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| Latin Name |
English Name |
Sanskrit Name |
Hindi Name |
Viola odorata
Linn. (Violaceae)
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Sweet Violet
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Neelapushpa |
Banafshah
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| History |
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The herb was
well known in India for its medicinal virtues and has been in
use since ancient times. It was used in the treatment of several
diseases both in the Ayurvedic and the Unani systems of medicine.
The Greeks used this herb as a medicine. A long account of its
properties were featured in most Arabic and Persian works on
Materia Medica. The diseases in which 'Banafsha' was recommended
are too numerous. Native doctors considered the purple variety
to be the best, they used the flowers separately in addition
to the entire plant.
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| Habitat |
It grows in
Kashmir and other parts of western Himalayas, in India, in altitudes
between 1500m and 1800 meters high. It is frequently cultivated
in gardens (cultivated varieties).
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
It is a glabrous
or pubescent herb, rarely more than 15 cm. in height, arising from
a rootstock. Rootstocks are stout and stolons are slender. The leaves
are tufted, broadly ovate-cordate and crenate. Flowers are nodding,
deep violet inside with a bluish white base, solitary axillary and
also forming a central flowering rosette and sweet scented. The capsules
are round, bluntly 3-angled, downy and often purplish.
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| Principal
Constituents |
Violin is an emetic
principle present in all parts of the plant. It also contains an emetine
like alkaloid1.
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| Pharmacology |
It was found to
be effective against induced inflammation, similar to ipecac extract1.
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| Toxicology |
In large doses the
leaves as well as the roots are cathartic, and the seeds are poisonous.
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| Indications |
The Flowers form
a component of the Unani herbal medicine `Joshanda', which is used
in the treatment of cold and cough2. The flowers are credited
with emollient and demulcent properties, and are used for the preparation
of 'sherbat', which is used as a household remedy for coughs and sore
throat, hoarseness, and ailments of infants. The leaves are official
in some pharmacopoeias.
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| Product
Range |
Diakof (CoughCare
Sfree), Koflet (CoughCare).
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| References |
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Anonymous, 1998, The Wealth Asia CD, CSIR, New Delhi.
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Pillai et. al., Indian J Nat Prod, 1992, 8 (1),
16.
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