JJacaranda acutifoliaauct. non-Humb. & Bonpl.

Synonym � J. mimosifolia D. DonJ. ovalifolia R. Br.

Family � Bignoniaceae.Habitat � Cultivated in Indiangardens.

Folk � Nili-gulmohar.Action � Leaves’ volatile oil—appliedto buboes. Leaves and bark ofthe plant—used for syphilis andblennorrhagia. An infusion of thebark is employed as a lotion forulcers.

The leaves contain jacaranone, ver-bascoside and phenylacetic-beta-glu-coside along with a glucose ester, jaca-ranose. Flavonoid scutellarein andits -glucuronide, and hydroquinoneswere also isolated. Fruits contain beta-sitosterol, ursolic acid and hentriacon-tane; stem bark gave lupenone andbeta-sitosterol.

The flowers contain an anthocyanin.In Pakistan, the flowers are sold as asubstitute for the Unani herb Gul-e-Gaozabaan.

The lyophylized aqueous extract ofthe stem showed a high and broadantimicrobial activity against humanurinary tract bacteria, especially Pseu-domonas sp.

The fatty acid, jacarandic acid, iso-lated from the seed oil, was found tobe a strong inhibitor of prostaglandinbiosynthesis in sheep.

J. rhombifolia G. F. W. May., syn.J. filicifolia D. Don is grown in Indi-an gardens. Extracts of the plant showinsecticidal properties.

Several species of Jacaranda are usedfor syphilis in Brazil and other partsof South America under the namescarobin, carabinha etc. A crystallinesubstance, carobin, besides resins,acids and caroba balsam, has beenisolated from them.

Jasminum angustifolium Vahl.

Family � Oleaceae.Habitat � South India.English � Wild Jasmine.Ayurvedic � Bana-mallikaa, Vana-malli, Kaanan-mallikaa, Aasphotaa.

Siddha/Tamil � Kaatumalli.Action � Root—used in ringworm.Leaves—juice is given as an emeticin cases of poisoning.

Fresh flowers gave indole.

Jasminum arborescens Roxb.

Synonym � J. roxburghianumWall.Habitat � Sub-Himalayan tract,Bengal, Central and South India.

English � Tree Jasmine.Ayurvedic � Nava-mallikaa.Siddha/Tamil � Nagamalli.

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342 Jasminum auriculatum Vahl.

Folk � Chameli (var.), Maalati (var.).Action � Leaves—astringent andstomachic. Juice of the leaves, withpepper, garlic and other stimulants,is used as an emetic in obstructionof the bronchial tubes due to viscidphlegm.

Jasminum auriculatum Vahl.

Family � Oleaceae.Habitat � Cultivated throughoutIndia, especially in Uttar Pradeshand Tamil Nadu. In Uttar Pradesh,cultivated on commercial scale inGhazipur, Jaunpur, Farrukhabadand Kannauj for its fragrant flowerswhich yield an essential oil.

Ayurvedic � Yuuthikaa, Yuuthi,Mugdhee.

Siddha/Tamil � Usimalligai.Folk � Juuhi.Action � See Jasminum humile.

The leaves gave lupeol, its epimer,hentriacontane and n-tricantanol,a triterpenoid, jasminol; d-mannitol;volatile constituent, jasmone. The pintype pointed flower buds (long styled)on solvent extraction yielded higherconcrete content rich in indole andmethyl anthranilate, whereas thrumtype (short styled) buds yield high-er absolute with benzyl acetate as theprominent constituent.

Jasminum flexile Vahl.

Synonym � J. azoricum Linn.

Family � Oleaceae.Habitat � Assam, Mizoram,Meghalaya and Western Ghats.

Ayurvedic � Maalati (var.).Siddha/Tamil � Ramabanam mullai.Folk � Chameli (var.).Action � See Jasminum officinale.

Jasminum heterophyllumRoxb. non-Moench.

Family � Oleaceae.Habitat � Nepal, North Bengal,Assam hills, Khasi hills andManipur.

Ayurvedic � Svarna-yuuthikaa (var.).Folk � Juuhi (yellow var.).Action � See Jasminum humile.

Jasminum humile Linn.

Synonym � J. humile auct. non L.J. bignoniaceum Wall ex G. Don.

Family � Oleaceae.Habitat � Sub-tropical Himalayasfrom Kashmir to Nepal and in theNilgiris, Palni Hills, Western Ghatsand Kerala.

English � Yellow Jasmine, NepalJasmine, Italian Jasmine.

Ayurvedic � Svarna-yuuthikaa,Svarnajaati, Hemapushpikaa,Vaasanti.

Siddha/Tamil � Semmalligai.Folk � Juuhi (yellow var.).

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Jasminum officinale Linn. var. grandiflorum (L.) Kobuski. 343

Action � Flower—astringent, cardiactonic. Root—used in ringworm.The milky juice, exuded fromincisions in the bark, is used fortreating chronic fistulas. The plantis also used for treating hard lumps.

The leaves gave alpha-amyrin, be-tulin, friedelin, lupeol, betulinic, olea-nolic and ursolic acids; beta-sitosterol,-cinnamoyloxyoleoside--methyl-ester (jasminoside) and a secoiridoidglycoside.

Jasminum malabaricum Wight.

Family � Oleaceae.Habitat � Deccan, West Coast,Western Ghats and in the Nilgiris.

Ayurvedic � Mudgara.Folk � Mogaraa (var.), Ran-mogaraa.Action � See Jasminum sambac.

Jasminum multiflorum(Burm. f.) Andr.

Synonym � J. pubescens Willd.J. hirsutumWilld.J. bracteatum Roxb.

Family � Oleaceae.Habitat � Sub-Himalayan tract andin moist forests of Western Ghats.

English � Downy Jasmine.Ayurvedic � Kunda, KasturiMogaraa.Siddha/Tamil � Magarandam, Malli.Folk � Kasturi Mogaraa.Action � Diuretic, emetic. Boiledbark—applied on burns.

Ethanolic extract of fresh leavesand flowers contain the secoiridoidlactones, jasmolactone A, B, C andD; and secoiridoid glycosides. Jas-molactone B and D and the secoiri-doid glycosides (multifloroside and-hydroxyoleuropein) exhibited va-sodilatory and cardiotropic activities.

Jasminum officinale Linn. var.grandiflorum (L.) Kobuski.

Synonym � J. grandiflorum Linn.

Family � Oleaceae.

Habitat � North-Western Himalayasand Persia; cultivated in Kumaon,Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, MadhyaPradesh; in gardens throughoutIndia.

English � Spanish Jasmine.

Ayurvedic � Jaati, Jaatikaa, Jaatimalli,Pravaaljaati, Saumanasyaayani,Sumanaa, Chetikaa, Hriddgandhaa,Maalati, Chameli.

Unani � Yaasmin.

Siddha/Tamil � Manmadabanam,Mullai, Padar-malligai, Pichi, Malli

Folk � Chameli.

Action � Flowers—calming andsedative, CNSdepressant, astringentand mild anaesthetic. A syrupprepared from the flowers isused for coughs, hoarsenessesand other disorders of the chest.Plant—diuretic, anthelmintic,emmenagogue; used for healingchronic ulcers and skin diseases.Oil—externally relaxing.

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344 Jasminum rottlerianum Wall. ex DC.

Indian oil sample gave benzyl ac-etate ., benzyl benzoate ., phytol., jasmone ., methyl jasmonate., linalool ., geranyl linalool .,eugenol ., isophytyl acetate ., andisophytol .%.

The leaves gave ascorbic acid, an-thranilic acid and its glucoside, indoleoxygenase, alkaloid jasminine and sal-icylic acid.

The flowers contain pyridine andnicotinate derivatives; tested positivefor indole.

The flowers and leaf juice is used fortreating tumours.

Dosage � Dried leaves—– gpowder for decoction (API, Vol.III.); Juice—– ml. (CCRAS.).

Jasminum rottlerianumWall. ex DC.

Family � Oleaceae.

Habitat � Western Peninsula, fromKonkan southwards to Kerala.

Ayurvedic � Vana-mallikaa.

Siddha/Tamil � Erumaimullai,Kattumalligei, Uyyakondan.

Action � Leaf—used in eczema.

Jasminum sambac (Linn.) Ait.

Family � Oleaceae.Habitat � Cultivated throughoutIndia, especially in Uttar Pradesh,on a large scale in Jaunpur, Kannauj,Ghazipur and Farrukhabad for itsfragrant flowers.

English � Arabian Jasmine, TuscanJasmine, Double Jasmine.

Ayurvedic � Mallikaa, Madayanti,Madyantikaa, Nava-Mallikaa,Shita-bhiru, Vaarshiki.

Unani � Mograa.Siddha � Malligai.Folk � Belaa, Motiaabelaa; Mogaraa(Maharashtra).

Action � Root—emmenagogue,blood purifier. Flowers—lactifuge.Alcoholic extract—hypotensive.Leaves—antibacterial; used againstindolent and breast tumours.

The leaves contain the secoiridoidglycosides, jasminin, quercitrin, iso-quercitrin, rutin, quercitrin--dirham-noglycoside, kaempferol--rhamno-glycoside, mannitol, alpha-amyrin,beta-sitosterol and an iridoid glyco-side, sambacin. The absolute containsseveral pyridine and nicotinate deriva-tives.

Dosage � Decoction—– ml.(CCRAS.)

Jateorhiza palmata Miers.

Synonym � J. calumba Miers.Family � Menispermaceae.Habitat � Indigenous to south-easttropical Africa. Imported intoIndia.

English � Calumba, Colombo.Ayurvedic � Kalambaka. (Cosciniumfenestratum Colebr., known as Falsecalumba, is used as a substitute forJ. palmata.)

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Jatropha glandulifera Roxb. 345

Siddha/Tamil � Kolumbu.Action � Root—bitter tonic withoutastringency, carminative, gastrictonic, antiflatulent, hyptotensive,orexigenic, uterine stimulant,sedative. Used in anorexia,poor digestion, hypochlorhydria,amoebic dysentery and menstrualdisorders. Antifungal.

Key application � As appetitestimulant. (The British HerbalPharmacopoeia.)

The root gave isoquinoline alkaloids–%; palmatine, jaterorrhizine and itsdimer bis-jateorrhizine, columbamine;bitters (including chasmanthin andpalmanin). Volatile oil contains thy-mol.

The alkaloid jateorrhizine is seda-tive, hypotensive. Palmatine is a uter-ine stimulant.

As calumba contains very little vola-tile oil andno tannins, it is free fromas-tringency which is commonwith otherbitter herbs.

The root alkaloids exhibit narcot-ic properties and side effects similarto morphine. It is no longer used(in Western herbal) as a digestive aid,and is rarely used as an antidiarrhoealagent. (Natural Medicines Comprehen-sive Database, .)

Jatropha curcas Linn.

Family � Euphorbiaceae.Habitat � Native to tropicalAmerica. Now cultivated alongwith Cromandel Coast and inTravancore.

English � Physic Nut, Purging Nut.Ayurvedic � Vyaaghrairanda (var.),Sthula-eranda, Kaanan-eranda.

Siddha/Tamil � Kattu Amanaku.Folk � Bagharenda (var.).Action � Seed—highly toxic. Nut—purgative. Plant—used for scabies,ringworm, eczema, whitlow, warts,syphilis. Stem bark—applied towounds of animal bites; root barkto sores.

The protein of the seed contains thetoxic albumin curcin (protein .%,curcin .%).

Seed and seed oil—more drasticpurgative than castor seed oil andmilder than Croton tiglium oil.

An aqueous (%) infusion of leavesincreased cardiac contraction is smalldoses. EtOH (%) extract of aerialparts—diuretic and CNS depressant.

The seed contain phorbol deriva-tives. The plant also contains cur-cosones and lathyrane diterpenes.

Jatropha glandulifera Roxb.

Family � Euphorbiaceae.Habitat � South India and Bengal.Ayurvedic � Vyaaghrairanda.Siddha/Tamil � Adalai, Eliya-manakku.

Folk � Bagharenda, Jangali-erandi.Action � Root and oil from seed—purgative. Oil—antirheumatic,antiparalytic. Used externally onringworm and chronic ulcers.Root—used for glandular swellings.

J

346 Jatropha gossypifolia Linn.

Latex—applied to warts andtumours.

The plant contain alkannins (iso-hexenylnaphthazarins). The presenceof alkannins in this plant (a member ofEuphorbiaceae) should be consideredas an exception.

The root gave jatropholone A, frax-etin and a coumarinolignan.

Dosage � Seed—– mg powder.(CCRAS.)

Jatropha gossypifolia Linn.

Family � Euphorbiaceae.Habitat � Native to Brazil; cultivatedas an ornamental.

English � Tua-Tua.Ayurvedic � Rakta-Vyaaghrairanda.Siddha/Tamil � Stalai.Folk � Laal Bagharenda.Action � Leaf and seed—purgative.Leaf—antidermatosis. Bark—emmenagogue. Seed—emetic.Seed fatty oil—used in paralyticaffections, also in skin diseases.

The leaves contain triterpenes, a tri-hydroxy ketone and correspondingdiosphenol. The root contains thediterpenes, jatropholone A and jat-rophatrione. A tumour-inhibitor ma-crocyclic diterpene, jatrophone, hasbeen isolated from roots.

The seeds contain phorbol deriva-tives, jatropholones A and B, hydroxy-jatrophone and hydroxyisojatrophone.

Hot water extract of the plant ex-hibits antimalarial activity againstPlas-modium falciparum.

Jatropha multifida Linn.

Family � Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat � Native to South America.Naturalized in various parts ofIndia.

English � Coral plant, Physic Nut.

Ayurvedic � Brihat-Danti (biggervar. of Danti, also equated withBaliospermum montanum).

Folk � Danti (var.).

Action � Seeds—purgative, emetic.Fruits—poisonous. Leaves—usedfor scabies. Latex—applied towounds and ulcers.

The latex from the plant showed an-tibacterial activity against Staphylococ-cus aureus. It contains immunologi-cally active acylphloroglucinols, mul-tifidol, phloroglucinol and multifidolbeta-D-glucopyranoside. The latex al-so contains an immunologically active,cyclic decapeptide, labaditin.

J. panduraefolia Andr. (native toAmerica), widely grown in Indian gar-dens, is known as Fiddle-leaved Jat-ropha. The latex from the plant showsfungitoxic activity against ringwormfungus,Microsporum gypseum.

Juglans regia Linn.

Family � Juglandaceae.

Habitat � Native to Iran; nowcultivated in Kashmir, HimachalPradesh., Khasi Hills and the hillsof Uttar Pradesh.

English � Walnut tree.

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Juncus effusus Linn. 347

Ayurvedic � Akshoda, Akshoda-ka, Akshota, Shailbhava, Pilu,Karparaal, Vrantphala.

Unani � Akhrot.Siddha/Tamil � Akrottu.Action � Leaves and bark—alterative, laxative, antiseptic, mildhypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory,antiscrofula, detergent. An infusionof leaves and bark is used forherpes, eczema and other cutaneousaffections; externally to skineruptions and ulcers. Volatile oil—antifungal, antimicrobial.

Key application (leaf) � In mild,superficial inflammation of the skinand excessive perspiration of handsand feet. (German Commission E.).When English Walnuts (Juglansregia) are added to low fat diet, totalcholesterol may be decreased by –% and LDL by –%. (NaturalMedicines Comprehensive Database,.)

Walnut hull preparations are usedfor skin diseases and abscesses.

Walnut is eaten as a dry fruit. Be-cause of its resemblance to the brain,it was thought, according to the “doc-trine of signatures”, to be a good braintonic. Walnuts are also eaten to lowerthe cholesterol levels.

From the volatile oil of the leavesterpenoid substances (monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes, diterpene and triter-pene derivatives) and eugenol havebeen isolated. Fatty acids, includinggeranic acid; alpha-and beta-pinene,,,cincole, limonene, beta-eudesmoland juglone are also important con-stituents of the volatile oil.

The leaves contain napthoquinones,mainly juglone. The root bark gave, ′,-bis-juglone and oligomeric ju-glones. Unripe fruit husk also gavenapthoquinones.

The kernels of Indian walnuts con-tain .% protein, % carbohydrates,.% mineral matter (sodium, potas-sium, calcium, magnesium, iron, cop-per, phosphorus, sulphur and chorine).Iodine (. mcg/ g), arsenic, zinc,cobalt and manganese are also report-ed. Kernels are also rich in vitamins ofthe B group, vitamin A ( IU/ g),and ascorbic acid ( mg/ g).

The juice of unripe fruits showedsignificant thyroid hormone enhanc-ing activity (prolonged use of such ex-tract may cause serious side effect).

White Walnut, Lemon Walnut, But-ternut, Oilnut of the USA is equat-ed with Juglans cineraria L. The innerbark gave napthoquinones, includingjuglone, juglandin, juglandic acid, tan-nins and an essential oil.

Butternut is used as a dermatologi-cal and antihaemorrhoidal agent. Ju-glone exhibits antimicrobial, antipara-sitic and antineoplastic activities.

Dosage � Dried cotyledons—– g(API, Vol. II.)

Juncus effusus Linn.

Synonym � J. communis E. Mey.

Family � Juncaceae.

Habitat � Eastern Himalayas andKhasi Hills.

English � Rush, Matting Rush.

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348 Juniperus communis Linn. var. saxatillis Palias.

Action � Pith—antilithic, discutient,diuretic, depurative, pectoral.Root—diuretic, especially instrangury.

The leavesgaveflavonoids, lutcoline--glucoside, diosmin and hesperidin;aerial parts gave phenolic constituents,effusol and juncusol. Juncusol is an-timicrobial. A dihydrodibenzoxepin,isolated from the plant, showed cyto-toxic activity.

Juniperus communis Linn. var.saxatillis Palias.

Synonym � J. communis auct. non L.Family � Pinaceae; Cupressaceae.Habitat � Native to Europe andNorth America. Distributed inWestern Himalayas from Kumaonwestwards at ,–, m.

English � Common Juniper.Ayurvedic � Hapushaa, Havushaa,Haauber, Matsyagandha.

Unani � Abahal, Haauber, Hubb-ul-arar, Aarar.

Action � Berries—diuretic, urinaryantiseptic, carminative, digestive,sudorific, anti-inflammatory,emmenagogue. Used for acute andchronic cystitis, renal suppression(scanty micturition), catarrhof the bladder, albuminuria,amenorrhoea, leucorrhoea. Aerialparts—abortifacient.

Key application � In dyspepsia.(German Commission E.) Juniperberry may increase glucose levels indiabetics. (ESCOP.) As a diuretic.

(The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIndia recommends the dried fruitin malabsorption syndrome.

Animal studies have shown an in-crease in urine excretion as well as a di-rect effect on soothmuscle contraction.(GermanCommission E, ESCOP.)Con-traindicated in kidney disease. (SharonM. Herr.)

(InKerala, Hapushaa andMundi areconsidered to be synonyms; Syphaer-anthus indicus,Asteraceae, is used asHapushaa.)

The major constituents of the vola-tile oil are alpha-pinene, sabinene andalpha-terpinene. Methanolic extractof the plant gave several labdane diter-penoids and diterpenes. The leavescontain the biflavones, cupressufla-vone, amentoflavone, hinokiflavone,isocryptomerin and sciadopitysin. Theberries also contain condensed tan-nins. Seeds gave haemagglutinin.

Juniperus recurva Buch-Ham ex D.Don, syn. J. excelsa auct. non-Bieb.(temperate Himalaya from Kashmir toBhutan) is known as Weeping Blue Ju-niper. J. macropoda Boiss. (the Hi-malaya fromNepal onwards) is knownas Himalayan Indian Juniper. Boththe species are used like J. communisvar. saxatillis.

The berries gave a diterpene ketone,sugrol, beta-sitosterol glucoside and-nonacosanol.

Plant extract can be used in tooth-pastes andmouth-rinses to reduceden-tal plaque and bleeding.

Dosage � Dried fruit—– g powder.(API, Vol. III.)

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Justicia betonica Linn. 349

Juniperus virginiana Linn.

Family � Pinaceae; Cupressaceae.Habitat � Native to North America;introduced into India.

English � Pencil Cedar, Red Cedar.Action � The berries in decoction arediaphoretic and emmenagogue likethose of common juniper; leavesare diuretic. Red cedar oil is usedin the preparation of insecticides.Small excrescences, called cedarapples, are sometimes found onthe branches. These are used asan anthelmintic. (Yellow Cedar isequated withThuja occidentalles.)

Juniperus procera Hochst. (EastAfrican Cedar), J. bermudiana Linn.(BermudaCedar) and J. ChinensisLinn.(Chinese Juniper) have also been in-troduced into India.

Jurinea macrocephala Benth.

Synonym � J. dolomiacea Boiss.Family � Compositae; Asteraceae.Habitat � The Himalayas fromKashmir to Kumaon.

Ayurvedic � Jaatukanda, Gugguluka.Folk � Guugal, Dhuup.Action � Roots—used as incense.Stimulant, given in colic, also infever after child birth. Bruised rootsare applied to eruptions.

The alcoholic extract of the rootinhibits about % growth of NKstrain of Plasmodium berghei at a doseof g/kg per day in days.

Jussiaea suffruticosa Linn.

Synonym � Ludwigia octovalvis(Jacq.) Raven.Oenothera octovalis Jacq.

Family � Onagraceae.

Habitat � A native of the NewWorld;found in marshy fields in India.

Ayurvedic � Jala-lavanga, Bhuu-lavanga, Bana-laung.

Siddha/Tamil � Nirkkrambu.

Action � Cooling, diuretic, as-tringent, mild laxative. Used incatarrhal affections of children;applied externally for burns andscalds. Pulp of the plant, steepedin buttermilk, is used for dysentery.Root—febrifuge.

Jussiaea tenella Burm. f.

Synonym � J. linifolia Vahl.J. fissendocarpa Haines.

Family � Onagraceae.

Habitat � Watery and swampy placesin Bihar and Orissa and in someparts of South India.

Ayurvedic � Jala-lavanga (var.).

Action � See J. suffruticosa.

An infusion of the root is given insyphilis. Theplant is employed in poul-tice for pimples.

Justicia betonica Linn.

Family � Acanthaceae.

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350 Justicia gendarussa Burm. f.

Habitat � Throughout greater partsof India, in waste lands, hedges androcky ravines.

Siddha/Tamil � Velimungil.Folk � Had-paata (Bihar), Prameha-harati, Mokandar. (MadhyaPradesh).

Action � Plant—used in diarrhoea;externally for swellings and boils.

Justicia gendarussa Burm. f.

Synonym � Gendarussa vulgarisNees.

Family � Acanthaceae.Habitat � Throughout the greaterpart of India and AndamanIslands.

Ayurvedic � Krishna Vaasaa (bluevar.), Nila-nirgundi, Krishna-nirgundi, Nila-manjari.

Siddha/Tamil � Karunochhi,Vadaikkuthi.

Action � Febrifuge, diaphoretic,emetic, emmenagogue. Infusion ofleaves—given internally in cephalal-gia, hemiplegia and facial paralysis.Fresh leaves—used topically inoedema and rheumatism. Bark—emetic.

The leaves contain beta-sitosterol,an alkaloid, lupeol, friedelin and aro-matic amines.

Justicia procumbens Linn.

Family � Acanthaceae.Habitat � WesternGhats, West Coastfrom Konkan to Kerala; abundantin the rainy season.

Ayurvedic � Parpata (substitute).Action � The plant containsnaphthofuranones, justicidin A,B, C, D, G and H, and diphyllin,which are used for the treatment ofosteoporosis. The flowers containpeonidine glucoside. Essential oil—antifungal.

Justica tranquebariensis Linn. f.

Family � Acanthaceae.Habitat � Deccan, Mysore south-wards.

Folk � Sivanarvembu (Tamil Nadu).Action � Leaves—cooling, aperient;given for smallpox to children,bruised leaves applied to contusions.

The alcoholic extract of the aeri-al parts yielded several lignans, phy-tosterols, brassicasterol, campesterol,,-ergostadienol, stigmasterol, sitos-terol, spinasterol, -isofucostil anda sterol glucoside, beta-sitosterol--O-glucoside.

Justica vasculosa Wall. (Eastern Hi-malayas, Assam Khasi Hills) is alsoused for inflammations.