Herbs, spices and cancer 147
Gardenia turgida Roxb. Root – anticancerous
Gaultheria fragratissima Wall. Essential oil is anticancerous
Jatropha glandulifera Roxb. Aerial parts anticancerous
Jatropha gossypifolia L. Plant – antileukaemic
Kaempferia rotunda L. Roots – antitumorous
Kalanchoe spathulata DC. Plant – anticancerous
Lannea coromandelina (Houtt.) Merr. Stem bark and leaves – anticancerous
Leonotis nepataefolia (L) R.Br. Plant – anticancerous
Luffa cylindrica (L) Roem. Seeds – anticancerous
Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell.-Arg. Fruit – anticancerous
Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard. Aerial part – anticancerous
Melia azedarach L. Bark is anticancerous
Moringa pterygosperma Gaertn. Aerial part – anticancerous
Nigella sativa L. Seed – anticancerous
Passiflora foetida L. Aerial parts – anticancerous
Podophyllum hexandrum Royle Podophyllotoxin from rhizome derivatives –
anticancerous
Pogostemon heyneanus Benth. Pogopyrone B from leaves is anticancerous
Roylea cinerea (D. Don) Baillon Aerial parts – precalyon shows antitumor
activity
Rhus succedanea L. Leaves – anticancerous
Saraca asoca Roxb. (de Wilde) Stem bark is anticancerous
Satureja hotensis L. Labiatic acid from plant is anticancerous
Solanum indicum L. Plant is anticancerous
Teramnus labialis (L.f) Spreng. Seed oil is anticancerous
Tithonia tagetiflora Des. ex. Juss. Plant – Lymphocytic leukaemia
Toona ciliata Roem. Stem bark – anticancerous
Vernonia cinera (L.) Less Plant is anticancerous
Ta ble 9.1 Continued
Plant name Parts used
perennial herb with simple glossy leaves. A number of flower color variants are
present in the species. The plant contains alkaloids which are medicinally useful. It
is native to Madagascar and under commercial cultivation in India.
9.7.5 Crocusus sativ (Saffron)
Saffron belongs to the family Iridaceae. The plant has an underground sheathed corm
with sheaths closely reticulate and spathes embracing the scape are bivalved. Flowers
are violet. Stigma is medicinally important. The species is a native of Europe and
cultivated in Kashmir.
9.7.6 Curcuma longa (Turmeric)
It is a member of the family Zingiberaceae. The plant is herbaceous in nature. The
rootstock is large and bears cylindrical tubers that are yellow or orange inside and are
medicinally important. The species is cultivated extensively in the tropics.
9.7.7 Piper betle (Betelvine)
Betelvine belongs to the family Piperaceae. It is a dioecious, perennial aromatic