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Saturday, 3 August 2013

Actaea spicata Linn.

Synonym-  A. acuminata Wall. ex Royle
Family-  Ranunculaceae.
Habitat-  Native to Europe; grows in temperate Himalayas from Hazara to Bhutan.
English-  Baneberry Grapewort.
Folk-  Visha-phale (Kannada).
Action-  Root—antirheumatic,anti-inflammatory, nerve sedative,emetic, purgative; used in the treatment of rheumatic fever,lumbago, scrofula, nervous disorders,chorea.The plant is reported to contain trans-aconitic acid, which shows a strong cytostatic action. Its Me ether is active against Ehrlich’s ascites tumours.In folk medicine, roots are used in cases of ovarian neuralgia, uterine tenderness and sub-involution. They are adulterant of the roots of Helleborus niger. Berries are poisonous; used topically for skin diseases. The toxic constituent is protoanemonin (lactone). It is irritant to mucous membrane.

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