Hyoscyamus

Synonyms

Hyoscyamus herb, Henbane, Black Henbane, Stinking Nightshade

Regional Names

Hindi: Khurasani Ajwain (खुरासानी अजवाइन)
Marathi: Khurasani Ova (खुरासानी ओवा)

Biological Source

Derived from the dried leaves and flowering tops of Hyoscyamus niger (हायोस्यामस निगर), native to India.

Family

Solanaceae (सोलानेसी)

Major Chemical Constituents

Alkaloids: Hyoscyamine (हायोस्यामिन), Scopolamine (स्कोपोलामिन), Atropine (अॅट्रोपिन)

Minor Chemical Constituents

Flavonoids (फ्लॅव्होनॉइड्स), Steroidal saponins (स्टिरॉइडल सॅपोनीन), Tannins (टॅनिन्स)

Uses

• Sedatives and antispasmodics.
• Used to treat postoperative nausea and vomiting.
• Treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

BELLADONNA

Synonyms

Belladonna herb, Belladonna leaf, Deadly Nightshade Leaves, Devil\'s Berries, Death Cherries, Banewort, Death\'s Herb

Regional Names

Hindi & Marathi: Angur Shefa (अंगूर शेफा)

Biological Source

Derived from the dried leaves and flowering tops of Atropa belladonna (अट्रोपा बेलाडोना).
Varieties: Atropa acuminata (अट्रोपा अक्युमिनाटा) - Indian Belladonna.

Family

Solanaceae (सोलानेसी)

Major Chemical Constituents

Alkaloids: Hyoscyamine (हायोस्यामिन), Scopolamine (स्कोपोलामिन), Atropine (अॅट्रोपिन)

Minor Chemical Constituents

Belladonnine (बेलाडोनीन), Tannins, Potassium nitrate

Uses

• Antispasmodic
• Pupil dilation - Used in ophthalmology for diagnostic procedures.
• Treatment for motion sickness and postoperative nausea and vomiting.
• Antidote for organophosphate poisoning (pesticides and herbicides).

Ephedra

Synonyms

Ma Huang, Chinese Ephedra, Sea Grape

Regional Names

Hindi & Marathi: Asmania (असमानिया)

Biological Source

Derived from the dried young branches of Ephedra gerardiana (एफेड्रा जेरार्डियाना). Native to India.

Family

Ephedraceae (एफेड्रेसी)

Major Chemical Constituents

Ephedrine (एफेड्रिन), Pseudoephedrine (स्यूडोएफेड्रिन), norephedrine (नोरएफेड्रिन)

Minor Chemical Constituents

Tannins, Essential oils, Resins

Uses

• Used as a bronchodilator.
• Decongestant.
• Weight loss (Use often restricted due to safety concerns).
• Performance enhancer - Sometimes used by athletes for increased energy and endurance (Banned in many sports).

Opium

Synonyms

Poppy Tears, Lachryma Papaveris, Opium Poppy

Regional Names

Hindi: Afeem (अफ़ीम)
Marathi: Afu (अफू)

Biological Source

Derived from the dried latex obtained from the immature seed capsules of Papaver somniferum (पॅपेवर सोम्नीफेरम). Native to India.

Family

Papaveraceae (पॅपेवरॅसी)

Major Chemical Constituents

Alkaloids: Morphine (मॉर्फिन) (10-16%), Codeine (कोडीन) (0.8-2.5%), Thebaine (थेबाईन) (0.2-2%)

Minor Chemical Constituents

Other alkaloids: Papaverine (पॅपेवरिन), Noscapine (नॉस्कॅपिन)

Uses

• Potent analgesic - Opium and its derivatives are widely used for pain relief.
• Morphine: Used for managing severe pain.
• Codeine: Used for mild to moderate pain and as a cough suppressant.
• Thebaine: A precursor for the synthesis of semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone and buprenorphine.

Tea Leaves

Synonyms

Tea

Regional Names

Hindi: Chai Patti (चाय पत्ती)
Marathi: Chaha Pane (चहा पाने)

Biological Source

Derived from the evergreen shrub Camellia sinensis. Native to India.

Family

Theaceae (थीएसिएसी)

Major Chemical Constituents

Polyphenols: Flavanols (फ्लॅवेनॉल्स), Flavandiols (फ्लॅवॅडिऑल्स), Flavonoids (फ्लॅवोनॉईड्स)
Amino Acids: Theanine (थिअनिन)
Alkaloids: Caffeine (कॅफिन) 3-4% of dry weight; stimulant effect.
Xanthines (झँथिन्स): Theobromine (थिओब्रोमिन), Theophylline (थिओफायलीन)

Minor Chemical Constituents

Vitamins: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and B-complex vitamins.
Minerals: Manganese, Potassium
Fluoride (फ्ल्यूओराईड)

Uses

• Beverage: Consumed worldwide for its stimulating effects due to caffeine.
• Antioxidant Properties: Helps reduce oxidative stress, supports cardiovascular health, and may prevent certain cancers.
• Pharmaceutical Uses: Tea extracts are used in skincare products for their anti-aging and antioxidant properties.

Coffee

Synonyms

Coffee beans, Java beans

Regional Names

Hindi: Kofi Beej (कॉफी बीज)
Marathi: Kofi Bia (कॉफी बिया)

Biological Source

Derived from the seeds of Coffea arabica (कॉफी अरेबिका) and Coffea canephora (commonly called robusta (कॉफी रोबस्टा)). Native to Ethiopia and tropical regions of Africa, now widely cultivated in India, Brazil, and Vietnam.

Family

Rubiaceae (रुबिएसी)

Major Chemical Constituents

Alkaloids:

1. Caffeine (कॅफिन) - Central nervous system stimulant, responsible for coffee\'s stimulating effects.
2. Theobromine (थिओब्रोमिन) - Mild stimulant and vasodilator.
3. Theophylline (थिओफायलीन) - Bronchodilator, used in respiratory disorders.

Polyphenols:

1. Chlorogenic acid (क्लोरोजेनीक ऍसिड) - Antioxidant, contributes to weight loss and metabolism regulation.
2. Tannins - Astringent properties, may help in reducing inflammation.

Minor Chemical Constituents

Lipids, Sugars, Proteins, Minerals.

Uses

• Beverage: Coffee is widely consumed as a stimulant drink due to its caffeine content.
• Antioxidant Properties: Protects against oxidative stress and aging.
• Pharmacological Uses: Caffeine is used in pain relief formulations, weight loss products, and as a cognitive enhancer.
• Industrial Uses: Coffee extracts are used in skincare products for their anti-aging and energizing properties.

Coca

Synonyms

Coca, Erythroxylum coca

Regional Names

Hindi & Marathi: Koka (कोका)

Biological Source

Derived from the dried leaves of Erythroxylum coca (एरिथ्रॉक्सायलम कोका). Native to South America

Family

Erythroxylaceae (एरिथ्रॉक्सायलेसी)

Major Chemical Constituents

Alkaloids: Cocaine (कोकेन) - The primary psychoactive component (0.6-1.8% of the dry leaf).
Cinnamoylcocaine (सिनॅमॉयलकोकेन)
Other Alkaloids: Tropacocaine (ट्रोपाकोकेन), Truxillines (ट्रक्सिलिन्स)

Minor Chemical Constituents

Hydroxycocaines
Vitamins: B1 (Thiamine) B2 (Riboflavin) C (Ascorbic Acid) E (Tocopherol)
Minerals

Uses

• Traditional Uses: enhance energy levels and suppress hunger.
• Pharmaceutical Uses:
  • Cocaine: local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor in surgery, particularly in ophthalmology and dentistry.
  • Due to its high abuse potential, its medical use is now strictly controlled.
• Industrial Uses: Coca extracts (decocainized) are still used as flavoring agents, notably in beverages