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Weniwel |
Vernacular Name:
Sinhala: Weniwel; Eng: False calumba, Ceylon calumba root, turmeric
tree; Hin: Jhari-huldi; |
Description: Woody climber, roots and stems yellow inside.
Stem-bark longitudinally fluted, whitish-grey in colour. Leaves
alternate coriaceous, shining above, minutely whitish tomentose beneathl
petiole long, inserted not far from the bae of laminal basal nerves 3-5.
Inflorescence in paniculate raceme, borne in the mdl of fallen leaves,
flowers unisexual Drupe globose. |
Propagation:
By seeds and vegetative methods. |
Part Used: Stems and roots. |
Chemical
Constituents: The stems and the roots contain the alkaloid
berberine l.5—3%. |
Uses: Berberine is antibacterial. The stem, the roots and the
purified berberine are used in treating diarrhoea, bacillary dysentery,
enteritis, jaundice, pyrexia and dyspepsia. An eye- lotion berberine
chloride is effective for opthalmia. |