An
aromatic, erect, annual herb, cultivated
in India.
The
ligulate florets constitute the drug which
is reported to possess stimulant, bitter,
tonic, sudorific, febrifuge, carminative,
anti-emetic and anthelmintic properties.
The flowers contain calenduline, and oleanolic
acid glycoside and sterol glycosides.
They also contain a- and ?-amyrin, taraxasterol,
y - taraxasterol, lupeol, brein, faradiol,
arnidiol, erythrodiol, calenduladiol,
coflodiol (ursadiol) and manilladiol.
Latin
name: Calotropis procera 
English name: Dead Sea Apple, Milkweed,
Sodom Apple, Swallow-wort
Sanskrit / Indian name: Alarka
Arabian Name :
Parsian Name :
A
small, erect and compact shrub, covered
with cottony tomentum.
The
rootbark contains x~ and B-amyrin, B-amyrin,
taraxasterol and its y-isomer, taraxasteryl
isovalerate, taraxasteryl acetate, gigantin,
giganteol, isogiganteol, B-sitosterol
and a wax.
In small doses, the rootbark is diaphoretic
and expectorant. It acts as a mild stimulant.
Latin
name: : Capparis spinosa 
English name: The Caper Bush
Sanskrit / Indian name: Himsra
Arabian Name :
Parsian Name :
A
prostrate shrub or climber armed with
divaricate, light yellow thorns.
The
root bark contains stachydrine, rutic
acid and a volatile substance. It is bitter,
aperient, diuretic and expectorant. It
is given in splenic, renal and hepatic
complaints.
Latin
Names: Capsicum annuum 
English Name: Spanish Pepper
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Katuvira, Mirchi,
Shimla Mirchi, Kuda Milagai
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
suffrutescent or herbaceous, short-lived
perennial
The
active principle in chilli is a mixture
of allied components, capsaicin being
the most important, major componet (46-77%
of the total capsainoids). Chilli is a
powerful irritant and rubefacient; when
applied to the skin, it produces warmth,
redness, and burning without blistering.
In
the form of ointment of plasters, it is
used externally for the treatment of rheumatism,
lumbago and neuralgia. Capsicum wool,
prepared by dissolving the oleoresin in
ether and pouring it on absorbent cotton-wool,
is useful in rheumatoid affections. Chilli,
in small doses, is a powerful stimulant
and carminative. It stimulates the secretion
of saliva and gastric juice, and increases
peristaltic movements and motility of
the stomach. It is an excellent remedy
in atonic and flatulent dyspepsia and
dipsomania.
Latin
Names: Carum carvi 
English Name: Caraway
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Karavi, Krishna
jeeraka, Shia jeera
Arabian Name :Kamun-e-armaani
Persian Name : Zeer-e-syah
An
annual or biennial glabrous herb.
Carvone
and limonene are the chief constituents
of the oil and its odor and flavor are
mainly attributed to them. Other constituents
present in the oil are: a- and ?-pinenes
and p-cymene.
In
medicine, they are used as a carminative,
mild stomachic, aromatic and diuretic.
Both the seeds and the essential oil (caraway
oil) are classed as carminative in the
I.P. and prescribed in flatulent colic
and stomach derangements.
In
patients suffering from lumbago and rheumatism,
exposing the affected parts to the vapors
from the seeds gives relief from the disease.
The alcoholic extract of the fruits shows
dose-dependent antispasmodic effect. Caraway
water finds use as a vehicle for pediatric
medicines.
Latin
Name: Casearia esculenta
English Name:
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Saptarangi
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
shrub or a tree with a pale yellow bark
The
root and the root bark are extensively
used in the indigenous system of medicine
as an antidiabetic due to their hypoglycemic
activity. The roots are especially efficacious
in milder chronic diabetic cases. The
root contains leucopelargonidin, arabinose,
dulcitol. B-sitosterol and another sterol,
and two resinous substances having hypoglycemic
activity have also been reported.
Latin
Name: Cassia fistula 
English Name: Indian Laburnum
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Aragvadha,
Amaltas,Kontrai
Arabian Name :Khyar-shebar
Persian Name :Khyar-Chanbar
Cassia
fistula is a deciduous tree with exfoliating
bark.
The
pulp contains sennosides A and B, Rhein
and its glucoside, barbaloin, aloin, formic
acid, butyric acid, their ethyl esters
and oxalic acid. It is a safe purgative
given even to pregnant women. The pulp
is also given for biliousness and in disorders
of the liver. It is applied in gout and
rheumatism. It is utilized in blood-poisoning,
anthrax and dysentery, also given in leprosy
and diabetes and for the removal of abdominal
obstructions.
It
is used in the treatment of varicose veins.
It helps in shrinking engorged veins and
has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.
Latin
Name: Cassia occidentalis 
English Name: Negro Coffee
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Kasamarda,
Kasondhi,Pey Aavaarai
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
Cassia
occidentalis is a diffuse undershrub.
The
plant contains emodin, physcion, chrysophanol,
sitosterol and a xanthone-cassiolin. The
seeds and leaves are used externally in
skin diseases. The roots are reported
to be diuretic, the seeds, roots and leaves
are anti-bacterial. It is used in the
treatment of flatulence, indigestion and
other digestive disturbances in children.
Latin
Name: Cedrus deodara 
English Name: Himalayan Cedar
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Devadaru
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
It
is a large evergreen tree. The bark is
thick, furrowed vertically and cracked
transversely.
It
has anti-inflammatory activity and is
used for its activity against human pathogenic
Epidermophyton, Trichophyton, Absidia
ramosa and Microsporon gypseum. It has
proven effective in a number of dermal
diseases.
Latin
Name: Celastrus paniculatus 
English Name: Staff Tree
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Jyotishmati,
Kanguni,Velvuluvai
Arabian Name :thailan
Persian Name :thaila Faiyoon
A
large, woody, climbing shrub with a yellow,
corky bark.
The
seeds possess emetic, diaphoretic, febrifuge
and nervine properties and are used for
sharpening the memory and also used to
cure sores, ulcers, rheumatism and gout.
The drug is used in the traditional system
of medicine as a sedative. The reported
constituents are Mal III A, Mal III B,
triterpenoids zeylasterone, and seylasteral.
Its therapeutic uses include treating
anxiety and beri-beri. Alcoholic extract
has anti-inflammatory and sedative properties.
An herbal extract of the crude drug was
tested for its adaptogenic properties,
on mice. It showed significant CNS depressant
effect and a clear synergism with pentobarbital.
Latin
Name: Centella asiatica 
English Name: Indian Pennywort, Gotu-kola
Sanskrit / Indian Name:Manduk parani,Brahmi,Vallaarai
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
Centella
asiatica is a prostrate, stoloniferous,
perennial weed found in crop fields.
It
includes the glycosides indocentelloside,
brahmoside, brahminoside, asiaticoside,
thankuniside and isothankuniside. In Ayurveda,
the plant is used for the treatment of
leprosy and skin diseases and also to
improve memory, as an antidote to cholera,
and in bronchitis, asthma, gastric trouble,
catarrh, leucorrhea, kidney troubles,
urethritis and dropsy. The plant also
has tranquilizing, anabolic, antiprotozoal
and spasmolytic properties.
It helps to improve memory, increases
concentration and intellectual ability
in children.
Sanskrit
/ Indian Name:Chyavanaprasha concentrate
English Name:
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
It
consists of the following ingredients:
Aegle
marmelos, Gmelina arborea, Oroxylum indicum,
Clerodendrum phlomidis, Stereospermum
chelonoides, Desmodium gangeticum, Uraria
picta, Solanum indicum, Solanum surattense,
Tribulus terrestris, Sida cordifolia,
Phaseolus trilobus, Teramnus labialis,
Piper longum, Phyllanthus amarus, Vitis
vinifera, Inula racemosa, Aquilaria malaccensis,
Terminalia chebula, Tinospora cordifolia,
Hedychium spicatum, Cyperus rotundus,
Boerhaavia diffusa, Elettaria cardamomum,
Santalum album, Nymphaea stellata, Pueraria
tuberosa, Adhatoda zeylanica, Pentatropsis
capensis, Pistacia integerrima, Leptadenia
reticulata, Dioscorea bulbifera, Asparagus
racemosus, Emblica officinalis.
It
is a rejuvenative, geriatric and cardiac
tonic, and useful in the treatment of
cough, asthma and debility.
Latin
Name: Cicer arietinum
English Name: Bengal Gram, Caravance,
Chickpea, Garbanzo Gram
Sanskrit / Indian Name:Chanaka, Harimantha,Channa
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
An
erect or spreading much-branched annual
herb, covered all over with glandular
hair, extensively cultivated.
Whole
gram contains saccharose, glucose, fructose,
polysaccharides including starch, g-galactan,
levulose and p -galactoaraban, betaine,
choline, adenine, inositol, phytin, saponin
and citric and oxalic acids. The fresh
whole germ of sprouting gram contains
biochanin A, biochanin B and biochanin
C. The isoflavones, biochanin A and formononetin
are reported to be estrogenic and also
show hypolipidemic activity.
Gram
is a potent hypocholesterolemic agent.
The anti-stress, anti-hyperlipidemic and
stamina building activity of gram may
be due to the presence of pangamic acid
and a free nucleotide. It is a stimulant,
tonic, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, and
useful in bronchitis and biliousness.
It is also useful in leprosy and other
skin diseases. The powdered seed is used
for dandruff and also used as a face pack.
Latin
ame: Cichorium intybus 
English Name: Wild Chicory
Sanskrit / Indian Name:Kasani,kashni
Arabian Name : Hinduba
Persian Name :Kasni
Cichorium
intybus is an erect perennial herb.
The
root contains tannin phlobaphenes and
reducing sugars. The seeds have carminative
and cordial properties and are useful
as a brain tonic and for headache, asthma
and bilious vomiting.
It
is an acclaimed hepatoprotective, and,
is used in hepatic enlargement, fever,
vomiting and abdominal pain. It has cholagogue
and anti-inflamatory properties.
Latin
ame: Cinnamomum camphora 
English Name: Camphor
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Karpoora,
Kapoor, Karpooram
Arabian Name : kaafoor
Persian Name :Kapur
A
large, handsome, evergreen cultivated
in India as an ornamental and as a source
of camphor.
Camphor
is obtained as colorless or white crystals,
granules or crystalline masses, or colorless
to white translucent, tough masses. Camphor
acts as a carminative, reflex expectorant
and reflex stimulant of the heart, circulation
and respiration. Camphor has also been
used as a nervine depressant in hysteria,
epilepsy, chorea and convulsions and as
an aphrodisiac. The oil extract has a
peculiar fragrance and acts as an skin
stimulant and counter irritant when applied
externally.
Latin
ame: Cinnamomum cassia
English Name: Chinese Cassia
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Sthula tvak,
dalchini
Arabian Name : Salikha, darchini
Persian Name :Taj
An
evergreen aromatic tree with a grey, smooth,
thick bark which yields an oil containing
cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol.
Chinese
Cassia has been used as a diaphoretic,
antipyretic and analgesic. It is used
as a carminative, purgative and astringent.
It is also useful as a cardiac stimulant,
refrigerant, and diuretic, for stimulation
of liver functions, in neuralgia, uterine
pains, ascites and edema.
Latin
ame: Cinnamomum verum 
Syn. C. zeylanicum
English Name: Cinnamon
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Thwak, dar
chini
Arabian Name : Darsini
Persian Name : Taj, Darchini
A
moderate sized tree, native to Sri Lanka
and cultivated in South India for its
aromatic bark.
The
bark contains a significant amount of
a mucilaginous substance, which consists
mainly of a water extractable L-arabino-D-xylan
and an alkali-extractable D-glucan. The
bark also contains the diterpenes, cinnzeylanin
and cinnzeylanol besides tannin.
The
bark is used to a limited extent in medicine.
It is aromatic, astringent, stimulant,
expectorant and carminative. It possesses
the property of checking nausea and vomiting.
As a stimulant it is beneficial in cramps
of the stomach, gastric irritation, and
paralysis of the tongue. Ground cinnamon
shows lipolytic activity. It is useful
in diarrhea and dysentery. Externally,
the bark is used in neuralgia, rheumatism
and toothache. A decoction of the bark
is reported to be used for cancer of the
stomach, rectum and uterus.
It
is a good anti-infective agent and is
useful in relieving cough due to its soothing
action.
Latin
ame: Citrus grandis 
English Name: Forbidden Fruit, Pummelo,
Shaddock
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Mahanimbu
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
spreading, round-topped almost thornless
tree.
The
rootbark contains ?-sitosterol and the
following acridone alkaloids: citpressine-I
and II, citracridone- I and II, glycocitrine-I,
grandisine-I and II, grandisinine, 5-hydroxynoracronycine,
honyumine and natsucitrine-II.
The
fruit is considered to be nutritive and
refrigerant. It is a rich source of vitamins,
particularly vitamin C, which have an
effective antioxidant action. The seeds
have similar properties and are sometimes
given for lumbago.
Latin
ame: Citrus limon 
English Name: Lemon
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Nimbaka
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
spinescent tree up to 6 m in height.
The
juice is a rich source of vitamin C. It
protects the skin from oxidative damage
and helps in preventing pruritus. Lemon
peel is stomachic and carminative. Oil
of lemon is stimulant and rubefacient
when applied externally.
Lemon
juice is one of the best remedies for
scurvy and serves as a refrigerant in
febrile and inflammatory affections, acute
rheumatism, dysentery and diarrhea. The
juice diluted with water is used as a
collyrium. The juice also possesses bactericidal
property. Lemonpeel is used in cosmetics,
as a hair-rinse and mouth-freshener. It
possesses insect repellant property.
Latin
ame: Citrus medica 
English Name: Citron
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Bara nimbu,
Bijapura, Turanj
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
It
is a small shrub or tree with thorny branches
and lemon yellow coloured oblong fruits.
The fruit juice is refrigerant and astringent.
The fruits have potent anti-scorbutic
activity.
Latin
ame: Cocos nucifera 
English Name: Coconut
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Narikela
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
tall and stately palm, bearing a crown
of large, pinnate leaves..
The
oil extract is a good emollient, can be
used externally for softening the lips
and in various cosmetics. It is used in
uterine diseases and a polysaccharide
factor in the plant is immunomodulator.
Latin
ame: Commiphora wightii 
Syn. Balsamodendron mukul
English Name: Indian Bdellium Tree
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Guggulu
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
It
is a small tree or shrub with spinescent
branches.
Its
gum resin has astringent, antiseptic and
antisuppurative properties and is used
in the treatment of hemorrhoids. It is
excreted by the mucous membranes of the
body, in the course of which it stimulates
and disinfects their secretions. It also
contains guggulsterones Z and E, guggulsterols
I - V, two diterperoids-a terpene hydrocarbon
named cembrane A.
It
is used against obesity. Guggulipid is
hypocholesteremic and assists in burning
excess body fat.
Latin
ame: Convolvulus microphyllus 
Syn. C.pluricaulis
English Name:
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Shankhapushpi
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
An
herb found in the plains of northern India.
The
plant contains the alkaloids convolvine,
convolamine, phyllabine, convolidine,
confoline, convoline, subhirsine, convosine,
and convolvidine along with scopoline
and ?-sitosterol. Besides, high-density
lipoprotein was significantly raised in
the animals.
The plant is reported to be a memory-improving
drug. It is used as a psycho-stimulant
and tranquilizer.
Latin
ame: Coriandrum sativum 
English Name: Coriander
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Dhanyaka,
Kustumburi
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
An
annual herb, with small, white or pinkish
purple flowers borne on compound terminal
umbels.
The
aromatic odor and taste of coriander fruits
is due to an essential oil. The chief
constituent of the oil is coriandrol.
The fruits are considered carminative,
diuretic, tonic, stomachic, antibilious,
refrigerant and aphrodisiac.
An
infusion of the seeds is useful in flatulence,
indigestion, vomitting and other intestinal
disorders; it is also used in bleeding
piles, rheumatism, neuralgia, caphalagia,
and locally, in eye-infection. The dried
seeds are reported to possess diuretic
and aphrodisiac properties.
Latin
ame: Crataeva nurvala
Syn. C. magna
English Name: Three Leaved Caper
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Varuna
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
It
is a medium sized deciduous tree found
throughout India, especially along the
river banks.
It
has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, lithontriptic,
demulcent and tonic properties. Bark yields
ceryl alcohol, friedelin, lupeol, betulinic
acid and diosgenin.
It
is useful in disorders of urinary organs,
urinary tract infections, pain and burning
micturition, renal and vesical calculi.
Latin
Name: Crocus sativus 
English Name: Saffron
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Kumkuma
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
Crocus
sativus is a small bulbous perennial herb.
It is valued for its famed condiment,
saffron, constituted by the stigma and
style of the flower.
It
contains the glycosides crocin and picocrocin
together with lycopene, b-carotene, g-carotene
and zeaxanthin. It is rich in riboflavine
and also contains thiamine. Saffron is
used as a nervine sedative and emmenogogue
and in fevers, melancholia and enlargement
of the liver. It also has stimulant and
stomachic properties.
It
has an essential oil, the active ingredient
of which is aphrodisiac in nature. The
mechanism of its sex-stimulating activity
is effected by a slight stimulation of
the central nervous system.
Latin
Nme: Cucumis sativus 
English Name: Cucumber
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Trapusha,
Sukasa
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
trailing or climbing annual, bearing elongated,
thick, cylindrical fruits of varying sizes
and forms.
The
aerial parts of the plant contain a 14a-methyl
D-phytosterol. Shikimate dehydrogenase
is extracted from cucumber pulp. It helps
to keep the facial skin soft, has healing
and soothing effect on the damaged skin
and exerts a natural sunscreen. It acts
as a toner and lightens the facial skin.
The seeds are reported to be cooling,
tonic and diuretic. The seed kernel (forming
75% of the seeds) is edible and used in
confectionery.
Latin
ame: Cuminum cyminum
English Name: Cumin
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Jeeraka,
Svetajiraka
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
A
small, slender annual herb, with a much-branched
angular or striated stem, bearing 2 or
3 partite linear leaves, bluish green
in colour and having sheathing bases.
The
chief constituent of the volatile oil
is cumaldehyde. In indigenous medicine,
cumin seeds have long been considered
stimulant and carminative. They are stomachic,
astringent and useful in diarrhea and
dyspepsia; improves appetite and taste.
They are now chiefly used in veterinary
medicine. The seeds showed antifertility
and abortifacient activity in female rats.
They have been credited with aphrodisiac
properties.
Latin
ame: Curcuma longa 
English Name: Turmeric
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Haridra,
Nisha, Rajani
Arabian Name :
Persian Name :
Curcuma
longa is a perennial herb, with tufted
leaves and a short and thick rhizome that
constitutes the turmeric of commerce.
It's
principle constituent is Curcumin, which
is a diferuloyl methane. In Indian systems
of medicine, turmeric is used to some
extent as a stomachic, tonic and blood
purifier. It is also prescribed as an
antiperiodic alterative. Externally, it
is applied to indolent ulcers. A decoction
of the rhizome is said to relieve the
pain of purulent ophthalmia.
