Dr. Sarin T.

Haridra or Haldi or Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) is a multi spectral drug which is being used in our daily life ranging from medicine to cosmetics to culinary. Hindu mythology revealed that the herb Haridra is included in Navapatrika and Devi Durga presides over this plant. Haridra or Turmeric, a plant in the ginger family, is a native to Southeast Asia, primarily in India. Erode, also known as “Yellow City,” or “Turmeric City,” situated in the state of Tamil Nadu, is the world’s largest producer and most important trading centre for turmeric. With its inherent qualities and high content of…

Haritaki or Terminalia chebula Retz. And Willd. is known as Yellow Myrobalan or Chebulic Myrobalan or Harad in Hindi. It has been given a prime place in the Ayurvedic system of medicine since ancient times which is a native to South Asia mainly from India. Harithaki is extensively used in Unani, Tibetan, Homeopathic systems of medicine apart from Ayurveda. The main pharmacological activities observed are its Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, Anti-carcinogenic activity, Anti-mutagenic, Hepato-protective activity, Cardio protective activity, Anti-diabetic, Antibacterial activity, Antifungal activity, Antiviral activity  Anti-inflammatory, Anti-allergic activity, Anti-caries activity, Wound healing activity, Purgative property, Immune modulatory activity…

Vacha, (Acorus calamus Linn.) commonly known as ‘‘Sweet Flag’’ or ‘‘Calamus’’, is a species of semiaquatic, perennial, aromatic herb with creeping rhizomes. In India, the plant is found growing wild as well as cultivated up to an altitude of 2200 m in the Himalayas. It is plentiful in the marshy tracts of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Naga hills, and is regularly cultivated in Karnataka.   Vacha possesses grass-like or sword-shaped, long slender leaves that fan out from a pinkish base and grow up to 1.5 m in length. The rhizomes of the plant are the most important part which…

Nimba or the Neem tree (Azadirachta indica Juss.) is one of the most versatile medicinal drug that has gained worldwide acceptance due to its medicinal as well as insecticide properties. Neem was identified by WHO/UNEP 1989 as an environmentally powerful natural pesticide and is considered as one of the most potential drug of 21st century for its pest management, environment protection and medicinal properties. Usually neem trees grow in sub arid and sub humid areas of tropical and subtropical regions and it is very common in all parts of India. In Ayurvedic medicine, Nimba (Neem) is used traditionally from a…

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia [Wild.] Miers.) is one of the most valued and common drug available in Indian system of medicine belonging to Menispermacea family. Guduchi is a Sanskrit word which means, that which protects body from diseases. It is also termed to be as ‘Amrta’, which refers to ‘the heavenly elixir’. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that the Divine nector (Amrta) which was brought by Hanuman to bring the dead to alive during the battle of Rama and Ravana fell in the ground and from which Guduchi sprouted. According to the tale, Guduchi saved c e – lestial…

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) is a valuable medicinal plant which is being used widely in our traditional medicine like Ayurveda & Siddha since ancient times. The Sanskrit word ‘Ashwagandha’ translates as ‘the smell of a horse’ which refers to its ability to bring you the strength and stamina of a horse while nourishing the female and male reproductive and nervous systems. Ashwagandha is often called ‘winter cherry’ referring to its small, red berry fruit that looks like a tiny cherry tomato. HABITAT (Commonly Found) It is an evergreen shrub with almost 23 species which grows in most parts of…

Amalaki English Name: Gooseberry Latin Name: Phyllanthus emblica Linn. / Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Hindi Name: आंवला Family: Euphorbiaceae We will be more familiar with amla or Indian Gooseberry during winter season. The most common fruit which has got highlighted during this covid era. So let us have a look at that. Amla or Indian gooseberry is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree which is found throughout India and our neighbouring countries. It is one of the most important and commonly used herbs in Ayurveda and Unani systems of Medicine. Amla is highly nutritious and is one of the richest sources…

Changing seasons has always mesmerized the human mind for centuries from the day of his very existence. With the passage of every season, mankind has absorbed memories & knowledge which time had passed on to him. In every season he saw bio-life changing around him like flowering in spring, leaf shedding in autumn, hibernation of animals in winter etc. Mankind always tried to explore more about Mother Nature so that he can adopt himself to the changes it brought along with her. Man’s curiosity towards knowing cosmic bodies & knowledge of Astronomy gave him the wisdom to divide the time…

World has evolved with time so has been its inhabitants. But the changes we are witnessing in many of our life are leading to life threatening problems. Food has always been the basic need of human life and the food culture has evolved with time. Food is represented as a part of cultural traits of an ethnic community. Food habit is a symbolic to a particular culture. Eating tradition of every country & culture are the result of millennia of history. India with its vast size has always boasted about its diversities. Truly, the diversities are also seen in the…