Author: Hakeem Hashmi
Latin name : Santalum album Santalaceae Sanskrit/Indian name : Chandana, Ananditam, Taliaparnam, Safed-chandan, Chandan Urdu Name : Sandal Safed General information : Sandal Tree, revered for its fragrance, is often used in perfumes. The tree also has sacred significance in Hinduism, where Sandalwood paste is adorned on deities and Sandal incense is offered during prayers. Sandal Tree yields an essential oil, which has a host of therapeutic properties. It possesses cooling, antipyretic, expectorant, astringent and stimulant properties. Therapeutic constituents : The active therapeutic constituent of Sandalwood oil is santalol, which gives the tree its therapeutic benefits. Key therapeutic benefits…
Latin name : Shorea robusta Sanskrit/Indian name : Shala Urdu name : Ral, Safed dammar General information : Sal Tree is commonly found in all parts of India. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the tree has sacred significance and is worshipped on special days. The resin of the tree has astringent properties, which are beneficial in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery. It is also an important ingredient in herbal ointments for skin diseases and ear ailments. Therapeutic constituents : The resin of the Sal Tree has an oleoresin, which contains triterpenoids, the derivatives of ursonic, oleanane and a triterpene…
Latin name : Orchis latifolia Sanskrit/Indian name : Salabmisri Urdu Name : Salab Misri, Khusyatus Salab General information : Legend has it that witches administered a drink made from the fresh tubers of Salep Orchid to promote true love and a drink brewed with its withered tubers to cure lovesickness! In Ayurveda, Salep Orchid has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac and a nervine tonic. Therapeutic constituents : The tubers of Salep Orchid contain bitter principals and a volatile oil, which give the flower its key therapeutic properties. Key therapeutic benefits : As an aphrodisiac, Salep Orchid is beneficial in…
Latin name : Crocus sativus Linn. (Iridaceae) Sanskrit/Indian name : Kumkuma, Kashmira, Kesar, Zafran Urdu Name : Zafran General information : Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world. Revered for its flavor and color, the herb is an important culinary ingredient in Middle Eastern, Spanish and Indian cuisine. Native to Southern Europe, Saffron is cultivated in Spain, Italy, France and Iran. Saffron has a number of therapeutic benefits. It rejuvenates the skin and is beneficial in treating respiratory conditions. The herb can also be used as a nervine sedative and as an emmenagogue. Therapeutic constituents…
Latin name : Rosmarinus officinalis Sanskrit/Indian name : Rusmari General information : Rosemary is a popular culinary herb used to flavor food. Its distinct aroma has been used in medicines and perfumes for centuries. Rosemary has muscle relaxant and calming properties, which relieve anxiety and tension. It is also an an excellent skin rejuvenative. Rosemary is used to treat dandruff, premature balding and other scalp infections. An exotic leafy evergreen shrub, Rosemary is cultivated in gardens for its pleasantly fragrant leaves. Therapeutic constituents : The phenolic fraction, isolated from Rosemary leaves shows antioxidant and astringent activity. In addition, the…
Latin name : Tecomella undullata/Tecoma stan/Bignonia undulata Sanskrit/Indian name : Rohi, Rohitaka General information : The Rohida Tree’s Sanskrit name, Rohitaka, means ‘the healer’, which refers to the herb’s therapeutic benefits. The tree’s extracts are known to be useful in healing liver and spleen ailments, superficial wounds and blood disorders. Therapeutic constituents : The bark of the Rohida Tree contains tecomin (veratryl beta-D-glucoside), alkanes, alkanols and beta-sitosterols, which denote its pharmacological benefits. Key therapeutic benefits : Rohida Tree extracts are beneficial in treating liver and spleen diseases. The herb promotes wound healing and detoxifies the blood.
Latin name : Rauwolfia serpentine (Apocynaceae) Benth. ex kurz. Sanskrit/Indian name : Sarpagandha Urdu Name : Asraul General information : The Sanskrit name for Rauwolfia, Sarpagandha, means ‘smelling like a snake’, which refers to the herb’s strong odor. The herb has a number of therapeutic benefits and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Rauwolfia is a central nervous system stimulant and also an anti-hypertensive. Its roots are known to treat intestinal disorders and also stimulate uterine contractions. A number of different species of the Rauwolfia plant are found all over India. Therapeutic constituents : Reserpine is the principal…
Latin name : Vernonia cinerea Less. (Asteraceae) Sanskrit/Indian name : Sahadevi General information : Purple Fleabane, found all throughout India, is a plant with a host of medicinal benefits. It is primarily a febrifuge, which brings down fever and a diaphoretic that eliminates toxins by inducing sweating. Purple Fleabane also reduces bladder spasms, purifies blood and is recommended for treating colic. Therapeutic constituents : Triterpenes are the major constituent of the herb, which give the herb its therapeutic properties. Key therapeutic benefits : Purple Fleabane is beneficial in treating intestinal disorders like diarrhea, stomach spasms and colic. The herb also…
Latin name : Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae) Sanskrit/Indian name : Apamarga, Latjira Urdu Name : Charchitah, Khardar-Guna, Pathkanda General information : The many therapeutic benefits of Prickly Chaff Flower have been documented in Indian and Chinese medicinal manuscripts. According to Ayurveda, it is bitter, pungent, heating, a laxative, a stomachic, a carminative and useful for the treatment of vomiting, bronchitis, heart disease, piles, itching, abdominal pains, ascites, dyspepsia, dysentery and blood diseases (Flora of the Indian Desert, M.M. Bhandari. 287-88. 1990). Therapeutic constituents : The whole plant contains the alkaloids achyranthine and betaine. Achyranthine, a water-soluble alkaloid, is reported…
Latin name : Punica granatum Sanskrit/Indian name : Dadima Urdu Name : Anar (Fruit), Gulnar Farsi (Flower) General information : Pomegranate is grown all over India and generally cultivated in the last quarter of the year. The seeds of Pomegranate are a source of many essential nutrients. When eaten, the seeds leave a cooling effect in the abdomen and purify blood. Full of sucrose and glucose, Pomegranate juice is a thirst quencher and energy booster. Studies have claimed that the fruit also possesses cardiotonic properties, maintaining overall heart health. Therapeutic constituents : Pomegranate contains nutrients like protein, carbohydrate, fat…