MALABAR NUT SHRUB – POTENTIAL SOURCE OF NEW DRUGS: TRADITIONAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF MALABAR NUT SHRUB

MALABAR NUT, Justice Adhatoda the Malabar nut plant is an evergreen shrub that is native to the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka . As a member of the Acanthaceae family that is related to the swamp bar and bear’sbreeches or oyster plant. All parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine systems in Asia and has also been used in Europe for centuries. The flowers on this aspect plant as pants bear, but are more reminiscent of the digital flowers than those of snapdragon . The flowers contain an impressive array of flavonoids (including apigenin, kaempferol and quercetin), which give them antioxidant properties and these flowers are used for colds, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, as an antispasmodic, for fever and gonorrhea. They also have antiseptic properties and are used to improve blood circulation.

The decoction of the root of the plant is used to treat T. B., diphtheria, malaria, vaginal discharge, eye problems and gonorrhea. A root extract is also used for liver problems, especially for jaundice, diabetes, and cough. Preparations include a paste and powder, and the root decoction.

Chewing outbreak sheet, either alone or with a little ginger root is said to clear the airway, and is used by yogis before starting a rigorous exercise program.

Fruit or ‘nut Malabar’ is used for colds, as an antispasmodic, for bronchitis, jaundice, diarrhea and dysentery, fever and as a laxative .

The leaves are a rich source of Vitamin C, and also contains carotene and essential oil and used in various ways. In some parts of India are used to induce an abortion and give postpartum bleeding to help firm and tone the uterus. They should not be used during pregnancy or by breast-feeding mothers. powdered leaves are a catalyst for inflamed swellings and are also used in fresh wounds and neuralgia.

The dried leaves sometimes they smoked in the treatment of asthma. The fresh sap from the leaves is used for bleeding gums, diarrhea and dysentery, glandular tumors, and T. B. When burned, they have insect repellent or insecticidal properties.

also occur leaves high blood pressure, and Germany used for its expectorant and antispasmodic properties in cough colds and so on. In Sweden is classified as a natural remedy and can be found with other natural ingredients in cough medicines.

The leaf powder boiled in sesame oil, it is used to stop bleeding and is used as ear drops for earaches. The heated leaves are used as poultices for sore joints and dislocated rheumatism.

The plant contains alkaloids quinasoline including vasicine and vasicone, and these are currently under investigation to discover their properties and possibilities of new drugs.

In “A review of Justice adhatoda : A potential source of natural medicine” Sandeep Dhankhar et al. African Journal of Plant Science, vol. 5 (4) pp. 620-627, it is suggested that “extract J . Adhatoda could be one of the best options for the development of new natural medicines”.

( Adhatoda is said to mean “goats do not touch” in Malayalam, since they avoid this plant supposedly.)