From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Artemisia pallens, Dhavanam (Tamil: தவனம்), is an aromatic herb, In genus of small herbs or shrubs, xerophytic In nature. The flowers are racemose panicles bear numerous small yellow flower heads or capitula, but the silvery white silky covering of down gives the foliage a Grey or white appearance.

Davanam has alternate pinnasect leaves (leaf which is divided into opposite pairs of lobes cut almost to the midrib In narrow divisions) or palmatisect leaves (the green tissue is divided into several segments not fully separated At the base).

Cultivation

It is commercially cultivated for its fragrant leaves and flowers. It has two distinct morphological types, one in which the plants are short in stature and flowering sets in early, and the other in which plants are tall and flowering sets in later. It grows from seeds and cuttings and reaches maturity in four months. The plant is woody in the lower part of the stem, but with yearly branches. Seen mostly grown in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu states in India.

Chemistry

Davanone, Davan-Ether, Davana Furane and linalool are the major constituents of davana oil. Methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, bicyclogermacrene, davana ether, 2-hydroxyisodavanone, farnesol, geranyl acetate, sequiterpene lactones, germacranolides, etc. are also found.^[1] The contents of davanone, the major constituent of davana oil, and linalool decreased while those of (Z)− and (E)− methyl cinnamate, (E)− ethyl cinnamate, bicyclogermacrene, davana ether, 2-hydroxyisodavanone, and farnesol increased from flower heads emergence stage to the initiation of seed set stage. Five compounds, viz., (Z)− and (E)− methyl cinnamates, (Z)− and (E)− ethyl cinnamates, and geranyl acetate, were identified for the first time In davana oil.^[2]

Uses

Davana Essential Oil

The leaves and flowers yield an essential oil known As oil of Davana. Several species yield essential oil and some are use As fodder some of them are a source of the valuable anthelmintic drug santonin. Davana blossoms are offered to Shiva, the God of Transformation, by the faithful, and decorate his altar throughout the day. Have been widely used In Iraqi and Indian medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Oral administration of an aqueous/methanolic extract from the aerial parts of the plants was observed to reduce diabetes In glucose− fed hyperglycemic and alloxan-induced rabbits and rats.^[3]

Davana oil and its uses

• Davana oil is emotionally balancing and calming, aids In calming down anxiety.
• Davana oil is used In making perfumes of sweet and fruity fragrances.
• When applied on the skin, Davana is said to smell differently on different persons.
• This peculiar property is highly valued In high class perfumery to create fragrances with truly individual notes.
• Davana leaves and stalks are used In making bouquets, garlands, fresh or dry flower arrangements.
• Davana is massaged over lower abdominal area to stimulate moon cycle.
• Davana oil is soothing to rough, dry, chapped skin, skin infections and cuts.
• Davana has been widely used In Indian and Iraqi folk medicine As a treatment for diabetes mellitus.
• Oral administration led to significant blood glucose lowering effect.
• Artemisia pallens is a preferred food for the larvae of a number of butterfly species.

Popular culture

• It has even inspired film lyricists (Madurai marikozhundu vaasam is one of the more popular numbers) to come up with romantic numbers.^[4]

References