Description

Indian globe thistle, is a species of globe thistle, found in India Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Indian Globe Thistle is an erect branched herb about 100 cm height. It has short, stout stems, branching from the base, covered with white cottony hair. Alternately arranged oblong, deeply pinnatifid leaves are 7–12 cm long. Flower heads occur in solitary white spherical balls, 3–5 cm across. Petals of the tiny white disc florets are 5 mm long. Flowers are surrounded by straight, strong, white bristles.

Characteristics:

Indian Globe Thistle is an erect branched herb about a meter high. It has short, stout stems, branching from the base, covered with white cottony hair. Alternately arranged oblong, deeply pinnatifid leaves are 7-12 cm long. Flower-heads occur in solitary white or bluish spherical balls, 3-5 cm across. Petals of the tiny white flowers are 5 mm long. Flowers are surrounded by straight, strong, white bristles. Flowering: December-January.

Medicinal Uses:

Indian Globe Thistle , commonly known as “Usnakantaka,” is a xerophytic herbaceous plant traditionally used as a stimulant to treat use the term Sexual debility in Indian traditional systems of medicine. The roots, leaves, fruit, and bark are extensively used in folk medicine as well as in Ayurveda. The dried and powdered root bark is mixed with milk (100g/250ml) and used as a treatment for diabetes.