Ayurveda

Hedychium (Hedichium, Sandharlika, Kapur kachri, Takhellei) — Family Name: Zingiberaceae Botanical Name: Hedychium Spicatum Common Name: Hedichium, Kapur Kachri Part Used: Rhizomes Habitat: Grows in Sub Tropical Himalayas. Uses: Used in Nausea, Bronchial Asthama, Halitosis and Vomiting. Also useful in diminished appetite, hiccups, local inflammation etc. Introduction Hedychium spicatum is a smallish hardy ginger that grows to around 1 m, …

Gymnema Sylvestre (Meshasringi, Madhinasini or Madhoolika, Gurmar, Sirukurinchaan, Amudhapushpam, Chakkarakkolli) — Family Name: Asclepiadaceae Botanical Name: Gymnema Sylvestre Common Name: Periploca of the Woods, Gudmar Part Used: Whole Plant, Leaves Uses: The plant is acrid, antiinflammatory, anodyne, liver tonic, emetic, diuretic. It is useful in hepatosplenomegaly, dypepsia, constipation, jaundice, halminthiasis, cardiopathy, amenorrhoea. The fresh leaves when chewed have the remarkable …

Guggul (Commiphora, Mukul, Balsamodendron Mukul, Indian Bdellium Tree, Moql) — Family Name: Burseraceae Botanical Name: Commiphora Mukul Common Name: Commiphora, Mukul, Guggul, Balsamodendron Mukul, Indian Bdellium Tree, Moql, Moqle-arzagi. Part Used: Whole Plant Habitat: Rocky tracks of Western India and Eastern Himalayas. Uses: It is Carminative, Antispasmodic, Disphoretic, Ecobolic, Anti Suppurative and Emmenagogue. Gum resin used for treatment of rheumatoid …

Fertility Herbs — For thousand of years a number of herbs are being used to enhance the fertility of women. One of the most cherished of the fertility-increasing plants is Red clover. Red clover is especially helpful if there is scarring of the fallopian tubes, irregular menstrual cycle, abnormal cells in the reproductive tract and unexplained infertility. Dong Quai, the …

Excessive Sweating Herbs — Excessive sweating is one of the oldest known dermatological conditions. Roughly 1% of the world population is affected by it. Excessive sweating has a significant negative impact on quality of life. Excessive sweating results from excessive sympathetic stimulation of the eccrine sweat glands. Some herbs such as White Peony root and Astragulus have been found to …

Ephedra Vulgaris (Somlatha, Ephedra, Evulgaris) — Family Name: Ephedraceae Botanical Name: Ephedra Vulgaris Common Name: Somlatha, Ephedra, Evulgaris Part Used: Dried Branches Habitat: Drier regions of temperate zone and alpine Himalayas at altitude of 2700m to 3600 m. Uses: It is Stomachic, Alterative and Diuretic. Alkaloid called “Ephedrine” which helps in controlling Asthma. It is widely used for acute muscular …

Datura Stramonium (Datura, Jimson Weed, Stink Weed, Mad Apple, Thorn Apple Stramonium, Apple Thorn, Dhatura Tatula, Datura Seeds) — Family Name: Solanaceae Botanical Name: Datura Stramonium Common Name: Datura, Jimson Weed, Stink Weed, Mad Apple, Thorn Apple Stramonium, Apple Thorn, Dhatura Tatula, Datura Seeds Part Used: Seeds, Flowers, Leaves Habitat: Common in north western Himalayas and foot hills on dry …

Cinchona Officinalis (Quinine, Peruvian Bark, Quinine Bark) — Family Name: Rubiaceae Botanical Name: Cinchona Officinalis Common Name: Quinine, Peruvian Bark, Quinine Bark Part Used: Quinine Isolated From Bark Habitat: Cultivated in Nilgiri Hills Uses: Quinine is bitter, astringent, acrid, thermogenic, febrifugre, oxytoxic and anodyne. It is digestive, antipyretic, cardiotonic, dystocia, eumbago etc. Introduction Cinchona officinalis (Quinine Bark) is a tree …

Chlorophytum Borivillianum (Safed Musli, Gaichira) — Family Name: Liliaceae Botanical Name: Chlorophytum Borivilianum Common Name: Safed Musli Other Names: Shaqaqule, Dholi Musli, Khiruva, Shedheveli, Swetha Musli, Taniravi Thang Part Used: Seeds and roots Habitat: Northern and Western India. Introduction Safed Musli, one of the finest Indian herbs, is a traditional medicinal plant. Its tuberous roots are used to prepare herbal …

Cassia Tora (Foetid Cassia, Tora, Sickle Senna, Sickle Pod, Coffee Pod, Tovara, Chakvad) — Family Name: Caesalpiniaceae Botanical Name: Cassia Tora Common Name: Foetid Cassia, Tora, Sickle Senna, Sickle Pod, Coffee Pod, Tovara, Chakvad Part Used: Seeds Habitat: Grows in dry soil throughout tropical parts of India. Uses: It is Aperient, Germicide, Mucilaginous & Laxative. It is used as a …