Dr. Sarin T.

Vasa (Adhatoda vasica) or Malabar nut, is an evergreen shrub which is indigenous to India and is seen all over India. The leaves of Vasa show stimulant effect on the respiratory system which are used for centuries for treating respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis etc. The soothing action helps subside the irritation in the throat and the expectorant will help loosen phlegm deposits in the airway. As per Ayurveda, Vasa (Adhatoda vasica) is used commonly in treating conditions like asthma, bronchitis, blood disorders, heart complaints, thirst, skin disorders, fever, vomiting, loss of memory, leukoderma, jaundice, tumours, sore-eye, fever, and…

Kanchanar or Mountain Ebony (Bauhinia variegate Linn.) of family Caesalpinacea is a medium-sized, deciduous tree which is found in the Sub Himalayan tract from the Indus eastward and throughout the forests of India and Burma. This tree is grown as ornamental tree in gardens and along the roadsides. The plant is commonly known as Kanchnara because of having golden yellow coloured flowers. The leaves of the tree are shaped like a camel’s hoof print. It bears beautiful aromatic pink, white or yellow flowers in spring season. It is a nitrogen fixing tree that helps to enrich the soil fertility. Kachnara…

Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) or hogweed is one of the best diuretics known among a variety of herbs mentioned in the Ayurvedic text. Punarnava as its name suggests means tendency to rejuvenate or ‘bring back to life’. Punarnava (Hogweed) grows wild as a creeper which dries during the summer. The plant is bitter, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, expectorant, diaphoretic, and emetic. Root is purgative, anthelmintic and febrifuge. There are two varieties of Punarnava, one with a red flower known as Rakta Punarnava and the other with white flower called Sweta Punaranava. The white variety is efficient in oedema, anaemia, heart diseases, cough,…

Guggulu is a gum resin (oleoresin) that exudes spontaneously from an injury of the bark of Commiphora mukul Hook. Commonly, the term ‘Guggulu’ is used for denoting, the plant as well as its gum, oleoresin. In Sanskrit, ‘Guggulu’ means that which protects against disease. Its synonym in Sanskrit ‘Palankasha’ means one which reduces the flesh (pala-flesh and kash-reduce). Guggulu is an arid zone species; found growing in the open scrub jungles of Gujarat & Rajasthan, particularly in Bhuj and Rann of kutch. It is also distributed in Sind & Baluchistan areas of Pakistan and in Arabia. It is a small…

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…