Biology · Ch 14 — Bioresources of Assam
Medicinal Plants
14.1
Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants supply phytochemicals — mostly alkaloids — that are used as drugs. The
syllabus prescribes five examples. Note carefully that Cinchona and Atropa are prescribed as examples of medicinally important alkaloid plants; they are not grown in Assam (Cinchona
is native to the South American Andes, Atropa to temperate Europe/West-Himalaya). The first
three are genuinely part of India's — and Assam's — plant wealth.
| Plant | Scientific name (family) | Part used | Active compound | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarpagandha | Rauvolfia serpentina (Apocynaceae) | Root | Reserpine | Lowers blood pressure (antihypertensive); sedative/tranquilliser |
| Neem | Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) | Leaves, seed, bark | Azadirachtin | Antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic; natural (bio)pesticide |
| Tulsi | Ocimum tenuiflorum (Lamiaceae) | Leaves, oil | Eugenol | Antimicrobial, antioxidant; cough and cold remedy |
| Cinchona (example only) | Cinchona officinalis (Rubiaceae) | Bark | Quinine | Antimalarial |