Rotula aquatica

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Rotula aquatica
Rotula aquatica leaves and flowers
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Rotula
Species:
R. aquatica
Binomial name
Rotula aquatica
Synonyms

Rhabdia lycioides C.B.Clarke

Rotula aquatica is a species of aromatic flowering shrub in the family Boraginaceae. It is a rare rheophyte native to India, where it is a member of the lotic ecosystem of streams.[1]

The plant is a mandatory component of many ayurvedic drug preparations and is an important traditional medicine for kidney and bladder stones. The root tuber is astringent, bitter, diuretic and also useful in treating coughs, heart diseases, dysuria, blood disorders, fever, poisonings, ulcers and uterine diseases.[2] Root decoctions are both diuretic and laxative and are used to treat bladder stones and sexually transmitted diseases.[3] Plants were exploited for their medicinal properties by excavating the roots, causing them to die. A study has shown that a protocol consisting of ex vitro rooting, commercial sugar, and tap water, can be economically advantageous.[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Anonymous (1972). Wealth of India, Raw materials. Vol. 9. New Delhi, India: CSIR.
  2. ^ Sivarajan, V. V.; Indira Balachandran (1994). Ayurvedic Drugs and Their Plant Sources. New Delhi, India: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. pp. 358–359. ISBN 978-81-204-0828-9.
  3. ^ Christiana, A.J.; M. Priyamole; P. Moorthy (July–August 2002). "Studies on the antilithic effect of Rotula aquatica Lour in male Wistar rats". Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology. 24 (6): 357–359. doi:10.1358/mf.2002.24.6.693068. PMID 12224442.
  4. ^ Martin, K. (2003-01-01). "Rapid in vitro multiplication and ex vitro rooting of Rotula aquatica Lour., a rare rhoeophytic woody medicinal plant". Plant Cell Reports. 21 (5): 415–420. doi:10.1007/s00299-002-0547-8. ISSN 1432-203X.

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