Drugs for the Future

Belamcanda chinensis L DC

From Asian, belamcanda Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. and from Latin, chinensis from China Synonymy Belamcanda punctata Moench., Ixia chinensis L., Pardan-thus chinensis Ker-Gawl., Pardanthus dichotomus sinensis sensu Hubotter. Common names Leopard lily, black berry lily, leopard flower bunga kipas (Malay) re quat, xa can, louidong, co quat phu (Vietnamese) she kon, she kan (Chinese). Fig. 415. Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. Fig. 415. Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. Physical description It is an...

Dichrocephala latifolia Lamk DC

From Greek, di two and khros colour and kephale head, and from Latin, latus broad and folium leaf Synonymy Dichrocephala bicolor Roth Schlect., Cotula latifolia Pers., Grangea latifolia Lam. ex Poir., Dichrocephala integrifolia L.f. O.K. Physical description It is a herb which grows to a height of 40 cm in Southeast Asia, South China, Australia and Pacific Islands. The stems are subglabrous and somewhat angular. Leaves simple, spiral, and without stipules. The petiole is channeled, hairy and...

Parameria laevigata Juss Moldenke

Physical description It is a large rainforest climber which grows to a length of 3 m long. The plant is found in a geographical zone spanning from India to Indonesia. The stems are smooth, slender and pubescent at the apex. Leaves simple, decussate and without stipules. The petiole is 2 mm-4 mm long and thin.The blade is lanceolate and 6.4 cm x 2.4 cm-2.7 cm x 1 cm. The apex is acuminate in a 1 cm long tail. The midrib is sunken below, and flat or raised above. The margin is slightly wavy and...

Geranium nepalense Sweet

From Greek, geranos crane and from Latin, nepalense from Nepal Common names Nepalese crane's bill mang miao, mang niu Chinese bhanda Hindi . Physical description It is a perennial herb which grows to a height of 60 cm. The plant is common in India, Ceylon, China, Japan and Himalaya. The stems are prostrate, and hairy at the apex. Leaves opposite, simple, and stipulate. The stipules are lanceolate, suglabrous, and 2.5 mm x 1 mm. The petiole is 2.5cm-4.5cm long, slender and hairy. The blade is...

Physalis angulata L

From Greek, physa bladder and from Latin, angulata angular Synonymy Physalis capsicifolia, Physalis lanceifolia, Physalis ramosissima. Common names Cape gooseberry, wild tomato, winter cherry, Chinese lantern plant pai chiang Chinese camates Filipino kospeli Fiji tamaruha'ari French Polynesia tomate chaca Guam-Chamorro bubeubedul Palau vivao Samoa polopa Tonga . Physical description It is a common herb native to Tropical America, which grows to a height of 1 m in vacant plots of land and by...

Phyllanthus niruri L

From Greek, phullon leaf and anthos flower and from Latin, niruri referring to the diuretic properties of the plant Synonymy Phyllanthus amarus Schum. et Thonn. Common names Dukong anak Malay bhumy-amali Sanskrit yerba de quininic Puerto-Rico . Physical description It is an invasive tropical annual weed which grows to a height of 50 cm. The stems are glabrous and much branched and reddish. Leaves simple, alternate, light green, stipulate. The stipules are very small and acute. The petiole is...

Weinmannia blumei Planch

After JW Weinmann, a German herbalist of the 17th century and after Carl Ludwig von Blumen, early 18th century taxonomist Synonymy Weinmannia ledermannii Schlechter, Weinmannia papuana Schlechter, Weinmannia sundana Miq. Common names Malayan mountain ash, ki ringgit Indonesian sumusilan Malay . Uses Indonesians use the bark of Weinmannia blumei Planch. as an astringent remedy. The pharmacological potential of this plant is unexplored. Note that honeys of Weinmannia racemosa contain unusual...

Peristrophe roxburghiana Schult Bremek

From Greek, peri around and strephein to turn and After William Roxburgh, 18th century Scottish botanist Synonymy Peristrophe tinctoria Nees, Peritrophe bivalvis Merr. Common names Malapudak (Malay) noja (Javanese). Uses In Malaysia, the pounded leaves of Peristrophe roxburghiana (Schult.) Bremek are used to soothe swollen parts, painful sprain and to treat skin diseases. The plant is used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis, hepatitis and to stop haemoptysis. The therapeutic potential of...

Apluda mutica L

From Latin, apluda chaff and mutica blunt Synonymy Andropogon glaucus Retz., Apluda aristata L., Apluda cumiingii Buse ex de Vriese, Apluda geniculata Roxb. Common names Gluten-rice grass bhanjura Indian . Uses In China Apluda mutica L. is used to heals wounds occasioned by snake bites, sores and to counteract fungal infections. The pharmacological potential of Apluda mutica L. remains unexplored. Fig. 401. Apluda mutica L. From KLU Herbarium 28030. Plants of Ceylon. Field collector and...

Strophanthus caudatus Burm f Kurz

From Greek, strophes twisted cord, anthos flower and from Latin, cauda tail Synonymy Strophanthus dichotomus DC. Physical description It is a laticif-erous forest climber of Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. The stems are lenticelled. Leaves simple, decussate and without stipules. The petiole is 5 mm long and channeled. The blade is obovate-spathulate, 6.5 cm x 4.3cm-9.8cm x 5 cm and leathery. The midrib is flat above and raised below. The apex is shortly acuminate and the...

Alysicarpus vaginalis L DC

From Greek, halusis chain and karpos fruit and from Latin, vagina sheath Synonymy Hedysarum nummularifolius L., Alysicarpus nummularifolius (L.) DC.). Common names Akar seleguri (Malay). Uses In Malaysia, a decoction of 10 g of Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC. is drunk to relieve cough, treat mumps, stimulate appetite and protect against encephalitis. In Taiwan, a decoction of Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC. is used to promote digestion. Not much is known about the therapeutic potential of...

Carpesium abrotanoides L

From Greek, habrotonon Artemisia abrotanum Physical description It is a wild herb which grows to a height of 80 cm in Asia. The stems are terete, ribbed and velvety. Leaves simple, spiral and without stipules. The petiole is very short, channeled and velvety. The blade is lanceolate, serrate, papery, velvety Uses The plant is a source of an aromatic resin known as ngai camphor. In China, Taiwan and Japan, ngai camphor is used to combat fever, treat flatulence, promote expectoration and to...

Prunella vulgaris L

From German, prunella quinsey and from Latin, vulgus common people Physical description It is a herb which grows to a height of approximately 25 cm tall. The plant is native to Europe, Asia and North America where it grows wild in temperate pastures, by the roadsides and in vacant plots of land. The stems are quadrangular, green, stoloniferous, succulent a glabrous except younger parts. Leaves simple, decussate and without stipules. The petiole is 2.2cm-9cm long, subglabrous, and channeled....

Bauhinia purpurea L

After Gaspard and Jean Bauhin, 16th century Swiss physicians and botanist and from Greek, porphura shellfish yielding purple Physical description It is a deciduous treelet native to India. The plant is ornamental and grown as such in the Asia-Pacific. Leaves simple and stipulate. The blade is shaped like a butterfly, coriaceous, and 7 cm-10 cm and shows 9-11 pairs of secondary nerves. arranged in axillary or terminal racemes. 1.5 cm x 15 cm and woody. Common names Butterfly tree kupu kupu...