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
-
].
Maharanga wallichiana DC.
Onosma emodi Wall.
Onosma vestita Wall. ex G.Don
Common Name:
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 |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 0.35 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
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 -
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Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
