Medical Plants-India

CHHATTISGARH STATE

MEDICINAL PLANTS BOARD

e_ HERBARIUM VOLUME-1

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family Sanskrit English Hindi Useful part

:Meghapati : Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers. : Fabaceae : Sarapunkha, Bana, Banapunkha, Pleehasatru : Purple tephrosia, Wild indigo : Saraphonka : Whole plant

HABIT A small spreading perennial herb grows up to 50 cm in height. Leaves compound, imparipinnate, with 11-21 leaflets, oblong-lanceolate, small; flowers red or purple, in axillary racemes. Fruits pods, containing 4-8 seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, poison, skin diseases, purities, jaundice, splenomegaly, filariasis, dysmenorrheal, anemia, fever, boils, pimple, and hemorrhoids.


:Ramsar : Eriocaulon sp. Linn. : Eriocaulaceae : Choota, Chootatrina : Broom plant : Chootatrina : Whole plant.

HABIT An annual herb grows up to 30 cm in height. Leaves long linear lanceolate, arises from compressed basal stem. Flowers in small whitish head, at the tip of long flower stalk.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, inflammation, fever, pretties, jaundice and urinary system diseases. Long flower stalks in bundle is using as broom to clean sacred places, in India.


: Satavari : Asparagus recemosus Wild. : Liliaceae : Satavari, Abhiru, Sahasravirya, : Wild asparagus : Satavar, Satamuli : Root

HABIT A thorny, climbing under shrub with woody stems. Young stems are very delicate, brittle and smooth, leaves are reduced to minute scales and spines. Curved cladodes replaces the leaves. Flowers are white fragrant, in simple or branched racemes. Fruits are globular, or vaguely 3 lobbed, pulpy berries, purplish black when ripe, seeds with hard and brittle testa. Roots are succulent and tuberous, from 30 cm to 1 m in length, smooth and tapering at both ends. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, leukorrhoea, stomach ache, diarrhea, inflammation, burning sensation, excessive perspiration

DESCRIPTION

Local Name Botanical name Family Sanskrit English Hindi

:Bala : Sida retusa (Linn.) Borssum : Malvaceae : Bala, Vadyala, Kharayashti, Mahasamanga : Common sida : Bariyar, Janglimedhi

HABIT A semi woody, erect under shrub grows up to 50 cm in height. Leaves short petioled, obovate, truncate often retuse and serrate; flowers yellowish white, solitary, axillary. Fruits enclosed in persistent calyx, seeds brown and smooth. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated tridoshas, arthritis, asthma, cough, flatulence, colic, burning sensation, hemorrhoids, intermittent fever and general debility.


:Pilavasa : Barleria prionitis Linn. (Yellow variety) : Acanthaceae : Vajradanti, Kurantaka, Koranta : Crossandra : Kanakambar : Leaves.

HABIT An erect armed perennial shrub grows up to 1.5 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, ovate-lanceolate and shiny. Thorns arise near to leaf axils. Flowers bright yellow or orange in color, solitary and axillary. Fruits ovate, with woody beak. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, gingivitis, stomatitis, burns, dental caries, inflammations ascites, edema, wounds, nocturnal ejaculation and cracking heel.


:Toyakanda : Peperomia pellucida Linn. : Piperaceae : Toyakandha, Varshabhoo : Slate pencil plant. : Toyakandha : Whole plant.

HABIT An annual herbaceous succulent plant grows up to 30 cm in height. Leaves simple, alternate, cordate-ovate, acuminate, and pubescent. Flowers very small, seen in short spikes, usually dioecious; fruits globose, one seeded berries. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, constipation, kidney diseases, urinary retention, disuria, urinary tract infections, emaciation, edema and general weakness.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Filename Botanical name Family Sanskrit English Hindi Useful part

:Chitrak : Plumbago_zeylanica. : Plumbago zeylanica Linn. : Plumbaginaceae : Chitraka, Agni, Dahana : Leadwort, White leadwort, Fire plant : Chitra, Chita : Roots

HABIT

A pretty perennial shrub with semi woody stems and numerous branches. Leaves simple alternate, oblong-lancelet and acute; flower white in long terminal spikes. Roots are cylindrical irregularly bent having transverse shallow fissures at bents. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, diarrhea, inflammation, fever, nervous palsy, hemorrhoids, skin diseases, irritable bowel disease, ammenorrhoea and anemia.

DESCRIPTION Local Name :Jevak Botanical name : Malaxis acuminata D.Don. Family : Orchidaceae Sanskrit : Jeevakam, Jeevaka English : Jeevak Hindi : Jivak Useful part : Stem base. HABIT A small terrestrial orchid grows up to 30 cm in height. Leaves simple, 3-4, alternate, ovate or lanceolate, acute; flowers are small, yellowish green, tinged with purple, in terminal racemes. Fruits 6 chambered, contain minute powdery seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, oligospermia, burning sensation, emaciation


:Dhatura : Datura metel Linn. : Solanaceae : Dhattura, Dusthara, Unmatta, Durdhura : Thorn apple : Dattura : Whole plant

HABIT An erect spreading annual or biennial plant grows up to 1.5 meters in height. Leaves simple, alternate, triangular and unequal at base. Flowers large, solitary, purplish white colored. Fruits globose capsules covered with numerous prickles, containing numerous yellowish brown seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, arthritis, cough, asthma, muscle spasm, fever, ulcer, skin diseases, lumbago, sciatica.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family Sanskrit

English Hindi Useful part

:Dudhi : Euphorbia hirta Linn. : Euphorbiaceae : Dugdhika, Kshirini, Ksheeravi, Svaduparni : Asthma weed, Cats hair, Pill – bearing spurge. : Lal dudhi : Whole plant.

HABIT Small annual herb found in wet areas. Plant is pubescent, obovatelanceolate, small petioled, with minute glands. Inflorescences seen in leaf axils. Seeds are capsules, compressed and small. Plant blossoms almost all time. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, rakta, asthma, skin diseases, fever, cough, and anorexia. It has aphrodisiac property.

DESCRIPTION

Local Name Botanical name Family SANSKRIT English Hindi Useful part

:Bhuiaounla : Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn : Euphorbiaceae : Tamalaki, Bhoomyamalaki, Bhoodhatri, Bahupatra. : Phyllanthus amarus Schum : Jangli amli, Jaramla : whole plant

HABIT

An annual herb with slender leaf-bearing branches. Leaves numerous, subsessile, elliptic; flowers yellowish green, axillary's, males in groups of 1-3, females solitary; fruits small, globes, seen underneath the branches and having 3 seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant pacifies vitiated pitta and kapha, anorexia, jaundice, intermittent fevers, urinary retention, constipation, ulcers and wounds


:Aparajita : Clitoria ternatea Linn (Blue variety) : Fabaceae : Sankapushpam, Aparajita, Girikarnika. : Blue Clitoria flower : Aparajit : Root, leaves, seeds

HABIT A good looking perennial herb thinner. Leaves compound, imparipinnate, leaflets 5 – 7, sub curvaceous, elliptic-oblong, obtuse, flowers blue, solitary, axillary's or in fascicles, fruits nearly straight flattened pods. Seeds 6-10 smooth yellowish brown. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, migraine, skin diseases, bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis



:Satyanasi : Argemone mexicana Linn. : Papaveraceae : Haimavathi, Brahmadanthi, Patuparnee, Peethadugdha : Mexican poppy, Prickly poppy : Pharangi dattura, Bhatbhamt : Whole plant

HABIT A strong branched prickly annual, 60-90 cm in height with yellow latex; leaves simple, sessile and spiny. Flowers large, bright yellow, terminal on the short leafy branches; fruits prickly capsules, oblongovoid, opening by 4-6 valves; seeds numerous. MEDICINAL Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, guinea-worm infestation, skin diseases, itching, inflammations, all types of poisoning, constipation, flatulence, colic, malarial fever and vesicular calculus, In higher dose, plant


:Gajar ghash : Parthenium hysterophorus Linn. : Asteraceae : Vishalata, Parthenia, Svasini : Parthenium : Parthenium : Roots,

HABIT A rapidly spreading herb grows up to 50 cm in height. Leaves deeply lobed and alternate. Flowers small whitish heads in terminal or axillary panicles. Fruits bearing large number of seeds, crowned with small tuft of silky hairs. PROPERTIES Plant has no known medicinal properties; instead it is a poisonous plant, causing allergic asthma, hay fever and dermatitis. It is also toxic for cattle’s. Due to its rapid invasive nature, it suppresses the growth of other plants; is a potent threat for native medicinal plants. The major component of these toxins being parthenin and other phenolic acids such as caffeic acid, vanillic acid, anisic acid, chlorogenic acid, parahydroxy benzoic acid and p-anisic acid are lethal to humans and animals.


:Sahadevi : Ageratum conyzoides Linn. : Asteraceae : Vishamusht : Goat weed. : Visadodi : Whole plant.

HABIT A thoughout hairy annual weed grows up to 1 meter in height. Leaves simple, opposite and sometime alternate, hairy on both sides; flowers pale violet in color, heads, fruits small, black and attenuated and 5 angled.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, hemorrhoids, anorexia, dyspepsia, kidney stones, cuts, wounds and ulcers and in conjunctivitis.


:Hul Hul : Cleome viscosa Linn. : Capparaceae : Pasugandha : Wild mustard, Cleome, Sticky cleome : Hulhul, Hurhur : Whole plant.

HABIT An annual herbaceous plant with sticky pods. Leaves compound, 3-5 foliate, palmate, flowers yellow in lax racemes from the leaf axils. Fruits capsules, hairy and covered with sticky material. Seeds kidney shaped and turns dark on ripe.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, intestinal worms, colic, stomach upset, cardio myopathy, diarrhea, fever and dyspepsia.


:Khunkuniyan : Crotalaria retusa Linn. : Fabaceae :Sanapushpi, Sanaghantika, Kinihi : Crotalaria : Khunkhuniyan : Whole plant.

HABIT An erect undershrub grows up to 125 cm in height, with numerous branches. Leaves are oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, usually glabrous above and silky pubescent beneath. Flowers yellow, numerous, found in erect terminal recemes. Fruits are stalked pods, with 10-15 seeds per pods.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, cough, dyspepsia, fever, cardiac disorders, stomatitis, diarrhea, scabies and impetigo. Seeds powdered and with milk is useful for increasing body strength, also useful in skin disease.


:Shivlingi : Diplocyclos palmatus (Linn.) Jeffrey : Cucurbitaceae :Lingini, Lingaphala, Sivapriya : Diplocyclos palmatus : Sivalingi, Isvarlingi : Whole plant.

HABIT A weak stemmed, branched tendril climber. Leaves simple, alternate, 5 lobed, hairy above, pale and smooth beneath; flowers yellow, small, unisexual, male in small fascicles and females solitary. Fruits globose, smooth berry, become bright red when ripe, contain 1-2 small seeds. Looking like sivalinga.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, inflammation, cough, flatulence, skin diseases and general debility.


:Barhanta : Solanum indicum. : Solanaceae : Brihati, Simhi : Poison berry : Barhanta : Root, Fruit.

HABIT A prickly shrub grows up to 1.5 meters in height. Leaves simple, ovate, lobed, prickly on both surfaces; flowers pale blue or white, in axillary cyme. Fruits globose berries, greenish yellow, contain large number of small smooth compressed seeds.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, skin diseases, urinary retention, fever, cough, asthma, dysmenorrhea, colic, flatulence and constipation.


:Tankari : Physalis minima Linn. : Solanaceae : Mrdukunjika, Upakunjika, Cheerapotha : Country gooseberry : Chirpoti, Bandpariya : Whole plant.

HABIT An annual herb grows up to 75 cm in height. Leaves simple, alternate, lobbed or toothed and ovate, flowers yellow, solitary and axillary; fruits green, round berries enclosed in enlarged calyx, seeds many, small and discoid. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, burning sensation, hepatitis, splenomegaly, ascites, ulcer, sexual weakness and cough.


:Makoi : Solanum nigrum Linn. : Solanaceae : Kakamachi : Black night shade : Makoi, Gurkkamai : Whole plant

HABIT An erect, branched, annual herb; leaves oblong, lobed, glabrous; flowers 3-8 in extra-axillary drooping cymes; fruits purplish black; seeds many. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated thridosas, swellings, cough, asthma, arthritis, inflammation and skin diseases, plant is a proven anti cancerous drug.


:Barhanta : Scoparia dulcis Linn. : Scrophulariaceae : ashanabheda, Asmaghni : Scoparia dulcis : Pashanabheda : Whole plant.

HABIT An errect annual herb grows up to 30 cm in height. Leaves simple, opposite or a whorl of three, ovate or rhomboid and serrate. Flowers axillary, solitary, dull white and small. Fruits are small round pods, contains numerous small seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, renal and vesical calculus, inflammation, fever, wounds, ulcer, skin diseases, diarrhea, dysmenorrhea and leucorrhea.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family Hindi Sanskrit

English Useful part

:Kanghi : Abutilon indicum Sw. : Malvaceae : Kabi, Kakahi, Chambi : Atibala, : Country mallow : Leaves, Root, Fruits

HABIT Medium sized many branched perennial shrub grows up to 2 meters in height. Plant covered with minute hairs. Leaves are alternate, cordate and acute. Leaves vary in size. Flowers are yellowish, with 5 petals, solitary found in leaf axils. Fruits contain 15-20 chambers, arranged spirally, containing seeds. Seeds are blackish brown. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies tridoshas, especially vata, and pitta, poison, hyperdipsia, vomiting, Leukorrhoea and Menorrhagia.

PROPERTIES Local Name Botanical name Family Sanskrit English Hindi Useful part

:Amarbel : Cuscuta reflexa Roxb (Cassytha filiformis Linn.) : Convolvulaceae : Akasavalli, Amaravalli, Khavalli, : Dodder : Amarabela : Shoot.

PLANT DESCRIPTION A slender threadlike parasitic plant growing in shrubs or trees. Plant does not have leaves. Flowes solitary or in clusters of 3-4. Fruits capsules, depressed globose, with 2-4 black seeds. Branches are greenish or yellowish green. When the branched contact with a host tree, they spread rapidly and ultimately kill the plant or that branch. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, intestinal worms, edema, skin diseases, diarrhea, headache, fever malignancy and paralysis. Plant may cause neurogenic illness if taken in excess dose or prolonged period


:Davana Patta : Hedyotis corymbosa (Linn.) : Rubiaceae : Parpata, Parpataka : Hedyotis corymbosa : Daman pappar, Pitpapra : Whole plant.

HABIT Much spreading annual grows up to 40 cm in height, with erect spreading slender stems. Leaves simple, opposite, subsessile, narrow with recurved margins. Flowers white in pairs or in clusters of three, with long peduncle; fruits are capsules, globose or pyriform, seeds minute, pale brown, angular. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, fever, depression, jaundice, giddiness, flatulence, colic, constipation, skin diseases, cough, bronchitis and hepatitis.


:Changeri : Oxalis corniculata Linn. : Oxalidaceae : Changeri, Amlapatri : Indian sorrel : Tinapatiya, Amrulsak : Whole plant.

HABIT

An annual herb found in moist locations. Plant is an semi erect creeping acid herb, grows up to 20 cm in height. Leaves palmately compound, trifoliate, long stalked, flowers yellow, axillary fruits are cylindrical capsules, seeds numerous. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant pacifies vata, kapha, dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, dysentery, diarrhea, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, hepatitis and burning sensation.


:Davi : Woodfordia fruticosa (Linn.) Kurz. : Lythraceae : Dhataki, Agnijvala, Dhatupushti, : Fire flame bush, Woodfordia : Davi, Tavi : Flowers

HABIT A much branched deciduous shrub grows up to 3 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, entire, ovate-lanceolate, acute; flowers bright red, in axillary cyme clusters, numerous, fruits ellipsoid capsule, containing numerous small obovoid smooth seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, skin diseases, burning sensation, hemorrhage, anemia, leucorrhea, menorrhagia, diarrhea, dysentery, ulcers, diabetes, oligospermia, urinary tract infections and jaundice. It is used to give natural color to ayurvedic preparations.


:Giloy : Tinospora cordifolia (Wild.) : Menispermaceae :Guduchi, Amrita, Chinnaruha : Gulancha tinospora, Tinospora : Giloy, Gulancha, Amrta : Stem

HABIT A spreading perennial deciduous twinner with succulent stems and easily pealing off papery bark. Leaves simple, alternate, cordate, entire, glabrous, with 7-9 nerves. Flowers yellow in recemes, arising from nodes on the old wood. Male flowers usually are in clusters and female solitary. Fruits are drupes, red when ripe. Mucilaginous greenish crust is covered with grey colored coat studded with tubercles. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, burning sensation, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, cardiac debility, skin disease, anemia, cough, jaundice, oligospermia and urinary system diseases.


:Kalihari : Gloriossa superba Linn. : Liliaceae : Langali, Sakrapuspika, Agnishikha : Climbing lily, Malabar glory lily : Kalihari, Kaliyari, Languli : Rhizome.

HABIT

A soft, perennial tendril climber with underground white cylindrical rhyzome. Leaves simple, subsessile, alternate, lanceolate, with acuminate tips, extended to tendrils. Flowers handsome, solitary, first yellow colored then changes to scarlet red. Fruits oblong capsules, with many small round seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, indigestion, fever, arthritis, obstructed labor, cardio-myopathy, skin diseases, in higher dose or without purification, it is highly poisonous


:Lal Chirchira : Cyathula prostrata Blume. : Amaranthaceae :Rakthapamarga, Mayoora, Sikhari, Markatapippali : Small prickly chaff – flower plant : Lal Chirchira : Roots and seeds

HABIT

An annual herb usually found in moist Localities. The ascending branch ends in inflorescence. Stems and branches are greenish red. Leaves are simple, opposite, exstipulate and short petioled. Flowers reddish violet in terminal spikes, Fruit ovoid membranous utricles enclosed in the perinath. Seeds are oblong and single. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, diseases of urinary system and uterine disorders. It has constipating property.

DESCRIPTION Local Name :Akarkara Botanical name : Anacyclus pyrethrum DC. Family : Asteraceae Sanskrit : Agragrahi, Akarakarabha English : Pellitory Hindi : Akarakara Useful part : Roots HABIT A perennial plant with numerous branches. Leaves simple, alternate, stalked, and acuminate. Flowers ray, white colored with purple color beneath. Fresh root when tasted produces pungent sensation and induces salivation.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, paralysis, nervous weakness, dental pain, tonsillitis, headache, epilepsy, indigestion, diarrhea, sexual weakness, impotency and erectile


:Lajalu : Biophytum sensitivum Linn. : Oxalidaceae :Viparita lajjalu, Jhulapushpa, Peethapushpa : Biophytum : Lajjalu, Lakshmana : The whole plant

HABIT A slender erect annual; leaves abruptly pinnate, leaflets opposite, 6-12 pairs, the terminal pair is the largest; flowers yellow with many peduncles; fruits ellipsoid capsules MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, urinary calculi, wounds, abscesses, asthma and stomachalgia.

DESCRIPTION Botanical name Family Sanskrit English Hindi Useful part

: Boerhaavia diffusa Linn : Nyctaginaceae : Punarnava, Sophaghni : Hogweed, Pigweed : Gadahpurna, Sant : Whole plant

HABIT A perennial diffuse herb with stout root stock and many branches. Leaves are simple opposite in unequal pairs. Leaves are ovate-oblong, acute or obtuse, rounded or subcordate at base, glabrous above, whitish beneath. Flowers pale rose in color, in irregular clusters of terminal panicles. Fruits highly viscid, easily detachable, one seeded, indehiscent with thin pericarp MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, fever, constipation, leucorrhoea, lumbar pain, myalgia, skin diseases, cardiac disorders, urinary infection, vesical stone, anemia, dyspepsia, constipation, and general debility.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family SANSKRITT English Hindi Useful part

: Dhatura : Datura stramonium Linn. : Solanaceae : Dhattura, Dusthara, Unmatta, : White Thorn apple : Dattura : Whole plant

HABIT An erect spreading annual or biennial plant grows up to 2 meters in height. Leaves simple, alternate, triangular and unequal at base. Flowers large, solitary and white. Fruits globose capsules covered with numerous prickles, containing numerous yellowish brown seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, arthritis, cough, asthma, muscle spasm, fever, ulcer, skin diseases, lumbago, sciatica and dandruff.


:Dikamali : Gardenia gummifera Linn.f. : Verbenaceae : Nadeehingu, Hingunadika, Jantuka, Gandharaja : White emetic nut : Dekamari : Resin.

HABIT A large shrub or small tree grows up to 7 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, elliptic, oblong, shining with prominent nerves; flowers white, then change to yellow, found in leaf axils. Fruits large berries with hard endocarp. Seeds many, compressed and shining. The resin exudate from the stem is used as medicine. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, skin disease



: Circita : Achyranthes aspera Linn. : Amaranthaceae :Apamargah : Prickly chaff-flower plant : Circita : The whole plant

HABIT A shrub that grows up to one meter height; leaves simple, opposite, obovate or elliptic; flowers bracteate and bracteolate, greenish, in spikes; fruits oblong urticle; seeds single, inverse. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, asthma, bronchitis, flatulence, painful inflammations, vomiting, skin diseases, renal and vesical calculi.


: Chichoda : Cyperus esculentus Linn. : Cyperaceae :Bhadramusta,Nagaramustaka : Chufa, Tiger nut : Chichoda : Root tuber.

HABIT An erect perennial grass grows up to 60 cm of height. Leaves crowded in the base, about 40-60 cm long, linear, acuminate, flat, one nerved; spikelets in compound umbels. Flowers boat shaped; Nut grayish black colored, triangular. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, diarrhea, indigestion, anorexia, intermittent fever, burning sensation, headache, general debility and urinary retention.


: Bariyara : Sida spinosa Linn. : Malvaceae : Mahabala : Prickly sida : Bariyara, Gulasakari : Root, Whole plant

HABIT A semi woody, erect undershrub grows up to 1 meter in height. Leaves, Rhomboid-lanceolate, serrated at apical half with minute spiny projections at the nodes; flowers yellowish white, solitary, axillary in slender peduncles. Fruits 5-6 chambared, with one seed in each chamber; seeds brown and smooth. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, pain, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, burning sensation, hemorrhoids, intermittent fever and general debility. Plant has aphrodisiac property

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family SANSKRIT English Hindi Useful part

:Lajjavanti : Mimosa pudica Linn. : Mimosaceae : Lajjalu, Samanga, Raktapadi, Namaskari, Kharatvak,Sankochani : Sensitive plant, Humble plant : Lajvanti, Lajjavanti : Whole plant.

HABIT A diffuse undershrub grows up to 60 cm in height. Leaves bipinnately compound, pinnate 2-4 digitally arranged with 20-30 pairs of leaflets; leaves are touch sensitive. Flowers pink in round heads; fruits bristly pods, flat, consisting 3-5 one seeded segments. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, kapha, oedema, allergy, bronchial asthma, hemorrhoids, menorrhagia, ulcer, jaundice, arthritis and fever.



:Kairayant : Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees : Acanthaseae : Kiratatikta, Kandatikta, Bhoonimba, Tiktaka : Chiretta plant : Kiryat : Whole plant

HABIT

An annual herb grows up to 50 cm in height, having slender quadrangular branches, leaves opposite, lanceolate, sub sessile, flowers small bluish white, numerous, whitish, fruits minute pointed capsules, seeds are many.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies tridoshas, skin diseases, burning sensation, cough and bronchitis. Plant stimulates liver and purifies vitiated blood.



:Kachnar : Bauhinia recimosa Linn. : Caesalpiniaceae : Svetakanchanara, Karbudara : White bauhinia : Kanchanar : Bark, Flowers, Root.

HABIT

A large shrub or small deciduous tree grows up to 5 meters in height. Leaves compound with 2 leaflets, connate for about two third up, flowers white, axillary recemes, fruits flat dehiscent pods, containing 5-10 seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, diarrhea, skin diseases, rectal prolapse, diabetes, inflammations, worms, tumors, hemorrhoids, and cervical lymphadinopathy


:Kebu, Kevu : Costus speciosus (Koenig ex Retz.) j.E.Smith. : Zingiberaceae :Chanda, Kevuka, Pechuli, Dalasalini : Costus speciosus : Kebu, Kevu : Rhizome.

HABIT A perennial grows up to 1 meter in height. Leaves simple, spirally arranged, oblong-lanceolate; flowers white large found in terminal spikes; fruits globose capsule containing obovoid seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, burning sensation, constipation, intestinal worms, skin diseases, fever, and bronchitis. Plant possesses anti-cancerous activity.


:Kanchanar : Bauhinia variegata Linn. (Bauhinia purpuria Linn.) : Caesalpiniaceae :Raktakanchanara, Kovidara : Red bauhinia : Kanchanar : Bark, Flowers, Root.

HABIT A large moderate sized deciduous tree grows up to 10 meters in height. Leaves compound with 2 leaflets, connate for about two third up, flowers white, axillary recemes, fruits flat dehiscent pods, containing 5-10 seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, diarrhea, skin diseases, rectal prolapse, diabetes, inflammations, worms, tumors, hemorrhoids, menorrhagia hemoptysis and cervical lymphadinopathy.

DESCRIPTION Local Name :Didhi Botanical name : Sonchus asper Family : Asteraceae (Sunflower family) Sanskrit :Raktakanchanara, Kovidara English : Prickly Sow-Thistle, Spiny sowthistle, Hindi :Khomthokpi,Didhi Useful part : Whole plant. HABIT Prickly Sow-Thistle is a creeping rooted annual, growing 1–5 ft tall. Its stems branch near the top, while its leaves, which have weak marginal prickles, clasp the stem. Plants contain a bitter milky juice. Flowers are golden-yellow, up to 1 in broad. It is a common weed throughout India and most frequently occurs on roadsides, It often appears in pastures and crops, however it rarely causes significant problems, as it is readily grazed in pasture and out-competed by most crops. Seeds showing parachute of hairs The Prickly Sow-Thistle is spread entirely by seed. Seeds, Seeds lying on the ground may also be transported in moving water. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant extract is applied to fresh injuries. Plants are pounded and applied to wounds and boils. Herb is used as an emollient.

DESCRIPTION Local Name :Hinsal Botanical name : Rubus ellipticus Family : Rosaceae Sanskrit :Hinsal English : Yellow Himalayan Raspberry Hindi : Lalanchu, Hinsal Useful part : root, fruit HABIT Yellow Himalayan Raspberry is a shrub, growing up to 2 m tall. It is clothed with prickles and reddish hairs. The alternate leaves are compound with three round to blunt leaflets 5-10 cm long. The undersides of the leaves are lighter than the upper surface and covered with downy hairs. The flowers are small, white with five petals. The fruit is a round yellow cluster of druplets easily detaching from the receptacle. The prickly shrub invades native forests principally in pig-disturbed habitats. The plant has underground shoots that contribute to its spread and allow it to rapidly regenerate following a fire. The fruits are edible MEDICINAL PROPERTIES : root mixed with dried fruit of Brucea javanica are given in dysentery.

DESCRIPTION Local Name :Kantkarej, Botanical name : Caesalpinia bonduc Family : Caesalpiniaceae (Gulmohar family) Sanskrit : Latakaranjah, Hindi : Kantkarej, Useful part : Bark, Flowers, Root. HABIT: Yellow Nicker is a large, thorny, straggling, shrub which behaves like a strong woody climber, taking support of trees. The branches are armed with hooks and straight hard yellow prickles. Leaves are large, double compound, with 7 pairs of pinnae, and each with 3-8 pairs of leaflets with 1-2 small recurved prickles between them on the underside. Flowers are yellow, in dense long-stalked racemes at the top. Fruits are inflated pods, covered with wiry prickles. Seeds are 1-2 per pod, oblong or globular, hard, grey with a smooth shiny surface. The hard and shiny seeds are green, turning grey.They are used for jewellery. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Fruits are tonic and antipyretic. Seeds yield a fatty oil used as a cosmetic and for discharges from the ear. Leaves and bark are febrifuge.


:Barela : Sida rhombifolia Linn. : Malvaceae : Atibala, Hastibala, Mahasamanga, Vadhyala : Wild mallow : Barela, Lalbarela : Root.

HABIT A semi woody, erect annual or perennial undershrub grows up to 1 meter in height. Leaves are variable, Rhomboid-lanceolate, serrated at apical half; flowers yellowish white, solitary, found in leaf axils. Fruits schizocarp, enclosed within the calyx. Seeds brown colored and smooth. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, pain, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, burning sensation, and urinary retention.

DESCRIPTION Local Name :Van tulsi Botanical name : Ocimum americanum Linn. Family : Lamiaceae SANSKRIT : Vana tulasi, Aranya tulasi, Vanabarbarika. English : Hoary basil Hindi : Vantulsi Useful part : Leaves, Seeds. HABIT Plant commonly found in fields and waste lands, throughout India. A pubescent erect, and much branched herb, grows up to 1 meter. Leaves elliptic – lanceolate, entire or faintly toothed, glabrous and gland dotted. Flowers white or whitish pink found in elongate recemes. Fruits are small, nutlets are pitted, mucilaginous when wet. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, helminthiasis, anorexia, dyspepsia, pruritis, leprosy, vomiting, poison, migraine, and fever. Seeds are good remedy for hyperdipsia, fever, migraine, and emaciation.


:Adusa : Adhatoda vasica Nees. : Acanthaceae :Brihat vasa, Brihat vasaka, Vrisha, Vrishaka, : Malabar nut : Adusa, Arusa : Whole plant.

HABIT A large shrub grows crowded along waste land, roadsides etc. Leaves simple, opposite, ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate and shiny. Flowers arise from axillary condensed spikes, white; fruits capsules. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, kapha, cough, bronchitis, asthma, inflammation, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, diseases of eyes, and bleeding diarrhea. In medicinal value it is less effective than vasa (Adhatoda beddomei)


:ringini : Solanum virginianum : Solanaceae (Potato family : Kantakari : Thorny Nightshade, :Kateli, ringini : whole plant

HABIT Thorny Nightshade is a herb which is erect or creeping, sometimes woody at base, 50-70 cm tall, copiously armed with sturdy, needlelike, broadbased prickles 0.5-2 cm × 0.5-1.5 mm. Leaves are unequal paired; stalk 23.5 cm, prickly; leaf blade ovate-oblong, 4-9 × 2-4.5 cm, prickly along veins, margin usually 5-9-lobed or pinnately parted, lobes unequal, sinuate, apex acute. Flowering: November-May. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES : Boiled decoction of dry plant is prescribed for stomach and liver complaints.


:Hirankhuri : Emilia sonchifolia (Linn.) DC : Asteraceae : Sasasruti, Akhukarni, Dravanti, Sambari : Emilia sonchifolia : Kirankari, Hirankhuri : Whole plant.

HABIT A soft annual herb grows up to 40 cm in height. Leaves simple, lyrate –pinnate with large terminal lobe; flowers purplish in corymbose heads, fruits oblong containing many seeds; seeds long, compressed, having terminal tuft of soft hairs for wind dispersal. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, conjunctivitis, worm infestations, tonsillitis, bleeding piles, cuts, ulcers intermittent fever and allergy.


:Sadodi : Vernonia cinerea (Linn.) Less. : Asteraceae : Sahadevi, Uttamakanyapatra : Ash colored fleabane : Sahadevyi, Sadodi : Whole plant

HABIT An erect annual herb grows up to 75 cm in height. Stems are cylindrical, striate, and somewhat pubescent. Leaves simple alternate, variable in shape, ovate or lancelets, irregularly toothed or serrate. Flowers are many pinkish violet, in small head inflorescences. Involucral bracts oblong, lancelets, silky on the back. Fruits oblong achene's, slightly narrowed base, clothed with white hairs on one side. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, tonsillitis, stomach pain, diarrhea, intermittent fever, eczema, herpes, ringworm, and elephantiasis. Leaves are useful in conjunctivitis, and in acclimation. Seeds are useful in worm infestation, cough, psoriasis, leukoderma and in other skin diseases. Plant possess anti cancerous property.


:Kunjia. : Urena lobata Linn. : Malvaceae : Sakhee, Kandakeephala : Aramina : Lotloti, Kunjia. : Whole plant.

HABIT An erect annual or biennial herb grows up to 1 meter in height. Leaves simple, alternate, ovate, deeply lobed, base chordate; flowers solitary, axillary, and pale yellow, Fruits trivalved, covered with sticky bristles.


Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, colic, cough, bronchitis, dry cough, asthma, low back pain, arthritis, consumption and general weakness.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family SANSKRIT English Hindi

:Amrulsa : Oxalis violacea Linn. : Oxalidaceae : Raktachangeri, Amlapatri : Indian red sorrel, Wood sorrel. : Tinapatiya, Amrulsak

HABIT An annual herb found in moist locations. Plant is a semi erect creeping acid herb, grows up to 20 cm in height. Leaves palmately compound, trifoliate, long stalked, with the shape of a shamrock. Flowers bright violet red and axillary. Fruits are cylindrical capsules, seeds numerous. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant pacifies vata, kapha, dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, dysentery, diarrhea, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, hepatitis and burning sensation.


:Gooma : Urtica parviflora Roxb. : Urticaceae : Kanjee, Drona, Kutumbakam, Kumbhayoni, : Phlomis : Gooma : Leaves.

HABIT

An erect biennial herb grows up to 60 cm in height. Leaves are solitary, alternate, dentate, chordate base, with minute hairs, which produce intense itching when touched. Flowers are minute, greenish yellow, seen in long axillary panicles, with numerous minute seeds.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, fever, hemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatic fever, and malaria. Tender leaves are used as vegetable.


: Makhi : Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir. : Euphorbiaceae : Poolika, Krishnakamboji : Phyllanthus reticulatus : Pancholi, Makhi : Roots, Leaves.

HABIT A large shrub grows up to 2 meters in height. Leaves simple, alternate, oblong, obtuse, thin; flowers unisexual, axillary's, fruits purplish containing seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, diabetes, burning sensation, burns, skin diseases, obesity and urinary retention.


:Mandara : Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R.Br. (Blue variety) : Asclepiadeceae : Arka, Sooryahvaya,Vasuka, Ksheeraparni, : Blue Madar : Aka vana, Aka, Mandara : Root, Latex, Flower and Leaves

HABIT Perennial shrub, growing up to 2.5 meters with branches and sub branches. Leaves are simple, opposite and sub-sessile, ovate, and cordate at base. Plant contains latex almost in all parts. Flowers beautiful, lilac, in umbellate lateral cymes. Fruits are fleshy follicles, green; seeds attached with abundant white coma. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES : Plant pacifies vitiated tridoshas, skin diseases, joint inflammations, snake poison, asthma and chest infections and rabies. It is a strong purgative drug.


: Badi noni : portulaca oleracea. : Portulacaceae :Lonika, Brihat loni, Khotika : Common purslane : Badi noni, Bara laniya : Whole plant

HABIT A small annual succulent weed usually seen in wet areas. Leaves simple, fleshy, oblong-ovate, obtuse and sessile. Flowers small, bright yellow, in terminal or axillary clusters. Fruits ovoid capsules with numerous small black seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, tumor, inflammations, jaundice, diabetes, burns, headache, burning sensation, vomiting, dysentery, skin diseases, and stomatitis.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical Name Family SANSKRIT English Hindi Useful part

: Hadjod : Cissus Quadrangualaris Linn. : Vitaceae : Asthisrinkhala, Vajravalli, Dharavalli, Chaturdhara, Vajralatha. : Edible stemmed vine, Bone setter : Hadjod, Hadjora : Plant as a whole.

HABIT A tendril climber with stout fleshy quadrangular stem. Tendrils are opposite to leaves, long and simple. Leaves are alternate, simple, reniform and sometimes toothed. Flowers are short greenish in shortly peduncled cyme. Fruits are ovoid red berry. Sometimes Arial root arises from the nodes grow downwards and strike the soil and act as normal roots. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, piles, osteoporosis, anorexia and fracture.


:Kamtakalya : Hygrophilla auriculata (K.Schum.) Heine. : Acanthaceae : Kokilaksha, Ikshura : Long leaved barleria : Talmakhana, Kamtakalya : Roots, Leaves, Seeds.

HABIT An erect semi woody, annual grows up to 1.5 meters in height. Stem quadrangular, leaves in a verticles of six at a node, two very large, bearing three straight sharp spines at each axils, flowers purple, in the axils of leaves. Fruits are linear oblong compressed capsules, seeds 4-8 per pod, smooth with mucilaginous coating. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, ascites, hyperdipsia, rheumatoid arthritis, vesical calculi, sexual weakness, impotency, jaundice, dropsy, cough and anemia.


: Ekapushpi : Tridax procumbens Linn. : Asteraceae : Ekapushpi, Vranaropani : Coat buttons : Ekapushpi, : Whole plant.

HABIT A spreading annual herb grows up to 20 cm in height. Leaves simple, opposite, serrate or dentate, acute, fleshy and pubescent. Flowers in head, long stalked and whitish. Seeds are numerous, small with tuft of silky hairs on one side for wind dispersal. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, inflammation, wound, ulcers, anal fistula, and hemorrhoids.


:Bemgsag : Centella asiatica Linn. : Apiaceae : Mandookaparni, Manduki. : Indian pennywort : Brahmamandooki, Bemgsag : The whole plant

HABIT A creeping perennial with rooted nodes; leaves simple, having long petioles, reniform or cordate in shape; flowers pink, small and sessile; fruits laterally compressed. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, insomnia, epilepsy, asthma, bronchitis, abdominal disorders, mental retardation, insanity and fever.


:Kaddam : Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. (Stephegyne parvifolia Roxb.) : Rubiaceae : Vitana : Kaim : Kayim, Kaddam : Root, Bark, Leaves.

HABIT A medium to large sized deciduous tree grows up to 25 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, elliptic, cordate of obovate, acute or acuminate, glabrous on both sides. Flowers greenish yellow fragrant in globose heads. Fruits oblong capsules. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, internal or external hemorrhages, muscle pain, skin diseases, fever, inflammations, infections and fever.


: Poi : Basella rubra Linn. : Basellaceae :Kalambi, Mohini, Pothee, Upodika : Indian spinach : Poi, Safed bachla : Stems, leaves

HABIT A perennial twining herb with fleshy stem and leaves, reddish green in colour. Leaves simple, alternate, lamina narrowed into petiole. Flowers-white or red, bracteoles longer than perianth; fruits red, white or black, globose. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, burning sensation, hemorrhages, skin diseases, sexual weakness and ulcer and as a laxative in children and pregnant women.

DESCRIPTION Local Name : Jangli aushbah Botanical name : Smilax perfoliata Family : Smilacaceae (Sarsaparilla family) English : Kumarika Hindi : Kumarika, Jangli aushbah, Bhitura Sanskrit : Vanamadhusnahi HABIT Kumarika is an armed or unarmed climber. Leaves leathery, shining, 7-15 x 4-11 cm, broadly ovate to elliptic, base rounded or shortly wedge-shaped; 3-5-nerved. Leaf stalk 1.5 cm long, base sheathing, with tendrils at the end. Flowers white, in dense umbels in leaf axils, 1-3 on a common peduncle. Bracts ovate. Perianth recurved in mature flowers, outer 3 segments, 4 mm long, oblong, inner narrower. Stamens about as long as the perianth. It is found from the Himalayan region in the north to Peninsular India. Flowering: January-April. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES The roots of Kumarika are used for veneral diseases. Also applied in rheumatic swellings and given in urinary complaints and dysentery.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical Name Family Name English Name Hindi Sanskrit Parts used

:Sendhwar : Vitex negundo Linn. :Verbeneceae :Five leaved chaste (Indian Privet) . :Nirguri, Sendhwar :Sambalu :Whole Plants

HABIT A small shrub or tree, about 6-20 feet high , white hairy, branches are sqare.Leaves compound , 3 to 5 leaflets terminal leaflet large lateral leaglets are small & sessile, Flowers bluish purple. Fruits globular blakish of terripening. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Acute Rheumatism , Cough , Fever, Pain , Indigestion , Flatulencem, Leprosy,

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family SANSKRITT English Hindi Useful part HABIT

:Gular : Ficus racemosa Linn. : Moraceae : Udumbara, Krimiphala, Jantuphala, : Country fig, Cluster fig : Umar, Gular : Root, Bark, Leaves, Fruits, Latex

A moderate sized deciduous tree grows up to 20 meters in height. Leaves simple, alternate, ovate or elliptic, acute, and glabrous; receptacles small subglobose or piriform, in large clusters from old nodes of main trunk. Green colored and turns to reddish when ripe. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, skin diseases, diarrhea, hemorrhage, menorrhagia, constipation,

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family Sankrit English Hindi Useful part

: Kaner : Taivetia neerifolia Juss : Apocynaceae : Karaveera, Peetakaraveera, Asvaghna, Asvamaraka, Hayamaraka : Indian oleander, Yellow oleander : Kaner, Karber : Roots, Leaves.

HABIT An evergreen shrub grows up to 7-10 meters in height. Leaves three in a whorl, linear-lanceolate, acute, and yellowish green. Flowers pale yellow colored and fragrant; fruits globose and 4 chambered. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, skin diseases, arthritis, pruritus, and ulcers, for external use. Internal use will cause toxic symptoms.


: Girimala : Cassia fistula Linn. : Caesalpiniaceae :Aragvadha, Kritamala, Rajavriksha, Chaturangulam, Deerkhaphala : Indian laburnum, Purging fistula : Amaltas, Girimala : Whole plant.

HABIT A medium sized deciduous tree grows up to 20 meters in height. Bark rough grayish; leaves pinnately compound, leaflets 4-8 pairs, ovate, acute, bright green above and silvery pubescent beneath; flowers bright yellow in lax pendulous recemes; fruits long cylindrical pods seeds broadly ovate, horizontally arranged in the sweetish pulp. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, constipation, burning sensation


: Lal Kaner : Nerium indicum Mill. (N. oleander Linn) : Apocynaceae :Karaveera, Raktakaraveera, Asvaghna, Asvamaraka, Hayamaraka : Indian oleander, Red oleander :Lal Kaner, Karber : Roots, Leaves.

HABIT An evergreen shrub grows up to 4 meters in height. Leaves three in a whorl, sessile, linear, dark green above, acute, and lanceolate. Flowers red or rose colored and fragrant; fruits follicles. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, skin diseases, renal or vesical calculi, stomatitis, arthritis, pruritus, cough, bronchitis, cardio-myopathy and ulcers. Overdose will cause toxic symptoms.


:Gokharu : Tribulus terrestris Linn. : Zygophyllaceae : Gokshura, Gokshuraka, Gokandaka, Shadanga, Gokhuri, Vanashringata : Puncture vine, Ghokru : Gokharu : Whole plant or Seeds.

HABIT A creeping perennial or annual herb grows parallel to ground. Leaves simple, pinnate, opposite, leaflets rounded and sessile. Flowers solitary, yellow and axillary's. Fruits spinous woody schizocarp, 5 angled, containing one or more seeds in each crocus. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, urinary retention, vesicle and renal calculi, urinary tract infections, sexual weakness, impotency, cough, asthma, anemia, general weakness and constipation.


: Padma : Clerodendrum serratum (Linn.) Moon : Verbenaceae :Brahmanayashtika, Kharashakha, Padma, : Clerodendrum viscosum : Bharangi : Root and Leaves.

HABIT A slightly woody shrub with bluntly quadrangular stems and branches, leaves usually three at a node, sometimes opposite oblong or elliptic, serrate; flowers blue, many in long cylindrical thrusts; fruits 4 lobed purple durpe, somewhat succulent with one Pyrenees in each lobe. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, inflammations, anorexia, dyspepsia, flatulence, helminthiasis, cough, asthma, bronchitis, hiccough, chronic skin diseases, leucoderma, leprosy and fevers. The leaves can be used or external application in headache.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical Name Family SANSKRIT English Hindi Useful part

:Mundi : Sphaeranthus indicus Linn : Asteraceae :Hapusha, Mundi, Sravani, Alambusha, : East Indian globe thistle. : Mundi : Whole plant.

HABIT A spreading aromatic herb with spreading glandular hairy stem and branches with purple or pink flowers. Stems with toothed wing, leaves alternate, toothed. Flowers are terminal, globose, violet head inflorescence. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES The plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta epilepsy, migraine, jaundice, fever, cough, hemorrhoids, helminthiasis, skin diseases and as nervine tonic.


: Kamala : Mallotus philippensis (Lam) Muell. Arg. : Euphorbiaceae : Rechanaka, Kampillaka : Kamala tree : Sindur, Kamala : Brown powder covering the fruit.

HABIT A moderate sized tree grows up to 15 meters in height. Leaves simple, alternate, long petioled, ovate-lanceolate, entire or mildly serrate; flowers dioecious, small whitish, seen in axillary spikes; male in long spikes, and female in short spikes. Fruits globose, three lobed capsules, covered with dense reddish brown powder. Seeds black, smooth, and globose. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, worm infestation, constipation, skin diseases, flatulence, wounds, ulcers, cough, renal and vesical calculi, poisons, ringworm, herpes and hemorrhages.

DESCRIPTION Local Name : Madhavi lata Botanical name : Hiptage benghalensis Family : Malpighiaceae (Barbados cherry family) Sankrit : Madhavi lata English : Hiptage, Helicopter Flower • Hindi : Madhavi lata Useful part : whole plant HABIT Madhavi lata, native from India to the Philippines, is a vine like plant that is often cultivated in the tropics for its attractive and fragrant flowers. A woody climbing shrub with clusters of pink to white and yellow fragrant flowers and 3-winged, helicopter-like fruits. Flowers have very interesting shape and look like a decorative accessory, with fluffy-toothed edges. The fragrance is very strong and pleasant, resembles fruity perfume. Leaves are narrow and drooping. This plant can be trimmed as a bush, and can be crown in container, too. Used medicinally in India. Make sure to provide lots of light for profuse blooming. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES : The bark, leaves and flowers are aromatic, bitter, acrid, astringent, refrigerant, vulnerary, expectorant, cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory and insecticidal. They are useful in burning sensation, wounds, ulcers, cough, asthma.


: Kachalu : Colocasia esculenta (Linn.) Schott. : Araceae :Alookam, Aloopam : Cocoyam, Taro : Kachalu, Khuyya : Leaves, Corms.

HABIT An erect perennial herb grows up to 1.5 meters in height. Leaves pellateovate, with cordite lamina, in long petiole. Spandex shorter then petiole, inflorescence covered with spate. Underground stems are swollen; fleshy, dark brown colored and much branched. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, constipation, steatites, alopecia, hemorrhoids and general weakness. Corms and tender leaves are used as staple food in some parts of India.

DESCRIPTION Local Name : Ananthamul Botanical name : Hemidesmus indicus (Linn.) R.Br. Family : Asclepiadaceae SANSKRIT :Sariba, Anantamoola English : Indian sarasaparilla, Country sarasaparilla Hindi : Ananthamul, Magrabu Useful part : Root. HABIT A perennial, slender, laticiferous twinning or prostrate shrub with woody stock and numerous slender stems. Leaves are simple, opposite, linear lanceolate. Flower greenish purple, sub sessile cymes in the opposite leaf axils. Fruits are slender follicles, cylindrical, 10 cm long tapering to a point at the apex, seeds are flattened, black, ovate-oblong with silvery white coma. The tuberous root is dark brown, with transversely cracked and longitudinally fissured bark. It has a strong central vasculature and pleasant smell and taste. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, skin diseases, burning sensation, leukoderma, pruritus, bronchitis, asthma, hyperdipsia, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, leucorrhoea, arthritis,


: Juhi : Jasminum auriculatum Vahl. : Oleaceae : Yoodhika, Magadhi, Soochimallika : Needle flower jasmina : Juhi, Juyi : Roots, Leaves.

HABIT A spreading woody shrub grows up to 2 meters in height. Leaves trifoliate with lower small two, often deciduous, and a large, rounded, acuminate, central one. Flowers white fragrant, in paniculate cyme. Fruits globose black berries. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, burning sensation, ulcer, stomatitis, renal calculi and skin diseases.


: Kamarang : Averrhoa carambola Linn. : Oxalidaceae : Karmaranga, Karuka : Carambola apple, : Kamarang : Leaves, Fruits.

HABIT A small evergreen plant grows up to 10 meters in height. Leaves compound, alternate, with leaflets 5-11, acute; flowers purple in short racemes, axillary, fruits 5 angles, yellowish fleshy berries, contain arillate seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, skin diseases, poison, pruritus, worm infestations, diarrhea, vomiting, hemorrhoids, intermittent fever, over perspiration and general debility.


: Sdabahar : Catharanthus roseus (Linn.) G.Don : Apocynaceae :Nityakalyani. : Periwinkle : Sdabahar : Whole plant

HABIT An erect annual herb grows up to a height of 1meter. Leaves deep green oblong or obovate, flowers in cymose, axillary clusters, deep rose or white in color, fruits cylindrical follicle. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, kapha, diabetes, hypertension, leukemia and malignancy, the root is stomachic and tonic.


: Barikasaundi : Cassia occidentalis Linn. : Caesalpiniaceae :Kasamarda : Negro coffee, Stinking weed : Kasaundi, Barikasaundi. : Root, Seeds, Leaves.

HABIT An undershrub grows up to 2 meters in height. Leaves pinnately compound, paripinnate, with 3-5 pairs; flowers yellow, in short pedunculated racemes. Fruits compressed, 8-12 cm long, containing 10-30 ovoid, compressed and grayish brown seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, cough, bronchitis, allergy, asthma, fever constipation, diabetes, skin diseases, wounds and ulcers.


:Vajradanti : Barleria prionitis : Acanthaceae (ruellia family) :Vajradanti :Porcupine flower, Barleria : Vajradanti : Whole plant

HABIT

Porcupine flower is an erect, prickly shrub, usually single-stemmed, growing to about 1.5 m tall. The stems and branches are stiff and smooth and light brown to light grey in colour. The leaves are up to 100 mm long and 40 mm wide, and oval-shaped though narrow at both ends (ellipsoid) The base of the leaves is protected by three to five sharp, pale coloured spines, 10-20 mm long. The yellow-orange tubular flowers are found bunched tightly together at the top of the plant, but they also occur singly at the base of leaves., MEDICINAL PROPERTIES : It has numerous medicinal properties including treating fever, respiratory diseases, toothache, joint pains and a variety of other ailments; and it has several cosmetic uses. A mouthwash made from root tissue is used to relieve toothache and treat bleeding gums. The whole plant, leaves, and roots are used for a variety of purposes in traditional Indian medicine.


: Bringa : Eclipse prostrata (Linn) Linn. : Asteraceae : Keshabringa, Bringaraja, Bringa, Angaraka, Kesaranjana : Trailing eclipta : Bangrah, Moprant : Plant as a whole.

HABIT It is an erect prostrate annual herb grows up to 70 cm height. Stems are soft and fleshy. Branches are few. Leaves are simple and opposite, Flowers are in head inflorescence. Fruits are akene. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, reduces pain, promote hair growth, stimulate the functions of liver, heal and clean ulcers and increase eye sight.


: Satala : Acacia sinuata (Lour.) Merr. : Mimosaceae :Saptala, Charmasahva : Soapnut acacia : Satala, Kochi, Seekakai : Pods.

HABIT A perennial, woody, large climbing shrub grows on big trees. Leaves bipinnate, with sharp prickles on main rachis. Pinnate 8 -10 pairs, leaflets small, sessile; flowers small heads, fruits thin pods with 6-10 seeds per pod MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, skin disease, burning sensation, constipation, calculi, hemorrhoids, vitilligo and eczema.


: Sudarshan : Crinum latifolium Linn. : Liliaceae :Chakrangi, Dodhyani, Maduparnika, Somavalli : Wild onion :Sudarshan : Underground bulb.

HABIT A glabrous annual herb with perennial underground bulbs. Leaves simple, linear lanceolate, acute, lorate and crowded at the base. Flower terminal, whitish, and glabrous, seen on long terminal spikes. Fruits ovate and irregularly deciduous capsules. Underground bulbs are whitish or pale yellow, grows up to 15 cm in diameter. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, edema, earache, arthritis, callosity, hemorrhoids, and used as an emitting drug for children.


: Parja : Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. : Oleaceae : Parijata, Sephalika : Night jasmine, Coral jasmine : Parja, Harsimgar : Leaves, Flowers, Seeds.

HABIT A large shrub or small tree grows up to 6 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, ovate, acute or acuminate, serrate or dentate; flowers small white, in trichotomous cymes. Fruits capsules, compressed, two seeded drupes. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, inflammation, sciatica, dyspepsia, cough, asthma, constipation, hemorrhoids, baldness, premature graying of hair and prorates.


:Tarval : Cassia auriculata Linn. : Caesalpiniaceae :Avartaki : Tanner’s cassia : Tarvar, Tarval : Root, Bark, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds.

HABIT A large shrub grows up to 2 -3 meters in height. Leaves paripinnately compound, leaflets 10-12 pairs, ovate-lanceolate, large stipule at the base of each compound leaf. Flowers yellowish, in axillary and terminal corymbs. Fruits pods, brown when ripe contain 10-15 dark brown seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, kapha, skin diseases, ulcers, diabetes, diarrhea, worm infestation, conjunctivitis, and nocturnal emission.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family SANSKRIT

: Tejabala : Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb. : Rutaceae :Tumburu, Tejasvini, Tejovati, Vanaja, Sourabha : Toothache tree : Tejabala : Root, Leaves, Bark

English Hindi Useful part HABIT A small tree or shrub, growing up to 20 meters in height. Leaves4-20 cm, imparipinnate, leaflets 4-6 pairs, lanceolate and acute. Flowers seen in dense panicles. Fruits broadly ovoid, pale red when ripe, contain single seed. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, inflammation, wound, ulcers, stomatitis, gingivitis, anorexia, indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, hemorrhoids and intestinal worms.


: Kanphuti : Cardiospermum helicacabum Linn. : Sapindaceae :Sakralata, Indravalli, Karnasphota : Balloon wine. : Kanphuti, Kapalaphoti. : Whole plant.

HABIT An annual spreading herb with tendril hooks. Leaves bicompound, leaflets acuminete at apex; flowers white small; fruits membreneous, pyriform capsules, containing 3 black seeds with large heart shaped white aril on the side. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, constipation, fever, arthritis, amenorrhea, low back pain, neuropathy, chronic rheumatism and mania.


:Kaunch : Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) DC. : Fabaceae :Atmagupta, Kapikacchu, Ajada, Markati, Kulakshaya : Common cowitch, Cowhage. : Gonacha, Kaunch : Fruits, Leaves, Seeds, Hairs

HABIT An annual or perennial climber with hairy branches. Leaves trifoliate, leaflets ovate or rhomboid ovate, membranous, pubescent above; flowers purple in axillary drooping pendulous racemes; fruits curved pods, densely clothed with pale brown irritant hairs, seeds black, ovoid, 4-6 per pod. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, constipation, impotency, Parkinsonism, kidney diseases, neuropathy, worm infestations, fever and general debility.



:Khadir : Acacia catechu (Linn.f) Wild. : Mimosaceae : Khadira, Kushtari, Rakthasaram : Dark catechu, Cutch tree : Khair : Bark, Heartwood, Kath.

HABIT Medium sized thorny deciduous tree grows up to 13 meters in height. Leaves bipinnately compound, leaflets 30-50 paired, main rachis pubescent, with large conspicuous gland near the middle of the rachis. Flowers pale yellow, sessile, found in axillary spikes. Fruits flat brown pods, with triangular beak at the apex, shiny, narrowed at base. Seeds 3-10 per pod. The gummy extract of the wood is called kath or cutch. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, kapha, skin diseases, cough, pruritus, and obesity. Useful in tooth ache, increases the strength of teeth.

DESCRIPTION Local Name : Bael Botanical name : Aegle marmelos Linn. Corr. Family : Rutaceae Sanskrit :Vilva, English : Bael tree, Holy Fruit tree Hindi : Bilva Useful part : Leaves, Root, Fruits HABIT Medium sized thorny deciduous tree grows up to 10 meters in height. Leaves trifoliate, aromatic, and alternate. Leaflets are ovatelanceolate. Lateral leaflets are sub sessile and terminal long petioled. Flowers are greenish white, found in axillary panicles. Fruits are globose woody berry with yellow pulp. Seeds are numerous, oblong and embedded in pulp. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, body pain, poison, diarrhea, dysentery, vomiting, and intermittent fever. Pulp of unripe fruit is constipating whereas that of ripened fruit is laxative. Leaves cure diabetes, cough, inflammation andasthma.


:Angol : Alangium salvifolium Wang. : Alangiaceae :Ankolah, Kolakah, Rechi, Deerghakeelakah : Sage-leaved alangium : Angol,Dhera, : Seeds, Leaves, Root

English Hindi Useful part HABIT A small, thorny deciduous tree/ shrub which grows up to a height of 5-10 meters. Bark yellowish, leaves alternate, elliptical and usually unequal at the base; flowers-yellowish white, fragrant, in axillary fascicles,fruits 1-2 seeded,1cm in length,1-2 seeded berries crowned by the calyx lobes. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta. It is anti-hypertensive, antidote for several poisons especially for rabies. Roots are useful for external application in case of rheumatism and inflammation. Fruits are used in treatment of hemorrhages.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family English name Hindi Sanskrit Useful part

: Harra : Terminalia chebula : Combretaceae : Chebulic Myrobalan, : Harra : Kayastha, Jivapriya : Fruit

HABIT This tree yields smallish, ribbed and nut-like fruits which are picked up when still green and then pickled, boiled with a little added sugar in their own syrup or used in preserves or concotions. The seed of the fruit, which has an eliptical shape, is an abrasive pit enveloped by a fleshy and firm pulp. Chebulic Myrobalan can reach heights of 20 meters. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Chebulic Myrobalan is highly regarded as the 'king of medicines' in the Ayur-Vedic Medicine. It is reputed to cure blindness and it is believed to inhibit the growth of the malignant tumours. It is allegedly also a powerful detox agent.


: Seetaphal : Annona squamosa Linn. : Annonaceae :Seetaphalam, Sudha, Subha : Custard apple, Sugar apple : Seetaphal : Fruits, seeds, Roots, Leaves

HABIT A small tree grow up to 8 meters of height. Leaves simple, alternate, lenceolate, acute, with prominent central nerve. Flowers solitary greenish yellow; fruits yellowish green globose with several compartment; fruit pulp enclosed several stony hard, black seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, constipation, burning sensation, anemia, vomiting, cough, malignancy and general tonic. Root decoction is a powerful purgative. Powdered seed kills body and hair lice on external application.


: Chupri alu : Dioscorea alata Linn. : Dioscoreaceae :Alukam. : Greater yam, Asiatic yam : Khamalu, Chupri alu. : Tubers.

HABIT A glabrous twinner, with a peculiar 4 winged stem leaves simple, opposite, ovate, cordate, and acuminate. Flowers unisexual and fruits capsules. Plant has many Arial tubers that also aid in reproduction. Underground tubers are large, many branched dark brown and fleshy. It is edible, and used as a staple food. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, hemorrhoids, leprosy, intestinal worms, seminal weakness, post menopausal syndrome, and general weakness.


:Majith : Rubia cordifolia Lin. : Rubiaceae :Manjishta, Vikasha, Samanga, Raktangi, Vastrabhushana, Yojanavalli : Indian Madder : Majith : Root.

HABIT A small prickly climbing perennial herb with long long reddish, fiberous roots. Stems are quadrangular. Leaves are found as whorl numbered 2-8, cordate-ovate with round base, petioles very long provided with sharp prickles in the edges. Flowers are greenish white, or yellowish or red small and sweet scented, found in terminal panicled glabrous cymes. Fruits are globose or slightly 2 lobed, purplish black when ripe. Seeds two. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, rakta, kapha, neurogenic pain, skin diseases, diabetes, Bleeding disorders, and erysipelas. It increases body power and anti toxic in nature.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family English Sanskrit Hindi Useful part HABIT

: Gopoli : Anisomeles malabarica : Lamiaceae (Mint family) : Malabar Catmint : Mahadron : Gopoli, Codhara : Roots, Leaves

Malabar Catmint is a shrubby herb, 0.5-1.5 m tall. Stems are tetragon us, densely villous or woolly. Leaves are ovate to oblong, 3-8 cm x 1.5-3 cm, densely woolly beneath, sparsely hirsute above, hairs 4-celled, petiole 0.5-2.5 cm long, softly woolly. Inflorescence is a single terminal spike, calyx 8.5 mm x 6 mm, longest teeth 3-4 mm long, in fruit 8-10 mm long, teeth hairy inside. Flower up to 1.8 cm long, lower lip about 12 mm x 4 mm, lilac or pale blue, filaments almost at same level, about 8 mm long, style about 1.3 cm long. Nutlets are cylindrical, 1.3 mm x 0.9 mm. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES The whole plant, especially the leaves and the roots are used as astringent, carminative, febrifuge and tonic.

DESCRIPTION Local Name Botanical name Family SANSKRIT

: Chakavad : Cassia tora Linn. : Caesalpiniaceae :Chakramarda, Prapunnada, Prepanda, Meshalochana,Chakri : Fetid cassia : Chakavad, Papamd : Leaves, seeds.

English Hindi Useful part HABIT An erect annual herb, grows up to 90 cm in height. Leaves are compound, paripinnate with 3 pairs of leaflets, obovate-oblong; flowers yellow, in subsessile pairs, found in leaf axils; fruits long septate pods with 10-15 seeds per pods. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated tridosha, skin diseases, dandruff, constipation, cough, hepatitis, fever, and hemorrhoids.


: Cassia alata Linn. (C. herpetica Jacq) : Caesalpiniaceae :Dadrughna, Dvipagasti : Ringworm shrub : Dadmurdan : Leaves, Flowers, Roots.

HABIT An annual or binneal shrub grows up to 2.5 meters in height. Leaves compound, paripinnate, leaflets oblong, obtuse, membranous; flowers seen in long terminal spikes, yellow and showy. Fruits green angulated dehiscent pods, contain numerous compressed brown colored ovate seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, inflammation, ringworm, cough, bronchitis, asthma, other skin diseases, intestinal worms, poison, constipation, hemorrhoids, alopecia and sexual weakness.

DESCRIPTION Local name Botanical name Family Sanskrit English Hindi Usefull part

: Sonapatha : Oroxylim Indicum Vent. : Bignoniaceae : Sheonak :Tiutun :Sonapatha : Whole par

HABIT A large tree with large tri-pinnatecompound leavesFlowers large bluish purple,fleshy,foetid,follicle large sword shaped


In rheumatism,diarrhea,cough fever, piles expectorant, bronchitis, vomiting, leaucoderma

DESCRIPTION Local name Botanical name Family Sanakrit English Hindi Useful part

: Bharsngi : Clerodendrum serratum. : Verbenaceae : kharshak : Turk`s turban moon : Bharsngi : Whole plant

HABIT An erect annual or biennial herb grows up to 1.5 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, lobed, chordate, hairy and membranous. Flowers bright orange, seen in long terminal branched spikes. Fruits small berries. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, inflammation, ulcers, wounds and skin diseases.

DESCRIPTION Local name Botanical name Family Common name Hindi Sanskrit

: Jangli haldi : Curcuma aromatica : Zingiberaceae (Ginger family) : Wild turmeric, Aromatic turmeric : Jangli haldi : Haridra

HABIT Wild tumeric is an aromatic and pretty ginger with stout underground rhizomes. Foliage dies down in late in autumn and the rhizomes remain dormant in winter. The inflorescence appears in early spring from the base of the rhizome. Flowers are pinkish white in color, with an orange lip. The stalk grows to about 8 to 10 inches tall, and is crowned with enlarged colored bracts tipped with pink. Leaves appear after the flowers. When in full growth the plants can reach a height of about 3ft tall. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES : Wild turmeric is recognized as a medical herb with strong antibiotic properties. It is believed to play a role in preventing and curing cancer in medicine.

DESCRIPTION Local name Botanical name Family SANSKRIT English Hindi Useful part

: Ratti : Abrus precatorius Linn. : Fabaceae : Gunja, Kakanantika, Kakapilu, Raktika, : Jequirity, Indian liquorice, Wild liquorice : Gunchi, Ratti : Root, Leaves, Seeds

HABIT A deciduous climber with tough branches. Leaves pinnately compound with many pairs of leaflets, leaflets oblong; flowers pink, found in clusters arranged on one side of recemose inflorescence; fruits pods; seeds usually scarlet with black spot or pure white colored.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, inflammation, volition, skin disease, wounds, alopecia, asthma, stomatitis and fever. .


: Ghikumari : Aloe vera (Linn.) Burm. (Aloe barbadensis Mill) : Liliaceae :Kumari, Grithakumari, Grihakanya : Aloe, Indian aloe : Gheekaumar, Ghikumari : Leaves juice.

HABIT A perennial shrub with fleshy leaves and short stem. Leaves fleshy, sessile, with prickles on margins; flowers in long spikes, fruits capsules, often sterile. Reproduction by budding. Leave juice dried in air is called elio. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, amenorrhea, wounds, ulcers, burns, colic, hepatitis, skin diseases, constipation, tumor, malignancy, low back pain, edema, arthritis and general debility.


: Adakapari : Stereospermum coalis : Bignoniaceae :Patala, Krishnavrinda, Kuberakshi, Tamrapushpi : Trumpet flower tree, Yellow snake tree : Padhala, Adakapari : Root, Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, Seeds.

HABIT A deciduous tree grows up to 30 meters in height. Leaves compound, imparipinnate, large, focused at edges of branches. Leaflets 7-9 numbered, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate; flowers yellow in terminal cymes. Fruits long slender cylindrical capsules, contains small compressed winged seeds.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta skin diseases, urinary retention, kidney stones, arthritis, cough, hemorrhoids, and muscular pain.


: Mehandi :Lawsonia inermis Linn. : Lythraceae :Madayantika, Mendhi, Mendhika, Nakharanjani : Henna, Egyptian priven, Cypress shrub : Mehandi, Hena : Root, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds.

HABIT A large shrub grows up to 3 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, entire, lanceolate, with short petals. Flowers white numerous, fragrant seen in terminal panicled cymes. Fruits globose capsules, with persistent calyx. Seeds numerous, smooth and pyramidal. Propagation is by vegetative manner. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, pain, ulcer, edema, hair fall, graying of hair, burning sensation, headache, hepatitis, skin diseases, dysmenorrhea and anemia.

DESCRIPTION Local name : Salaparni Botanical name : Desmodium gangeticum DC. Family : Fabaceae SANSKRIT :Salaparni, Guha, Sthira English : Desmodium Hindi : Sarivan Useful part : Roots or plant as a whole. HABIT An erect, branched shrub grows up to 1 meter in height. Stem is woody with numerous prostrate branches and covered with soft hairs. Leaves are single, ovate-lanceolate, and covered with numerous gray hairs. Flowers white, purple or lilac found in elongated terminal or axillary recemes. Fruits are moniliform 6-8 joined pods. Joints separate when ripe into one seeded segments. Seeds are compressed reniform. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated tridoshas, edema and cardiomyopathy. Plant has detoxifying property. .


: Sinduri : Bixa orellana Linn. : Bixaceae :Sinduri, Markataharidra, Kampillaka : Annatto plant, Arnotta plant : Sinduriya, Latkan : Root, Bark, Seeds.

HABIT A large shrub or small tree grows up to 5 meters in height. Leaves large, cordate, acuminate, glabrous; flowers pale pink, in terminal panicles; fruits bright red, capsules covered with soft bristles, seeds small, numerous covered with red pigment. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, fever, dysentery, and repels mosquitoes. Dye obtained from the fruits is used as a coloring matter for edible materials.


: Brabmbhi : Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Pennell : Scrophulariaceae : Brahmi, Trayamana, Seetakamini, Trayanthi, Bhekaparni : Brahmi : Brabmbhi : Plant as a whole

HABIT Annual creeper grows sticky on ground. Leaves simple, opposite, decussate, sessile, entire, obovate-oblong entire, fleshy and about 1 cm length. Flowers are whitish of bluish white, solitary, arises from the axils. Fruits contain many seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, skin diseases, neuralgia, inflammations, epilepsy, insanity, ulcers, splenomegali, flatulence, fever, and general debility.

DESCRIPTION Local name : Tulsi Botanical name : Ocimum sanctum Linn (Black variety) Family : Lamiaceae SANSKRIT :Tulasi, Surasa, Svetatulasi. English : Holy basil, Sacred basil, Black basil Hindi : Krishntulsi Useful part : Whole plant. HABIT An erect much branched undershrub, grows up to 1 m in height. Leaves are pale dark brown in color, simple, opposite, elliptic, oblong, obtuse or acute, serrate, entire, pubescent on both sides. Petiole slender and hairy. Flwers purplish in elongate recemes. Fruits nutlets, smooth, not mucilaginous when wet. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated tridoshas, cough, asthma, bronchitis, fever, toxins, vomiting, lumbago, gastric distension, genito-urinary diseases, ringworm and skin diseases.


: Chota chand : Rauvolfia serpentina (Linn.) Benth. ex Kurz. : Apocynaceae :Sarpagandha, Chandrika, Nakuli, Sarpadani, Kukkudi, Raktatrika : Indian snake root. Serpentine root. : Chandrabhaga, Chota chand : Root, Leaves

HABIT A small erect shrub grows up to 60 cm in height. Leaves simple, in a whorl of three, thin, acuminate, oblong-lancelet; flowers white, streaked with violet, found in cymes, fruits green drupes, become dark purple when ripe. Roots, cylindrical, yellowish brown and tortuous. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, hypertension, insanity, epilepsy, insomnia, wounds, fever, colic and urinary retention, in controlled dose. Overdose cause giddiness and is toxic.


: Asgandh : Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal. : Solanaceae : Asvagandha, Varahakarni,Vajigandha, Varahika, : Winter cherry : Asgandh, Punir : Root and Leaves

HABIT An erect branching shrub grows up to 150 cm in height. Leaves are ovate and alternate, up to 10 cm long. Flowers are greenish or greenish yellow arises from leaf axils. Fruits are globose berries, become reddish orange when mature and closed by the persistent calyx. Roots are fleshy, cylindrical and tapering towards the end with whitish grey color and pure white inside. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, nerve weakness, impotency, oligospermia and arthritis. The roots are aphrodisiac and stimulant, widely used in rejuvenate ayurvedic formulae. Plant has immune-stimulant action .


: Guggul : Commiphora mukul (Hook.ex.Stocks) Engl. : Burseraceae : Guggulu, Mahishaksha, Palankasha, Devadhupa : Indian bdellium tree : Gugal, Guggul . : Resinous gum.

HABIT A moderate sized thorny tree with ash colored rough bark. Leaves alternate, obovate, serrate in the upper part; flowers small, brownish red, fruits ovoid drupes, become red when ripe. Guggul is the resinous extract of the plant. It is epeque, brown in color. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, arthritis, sciatica, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, skin diseases, cough, asthma, epilepsy, fever, ulcer, diabetes and hypercholestremia.

DESCRIPTION Local name

: Amla

Botanical name Family SANSKRIT English Hindi

: Phyllanthus emblica Linn. : Euphorbiaceae :Amalaki, Dhatri, Vayastha, Amritaphala : Indian gooseberry, Gooseberry : Amalak, Amla

Useful part

: fruit.

HABIT A medium sized deciduous tree grows up to 25 meters in height. Leaves simple, subsessile, many, closely arranged along the thin soft branchlets. Thus it gives false appearance as compound leaf. Flowes greenish yellow, in leaf axils, unisexual, fruit globose, fleshy, greenish yellow, with 6 vertical compartments. Seed 6 faced, stony hard when ripe. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated tridoshas, constipation, stomatitis, jaundice, disorders of vision, fever, cough, wheezing, cardiac disorders

DESCRIPTION Local name : Bhampatti Botanical name : Kalanchoe pinnata/ Bryophyllum Family : Crassulaceae (sedum family) Sanskrit :Amar poi Hindi : Bhampatti English : Air Plant, Donkey Ears Useful part : The whole plant HABIT Air Plant grows to about 3-6 feet tall. The erect, thick, succulent stems bear large, fleshy leaves, each with 3 or 5 oval leaflets with roundtoothed edges. Young plantlets develop along the margins of the mature leaves. The attractive, drooping blooms are borne on large panicles. The flowers have purple or yellowish-white tinged calyxes and reddish corollas. Kalanchoe is a genus of about 125 species of tropical, succulent flowering plants in the Family Crassulaceae, mainly native to the Old World but with a few species in the New World. These plants are cultivated as ornamental houseplants and rock or "cactus" garden plants. They are popular because of their ease of propagation, low water requirements, and wide variety of flower colors typically borne in clusters well above the vegetative growth. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Bahamians call it Life Leaf or Floppers. In the Bahamas it is mostly used for Asthma or shortness in breath.

DESCRIPTION Local name : Pipli Family : Piperaceae (Pepper family) Sanskrit : Pippali, Magadhi English : Long Pepper, Indian long Hindi : Pipli Useful part : fruit HABIT Long pepper is a close relative of the black pepper plant, and has a similar, though generally hotter, taste. The word pepper itself is derived from the Sanskrit word for long pepper, pippali. It is a slender, aromatic, climber with perennial woody roots, creeping and jointed stems, and fleshy fruits embedded in the spikes. Leaves are numerous, 6.3 to 9.0 cm, broadly ovate or oblong-oval, dark green and shining above, pale and dull beneath. The older leaves are dentate, dark in color and heart shaped. The younger leaf is ovate in shape and contains 5 veins on them. Flowers are monoceous and male and female flowers are borne on different plants. Male flower stalk is about 1 to 3 inch long and female flower stalk is ½ to 1 inch long. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Pippali is certainly one of the most widely used of all Ayurvedic herbs. It is one of the best herbs for enhancing digestion, assimilation and metabolism of the foods we eat. It is also highly prized for its ability to enhance assimilation and potency of herbs in a synergistic formula (this is called the Yogavahi effect).


: Neem : Azadirachta inaica A.Juss. : Meliaceae :Nimba, Arista, Hinguniryasa, Manda, : Neem tree, Margosa tree. : Neem, Nimb : Bark, Leaves, Flowers, Seed, Oil.

HABIT A moderate to large sized tree grows up to 30 meters in height. Leaves imparipinnately compound, leaflets opposite, serrate and acuminate; flowers yellowish white, found in axillary panicles. Fruits elliptical one seeded drupes yellowish when ripe. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, skin diseases, eczema, fever, wound, ulcer, burning sensation, tumor, worms, cough, diabetes, inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis.

DESCRIPTION Local name : Karanj Botanical name : pongamia pinnata Family : Fabaceae (pea family) Sanskrit : Karanjah English : Pongam Tree, Indian Beech Tree Hindi : Karanj Useful part : Bark, Leaves, Seed, Oil. HABIT A fast-growing deciduous tree up to 20 metres tall that is thought to have originated in India and is found throughout Asia. It is a deciduous tree that grows to about 15-25 meters in height with a large canopy that spreads equally wide. The leaves are a soft, shiny burgundy in early summer and mature to a glossy, deep green as the season progresses. Small clusters of white, purple, and pink flowers blossom on their branches throughout the year, maturing into brown seed pods. The tree is well suited to intense heat and sunlight and its dense network of lateral roots and its thick, long taproot make it drought tolerant. Flowering: March-April. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES A thick brownish oil can be extracted from the large seeds, and is used industrially and in medicine, notably for the treatment of rheumatism.

DESCRIPTION Local name : Patharchur Botanical name : Terminalia arjuna Family : Combretaceae (rangoon creeper family) Sanskrit : Arjuna, Dhawal, kakumbh English : Arjun Hindi :Arjun Useful part : Bark, Leaves, Fruits HABIT In Indian mythology, Arjun is supposed to be Sita's favorite tree. Native to India, the tree attracts lot of attention because of its association with mythology and its many uses. Arjuna is a large, evergreen tree, with a spreading crown and drooping branches. Grows up to 25 m height, and the bark is grey and smooth. Leaves are sub-opposite, 5-14 × 2-4.5 cm in size, oblong or elliptic oblong. Flowers small, white, and occur on long hanging racemes. Fruit is 2.3-3.5 cm long, fibrous woody, glabrous and has five hard wings, striated with numerous curved veins. Flowering time of the tree is April-July, in Indian conditions. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Every part of the tree has useful medicinal properties. Arjun holds a reputed position in both Ayurvedic and Yunani Systems of medicine. According to Ayurveda it is alexiteric, styptic, tonic, anathematic, and useful in fractures, ulcers, heart diseases, biliousness, urinary discharges, asthma, tumors, leucoderma, anemia, excessive perspirations etc. According to Yemeni system of medicine, it is used both externally and internally in gleets and urinary discharges.

DESCRIPTION Local name Botanical name Family Sanskrit English Hindi Useful part

: Bhilawa : Semecarpus Anacardium L.F. : Cobretaceae : Bhallathaka,Arushakara,Arushaka,Agni,Agnimukhi, Bhalli, : Marking nut : Bhilawa : Seeds, kernel, seed pressed oil.

HABIT A tree occurring in hotter parts of the country. Black seeds yields and ink like resin used for marking cloths. A moderate sized, deciduous tree, 1215 m high. Leaves simple,17.5-60.0cm long and broad, obviate-oblong above, ashy grey or buff and pubescent beneath. MEDICINAL PROPERTIE Alopecia, skin disease, fever, piles, tumors, diseases of head, musculoskeletal disorder, to induce hyper pigmentation in wound scars, sinus wounds, tumors, carbuncles, seed oil and flower caustic

DESCRIPTION Botanical name : Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. Family : Fabaceae SANSKRIT :Palasa, Kimsuka, Raktapushpa, Ksharasreshta English : Flame of the forest Hindi : Palas, Dhak Useful part : Bark, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, Gum. HABIT A medium sized deciduous tree, grows up to 15 meters in height. Leaves imparipinnate, trifoliate, leaflets big, obtuse and glabrous. Flowers bright red, large, in racemes; fruits green pods, containing one seed. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, diabetes, colic, flatulence, inflammation, arthritis, and skin diseases.


: Patharchur : Coleus Ambionicus LOUR. : Labiatae : Pashanabhedi,Ashmaghna,Giribhedi, Bhinna : Indian borage, Country borage : Patharchur, Pashanabhed : Roots, Leaves

HABIT A small perennial, hairy herb, about 1-3 feet high with thick and fleshy leaves aromatic flowers light purple. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Cardiovascular ailment, Heart troubles, lowering blood pressure, Lumphcayti leukemia; Extract of aerial parts: is spasmolytic, Extract of Roots: Hypotensive. Leaves: Useful in potyuria, Thirst, flatulance, colic, Asthmaw, chronic cough, Eplepsy & urinary troubls.


: Saphed musali : Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker. : Liliaceae :Mahavrishya, Svetamusali, Vrishyakanda : White musli : Saphed musali : Roots

HABIT A small annual herb grows up to 15 cm in height. Leaves simple, long fleshy and acute, arises from compressed shoot. Flowers small, whitish seen in terminal spikes. Fruits small round, contain black seeds. Roots many, fleshy and tuberous . MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, diabetes, spermaturia, leucorrhea, and is a potent aphrodisiac.

DESCRIPTION Local name : nibu ghass Botanical name : Cymbopogon flexuosus Family : Poaceae English : Lemon grass Hindi : nibu ghass Sanskrit : Bhustrina, Useful part : leaves HABIT Lemon grass is a tall, perennial sedge throwing up dense fascicles of leaves from a short rhizome. The calm is stout, erect, unto 1.8 meter high. Leaves are long, glucose, green, linear tapering upwards and along the margins; ligulae very short; sheaths thereto, those of the barren shoots widened and tightly clasping at the base, others narrow and separating. It is a short day plant and produce profuse flowering in South India. The inflorescence is a long spike about one meter in length. Flowers borne on decompounds saphead ; panicles 30 to over 60 cm long. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Lemongrass also posses some medicinal benefits. Lemon grass it is said provides relief in following Health problems: Aids in digestion, Relieve spasms, Muscle cramps ,Rheumatism ,Headaches, Nausea

DESCRIPTION Local name : Garundi Botanical name : Alternanthera sessilis Family : Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family) Sanskrit : Matsyaksi English : Sessile Joyweed, Hindi : Garundi, Useful part : Stems and leaves HABIT Sessile Joyweed is a perennial herb, often found in and near ponds, canals and reservoirs. It prefers places with constant or periodically high humidity and so may be found in swamps, shallow ditches, and fallow rice fields. A much branched prostrate herb, branches often purplish, frequently rooting at the lower nodes; leaves simple, opposite, somewhat fleshy, lanceolate, oblanceolate or linear-oblong, obtuse or subacute, sometimes obscurely denticulate, glabrous, shortly petiolate; flowers small, white, in axillary clusters; fruits compressed obcordate utricles, seeds suborbicular. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Stems and leaves useful in eye trouble. Decoction is taken with little salt drunk to check vomiting of blood. Shoot with other ingredients used to restore virility. Poultice used for boils.


: Kalimirch : Piper nigrum Linn : Piperaceae :Maricha, Krishna, Dharmapathanam, Ooshanam : Black pepper, Common pepper, Pepper : Kalimirch : Fruits.

HABIT A perennial climber, rooting at nodes, leaves simple, alternate, cordate, and broadly ovate; flowers minute in hanging spikes, usually dioecious; fruits globose, one seeded berries, red when ripe. Seeds globose with acrid taste. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, fever, dyspepsia, cough, cold, asthma, hemorrhoids, and tuberculosis.

PROPERTIES Local name Botanical name Family Sanskrit English Hindi Useful part

: Samudrasos : Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Boj. : Convolvulaceae : Vraddhadaruka, Vrddhadaruka, Bastantri : Elephant creeper : Samudrasos : Roots

HABIT A very large, woody climbing shrub with white stems; leaves simple, alternate, ovate, acute, cordite base, glabrous above and tomatoes beneath. Flowers purple, in long peduncles cymes, fruits globule berries, contain 2-4 seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, nervine weakness, emaciation, weakness, wounds, cardiac debility, ageing, sexual weakness, insomnia, hemorrhoids, anemia, arthritis and general debility

DESCRIPTION Local name Botanical name Family SANSKRIT

: Bhaira : Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. : Combretaceae :Vibhitaki, Vibheetaka, Aksha, Kalidruma, Bhootavasa,Vibheetaki : Belliric myrobalan : Baheda, Bhaira : Bark, Fruits

English Hindi Useful part HABIT A moderate to large sized tree grows up to 30 meters in height. Leaves simple, alternate, long petioled and crowded at the tip of branches, elliptic, entire and acute. Flowers small, pale green, found in axillary spikes. Fruits ovoid drupes contain single stony hard seed. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, cough, bronchitis, allergic cough, insomnia, edema, dyspepsia, flatulence, hemorrhage, skin diseases, diarrhea, dysentery, leukoderma, and graying of hair.


: Kariaipak : Murraya koenigii (Linn) Spreng. : Rutaceae :Surabhinimba, Kaidarya, Kalasaka, Krishnanimba : Curry leaf tree : Kariaipak, Mithanim, Katnim : Root, Bark, Leaves.

HABIT A small aromatic tree with dark grey bark. Leaves imparipinnate, alternate leaflets alternate, obliquely ovate, gland dotted and aromatic; flowers white in terminal corymbose cymes, fragrant; fruits subglobose berries dark purple when ripe. 2 seeded. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, burning sensation, pruritis, skin diseases, anorexia, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, diarrhea, dysentery, vomiting, stomatis and ulcers.

DESCRIPTION Local name : Lal Gulabas Botanical name : Mirabilis jalapa Linn. (Red Variety) Family : Nyctaginaceae SANSKRIT :Krishnakeli, Sandhyakuli English : Four O’ Clock plant, Marvel of Peru Hindi : Lal Gulabas Useful part : Roots, Leaves. HABIT A small glabrous herb grows up to 0.5 meters in height, with succulent stems. Leaves simple, opposite, ovate acute, with long petiole. Flowers bright ret, arises in leaf axils, with peculiar property to bloom on 4 O clock and hence the name. Fruits small akenes, with a small round black seed. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, fever, syphilis, inflammation, burns and scalds, and general debility.


: Peela Gulabas : Mirabilis jalapa Linn. (Yellow Variety) : Nyctaginaceae :Krishnakeli, Sandhyakuli : Four O’ Clock plant, Marvel of Peru : Peela Gulabas : Roots, Leaves.

HABIT A small glabrous herb grows up to 0.5 meters in height, with succulent stems. Leaves simple, opposite, ovate acute, with long petiole. Flowers bright yellow, arises in leaf axils, with peculiar property to bloom on 4 O clock and hence the name. Fruits small akenes, with a small round black seed. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, fever, syphilis, inflammation, burns and scalds, and general debility.


: Chotta halkusha : Leucas aspera (Willd) Link : Lamiaceae :Dronapushpi, Chitrapatrika, Phalepushpa, Karabhapriya, : Tumbe : Chotta halkusha : Leaves, Flowers.

HABIT A small erect, much branched annual herb grows up to 60 cm in height. Leaves sub sessile, linear-lanceolate, obtuse, entire, or crenate; flower white, in dense axillary whorls. Fruits nut lets, brown and smooth. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, inflammation, skin diseases, worm infestation, arthritis, cough, amenorrhea, intermittent fever, Migraine and ulcer.

DESCRIPTION Local name : Gobla Botanical name : Ficus hispida Linn.f. Family : Moraceae SANSKRIT :Malayu, Kakodumbarika English : Creeping fig. Hindi : Gobla Useful part : Leaves, Fruits, Bark. HABIT A moderate sized tree grows up to 5 meters in height. Leaves opposite, long, with scrubby surfaces, pubescent; receptacles fascicled in the stem, obovoid, hispid, green and turns yellow when ripe. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, leukoderma, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, ulcers, jaundice, inflammations, fever and alopecia.


:Kuda : Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roxb. ex Fleming). : Apocynaceae :Kutaja, Kalinga, Indrayava : Kurchi : Kurchi, Kuda : Bark, Seed, Leaves.

HABIT A large shrub or small tree grows up to 5 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, ovate, acute-acuminate, membranous; flowers white in axillary or terminal corymbose cymes; fruits long are pair of long follicles seeds long, brown, with silky hairs, aided in dispersion. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, amoebiasis, hepatitis and skin diseases.


:Marorphali : Helicterus isora Linn. : Sterculiaceae :Avartani, Murva, Mrigasringi, Marodhaphali : East Indian screw tree : Marorphali : Fruits, Root, Bark

HABIT A large shrub or small tree grows up to 5 meters in height. Leaves simple, alternate, obovate, cordate, serrate, rough above and pubescent beneath; flowers red to grey colored, found in axillary clusters of 2-6 together; fruits are cork screw type greenish brown colored, seeds numerous. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, diarrhea, colic, flatulence, wounds, ulcers, hemorrhoids and diabetes.


: Maryadavalli : Ipomoea pes-caprae (Linn) R.Br. : Convolvulaceae :Maryadavalli, Sagaramekhala : Goat’s foot creeper : Dopatilata : Whole plant.

HABIT A trailing perennial herb grows extensively in sandy shores. Leaves lobed, alternate, glabrous with parallel venation. Flowers large, purple, solitary; fruits ovoid capsule, seeds 4 per capsule dark brown. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, inflammation, skin disease, boils, wound ulcers, hemorrhoids and burning sensation.

DESCRIPTION Local name :Plavakolpala Botanical name : Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms-Laub. Family : Pontederiaceae SANSKRIT :Plavaka, Ulpala, English : Water hyacinth Hindi : Plavakolpala Useful part : Whole plant. HABIT A rapidly spreading floating water plant. Leaves simple, in a whorl, rhomboid, petiole swells to form an air filled capsule, root are aeranchymatous hairy and long. Flowers in long terminal spike, violent-blue colored, showy. Fruits are cylindrical, contain many seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, swelling, goiter, burning sensation, hemorrhage, and general debility.

DESCRIPTION Local name Botanical name Family Sanskrit English Hindi

:Launkia : Monochoria hastata : Pontederiaceae (Pickerel weed family) :Nukha : Arrow Leaf Pondweed, arrow-leaf :Launkia

HABIT Arrow-leaf Pondweed is an emergent aquatic herb with stems approximately 0.7-1.2 m long. The basal leaves are arrow-shaped. The inflorescence of 25- 60 flowers is in a dense spike 6-9 cm long. The flowers are 13-16 mm long, purple or whitish. One anther is coloured blue, c. 6 mm long, the other 5 anthers are yellow and c. 4 mm long. The seed capsule is 7 mm long, and 5-6 mm diameter. This species occurs in India, Sri Lanka and SE Asia, extending to New Guinea and Australia. Arrow-leaf Pondweed is often grown as an ornamental in water gardens, and the entire plant except its roots is eaten in India. Flowering: March–June. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant is considered alterative, tonic and cooling. Juice of leaves is applied to boils. Rhizomes are powdered with charcoal and used for scurf.


: Gudmar : Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R.Br. : Asclepiadaceae :Ajasringi, Meshasringi, Madhunasini. : Periploca of the woods : Gud-mar, Merasingi : Whole plant

HABIT A large, woody climber. Leaves simple, opposite, elliptic, pointed at the end; flowers small, yellow in umbellate cymes, axillary; fruits slender, brownish follicles. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, hepato-splenomegaly, renal and vesical calculi, constipation, asthma and leukoderma.


: Vayavidanga : Embelia ribes Burm.f. : Myrsinaceae :Vidanga, Vilanga, Vella, Krimighna, Krimiripu : Wawrung, Embilia : Vayavidanga : Root, Leaves, Fruits.

HABIT A large semi climber shrub with long drooping branches. Leaves simple, alternate, elliptic or lanceolate, acuminate, entire, upper surface shiny; flowers greenish white seen in terminal or axillary lax panicled racemes; fruits grayish berries, become dark brown when ripe, containing single, globose seed. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, intestinal worms, skin diseases, nerviness weakness, flatulence, colic, constipation, cough, asthma, bronchitis, migraine, fever and general weakness.


: Dhusar : Euphorbia tirucalli Linn. : Euphorbiaceae :Snuhi, Samandadudga : Round Spurge : Sehunda, Dhusar : Latex, Root, Fruits

HABIT A shrub grows up to 9 meters in height. Stems are green colored, round and latex can be found everywhere. Leaves are very small, often leaves are absent in matured stems. Plant flowers very rarely. Flowers are greenish yellow. Fruits are capsule, 6-8 cm length. . MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, skin diseases, asthma, edema, toxin, asides and stomach distension. It pacifies vitiated blood.


: Dhahu : Artocarpus hirsutus Lam. : Moraceae : Lakucha, Likucha, Dahu, Adahu, Iravatam : Wild jack : Vadahar : Fruit, Leaves, Bark.

HABIT An evergreen, tall tree grows up to 75 meters in height. Leaves ovatelanceolate, stipulate and hairy; bark grayish brown; flowers are unisexual, male female flowers are seen in single tree; fruits globose, about 10 cm radius, covered with spines all around; seeds woody, small and are embedded in the yellow edible pulp. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata and pitta, anorexia, burning sensation and sexual weakness. Unripe fruit cause vitiation of tradeshow and rate, and cause indigestion and impotency. Ripe fruits are cooling, and aphrodisiac. Bark cures diarrhea, pimples and ulcers.

DESCRIPTION Local name : Kali musli Botanical name : Curculigo orchioides Family : Liliaceae (Lily family) Sanskrit : Syaha musli English : Orchid palm grass Hindi : Kali musli Useful part : Root HABIT Kali Musli is a herbaceous tuberous perennial with a short or elongate root stock bearing several fleshy lateral roots; Leaves sessile or petiolate 15-45x1.3-2.5 cm, linear or linear lanceolate, tips sometimes rooting, scape very short, clavate. It has hardy leaves and can take shade: the leaves will just get a bit longer in the shade than in full sun shine. During flowering period it open a golden yellow flower at the leaf base every day. This can form a cute miniature plant pot in your room. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES The rhizomes of the plants are used for the treatment of decline in strength, jaundice and asthma. According to Ayurveda, root is heating, aphrodisiac, alternative, appetizer, fattening and useful in treatment of piles, biliousness, fatigue, blood related disorders etc. According to Unman system of medicine, root is carminative, tonic, aphrodisiac, antipyretic and useful in bronchitis, ophthalmic, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, lumbago, gonorrhea, gleets, hydrophobia, joint pains etc.

DESCRIPTION Local name : Bansooran Botanical name : Amorphophallus dubius BI (A.sylvaticus Kunth) Family : Araceae SANSKRIT :Vanasoorana, Vajrakanta, Kanana kanda English : Wild yam. Hindi : Vansooran, Bansooran Useful part : Corms. HABIT A perennial erect herb with hemispherical underground corm. Leaves compound, large, single, stout petioles; leaflets or variable size, male and female flower are in single inflorescence, covered with wide, pointed spathe; fruits berries, bright red when ripe, containing 2-3 small seeds. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, hemorrhoids, hemorrhage, arthritis, inflammation, vomiting, cough, anorexia, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, sexual weakness and general debility.


: Kakamari : Anamirta cocculus (Linn.) Wight & Arn. : Menispermaceae :Garalaphala, Kakamari : Levant berry, Fish berry : Kakamari : Fruits, Leaves.

HABIT A large woody climber grows spreading over large trees. Leaves simple, alternate, long petioled, ovate, cordate; flowers greenish in long panicles, arises from the nodes of old stem. Fruits drupes, globes, white and turns dark purple when ripe. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, ulcer, inflammation, chronic skin diseases, bronchitis, cough and used for rapid evolution of uterus.


: Bakul : Mimusops elengi Linn. : Sapotaceae :Bakula, Gandhapushpa : Bullet-wood tree : Bakul, Maulsiri : Bark, Flower Fruits, Seeds.

HABIT A moderate sized evergreen tree grows up to 15 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, oblong, acute or acuminate, glabrous, leathery and wavy margins; flowers gray colored, very fragrant, found as solitary in leaf axils. Fruits ovoid berries, containing 1-2 seeds per fruit. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, urinary tract infections, diarrhea, dysentery, wound, ulcers, headache, dental caries and constipation.

DESCRIPTION Local name :chota dhatura Botanical name : Xanthium strumarium Family : Asteraceae Sanskrit : arishta English : Common Cocklebur, broad bur, burdock datura, Hindi : chota dhatura, chota gokhuru, ghaghra HABIT All of us have known this plant from our childhood. One can’t miss it when the seeds are ripe. The fruits are covered with numerous hooks and kids have fun throwing it at people and sticking it to their woolen clothing. The plant has large and broad leaves, light and bright green in color in an alternate pattern with irregular lobes and relatively inconspicuous teeth. Stems turn maroon to black when mature, with an elliptic or egg shaped fruit clusters growing nestled around the stem. Common Cocklebur is an annual herb with a short, stout, hairy stem. Flower heads occur in racemes in leaf axils or at the end of branches. The flowers are white or green, numerous, male upper most, female ovoid, covered with hooked bristles. Fruit is bovid, enclosed in the hardened involucres, with 2 hooked beaks and hooked bristles. Flowering: August-September. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES The whole plant, specially root and fruit, is used as medicine. According to Ayurveda, X. strumarium is cooling, laxative, fattening, anathematic, tonic, digestive, antipyretic, and improves appetite, voice, complexion, and memory. It cures, poisonous bites of insects.


:Barna : Crataeva magna (Lour.) DC. : Capparaceae :Varuna, Pasugandha, Asmarighna, Tikta : Three-leaved caper : Barun,Barna : Leaves, Bark

HABIT A deciduous tree grows up to 7-9 m. height, leaves compound, 3-foliate, leaflets ovate, 5-13 cm long, flowers large, greenish white, polygamous, in dense terminal corymbs, stamens are longer than the petals, fruits fleshy, ovoid berry, seeds are embedded in pulp MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, renal and vesicle calculi, asthma and bronchitis.


:Motha : Cyperus rotundus Linn. : Cyperaceae :Musta, Varida, Mustaka, Khana, Kuruvinda : Nut grass, Coco grass : Nagarmotha, Motha : Root tuber.

HABIT A perennial grass grows up to 30 cm of height. Leaves crowded in the base, about 10-20 cm long, linear, acuminate, flat, one nerved; spikelets in compound umbels. Nut grayish black colored. MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, diarrhea, indigestion, anorexia, fever, and urinary retention. Increases and purifies breast milk.

Medical Plants-India

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