Abstract
Ballota limbata BTH. (syn. Otostegia limbata (BTH.) BOISS (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal herb used in folk medicine to cure a number of ailments. An aqueous extract of the herb is locally used for the treatment of eye inflammations and infections. To explore the possible cause of this application of the herb, we studied mineral elements present in it, as well as its antimicrobial effect against Bacillus subtilis. The leaves of B. limbata contain considerable amounts of zinc (4.6 mg/100g) and copper (0.847 mg/100g) which are known for their role in eye health. The quantity of iron (52.7 mg/100g) and calcium (1972 mg/100g) is also good, and the ratio of K (393.4 mg/100g) to Na (45 mg/100g) is extraordinarily high. This peculiarity of the herb may make it a very good remedy for hypertension. The leaves extracts also showed antimicrobial activity against the tested bacterium, which may explain the use of the herb against eye infections.
Recommended Citation
Chaudhary, Muhammad Ashraf; Ahmed, Dildar; and Khan, Shahid Rehman
(2009)
"A Study of Ballota limbata as an Alternative Medicine for Eye Diseases,"
Ethnobotanical Leaflets: Vol. 2009:
Iss.
9, Article 2.
Available at:
https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/ebl/vol2009/iss9/2