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Ethnobotanical Leaflets 11: 141-147.
2007. Lakman-yurvedic Drug
of Controversial Origin Dr. Amrit Pal
Singh, PGDMB; BAMS; MD (Alternative Medicine) Herbal Consultant, Ind-Swift Ltd, Address for correspondence: Dr. Amrit Pal Singh, House No: 2101 Phase-7, Mohali-160062, Email amritpal2101@yahoo.com Issued
Introduction Lakman is an important medicinal plant of yurveda, the
ancient system of healing. Lakman is type of kantkri, a medicinal plant
widely used in yurveda
in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Lakman has been described as white variety
of kantkr, making it possible representative of
Natural Order Solanaceae. Kantkr is ingredient of damla, the yurvedic anti-inflammatory. The drug is of
high interest as it has been mentioned as possible treatment of female
infertility. Bhvamira, an ancient yurvedic physician, however mentions kantkr for promoting conception in females. Lakman in ancient texts Bhvprakash Nighantu Synonyms: Svet, kudr, candrahsa, ketradutik, garbhad, candrm, candr, candapup and priyankari. Actions: Pungent, laxative, appetizer, light and hot in potency. Therapeutics: Cough, asthma, fever, chronic rhinitis, myalgia, worm infestation and heart ailments. It pacifies vta and kapha. In the text on Bhvprakash Nighantu, compiled by Dr Vishwanath Drivedi, however there is no mention that lakman
is useful for treating infertility among women. The author has mentioned same
properties for both varieties of kantkri. Raj Nighantu Synonyms: Sitkantarik,
svet, ketradut, sitsimh, sitksudr, ksudravrtrkin,
sit, klinn, katuvrtrk, ksetraj,
kapatesvar, nisnehaphal,
rm, sitkant,
mahuadi, gardabhi,
candrik, cndr,
candapup, priyankari, nkul, durlabh and rsn. Actions: Pungent, laxative, appetizer, light and hot in potency. It pacifies vta and kapha. Therapeutics: Loss of appetite and eye-ailments. Use in alchemy: Lakman is useful for regulation of prada. Dhanwantri Nighantu The author has described lakman as
variety of brahat. Synonyms: Kshetradut, sitsnihi,
kuvartik, sushvet,
kantkr, durlabha
and mahusadi. Actions and therapeutics: Bitter, pacifies Vta and Kapha and cures indigestion and cough. Medicinal plants of Solanaceae in
yurveda: Several medicinal plants of Natural Order Solanaceae found application in yurvedic formulations. Kantkr (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad et Wendl., Solanum surattense Burm.f., Solanum virginianum L.), kkmac (Solanum nigrum L.), brahat (Solanum indicum L.) and Solanum trilobatum L. are some important plants. Kantkri
(Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad et Wendl.) Syn: Solanum
surattense Burm.f.,
Solanum virginianum
L. English name: Yellow-berried-night shade yurvedic names:
Dhvani, duspara,
duspradarisin, kantarik,
kantkin, kudra,
nidigdhik and vyghr. Distribution:
India, Ceylon and Pakistan. Botany: It is
prickly, much-branched herb, usually spreadig or diffuse; young branches are
densly covered with minute star-sahped hair, pricles are yeloow, shining
about 1.5 cm long. Leaves are upto 10 cm long, their midribs and other leaves
with sharp, yellow prickles. Flowers are purple, about 2 cm long, few
togehtehr in small brancjes, opposite to leaves. Fruit are 1.5-2.0 cm, round yellow or pale with
green veins. Chemical composition: It contains
alkaloids (scopolamine, solanidine
and solasonine), ß-sitosterol
and steroid saponin (disogenin). Actions: It acts as antitussive,
bronchodilator, bitter, carminative and anodyne. Therapeutics: Solanum xanthocarpum is primarily used
in the treatment of chronic bronchitis and
bronchial asthma. Given with honey, tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), datura (Datura metal), and black pepper it can be effective in
cases of bronchial asthma. Expressed juice of the berries is used in sore
throat. Flowers and fruits are used to resolve burning sensation of the feet.
Levees are used to relieve pain locally. Formulations: Kantkryavleha and vyghriharitak
are important medicinal preparations of kantkri. Pre-clinical studies: Animal investigations have demonstrated anti-nociceptive,
antispermatogenic and hypotensive activities of Kantkri. Fruits and shoots have been reported to be
antibacterial. Clinical studies: Clinical efficacy of Solanum xanthocarpum was studied in bronchial asthma in a
pilot study. Solanum xanthocarpum
demonstrated anti-asthmatic effect in terms of various parameters of
pulmonary function. However, the effect was less when compared to standard
bronchodilators.
Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq. and Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk. have
been discussed as possible representatives for ancient
vedic drug lakman. Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq. Syn: Calonyction muricatum (L.) G. Don, Ipomoea turbinata Lag., Canvolvulus muricatus L., Ipomoea muricata Jacq., Convolvulus colubrinus Blanco Common name: Purple
moonflower. The seeds of Ipomoea
muricata are largely imported into Distribution: Native
to Eastern India and Bangladesh. Family: Convolvulaceae. Botany: Perennial vining
climber to 30 feet. It is a rare climber, sporting unusual aerial rootless
and white, funnel-shaped blossoms in the second year. Chemical composition: Work done in Actions: According to Vedic myth and
Hindu practice, the plant is an aphrodisiac and mystically used in tantric lovemaking. Salve rubbed into the forehead [third
eye]. Therapeutics: The juice of this plant is employed to
destroy bedbugs, and the seeds are said to be identical in their medicinal
properties with those of the official plant. Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq, locally known as ' Pre-clinical studies: Analgesic,
antiseptic, antimicrobial and antifungal compounds were also identified. Cynoglossum lanceolatum
Forssk. Dr Mishra in his work on rare yurvedic drugs has indicated Cynoglossum lanceolatum as possible candidate for lakman. Common name: Purple
moonflower. The seeds of Ipomoea
muricata are largely imported into Distribution: Common
throughout parts of Africa and Asia. It is distributed in Family: Boraginaceae. Botany: Annual or biennial herb, the
taproot 1-8 mm in diam.; stems erect, to c. 1
m tall, with sparse to moderate, appressed to
spreading pubescence. Basal leaves in an evident rosette or smaller plants
apparently immediately erect and lacking a basal rosette. Inflorescences
terminal, once to several times dichotomously branched cymes, the branches strigillose; flowers on pedicels 1-7 mm long, bisexual;
sepals narrowly ovate. Fruits 4.5-5.5 mm broad; nutlets
ovoid, 2-3 mm broad. Chemical composition: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids: cynaustralin (C15H28ClNO4) and cynaustine. Solanum ferox L. Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT) has mentioned Solanum ferox as possible candidate for lakman. Syn: Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal, Solanum zeilanicum Blanco Common name: Tarambulo
( Distribution: Philippines, North east India, Malaya and South China. Family: Solanaceae. Botany: Solanum ferox is a small weed, suberect, prickly, hairy herb 0.5 to 1.5 meters in height
the leaves are ovate, 15 to 20 cm long, 12 to 23 cm wide, lobed at the
margins, and densely covered with stiff wooly hairs above and woolly hairs
and prickly spines on the nerves beneath; the lobes are triangular, and 2.5
to 4 cm deep. The flowers are borne on lateral racemes. Fruit is yellow,
rounded, 2.5 to 3.5 cm in diameter, densely covered with needle like hairs,
and man-seeded. Chemical composition: Seeds contain
fatty acids. Therapeutics: In Conclusion Proper identification of ancient drug lakman is a debatable topic. The drug has
been mentioned as cure for female infertility in ancient texts. Further, it
is considered to be type of kantkr. Disogenin has
been reported from various Solanum species like Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad et Wendl. and Solanum khasianum C.B.Clarke. Fruits
of thsese species are in high demand for production of progesterones of
natural origin. These are prized drugs for curing conditions like infertility
and habitual abortions (Mmatches with the ancient claim) Solanum khasianum has white flowers. Ancient texts have not mentoined detailed morphology of lakman, but presence of white flowers and pricels have been mentoined. Work on Solanum khasianum as possible representative of lakman is warranted. In our view; morphology of Ipomoea
muricata (L.) Jacq. and Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk. does
not resemble with that of lakman described
in ancient texts. Ipomoea muricata is a climber and Cynoglossum lanceolatum is an herb without spines. References Chhote, L., Chunekar, K.C. (1985) - Study of lakman in Samhitas, Sachitra Ayurved 37, 10, 601-605. Garg, S.K., Gupta, D.R. (2006). Chemical Examination of the Seed Fat of Solanum ferox L. Fette, Seifen, Anstrichimittel. 68(6):449-450. Govindan, S.; Viswanathan,
S.; Vijayasekaran, V. and Alagappan,
R. (1999). Journal of Ethno
pharmacology. 66(2):205-10. Heble, M. R., Narayanaswami,S. (1968). Diosgenin and ß-Sitosterol: Isolation from Solanum xanthocarpum Tissue Cultures. Science 161(3846): 1145 Karnick, C.R. (1976b) - On the correct identity of the plants termed as “lakman "; a comparative, botanical, chemical, pharmacological, and Ayurvedic confirmation, National Medical Gazette 15, 1-9. Mafel, C. (1999). Ysrael.
Sharma, N., Sharma, A.K., Zafar, R. (1990). Indole alkaloids in the callus culture of Ipomoea muricata
Linn. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 52(2): 111-2. Singh, A.P. (2005). Dravyaguna Vijnana. Gupta, A. Chaukhambha Orientalia, Singh, A.P. (2007). Bhavapraksha Nighantu. Gupta, A. Chaukhambha
Orientalia, Singh, A.P. (2007). Dhanwantri Nighantu. Gupta,
A. Chaukhambha Orientalia, New Delhi. Singh, A.P. (2007).
Raj Nighantu Gupta, A. Chaukhambha Orientalia, New Delhi. Verma, R (1975) - Lakman. Dhanvantri 49.2/3, 320-323. Yadev, C.L., Chunekar, K.C. (1984) - The Wonder yurvedic lakman for progeny. A historical appraisal. IJHS 19, 3,272-278. Ysrael, M.C., Waterman, P., Nonato, M.G. (1997)- Identification of phenylpropanoids,
phenylpropanoid glucosides
and a phenylethanol diglucoside
from Ipomoea muricata
Jacq. Convolvulaceae. Acta-Manilana ( Web References: http://www.medicinebeeherbals.com/sacred-herb-seeds.php http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/usdisp/ipomoea-hede.html http://mpcpdb.frlht.org.in/Nomenco_Bot2SK.html http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/t/tarambulo.pdf |