Chemical composition of the volatiles of <i>Hemidesmus indicus</i> R. Br.

Abstract

Abstract The fragrant roots of Hemidesmus indicus (Indian sarsaparilla) is used in Indian native medicine and herbal tea preparations. The volatiles obtained by steam distillation (yield, 0.25%) contained 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzaldehyde (91%) and (−) ledol (4.5%), which are isolable in pure form, as the major constituents. The GC–MS analysis of the residual oil showed the presence of over 40 minor constituents. Among them, nerolidol (1.2%), borneol (0.3%), linalyl acetate (0.2%), dihydrocarvyl acetate (0.1%), salicylaldehyde (0.1%), isocaryophyllene (0.1%), α‐terpinyl acetate (traces) and 1,8‐cineol (traces) are important as aromatic and bio‐active principles. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.