Author: Hakeem Hashmi
Latin name : Viola odorata Linn. (Violaceae) Sanskrit/Indian name : Neelapushpa, Banafshah Urdu Name : Berge Banafsha (Leaf), Gul Banafsha (Flower) General information : Sweet Violet is an important ingredient in herbal compositions for treating cold and cough. The German Commission E and The British Herbal Pharmacopeia document the traditional use of Sweet Violet for pulmonary infections and as an expectorant for the respiratory tract ailments. Therapeutic constituents : The leaves of Sweet Violet contain the active components friedelin and beta-sitosterol, which give the plant its expectorant properties. Key therapeutic benefits : Sweet Violet is beneficial in the treatment…
Latin name : Wrightia tinctoria Sanskrit/Indian name : Stri kutaja, Hyamaraka Urdu Name : Indarjao Shirin General information : Sweet Indrajao is a small, deciduous tree, which is found in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh. A poultice made from the leaves, which has astringent, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, is effective in treating various skin disorders. It is also a potent antidandruff agent, which is beneficial in treating scalp disorders. Therapeutic constituents : The leaves of Sweet Indrajao contain beta-amyrin and glucoside, which give the plant its skin-healing properties. Key therapeutic benefits : Sweet Indrajao…
Latin name : Helianthus annus Sanskrit/Indian name : Adityabhakta Urdu name : Surajmukhi General information : Sunflowers, which are revered for their nutritious seeds, are cultivated annually all over India. The essential oil extracted from Sunflower seeds is rich in minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. The oil is a cardioprotective, which promotes heart health. The oil is typically used in Indian cuisine. Therapeutic constituents : Sunflower oil contains vitamin E, phenolic acid, arginine, betaine and lignans, which are cardioprotective agents. Key therapeutic benefits : Lignans, active therapeutic constituents present in Sunflower, lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the…
Latin name : Parmelia perlata Sanskrit/Indian name : Shaileyam Urdu Name : Charila General information : Stone Flowers are lichens growing in rosettes or spreading irregularly over the substratum, which gives the appearance of a flower. It is mainly composed of fungal mycelia, which forms a network enclosing algal cells. The plant has astringent, bitter, acrid, cooling, anti-inflammatory and aphrodisiac properties. Therapeutic constituents : Usnic acid is the key active component of Stone Flowers, which have antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Key therapeutic benefits : Stone Flowers are an important ingredient in herbal compositions for the treatment of seminal weakness and…
Latin name : Boerhaavia diffusa Linn., Boerhaavia repens Linn. (Nyctaginaceae) Sanskrit/Indian name : Punarnava, Shothagni Rakta punarnava, Lal Punarnava, Santh Urdu Name : Punarnava Surkh General information : Spreading Hogweed has been used in the Indian tribal community for centuries as a therapeutic herb. It has many ethnobotanical uses. The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. The root juice is used to treat asthma, urinary disorders, leukorrhea, rheumatism and encephalitis. In addition, the plant has many antimicrobial properties. Therapeutic constituents : The flavonoid arbinofuranoside, present in Spreading Hogweed, lowers serum uric acid, which is helpful in treating urogenital disorders.…
Latin name : Mentha spicata Sanskrit/Indian name : Pahari Putida, Putiha Urdu name : paudina General information : Spearmint, which contains vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients, has a number of health benefits. The herb is a stimulant, carminative and antispasmodic. A sweetened infusion of the herb is administered in infantile colic, vomiting in pregnancy and hysteria. The leaves are used in fevers and bronchitis. Spearmint oil is a counter-irritant. Therapeutic constituents : The chief constituents of the essential oil of Spearmint are carvone and limonene, which give the herb its therapeutic properties. Key therapeutic benefits : As a carminative, Spearmint…
Latin name : Anacyclus pyrethrum DC (Asteraceae), A. officinarum Hayne Sanskrit/Indian name : Akarakarabha, Akarkara Urdu Name : Aqarqarah General information : Spanish Pellitory, a slightly aromatic herb, is revered for its pain-relieving properties. The herb is also recommended for the treatment of male sexual weakness or debility. Therapeutic constituents : The root of Spanish Pellitory contains anacycline, isobutylamide, inulin and a trace of essential oil, which gives the herb its rubefacient and stimulant properties. Key therapeutic benefits : As an analgesic, the root of Spanish Pellitory is beneficial in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and toothache. It is…
Latin name : Jasminum grandiflorum Linn. (Oleaceae), J. grandiflorum forma grandiflorum (L.) Kobuski., Grandiflorum Bailey J.officinale L. var. Sanskrit/Indian name : Jati General information : Spanish Jasmine is commercially grown for its fragrant flowers and essential oil. Jasmine flowers are used in garlands, strung into decorative wreaths for hair adornment and for religious offering to deities in Hinduism. The oil is used in perfumes and hair oils. Therapeutic constituents : The main components of the essential oil of Spanish Jasmine are benzyl acetate, jasmone and methyl jasmonate, which give the flower its fragrance. Key therapeutic benefits : Spanish Jasmine…
Latin name : Sapindus trifoliatus Sanskrit/Indian name : Arishta, Phenila Urdu name : Phenil, Reetha General information : Soap Nut Tree of South India is a deciduous tree commonly found in the Southern states of India. Due to its astringent, antimicrobial and antifungal properties, it is used to treat skin and scalp disorders. Therapeutic constituents : The pericarp of Soap Nut Tree of South India contains two new triterpenoid saponins, emarginatoside-B and emarginatoside-C, which possess tonic and astringent properties. Key therapeutic benefits : Soap Nut Tree of South India is an excellent hair tonic and thus, is a popular ingredient…
Latin name : Sapindus mukorossi Sapindaceae Sanskrit/Indian name : Arishta, Phenila Urdu name : phenil, Reetha General information : Soap Nut Tree of North India, native to China and Japan, is found in the Himalayas and the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. From being used by jewellers to shine ornaments to being used to wash shawls, Soap Nut Tree of North India has been revered as cleanser. It is also an ingredient in shampoos and conditioners. Therapeutic constituents : Saponin A and C and sapindoside A and B, extracted from the rind of the Soap Nut Tree fruit, exhibits…