Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. |
| |
|
|
Botanical Name |
: |
Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. |
English
Name |
: |
Indian Wintergreen |
Synonym(s) |
: |
Gaultheria ovalifolia Wall. |
Family |
: |
Ericaceae |
| |
General Info
| Description |
 |
|
A much-branched evergreen, aromatic shrub, c . 12 ft. high, with orange-brown bark. Leaves alternate, oblong-lanceolate to ellipticrhomboid (3-5X1-2.5 in.), serrate, stiffly coriaceous, gland-dotted; flowers greenish white, in short, pubescent, axillary racemes; fruit capsular, sub-globose, completely enclosed in an enlarged, fleshy, deep blue calyx. |
| Herb Effects |
|
|
Antirheumatic, carminative, stimulant, antiseptic and anticancer (essential oil); |
Chemistry
| Active Ingredients |
|
|
Methyl salicylate (essential oil); beta-sitosterol, ursolic acid and hyperoside (leaf); from 50% EtOH aerial part extract. |
| Chemistry
of Active Ingredients |
|
|
|
 |
Name |
CAS# |
IUPAC Name |
Formula |
Structure |
 |
|
| Methyl salicylate |
8024-54-2 |
methyl
2-hydroxybenzoate |
C8H8O3 |
|
| beta-Sitosterol |
5779-62-4 |
17-(5-ethyl-6-methyl
-heptan-2-yl)-10,13-
dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9
,11,12,14,
15,16,17
-dodecahydro-1H-cycl
openta[a]phenanthren
-3-ol |
C29H50O |
|
| Ursolic acid |
77-52-1 |
10-hydroxy-1,2,6a,6b
,9,9,12a-heptamethyl
-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a
,10,11,12,
13,14b-t
etradecahydro-1H-pic
ene-4a-carboxylic
acid |
C30H48O3 |
|
|
Pharmacology
| Medicinal Use |
|
|
In rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, for gout, stiffness due to old age and as a carminative (essential oil); for coughs, effective against hookworms (leaf juice); lowers blood pressure (50% EtOH aerial part extract). |
| Contraindication |
|
|
An overdose of oil may cause degeneration changes in the liver and kidneys. |
| Reference |
|
|
 Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.
The Himalaya Drug Company. |
Dealers
Products
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