A
winding climber with glabrescent, mostly greenish
yellow young branches.
In
the indigenous system of medicine, the seed
extract is used externally in the treatment
of ulcers and skin affections. The seeds are
administered internally in the affections
of the nervous system, and their paste is
applied locally in sciatica, stiffness of
shoulder joint and paralysis. They are said
to be useful in diarrhea and dysentery, and
possess anthelmintic activity.
Latin
name: : Abutilon indicum
English name: Country Mallow
Sanskrit / Indian name: Atibala
Arabian Name :
Parsian Name :
A
softly tomentose herb or shrub, with yellow
or orange-yellow flowers.
The
plant is reported to contain fructose, galactose,
glucose, glutamic acid, aspartic acid and
galacturonic acid. The drug is used as a febrifuge,
has anthelmintic, and anti-inflammatory properties,
and is useful in urinary and uterine discharges,
piles and lumbago.
Latin
name: : Acacia catechu 
English name: Cutch Tree,Indian Liquorice
root.
Sanskrit / Indian name: Khadira, Rathi,
Kundumani
Arabian Name :
Parsian Name : Chasme Kharose
A
moderate sized tree with feathery crown, pinnate
leaves and a pair of recurved prickles at
the base of the rachis. Catechin and catechutannic
acid are the major active constituents in
the wood extract. Taxifolin, another constituent
has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory
and anti-oxidant properties. Traditionally,
it is used for the treatment of cough and
sore throat.
Latin
Names: Acacia arabica wild 
Syn. A.arabica
English Name: Indian Gum-Arabic Tree,Babul
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Babbula, Babool,
Khikar,Karuvelam
Arabian Name :Ummu-Ghilan
Persian Name :Ummu-Ghilan
A
moderate-sized, almost evergreen tree with
a short trunk, a spreading crown and feathery
foliage.
The
bark from the branches yields 7-12 per cent
tannin and is used for asthma, bronchitis,
diabetes, dysentery, diarrhea and skin diseases.
The stem is used as a toothbrush and the gum
for burns. The leaves are useful for eye complaints,
headache, throat infection, urinary problems
and gonorrhea.
Latin
Names: Acacia sinuata
Syn. A.concinna
English Name:
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Saptala, Kochi,
Ritha
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
common, prickly, scandent shrub.
The
pods yield saponins (20.8%) which have been
reported to contain acacinin-C, -D and -E
and a homologous series of oligosaccharides.
An ointment prepared from the ground pods
is good for skin diseases. A decoction of
the pods relieves biliousness and acts as
a purgative. It is used to remove dandruff
and has a detangling effect on the hair, which
helps in increasing the hair volume.
The
pods, known as Shikai or Shikakai, are extensively
used as a detergent, and the dry ones are
powdered and perfumed, and sold in the market
as soapnut powder.
Latin
Name: Achillea millefolium 
English Name: Yarrow
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Biranjasipha
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
Achillea
millefolium is a perennial herb that contains
the alkaloid achilline, and, also yields an
essential oil, Espirt d' Iva. The herb possesses
diaphoretic, vulnerary, styphic, astringent,
emmenogogue, stimulant, tonic and anti-hemorrhoidal
properties.
It
is useful in influenza and heavy chest colds
and also as a blood-purifier. It has carminative,
digestive, astringent and anti-spasmodic properties.
It is used in the treatment of flatulence,
colic and heartburn. A decoction of the herb
is said to give significant relief in chronic
colic. It is also used in various hepatic
disorders.
Latin
Name: Achyranthes aspera 
English Name: Prickly-Chaff Flower
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Apamarga,Chir
chita,Nayuruvi
Arabian Name :Alkum
Persian Name :Kharwajgun
An
erect or procumbent, annual or perennial herb,
often with a woody base.
The
whole plant contains the alkaloids achyranthine
and betaine. The plant is much valued in the
indigenous medicine. It is reported to be
pungent, astringent, pectoral and diuretic.
It is used as an emmenagogue, and in piles
and skin eruptions.
Latin
Name: Aconitum heterophylum 
English Name: Crowfoot
Sanskrit / Indian Name:Ativisha,Atish
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :Bazziturki
A
biennial herb, with a tuberous and paired
root.
The
roots contain five diterpene alkaloids, viz.
palmatisine, vakognavine , vakatisine, vakatisinine
and vakati. The root is intensely bitter and
is used in combination with long pepper for
pain in the bowels, for diarrhea, and vomiting.
Latin
Name: Acorus calamus 
English Name: Sweetflag
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Vacha,Vasambu
Arabian Name : Udhul Vaz
Persian Name : Agre Turki
Acorus
calamus is a semi-aquatic herb with creeping
rhizomes.
The
dried rhizomes constitute the drug Calamus
of commerce. The rhizomes, roots and leaves
yield a light brownish yellow volatile oil
called calamus oil. The important constituents
of Indian calamus oil are asarone and its
b-isomer.
The rhizomes are considered to possess sedative
and analgesic properties. They are used for
the treatment of epilepsy, chronic diarrhea
and dysentery, bronchial catarrh, fever, glandular
and abdominal tumors, kidney and liver complaints,
rheumatism and eczema.
It
has been used in indigenous systems of medicine
(eg. Ayurveda) to improve memory retention
and recall. A combination of B. monnieri and
A. calamus significantly increases memory
and controls hyperactivity in children.
Latin
Name: : Adhatoda zeylanica 
Syn. A.vasica
English Name: Malabar Nut, Vasaka
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Shwetavasa, Vasa,
Vasaka,Aadathodai
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
Adhatoda
zeylanica is an evergreen, gregarious, stiff
perennial shrub.
Its
principle constituents are the several alkaloids
which are present in the drug and its chief
principle is a quinazoline alkaloid, vasicine.
The leaves are rich in Vitamin C and carotene
and yield an essential oil. The shrub is the
source of the drug, vasaka, well known in
indigenous systems of medicine for its beneficial
effects, particularly in bronchitis. The leaves,
flowers, fruits and roots are extensively
used for treating cold, cough, whooping-cough,
chronic bronchitis and asthma. It acts as
a sedative-expectorant, antispasmodic and
anthelmintic. The leaf-juice is stated to
cure diarrhea, dysentery and glandular tumour,
and, is given as an emmenagogue. The powder
is reported to be used as a poultice on rheumatic
joints, as a counter-irritant on inflammatory
swellings, on fresh wounds, urticaria and
in neuralgia.
Latin
Name: : Aegle marmelos 
English Name: Bael Tree
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Bilva,Bael,Vilvam
Arabian Name : Safarjal-e-hindi
Persian Name : Bah hindi shull
Aegle
marmelos is a moderate-sized, slender, aromatic
tree, with straight, sharp spines in the branches.
It
is a fruit used in diarrhea, dysentery and
cholera due to its digestive and carminative
properties. Both ripe and unripe fruit is
regraded as an astringent. It helps in the
healing of ulcerated intestinal surfaces.
It possesses antiviral, anthelmintic, and
anti-inflammatory properties and has appreciable
activity against Vibrio cholera and Salmonella.
Latin
Name: : Aloe barbadensis 
Syn. A.vera
English Name: Barbados Aloe
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Ghrita-Kumari,
Kanya, Kumari, Sibre-zard
Arabian Name : Sabbarah
Persian Name :
Aloe
barbadensis is a coarse-looking perennial
plant with a short stem, erect, with crowded
leaves that has spiny teeth on the margins.
It
contains enzymes, polysaccharides and nutrients
which exhibit antibacterial and antifungal
action. It also has a natural sun screen effect
that moisturises the skin. Its principle constituents
are the leaves that contain barbaloin, chrysophanol
glycoside and the aglycone, aloe-emodin. The
leaf juice forms the main source of the drug.
Aloes have long been in use for a host of
diseases, particularly those connected with
the digestive system; they have also been
used for wounds, burns, dermatitis, cutaneous
leishmaniasis and other skin troubles. It
is used in eye troubles, spleen and liver
ailments.
Kumari
is also known to relieve dysmenorrhoea in
young women by expelling utrine debris.
Latin
ame: : Alternanthera sessilis
Syn. A.triandra, A.denticulata, A.nodiflora,
A.repens
English Name:
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Matsyakshi
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
It
is an annual or perennial prostrate herb,
found throughout hotter parts of India. It
is rich in b-Carotene. It shows anti-bacterial
and anti-fungal activities.
Latin
ame: : Ammonii chloridum
English Name:
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Navasagara, Navasara
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
It
is alterative, expectorant, cholagogue and
purgative. It is useful in fever, liver and
spleen disorders, etc.
Latin
ame: :Amomum subulatum
English Name: Large or Greater Cardamom,
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Aindri, Brihatela,
Sthula ela, Upakunjika, Elaichi, Elaikkai
Arabian Name : Hel-Kubar
Persian Name :
A
tall, perennial herb, with leafy stems.
The
seeds contain the glycosides, petunidin 3,5-diglucoside
and leucocyanidin-3-O-?-D-glucopyranoside,
and a new aurone glycoside, subulin. The seeds
on steam distillation yield a dark brown,
mobile essential oil (2.5%) having the characteristic
odor of cineol.
Medicinally,
the seeds are credited with stimulant, stomachic,
alexipharmic and astringent properties, and
are prescribed for the treatment of indigestion,
vomiting, biliousness, abdominal pains and
rectal diseases. The oil from the seeds is
aromatic, stimulant, anti-inflammatory and
it is highly active against growth of keratinophilic
fungi.
Latin
ame: Anacyclus pyrethrum 
English Name: Pellitory
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Akarakarabha
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
perennial, procumbent herb, the roots of which
are used in medicine.
They
contain anacyclin, pellitorine, enetriyne
alcohol, hydrocarolin, inulin, traces of volatile
oil and (+)-sesamin. The roots possess stimulant
and rubifacient properties.
Latin
ame: Andrographis paniculata 
English Name: The Creat
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Bhunimba, Kirata,
Kalmegh
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
It
is an erect herb with quadrangular (young)
stem, opposite, decussate leaves and white
flowers in axillary or terminal panicles or
racemes. Andrographolide is one of the active
constituents isolated from the plant. It is
a bitter tonic and febrifuge. A decoction
of the plant is a blood-purifier. It is used
as a cure for torpid liver, and jaundice.
It also has hepatoprotective activity.
Latin
ame: Anethum sowa 
Syn. A.graveolens
English Name: Indian Dill
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Satahva, Madhura
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
An
annual, glabrous, aromatic herb.
The
dried ripe fruits yield, on distillation,
an essential oil. The major constituent of
the oil is carvone. It also contains apiol
and dill apioll. They are used in medicine
mainly as an aromatic carminative, antipyretic
and anthelmintic. The oil from the seeds is
a well-known remedy for flatulence in children
and enters into the preparation of gripe water.
The seeds are used as stomachic and the aqueous
extract of the seeds showed abortifacient
activity in rats.
Latin
ame: Apium graveolens 
English Name: Celery
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Ajamoda
Arabian Name : karafs
Persian Name :karafs
It
is an annual or biennial herb, native of Europe,
now naturalised in northern parts of India
and largely cultivated in Punjab.
It
has antispasmodic, digestive and carminative
properties. It is useful in indigestion, abdominal
discomfort, colic and hepatobiliary disorders.
Latin
ame: Areca catechu 
English Name: Areca Nut
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Puga, supary
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
tree with annulate stem surmounted by a crown
of pinnate leaves.
Arecanut
contains several alkaloids belonging to the
pyridine group. The most important of them
physiologically is arecoline The polyphenols
of ripe arecanut contain predominantly polymerized
leucocyanidins besides as well as small amounts
of (+)-cetechin, leucopelargonidin and leucocyanidin.
The polyphenolic substances of arecanuts,
generally termed tannins, are responsible
for the physiological action. The non-alkaloid
fractions of arecanuts are reported to possess
anti-microbial properties. The powdered nuts
are prescribed in diarrhea and urinary disorders.
In
Sri Lanka, the unripe nuts are credited with
laxative properties, but they are said to
affect the eyesight. Arecanuts are considered
useful as an external application on ulcers,
and in skin disorders. They are anthelmintic,
and are used in veterinary medicine as a vermifuge.
A paste of the dry arecanut powder is used
as a dentifrice. The dried nuts are said to
sweeten the breath, strengthen the gums, and
produce a stimulant and exhilarant effect
on the system. Arecanut chewed is reportedly
a good source of fluoride.
Latin
ame: Argyreia nervosa
Syn. A.speciosa
English Name: Elephant Creeper
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Vriddadaru
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
woody climber with a stout stem and rose purple
flowers.
The
root is bitter, aphrodisiac, diuretic, and
is used in gonorrhea, rheumatism and diseases
of the nervous system. It is also used as
a tonic. The plant is used along with other
ingredients to cure sexual disorders in males.
Latin
ame: Asparagus adscendens
English Name: Asparagus
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Musali
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
sub-erect, prickly shrub with white tuberous
roots.
The
roots are prescribed for diarrhea and dysentery.
The saponin mixture from the dried roots yield
glycosides, O-[?-D-2-tetracosylxylophyranosyl]-stigmasterol,
and 3-?-O-[?-D-Glycopyranosyl (12)-a-L-arabinopyranosyl]
stigmasterol.
Latin
ame: Asparagus racemosus 
English Name: Asparagus
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Shatavari
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
much-branched, spinous under-shrub, with tuberous,
short rootstock bearing numerous fusiform,
succulent, tuberous roots. The plant contains
four saponins, viz. shatavarin I to IV.
The
plant is used as a demulcent, diuretic, aphrodisiac,
and galactogouge. The root extracts exhibit
anti-allergic activity. Along with the leaves
of Gymnema sylvestre, they are given to diabetic
patients.
Latin
ame: Azadirachta indica 
Syn. Melia azadirachta
English Name: Neem
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Nimba,neem,
vempu,veppa
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
Azadirachta
indica is a large, evergreen tree. Its principle
constituents are nimbin, nimbinin and nimbidin.
All parts of the plant yield b-sitosterol.
Neem
extracts possess anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial
and anti-viral properties. The tree stem,
root and bark possess astringent, tonic and
anti-periodic properties. The bark is beneficial
in malarial fever and useful in cutaneous
diseases.
It
is used for external applications in skin
diseases. It possesses antidandruff, antibacterial,
antiviral and fungicidal properties.
