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An erect, evergreen, tomentose shrub, found throughout the drier parts of India in waste places and on bunds. It is also cultivated for the medicinal roots. The alkaloids – withanoloids are hypotensive, bradycardiac, antioxidant, antidepressant, and respiratory-stimulating action. The hypotensive effect is due mainly to autonomic ganglion-blocking action. The total alkaloids showed relaxant and antispasmodic effects against several spasmogens on intestinal, uterine, bronchial, tracheal and blood-vascular muscles. Withaferin A exhibits potent anti-arthritic and anti- inflammatory activities.

It is erect aromatic annual herb commonly cultivated through out India. The long slender stems bear tripartite, toothed, grey-green obovate leaves. The thin, sword-shaped pods are curved beak-like tip, each carrying 10-20 seeds. The chief chemical contituents are steroidal saponins. The active constituent of Fenugreek is galactomannan. It is known to reduce blood glucose, possess antiviral and anti-oxidant property.

It is a prostate annual herb widely distributed in the tropics and warm temperate regions of India, China and parts of Europe. Fruits resemble ribbed, spinous tuberculate tiny spherical balls. The chief constituents are steroidal sapogenins. The fruits are diuretic and aphrodisiac. Clinical studies indicate its anti-urolithiatic property. It improves muscle tone, stamina and endurance. It is known to increase sexual drive and performance.

A large, glabrous, deciduous climbing shrub with succulent stems found throughout tropical India, ascending to an altitude of 300m. The stem is used in general debility, dyspepsia, fevers and urinary diseases. The climber contains chiefly alkaloids responsible for antibacterial, hyoglycaemic and immunomodulatory activity. The extract is also useful in the treatment of jaundice and rheumatism.