Visnaga daucoides | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Apiales |
Family: | Apiaceae |
Genus: | Visnaga |
Species: | V. daucoides |
Binomial name | |
Visnaga daucoides Gaertn. | |
Synonyms | |
List
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Visnaga daucoides is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by many common names, including toothpick-plant, [1] toothpickweed, [2] bisnaga, khella, or sometimes bishop's weed. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but it can be found throughout the world as an introduced species. [3]
This is an erect annual plant growing from a taproot to a maximum height near 80 centimeters (31 in). The leaves are up to 20 centimeters (7.9 in) long and generally oval to triangular in shape but dissected into many small linear to lance-shaped segments. The inflorescence is a compound umbel of white flowers similar to those of other Apiaceae species. The fruit is a compressed oval-shaped body less than 3 millimeters long. This species is a source of khellin, a diuretic extract.
Like its close relative Ammi majus , Visnaga daucoides is commonly seen in gardens where it is grown from seed annually. [4]
Some authorities regard Visnaga daucoides as a synonym of Ammi visnaga; and it is still widely referenced under that name. [5]
In Egypt, a tea made from the fruit of this species has been used as a herbal remedy for kidney stones. [6]
Preparations of the fruits have also been used for angina pectoris therapy. [7]
Laboratory rat studies show that the extract slows the buildup of calcium oxalate crystals in the kidneys and acts as a diuretic. [8] [9] Its clinical effects in humans are unknown.
Khellin, a chemical compound obtained from Visnaga daucoides, was used at one time as a smooth muscle relaxant, but its use is now limited due to adverse side effects. [10] Amiodarone and cromoglycate are synthetic derivatives of khellin with fewer side effects which were developed for use in modern medicine.[ medical citation needed ]
Visnagin is another chemical compound found in Visnaga daucoides, which is toxic if ingested in the pure state. [11] Visnadine is a natural vasodilator found in Visnaga daucoides.
Marjoram is a cold-sensitive perennial herb or undershrub with sweet pine and citrus flavours. In some Middle Eastern countries, marjoram is synonymous with oregano, and there the names sweet marjoram and knotted marjoram are used to distinguish it from other plants of the genus Origanum. It is also called pot marjoram, although this name is also used for other cultivated species of Origanum.
Ajwain or ajowan —also known as ajowan caraway, వాము ,omam , thymol seeds, bishop's weed, or carom—is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. Both the leaves and the seed‑like fruit of the plant are consumed by humans. The name "bishop's weed" also is a common name for other plants. The "seed" is often confused with lovage seed.
Rubus idaeus is a red-fruited species of Rubus native to Europe and northern Asia and commonly cultivated in other temperate regions.
Bishop's weed is a common name for several plants, all but one of which belong to the plant family Apiaceae.
Althaea officinalis, the marsh mallow or marshmallow, is a species of flowering plant indigenous to Europe, Western Asia and North Africa, which is used in herbalism and as an ornamental plant. A confection made from the root since ancient Egyptian times evolved into today's marshmallow treat, but most modern marshmallow treats no longer contain any marsh-mallow root.
Cromoglicic acid (INN)—also referred to as cromolyn (USAN), cromoglycate, or cromoglicate—is traditionally described as a mast cell stabilizer, and is commonly marketed as the sodium salt sodium cromoglicate or cromolyn sodium. This drug prevents the release of inflammatory chemicals such as histamine from mast cells.
Cassia fistula, also known as golden shower, purging cassia, Indian laburnum, kani konna, or pudding-pipe tree, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent and adjacent regions of Southeast Asia. It is the official state flower of Kerala state and Delhi UT in India. It is also a popular ornamental plant and is also used in herbal medicine.
Calea ternifolia is a species of flowering plant in the aster family, Asteraceae. It is native to Mexico and Central America. Its English language common names include bitter-grass, Mexican calea, and dream herb.
Chelidonium majus, the greater celandine, is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae. One of two species in the genus Chelidonium, it is native to Europe and western Asia and introduced widely in North America.
Ruscus, commonly known as butcher's broom, is a genus of six species of flowering plants, native to western and southern Europe, Macaronesia, northwestern Africa, and southwestern Asia east to the Caucasus. In the APG III classification system, it is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae. Like many lilioid monocots, it was formerly classified in the family Liliaceae.
Khellin has been used as an herbal folk medicine, with use in the Mediterranean dating back to Ancient Egypt, to treat a variety of maladies including: renal colic, kidney stones, coronary disease, bronchial asthma, vitiligo, and psoriasis. It is a major constituent of the plant Visnaga daucoides, also known as Ammi visnaga and as bishop's weed. Once purified, khellin exists as colorless, odorless, bitter-tasting needle-shaped crystals and is classified as a gamma-pyrone, a furanochromone derivative. In the early 20th century, researchers searched for khellin analogs with lower toxicity and better efficacy. A number of drugs were discovered through this research, such as amiodarone and cromolyn sodium, which are used in current medical practice. Efloxate is also mentioned as analog.
Plantago asiatica, is a self-fertile, perennial species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae. It is native to East Asia. It grows well in disturbed areas such as roadsides or even dirt roads. It is valued for its use in folk medicine and it also can be used in cooking.
Ammi majus, commonly called bishop's flower, false bishop's weed, laceflower, bullwort, etc., is a member of the carrot family Apiaceae. The plant, which has white lace-like flower clusters, has a large distribution through Southern Europe, North Africa and West and Central Asia, though it is hypothesized to be native to the Nile River Valley.
Ligustrum japonicum, known as wax-leaf privet or Japanese privet is a species of Ligustrum (privet) native to central and southern Japan and Korea. It is widely cultivated in other regions, and is naturalized in California and in the southeastern United States from Texas to Virginia.
Wolfiporia extensa, commonly known as hoelen, poria, tuckahoe, China root, fu ling, or matsuhodo, is a fungus in the family Polyporaceae. It is a wood-decay fungus but has a subterranean growth habit. It is notable in the development of a large, long-lasting underground sclerotium that resembles a small coconut. This sclerotium, known as Tuckahoe or fu-ling, is not the same as the true tuckahoe used as Indian bread by Native Americans, which is the arrow arum, Peltandra virginica, a flowering tuberous plant in the arum family.
Vaccinium stamineum, commonly known as deerberry, tall deerberry, highbush huckleberry, buckberry, and southern gooseberry, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family. It is native to North America, including Ontario, the eastern and central United States, and parts of Mexico. It is most common in the southeastern United States.
Herniaria hirsuta is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by the common name hairy rupturewort. It is native to Eurasia and North Africa, and it is known on other continents, including North America, as an introduced species. This is an annual herb with stems up to 20 cm (8 in) long usually growing prostrate along the ground. The small, fuzzy, pale green leaves are up to about a centimeter long and coat the stems. The inflorescences appear in the leaf axils. Each contains three to eight hairy green sepals and no petals. The fruit is a tiny bumpy utricle containing one seed.
Visnagin is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula C13H10O4 It is a furanochromone, a compound derivative of chromone (1,4-benzopyrone) and furan.
Parmentiera aculeata, commonly known as cow okra, cuajilote, guajilote, huachilote, or pepino kat, is a species of flowering tree in the family Bignoniaceae. It is native to Mexico and Central America and is known primarily for its edible fruit and medicinal properties.