Description:

The plant is erect, bending at the summit and pointed, hollow between joints, branches, alternate, thorns 2 or 3 alternate on the joints, leaves sheathing, linear, lanceolate. The plant grows quite tall and is ornamental

Characteristics and Constituents :

Vansalochanam contains silica 90% or silicon as hydrate of silicic acid, peroxide of iron, potash, lime, aiumina, vegetable matter. The grains of the plant contain water 11.0%, starch 73.1%, albuminoids 11.86%, fibre 1.7% and ash 1.2%. The young shoots containing cyanogenic glyposide arepoisonous.The glycoside is hydrolysed by an enzyme also present in the shoots when they are cut and soaked in water.

Actions and Uses :

Not much experimental work has been carried out on the plant.The young shoots contain 0.3 per cent hydrocyanic acid and are lethal to mosquito larvae. Vansalochanam is used clinically for the treatment of praincha and given in combination with other drugs, relieves burning sensation. It is also useful to children with cough and asthma. A decoction of bamboo joints is said to increase the flow of lochia after delivery. The juice of leaves'with aromatics is given in haematemesis; older and dried stems of bamboo are used as splints in fracture, young shoots of the bamboo made into poultice is an efficacious application for dislodgement of worms from ulcers of cattle, the juice is poured on the vermin and the liquid mass applied and secured by a bandage. Vansalochanam is a stimulant and a tonic used in asthma, tuberculosis, jaundice, leprosy, anaemia and other vata rogas. In combination with other astringent medicines it is also given in chronic dysentery and internal haemorrhage.Sitopaladi churna is given in tuberculosis with honey. In urinary retention vansalochanam is used with rice water and sugar. One quarter of an ounce of raw shoots or a slightly larger amount, when insufficiently cooked can cause death. The young shoots contain 0.3 per cent hydrocyanic acid. Chronic intake of cyanogenic alkaloids can lead to tropical ataxia due to neuropathy.

Description:

Tarragon is probably native of southern Europe or the steppes of Asia. Historians believe that tarragon reached Europe brought into Spain by invading Mongols. Tarragon is widely used as a herb in cooking. In French, it is sometimes known as herbe au dragon, because of its reputed ability to cure serpent bites. While tarragon stimulates the digestion, it is reputed to be a mild sedative and has been taken to aid sleep. With its mild menstruation-inducing properties, it is taken if periods are delayed. The root has traditionally been applied to aching teeth.

Main Properties:

Anti-inflammatory, digestive.

Description:

The olive was probably first cultivated in Crete in around 3500 BC. The leaves have been used since those times to clean wounds. Olive leaves lower blood pressure and help to improve the function of the circulatory system. They are also mildly diuretic and may be used to treat conditions such as cystitis. Possessing some ability to lower blood sugar levels, the leaves have been taken for diabetes. The oil is nourishing and improves the balance of fats within the blood. It is traditionally taken with lemon juice in teaspoonful doses to treat gallstones. The oil has a generally protective action on the digestive tract and is useful for dry skin. Externally, it is a good, although sticky, carrier oil for essential oils.

Main Properties:


Digestive, diuretic, anti-inflammatory.

Description:

Native to Malaysia and the Philippines, Patchouli is now cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. Patchouli has been used extensively in Asian medicine, apperaring in the Chinese, Indian and Arabic traditions. The oil is widely employed as a fragrance and, in India, as an insect repellent. Patchouli is used in herbal medicine in Asia as an aphrodisiac, antidepressant and antiseptic. It is also employed for headaches and fever. Patchouli essential oil is used in aromatherapy to treat skin complaints. It is thought to have a regenerative effect on skin tone and to help clear conditions such as eczema and acne. The oil may also be used for varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Main Properties :

Antiseptic, aromatic, antidepressant.

Margosic acid, nimbin, nimbinin, nimbidin

Margosin, a crystalline principle, and tannic acid.

Action & Uses :

Bitter tonic, astringent, antipergative, antiseptic used in ulcers and eczema, skin diseases and in rheumatism.

The oil obtained from the fruit is used for burning, that from the bark is used medicinally and is anthelmintic and emetic; it is applied externally for rheumatism. The decoction of Azadirachta is said to be cathartic and in large doses slightly narcotic. It is a stomachic and taps it for toddy. An ointment to destroy lice is made from the pulp and is also used for scald head and other skin diseases. It is useful for cramps, obstinate ulcers, etc.

Description:

Native to the Mediterrenean region, bay laurel is know cultivated all over the world. Bay laurel was sacred to the gods Apollo and Aesculapius, who together oversaw healing and medicine. The herb was thought to be greatly protective and healing. An infusion of the leaves was taken for its warming and tonic effect on the stomach and bladder, and a plaster made from the leaves was used to relieve wasp and bee stings. Bay laurel is used mainly to treat upper digestive tract disorders and to ease arthritic aches and pains. It is settling to the stomach and has a tonic effect, stimulating the appetite and the secretion of stive juices.

Chamomile grows wild in Europe and west Asia. Related species are found in North America and Africa. Its flowers help to ease indigestion, nervousness, depressions and headaches, being ideal for emotion related problems such as peptic ulcers, colitis, spastic colon and nervous indigestion.Chamomile's essential oil have anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and anti-microbial activity. It is an excellent herb for many digestive disorders and for nervous tension and irritability.Externally, it is used for sore skin and eczema. Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a close relation, used in a similar way.

MAIN PROPERTIES : Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, relaxant, carminative, bitter, nervine.

Description:

Trigonella foenum-graecum has long stalked leaves up to 5 cm long stipules triangular, lanceolate, leaflets about 2.5 cms long, obovate to obanceolate. Flowers 1-2, axillary, sessile, racemed, whitish or lemon yellow. Pod 5.7 cms long with a persistent beak, hairy with 10-20 seeds.

Characteristics and Constituents :

The plant contains a number of steroidal sapogenins, specially diosgenin found in the oily embryo. Two furastanol glycosides, F-ring opened precursors of diosgenin have been reported, as also hederagin glycosides. The alkaloid trigonelline, trigocoumarin, trimethyl coumarin and nicotinic acid are also present. Mucilage is a prominent constituent of the seeds.

Actions and Uses :

This plant has been mentioned in early literature as a hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory agent. Its effect as an oral hypoglycemic has been evaluated. In rats trigonelline counteracts the hyperglycemic effect of cortisone given 2 hours before or simultaneously. Antiulcer property has been studied in rats. Hypocholesterolemic effects, and anti-inflammatory effects have been observed. The ether extract of the seeds had an effect on inflammation induced in rats by cotton - pellet insertion, or formalin or carrageenin exposure, comparable to that of salicylates. The antiarthritic property of methi seed powder is widely known in many parts of India. It forms an important medicinal use of the plant in rheumatic disorders and spondylosis. The drug is also used for chronic bronchitis and hepato and splenomegaly in the unani system of medicine. The seeds and leaves are also used in obesity. In the doses clinically used, the plant has shown no adverse reactions.

Description:

An ancient Egyptian remedy in the Ebers papyrus (c. 1500 BC)recommends dill as one of the ingredients in a pain-killing mixture. The Romans knew dill as anethum, which latter became "anise". Dill has always been considered a remedy for the stomach, relieving wind and calming the digestion. Dill's essential oil relieves intestinal spasms and griping and helps to settle colic, hence it is often used in gripe water mixtures. Chewing the seeds improves bad breath. Dill makes a useful addition to cough, cold and flu remedies, and is a mild diuretic. Dill increases milk production, and when taken regularly by nursing mothers, helps to prevent colic in their babies.

MAIN PROPERTIES:

Digestive, antibacterial, antispasmodic, diuretic.

Description:

Native to Africa, aloe vera is commonly cultivated elsewhere. The clear gel found inside the plant's leaf and the rystalline part found alongside the leaf blade, which contains aloin, are both used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The clear gel is a remarkably effective healer of wounds and burns, speeding up the rate of healing and reducing the risk of infection. The brownish part containing aloin is a strong laxative, useful for short-term constipation. Aloe is present in many cosmetic's formulae because its emollient and scar preventing properties

MAIN PROPERTIES:

Heals wounds, emollient, laxativekmk.

Description:

Clove trees are original from Indonesia. The dried flower buds, clove, are extensively used as spice. The buds, leaves and stems are used for the extractions of clove's oil. Both the oil and the flower buds have been valued as a herbal medicine for a long time. The oil contains eugenol, a strong anaesthetic and atiseptic substance. Cloves are also well known for their antispasmodic and stimulative properties.

MAIN PROPERTIES:

Antiseptic, mind and body stimulant, analgesic, antibacterial, carminative.

Description:

It is a tall herb with large root stocks and consists of rhizomes which are ovate, oblong or pyriform and often short-branched. Rhizome may be 2 to 6 em long and 1 to 1.7 cm thick. Leaves very large, in tufts upto 1.2 ft. Flowers in autumnal spikes 10 to 15 cm long. The plant is a native of Southern Asia and is cultivated throughout the warmer parts of the world. It is grown on a large scale in India, China and East Indies.
Characteristics and Constituents

The yellow pigmented fraction, isolated from the rhizomes, contains the curcumins belonging to the dicinnamoyl- methane group. An aromatic oil, turmeric oil, composed of terpene- rocarbon-derivatives and sesquiterpenic ketones has also been isolated.

Actions and Uses :

Water extract of turmeric showed significant anti- inflammatory activity in acute carrageenin-induced oedema. LD(50) was 4.7 mg/kg body weight. In the subacute models LD(50), was 10 to 20 mg/kg. Anti-inflaininatory activity of the active principle curcumin was similar to cortisone and phenyl-butazone in carrageenin-induced oedema in rats with an equivalent dose. Stabilizing effect on lysosomal membranes also has been reported. Sodium curcuminate in a dilution of 1 in 1 million inhibited Micrococcus pyogenesge. Sodium curcuminate increased the bile secretion by 100% in anaesthetized dogs. Hepatoprotective effect of 50% ethanol extract of Curmma 1.g. was shown in CCL, -induced liver lesions in mice and in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Application of turmeric powder over septic as well as aseptic wounds in rats and rabbits accelerated the process of healing to the extent of 23-24% in both the cases. No side effects were observed with curcumin in a dose of 1200 mg/day for two weeks in 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. No significant change in blood pressure, haemoglobin, hepatic function tests and renal function tests were observed in these patients. Mild dryness of the mouth and throat was complained of by a few patients of bronchial asthma treated with turmeric powder in a dose of 12 gm/day. This symptom was controlled with a reduction in the dose. Curcumin in a dose of 1800 mg/kg/day p.o. ninety days in rats and 800 mg/kg/day p.o. for similar period in monkeys was found to he safe. No evidence of skeletal or visceral malformations was observed in mice with 1600 mg/kg and in rabbits with 600 mg/ kg on days 6-15 post coitus.

Description:

Coriander use has a medicinal plant has been reported since 1500 B.C. both as a spice and as a medicine. It has now spread well beyond its native Mediterranean and Caucasian regions. It aids digestion, reduce flatulence and improves appetite. It helps relieving spasms within the gut and counters the effects of nervous tension. Coriander is also chewed to sweeten the breath, especially after consumption of garlic (Allium sativum). It is applied externally as a lotion for rheumatic pain. Coriander essential oil is used in the manufacture of perfumes, cosmetics and dentifrices.

MAIN PROPERTIES:

Digestive, antispasmodic, anti-rheumatic.

Description:

Yarrow is a native European plant, with a long history as a wound healer. In classical times, it was known as herba militaris, being used to staunch war wounds. It has long been taken as a strengthening bitter tonic and all kinds of bitter drinks have been made from it. Yarrow helps recovery from colds and flu and is beneficial for hay fever. It is also helpful for menstrual problems and circulatory disorders.

Main Properties:

Antispasmodic, astringent, bitter tonic, increases sweating, lowers blood pressure, reduces fever, mild diuretic and urinary antiseptic

Description:

A water - white to pale olive mobile liquid with a fresh, dry-woody, warm, spicy scent. It blends well with frankincense, sandalwood, lavender, rosemary, marjoram, spices and florals (in minute quantities).Mainly monoterpenes (70 - 80%): thujene, pinene, camphene, sabinene, careen, myrcene, limonene, phellandrene; and sesquiterpenes (20 - 30%) and oxygenated compounds.Mainly piperene which is identical in composition to morphia, volatile oil, a resin called Chavicin.

Action & Uses:

Analgesic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, aperitif, aphrodisiac, bactericidal, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant(nervous circulatory, digestive), stomachic, tonic.

Used in certain tonic and rubefacient preparations. Used for unusual effects in perfumery work; for example, with rose or carnation in oriental or floral fragrances. The oil and oleoresin are used extensively in the food industry, as well as in the food industry, as well as in alcoholic drinks.

Aromatic, stimulant, carminative is set to possess febrifuge roperties. It will correct flatulence and nausea. It has also been used in vertigo, paralytic and arthritic disorders. Used to overcome obstinate constipation of dyspeptics.

Description:

It is a small plant. The leaves are green, slender, flat and elongated. The stem is smooth and solid. The bulbs are composed of several bulbils (cloves), encased in white or pink skin of the parent bulb. The inflorescence is an umbel initially enclosed in a spathe.

Characteristics and Constituents

The strong smelling juice of the bulbs contain a mixture of aliphatic mono and polysulphides. The chief constituent is allicin, diallyl disulphide oxide. The latter results from spontaneous enzymatic reduction of allin and 5-allylcystine sulphamide. Thio - glycoside, aminoacids, fatty acids, flavonols, vitamins, trace elements, volatile oils etc. have also been demonstrateds.

Actions and Uses :

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of garlic has been shown, by several investigators, against many common patho - genic organisms. Staphylococcus aureus, Escheiichia coli, Candida albicans, Shigelia sonnei Salmonella typhi. Essential oils of garlic prevented an increase in a -Iipoproteins, pre-a lipoproteins occurring after cholesterol-feeding in rabbits. Fibrinolytic activity was also significantly increased.Inhibition of platelet-aggregation in vitro and in vivo has also been demonstrated with garlic. There have been several studies showing the hypoglycaemic activity of garlic and allicin in animals. The therapeutic value of garlic in functional gastro- intestinal disorders was studied in 29 patients. A significant carminative effect, with a relief of nausea, gascolic, flatulence, belching and heaviness was observed. The effects of fried and raw garlic on blood showed an increase in fibrinolytic activity in 20 patients with ischaemic heart isease. A decrease in triglycerides and cholesterol has been observed. Garlic oil drops are put in the ears for infection and earache. Garlic is also used as an antiinfective agent topically and in other intercurrent infections. Garlic as a food item has been used for thousands of years by millions of people all over the world. Prolonged chronic feeding of large amounts of garlic powder (350 mg/kg) showed severe testicular lesions after 70 days and arrest in spermatogenesis the dose being equivalent to 20 g (freeze-dried) garlic powder in a 60 kg man. Occupational exposure to garlic leading to asthma and contact dermatitis have been reported.

Description:

The leaves of Camellia Senesis are small of length 5.5 - 6.1cm by width 2.2 - 2.4 cm and the trunk of the tree is the bush type. The cultivars of this type can survive in winter as cold as -12'C and are cultivated in the temperate regions.
Characteristics and Constituents

The major constituent is Polyphenols. The other constituents are carotene, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid and ascorbic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid kaempferol, quercetin, theophylline, theobromine xanthine, hypoxanthine, adenine, gums, dextrins and inositol.

Actions and Uses :

There is a growing body of evidence that green tea and the polyphenols therein, possess inhibitory effects against cancer and act as powerful antioxidants. Polyphenols with their natural antioxidant ability are widely used for the prevention of oxidation of edible oils or discoloration of reddish color in foods.

Description:

Seed Hard, transluscent, boat shaped structure, upto 8 mm long and 1 mm broad. Surface glossy and shining having a pinkish brown colour. There is an oval spot in the centre of convex(dorsal) surface. On the concave (ventral) surface. A deep furrow is seen with a hilum which appears as a red spot in the centre. Odour - nil: taste - mucilagenous. Husk Thin, curved or boat shaped structure of papery texture, representing the seed coat. It measures upto 4 mm long and 1mm broad at the broadest point. The material consists of a lot of broken pieces also. Odour - nil:taste - mucilagenous.
Characteristics and Constituents

The seeds contain mucilage (10 - 20%) as the major constituent, together with a fatty oil, protein, oxalic and mucic acids, invertase, emulsin and the glycosideaucubin. The mucilage can be extracted from the seeds or seed coat with cold or boiling water, its composition depending on the method of preparation. It is composed of xylose, arabinose and galacturonic acid, the first being the principal sugar.

Actions and Uses :

The seeds contain mucilage (10 - 20%) as the major constituent, together with a fatty oil, protein, oxalic and mucic acids, invertase, emulsin and the glycosideaucubin. The mucilage can be extracted from the seeds or seed coat with cold or boiling water, its composition depending on the method of preparation. It is composed of xylose, arabinose and galacturonic acid, the first being the principal sugar.

Description:

Used vegetable oil has a brownish color to it. When filtered, it becomes transparent, but still retains the brownish color throughout.

Characteristics and Constituents:

The viscosity of plant and animal fats and oils varies from hard crystalline solids to light oils at room temperature. In most cases, these oils or fats are actually a complex mixture of various fatty acids triglycerides, often with the various components having widely varying melting points. T

Actions and Uses :

Conversion of waste oils and fats to biodiesel fuel is one possibility but poses some difficulties such as in the use of toxic or caustic materials and by-product disposal. Conversion to biodiesel may also decrease the economic attractiveness of using waste oils as fuels.

Benzoin is a tree native to South-East Asia. Its trunk exudes a gum well known for its strong astringent and antiseptic action. For this reason it is used externally to fight tissue inflammation and disinfection of wounds. When taken internally, benzoin gum acts to settle griping pain, to stimulate coughing, and to disinfect the urinary tract.Benzoin gum is widely used in cosmetics as an antioxidant in oils, as a fixative in perfumes and as an additive to soaps. When steam inhaled, it helps healing sore throats, head and chest colds, asthma and bronchitis.

This oil has a sweet, spicy green and slightly balsamic odour.It is colorless or pale yellow color. The main action of basic oil is on the nervous system. It is relaxing and uplifting and is an ideal remedy for mental fatigue, headaches & insomnia. It is also useful for menstrual cramps, to relieve flatulence and other intestinal problems. WARNING - Never use in pregnancy. Do not use in concentrations of more than 2%.

Description:

Native to Africa, sesame is now cultivated in many tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. In ancient Egypt, the seeds were eaten and also pressed to yield oil, which was burned in lamps and used to make ointments. Sesame is used in China to redress afflictions of the liver and kidneys. The seeds are prescribed for problems such as dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and blurred vision. Owing to their lubricating effect within the digestive tract, the seeds are also considered a remedy for constipation. Sesame seed oil benefits the skin and is used as a base for cosmetics. A decoction of the root is used in various traditions to treat coughs and asthma.

Main Properties:

Digestive, aromatic, antispasmodic.