Searsia mysorensis (synonym Rhus mysorensis) is a species of shrub with thorny branches. It is commonly known as Mysore sumac or Indian sumac (ചിപ്പമരം in Malayalam).
Description Leaves are trifoliate or rarely 5-foliate. It flowers and fruits from August to December.Priti MD, Yadav SR. Medicinal plants of South Western Maharashtra. In: Pullaiah T (Ed) Biodiversity in India. 1stEd. Regency publications, New Delhi 2006; IV:180-181.
Distribution It is found in hot and dry places in the Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and GujaratAparna G, Agnihotri, Roopali Raghavan, Sudha Premnath. Field Guide to Shrubs. Available from :url:http://kaigalconserve.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shrubs.pdf and in Pakistan.
Classification The species was first described as Rhus mysorensis by George Don in 1832. In 2007 Rodney Oliver Moffett placed the species in genus Searsia as Searsia mysorensis. Rhus indica is a synonym.
Phytochemistry Phytochemical screening of the plant has identified the presence of several chemical constituents, including cardiac glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, sterols, and phenols.Mohammed Aman, Ravishankar Rai V, Pradeepa V, Samaga. Antimicrobial and Phytochemical screening of Boswellia serrata Roxb, Rhus mysorensis Heyne, Strychnos Potatorum Linn, F. And Schefflera stellata Gaertn. Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology 2010; 4(1):69-72. The plant contains compounds such as limonene, sabinene, α-pinene, β-caryophyllene, as well as α- and β-eudesmol.Suchi Srivastava, Gopal Rao Mallavarapu, Sanjay Kumar Rai. Composition of the essential oils of the leaves and flowers of Rhus mysurensis Heyne ex Wight & Arn growing in the Aravalli mountain range at New Delhi. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. 2006; 21(2):228-229.
Uses The fruit is used to treat dysentery, and a leaf decoction is administered for itching. Leaves are also used in managing diarrhea and stomatitis, while leaf paste is applied to relieve rashes and allergies.Umberto Quattrocchi FLS. CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous plants. Common names, scientific names, Eponyms, Synonyms and Etymology. Published by CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, 2012, 3211-3212. The root, stem, and leaves have been traditionally used to manage diabetes.Madhava Chetty K, Sivaji K, Tulasi Rao K. Flowering plants of Chittoor District Andhra Pradesh India. Student Offset Printers, Tirupati, 2008, 76.
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