KJC Medicinal Garden
Baalada Kaddi
Arundo donax
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Arundo
Species: A. donax
Common Names: Giant reed, Elephant grass
Native to Eastern Asia
Other plants of the same genus with medicinal properties
-
Arundo bambusifolia
Arundo bifaria
Arundo coleotricha
Arundo sativa
Arundo triflora
- Erect, tall (2-10m), perennial cane
- Leaves are alternately arranged on a single pane
- Smooth leaf blades, blue-green in color
- Inflorescence, at apex compact silky-hairy feathery.
- Seeds are flat and oval
Uses in Tradition systems of medicine
- It is an ayurvedic grass, named Nala
- Used for treatment of burning sensation in body, herpes, skin diseases,
- Root of this is boiled in cow milk and given a dose to improve breast milk quantity in lactating women.
- Paste of the root with the neem leaf paste, is applied over wounds as a part of treatment.
- Rich in fibre and carbohydrates
- Protein: 6.9g per 100g, calcium: 0.3-0,7%, potassium: 2.5%, phosphorus: 0.11%.
Suggested Medicinal Properties
- Diaphoretic
- Diuretic
- Emollient
- Galactofuge
- Hypotensive
Active Phytochemicals
1. Bufotenine
It is derivative of tryptamine related to serotonin- a neurotransmitter. It is an alkaloid found in some species higher plants. Antidepressants with hallucinogenic properties.
2. N, N-dimethyltryptamine
3. Dehydrobufotenine
4. 5-methoxy-N- methyltryptamine
5. Gramine
6. Donaxine
7. Ardine
8. Arundaphine
9. Arundanine
10. Arundavine
References
Patino R, Rashel RH, Rubio A, Longing S. Growth-suppressing and algicidal properties of an extract from Arundo donax, an invasive riparian plant, against Prymnesium parvum, an invasive harmful alga. Harmful Algae. 2018; 71:1-9
Oakins AJ. An Assessment and Management Protocol for Arundo donax L. in the Salinas Valley Watershed [thesis]. Monterey Bay, USA: California State University; 2001. p. 1-48