Impatiens BALSAMINA L.


Synonym : Balsamina angustifolia Blume
Balsamina cornuta (L.) DC.
Balsamina odorata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don
Impatiens cornuta L.
Bangla Name : Dupati, Dopatta.
English Name : Garden Balsam.
Family : Balsaminaceae
Disease : Emetic, cathartic, diuretic, pains, cooling, tonic, lumbago, inter-costal neuralgia, burns and scalds.
Description : An ornamental annual herb, 30-90 cm high. Leaves up to 15 cm long, lanceolate, acuminate, deeply serrate. Flowers large, axillary, showy, of various colours. Capsules spindle-shaped, tomentose.
Distribution : Cultavated as an ornamental plant throughout the country.
Chemical Constituents : Flowers contain flavonoid pigments anthocyanins and 2-hydroxy-1,4-napththoquinone. Seeds contain a viscous oil ?-amyrin, ?-spinasterol, balsaminasterol and an anthraquinone glycoside. Stems and roots contain cyanidin monoglycoside. An apigenin derivative
Uses : Plant is emetic, cathartic and diuretic, used for pains in the joints. Flowers are cooling and tonic, used for lumbago, inter-costal neuralgia, burns and scalds. Powdered seeds are useful for difficult labour. EtOH(50%) extract of plant possesses antic
Habit : Herb