CEPHALANDRA INDICA
Plant Introduction:
This plant found in Bengal and in various parts of India, is a kind of creeping plant. The leaves are 4 inch broad, penta axilic, petiole is extended upto one inch. The fruits are like Patol, colour changes to red when they get mature containing seeds. The fruits are 1-2 inch long having diametric measure of about inch and are full of kernel or substance. Florescenee and fructification take place in almost all seasons except winter.
Name:
In Sanskrit-Bimba, Bimbi phal;
Bengali-Telakucha
Hindi-Kanduri ki-Bil;
Tamil-Korai;
Gujarati-Kholi;
Punjabi Kandari.
Family: Cucurbitaceae.
Pharmaceutical use: Leaves and root, also stem.
Therapeutic actions: This drug is very effective in the treatment of haema temesis, dyspnoea, catarrh, flatulence, fever, blood-poisoning and diabetes.
Opinions of different Physicians (symposium)
According to the therapy of Ayurveda-In the book written by Dhannantari, it has been mentioned that the said drug had long been used in the treatment of fever, elephantiasis. duodenal ulcer jaundice, blood dysentery, dropsy etc.
According to Allopathy-Dr. R, R. Khory (Mat-Med vol II p 307) written that the said drug might be success-fully prescribed in the treatment of diabetes, enlargement of the glands and a few skin diseases.
Dr. W. C. Dutta advocated that the drug was useful in diabetes.
Dr. Dymock says-Taking the green fruit by the patient suffering from ulcer of tongue or catarrh, excellent result may be experienced. Besids, if the leaf is kept in contact with the boil, qulck relief may be perceived, The extract is useful in gonorrhoea. The fruits are effective remedy for theumatism.
Dr. R. N. Chopra says-Telakucha contains an enzyme with amylolytic properties, a hormone and traces of an alkaloid.
Special uses: Extract of the leaves and root-Used in diabetes. Leaves-External application in the skin diseases, The Plant Internal application in gonorrhoea.
Chemical Composition: The fresh plant was chemically analysed by Lt col Dr. R. N. Chopra M.A.M.D,. I.M.S and his co-worker (Dr. B. Mukherji, Dr. S. Ghosh etc). They say-"Not only was a search made for the ordinary active principles which are found in plants (e.g. Glucosides and alkaloids) but bodies of the nature of hormones and enzymes which are some times present, were also investigated. In 1923 Dr. Dubbins and Dr. Corlett have shown that in certain plants and vegetables both the blood sugar reducing and blood sugar increasing principles are present. Collip (1923) isolated a substance called "Glucokenin" which has the property of reducing the amount of sugar in the blood.
Cephalendra Indica was found to contain an enzyme, a hormone and traces of an alkaloid.
Pharmacological Action: The activity of the enzyme isolated was tested. It had well-marked amylolytic properties and rapidly hydrolysed starch.
Symptoms
Mind: Annoyed; especially after discharge of urine; fails to concentrate mind.
Head: Giddiness; weakness of the head marked by discharge of excessive urine; difficulty in raising head.
Eyes: Burning sensation of the eyes painful opening of the eyes.
Mouth: Dryness of the throat and tongue; thirst, con-sequently the quantity of urine is more.
Abdomen: Loss of appetite; the patient is reluctant to take food; flatulence
Urine: Little but frequent discharge of urine which contains sufficient amount of starch.
Stool: Constipation; stool with mucus.
Feel: Burning sensation of the body; relief in cold. I have noted fruitful result by adminitering the alcoholic tincture of this drug in the case of increasing blood sugar. Continuation of intake for 2-3 months is necessary.
Dose: 5-25 drops thrice daily.
