Unt Kantalo
Common in wasteland, grassland and open forest through out the area. It is much branched thistle like annual with pinnatified spinescent leaves. Flower head is white or purple, compact, globose and spinous. Pappus small yellowish. Achenes densely villous. Flowering and fruiting in December-April
Part used: Whole plant
Usage: Plant is diuretic, bitter tonic and used to treat cough, indigestion, eye problems and hysteria. Powdered roots are applied over wounds of cattle for early healing. Roots and seeds are aphrodisiac. Powdered roots applied to hair destroys lice. Root extract in water is given orally to treat cold and cough. In Ayurveda, root is reportedly used to facilitate child birth. Seeds have cooling effect.
Agrotechniques : It comes up naturally in agricultural fields and waste land hence no Agrotechniques are available. However, it can be propagated through seeds