Melastoma malabathricum Linn.

Synonym:

M. normale D. Don.

Family:

Melastomataceae.

Habitat:

Moist parts of India, up to 1,800 m.

English:

Indian Rhododendron.

Folk:

Laakheri, Paalorey (Maharashtra). Tulasi (Nepal). Nakkukappan (Tamil Nadu), Phutuka (Assam).

Action:

Leaf—antidiarrhoeal, antiseptic. Locally applied in smallpox to prevent pox-marks. Leaf and flowering top—astringent, antileucorrhoeic. Bark—applied to wounds. Also employed in preparation of gargles.

The leaves gave amino acids—glycine, valine, leucine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, methionine, tyrosine, isoleucine and hydroxyproline. The roots gave beta-sitosterol and a triterpene, melastomic acid.