LAXATIVES

S. DRUG SYNONYMS PART BIOLOGICAL FAMILY CONSTITUENTS USES

No USED SOURCE

1. Aloes Musabbar, Dried 1. Curacao aloe / Liliaceae Anthraquinone glycosides Purgative

Kumari, Korphad. juice of Barbados aloe: Barbaloin,
leaves Aloe barbadensis Isobarbaloin
2. Socotrine aloe: aloe emodin
Aloe perryi Resin: Aloesin
3. Cape aloe:
Aloe ferox
[Zanzibar / monkey
skin aloe : Variety
of socortine aloe]
2. Rhuburb Revandchini, Dried Chinese: Polygonaceae Anthraquinone glycosides Purgative
Radix rhei, rhizome Rheum palmatum Rhein,
Rheum. Indian: aloe emodin,
Rheum emodi Palmidin A,B,C
3. Castor oil Ricinus oil Seeds Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae Ricinoleic acid, Laxative,
linoleic acid. lubricant

4. Ispaghula Indian psyllium Seeds Plantago ovata Plantaginaceae Pentosan, Demulcent,

Mucilage, laxative,
aldobionic acid, Disintegrant.
phanteose (carbohydrate)
5. Senna Alexandrian: Dried Inidan senna: Leguminosae Anthraquinone glycosides Purgative
Cassia senna, leaflets Cassia angustifolia Sennosides A, B
Egyptian senna, Alexandrian senna:
Foliia senna Cassia acutifolia
Indian:Senai-Ki-
Patti.
 CARDIOTOINCS
6. Digitalis Foxglove Dried Digitalis Purpurea Scrophulariaceae Sterol/ Cardiac glycoside Cardiotonic.
leaves leaves Digitalis lanata Purpurea glycoside A,B.
Digitoxin,
Lanatosides A,B,C.
Digoxin.
7. Arjuna Arjun bark Stem bark Terminalia arjuna Combretaceae Hydrolysable tannin Cardiotonic,
Arjunolone, Hypotensive,
Arjunone, Diuretics.
Arjunolic
Arjunic acid,
β- Sitosterol,
Ellagic acid.
CARMINATIVES & GIT REGULATORS
8. Coriander Cilanthro Dried ripe Coriandrum Umbelliferae Monoterpenoids
leaves fruits sativum D-linalool (coriandrol)
9. Anise Anise fruit Dried ripe Pimpinella anisum Umbelliferae Monoterpenoids
fruits Anethol.
10. Caraway Caraway fruit Dried ripe Carum carvi Umbelliferae Monoterpenoids
fruits Carvone,
Carvacrol Carminative,
stimulant,
11. Dill Dill fruit, Dried ripe Anethum Umbelliferae Monoterpenoids flavour,
Anethum. fruits graveolens Dill-apiole, Aromatic.
Carvone.

12. Fennel Fruit of Ripe Foeniculum Umbelliferae Monoterpenoids

Foeniculum fruits vulgare Fenchone,
Anethole,
Phellandrene.
13. Ajowan Carum Ripe Trychyspermum Umbelliferae Monoterpenoids Antispasmodic
copticum, fruits ammi Volatile oil, Stimulant,
Bishop weed. thymol, Carminative,
terpinine. Antiseptic,
Antifungal,
Anthemintic,
Insecticide.
14. Cardomom Cardomom Ripe Elettaria Zingiberaceae Monoterpenoids Carminative,
fruits. fruits cardamomum Borneol, Cineole. stimulant,
Α-terpineol. flavour,
15. Black Pepper Dried Piper nigrum Piperaceae Monoterpenoids Aromatic.
pepper Fruits Piperine, Piperidine.
Phellandrene, Caryophylling.
16. Nutmeg Myristica, Seed Myristica fragrans Myristicaceae Monoterpenoids Carminative,
Nux Moschata Myristicin, stimulant,
elimicin, flavour,
saffrole. Aromatic.
Used in soap
industry,
Treat
rheumatism.
17. Cinnamon Kalmi- Bark Cinnamomum Lauraceae Monoterpenoids Carminative,
Dalchini. zeylanicum Eugenol, stimulant,
Bezaldehyde, flavour,
Cuminaldehyde. Aromatic.
Antiseptic,
Astringent.
18. Clove Flower Eugenia Myrtaceae Sesquiterpenoids Carminative,
buds caryophyllus Eugenol flavour,
Aromatic.
Dental
analgesic,
antiseptic
19. Asafoetida Devil drug Roots & Ferula foetida, Umbelliferae Oleo-gum resins Carminative,
Rhizomes F. rubricaulis Ferulic acid, umbellic acid, Nerve
asaresinotannol. stimulant,
intestinal
flatulence.
20. Ginger Zinziber Rhizomes Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae Oleo-gum resins Carminative,
flavour,
Gingerol, Aromatic,
shagaols, Treat motion
gingerone sickness.

ASTRINGENTS
21. Black Kattha, Cutch, Aqueous Acacia catechu Leguminosae Condensed tannin Astringents, Used in
Catechu Khadir- extract of A. Chundra Acacatechin, cough & diarrhoea.
catechu. heartwood Quercetin.
22. Pale Gambier, Aqueous Uncaria gambier Rubiaceae Condensed tannins Astringents,
Catechu extract of Catechin, Treatment of
young Catechutannic acid. diarrhoea.
Shoots Quercetin,
&leaves. Gamier fluorescin.
DRUGS ACTING ON NERVOUS SYSTEM
23. Hyoscyamus Henbane Dried leaf Hyoscyamus niger Solanaceae Tropane alkaloids Anticholinergic,
and l-hyoscyamine, antispasmodic,
flowering hyoscine Sedative.
tops
24. Belladona Deadly Dried European: Solanaceae Tropane alkaloids Anticholinergic,
Night Shade leaves and Atropa belladonna l-hyoscyamine, antispasmodic,
Leaf flowering Indian: hyoscine Antidote in opium &
tops Atropa acuminata [Scopolamine], Chloral hydrate
Atropine. poisoning.
25. Aconite Monkshood Dried roots Aconitum napellus Ranunculaceae Diterpene Poisonous drug.
Bachnag, Alkaloids
Wolfsbane. Aconitine, Externally used
Neopelline, [liniment] in the
Napelline. treatment of neuralgia,
sciatica & Rheumatism.

26. Ashwagandha Withania Dried root Withania somnifera Solanaceae Steroidal Sedative & hypnotic,
root, & stem. alkaloids Treament of gout &
Winter Withanine, Rheumatism,
Cherry, somniferine, Mood stabilizer,
Asgandh. withanolide immune modulatory.
(steroid)
Sitorindoside-
7&8.
27. Ephedra Ma-Huang Dried E. gerardiana Ephedraceae/ Amino alkaloids / Sympatho mimetic,
young E. equisetina Gnetaceae. Proto alkaloids: antiasthmatic,
stems E. sinica Ephedrine, Treatment of hay fever
Psudo-ephedrine.
28. Opium Raw opium Dried latex Papaver somniferum Papaveraceae Isoquinoline Narcotic analgesic,
Alkaloids Sedative
Narcotine, hypnotic,
papaverine, Treatment of cough
Morphine, Treatment of diarrhoea.
Codeine.
29. Cannabis Indian Flowering Cannabis sativa Cannabinaceae Resins Narcotic analgesic,
hemp, tops (Moraceae) Tetra hydro - psychotropic
Ganja, cannabinol,
Marihuana Trigonelline,
choline
30. Nux vomica Crow fig, Dried seed Strychnos nuxvomica Loganiaceae Indole Alkaloids CNS stimulant,
Semen Strychnine, bitter stomachic
strychni brucine (dog
poison)
 ANTIHYPERTENSIVES
31. Rauwolfia Indian Snake Roots & Rauwolfia serpentine Apocynaceae Indole alkaloids Hypotensive
Root, rhizomes Reserpine, tranquiliser
Serpagandha rescinnamine,
Chhotachand Ajmaline
ANTITUSSIVES
32. Vasaka Adhatoda, Leaves Adhatoda vasica Acanthaceae Quinazoline alkaloids Antitussive,
Adulsa, Vasicine, expectorant,
Malabar nut. Vasicinone,
Oxytocic.
Adhatodic acid,
Betain, vasakin.
33. Tolu balsam Balsam of Trunk of Myroxylon Leguminosae Resins Expectorant,
tolu trees balsamum Balsamic acid antiseptic,
Cinnamic acid Flavouring
Vannilin agent.
34. Tulsi Sacred basil, leaves Ocimum sanctum, Lamiaceae Monoterpenoids Expectorant
Holy basil O. tenuiflorum. Volatile oil Antibacterial
Eugenol Stomachic
Carvacrol Immuno-
Vitamin-c modulatory.
Maleic, Citric & Tartaric
acids.
ANTIRHEUMATICS
35. Guggul Commiphora, Stem bark Commiphora Burseraceae Oleo-gum resins Hypolipidaemic,
Scented weightii Diterpenoids antiinflammatory
bdellium. Guggulosterones E and Z Antirheumatics.
36. Colchicum Meadow Dried seed Colchicum Liliaceae Amino / Proto alkaloids Treatment of gout,
saffron seed, & Corn autumnale Colchicine, demecolcine Induction of
Autumn polyploidy,
crocus. Antitumor.
 ANTITUMOR
37. Vinca Periwinkle, Entire plant Catharanthus roseus Apocynaceae Indole alkaloids Anticancer.
Lady’s Thistle Vincristine,
vinblastine
ANTILEPROTICS
38. Chaulmoogra Hydnocarpus oil, Ripe Hydnocarpus wightiana Flacourtriaceae Hydnocarpic Treatment of TB,
oil Gynocardia oil seeds and Leprosy.
chaulmoogric
acid

ANTIDIABETICS
39. Pterocarpus Indian kino, Dried Petrocarpus marsupium leguminosae Condensed tannin Antidiabetics,
Malabar kino, juice Kino-tannic acid Astringent,
Red sandal wood. Kino red Treatment of
Pterocarpin. diarrhoea.
40. Gymnema / Madunashini Dried Gymnema sylvestre. Asclepiadaceae Bitter glycosides Antidiabetics,
Gudmar leaves Gymnemic acid Laxative,
Diuretic,
Treatment of
dental plaque.
DIURETICS
41. Gokhru Caltrops fruit, Fruits Tribulus terrestris Zygophyllaceae Saponin glycosides Diuretics
Puntcure vine, Teresterosin A & E
Tribulus. Tribulosin.
Alkaloids: Harmine.
42. Punarrnava Hog weed Whole plant Boerhaavia diffusa Nyctaginaceae Alkaloids: Diuretic,
B. repens Punarnavine Expectorant,
B. procumbens Glycosides: Treatment of
Punarnavoside jaundice.
[antifibrinolytic action]
 ANTIDYSENTRICS
43. Ipecacuanha Ipecac Dried Brazillian / Rio ipecac: Rubiaceae Isoquinoline alkaloids Small dose:
root & Cephaelis ipecacuanha Cephaline, Expectorant
rhizome Panama / Cartagena ipecac: psychotrine, Large dose: Emetic
C. acuminata Emetine. Treatment of
amoebic dysentery.
ANTISEPTIC & DISINFECTANT
44. Benzoin Loban Resins Sumatra benzoin: Styraceae Benzoic acid Antiseptic,
Styrax benzoin Cinnamic acid Expectorant,
Siam Benzoin: Sumaresinolic acid Carminative.
Styrax tonkinesis Siaresinolic acid
45. Myrrh Gum myrrh Oleo gum Commiphorra Burseraceae α-β- - commiphoric Antiseptic
resin molmol acids
46. Neem Margosa Aerial part Azadirachta Meliaceae Nimbin, nimbidin, Insecticide, antifeedant,
indica azadirachtin nematicide
47. Turmeric Indian dried Curcuma longa Zingiberaceae. Curcumin, Anti-inflammatory,
saffron, rhizome Curcuminoids Antiseptic.
Haldi.
ANTIMALARIALS
48. Cinchona Jesuit bark, Dried root Cinchona calisaya Rubiaceae Quinoline alkaloids Antimalarial
Peruvian & bark. C. officinalis Quinine Antiarrythmics.
bark. C. ledgeriana Quinidine
Cinchonine
cinchonidine
OXYTOCICS
49. Ergot Ergot of Fungus of Fungus: Family of fungus: Indole alkaloids Oxytocic,
rye Sclerotium Claviceps purpurea Plant: Clavicipitaceae Ergometrine, prevents
[ovary of rye plant ] (Hypocreaceae); Ergotamine postpartum
Secale cereale. family of rye haemorrhage;
Graminae used in migraine
 VITAMINS
50. Shark liver oil Oleum selachoide. Liver of Hypoprion brevirostris Carcharhinidae Vit.A, Deficiency of Vit-
shark . glycerides A in treatment of
of fatty rickets
acids
51. Amla Emblica, Fruits Emblica officinalis Euphorbiaceae Vit.C, Diuretic,
Indian goose berry phyllemblin laxative,
Ingredients in
Triphala and
Chyavanprash
churna.
ENZYMES
52. Papain vegetable pepsin, Latex of Carica papaya caricaceae Proteolytic enzyme Meat tenderizer,
tromasin, unripe fruit Peptidase. Clarification of
arbuz. beverages.
53. Diastase Amylase Animal Human saliva or ----- Amylolytic enzyme Digestion of
origin digestive tract of starch
animals
54. Fungal lipase ----- Yeast Asperigillus sp. ----- Lipolytic enzymes Digestive.
PERFUMES & FLAVOURING AGENTS
55. Peppermint oil Mentha oil Flowering Mentha piperita Labiatae l-menthol Carminatives
tops Flavour
Antiseptic
Perfumes
56. Lemon oil Fructus Limonis. Fruits Citrus limon Rutaceae volatile oil Perfumes
(2.5%), flavours
vitamin C,
limonene (90%)
57. Orange oil Sweet orange oil, Fruit Citrus sinensis Rutaceae limonene (90%) Perfumes,
Oleum auranti. C. aurantium Citronellal, Flavour.
Citral.
58. Lemon grass Indian Melissa oil Leaves & Cymbopogon Graminae Cis-citral Perfumes
oil aerial parts flexuousus Nerol flavour
C. citratis
59. Sandalwood oil Chandan oil, Wood Santalum album Santalaceae Santalol, santalal Dysuria,
perfumery
liginum.

PHARMACEUTICAL AIDS
60. Honey Madhu, Honey Apis species Apidae Natural, invert Demulcent,
Madh, comb sugar sweetening agent
Mel
62. Arachis oil Peanut oil Seed Arachis Leguminosae Glycerides of oleic, Base for oily injectables
hypogaea linoleic and nutritive.
palmitic acid.
62. Starch Amylum. Maize, Zea mays, Gramineae amylopectin , Demulcent, nutritive,
rice Oryza sativa Amylase, Disintegrating agent.
63. Kaolin China clay, Rock ----- ----- Hydrated Adsorbent,
Procelain clay. aluminium silicate.
Filter aid,
Excipients in Poultices.
64. Pectin ----- Citrus peel Citrus limonis, Rutaceae D-galactouronic Adsorbent,
C. aurantium acid, pectic acid Emusifying agent,
(methoxy ester) Gelling agent.
65. Olive oil Salad oil, Fruits Olea europoea Oleaceae Olein, Emollient,
oleum olival. O. ferruginea Palmitin, Vehicle for oily
Linolein. injections.
66. Lanolin Wool fat; Secreted Ovis aries Bovidae. Cholesterol, Absorbable ointment
Oesipos; Agnin; from Carnaubic & oleic base.
Alapurin; sebaceous acid. Emollient.
Anhydrous gland of
lanolin; sheep
Adeps lanae;
Laniol.
67. Bees wax cera alba, Honey Apis species Apidae Myricyl palmitate, Hardening agent,
cera flava comb Apis mellifera cerotic acid ointment base
68. Acacia Indian gum Stem & Acacia arabica Leguminosae Arabin, oxidase Emulsifying,
branches suspending agent
69. Tragacanth hog gum Stems & Astragalus Leguminosae Tragacanthin, Demulcent,
Goat’s thorn, Branches gummifer bassorin Thickening agent.
gum dragon
70. Sodium alginate Kelgin, Algae Macrocystis Phaeophyceae sodium salt of Emulsion stabilizer,
pyrifera alginic acid,L-
Minus, Protanal Binders & Disintegrant,
guluronic acid and
D-mannuronic acid Suspending agent

71. Agar Agar agar Red algae Gelidium Gelidaceae Agarose, Laxative,
amansii agaropectin bacteriological culture
media.
72. Guar Gum Jaguar gum, Seed Cyamopsis Leguminosae. guaran. Binders,
Decorpa. tetragonolobus Disintegrant,
Emulgent.

73. Gelatin Gelfoam; Bone, Ovis aries Bovidae Glutin, Gelatin is used to
puragel skin. Amino acids. prepare pastilles, pastes,
suppositories, capsules,
pill-coatings, gelatin
sponge; as suspending
agent, tablet binder,
coating agent, as
stabilizer, thickener
MISCELLANEOUS
74. Liquorice Radix Roots and Glycyrrhiza glabra Leguminosae Glycyrrhizin Expectorant,
Glycyrrhizae, stolons (triterpenoid saponin), peptic ulcer,
Sweet liquorice. 18,β glycyrrhetinic acid Sweetener.
75. Garlic Allium Bulbs Allium sativum Liliaceae Allicin, alliin, iron. Disinfectant,
rubefacient,
anthelmintic
76. Picrorhiza Kami, Kuru, Dried Picrorhiza kurroa Scrophulariac picrorhizin Stomachic, used
rhizomes eae. in fever and
dyspepsia and in
purgative
preparations.
77. Dioscorea Yam Tubers D. deltoidea Dioscoreace Diosgenin (steroidal Synthesis of
sapogenin) Medicinal
Steroids
78. Linseed Flax seed, alsi Seed Linum Linaceae linamarin emollient,
usitatissimum Mucilages expectorant,
diuretic,
demulcent, and
laxative
79. Shatavari Asparagus. Roots and Asparagus Liliaceae Shatavarin I, II Galactogogue
leaves racemosus
80. Shankhapusp Morning glory Whole plant Convolvulus Convulvulace Convolamine, Brain tonic.
hi pluricaulis ae Scopoletin
81. Pyrethrum Insect flower Flowers Chrysanthemum Compositae Pyrethrins Domestic insect
cinerarifolium repellent
(contact poison)
82. Tobacco Tobacco Leaves Nicotiana Solanaceae Nicotine, anabasine Potent
tobaccum insecticide
FIBERS

83. Cotton Plant fiber Epidermal Gossypium Malvaceae Cellulose and Surgical dressings,
Absorbent cotton, trichomes species moisture filtering media and
Surgical & of seeds insulation
medicinal cotton.
84. Silk Animal fiber Silkworm Bombyx mori Bombycidae/ Fibroin Sutures, ligatures
cocoons Moraceae (Protein)
85. Wool Animal fiber Flees of Ovis aries Bovidae Keratin Surgical dressings,
sheep (Protein) flannel and blankets for
warmth
86. Regenerated Regenerated ---- Regenerated --- --- Surgiical dressing.
fibers cellulose, cellulose
Viscose Rayon.