Khadira (खदिर) Sanskrit Name: खदिर (Khadira) Botanical name: Senegalia catechu (L.f.) Willd. Family: Fabaceae English name: Cutch tree Malayalam name: കരിങ്ങാലി Distribution: Eastern slopes of Western Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar Parts used: Heart wood, Resin Properties: Anti-diabetic, anti-styptic, anti-proliferative, hypolipidemic, anti-pruritic, anti-inflammatory Useful in: Catarrh, cough, […]
Haridra (हरिद्रा) Sanskrit Name: हरिद्रा Botanical Name: Curcuma longa Linn. Family: Zingiberaceae English Name: Turmeric Malayalam Name: മഞ്ഞൾ Distribution: Cultivated throughout India. Especially South India, and Kerala is considered as a rich producer of turmeric. Part Used: Rhizome Properties: Anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-tumour, cholagogue, hepatoprotective, blood-purifier, antioxidant, anti-poisonous,
Devadaru (देवदारु) Sanskrit name: देवदारु (Devadaru) Botanical Name: Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud. Family: Pinaceae English Name: Deodar cedar Malayalam Name: ദേവദാരു Distribution: Occurs in North-west Himalayas from Kashmir to Garhwal. Part Used: Heart wood, oil. Properties: Anti-arthritic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, wound healing, anti-pruritic, neuroprotective and anti-anxiety.
Patanga (पतङ्ग) Sanskrit name: पतङ्ग (Patanga) Botanical name: Caesalpinia sappan Linn. Family: Fabaceae English name: Sappan wood / Brazil wood Malayalam name: ചപ്പങ്ങം Distribution: Cultivated and found in South India, especially in Kerala and other tropical regions. Parts used: Heartwood Properties: Blood purifier, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and
Satapuspa (शतपुष्पा) Sanskrit name: शतपुष्पा (Satapuspa) Botanical name: Anethum graveolens L. Family: Apiaceae English name: Dill Malayalam name: ശതപുഷ്പ / ചതകുപ്പ Distribution: Cultivated throughout India, especially in North India Parts used: Fruit (seeds), whole plant Properties: Carminative, Digestive, Galactagogue, Antispasmodic Uses: Indigestion, flatulence, abdominal colic, vomiting,
Gokshura (गोक्षुर) Sanskrit name: गोक्षुर (Gokshura) Botanical name: Tribulus terrestris Linn. Family: Zygophyllaceae English name: Puncture vine Malayalam name: ഞെരിഞ്ഞിൽ Distribution: Throughout India, especially in dry and sandy regions Parts used: Fruit (also whole plant and root in some preparations) Properties: Diuretic, Aphrodisiac, Lithotriptic, Tonic Useful
Sariva (सारिवा) Sanskrit name: सारिवा (Sariva) Botanical name: Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. substitue of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult Family: Apocynaceae English name: Indian Sarsaparilla Malayalam name: നന്നാറി, നറുനീണ്ടി Distribution: Throughout India, especially in tropical and subtropical regions Parts used: Root Properties: Blood purifier, diuretic, coolant, anti-inflammatory, Useful in: Burning sensation, fever, skin
Mustha (मुस्ता) Sanskrit Name : मुस्ता (Mustha) Botanical name: Cyperus rotundus Linn. Family: Cyperaceae English name: Nut grass / Purple nutsedge Malayalam name: മുത്തങ്ങ Distribution: Throughout India, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Parts used: Root tuber. Properties: Digestive, carminative, antipyretic, anti-diarrhoeal, febrifuge, Useful in: Fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, anorexia, indigestion, vomiting, abdominal pain, helminthiasis,
Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु) Sanskrit Name: कपिकच्छु (Kapikacchu) Botanical name: Mucuna pruriens Hook. Family: Fabaceae English name: Common cow-hage Malayalam name: നായ്ക്കുറണ Distribution: Throughout India among hedges and bushes. Part used: seeds, root, hairs Properties: Aphrodisiac, nootropic, nervine, spermatogenic, anti-parkinsonian, neuroprotective. Useful in: Sexual dysfunctions, parkinsonism, senile demensia, amenorrhea, depression, anxiety, neurological disorders. Research Updates: Katzenschlager, R
Jatamamsi (जटामांसी) Sanskrit Name: जटामांसी (Jatamamsi) Botanical name: Nardostachys jatamansi DC. Family: Carpifoliaceae English name: Spikenard Malayalam name: ജടാമാംസി Distribution: Small herb in Alpine Himalayas from 3,300 to 5000m Part used: Root tubers Properties: Digestive, carminative, brain tonic, immunomodulator, nootropic, sedative, anti-ageing, anti-stress, anti-convulsant and anti-depressant. Useful in: Epilespy, Stress disorders, flatulence, mennorhea, insomnia, senile amnesia,