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Plants Glossary

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Gymnema Sylvestre

  • Scientific Name: Gymnema Sylvestre

  • Common Names: Gurmar, Meshashringi

  • Description: Gymnema Sylvestre is a woody climbing plant native to India. It has oval-shaped leaves and small, yellow flowers. The leaves are known for suppressing the taste of sweetness.

  • Medicinal Uses: Gymnema Sylvestre is commonly used to support blood sugar regulation. The major component of this plan is gymnemic acid. It has the effect of suppressing the sweet taste on the tongue. Hence, it reduces sugar cravings and helps control blood sugar levels. In traditional medicine, this plan is used to manage diabetes.

Ulat Kambal

  • Scientific Name: Abroma Augusta

  • Common Names: Devil's Cotton

  • Description: Ulat Kambal is a medium-sized shrub or small tree found in tropical and subtropical regions, including India. It has large, soft leaves and distinctive fruit capsules.

  • Medicinal Uses: Various parts of the Ulat Kambal plant have been used in traditional medicine. That includes its roots, leaves, and bark. This plant is known for addressing various health issues such as gynaecological disorders and treating premenstrual syndrome.

Varun

  • Scientific Name: Crateva Religiosa

  • Common Names: Caper Tree, Three-leaf Caper

  • Description: Varun is a deciduous tree found in the Indian subcontinent. It has a short, crooked trunk and elliptical leaves. The tree produces small, greenish-white flowers and round fruit capsules.

  • Medicinal Uses: Different parts of the Varun plant, such as the bark and roots, are used in traditional medicine. This plant is known for its diuretic properties and its application for urinary and kidney disorders.

Bach

  • Scientific Name: Acorus Calamus

  • Common Names: Sweet Flag, Calamus

  • Description: Bach is a perennial plant with aromatic rhizomes. It has long, sword-shaped leaves and inconspicuous flowers. The plant has a sweet and spicy scent.

  • Medicinal Uses: Bach is used in traditional medicine for its potential therapeutic effects. It's known for supporting mental well-being and cognitive functions. The dried rhizomes also can be used to help weak memories, psychoneurosis, and epilepsy.

Shyonak

  • Scientific Name: Oroxylum Indicum

  • Common Names: Indian Trumpet Flower, Broken Bones Plant

  • Description: Shyonak is a deciduous tree native to the Indian subcontinent. It has large, pinnately compound leaves and produces showy, trumpet-shaped flowers.

  • Medicinal Uses: Various parts of the Shyonak plant are used in traditional medicine. The bark and roots can be used for multiple therapeutic purposes. For example, it can be used to treat jaundice, arthritic and rheumatic problems, gastric ulcers, and respiratory diseases.

Aparajita

  • Scientific Name: Clitoria Ternatea

  • Common Names: Butterfly Pea, Asian Pigeonwings

  • Description: Aparajita is a climbing perennial plant with bright blue or white flowers. It is known for its striking, butterfly-shaped petals.

  • Medicinal Uses: Aparajita is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for its potential cognitive and nootropic effects. It is also considered beneficial for its antioxidant properties and as a mild sedative.

Sharpunkha

  • Scientific Name: Tephrosia Purpurea

  • Common Names: Purple Tephrosia, Wild Indigo

  • Description: Sharpunkha is a shrubby plant with compound leaves and purple flowers. It is native to India and has been used in traditional medicine for various purposes.

  • Medicinal Uses: Sharpunkha has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. It is believed to have hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties and has been used to support liver health. It is also used for its potential anti-inflammatory effects.

Sarpagandha

  • Scientific Name: Rauvolfia Serpentina

  • Common Names: Indian Snakeroot, Serpentwood

  • Description: Sarpagandha is a small, evergreen shrub with white or pinkish flowers. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and is known for its bitter taste.

  • Medicinal Uses: Sarpagandha has a prominent place in traditional Indian medicine. It is used for its potential antihypertensive (blood pressure-lowering) properties and is employed to manage high blood pressure.

Senna

  • Scientific Name: Senna Alexandrina

  • Common Names: Cassia, Sonamukhi

  • Description: Senna is a flowering plant with yellow flowers and long, narrow leaflets. It is native to Northern Africa but is also found in India.

  • Medicinal Uses: Senna leaves and pods are used in traditional medicine as a natural laxative. They contain compounds that help relieve constipation and promote bowel movements. Senna is commonly used in herbal teas and supplements for its laxative effect.

 Punarnava

  • Scientific Name: Boerhavia Diffusa

  • Common Names: Red Spiderling, Spreading Hogweed

  • Description: Punarnava is a creeping herb with small, pink or red flowers. It is found in tropical regions and is used in traditional medicine.

  • Medicinal Uses: Punarnava has diuretic properties and is traditionally used to promote kidney and urinary tract health. It is believed to help with conditions related to fluid retention and urinary disorders.

Piyabasa

  • Scientific Name: Thespesia Populnea

  • Common Names: Portia Tree, Tulip Tree

  • Description: Piyabasa is a medium-sized tree with distinctive yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves. It is native to tropical regions, including parts of India.

  • Medicinal Uses: The bark and leaves of this plant are used for their potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Nirgundi

  • Scientific Name: Vitex Negundo

  • Common Names: Five-Leaved Chaste Tree, Indian Privet

  • Description: Nirgundi is a shrub or small tree with compound leaves and fragrant flowers. It is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and is valued for its diverse traditional uses.

  • Medicinal Uses: Nirgundi is considered to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. It is used to manage various health issues, including pain, inflammation, and respiratory conditions.

Mimosa (Chui Mui)

  • Scientific Name: Mimosa Pudica

  • Common Names: Sensitive Plant, Touch-Me-Not

  • Description: Mimosa is a creeping or trailing plant with fern-like leaves that fold inward when touched. It is found in India and other tropical regions.

  • Medicinal Uses: In traditional medicine, Mimosa is used for its potential antimicrobial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is employed to address various health issues, and the leaves are sometimes used in poultices for skin conditions.

Pippali

  • Scientific Name: Piper Longum

  • Common Names: Long Pepper

  • Description: Pippali is a slender, aromatic, and flowering vine with long, spike-like fruits. It is native to India and is an important spice and medicinal plant.

  • Medicinal Uses: Pippali has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is believed to have various therapeutic properties, including digestive support and respiratory health.

Meswak

  • Scientific Name: Salvadora Persica

  • Common Names: Toothbrush Tree, Arak

  • Description: Meswak is a small tree or shrub known for its dental health benefits. It has slender branches and produces fibrous twigs used as natural toothbrushes.

  • Medicinal Uses: Meswak twigs are traditionally used for oral hygiene and dental care. Chewing or using them for brushing teeth is believed to help maintain healthy gums, prevent tooth decay, and combat bad breath.

Mandukaparni

  • Scientific Name: Centella Asiatica

  • Common Names: Gotu Kola, Asiatic Pennywort

  • Description: Mandukaparni is a small, perennial herb with kidney-shaped leaves and pinkish to reddish flowers. It is native to the wetlands of Asia, including India.

  • Medicinal Uses: Mandukaparni has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. It is believed to have cognitive-enhancing properties and is used to support mental clarity and overall brain health. It is also used for its potential wound-healing properties.

Kulanjan

  • Scientific Name: Alpinia Galanga

  • Common Names: Galangal, Greater Galangal

  • Description: Kulanjan is a rhizomatous herb with aromatic rhizomes and tall spikes of white or red flowers. It is a member of the ginger family and is native to Southeast Asia.

  • Medicinal Uses: Kulanjan has traditional uses in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory, digestive, and analgesic properties. It is used in various herbal formulations and culinary dishes for its aromatic and medicinal qualities.

Lemongrass

  • Scientific Name: Cymbopogon Citratus

  • Common Names: Citronella Grass, Sereh

  • Description: Lemongrass is a tall, fragrant grass with long, slender blades and a lemony aroma. It is native to tropical regions, including India.

  • Medicinal Uses: Lemongrass is known for its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties. It is commonly used to make herbal teas and infusions for relaxation and digestive support. It is also used topically in some traditional remedies.

Kuchla (Nux Vomica)

  • Scientific Name: Strychnos Nux-Vomica

  • Common Names: Poison Nut, Strychnine Tree

  • Description: Kuchla is a medium-sized tree with large leaves and orange-red fruit. It contains seeds that are the source of the toxic alkaloid strychnine.

  • Medicinal Uses: Kuchla contains the highly toxic strychnine and brucine alkaloids and should be used with extreme caution. In traditional medicine, it has been used in minute quantities for its potential stimulant effects, but it is considered unsafe for self-medication and is strictly regulated.

Kalmegh

  • Scientific Name: Andrographis Paniculata

  • Common Names: King of Bitters, Creat, Andrographis

  • Description: Kalmegh is a herbaceous plant with lance-shaped leaves and small white or lavender flowers. It is native to South Asian countries, including India.

  • Medicinal Uses: Kalmegh is known for its potential immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used in traditional medicine to support the immune system, treat colds and flu, and address various other health issues.

Khus

  • Scientific Name: Vetiveria Zizanioides

  • Common Names: Vetiver, Chrysopogon zizanioides

  • Description: Khus is a perennial grass known for its fragrant roots and long, slender leaves. It is native to the Indian subcontinent.

  • Medicinal Uses: Khus is used in traditional medicine for its potential cooling and soothing properties. It is sometimes used to make herbal teas, fragrances, and as an ingredient in topical preparations.

Jyotishmati (Malkangani)

  • Scientific Name: Celastrus Paniculatus

  • Common Names: Black Oil Plant, Intellect Tree

  • Description: Jyotishmati is a climbing shrub with small, greenish-yellow flowers. It is native to India and is valued for its seeds.

  • Medicinal Uses: Jyotishmati seeds are traditionally used for their potential cognitive-enhancing properties. They are believed to support mental clarity and are sometimes used in Ayurvedic formulations for brain health.

Elaichi

  • Scientific Name: Elettaria Cardamomum

  • Common Names: Cardamom, Green Cardamom

  • Description: Elaichi is a perennial herb with aromatic seeds and colorful, sweetly scented flowers. It is native to the Indian subcontinent.

  • Medicinal Uses: Elaichi is known for its digestive properties and is used to address digestive issues. It is also valued for its aromatic and culinary uses.

Hadjod

  • Scientific Name: Cissus Quadrangularis

  • Common Names: Veldt Grape, Asthisamharaka

  • Description: Hadjod is a succulent plant with quadrangular stems, small greenish-white flowers, and fleshy leaves. It is native to India and other tropical regions.

  • Medicinal Uses: Hadjod is traditionally used for its potential bone-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine for bone health and to address joint and musculoskeletal conditions.

Gokhru

  • Scientific Name: Tribulus Terrestris

  • Common Names: Puncture Vine, Gokshura

  • Description: Gokhru is a low-growing, spiny plant with yellow flowers and small, fruit-bearing spiky burrs. It is native to the Indian subcontinent.

  • Medicinal Uses: Gokhru is used in traditional medicine for its potential diuretic and aphrodisiac properties. It is believed to support urinary and reproductive health and is used in various Ayurvedic formulations.

Gunja

  • Scientific Name: Abrus Precatorius

  • Common Names: Rosary Pea, Jequirity Bean

  • Description: Gunja is a woody vine with pinnate leaves and red and black seeds. It is native to India and is known for its brightly colored seeds.

  • Medicinal Uses: While Gunja seeds are toxic due to the presence of abrin, they have been used in traditional medicine in very limited and controlled quantities. Gunja seeds have been used topically and, in Ayurveda, are sometimes used in minute amounts for specific purposes.

Ginko Biloba

  • Scientific Name: Ginkgo Biloba

  • Common Names: Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo

  • Description: Ginko Biloba is a unique, deciduous tree with fan-shaped leaves. It is considered a living fossil and is native to China but widely cultivated and used in various parts of the world.

  • Medicinal Uses: Ginko Biloba is used in traditional Chinese medicine and modern herbal medicine for its potential cognitive and circulatory benefits. It is often used to support memory and overall brain health.

Brahmi

  • Scientific Name: Bacopa Monnieri

  • Common Names: Water Hyssop, Herb of Grace

  • Description: Brahmi is a creeping herb with small, succulent leaves and light blue flowers. It is native to wetlands and is found in various parts of the world.

  • Medicinal Uses: Brahmi is highly regarded in Ayurvedic medicine for its potential cognitive-enhancing properties. It is used to support memory, concentration, and overall brain health.

Bhring Raj

  • Scientific Name: Eclipta Alba

  • Common Names: False Daisy, Bhringaraj

  • Description: Bhring Raj is a creeping herb with small white flowers. It is native to India and other parts of Asia.

  • Medicinal Uses: Bhring Raj is traditionally used in Ayurveda for its potential hair and scalp health benefits. It is believed to promote hair growth, improve hair texture, and address various scalp conditions.

Ashwagandha

  • Scientific Name: Withania Somnifera

  • Common Names: Indian Ginseng, Winter Cherry

  • Description: Ashwagandha is a small shrub with elliptical leaves and small greenish-yellow flowers. It is native to India and is well-known in Ayurvedic medicine.

  • Medicinal Uses: Ashwagandha is a widely used adaptogenic herb known for its potential to reduce stress, support overall well-being, and enhance vitality. It has diverse traditional uses and is valued for its ability to promote physical and mental health.

Akarkara

  • Scientific Name: Anacyclus Pyrethrum

  • Common Names: Pellitory, Spanish Chamomile

  • Description: Akarkara is a small, perennial herb with small white or yellow flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean region and has been introduced to other parts of the world, including India.

  • Medicinal Uses: In traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, Akarkara is used for its potential aphrodisiac and stimulant properties. It is also used to address oral and dental health issues.

Agnimantha

  • Scientific Name: Premna Integrifolia

  • Common Names: Arani, Agnimantha

  • Description: Agnimantha is a small to medium-sized tree with simple, opposite leaves and small clusters of white flowers. It is native to India and other parts of Southeast Asia.

  • Medicinal Uses: Agnimantha is used in Ayurvedic medicine for its potential digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. It is believed to support digestive health and manage various gastrointestinal conditions.

Tulsi

  • Scientific Name: Ocimum Sanctum

  • Common Names: Holy Basil, Sacred Basil

  • Description: Tulsi is a fragrant, aromatic herb with green or purple leaves and small white or purple flowers. It is native to India and is considered sacred in Hinduism.

  • Medicinal Uses: Tulsi is highly regarded in Ayurvedic medicine and is used for its potential adaptogenic and immune-boosting properties. It is also used to address various health issues and is commonly consumed as an herbal tea.

Shatavari

  • Scientific Name: Asparagus Racemosus

  • Common Names: Wild Asparagus, Satavar

  • Description: Shatavari is a climbing, thorny shrub with needle-like leaves and small, fragrant, white flowers. It is native to India and is used for various health purposes.

  • Medicinal Uses: Shatavari is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, particularly for its potential benefits for women's health. It is believed to support the female reproductive system and hormonal balance.

Sallai-Guggal

  • Scientific Name: Boswellia Serrata

  • Common Names: Indian Frankincense

  • Description: Sallai-Guggal is a tree with papery bark and small, greenish-white flowers. It is native to India and the Arabian Peninsula.

  • Medicinal Uses: Sallai-Guggal is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for its potential anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. It is often used to support joint health and manage inflammatory conditions.

Curcuma Longa (Turmeric)

  • Scientific Name: Curcuma Longa

  • Common Names: Turmeric, Haldi

  • Description: Turmeric is a rhizomatous herb with large, lance-shaped leaves and yellow flowers. It is native to South Asia and is widely cultivated for its rhizomes.

  • Medicinal Uses: Turmeric is known for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is used in traditional medicine and culinary practices for its various health benefits.

Giloy-Ghanwati

  • Scientific Name: Tinospora Cordifolia

  • Common Names: Guduchi, Amrita

  • Description: Giloy is a deciduous, climbing shrub with heart-shaped leaves and small yellow flowers. It is native to the Indian subcontinent.

  • Medicinal Uses: Giloy is used in Ayurvedic medicine for its potential immune-boosting properties and as a general tonic. It is also employed for its adaptogenic qualities.

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