throat. Roots and seeds are administered as an expectorant in asthma and cough and pain in chest. Stem flowers and fruits are bitter and carminative and are prescribed for relief in burning sensation in the feet. Leaves are applied locally to relieve pain. The drug is collected mainly from the wild plants, as there is no systematic cultivation of the herb. They are 3-5cm long and 1.6-6 mm thick, dull grayish in colour with a soft fibrous structure. Pharmacological studies on this herb have shown that aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the plant possess hypotensive effect, which is partly inhibited by atropine (The Wealth of India). The herb is known as Kantakari and Nidigadhika in Sanskrit, in Hindi it is known as Kateli, Katai and Ringani, in Bengali Kantakari, in Marwari Bhuiringani, in Gujarati Bhoyaringani, in Telugu Pinnamulaka, Nelamulaka and Vankuda, in Tamil and Malayalam Kandankattiri, in Oriya Bhejibegun and Ankranti. In Punjab it is known as Kandyali, Mahori and Warumba and in Bihar Rengnie, Bhat-khataya and Rangaini Janum. English name is yellow berried nightshade.  (less)

batter and baked to make farinata, cooked and ground into a paste called hummus, or roasted, spiced and eaten as a snack (e.g. leblebi). In India and Pakistan, where they are referred to as ''chana,'' chickpeas provide a major source of protein in a predominantly vegetarian culture. Chick pea flour is used as a batter to coat various vegetables and meats before frying. The popular dish is mirchi bajji or mirapakaya bajji telugu. Chickpea flour is also used to make ''Burmese tofu,'' a food originating with the Shan people of Burma.  (less)