Squill

Synonym:

English: Sea onion, Sea squill, Scilla, Urginea, Jangli Pyaj.

Biological Source:

Squill is derived from the dried slices of the bulb of Urginea indica.

Family:

Liliaceae

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents:
  • Cardiac glycosides: scillaren A (a pure crystalline substance), scillaren B (an amorphous mixture of glycosides)
• Minor Chemical Constituents: flavonoids, sinistrin, mucilage (4 to 11 percent) and calcium oxalate

Uses:

• Squill is a cardiotonic similar to digitalis, but it is generally not used medicinally due to toxicity concerns. It can cause stomach irritation, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, vision changes, depression.
• Squill is sometimes used as an expectorant, a diuretic, an emetic, and a stimulant (often in traditional or historical contexts, not standard modern practice due to toxicity).
• Used as a rodenticide (Red Squill variety).

Galls (Oak Galls)

Synonym:

English: oak galls, nutgalls, gall nuts, or oak apples.
Hindi: Majuphal (मंजूफल)

Biological Source:

One of the most common sources of galls is the Aleppo oak, Quercus infectoria. (Excrescences formed by insect larvae, typically Cynips species, on the twigs).

Family:

Fagaceae

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Galls contain the highest naturally occurring level of tannin (hydrolyzable tannins), approximately 50–70%, including gallic and ellagic acids.
• Minor Chemical Constituents: flavonoids, phenolic compounds, syringic acid, β-sitosterol

Uses:

• Galls have also been used traditionally for fever, intestinal ailments (astringent/anti-diarrheal), asthma, alopecia, edema, heart disease.
• Galls have antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties (mostly demonstrated in vitro or traditionally claimed).
• Primary use as a source of tannins for dyeing and ink production (historically).
• Astringent in topical preparations or gargles.

Ashwagandha

Synonym:

English: Indian ginseng, Winter cherry, Poison gooseberry.

Biological Source:

Derived from the dried roots and stem bases of Withania somnifera. Ashwagandha is native to India.

Family:

Solanaceae

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents:
  • Withanolides: withaferin A, withanolide D, and withanone.
  • Alkaloids: somniferine, isopelletierine, and anahygrine.
  • Saponins: sitoindoside VII, sitoindoside VIII, and withanoside IV.
• Minor Chemical Constituents: Flavonoids, Amino acids, Volatile oils

Uses:

• Ashwagandha is used as an adaptogen, which means it helps the body cope with stress and anxiety.
• Enhancing the brain function and memory.
• Ashwagandha is used for improving the sexual health and fertility of both men and women.
• Ashwagandha is used for strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation.

Tulsi

Synonym:

English: holy basil, sacred basil, Indian basil
Hindi & Marathi: Tulsi or Tulasi.

Biological Source:

Derived from the fresh or dried leaves and flowering tops of Ocimum sanctum (syn. *Ocimum tenuiflorum*).

Tulsi native to India.

Family:

Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Include essential oil, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and triterpenoids.
• The essential oil consists mostly of eugenol (~70%), β-elemene (~11%), β-caryophyllene (~8%), and germacrene.
• Minor Chemical Constituents: The major flavonoids are orientin and vicenin, which have immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects

Uses:

Tulsi has been shown to have adaptogenic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, anticancer, and antistress effects

Guggul

Synonym:

English: gum guggul, guggula, gugul, Indian bdellium
Marathi: guggala

Biological Source:

Oleo-gum resin obtained by incision of the bark of Commiphora wightii (syn. *Commiphora mukul*).

Family:

Burseraceae

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Contains gum (32%), essential oil (1.45%), sterols (guggulsterones I to VI, β-sitosterol, cholesterol, Z- and E-guggulsterone).
• The major constituents responsible for activity are guggulsterone E and Z, which are noted for lipid-lowering and potential weight reduction property.
• Minor Chemical Constituents: sugars (sucrose, fructose), amino acids

Uses:

• Guggul is praised for its anti-inflammatory properties, treat certain anti-inflammatory conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and arthritis.
• It has also been used to promote weight loss, treat hypothyroidism
• Lipid-lowering (cholesterol and triglycerides) is a primary investigated use.