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Useful Temperate Plants

Maharanga emodi

(Wall.) DC.

Boraginaceae


Ratanjot is the common name of a plant in India, almost certainly in the Boraginaceae family, that has medicinal properties and also yields a red dyestuff that is used in foods, cosmetics etc. The plant is commonly traded in markets through much of India. Arnebia speciosa Aitch. & Hemsl. (syn Arnebia nobilis) is probably the main source of ratanjot, though at least 15 different species share this common name and many of these also have medicinal uses and supply a similar red dye. Onosma hispida Wall. ex G.Don (often wrongly referred to as Onosma echioides) is probably often also used as a source of ratanjot and the following species in Boraginaceae are likely to be also used at times:- Alkanna tinctoria L.; Arnebia benthamii (Wall. ex G.Don) I.M.Johnst.; Arnebia euchroma (Royle) I.M.Johnst.; Arnebia hispidissima (Sieber ex Lehm.) A.DC.; Maharanga emodi (Wall.) DC.; and Onosma hookeri C.B.Clarke[
2030
Title
Identification and characterization of Ratanjot (Arnebia nobilis Reichb.f.
Publication
Natural Product Radiance, Vol. 8(2), 2009, pp.142-145
Author
Arora A., Gulrajani M.L. & Gupta D.
Publisher
 
Year
2009
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

+ Synonyms

Maharanga wallichiana DC.

Onosma emodi Wall.

Onosma vestita Wall. ex G.Don

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Maharanga emodi is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a clump of several prostrate to ascending, unbranched stems; it can grow around 30 - 40cm tall[
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
,
1977
Title
Non-Timber Forest Products of Nepal Himalaya - database of some important species found in the mountain protected ar
Publication
 
Author
Ghimire S.K. et al
Publisher
WWF Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Year
2008
ISBN
978-99946-837-9-6
Description
 
].
The plant is harvested from the wid for local use as a medicine and a hair tonic.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas of Nepal, northeast India, Tibet

Habitat

Open rocky ground, rocky slopes, steppe and scree; at elevations from 2,200 - 4,500 metres[
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
,
1977
Title
Non-Timber Forest Products of Nepal Himalaya - database of some important species found in the mountain protected ar
Publication
 
Author
Ghimire S.K. et al
Publisher
WWF Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Year
2008
ISBN
978-99946-837-9-6
Description
 
]. Moist places by streams; at elevations from 1,600 - 3,000 metres[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.35 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root juice, mixed with mustard oil, is put on ear to treat ear pain[
1977
Title
Non-Timber Forest Products of Nepal Himalaya - database of some important species found in the mountain protected ar
Publication
 
Author
Ghimire S.K. et al
Publisher
WWF Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Year
2008
ISBN
978-99946-837-9-6
Description
 
].

The whole plant is used in the treatment of hypertension, fever, lung problems, skin diseases, rheumatism, urinary disorders and as a hair tonic[
1977
Title
Non-Timber Forest Products of Nepal Himalaya - database of some important species found in the mountain protected ar
Publication
 
Author
Ghimire S.K. et al
Publisher
WWF Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Year
2008
ISBN
978-99946-837-9-6
Description
 
].

A methanolic extract of the root is reported to have moderate activity against human influenza virus[
1977
Title
Non-Timber Forest Products of Nepal Himalaya - database of some important species found in the mountain protected ar
Publication
 
Author
Ghimire S.K. et al
Publisher
WWF Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Year
2008
ISBN
978-99946-837-9-6
Description
 
].
A toxicity study conducted showed high CC50 values (>100 μg ml-1) indicating rthe relative safety of the extract[
1977
Title
Non-Timber Forest Products of Nepal Himalaya - database of some important species found in the mountain protected ar
Publication
 
Author
Ghimire S.K. et al
Publisher
WWF Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Year
2008
ISBN
978-99946-837-9-6
Description
 
].

Other Uses

The juice of the rhizome is used as a hair tonic[
272
Title
Plants and People of Nepal
Publication
 
Author
Manandhar. N. P.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
2002
ISBN
0-88192-527-6
Description
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
].
The root extract, mixed with mustard oil, is applied as a hair dye[
1977
Title
Non-Timber Forest Products of Nepal Himalaya - database of some important species found in the mountain protected ar
Publication
 
Author
Ghimire S.K. et al
Publisher
WWF Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Year
2008
ISBN
978-99946-837-9-6
Description
 
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-12. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Maharanga+emodi>

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