HERBAL PLANTS

Herbal plants are the most

important part of our life. Any plant organ such as root,

stem, leaves, flower, fruit are used in some medicinal, culinary, or fragrant properties.

A herb is a plant that is valued for qualities such as medicinal properties, flavor, scent, or the extracts .

Some Herbal Plants

English name : sour lime Ayurveda name : Ambul Dodam Scientific name : citrus aurantium

Curative Properties The mature fruit is used with pepper and rock salt as a throat swab on inflamed tonsils to draw out phlegm. The juice mixed with sugar of Barossa's flabelliferm and sugar cane juice is given for chronic cough and asthma

English name : pellitory Ayurveda name : akkrapatta Scientific name :anacyeluspy rethrum

Curative Properties A paste of the root is applied to boils, sores and framboesia, with beneficial results. In Sri Lanka, it is used as an important ingredient in decoctions given in typhoid fever, convulsions in children, rheumatism, skin eruptions due to impurities in the blood, bronchial diseases, sexual debility and also leucoderma. 

English name : amukkara ala Ayurveda name : amukkara ala Scientific name : withania somnifera

Curative Properties The powdered root is taken as an aphrodisiac for consumption. A special preparation is made along with other drugs for treating insanity, apoplexy and nervous diseases. The plant has milk coagulating properties and can be used for cheese - making. It is also an insecticide. 

English name : deodar bark Ayurvedic name : devadara Scientific name : cedrus deodara

Curative Properties The bark is astringent and is used for fever, diarrhoea and dysentery. The oil from this plant is used for skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. The stem acts as an aromatic stomachic and carminative, stimulating the appetite and improving the digestion and is useful in anorexia, acute and chronic dyspesia and flatulence.

English name : elephant apple Ayurvedic name : divulo pothu Scientific name : feronia limonia

Curative Properties The bark is prescribed for biliousness and all parts of the plant are used to cure snakebites. The ripe fruit is eaten with sugar or honey as a custard. 

English name : egg plant Ayurvedic name : elabatu Scientific name : solanum surattense

Curative Properties This plant is employed for cough, asthma and pains. The plant is credited with diuretic properties and is used to cure dropsy. The root of this plant is used for various lung ailments, diarrhoea, cough and rheumatism. The fruit is cooked and eaten as a vegetable. 

English name : Indian coral tree Ayurvedic name : erabadu mul Scientific name : erithrina variegata

Curative Properties The fresh bark and leaves are ground into a paste with water and is applied on glandular swellings and local inflammations of the skin. Internally they act an as an expectorant and is useful in chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma.

English name : Indian kino tree stem Ayurvedic name : gammalu aratu Scientific name : Pterocarpus marsupiun

Curative Properties The bark of this plant is used as an astringent and for toothaches. The water extract of the bark contains an active principle, (-) epi -catechin which increases the CAMP content of the islets which is associated with the increased insulin release, conversion of pro insulin to insulin and cathepsin B activity. 

English name : zedoary rhizome Ayurvedic name : haranakaha Scientific name : Curcuma zedoariaCurative Properties This plant is applied externally on wounds, ulcers, sprains and certain types of dermatitis. The rhizome is supposed to check leucorrhoel and gonorrhoeal discharges and acts as a purifier of blood.

English name : aspargous rhizome Ayurvedic name : hathavariya ala Scientific name : Asparagous falcatus

Curative Properties This plant has been used as a demulcent, diuretic, aphrodisiac, and galactogouge.  

English name : malabar cardamom

Ayurvedic name : heen ensal Scientific name : Elettaria repensCurative Properties An aromatic carminative, stimulant stomachic. The seed is diuretic and is used to relieve the retention of urine. 

English name : kaempferiaAyurvedic name : inguru piyaliScientific name :Kaempferia galanga

Curative Properties This plant acts as a stimulant, carminative and diuretic. A lotion prepared with the rhizome is used to remove dandruff or scales from the head.

English name : Indian sarsaparillAyurvedic name : IramusuScientific name : Hemidesmus indicus

Curative Properties The drug has long enjoyed a reputation as a tonic, alterative, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic and blood purifier. It is employed in nutritional disorders, syphilis, chronic rheumatism, gravel and other urinary diseases and skin affections. It is administered in the form of a powder, infusion or decoction. 

English name : black cumin seedAyurvedic name : kaluduruScientific name : carum carvi

Curative PropertiesThe fruit of this herb is a carminative and stimulant.

English name : clove tree flowerAyurvedic name : karabu netiScientific name : Eugenia caryophyllata

Curative PropertiesThis plant is regarded as a carminative, stomachic and stimulant.

English name : prickly chaff treeAyurvedic name : karalhebaScientific name : Achyranthes aspera

Curative PropertiesThe plant is much valued in indigenous medicine. It is reported to be pungent, astrigent, pectoral and diuretic. It is used as an emmenagogue, in piles and skin eruptions.

English name : halarrhena seedAyurvedic name : kelinda salScientific name : Holarrhena mitis

Curative Properties The seeds are used as a blood purifier.

English name : kapetiAyurvedic name : kapetiyaScientific name : Croton lacciferus

Curative Properties It is used medicinally in the preparation of medicinal oils and the pills of the plant are used in the treatment of fever, cold, dysentery and lung diseases including tuberculosis. The root is used for the preparation of pills given for chronic fevers.

English name : aloeAyurvedic name : komarikaScientific name : Aloe vera

Curative Properties This plant is used for constipation, dyspepsia, cough, asthma, nervous diseases, glandular enlargements of the spleen, piles, colic and various types of dropsy. The fresh juice of the leaves is cathartic and cooling. It is used for various eye diseases. The dried juice is often applied with lime juice for reducing swellings and promoting granulation in ulcers.

English name : cinnamonAyurvedic name :kurundu pothu Scientific name : Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Curative Properties The oil is a rubefacient and is a useful application for acute and chronic rheumatism, and is used for decoction and other medicinal preparations. It is also used as a spice.

English name : blue water lilyAyurvedic name : manel alaScientific name : Nymphaea stellata Curative Properties The stem of this herb is considered to be an emollient and diuretic. It is taken for diseases of the urinary tract. The starchy rhizomes are roasted and eaten.

English name : Indian lotus flower stamensAyurvedic name : nelum renuScientific name : Nelumbo nucifera

Curative Properties The stamens of the flowers are used for bleeding piles and debility and weakness in children as well as for skin diseases. The rhizome is frequently used as a vegetable and the seeds divested of their testa are roasted or ground into flour and eaten.

English name : nilavariyaAyurvedic name : nil avariyaScientific name : Indigofera tinctoria

Curative Properties An extract of the plant is used in epilepsy and nervous disorders. The plant is also used in bronchitis and as an ointment for sores, old ulcers and haemorrhoids.

English name : Indian liquorice Ayurvedic name : olindaScientific name : Abrus precatorious

Curative Properties This plant is used to cure itching and sores and wounds caused by dog, cat and rat bites. It is also taken for leucoderma along with other ingredients.

English name : Indian pellet shrub rootAyurvedic name : pawatta mulScientific name : Pawatta indica

Curative Properties The fresh roots, bark and leaves are bruised and applied to wounds and given internally in the form of a decoction. The juice of the leaves are used for diarrhoea, dysentery, and cough.

English name : blak papperAyurvedic name : pepperScientific name : Piper nigrum

Curative Properties This plant is stomachic and carminative. It induces secretion of bile and has been used successfully to stop vomiting caused by cholera. It is an antidote for shellfish and mushroom poisoning. It is applied externally as a rubefacient and counter-irritant. A liniment prepared from the plant is useful for chronic rheumatism.

English name : Indian pellet shrub rootAyurvedic name : pawatta mulScientific name : Pawatta indicaCurative Properties The fresh roots, bark and leaves are bruised and applied to wounds and given internally in the form of a decoction. The juice of the leaves are used for diarrhoea, dysentery, and cough.

English name : tanners cassia flowers

Ayurvedic name : ranawara malScientific name : cassia auriculataCurative Properties The root of this plant is used in a decoction for fevers, diabetes, diseases of the urinary system and constipation. The leaves have laxative properties. The dried flower and flower buds are used as substitute.

English name : camphorAyurvedic name : kapuruScientific name : Cinnamomum camphora

Curative Properties Camphor has a wide range of medicinal uses. It is applied externally to the skin. Camphor acts as a rubefacient, counter-irritant and local anodyne. It is also a mild antiseptic.

English name : citronellaAyurvedic name :pangiriScientific name : Cymbopogon nardus

Curative Properties This plant is applied externally to provide relief from inflammation and toothaches. It is also used to reduce redness of irritated skin. It also acts as a mosquito repellent.

English name : Indian pennywortAyurvedic name : gotukolaScientific name : Centella asiatica

Curative Properties This herb is said to lower blood pressure and is often referred to as a rejuvenating medicament. It is believed to purify the blood and cure indigestion, nervousness and dysentery. The leaves are dried, powdered and taken with milk to improve memory.

English name : acalypha indicaAyurvedic name : kuppameniyaScientific name : Acalpha indica

Curative Properties The leaves possess laxative powers. A fresh juice from the leaves is given for asthma and bronchitis.

English name : fetid cassiaAyurvedic name : pethi toraScientific name : Cassia toraCurative Properties The leaves are laxative and are useful in habitual constipation and haemorrhoids. The entire plant is used to prepare a decoction, which is given as a vermifuge and purgative.

English name : withania somniferaAyurvedic name : ashwaganda Scientific name : Withania somnifera

Curative Properties The root of this plant is a tonic, alternative aphrodisiac and used in consumption, debility due to all age and rheumatism.

English name : JasmineAyurvedic name : saman pichalaScientific name : Jasminum grandiflorum

Curative Properties The leaves are a remedy for skin diseases, mouth ulcers and toothaches. The fresh juice of the leaves is applied to soften corns. The flowers mascerated in water and left overnight are used as an eyewash and an infusion of the flowers is used for cosmetic purposes. The flower buds are used to make garlands.

English name : Jack fruit treeAyurvedic name : KossScientific name : Artoarpus heterophyllus

Curative Properties The tender leaves of the Jack tree when minced fine and roasted with scraped coconut is a specific for insomnia. The juice of the tender fruit is mixed with coconut milk and jiggery to prepare a miraculous antidote for narcotic poisoning. The leaves are used in skin diseases and the root is used to treat diarrhoea and fever.

THANK YOUDONE BY : GRADE 10 (2013)