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Leucas aspera - Dronapushpi
Dronapushpi is a species within the Leucas genus and the Lamiaceae family. Although the species has many different common names depending on the region in which it is located, it is most commonly known as Thumbai, Leucas aspera, Chhota halkusa[1]. Found throughout India, it is known for its various uses in the fields of medicine and agriculture. Leucas aspera is commonly found throughout India and the Philippines as well as the plains of Mauritius and Java. In India and the Philippines Leucas aspera is a very common weed. Leucas aspera is reported to have antifungal, prostaglandin inhibitory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antinociceptive and cytotoxic activities.
Description
Leaves
Opposite, subsessile or short petioled,linear or narrowly oblong- lanceolate,entire or distantly crenate, obtuse, narrowed at the base. They can reach up to lengths of 8 cm (3.1 in), and be 1.25 cm (0.49 in) broad. The length of petioles is typically 2.5–6 mm (0.098–0.236 in) long. The leaves epidermis is covered in a thick waxy cuticle and is traversed with stomata.
Stem
The stem is quadrangular, much branched, hispid or scabrid and contains a wide stele. The epidermis of the stem is covered in a thick waxy cuticle and contains few traversed stomata. Typically in younger stems the xylem tissue is radially organized and the parenchymatous pholem tissue is very narrow. As the stem ages the pholem tissue widens and can be found on both sides of the radial xylem tissue.
Roots
The roots of the Leucas aspera contains epidermal cells which are very narrow and closely packed together. The cell walls of the epidermal cells are very thin, flattened and straight. The parenchyma in the cortex contains thick walls. The parenchyma cells are polygonally shaped and contain a large amount of starch grains. The cambium separates the phloem and xylem, which are globose to subglobose.
Useful parts of the plant
- Root, Stem, Flower, Leaves and Fruit.
Uses
- Dronapushpi is used in the traditional medicine of the Philippines to treat scorpion bites.
- It helps to reduce fever.
- In some forms of traditional medicine, the steam formed by crushing the Samoolam, can be inhaled. The juice of the flowers can also be used for intestinal worm infections in children.
- Leucas aspera is used commonly as an insecticide.[2]
- In addition the plant also has been used in witchcraft.
- It is a herb used in food to provide fragrance to food.
Common name
- Hindi - Goma madhupati
- Kannada - ತುಂಬೆ
