Papaver Somniferum (Poppy Seeds, Aphium, Opium, Posta) — Family Name: Papaveraceae Botanical Name: Papaver Somniferum Common Name: Poppy Seeds, Aphium, Opium Poppy, White Poppy, Posta Parts Used: Seeds, Flowers Habitat: Cultivated on large scale at altitude of 1500m – 2100m. Uses: Seeds are used as Tonic. Milky juice from immature fruits yield opium. Ripe and dry fruits contain only small …

Plantago Ovata Husk (Psyllium Husk, Ispaghula, Fleam, Spogel Seeds, Isabgol) — Family Name: Plantaginaceae Botanical Name: Plantago Ovata Husk Common Name: Psyllium Husk, Psyllium Seeds, Plantago, Ispaghula, Fleam, Spogel Seeds, Isabgol Part Used: Husks, Seeds Habitat: Mediterranean region and commercially grown in north western India. Uses: It is Diuretic, Emollient and Cooling. Used in inflamatory conditions of mucous membrane of …

Neem Rasayana — Known in India as the “Village Pharmacy”, Neem (Azadirachta Indica) is a powerful pitta and kapha balancing rasayana with numerous therapeutic uses. Neem, also known as nimba or margosa, is regarded by the ancients and modern science alike as a powerful healing herb with diverse applications. Described in the ayurvedic texts as sarva roga nivarini – that which …

Mucuna Pruriens (Cowitch, Konch) — Family Name: Fabaceace Botanical Name: Mucuna Pruriens Common Name: Cowitch, Common Cowitch, Konch Part Used: Roots, Seeds, Leaves Uses: The roots are bitter, sweet thermogenic emollient, stimulant, purgative, aphrodisiac, diuretic. The leaves are aphrodisiac. The seeds are astringent, laxative, anthelmentic, alexipharmic and tonic. Introduction Mucuna has been used for generations in India to treat Parkinson’s …

Moringa Oleifera (Muringa, Murunggi, Horse Radish Tree, Drumstick Tree, Sahijan) — Family Name: Moringaceae Botanical Name: Moringa Oleifera Common Name: Moringa, Horse Radish Tree, Drumstick Tree, Sahijan Part Used: Roots, Seeds, Leaves Habitat: Found Through out India. Uses: The roots are acrid, digestive, anthelmentic, constipating, anodyne, bitter alexipharmic stimulant and vesicant. They are useful in paralysis, inflammations, fever, cough, cold, …

Mentha Arvensis – Piperita (Pudina, Field Mint, Corn Mint, Japanese Mint) — Family Name: Lamiaceae Botanical Name: Mentha Arvensis / Piperita Common Name: Field Mint, Corn Mint, Japanese Mint, Pudina Part Used: Whole Plant, Oil Habitat: Found through out India. Uses: The entire plant is antibacterial, antifibrile. It yeilds an essential oil and menthol which exert, through their rapid evaporation, …

Magic of Coriander — Hindi Name: Dhaniya Latin Name: Coriandrum Sativum Sanskrit Name: Dhanyakam, Dhanaka English Name: Coriander Kannada Name: Kottambri Malayalam Name: Kottamalli, Malli Tamil Name: Kottamalli Telgu Name: Daniyalu Kotimira Origin, Distribution & Composition Coriander is a native of the Mediterranean region, where it has been grown since ancient time. It is extensively cultivated in Europe, North Africa, …

Liquorice (Calamus, Mulethi, Sweet Liquorice) — Family Name: Papilionaceae Botanical Name: Glycyrrhiza Glabra Common Name: Calamus, Mulethi, Sweet Liquorice, Sweet Wood Part Used: Root Habitat: Cultivated in Northern and Southern India. Uses: It is Tonic, Diuretic, Demulcent, Expectorant, Emenagogue Laxative and Laxative. Used for allaying coughs and catarrhal infections. Useful in irritable conditions of mucous membrane of Urinary organs. Useful …

Lawsonia Inermis (Henna, Mehndi, Egyptian Privet) — Family Name: Lythraceae Botanical Name: Lawsonia inermis Common Name: Henna, Al-Khanna, Al-Henna, Jamaica Mignonette, Mehndi, Mendee, Egyptian Privet, Smooth Lawsonia Part Used: Flowers, Powdered Leaves, Fruit Habitat: Scarcely in dry decidious forests, widely cultivated as a hedge plant. Uses: The roots are bitter, refrigerant, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, abortifacient and trichogenous and is useful …

Juglans Regia (Walnut, Persian Walnut, European Walnut, Akhrot) — Family Name: Juglandaceae Botanical Name: Juglans Regia Common Name: Walnut, Persian Walnut, European Walnut, Akhrot Part Used: Leaves, Barks, Fruits Habitat: Cultivated in Himalayas and the Khasia hills. Uses: Leaves are Astringent, Tonic and Anthelmintic. They are useful in herpes, eczema, scrofula and syphilis. Fruits are sweet and emollient, thermogenic, and …