The term "traditional medicine" refers to ways of protecting and restoring health that existed before the arrival of modern medicine. As the term implies, these approaches to health belong to the traditions of each country, and have been handed down from generation to generation. Traditional systems in general have had to meet the needs of the local communities for many centuries as a primary health care system.
2. Definition:
The term "traditional medicine" refers to ways of
protecting and restoring health that existed before the
arrival of modern medicine. As the term implies,
these approaches to health belong to the traditions of
each country, and have been handed down from
generation to generation. Traditional systems in
general have had to meet the needs of the local
communities for many centuries as a primary health
care system.
3. According to WHO,
Traditional medicine (TM) refers to the
knowledge, skills and practices based on the
theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to
different cultures, used in the maintenance of
health and in the prevention, diagnosis,
improvement or treatment of physical and mental
illness. Traditional medicine covers a wide
variety of therapies and practices which vary from
country to country and region to region. In some
countries, it is referred to as "alternative" or
"complementary" medicine (CAM).
4. TRADITIONAL SYSTEM:
Indian ayurveda
Arabic unani medicine
Naturopathy
Homeopathy
Aromatherapy
traditional Chinese medicine
**All these system are based on herbal medicine,
manual and spiritual therapy, and yoga
5. Traditional medicine- Studies
includes
common vernacular names
botanical sources
morphology
chemical nature of chief Constituents
pharmacology categories
traditional uses
marketed formulations
7. AMLA:
Vernacular name
Amalaki (sans)
Aamla (h n g)
Indian gooseberry (eng.)
Botanical source
fresh and dried fruit, of
Phyllanthus emblica or Emblica
officinalis.
Family-Euphorbiaceae.
8. Morphology of fruit
E.officinalis is a small or medium-sized
deciduous tree with smooth, greenish grey,
exfoliating bark.
The leaves are feathery with small narrowly
oblong, pinnately arranged leaflets. .
The fruits are depressed, globose, fleshy and
obscurely 6-lobed, containing 6 trigonous
seeds.
taste of Indian gooseberry is sour, sweet and
astringent, and is quite fibrous.
9. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENT:
high amounts of ascorbic acid (vitamin
C), 445 mg/100g
Tannin & polyphenol & Minerals
fruit also contains phyllemblin and
curcuminoides, flavonoids, kaempferol,
ellagic acid and gallic acid
10. PHARMACOLOGY:
Histopathological observations revealed that
both the fruit extract and ascorbic acid could
prevent the toxic effects induced by metals, but
the extract was more effective than ascorbic
acid alone.
Feeding of Amla to the hypercholesterolemic
rabbits for 12 weeks showed a two pronged
effect, its feeding increased the lipid
mobilization and catabolism and retarded the
deposition of lipids in the extrahepatic tissues.
11. USE:
According to Ayurveda, amla is specific to pitta
due to its sweet taste and cooling energy. However,
amla is thought to balance vata by virtue of its sour
taste, and kapha due to its astringent taste and
drying action.
traditionally to enhance digestion , treat
constipation , reduce fever , purify the blood ,
reduce cough, alleviate asthma , strengthen the
heart , benefit the eyes , stimulate hair growth.
In combination with iron, it is used as a remedy
for anemia, jaundice and dyspepsia.
12. MARKETED PRODUCT:
Amlaki Cap. pure herb- Himalaya
Triphala pure herb-Himalaya
Amla c pure herb-Himalaya
Amla Pittantak lauh-Dabur
Amla Hair oil- Dabur
Organic amla-Avesta
Amla churna-Divya
15. Morphology
A perennial herb grows 0.33-1
metre tall, branches long and
with three edges,. The spiklets
in compound umbels.
The rhizomes are up to 25 mm
blackish, dark reddish-brown
tubers ,hard, fragrant tubers.
aerial stems triquetrous.
17. Pharmacology:
The petroleum ether extract of the roots showed anti-
inflammatory activity against carrageenin-induced
oedema in albino rats.
The methanol extract of Cyperus rotundus rhizome,
given orally at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w.,
showed significant antidiarrhoeal activity in castor oil
induced diarrhoea in mice.
It is also have been reported for antidiabetic,
cytoprotective, antimutagenic, antimicrobial,
antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic and analgesic
activities.
18. Use:
The root extract oil instilled into eyes in
conjunctivitis reduces the pain, redness and ocular
discharges.
The external application of its paste relieves
itching and reduces the foul odor due to excessive
sweating, and is salutary in skin diseases like
scabies, eczema etc.
It is one of the best herbs, useful in digestive
disorders. It is a keen stimulant for appetite,
digestion, digestion of ama, and is also vermicide,
astringent. Therefore, it is an effective remedy for
distaste, vomiting, diarrhea, colitis, dyspepsia,
worms etc.
Mustaka is highly praised as the best panacea for
dental diarrhea in children.
21. Bach or Vaj:
Vernacular name
English : Sweet Flag
Hindi : Bacc, Gorbacc
Sanskrit : Vaca Ugragandha
Gujarati:
Botanical Source
Dried root/ rhizome of Acorus
calamus.
Family: Araceae
22. Morphology:
A semi-aquatic rhizomatous
perennial herb
Rhizome creeping, much branched,
as thick as the middle finger
12-14.5cm in length and 1- 2cm
thick, cylindrical or slightly
compressed.
light brown or pinkish brown
externally, white and spongy .
aromatic odour, tasteless in taste
flowers are 3-8 cm long, cylindrical
in shape,greenish brown and
covered in a multitude of rounded
spikes
The fruits are small and berry-like,
containing few seeds.
23. Chemical constituent:
It yields a light brown to brownish yellow volatile oil known
as CALAMUS OIL.
The important constituents are
α-Asarone , β-Asarone .
Other-constituents are calamenol; calamene,
calamenone, methyleugenol. eugenol and a-pinene
and camphene,, asaronaldehyde, calamol, calamone
Sesquiterpenic ketones like acorone, calarene,
calacone, calacorene, acorenone, acolamone,
isoacolamone.
Two bitter principles,acorin and acoretin
It also contains tannins, mucilage, resins and small
starch grains.
24. Pharmacology:
The alcoholic extract and essential oil (0.2%) exhibite
significant anti-bacterial anti fungal activities.
Asarone isolated from the volatile fraction of A.Calamus was
found to exhibit anti-carcinogenic action on ED50 of SGC Cells
at a dose level of 25mcg/mlCells at a dose level of 25mcg/ml.
The aqueous extract of A.calamus showed a significant
caraigeenan induced anti-inflammatory activity at a low dose.
The alcoholic extract of A.calamus exhibited potent antiviral
activity against herpes virus.
A.Calamus was found to be effective in case of Rheumatoid
arthritis with pain, swelling and functional disability.
25. Use:
Traditionally Acorus calamus is used for Appetite
loss, Bitter Tonic, Bronchitis, Chest Pain, Colic,
Cramps, Diarrhea, Digestive Disorders,
Flatulence, Gas, Indigestion, Nervous Disorders,
Rheumatism, Sedative, and Vascular Disorders.
Both the leaves and rhizome are apparently
psychoactive, due to the presence of asarones,
which have mescaline-like hallucinogenic
properties
Boiling water extract of A. calamus is used as
bathing agent for skin diseases.
28. Shankhapuspi: Trivritkul
Vernacular Name
English: Bind weed
Hindi:shankhahulli, Shankapushpi,
Shyamakranta
Sanskrit: shankhpushpi, Nilapushpi,
Vaishnava, Vishnugandhi
Gujrati : shakhawali
Botanical Source
Fresh/ dried whole plant of
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus microphyllus
Family: convolvulaceae
In certain parts of India, Clitoria ternatea Linn. and
Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. are used as shankhpuspi
29. Morphology:
Root - Usually branched,
cylindrical, ribbed having some
rough stem nodules and small
secondary roots, 1-5 cm long, 0.1-
0.4 cm thick, yellowish-brown to
light brown.
Stem - Slender, cylindrical, about
0.1 cm or less in thickness with
clear hairy nodes and internodes;
light green.
Leaf - Shortly petiolate, linear-
lanceolate, acute, hairy on both
surfaces; 0.5-2 cm long and 0.1-0.5
cm broad; light green.
30. Flower - White or pinkish; solitary
or in pairs sessile or sub-sessile in
the leaf axis; sepals narrowly, linear-
lanceolate, sparsely hairy; corolla
shortly discoid; stamen 5, free,
epipetalous, alternate with the petals,
inserted deep in the corolla tube;
ovary superior and bicarpellary.
Fruit - Capsule, oblong globose with
coriaceous, pale brown pericarp.
Seed - Brown; minutely puberulous.
31. Chemical constituent:
It contains certain alkaloids,
convolmine
conoline
phyllabine
confoline
convoline
convosine
convolvidine
sterols like beta- sitosterl nas scopoline.
It also contains alkaloid shank pushpin which is
considered to be the active ingredient in the the herb.
32. Pharmacology:
The ethanolic extract of the plant reduces total serum
cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and nonesterfied
fatty-acid.
The plant is reported to be a prominent memory-
improving drug. It is used as a psycho-stimulant and
tranquilizer. It is reported to reduce mental tension.
The specific pharmacological action of convolvine has been
found to block M2 and M4 cholinergic muscarinic
receptors. It was also found that convolvine potentiates the
effects of arecoline, a muscarinic memory enhancer that
ameliorates cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease .
An ethanolic extract of CP possesses significant
antioxidant activity when tested in vitro.
The antiulcerogenic effect of CP was found to be due to
augmentation of mucosal defensive factors such as mucin
secretion, lifespan of mucosal cells and glycoprotein rather
than on the offensive factors such as acid pepsin
33. Use:
Shankpushpi is used traditionally to treat nervous debility,
insomnia, fatigue, low energy level.
According to ayurvedic theory, It increases the power of
mental abilities . It improves the voice and is useful in cases of
fits and epilepsy.
The leaves of Shankhpushpi were used to treat chronic
bronchitis and asthma.
It provides strength to the heart and prevents thinning of
blood. It also very effective in hypertension and relieves undue
pressure on the arteries.
It is also helpful in throat related problems and also expels the
unwanted mucus present in the throat.
It also act as diuretic and is helpful in conditions like urinary
tract infections and urinary calculi.
It is also used as aphrodisiac agent.
It also reduces the burning sensations in the body. It tones up
the body and also relieves from general body weakness.
34. Marketed product:
Ayurvedic formulation
Brahmi Ghrita
Agastyaharitaki Rasayana
Brahma Rasayana
Manasmitra Vataka
Gorocanadi Vati
Divyasmiriti syrup:
Sincon health care ltd.
Smrutihill tablet: Herbal
hill
Shankhapuspi syrup:
Wilson drugs
pharmaceutical pvt.ltd.
Abana (HeartCare),
Anxocare: Himalaya
Remem :Zydus
Industries
Ayumemo :Welexlabs,
India
Tejras syrup: Sandu
Brothers, India
36. Gymnema:
Vernacular Name
Sanskrit: Ajaballi, Madhunasini
Hindi: Gudmar, Gurmar
Gujarati: Dhuleti, Mardashingi
English: Periploca of the wood
Botanical Source
Root and leaves of Gymnema
sylvestri.
Family: Asclepiadaceae
37. Morphology:
Gymnema sylvestre is a woody climbers, rooting at
nodes.
The leaves lamina is
Opposite, ovate, elliptic or ovate-lanceolate with both
surfaces pubescent.
Colour : Green to yellowish green when completely
dried
Odour : Odourless
Taste : Extremely bitter in taste
Flowers small, in axillary and lateral umbel like
cymes, pedicels long; Calyx-lobes long, ovate,
obtuse, pubescent; Corolla pale yellow campanulate,
valvate, corona single, with 5 fleshy scales.
38. Chemical constituent:
Leaves
It contain triterpene Oleanane saponins are
gymnemic acids and gymnemasaponins, while
dammarene saponins are gymnemasides.
Besides this, other plant constituents are
Flavones
Phytin
Resins
butyric acid
Lupeol
quercitol
β-amyrin related glycosides and stigmasterol.
39. Pharmacology:
Gymnema extract is used in many traditional medicine
which is useful to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels
in diabetic animals and humans. (antidiabetic)
The administration of leaf extracts to hyperlipidaemic rats
for two weeks have been found to show reduction in elevated
serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), very low
densitylipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein
(LDL) – cholesterol in dose dependent manner.
The aqueous extract of G. sylvestre leaves was investigated
for evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity in rats at a dose
200, 300 and 500 mg/kg in carrageenin-induced paw oedema
and cotton pellet method.
In vitro, the inhibitory effects of DPPH radicals and LDL
oxidation were found with aqueous extract of G. sylvestre.
G. sylvestre require 32.1 μl, for scavenging 50% of the
DPPH radicals (free radical scavenging)
40. Use:
It is a potent antidiabetic plant and used in folk,
ayurvedic and homeopathic systems of medicine.
It is useful in dyspepsia, constipation, jaundice,
haemorrhoids, renal and vesical calculi,
cardiopathy, asthma, bronchitis,
amenorrhoea,conjuctivitis and leucoderma
In addition, it possesses antimicrobial,
antihypercholesterolemic, hepatoprotective and
sweet suppressing activities.
Gymnema stimulate the circulatory system,
increases urine secretion.
Gymnema is also useful for the treatment of swollen
glands, cough, and fever.
44. Morphology:
Leaf : Leaves are simple, 3-5 cm long, 0.6-2 cm
broad; sessile, obtuse, lanceolate to ovate-
lanceolate; margin entire or toothed around the
apex, unequal at base; both surfaces pubescent,
distinct small hairs more prominent near veins;
texture brittle, papery; odour characteristic; taste
astringent and slightly bitter.
Root : Root 1 to 5 mm in diameter somewhat
twisted and gradually tapering. The external
surface is white when young while it is light to
dark brown in mature one and the wood is
brownish.
46. Pharmacology:
Alcoholic crude extracts of P. zeylanica were
investigated for their ability to inhibit the growth
of multiresistant (16-23 ß-lactam antibiotics)
strains of E. coli and Shigella. Compared with
other plant extracts they showed high activity
with MIC value of 0.64-10.24 mg/ml.
(Antibacterial)
Beta-sitosterol and plumbagin isolated by a
bioassay guided fractionation of the
dichloromethane extract from aerial parts of P.
zeylanica were toxic against the cancer cell lines.
47. Use:
The plant is used for the inflammations and
bronchitis, psoriasis, cough and piles.
It is also used as antipyretic, analgesic, laxative
and nervine tonic.
The decoction of plant is used to prevent the
swellings of joint in arthritis, rheumatism and
neurological diseases.
The roots are antipyretic, bitter, laxative and
thermogenic and are used for allaying the pain
caused by the sting of scorpions.
It possesses a mild diuretic property, hence is used
with benefit in dysuria.
50. Gokhru:
Vernacular Name
English: Punctured vine
Hindi: gokhru, Chotagokhru
Sanskrit: gokshur, Trikantaka
Gujarati: betha gokhru,
Betagokhru
Botanical Source
Fruit and root of Tribulus
terrestris.
Family:Zygophyllaceae
51. Morphology:
An annual or perennial,
prostrate herb
Leaves are abruptly simple,
pinnate and opposite. Leaflets
almost sessile, rounded or
oblique at the base, mucronate at
the apex.
Flowers bright yellow, solitary,
pseudo axillary or leaf opposed.
Fruits are 5 angled or winged
spinous tuberculate woody
schizocarp, separating into five
cocci, each coccus having two
long, stiff, sharp divaricate spines
towards the distal half and two
shorter ones nearer the base.
52. Chemical constituent:
The fruit of Tribulus terrestris contain saponin
glycosides. The saponins on hydrolysis yield
diosgenin, ruscogenin, gitogenin, three flavone
glycosides etc.
The major constituents of this plants are steroidal
saponins namely terrestrosins A, B, C, D and E,
desgalactotigonis, F-gitonis, desglucolanatigoneis,
gitnin etc., which on hydrolysis yield diosgenis,
hecogenis and neotigogenin etc.
other minor constituents like b-sitosterol,
stigmasterol, a cinnamic amide derivative -
terrestiamide and 7-methylhydroisdamone.
53. Pharmacology:
The ethanol extract was administered orally in albino rats
at 25, 50 and 100mg/kg daily for 4 months. It exhibited
dose dependent antiurolithiatic activity and almost
completely inhibited stone formation (Antiurolithiatic
activity).
The pharmacological screening of the Tribulus terrestris
extract showed marked CNS stimulant activity at a dosage
of 20mg/Kg in albino rats.
It is shown that saponin of Tribulus terrestris has the
action of dilating coronary artery and improving coronary
circulation and thus has better effects on improving ECG
of mycocardial ischemia.
54. Use:
They are used in Ayurveda in the treatment of
kidney stones, painful urination and other genito-
urinary disorders, mainly in the form of an infusion.
Genito- urinary system: the diuretic properties of
plant are due to large amount of nitrates and
essential oils present in seeds. Plant and dried spiny
fruit is used for spermatorrhea, phosphateuria,
dysuria, gonorrhea, gleet, chronic cystitis, calculous
affections, incontinence of urine and impotency. It is
used in inflammation of urinary passage.
55. Marketed product:
Spermotone Capsules: La-Medicca India
Private Limited
Gokshuradi Guggul: ambika medico
Femivita veg cap:
Male 40 Plus cap
Vigor-Forte cap: veda living herbal solution
Gokhru capsule: WDPL
56. Ashoka
Asoka or ashoka is a Sanskrit words which means “without sorrow” or which that gives no grief.
57. Ashoka bark:
Ashoka means "without sorrow", a reference to this bark's
reputation for keeping women healthy and youthful.
Vernacular Name
Sanskrit: Kankeli
Gujarati: Ashoka
Hindi: Ashoka
English: Ashok tree
Botanical Source
Dried bark of Saraca asoca or Saraca indica.
Family :Caesalpinaceae
58. Morphology:
Bark channelled, externally
dark brown or grey or almost
black with warty surface.,
smooth with circular lenticels
and transversely ridged,
sometimes cracked, internally
reddish-brown with fine
longitudinal strands and
fibers, fracture splintery
exposing striated surface, a
thin whitish continuous layer
is seen beneath the cork
layer, taste, astringent.
59. Chemical constituent:
bark contains tannin, catechol, sterol, and organic
calcium compounds.
The flower part of plant contain Oleic, linoleic,
palmitic and stearic acids, sitosterol, quercetin,
kaempferol.
Five lignan glycosides, lyoniside, nudiposide, 5-
methoxy-9-β-xylopyranosyl-(−)-isolariciresinol,
icariside E3, and schizandriside & three
flavonoids, (−)-epicatechin, epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-
epicatechin and procyanidin B2, together with β-
sitosterol glucoside, were isolated from dried bark
60. Pharmacology:
Oxytocic activity of the plant was seen in rat and human
isolated uterine preparations. Estrogen-primed or gravid
uterus was more sensitive to the action of the alcoholic
extract.
Extract of different parts of Saraca asoca show
significant antibacterial activity on agar plate with
different organisms. such as Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia
coli, Salmonella typhosa, Staphylococcus aureus,
Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Salmonella viballerup,
Shigella boydii, E. coli, Vibro cholera, Shigella flexneri
and Shigella dyserteriae.
The anticancer principle from Saraca asoca flowers
indicated 50 percent cytotoxicity (in vitro) in Dalton's
lymphoma ascites and Sarcoma-180 tumour cells at a
concentration of 38 mug and 54 mug respectively.
61. Use:
It is useful in menorrhagia (scant menses), dysmenorrhea
(painful menses, menstrual cramps), depression, bleeding
hemorrhoids, uterine fibroids, considered a uterine
sedative and tonic. Useful in Leucorrhoea.
Apart from this it is also useful for other ailments such as
internal piles, diabetes, dyspepsia, indigestion, burning
sensation, blood disorders, fractures, tumors, bites,
ulcerations, and skin discoloration.
Asoka seeds are diuretic – increase the quantity of urine,
hence used in strangury and urinary stones.
Decoction is useful in rickets, delayed bone consolidation
and calcium deficiency.
64. Palash: Tesu
Vernacular Name
English : Bastard peak
Gujarati : Kesudo, Khakharo,
Khakhapado
Hindi : Dhak, Tesu
Sanskrit: Raktapuspa
Botanical Source
Dried stem bark/ flower of Butea
monosperma.
Family:Fabaceae
65. Morphology:
Mature stem bark, 0.5 - 1 cm thick,
greyish to pale brown curved, rough due
to presence of rhytidoma, and scattered
dark brown spots of exudate
rhytidoma 0.2 cm thick usually peels off,
exposing light brown surface
exfoliation of cork and presence of
shallow longitudinal and transverse
fissures
Fracture :laminated in outer part and
fibrous in inner part internal surface
rough, pale brown
Taste: slightly astringent.
Flowers in rigid racemes;Calyx is dark,
olive green to brown in colour. The
corolla is long with silky silvery hairs
outside and bright orange red.
66. Chemical constituent:
Flower - Triterpene,several flavonoids butein, butin,
isobutrin, coreopsin, isocoreopsin (butin 7-glucoside),
sulphurein, monospermoside and
isomonospermoside, chalcones, aurones, isobutyine,
Myricyl alcohol, stearic, palmitic, arachidic and
lignoceric acids, glucose, fructose, histidine, aspartic
acid, alanine and phenylalanine
Gum -Tannins, mucilaginous material, pyrocatechin
Stem of Butea contain Lupenone, lupeol and
sitosterol
Bark - Kino-tannic acid, Gallic acid, pyrocatechin. It
also contains palasitrin, and major glycosides as
butrin, alanind, allophanic acid, butolic acid,
cyanidin, histidine, lupenone, lupeol, (-)-medicarpin,
miroestrol, palasimide and shellolic acid .
67. Pharmacology:
The stem bark of Butea monosperma displays antifungal
activity, which is due to the presence of an active
constituent (-)-medicarpin.
The anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of
Butea monosperma evaluated by carrageenin induced
paw edema and cotten pellet granuloma.
flowers of Butea monosperma is used in India for the
treatment of liver disorders and two antihepatotoxic
flavonoids, isobutrin and butrin have been isolated from
the extract.
ethanolic extract of Butea monosperma flowers at the
dose of 200mg/kg P.O. significantly improved glucose
tolerance and cause reduction in blood glucose level in
alloxan induced diabetic Rats.
The topical administration of an alcoholic bark extract of
Butea monosperma show wound healing in rats.
68. Use:
Commonly Butea monosperma is used as
tonic, astringent, aphrodisiac and diuretics.
Flowers are useful in diarrhoea, astringent,
diuretic, depurative and tonic.
Flowers of this plant are also effective in
leprosy, leucorrhoea and gout
The stem bark is useful in indigenous
medicine for the treatment of dyspepsia,
diarrhoea, dysentery, ulcer, sore throat and
snake bite.
71. Guggal:
Vernacular Name
Sanskrit: Mahisaksa, kausika
English : Gum-gugul, Indian Bdellium
Gujarati : Gugal, Guggal, Gugar
Hindi : Guggul
Botanical Source
Guggulu consists of exudate of
Commiphora wightii = Balsamodendron
mukul & Commiphora mukul.
Family: Burseraceae
72. Morphology:
Drug occurs in vermicular or
stalactitic pieces of pale yellow or
brown coloured mass, makes milky
emulsion in hot water and readily
burns, when fresh viscid and golden
coloured, odour, aromtic, taste.,
bitter and astringent
This resin is found in a small
prickly mukul myrrh tree which is
known as commiphora mukul.
The bark of this plant excretes gum
resins which is known as guggul.
74. Pharmacology:
Guggulipid is an extract of the guggul tree
Commiphora mukul and has been widely used to treat
hyperlipidemia in humans.
The oleoresin fraction of guggulu possesses significant
anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activities, the
minimum effective dose being 12.5mg./100 g. body
weight. The crude aqueous extract of the oleo gum
resin was found to suppress acute rat-paw edema
induced by carrageenin.
This fraction also showed moderate scavenging effect
against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)
radicals.
The ethyl acetate extract of Commiphora mukul was
found to confer significant protection to albino rats
against the development of experimental
atherosclerosis.
75. Use:
This is a very effective fat burning and weight loss
agent which shows results very quickly.
It helps in reducing triglycerides and serum
cholesterol and improves the LDL and HDL ratio.
This herb improves the white blood cell count
which lowers down the danger of coronary artery
disease.
This herb is also useful in arthritic pain and helps
in settling down the joints and bones in actual
position. Guggul is also used in various diseases
such as lymphadenopathy, rheumatoid arthritis,
osteoarthritis, gout, paralysis, sciatica, hemiplegia,
etc.
77. Shilajit: ‘winner of rock’ another meaning is
“sweat of the rock”
Vernacular name:
Mineral pitch, Vegetable asphalt, Bitumen
Sanskrit Shilajit
English: Asphaltum
Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi: Silajita
Biological source:
It is a herbo-mineral drug ejected out of
fissures in iron rich rocks, during hot weather.
78. Characteristics:
It is a kind of resin that oozes out from
Himalayan Mountains due to the heating effect
of the sun in summer.
It is pale brown to blackish brown in colour.
This resin is soft in texture, slimy to touch,
pure and heavy.
It is soluble in water.
80. Marketed product:
Shilajit tablets (300mg/tablet): Banyan
botanical
Purified extract from 500 mg of raw shilajit,
capsule: Dabur
Shilajit gold antiaging: Dabur
Chlorsilajit tablet: Nature built
Shilajit recovery formula: Defense nutrition
Shilajit tablet: Baidyanath
81. Kalijiri
Vernacular name
English : Purple Flebane, Worm
Seed Fleabane
Hindi : bakshi, kaliziri, somraj,
vapchi, jangli jeera, ghora-jeera
Gujarati:Kaaleejeeree,
Kadavijeeree
Sanskrit: aranyajirka
Biological Source
Dried fruit and seed of
Centratherum anthelminticum
Family : Asteraceae
82. Morphology:
The leaves of Kaliziri plant are
elliptic lanceolate, 5cm to 9 cm long
and 2.5 cm to 3.2 cm wide, apex
acute, base tapering into the petiole,
margins are coarsely serrate;
surfaces is pubescent.
Florets of Kaliziri is violet or purple
in colour and blossom in abundance
at a time, homogamous, solitary,
axillary or terminal heads that are
1.3 cm to 2 cm in diameter, with a
linear bract near the top of the
peduncle; and hairy.
The fruits are 4.5 mm to 6 mm long,
oblong-cylindrical in shape and have
10-ribbed, pubescent.
83. Chemical constituent:
Sterols, avenasterol and vernosterol,
bitter principle
Essential oil
resins
fixed oil consisting of myristic, palmitic,
stearic,oleic, linoleic and vernolic acids
84. Pharmacology:
chloroform and alcohol extracts of C.
anthelminticum seeds show potent diuretic and
electrolyte excretion activity
petroleum ether and alcohol extracts of Centratherum
anthelminticum seeds (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) in
brewer's yeast-induced fever model in rats, acetic
acid-induced writhing and Eddy's hot plate methods
in mice. Both petroleum ether and alcohol extracts
showed significant decrease in number of writhes in
acetic acid-induced writhing and increase in paw
licking time to heat stimuli in the hot plate method.
Methanolic extract of Centratherum anthelminticum
having potent antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of
in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
85. Use:
Kaliziri plant is considered as entirely therapeutic.
The seeds of Kaliziri are considered strongly anthelmintic. The
seeds are used in many areas as a febrifuge and for treating
skin diseases and leucoderma in Ayurvedic practice.
The seeds are also credited with the properties of tonic,
stomachic and diuretic.
In Unani practice the seeds of Kaliziri are used to relieve
asthma and kidney troubles.
This seeds of Kaliziri are also applied externally to treat
inflammatory swellings.
The seeds of Kaliziri are used for treating snakebites and
scorpion sting, in combination with other plant drugs.
In Siddha practice, the leaf and seed are reportedly used for
treating leucoderma, abdominal and urinary disorders, skin
diseases, eczema and mental disorders.
86. Marketed Product:
DAYA STON POWDER FOR DIABETES
DIVYA KAYAKALP TAIL OIL
DIVYA KAYAKALP VATI
DIEXI VEGETARIAN CAPSULES :AMRUTAM
LIFE CARE
88. Arjuna:It is usually used to protect against heart disease,
blocked arteries and high blood pressure.
Vernacular name
Arjuna (Eng. & Sans.)
Arjun (Hin.)
Sajada, Arjuna (Guj.)
Botanical Source
Stem bark of Terminalia arjuna.
Family: Combritaceae
89. Morphology Of Arjuna Bark:
It is the evergreen tree with the yellow
flowers and conical leaves. It has a
smooth gray bark.
Bark available in pieces, flat, curved,
recurved, channelled to half quilled
0.2-1.5 cm thick, market samples upto
10 cm in length and upto 7 cm in width
outer surface somewhat smooth and
grey, inner surface somewhat fibrous
and pinkish
transversely cut smoothened bark
shows pinkish surface, fracture, short in
inner and laminated in outer part
Taste: bitter and astringent.
91. Pharmacology: Cardioactive
Physiological studies carried on the isolated frog and
rabbit heart revealed that the bark of Terminalia arjuna
had cardiotonic and stimulant actions.
Experimental studies in isolated frog heart revealed that
the aqueous extract of the bark had chronotropic and
inotropic activities.
Injection of the aqueous extract of the bark in isolated
rabbit heart preparation (Langendorff’s) was noted to
produce increase in coronary flow.
Controlled study in rabbits fed on high cholesterol diet and
administered Terminalia arjuna bark powder 250 mg/kg
twice daily was carried out recently to determine its
hypolipidaemic effect. It was found that the rabbits
receiving Terminalia arjuna had a marked reduction in
total cholesterol (P < 0.02) than control rabbits.
92. USE:
Regular use of T.arjuna improves pumping
activity of heart, improves cardiac muscle
strength, decrease in LDL cholesterol levels.
Bark of Arjuna tree has been found to be rich in
Co-enzyme Q-10 which is mostly used to prevent
heart problems. High amounts of Co-enzyme Q-10
prevents incident of heart attacks.
It also has a tonic effect in cases of cirrhosis of the
liver. It induces a drug-dependent decrease in
blood pressure and heart rate.
It has been reported to possess protective
cardiovascular and hypolipidemic properties.
95. Punarnava: means, one which renews the body
Vernacular name
Sanskrit : Punarnava
Hindi : Lal Punarnava, Beshakapore
English : Spreading Hogweed
Gujarati: Lalsabuni
Botanical source
Fresh and dried herb of
Boerhaavia diffusa
Borhaavia repens
Boerhaavia procumbens
Family: Nyctaginaceae
96. Morphology :
Leaves are petiolated, having
Colour:green on upper surface & whitish
on lower surface
Apex: slightly rounded
Base: subchordate
Shape:ovate, oblong
Margin: entire
Surface: glabrous with thick texture
Stem: Cylindrical, stiff and thick at node with
greenish purple colour.
Root:
Elongated, fusiform, tapering or somewhat
tuberous.
Light brownish yellow in colour
Old root are marked with knotty scar
98. Pharmacology:
traditionally used mostly in treating different ailments like asthma, urinary
disorders, leucorrhea, rheumatism, and encephalitis.
different solvent extract of this plant proved to have
different pharmacological activities viz.
immunosuppressant,
anti-diabetic,
anti-oxidant,
anti-cancer,
analgesic,
hepatoprotective,
anti-viral, antifungal and antifibrinolytic activity
99. Use:
externally punarnava is used for alleviate the pain and
swelling. The fresh juice of its roots instilled into
eyes, mitigates the ailments of the eyes like night
blindness and conjunctivitis.
Internally, punarnava is beneficial to treat a wide
range of diseases. Punarnava is the most commonly
used and the best herb to alleviate swelling, due to its
potent diuretic property.
Punarnava effectively reduces fever, especially in
malaria.
The decoction of rasna, sunthi and punarnava is the
best panacea for rheumatic swollen joints, as rasna
alleviates the pain and vata, sunthi destroys ama and
punarnava reduces the swelling.
103. Morphology:
Root: Tap root
Cylindrical tapering, rough due
to presence of root scars of
secondary and tertiary root.
Yellowish brown in colour
Odour non distinct
Stem:
Erect,branched,cylindrical,hairy
solid, hollow when dry
Marketed product occurs in cut
pieces (0.3-0.5 cm)
Yellowish brown in colour
104. Morphology: Leaf &Flower
Leaf:
Simple,subsessile,exstipulated,op
posite,Wavy margin, ovate-
elliptic or obovate-rounded in
shape. Apex slightly
acuminate,Surface pubiscent
Flower:
arranged in inflorescence of long
spikes.
Greenish white or purplish
greenis-white in colour
105. Chemical constituent:
Betaine and Achyranthine are the principal
alkaloidal constituent of whole plant of
A.aspera
Seeds of A. aspera are contains the saponins
A and B. They are glycosides of oleanolic
acid.
Ecdysterone (polypodine A) and ecdysone
isolated from roots.
seed-oil linoleic , oileic ,Palmitic , stearic ,
beheic , arachidec , myristic and lauric acids
present.
carbohydrate components are the sugars D-
glucose,L-rhamnose,D-glucuronic acid
106. Pharmacology:
Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the roots cause fall in
blood pressure but the chloroform extract raised the blood
pressure in dogs.
Root paste or decoction, is taken internally with buttermilk
as an antifertility drug in female.
ethanolic extract of the roots possesses spermicidal activity
methanol extract of the leaves of A.aspera has antitumor
activity
Leaf extracts are reported to posses hypoglycemic thyroid
stimulating and antiperoxidative properties
The antioxidative effect is reported mainly due to phenolic
components.
107. Use:
According to Ayurveda, it is bitter, pungent, heating,
laxative, stomachic, carminative and useful in treatment of
vomiting, bronchitis, heart disease, piles, itching
abdominal pains, ascites, dyspepsia, dysentery, blood
diseases .
Decoction & infusion of the plant is diuretic
Leaf-Juice relieves stomachache, piles, boils & skin
problems.
Root powder and Seeds is used as expectorant,
used for bites of poisonous snakes & reptiles, also in
pneumonia.
Dried whole plant alleviates infantile colic, and also as an
astringent in gonorrhea.
113. Pharmacology:
Loss of cholinergic activity in hippocampus was the primary cause of
Alzheimer's disease. B. monnieri showed important antioxidant
activity in many brain parts like hippocampus, striatum and frontal
cortex.
studies showed its protective effect against DNA damage in astrocytes
and fibroblast cells.
Research in animals model shows anticonvulsant activity only at high
doses over extended periods of time.( Hersaponin) (close to 50% of
LD50)
Animal studies have demonstrated Bacopa extracts have a relaxant
effect on chemically-induced bronchoconstriction, probably via
inhibition of calcium influx into cell membranes.
Research using a rat model of clinical anxiety demonstrated a Bacopa
extract of 25-percent bacoside A exerted anxiolytic activity
comparable to Lorazepam, a common benzodiazapene anxiolytic drug.
In vitro animal, and human studies, have demonstrated direct
spasmolytic activity on intestinal smooth muscle, via inhibition of
calcium influx across cell membrane channels.
In vitro research using rabbit aorta and pulmonary artery has
demonstrated Bacopa extract exerts a vasodilatory effect on calcium
chloride-induced contraction in both tissues.
study in mice demonstrated high doses (200 mg/kg) of Bacopa extract
increased the thyroid hormone, T4, by 41% when given orally.
114. Use:
Brahmi as a Medicinal plant is used extensively in Ayurveda to treat
several diseases
increase a man's intelligence, increase mental abilities.
in the treatment of Altheizmer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Attention
Deficit Disorder and memory loss (Neurodegenerative disorders).
for its relaxing effect and is often used as a treatment for women
suffering from postnatal depression.
It is also given in cases of anxiety, stress, insomnia and other types of
depression. It is used to treat anxiety, hysteria, nervous breakdown,
insanity and to improve circulation, strengthen capillaries.
used to treat asthma and a number of other respiratory problems
including bronchitis, when served as a tincture or tea,. Brahmi can also
be used to treat coughing and other symptoms related to the common
cold, bronchitis, coughs etc.
used to treat irritable bowel syndrome and similar disorders related to the
intestinal tract.
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Brahmi is used to detoxify the blood.
In recent years, Brahmi has been used to treat a number of circulation
issues, including inflammatory conditions.
used to promote hair and nail growth, to treat a variety of skin problems,
to break fevers, and to decrease joint pain due to arthritis or rheumatism.
117. Neem: "Sarva Roga Nivarini"
Vernacular name
English : Margosa tree
Sanskrit: Nimbah
Hindi: Neem
Gujarati: Nimba
Botanical Source
Different parts of Azadirachta
indica.
Family: Maliaceae
118. Different parts of NEEM having Medicinal use
Leaf :Leprosy, skin problems, skin ulcers, intestine worms,
anorexia, eye problems
Bark :Analgesic, curative of fever
Flower :Elimination of intestine worms, phlegm, bile
suppression,
Fruit :Diabetes, eye problem, piles, intestine worms,
urinary disorder, wounds, leprosy
Twig : Asthma, cough, piles, intestine worms, obstinate
urinary disorder, phantom tumor, spermatorrhoea
Gum :Scabies, wounds, ulcer, skin diseases
Seed :Intestine worms and leprosy
Oil :Intestine worms, skin diseases and leprosy
Root :Refrigerant, diutretic
119. Morphology:
Leaves are opposite, pinnate, dark green,
leaflets about 3–8 cm long. The terminal
leaflet is often missing. The petioles are
short. Very young leaves are reddish to
purplish in colour. The shape of mature
leaflets is more or less asymmetric and
their margins are dentate.
The fruit is a smooth olive-like drupe
which varies in shape from elongate oval
to nearly roundish. The fruit skin is thin
and the bitter-sweet pulp is yellowish-
white and very fibrous. The white, hard
inner shell of the fruit enclosed with
brown seed coat.
Flowers are white and fragrant, arranged
axillary, normally in more-or-less
drooping panicles
120. Chemical constituents:
Nimbin: anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-histamine, anti-fungal
Nimbidin: anti-bacterial, anti-ulcer, analgesic, anti-arrhythmic, anti-
fungal
Ninbidol: anti-tubercular, anti-protozoan, anti-pyretic
Gedunin: vasodilator, anti-malarial, anti-fungal
Sodium nimbinate: diuretic, spermicide, anti-arthritic
Quercetin: anti-protozoal
Salannin: insect repellent
Azadirachtin: insect repellent, anti-feedant, anti-hormonal
Other chemicals that form its therapeutic value are:
Limonoids
Terpenoids and steroids
Tetranortarpenoids
Fatty acid derivatives like margosinone and margosinolone
Coumarins like scopoletin, dihydrosocoumarins
Hydrocarbons like docosane, pentacosane, hetacosane, octacosane etc.
Sulphur compounds
Phenolics
Flavonoglycosides
121. Pharmacology:
Anti hyerglycemic activity of neem leaf extracts was observed in
experimental studies on non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus -induced rats
Antifertility effects of aqueous and steroidal extract of neem leaf were
observed observed in an experimntal study in West Indies.
Immunomodulatory effects of NIM-76, a volatile fraction of neem oil were
found in experimental study in Delhi.
Anti diabetic and antihyperlipemic effects of neem seed powder were
observed in experimental studies in Baroda.
The National Institutes of Health reported positive results from a 1993 study
using neem to kill the AIDS virus in a lab. The suggested pathway is via
neem’s immune modulating polysaccharide compounds that may cause
increased antibody production.
In the case of eczema clinical studies demonstrate that even the application of
weaker Neem leaf extracts effectively cured acute conditions of eczema.
Using a Soap or shampoo containing Neem oil can easily relieve the itching
and redness of eczema.
Neem effectively kills the bacteria that cause Acne and studies prove that
Neem will reduce inflammation, even the inflammation produced by Acne.
122. Use:
According to Ayurveda, it is one of the main ingredients in every blood
purification formula used in Ayurveda and it appears in most Diabetic formulas
as well. It is also used for arthritis, rheumatism, the removal of external and
internal parasites, including malaria and fevers and as an insect repellent.
Neem possesses
anti-diabetic
antibacterial and antipyretic (fever reducing) properties.
Neem is used for a wide range of ailments including flu, fever, sore throat, cold,
fungal infections, skin diseases, malaria and many more ailments.
Jaundice and Hepatitis: Drink the diluted juice of the tender neem leaves with a
tea spoon of honey to flush out toxins in liver disorders. Neem is anti-pruritic,
thermogenic, tonic, stomachic and abdominal movement controller. 2 teaspoon
of Neem leaves juice with honey is indicated to accelerate the process of cure.
Modern clinical studies have identified a number of compounds in the Neem tree
that effectively regulate immune system functions
Decoction of Neem bark is used as anti-tussive in dry cough.
A decoction prepared from neem roots is ingested to relieve fever in traditional
Indian medicine.
123. Marketed Product:
NEEM THERAPE CLEANSING BAR FOR KIDS AND
BABIES: Organix-South (Bowling Green, FL)
Neem Toothpaste: Kokopellis wellness
Neem vegicap.: Morphemeremedies/sunova
Neem face wash: Himalaya
Neem-based vaginal contraceptive (Concept):DRDO, NRDC
and SIRIS Ltd.
Azadin plus Biopesticide: Deepa farm inputs pvt. Ltd.
Neemtone Soap: Elder Health care ltd.
Neem oil pure: sunfood
Diabkil capsule: Diabetes Natural Treatment
Neem pure: Himalaya
Neemguard cap.: Goodcare
125. Malkangni or jyotishmati
Vernacular name:
H: malkagini
S: jyotishmati
E: staff tree
M:
Botanical source:
Dried seeds of Celastrus paniculata ; celastraceae.
126. Morphology:
Leaves
simple, alternate
elliptic, ovate, broadly, obovate or
sub-orbicular
glabrous, sometimes pubescent
Base: cuneate, obtuse or rounded
Apex: acute, acuminate or obtuse;
Seeds
ellipsoid, yellowish brown, enclosed
in a red fleshy aril.
127. Chemical constituent:
The seeds are reported to contain the alkaloids celastrine
and paniculatin. The seeds also contain linoliec acid,
linolenic acid, palmitic and stearic acids, celapapagine,
celapanigine, celapanini, celastrol, celastrine, poly hydric
alcohol, malkanguniol. It also contain alkaloid, glucoside
and paniculaline, paniculatadiol, beta - amyuin, beta -
sistosterol.
Flowers contain dulcitol.
Stem and root bark contain pristimeain.
Root bark contains hydrocarbon, N-taiacontanol, zeylaterd
and zeylasterone is mainly present in the root bark of
srilankan plant.
Seeds oil contains , malkanguninol, sesquiterpene ester –
malkangunin, sesquiterpenoid, tetra esters celapanine and
celpanigine, triterpenediol.
128. Pharmacology:
The oil obtained from the seeds of the plant produced sedation
in the rats in a dose of 1g/kg intramuscularly.
The oil showed anticonvulsant activity in rats.
The oil (as emulsion in between 80 and water), at a dose of 50-
100 mg/kg, produced a gradual fall in the blood pressure of
cats.
At a dose of 20mg/kg, the oil produced a fall in cardiac output,
bradycardia and a marked increase in pulse pressure on
isolated heart lung preparation.
The oil of Celastrus paniculatus was fractionated into polar
and semipolar compounds and these fractions were injected to
rats for one month. Serum transaminases (SGOT and SGPT),
alkaline phosphatase, calcium, creatinine, uric acid and blood
urea of treated rats were estimated. These oil fractions were
not found to be harmful in the long run.
129. Use:
According to Ayurveda, leaves are emmenagogue
whereas seeds are acrid, bitter, hot, appetizer,
laxative, emetic, aphrodisiac, powerful brain tonic,
cause burning sensation. Oil enriches blood and cures
abdominal complains.
According on Unani system of medicine, seeds are
bitter, expectorant, brain and liver tonic, cure joint-
pains, paralysis and weakness. Oil stomachic, tonic,
good for cough and asthma; used in leprosy, cures
headache and leucoderma.
They possess emetic, diaphoretic, febrifugal and
nervine properties and are used for sharpening the
memory; and also used to cure sores, ulcers,
rheumatism and gout.
130. Marketed Product:
Herbal memmory booster cap.: Amazing herbal remedies
Lucer capsule:Ayuda herbal pvt.ltd.
Tila Azam: Hamdard
Dynamol cream: Hamdard
Vita ex massage oil: Baidyanath
Yaad syrup: Dhanvantri herb
133. Morphology:
Chitrak is a profusely branched
perennial shrub.
Leaves are alternate, ovate,
thick and flashy.
The flowers are either red ,
white and Blue in thick racemes.
Root stocks reddish to deep
brown, scars of rootlets present,
bark thin and brown, internal
structure striated, odour,
disagreeable, taste, acrid.
134. Chemical constituent:
crude extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols
and flavonoids
Napthalene derivatives : naphthoquinones plumbagin,
composed naphthoquinones, like plumbagin,3-
biplumbagin, chloroplumbagin, chitranone, elliptone,
zeylinon
Coumarins: seselin, 5-methoxyseselin, suberosin and
xanthyletin
Other compounds : 2,2-dimethyl-5-hydroxy-6-
acetylchromene, plumbagin acid, ß-sitosterol, ß-sitosteryl-
glucoside, bakuchiol, 12-hydroxyisobakuchiol, saponaretin,
isoorientin,isoaffinetin, psorealen.
Triterpenes – lupeol, lupenyl
Amino acids
135. Pharmacology:
Alcoholic crude extracts of P. zeylanica were investigated for their ability
to inhibit the growth of multiresistant (16-23 ß-lactam antibiotics) strains of
E. coli and Shigella. Compared with other plant extracts they showed high
activity with MIC value of 0.64-10.24 mg/ml. (Antibacterial and
antimycotic activity)
8o % methanolic extract show antiviral activity and the cytotoxicity
ethanolic extracts of plant species show antiplasmodial activity.
Beta-sitosterol and plumbagin isolated by a bioassay guided fractionation
of the dichloromethane extract from aerial parts of P. zeylanica were toxic
against the cancer cell lines.
Allergic reactions of ethanolic extracts (70 %) from P. zeylanica (500,
1000mg/kg orally) inhibited dose-dependently systemic anaphylactic
shocks,induced by compound 48/80 in mice, reduced homologous passive
cutaneous anaphylaxis and skin reactions, induced by histamine or
serotonin in rats.
The plant roots extract reveled significant antioxidant activity as compared
to standard flavonoid (quercetin). The antioxidant activity by DPPH is
96μg/ml and by NBT is 4.6μg/ml which grater than that of standard
(Quercetin) 45 μg/ml by DPPH and 10μg/ml by NBT assay.
136. Use:
Plumbago is used traditionally to treat warts, broken bones and
wounds. It is taken as a snuff for headaches and as an emetic to dispel
bad dreams. A stick of the plant is placed in the thatch of huts to ward
off lightning.The whole plant, but especially the root, is acrid, emetic,
odontalgic, sialagogue and vesicant. Chewing the root produces
copious salivation and is said to be of benefit in treating toothache.
It is also useful in colic, inflammations, cough, bronchitis,
helminthiasis, haemorrhoids, elephantiasis, chronic and intermittent
fever, leprosy, leucaderma, ring-worm, scabies, hepatosplenomegaly,
amenorrhoea, odontalgia, vitiated conditions of vata and kapha and
anaemia.
Therapeutic use:
Chitrak is used in treating intestinal troubles, dysentery,
leucoderma,inflammation, piles, bronchitis, itching, diseases of the
liver, and consumption.
The leaves of this herb work well for treating laryngitis, rheumatism,
diseases of the spleen, ring worm, scabies, and it acts as an aphrodisiac.
A tincture of the root bark is used as an anti-periodic.
Chitrak root helps improve digestion and it stimulates the appetite.
Rootbark is also considered useful in obesity.
139. Garlic:
Vernacular name
English : Garlic
Hindi : Lasun, Lahasun
Sanskrit : Lasunah Rasonah
Gujarati : Lashan
Botanical source
Bulb, clove and oil of Allium
sativum.
Family: Alliaceae
140. Morphology:
The bulb consists of numerous bulblets, known as 'cloves' held
between the papery membranes and enclosed within a whitish
skin as a sac. Each bulb is made up of 4 to 20 cloves.
Allium sativum, L., are a perennial plant with numerous bulbs
which have a common membranous covering, from the base of
which the fibers that constitute the proper root descend.
The stem is simple, and rises about two feet. The leaves are
long, flat, and grass-like, and sheathe the lower half of the
stem. At the termination of the stem is a cluster of flowers and
bulbs mingled together, and enclosed in a pointed spathe,
which opens on one side and withers.
The flowers are small and white, and make their appearance in
July. The bulbs, or so-called cloves, are usually six or eight in
number, oblong or wedge-shaped, and covered with dry
membranous scales, with a pungent odour and a disagreeable
and acrid taste.
141. Chemical constituent:
The essential oil obtained from the bulbs contains
allicin, diallyl disulfide, allyl propyl disulfide and
other sulfur compounds.
Garlic contains at least 33 sulfur compounds like
aliin, allicin, ajoene, allylpropl, diallyl,disulfide,
trisulfide, sallylcysteine, vinyldithiines, S-
allylmercaptocystein, and others.
Besides sulfure compounds garlic contains 17 amino
acids and their glycosides, arginine and others.
Minerals such as selenium
enzymes like allinase, peroxidases, myrosinase, and
others.
142. Pharmacology:
It increases that blood supply to the particular area of
application.
It is has anti inflammatory properties. It reduces pain.
It also improves eyesight and also improves reflexes.
It helps in proper digestion of food and also helps in
stimulating theliver for proper secretions of enzymes.
It also stimualates heart and helps in mainating the
proper functioning.
It helps in expelling out the extra amount of mucus
that gets accumulated in the respiratory tract.
It is very beneficial in increasing the sperm counts
and acts as aphrodisiac. Menstrual disturbances are
also being treated by it.
143. Use:
Garlic is also good in hydropic diseases, jaundice, falling-sickness, cramps,
convulsions, piles or other cold diseases.
The juice made into syrup is given for coughs, colds and asthma, because of its
expectorant properties.
It is sometimes externally applied in ointments and lotions, and as an antiseptic,
to disperse hard swellings, also pounded and employed as a poultice for
scrofulous sores. It is said to prevent anthrax in cattle, being largely used for the
purpose.
In olden days, Garlic was employed as a specific for leprosy. It was also believed
that it had most beneficial results in cases of smallpox, if cut small and applied to
the soles of the feet in a linen cloth, renewed daily.
Syrup of Garlic is an invaluable medicine for asthma, hoarseness, coughs,
difficulty of breathing, and most other disorders of the lungs,
An infusion of the bruised bulbs, given before and after every meal, has been
considered of good effect in epilepsy.
A clove or two of Garlic, pounded with honey and taken two or three nights
successively, is good in rheumatism.
144. The remedies made from the garlic are also effective and potent for treating
intestinal worms as well as problems such as candidiasis.
Garlic remedies can also be used topically to treat thrush affecting the mouth
or the vaginal cavity. The general rate of digestion is improved by garlic; the
herb also helps alleviate excessive gas and abdominal distension in the body.
Garlic is also a good remedy for blood sugar related problems in diabetics as
the herb boosts the secretion of insulin in the pancreas - thus helping the body
better regulate sugar levels.
The remedy made from the garlic also has a decongestant action and is very
useful in treating problems affecting the respiratory passages.
Fevers can be alleviated by consuming garlic - the herb induces perspiration in
the body and this helps in lowering the elevated body temperature.
The elevated blood pressure in the body and the tendency to form clots is also
lowered by garlic - this effect of the herb is helpful in the prevention of heart
attacks and strokes in susceptible patients.
The blood vessels in the body are also opened up and dilated by the action of
garlic - this action results in an increase in the flow of blood to different tissues
in the body, thereby improving the general circulation.
148. Morphology:
A tuberous climber with straight or
hooked spines.
The tubers are white, radish shaped, and
found in clusters.
short rootstock bearing numerous
fusiform
The tubers are bitter in taste.
The entire plant has a feathery
appearance.
The stem is woody, dark green. The
branches are modified into leafy
structure called cladodes.
The flowers are fragrant, small, and
white and arranged in cluster.
The fruits are fleshy, red berries, which
looks like small cherries.
The berries have three to six seeds.
149. Chemical constituent:
Shatavari plant, contains steroidal saponins,
isoflavones, asparagamine (an alkaloid substance
similar to aspirin), and polysaccharides
Steroidal saponins, known as shatavarins I-IV.
Shatavarin I is the major glycoside with 3 glucose
and rhamnose moieties attached to sarsasapogenin
isoflavones including 8-methoxy-5,6,4'- tri
hydroxyisoflavone 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside.
Asparagamine, a polycyclic alkaloid
Racemosol, a cyclic hydrocarbon (9,10-
dihydrophenanthrene), Polysaccharides, mucilage
150. Pharmacology:
The powdered dried root of A. racemosus is used in Ayurveda for dyspepsia.Oral
administration of powdered dried root of A. racemosus has been found to promote gastric
emptying in healthy volunteers. Its action is reported to be comparable with that of the
synthetic dopamine antagonist metoclopromide.
The juice of fresh root of A. racemosus has been shown to have definite curative effect in
patients of duodenal ulcers.
The root extract of A. racemosus is prescribed in Ayurveda to increase milk secretion during
lactation. A. racemosus in combination with other herbal substances in the form of 'Ricalex'
tablets has been shown to increase milk production in females complaining of deficient milk
secretion.
Immunomodulating property of A. racemosus has been shown to protect the rat and mice
against experimental induced abdominal sepsis.
Alcoholic extract of root of A. racemosus has been shown to significantly reduce the enhanced
levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in CC14-
induced hepatic damage in rats,indicating antihepatotoxic potential of A. racemosus.
Chloroform/methanol (1:1) extract of fresh root of A. racemosus has been reported to reduce
the tumor incidence in female rats treated with DMBA
Alcoholic extract of the root of A. racemosus has been reported to produce positive ionotropic
and chronotropic effect on frog's heart with lower doses and cardiac arrest with higher doses.
Higher doses of the alcoholic extract of root of A. racemosus are reported to cause dilatory
effect on bronchial musculature of guinea pigs but failed to antagonise the histamine induced
broncho-constriction.
151. Use:
Shatavari roots are used mainly as galactagogue which stimulates the
secretion of breast milk.
It is applied in improving the lost body weight and also known as an
aphrodisiac.
The root is useful in treating the ailments like dysentery, tuberculosis
and diabetes.
Commonly, it supports to maintain the health by giving immunity to
diseases.
It is considered as very good energy provider to the weak body system.
Root extract is administered to the patients of diarrhea, chronic colic,
and dysentery.
Boiled leaves of shatavari dipped in clarified butter or ghee are applied
to boils and small pox eruptions.
Juice of the shatavari bark is mixed with milk and given to women for
strengthening their reproductive system and as treatment for
gonorrhea.
The extract from the roots is boiled with ghee, milk and honey and
given for treating seminal weakness and general debility.
152. How Shatavari Helps Women?
Shatavari is considered the best friend of womens health due to
the following reasons.
Shatavari is capable of curing all problems related to female
reproductive system.
It minimizes the complications related to menstrual cycles
including pain, loss of blood and other fluids during menstrual
cycle.
It balances the female hormonal system.
It helps in reducing inflammation of female sexual organs.
It cures tiredness and morning sickness
It is useful in issues related to infertility, leucorrhea, and in
regulating ovulation which occurs during the menopause
cycle.
When combined with Kama Duba, it is a good treatment for
women experiencing hot flashes.
156. Morphology:
Leaves:
Shape :lanceolate , broad at base
Apex :acuminate
Petiolate
Margin: entire
Colour :dull brownish green
Slight odour
Taste :bitter
Flowers are large, white and purple in
colour and in spikes, with large bracts;
the capsules are longitudinally
channelled; the seeds globular.
157. Chemical Constituents:
Quinazoline alkaloids
:Vasicine , Vasicinone
Volatile oil
Betain , Vasakin , Adhatodic
acid
Leaves are rich in vitamin C
and carotene and yield an
essential oil.
158. Pharmacology:
A methanolic extract from the entire plant has been shown to possess anti-allergic
activities in the guinea pig after inhalation or intragastric administration at doses of
6 mg per animal or 2.5 gm/kg, respectively.
The alkaloid fraction showed potent activity at a dose of 50 microg/pellet
equivalent to that of hydrocortisone while the Methanolic extract and the other
fractions showed less Anti inflammatory activity.
In vitro sensitivity test with AVL extract of microorganism of inflamed gingival
showed significant antimicrobial activity. (disc diffusion method)
The oil obtained from leaves flowers and roots of vasica plant possesses
significantly high activity against tubercle bacilli.
Adhatoda vasica (AV) extract show good anti tussive activity in anaesthetized
guinea pigs and rabbits and in unanaesthetized guinea pigs.
Vasicinone had a definite bronchodilator action on the normal lungs and a powerful
bronchodilator action against the histamine-induced bronchoconstriction; but its
action was weaker than adrenaline.
Ethanolic extracts from the leaves showed hypoglycaemic activity after oral
administration in rats and rabbits.
An essential oil from the leaves of vasica showed smooth muscle relaxant
activity in the isolated guinea-pig tracheal chain.
159. Use:
Juice from the leaves and the decoction of the leaves and roots are helpful
in asthma, bronchitis and chronic coughs and breathlessness.
Used for bleeding due to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, local
bleeding due to peptic ulcer, piles, menorrhagia.
Relief in pyorrhoea and for bleeding gums by locally application.
Relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions
Stimulates contraction of the uterine muscle, facilitating or speeding up
childbirth
Lowers blood pressure
The leaves, flowers, fruits and roots are extensively used for treating cold,
cough, whooping cough, chronic bronchitis and asthma. The leaves are
used as sedative, expectorant and antispasmodic.
The leaf-juice is stated to cure diarrhoea, dysentery and glandular tumour,
and is given as emmenagogue.
The powder is reported to be used as poultice on rheumatic joints, as
counter-irritant on inflammatory swellings, on fresh wounds, urticaria and
in neuralgia.
162. Methi:
Vernacular Name
English : Fenugreek
Gujrati : Methi
Hindi : Methi
Sanskrit : Methini
Botanical Source
Methi consists of fresh leaves &
dried seeds of Trigonella foenum-
graecum Linn.
Family: Fabaceae
163. Morphology:
Annual aromatic herb,with a well
developed taproot and much branched
roots.
Stem solitary or basally branched, terete,
slightly pubescent, green to purple.
Leaves petiolate, alternate, trifoliolate,
small, adnate to the petiole. Leaflets
obovate or oblong, margin is entire.
Flowers whitish, solitary, axillary,
subsessile.
Fruits straight to occasionally sickle-
shaped, linear pods, glabrous, with fine
longitudinal veins.
Seeds oblong-rhomboidal, 3– 5 mm long
and 2–3 mm wide, with a deep furrow
dividing each into two unequal lobes, with
rounded corners, rather smooth, brownish.
odour pleasant; taste bitter.
164. Chemical constituent:
Methi seed is rich in mucilage (25–45%) and contains
a small amount of essential oil (0.01%)
secondary metabolites, including;
protoalkaloids
trigonelline (up to 0.37%)
choline (0.05%)
saponins (0.6–1.7%) derived from diosgenin,
yamogenin, tigogenin and other compounds
sterols including ß-sitosterol
flavonoids, among which are orientin, isoorientin and
isovitexin
165. Pharmacology:
The water soluble fraction of methi extract has significant analgesic and
anti-inflammatory potential against acetic acid induced writhing and hot-
plate method.
Aqueous and Methanolic extract of Methi show significant hypoglycaemic
activity. (dose of 1 g/kg body weight)
Methi extract has demonstrated immunomodulatory effect in mice, show
protective effect against Cyclophosphamide-induced Urotoxicity.
Flavonoids of fenugreek extract have been observed to possess anti-oxidant
activity.
Fenugreek seeds extract significantly inhibited the DMBA-induced
mammary hyperplasia and decreased its incidence. Epidemiological studies
also implicate apoptosis as a mechanism that might mediate the
Fenugreek’s antibreast cancer protective effects.
The aqueous extract and a gel fraction isolated from the seeds showed
significant ulcer protective effects.
Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) leaves extract show Anti-inflammatory
and Antipyretic Effect.
It is also used as hypolipidemic agent.
166. Use:
Used as traditional medicine:
As an aphrodisiac, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, emollient, galactagogue
and tonic. Treatment of abdominal colic, bronchitis, diarrhoea, eczema, gout,
indigestion, dropsy, fever, impotence, chronic cough, liver disorders, wounds and
the common cold.
In Ayurveda it is used medicinally for the treatment of wounds, abscesses,
arthritis, bronchitis, and digestive disorders.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is also used it for kidney problems and
conditions affecting the male reproductive tract.
As an adjunct for the management of hypercholesterolaemia, and
hyperglycaemia in cases of diabetes mellitus. Prevention and treatment of
mountain sickness.
Internally for loss of appetite, and externally as a poultice for local
inflammations. Treatment of pain, and weakness and oedema of the legs.
The infusion or tincture may be used as a tonic to improve digestion.
It relieves uterine irritation and acts as an emmenagogue.
Respiratory irritation is thought to be relieved by its internal use, and a sack of
the ground seeds is regarded as a valuable application in chronic affections of the
stomach, bowels, and liver.
Hair oil made of Methi seeds helps to prevents premature graying of hair and
makes them strong and free from dandruff.
It is eaten by elders in winters as it helps to Improve immunity and protects heart,
brain and other vital organs of body through its medicinal properties.
170. Morphology:
A spreading perennial deciduous twinner
with succulent stems and easily pealing off
papery bark.
Leaves simple, alternate, cordate, entire,
glabrous, with 7-9 nerves.
Flowers yellow in recemes, arising from
nodes on the old wood. Male flowers usually
are in clusters and female solitary.
Fruits are drupes, red when ripe.
Stem occurs in pieces of varying thickness
ranging from 0.6-5 cm in diameter
young stems green with smooth surfaces and
swelling at nodes, older ones show a light
brown surface marked with warty
protuberances due to circular lenticels
taste bitter.
172. Pharmacology:
Studies have shown guduchi to have significant anti-inflammatory effects
as well as specific anti-inflammatory action in cases of rheumatoid arthritis
and liver toxicity.
Aqueous, Methanolic & Methylene chloride extract of guduchi show dose
dependent anti neoplastic activity against hela cell.
Aqueous, alcoholic, Chloroform extract of guduchi leaves in dose of 50,
100, 200 mg/kg, shows significant hypoglycaemic activity against alloxan
induce diabetes.
Ethanolic extract of guduchi show significant antistress activity in dose
100mg/kg as compare to 2.5mg/kg diazepam.
The ethanolic extract of root was observed to induce marked protective
action against restrain stress induced ulcerization.
Aqueous & Ethanolic extract of stem inhibit immunosuppression produced
by cyclophosphamide.
Alcoholic extract of stem show significant hepatoprotective action against
ccl4 induced hepatotoxicity.
173. Use:
It is used for the treatment of jaundice, diabetes, and
rheumatoid arthritis, and is also used as an immunostimulant.
It is an alterative drug for, anthelmintic, anti pyretic,
aphrodisiac, bitter tonic, and blood purifier, cardioactive,
digestive disorder, diuretic and expectorant.
The starch from the roots and stem is used in chronic
diarrhoea and dysentery.
The juice of fresh plant is diuretic and used in gonorrhoea.
The medicated oil of the plant is effectively used to relieve pain
and oedema, in gout and skin disorders.
The root and stem of T. Cordifolia are prescribed in
combination with other drugs as an antidote to snake bite and
scorpion sting
It is also used as antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti allergic
drug
Guduchi acts as a memory booster, develops inteligence,
promotes mental clarity. It is described as one of the Medhya
Rasayana (mental rejuvenative) in the Charak Samhita
174. Marketed products:
Common Ayurvedic formulations:
Guduchi sattva
Guduchiyadi churna
Guduchiadi Kwath
Amritarishta
Amrita guggulu
Guduchyadi taila
Sudarshan churna
Sanjivani vati
Kaishore guggulu
Rasnapanchak kwath.
Arithrexal Capsule
Sofdermis Capsule & syrup: Vedic
pharma
Kaishore Gugglu: Baidyanath
Pure herb guduchi, Koflet
syrup,Rumalaya vet,Diarex vet:
Himalaya
Guduchi massage oil: Chakra stone
energy system
Guduci Sattva:SAC Solutions & support
Alfit Capsules : Hindustan biosynth ltd.
Rumalar Capsule & Ointment: Vita
health pvt. Ltd.
Diabeta capsule: Morpheme remedies
SPW tablet: Dhanvantri health
Kama rani: India herb
Natadrol cap: Fitness first usa
Balguti tab.: Zandu
176. KANTAKARI
Vernacular Names –
Hindi:Chotikateri,Renga
ni;
English :Yellow-berried
Nightshade, Febrifuge
plant
Marathi :Bhui ringani;
Gujarathi Name – Bhiya
Ringani
Part Used:
whole plant, root, fruit
Botanical Source
Solanum Xanthocarpus
Family:
SOLANACEAE
177. MORPHOLOGY
Stem profusely branched and younger ones usually
remain clothed with dense, stellate and tomentose
hairs. Prickles are compressed straight, glabrous and
shining, often 1 to 3 cm long.
Leaves are ovate or elliptic, sinuate , obtuse or
subacute, stellately hairy on both sides, armed on the
midrib and often on the nerves with long yellow
sharp prickles. Petiole is long, stellately hairy and
prickly.
Flowers are in cymes having violet coloured.
Fruit is a berry or capsule.
179. Pharmacology:
Plant powder use in bronchial asthama and non specific
cough due to the depleison of histamine from lung and its
expectorant action as due to in organic nitrate content.
Hypoglycemic activity - The experimental results indicate
that it exhibit a potent blood glucose lowering property both
in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
Hepatoprotective activity - Jigrine is a polypharmaceutical
herbal formulation containing aqueous extracts of 14
medicinal plants including Solanum xanthocarpum and used
for liver ailments.
180. USE:
drug for cough: Decoction of kantakari added
with pippali removes all type of cough
Use in treatment of Bronchial asthma.
The juice extract of Kantakari along with honey
is used in treating dysuria (difficulty in urination)
181. Ayurvedic medicines
Kantakari Avaleha – used in
treating asthma
Vyaghri Haritaki Avaleha –
used in treating asthma,
bronchitis etc
Ajamamsa Rasayana – useful
in improving strength and
stamina
Khadiradi Gutika -used in
treating cough
Marketed formulation:
Kantakari vegicap:
Vadik herb
Kantkaryawleh:
Baidyanath
Kantakari powder:
herb forever
184. Morphology:
Leaves:
usually green 3-foliolate, sometimes 5-foliolate;
leaflets ovate-lanceolate, lateral sessile, terminal long-
petioled.
Flowers:
borne in few-flowered, axillary panicles, greenish-white,
sweet-scented.
Fruits: large, upto 15 cm diameter, globose, ovoid or
pyriform, 8-15 celled, rind grey or greyish-yellow,
woody, pulp orange, sweet.
Seeds: numerous in aromatic pulp, oblong, compressed,
testa woolly and mucilaginous.
185. Chemical constituents:
Beta-sitosterol(all parts);
amino acids(fruits, leaves)
dictamnine(pericarp, wood);
marmesin(pericarp, bark, wood);
marmin, umbelliferone(pericarp, bark);
carbohydrate, carotene, fat, tannins and
vitamins;
marmelosin and its isomers,
alloimperatorin and marmelide, psoralen and
tannic acid(fruits);
alpha-d-phellandrene(rind, leaf, oil);
186. Pharmacology:
Antidiabetic activity:
Oral administration of Aegle marmelos fruit extract at
doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg twice daily to diabetic rats
for a period of 30 days resulted in a significant increase in
body weight, weight of the pancreas and insulin levels
associated with a significant decrease in fasting blood
glucose levels. The fruit extract treated groups showed
improved functional state of the pancreatic β-cells and
partially reversed the damage caused by streptozotocin to
the pancreatic islets.
187. Antidiarrhoeal and Antidysentric activities:
The unripe or half ripen fruit is the most effective remedy for
chronic diarrhea and dysentery without fever. The A.
marmelos fruit pulp has been shown to possess antiprotozoal
activity in chronic dysentery condition accompanied by loose
stool alternately with occasional constipation. The unripe fruit
used in different formulations for treatment of chronic diarrhea.
Cardioprotective activity:
Various studies have also reported the use of bael as a
cardioprotective. The protective effect was estimated by
administration of leaf extract in isoprenaline induced myocardial
infarction in experimental animal.
188. USE:
Unripe fruits - Balance Kapha and
Vata doshas.
Ripe fruits - Difficult to digest and
aggravate all three doshas.
Roots - Improve digestion prevent
vomiting and balance all three
doshas.
Leaves - Relieve pain, dyspepsia,
gastritis and abdominal colic pain.
It also balances all three doshas.
Stem - Good for the heart, effective
in rheumatoid arthritis and
improves secretion of digestive
enzymes.
Flowers - Relieve diarrhea,
dysentery, thirst and vomiting.
The ripe fruit has
laxative properties.
Unripe fruit is also very
effective in treating
dysentery, diarrhea and
other gastro intestinal
disorders.
astringent, digestive
stimulant, febrifuge.