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. Fleiderer gives the following Kanarese equivalents of the plant — Natahu, hesigetin, kasutihuvina-gida). Arippu (Mal).
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, membranous. 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 circulation 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 leaves of 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, 0.08% 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.
