Author: Hakeem Hashmi
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…
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…