3. Flowers In sessile or shortly pedunculate corymbose cymes, scarlet. White, in sessile or shortly pedicellate cymes White, in terminal pedicellate branched cymes 4. Fruits Globose, fleshy Like a Pea. globose, red, 5-7mm in diameter, seeds flattened. 5. Flowering and fruiting time February - April April - June May - June Common Indian names of Ixora conccinea Languages / regions Names 1. Kanarese Gudde dosal, Kepala, Kisukare 2. Marathi Bakali, Pankul, Pendgul 3. Sanskrit Bandhuka, Parali, Raktaka 4. English Flame of the woods. Thank you very much for reading the article
http://www.pankajoudhia.com/RA1.pdf
Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved
Meetha phool is grown as hedge plant for its deep-red, attractive flowers. The children are fond of its sweet tasted flowers. This is reason it is known as Meetha (Sweet) phool (Flower). During my Ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I noted that his herb is popular as ornamental herb and many natives are aware of its medicinal properties and uses. Although, its medicinal uses are not much popular but from documentation point of view, it is important information. In reference literatures, related to different systems of medicine in India, I have yet not found any specific details regarding its medicinal properties and uses. In dense forests and home gardens, I have observed five species of Ixora and among these Ixora coccinea is most common. As medicinal h it is less known and also it is not in the list of non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh. Botanically, it is shrub, upto 4 meters high. Leaves opposite, elliptic-ovate to oblong, sessile or sub-sessile, coriaceous, cordate at base, rounded or apiculate at apex, 4-7x3 cm, stipules triangular, awned. Flowers in sessile or shortly pedunculate corymbose cymes, scarlet. Calyx urceolate, four lobed, lobes triangular, acute. Corolla scarlet or deep red, tube upto 3.5cm long, lobes broadly ovate. Stamens four, alternate with corolla lobes. Ovary 2-celled, ovules solitary in each cell. Fruits globose, fleshy. The natives aware of its medicinal properties and uses, use the fresh flowers internally in treatment of gynaecological trouble particularly in treatment of Safed Pani (Leucorrhoea). The curry prepared from fresh flower is given to the patients till complete cure. The natives also use the roots and flower alone or in combination, in treatment of dysentery but as other promising and cheap alternatives are available, these parts are used less commonly. The detailed surveys are in progress and I will write more on this herb as soon as I will get more information. Botanical differences among major Ixora species. Characteristics. I.coccinea I. cuneifolia I. pavetta 1. Habit Shrubs upto 4m high Shrubs Shrubs or small trees, upto 5m high . Leaves Opposite, elliptic-ovate to oblong, sessile or subsessile, coriaceous, cordate at base, rounded or apiculate at apex, 4-7x3-4 cm. Coriaceous, lanceolate, oblong or elliptic lanceolate, sometimes puberulous beneath, 8-13 x 4-4.5 cm. Elliptic -oblong , coriaceous, rounded or cordate at base, apex obtuse to acute, 6-14 x 3-5 cm. 3. Flowers In sessile or shortly pedunculate corymbose cymes, scarlet. White, in sessile or shortly pedicellate cymes White, in terminal pedicellate branched cymes 4. Fruits Globose, fleshy Like a Pea. globose, red, 5-7mm in diameter, seeds flattened. 5. Flowering and fruiting time February - April April - June May - June Common Indian names of Ixora conccinea Languages / regions Names 1. Kanarese Gudde dosal, Kepala, Kisukare 2. Marathi Bakali, Pankul, Pendgul 3. Sanskrit Bandhuka, Parali, Raktaka 4. English Flame of the woods. Thank you very much for reading the article
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