Stone Flower (Parmalia perlata): Introduction, Classification, Habitat, Botanical Description, Phytochemical Aspects, and Traditional Uses
Chharila, also known as Permalia perlata, is a plant in the Parmeliaceae family. The reason for some of its other common names, including Stone Flower, Patthar Phool, Shilaapushpa, and others, is likely due to its historical medicinal effect on ashmari (urinary stones) in the Ayurveda system of Indian medicine. Similar to Saxifraga ligulata, Didymocarpus pedicellata is also known as Patharphori (stone crusher), and both are used to treat kidney stones. A major component of parmelia species, usnic acid, demonstrated strong antimitotic, antitumor, and antimycobacterial effects. Other distinctive constituents, such as diffractic acid, gyrophoric acid, caperatic acid, etc., were also isolated and are well known for their analgesic, antipyretic, antispasmodic potential, and beneficial effects against hyperproliferative skin diseases like psoriasis, etc. There are three different types of parmelia, including P. perlata (L.) Ach., P. perofrata (Wulf.) Ach., and P. perforatum (Ach.) Mass., as well as P. sanacti-angelii Lynge, are offered as chharila in the Indian market. Tridecyl myristate, 3-ketooleanane, icosan-1-ol, usnic acid, parmelanostene permelabdone, atranorin, lecanoric acid, orcin, erythrolein, azolitmin, and spaniolitmin are only a few of the chemical components it includes. To improve the flavour and taste of food, P. perlata is typically used as a spice. Additionally, to have aphrodisiac potential, it possesses astringent, resolvent, laxative, and carminative qualities. Additionally, it helps with piles, scabies, leprosy, bronchitis, excessive salivation, toothaches, boils, inflammations, seminal weakness, dyspepsia, calculi, blood disorders, heart ailments, stomach problems, and general pain. In addition to a good cephalic snuff, drug smoke is thought to cure headaches, and powder is applied to wounds.