984 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



about some of the medicinal properties of the roots, leaves 

 and flowers of Lantana Indica. 



944. L. Camara, Linn., h.f.b.i., iv. 562. 



Vern : — Ghaneri (M) ; Chadurang (Kan) (According to 

 Talbot. I. P. FJeiderer gives the following Kanarese equivalents of 

 the plant — Natahu, hesigetin, kasutihuvina-gida). Arippu (Mai). 



Habitat : — A native of America, run wild in many parts of 

 India. " Shade ultimately kills it, bat it has the power of 

 scrambling up the branches of low trees and so reaching the 

 hight. Its rapid diffusion has been much helped by birds, 

 which are fond of the berries." (Trimen). 



A gregarious straggling scandent shrub. Branches 1-sided 

 with recurved prickles. Leaves simple, ovate acute. Flowers 

 in small head, pretty, pink-orange or lilac, and of many shades 

 in the same plant. Bracts linear small. Calyx small, mem- 

 branous. Corolla-tube slender, limb spreading, lobes unequal. 

 Ovrary 2-celled ; Drupe freshy. Seeds without albumen. 



Uses : — In Mexico, the leaves of a species of Lantana, 

 when boiled with barley, are given to women in childbirth. 

 Another species of Lantana is much used to relieve indigestion. 



In Vol. 16 of the Pharmaeutical Journal and transactions published in the 

 year 1885 there appears a short article where it is stated that a new alkaloid 

 named "Lantanine" was discovered by Dr. Negrete, in Lantana brasiliensis, 

 a plant which was used by Dr. E. Buiza in the central hospital at Lima, as an 

 antipyretic ; it stated that " Lantanine " like Quinine, depresses the circu- 

 lation and lowers the temperature. Intermittent fevers which have not 

 yeilded to treatment with Quinine, have given way under the use of 2 grams 

 of lantanine. 



On page 497 of Apothekar zeitung of 1909 it is stated that the leavesof 

 Lantana Odorata are used in West Indies and South America for aromatic 

 baths in rheumatic complaints, also as infusions for eatarrahal diseases and 

 as gargles. 



In Chemisches Central Bhatt of 1905 on page 307 it is stated that the fresh 

 bark of the stem of Lantana Camara contains 60% water, 6*25% ash, 0'f 8% of a 

 crystalline substance (Lantanine) 0"054% of a rubber-like substance, 1*705% 

 besin, 2-21% resinic acid but no tannic acid ; the bark of the root of Lantana 

 Camara is supposed to contain tannic acid on the other hand. 



Bacon writing in the Philippine Journal of Science in 1909 about the oil of 

 Lantana Camara states that it possesses a pleasant odour and that the plant 

 flourishes with such extraordinary profusion in the Philippines that it would 

 undoubtedly pay to cultivate it. 



