Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market nameBiranjasif
Urudu nameBirinjasif
Arabic name /
Persian name		Shoaila, Birinjasif / Boe-madran, Birinjasif
English nameIndian wormwood fleabane
Original plant nameArtemisia vulgaris Linn., Indian wormwood fleabane
Family nameCompositae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification flower + leaf
Collection informationIslamic Republic of Pakistan, Karachi [Karachi], Sind, Amjad Unani Medicine (Pvt.) Ltd.
Collection date1994/1/22
CollectorTsuneo Namba
IdentifierJaved Ahmad
DescriptionFeatures:
The sample contains stem, leaves as well as flowers. Stem pieces are dark brown in colour and longitudinally striated bearing upper leaves which deeply pinnatisect. Lower leaves petioled 5 to 10cm long, ovate in outline, 1-2 pinnatisect, more or less pubescent above, ash-grey or white tomentose beneath, upper leaves often sessile, linear - Lanceolate, entire or 3 fid. In the crude drug sample leaves are almost entirely separated from the stem and completely broken. Heads appear to be arranged in panicled racemes, brownish yellow in colour, singly as well as in pairs. These are 2-3mm long. The sample gives a strong aromatic odour and is slightly bitter in taste.
TMPW No.14638

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Production area information
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25.0700428
67.2847875
Collection information
Islamic Republic of Pakistan,Karachi [Karachi], Sind
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Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameUrudu name,
English name		Birinjasif, Indian wormwood fleabane
Arabic name / Persian nameShoaila, Birinjasif / Boe-madran, Birinjasif
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Original plant nameArtemisia vulgaris Linn.
Family nameCompositae
Used partFlower heads / leaves
Distribution areaA tall aromatic shrub like herb, pubescent, found throughout the mountains districts of India, ascending upto 5,000-12,000 ft. in Sikkim, Khasia, Mt. Abu in Rajasthan and W. Ghats from Konkan southwards to Ceylon.
DescriptionIt is a herb resembling absinth and it contains viscous substance. It has two kinds. One of its varieties has small branches but large leaves and it is yellow or white in colour. Its flowers are small and resemble the flowers of dill. One of its varieties is called Qaisum. Galen states that since both (Birinjasif and Qaisum) have same temperament they are collectively called as birinjasif.
Function and propertiesOrgans of the head, Excretory organs, Swellings, Fevers.

Stimulant, tonic, carminative, diuretic, antipyretic, emmenagogue, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory. According to Avicenna (Ibn Sina) it is highly attenuant and deobstruent.
Specific actionsAnti-inflammatory and carminative.
Frequency in useVery common.
Common usesOrgans of the head: Its plaster is useful in cold headache. Inhalation of the vapours arising from its decoction gives relief in cases of nasal obstruction and coryza.

Excretory organs: It dissolves kidney stones. Sitting in its decoction helps in regulating menstruation. It is useful in ulcers, expels foetus and placenta, opens the hole of uterus (Os uteri) and removes its hardness when administered orally or applied in the form of a plaster.

Swellings: It is useful in visceritis.

Fever: It has specific action in phlegmatic fever (in which the liver is also affected).
Side effectIn large doses it may cause headache and it is harmful for kidneys.
Medical systemUnani
Traditional conceptTemperamentAccording to Kabiruddin it is hot in the first degree.
According to Avicenna (Ibn Sina) it is cold and moist in the first degree.
Drug effectIt is beneficial in visceritis. It is harmful for kidneys. It may also cause vertigo.
CommentsAvicenna (Ibn Sina) states that its plaster prevents the superfluous matter from moving towards an organ.
Dosage3 to 5gm.
SubstituteBabunah (Matricaria chamomilla Linn.).
Related drugsBirinjasif in local market is also available as Achillea millefolium Linn. But according to Hakim Saifuddin the real Birinjasif is Artemisia vulgaris, but it may be possible that it is Qaisum, the other variety of birinjasif as mentioned in Unani classical literature.
Corrigent (corrective)Anisun (Pimpinella anisum Linn.).
Important compound preparationsArq Birinjasif and Arq Gaz.
ReferencesReference book　

Tips！

Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, 1956. Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi. - New Edition (1996) National Institute Science Communication; Supplement
p 26.

Makhzanul-Mufradat (Khawasul Adviyah), Hakeem Kabiruddin, Daftar Al-Masih, Qarol Bagh, Delhi.
p 127.

Dictionary of Economic Plants in India, 1996 (2nd Rep.). Singh, U; Wadhwani, A. M. and Johri B.M. Indian council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.
p 22.

Al-Qanun Fil-Tibb. Avicenna. (English translation of the critical Arabic text), Book 2, 1998. Hameed, H. A. (editor), Dept. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi.
pp 92-93.

Al-Jamili Mufradt Al Adwiya Wal Aghziya (1197-1248 A.D.). Ibn al-Baytar. Vols. 1-3, 1985-1999. Central council for Research in Unani Medicine, Janakpuri, New Delhi.
pp 212-213.

Hamdard Pharmcopoeia of Eastern medicine, 1969. Said, H. M. (editor), The Times Press, Sadar Karachi.
pp 195, 201.

Indusyunic Medicine, 1997. Usmanghani, K., Saeed, A. and Alam, M. T. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Karachi.
pp 82-83.

Unani Adwiyah Mufradah, 1984. Ali, Saifuddin, A. (3rd edi.). Taraqi-e-Urdu Bureau, R. K. Puram, New Delhi.
p 73.

RemarksIt is an important drug and is described by ancient Unani physicians.
Its Unani name is Artmasiya. It is an ancient drug. But due to dual botanical identity the drug has become controversial. Usmanghani and Aftab (1997) have also mentioned Achillea millefolium as the source of Birinjasif, while the other Unani writer Hakeem Saifuddin differs with this source of Birinjasif.
The oil of the plant is good larvicide and a feeble insecticide.
Last renewal date2024/02/22
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