Author: Hakeem Hashmi
Latin name : Pistacia vera Sanskrit/Indian name : Mukulaka Urdu Name : Pista General information : Pistachio is an extremely nutritious nut, which has been wildly used in desserts in South East Asia. Amongst its many therapeutic benefits, pistachios are an excellent source of dietary fiber. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines Committee recommends a dietary fiber intake of about 14 grams per 1,000 calories, but consumption studies have indicated that Americans typically consume only half of the recommended amount. As a good source of fiber, Pistachios can help meet this goal, providing 12% of the daily requirement per serving. Extremely low…
Latin name : Rosa damascene, Rosa centifolia Sanskrit/Indian name : Satapatri, Satapatrika Urdu Name : Gulab General information : Identified by its pleasing aroma, Persian Rose was introduced to the Middle East more than 800 years ago. Persian Rose water and oil have a number of therapeutic benefits that have been documented in various medicinal Middle Eastern texts. Persian Rose water is a used in beauty treatments as it hydrates, softens and promotes skin healing. Recent studies have shown that Persian Rose oil is beneficial in delaying premature skin aging. Therapeutic constituents : Persian Rose water is rich in flavonoids…
Latin name : Mentha piperata Sanskrit/Indian name : Paparaminta Urdu Name : Peepermint General information : Known for its strong aroma which is used to flavor condiments, teas and desserts, Peppermint is listed in The Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America. The essential oil of Peppermint has many therapeutic benefits. It has aromatic, stimulant, stomachic and carminative properties and is used for allaying nausea, flatulence and vomiting. Therapeutic constituents : The herb is the source of true Peppermint oil. The oil contains menthol, menthyl acetate, menthone and small amounts of pinene, phellandrene, l-limonene, terpinene, cadinene, cineole, amyl alcohol,…
Latin name : Cyperus scariosus R. Br. (Cyperaceae) Sanskrit/Indian name : Nagaramustaka, Bhadramusta, Naggarmutha Urdu name : Nagarmotha, Sadkofi General information : Umbrella’s Edge is found in the damp areas of Uttar Pradesh, as well as the Eastern and Southern parts of India. Its roots are used to make perfume and in aromatherapy. The herb’s tubers are credited with astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, desiccant, cordial and stomachic properties. Therapeutic constituents : The tuber of Umbrella’s Edge contains an essential oil, which gives the herb its aroma. Key therapeutic benefits : An herbal formulation made from the rhizome of Umbrella’s Edge is…
Latin Name : Cyperus rotundus Linn. (Cyperaceae) Sanskrit/Indian name : Musta Urdu Name : Sad Kufi General information : Nut Grass has a long history of medicinal use in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Its benefits have been documented in the Charaka Samhita, one of Ayurveda’s prime texts. The herb also features heavily in medicinal texts of Chinese Traditional Medicine (CTM). In CTM, Nut Grass is credited with the ability to restore ‘qi’, the natural patterns in which the body functions. Nut Grass is used to treat digestive disorders, menstrual irregularity and nausea. It also promotes liver detoxification and…
Latin name : Achillea millefolium Linn. (Asteraceae) Sanskrit/Indian name : Biranjasipha, Gandana Urdu name : Tukhm gandana General information : Yarrow, found in the Western Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon, is revered for its healing properties. It is said that the herb’s Latin name, Achillea millefolium dates back to the mythical figure Achilles, who used the herb for healing wounds. Yarrow is a potent styptic, which stops bleeding and heals skin quickly. It is often used in herbal remedies designed to treat heavy bleeding from menstrual periods to bleeding ulcers. TheGerman Commission E recommends Yarrow in dyspeptic ailments like…
Latin Name : Mentha arvensis Linn. (Lamiaceae) Sanskrit/Indian name : Pudina, Putiha Urdu Name : Pudina General information : Mint has been enjoyed in teas and has been used to flavor food in the Middle East, India and Europe. During the Middle Ages, powdered Mint leaves were used to whiten teeth. Mint tea is a strong diuretic, and its aroma is used as a mild decongestant for illnesses such as the common cold. Therapeutic constituents : Menthol is the most important constituent of Mint, which renders the herb its pharmacological properties. Key therapeutic benefits : Mint soothes the digestive…
Latin Name : Origanum marjorana Sanskrit/Indian name : Marubaka Urdu name : marwa, marzanjosh General information : Marjoram is an extremely popular Mediterranean herb that is often used in cooking. The herb, which has a mildly pungent taste, is revered for its medicinal benefits. On topical application, a Marjoram poultice is helpful in healing bruises and sprains. The herb is reported to contain anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties as well. Therapeutic constituents : Marjoram is rich in vitamins A, C and K as well as minerals like iron. Eugenol, the principal constituent of the herb, fights against the enzyme…
Latin Name : Mangifera indica Sanskrit/Indian name : Amra, Chuta Urdu mane : Aam, Amba, Amchur (powder) General information : Mango, often referred to as ‘the king of fruit’, is eaten during the summer months in India, just before the monsoon. The fruit and its leaves are considered auspicious in Hinduism, in which they are ritually offered to deities. Mango also has many therapeutic benefits. It improves digestion, treats acne, lowers cholesterol, fights diabetes and heart disease. The bio-active elements present in Mango, such as esters, terpenes and aldehydes, facilitate digestion. Mango is also rich in vitamins C, E, minerals…
Latin Name : Adhatoda zeylanica Medic., Adhatoda vasica Nees (Acanthaceae) Sanskrit/Indian name : Vasa, Shwetavasa, Vasaka, Arusa, Bansa Urdu Name : Berge Arusa, Berge Adusa, Berge Bansa General information : Malabar Nut Tree is well-known in Ayurveda as a treatment for respiratory ailments, particularly as an expectorant in bronchitis. The leaves, flowers, fruits and roots are used extensively for treating cold, cough, whooping cough, chronic bronchitis and asthma. Therapeutic constituents : Malabar Nut contains the pyrroquinazoline alkaloids, including vasicine, vasicol and vasinone along with other minor constituents. The alkaloids present in the plant show significant protection against allergen-induced bronchial…