Botanical Name

Arnebia benthamii (Wall. ex G.Don) I.M.Johnst.

Family

Boraginaceae.

Synonyms

Lithospermum benthamii (Wall. ex G. Don) I.M. Johnst., Macrotomia benthamii (Wall. ex G. Don) A. DC.

Regional Name

Hindi : Gaozaban, Balchadi, Nepali : Mahaarangee, Ulte bhutkesh, Kashmiri : Gaozabaan,

Part Used

Root.

Description

It is a distinctive hairy perennial plant. Stout, leaf stems can grow to a height of 60 cm, bearing very dense shaggy haired cylindrical spike of red-purple flowers, and much longer grey- hairy bracts. Leaves are linear, narrow lance-like, and bristly-haired. It is distributed in the Hindu Kush Himalayan range across Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal in an altitude range of 3000-4300 m. Within India, it is found in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Phytoconstituents

It contains alkaloids, phenols, anthraquinones, and flavonoids. It also contains deoxyshikonin, β,β-dimethylacryloylshikonin, shikonin, acetyshikonin,   β-sitosterol, propionylshikonin and acetoxyisovalerylalkannin.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa : Tikta, Katu, Kasaya, Guna : Snigdha, Tiksna, Virya : Usna, Vipaka : Katu, Karma : Vatahara, Kaphahara.

Ayurvedic Applications

Gulma, Jvara, Kandu, Krmi, Kustha, Sotha, Prameha, Tvak roga, Udara.

Medicinal Uses

It is used in diseases of the mouth and throat, also in the treatment of fevers and debility. It is used for treating cough, hair treatment, fever, cardiac disorders, inflammation, cuts and wound healing.