Abutilon indicum
Encyclopedia
Abutilon indicum
Abutilon indicum (Indian Abutilon, Indian Mallow; is a small shrub in the Malvaceae
family, native to tropic and subtropical regions and sometimes cultivated as an ornamental. This plant is often used as a medicinal plant and is considered invasive on certain tropical islands.
islands of the Coral Sea
.
The plant is very much used in Siddha medicines. In fact, the root, bark, flowers, leaves and seeds are all used for medicinal purposes by Tamils. The leaves are used as adjunct to medicines used for pile complaints. The flowers are used to increase semen in men.
A methanol extract of A. indicum had some antimicrobial properties. A chemical compound, β-sitosterol, which has been identified as the active ingredient in many medicinal plants, is present in A. indicum and a petroleum ether extract provided larvicidal properties against the mosquito larvae Culex quinquefasciatus
.
Abutilon indicum (Indian Abutilon, Indian Mallow; is a small shrub in the Malvaceae
Malvaceae
Malvaceae, or the mallow family, is a family of flowering plants containing over 200 genera with close to 2,300 species. Judd & al. Well known members of this family include okra, jute and cacao...
family, native to tropic and subtropical regions and sometimes cultivated as an ornamental. This plant is often used as a medicinal plant and is considered invasive on certain tropical islands.
- Tamil name: "thuthi"
- Sanskrit name: अतिबला Atibalaa
- Telugu name: Duvvena Kayalu
Distribution
The species occurs in a number of tropical and subtropical zones. An example occurrence is within parts of the Great Barrier ReefGreat Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world'slargest reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres over an area of approximately...
islands of the Coral Sea
Coral Sea
The Coral Sea is a marginal sea off the northeast coast of Australia. It is bounded in the west by the east coast of Queensland, thereby including the Great Barrier Reef, in the east by Vanuatu and by New Caledonia, and in the north approximately by the southern extremity of the Solomon Islands...
.
Medicinal Uses
In traditional medicine, A. indicum is used as a demulcent, aphrodisiac, laxative, diuretic, pulmonary and sedative (leaves). The bark is astringent and diuretic; laxative, expectorant and demulcent (seeds); laxative and tonic, anti-inflammatory and anthelmintic (plant); analgesic (fixed oil); diuretic and for leprosy (roots). The whole plant is uprooted, dried and is powdered. In ancient days, maidens were made to consume a spoonful of this powder with a spoonful of honey, once in a day, for 6 months until the day of marriage, for safe and quick pregnancy. The leaves can also be used to treat ulcers, headaches, gonorrhea & bladder infection.The plant is very much used in Siddha medicines. In fact, the root, bark, flowers, leaves and seeds are all used for medicinal purposes by Tamils. The leaves are used as adjunct to medicines used for pile complaints. The flowers are used to increase semen in men.
A methanol extract of A. indicum had some antimicrobial properties. A chemical compound, β-sitosterol, which has been identified as the active ingredient in many medicinal plants, is present in A. indicum and a petroleum ether extract provided larvicidal properties against the mosquito larvae Culex quinquefasciatus
Culex quinquefasciatus
Culex quinquefasciatus is the vector oflymphatic filariasis caused by the nematode Wuchereria bancroftiin the tropics and sub tropics.-Primary vector of Lymphatic Filariasis in India:...
.