Vasaka

Vasaka Adhatoda vasica

Description and composition:
Vasaka, also called malabar nut tree, is well known throughout India. It is tall with several branches, dense and an evergreen shrub. Leaves are large and lance-shaped. It has capsule in colour. Its trade name is vasaka is based on Sanskrit name. The leaves contain an alkaloid vasicine besides an essential oil.

Healing power and curative properties
The leaves, roots and the flower are extensively used in indigenous medicine as a remedy for cold, cough, bronchitis and asthma.

Bronchitis and asthma:
In acute stages of bronchitis it gives unfailing relief, especially where the sputum is thick and sticky. It liquefies the sputum so that it is brought up more easily. For relief in asthma.

Tuberculosis:
In Ayurveda a preparation made from vasaka flowers known as gulkand is used to treat tuberculosis. A few fresh petals of vasaka flowers should be bruised and put in a pot of china clay. Some sugar crystals are added and the jar kept in the sun .It should be stirred every morning and evening. The preserve is ready for use in about a month.

Cough:
For cough 7 leaves of the plant are boiled in water, strained and mixed with 24 grams of honey. This decoction provides relief. Similarly a confection of vasaka flowers eaten in doses of 12 grams twice daily relieves cough. About 60 grams of flowers and 180 grams of jaggery should be mixed for preparing this confection.

Intestinalworms:
Its leaves bark the root bark; the fruit and flowers are useful in the removal of intestinal parasites. The decoction of its root and bark in doses of 30 gram twice or thrice daily for 3 days can be given for this purpose .The juice of its fresh leaves can also be used in doses of a teaspoon thrice a day for 3 days.

Skin Diseases:
A poultice of its leaves can be applied with beneficial results over fresh wounds, rheumatic joints and inflammatory swellings. A warm decoction of its leaves is useful in treating scabies and other skin diseases.

Methods for used and dosages:
The drug vasaka is often taken in the form of juice extracted from its leaves, mixed with ginger or honey, in doses of 15-30.The leaves can be made in to a decoction or the dry leaves can be given in powder form in doses of 2 grams. Both the decoction and powder are constituents of many preparations used in Ayurvedic medicine for various affections of the respiratory tract. The root and the bark have the same medicinal uses as the leaves.

Tulsi

Tulsi Holy Basil ( Ocimum sanctum)

Origin of Herbs:

Holy Basil is a many branched, erect stout and aromatic herb. It grows up to the height of about 75cms and is hairy all over. The plant has tender leaves, usually smooth, up to 2.5cm in length. The herb is bitter and pungent. This herb has been known from as early as Vedic period .The holy basil is native to India. It reached Western Europe in the 16^th Century .It has now widely grown throughout the world.

Healing power:

The plant has many medicinal properties. The leaves are a nervine tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. The leaves strengthen the stomach and induce copious perspiration. The seed of the plant are mucilaginous.

Common Cold & Fever:

The leaves of basil are specific for many fevers. During the rainy season, when malaria and dengue fever are widely prevalent, tender leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive against theses diseases. in case of acute fevers, a decoction of the leaves boiled with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature.

· The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extract of tulsi leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours. In between one can keep giving sips of cold water. In children, it is every effective in bringing down the temperature.

· Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu.

Sore Throat:

Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle.

Respiratory disorder:

The herb is useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorder. A decoction of the leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold. A decoction of the leaves, cloves and common salt also gives immediate relief in case of influenza. They should be boiled in half a liter of water till only half the water is left and add then taken.

Kidney Stone:

Basil has strengthening effect on the kidney. In case of renal stone the juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months it will expel them via the urinary tract.

Heart disorder:

Basil has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol.

Children’s ailments :

Common pediatric problems like cough cold, fever, diarrhea and vomiting respond favorably to the juice of basil leaves. If pustules of chicken pox delay their appearance, basil leaves taken with saffron will hasten them.

Stress :

Basil leaves are regarded as an adaptogen or anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shown that the leaves afford significant protection against stress. Even healthy persons can chew 12 leaves of basil, twice a day, to prevent stress. It purifies blood and helps prevent several common elements.

Mouth infections :

The leaves are quit effective for the ulcer and infections in the mouth. A few leaves chewed will cure these conditions.

Insect Bites:

The herb is a prophylactic or preventive and curative for insect stings or bites. A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves is taken and a repeated after a few hours. Fresh juice must also be applied to the affected parts. A paste of fresh roots is also effective in case of bites of insects and leeches.

Skin disorders:

Applied locally, basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. It has also been tried successfully by some naturopaths I the treatment of leucoderma.

Eye disorders:

Basil juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin a. Two drops of black basil juice should be put into the eyes daily at bedtimes.

Teeth disorder:

The herb is useful in teeth disorders. Its leaves, dried in the sun and powdered, can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be mixed with mustered oil to make a paste and used as toothpaste. This is very good for maintaining dental health, counter acting bad breath and for massaging the gums. It is also useful in pyorrhea and other teeth disorders.

Headaches:

Basil makes a good medicine for headache. A decoction of the leaves can be given for this disorder. Pounded leaves mixed with sandalwood paste can also be applied on the forehead for getting relief from heat, headache, and for providing coolness in general.

Somlata

Somlata / Ephedra Gerardiana / Ephedra Californica

Botanical Name: Ephedra californica, Ephedra gerardiana,

Plant Family: Ephedraceae

Common Names: Brigham Weed, Ephedrine, Epitonin,

Origin:
Indigenous to west central China, southern Siberia and Japan

History:
It has been used medicinally in China for more than 5000 years. In 2700 BC, Shen Mung, the first Chinese herbalist used the dried roots and stems as a decongestant to treat: asthma, colds, coughs, fever, hay fever, headaches .

The American Indians used the root for:

flushing the kidneys, internal bleeding, purifying the blood, venereal disease.

Tradition:

It was made as a fermented drink and used ceremonially by Vedic and Zoroastrian priests

MedicinalPartsUsed: Root and Stems

Contains: Ephedrine, salt of an alkaloid, tannin

Action:

1. antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions],

2. decongestant [relieves lung congestion],

3. stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy] to Sympathetic Nervous System similar to adrenaline

Ephedra is used for:

Blood Conditions : purifies the blood

Genitourinary Conditions: flushes the kidneys

Respiratory Tract Conditions: acts on air passages, asthma, hay fever, low blood pressure, influenza and pneumonia

Inflammatory Conditions: relieves swellings of the mucous membranes, rheumatism, unstriped muscular fibers

Caution:

Ephedra should not be used without professional advice if you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure , thyroid trouble

Shankhpushpi

Shankhpushpi / Evolvulus alsinoides



Origin of Herbs:

A perennial herb with prostrate branches and small elliptic to oblong, lanceolate, obtuse, mucronate leaves, flowers mostly solitary in upper axils. Corolla blue rotate and broad funnel shaped, capsule globose'.

Healing options:

· The whole herb is used medicinally in the form of decoction with cumin and milk in fever, nervous debility, loss of memory, also in syphilis, and scrofula. '. Shankhapushpi is used as a brain tonic.

· The root is used by the santals, for intermittent childhood fever.

· The leaves are made into cigarettes and smoked in chronic bronchitis and asthma.

· The plant is useful in internal haemorrhages.

· The oil promotes the growth of hair. Decoction was given in cases of malarial fever'. Evolvulus abinoides has got antidysenteric and antiseptic properties".

· It is used as a Rasayan.

· Is used as a tonic, alterative and febrifuge. It is a sovereign remedy in bowel complaints especially dysentery.

· The plant is reported to be a prominent memory improving drug. It is used as a psychostimulant and tranquilizer. It is reported to reduce mental tension. The ethanolic extract of the plant reduces total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and nonesterfied fatty-acid.

RASAYANA:

(Clinical studies done in Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha)

The clinical and experimental studies on the Kamya Rasayana and Naimittika Rasayana have put forth singnificant Medhya Rasayana effect of Sankhapuspi as could be seen by its barbiturate hyponosis potentiation effect and anti-hyponosis potentiation effect and anti-hypertensive effects.

Tips:

Decoction of the drug, with Ocimum sanctum is administered in fevers accompanied by indigestion or diarrhoea',

Saffron

Saffron Crocus sativus

Description and composition:

Saffron is a plant resembling an onion,45 cms high. Commercial saffron consists of the dried stigma and tops of the style of the flowers. It is one of the world’s costliest herbs.

Saffron contains an essential oil that consists of terpenes, terpene alcohols and esters. Its other constituents are crocin and picrocrocin.

This expensive spice has been reputed to work like a sex hormone and make erogenous zones even more sensitive. Saffron is made from the dried stigmas of a type of crocus. About 225,000 stigmas are needed to make one pound of saffron. (Each crocus has about 3 stigmas, which must be picked by hand.) Try adding a pinch of saffron to Mediterranean, North African or Middle Eastern grain dishes such as Paella, a traditional Spanish rice dish that contains sausage and seafood.

Healing power and curative properties

Saffron is largely used in indigenous medicines across India. It enjoys a great reputation as a drug, which strengthens the functioning of stomach, and promotes its action. the drug also counteracts spasmodic disorders, that is sustained involuntary muscle contraction. it is a stimulant and promotes libido.

Digestive disorders:

Saffron is beneficial in the treatment of several digestive disorders especially flatulent colic.

Women’s Ailments:

The herb is useful in promoting and regulating menstrual periods. It soothes lumber pains, which accompany menstruation. Saffron is also beneficial in the treatment of other ailments concerning women such as leucorrhoea and hysteria. Pessaries of saffron are used in painful conditions of the uterus.

Skin disorders:

Saffron is useful in treatment of skin disorders. a paste of the herb can be used as dressing for the bruises and superficial sores.

Precaution:

Pregnant women should not take the drug in large doses as it may cause abortion.

Neem

Neem Azadirachta indica Margosa

Origin of Herbs:

Margosa is very common tree in India. It is a large evergreen dense tree growing some 10 to 10.5 meter tall with a grirth of about 2-3 meter. The leaves of this tree are divided into numerous leaflets, each resembling a full-grown leaf. The margosa tree has played in Ayurvedic medicines and agriculture since time immemorial. It is indigenous to south Asia, where up to twenty million trees line the roads. The tree occurs naturally in the Deccan peninsula, but it is cultivated allover India.

Healing power:

Neem tree is generally considered to be an air purifier and preventive against malarial fever and cholera. All parts of the tree possess medicinal properties. The leaves are useful in relieving flatulence, promoting the removal of catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes, and in increasing secretion and discharge of urine. They also acts act as an insecticide. The bark is a bitter tonic and a stimulant. It arrests secretion and bleeding besides counter acting any spasmodic disorders.

Malaria:

An infusion or a decoction of the fresh leaves is a bitter vegetable tonic and alternative, especially in chronic malarial fevers because of its action on the liver. It should be taken in doses of 15 to 60 grams.

Piles:

The use of three grams of the inner bark of Neem with 6 grams of jaggery every morning is a very effective in piles. To check bleeding piles,3 or 4 neem fruits can be administered with water.

Eczema:

The bark of the babul tree is used in the treatment of eczema. About 25grams each of this bark and the mango bark should be boiled in about 1 liter of water and the vapors allowed to ferment the affected part. After the fomentation, the affected part should be anointed with ghee.

Leprosy:

The sap of the neem tree has been found effective in leprosy when taken in daily doses of 60 grams. Simultaneously the patient’s body should be massaged with the sap. This regimen should be continued for 40 days. If the sap is not available,12 gram of neem leaves and three decigrams pepper can be ground in water and taken.

Skin Disorder:

The leaves applied externally are very useful in skin disease. They are especially beneficial in the treatment of boils, chronic ulcers, eruptions of small pox, swelling and wounds. They can be used either. An ointment prepared from neem leaves is very effective in healing ulcers and wounds.

Hair Disorder:

If there is any hair loss or it has ceased to grow, washing with the decoction of neem leaves may help. This will not only stop hair from falling but also help their growth. Frequent application of neem oil also destroys insects in the hair.

Epiphora:

The leaves are beneficial in treating epiphora- that is watering of the eyes, in which tears flow onto the cheeks due to abnormality of the tear drainages system. About 250 grams of leaves should be boiled in one and a quarter litre of water until only a quarter liter of water is left. This should be filtered and kept in a well –corked bottle. The eyelids should be painted morning and evening with this liquid

Oral Disorder:

Cleaning the teeth regularly with a neem twig prevents gum diseases. It firms up loose teeth, relieves toothache, evacuates the bad odour and protects the mouth from various infections.

Other Uses:

Neem is very useful at the time of childbirth. Administration of the juice of neem leaves to the woman in labour before child birth produces normal contraction in the uterus and prevents possible inflammation .It corrects bowls movements and checks onset of fevers, thereby facilitating the normal delivery. The use of tepid decoction of neem leaves as a vaginal douche heals any wounds caused during delivery and disinfects the vaginal passage. Neem is also a powerful insecticide to kill soil nematodes and other plant parasites and is useful as mosquito repellant. And neem juice is used in toothpastes and contraceptives.

Lashsoon

Lashsoon Garlic (Botanical Name - Allium Sativum)

Origin of Herbs:

Garlic has been highly valued for centuries all over the world for its health-building qualities. Garlic is believed to have originated in central Asia and was known to the Chinese as far back as 3,000 BC. It continues to be one of the staple spices of the Chinese diet still today. Egyptians, Greeks and Romans also used garlic as a staple food and a medicine for several ailments still today. It spread to all part of the world and now widely grown in the Mediterranean region, India, Philippines, China, Kenya, Brazil and Mexico. It grows well in the cool climates with dry weather.

Healing power and curative properties :

In herbal Medicine, garlic has been traditionally used for asthma, deafness leprosy, bronchial congestion, arteriosclerosis that is hardening of arteries- fevers, worms and liver gall bladder trouble. Garlic is good for the heart, a food for the hair a stimulant to appetite, a strength-giving ,used in Leucoderma, leprosy, piles, worms, Catarrhal disorder, asthma and cough.

Clinical experiments:

In recent times have confirmed several ancient beliefs about the healing value of this herb. These experiments have in fact proven much greater power of garlic than known previously. The unpleasant odour in garlic is due to its sulphur content. This mineral is content to a greater degree in its volatile oil, which has remarkable medicinal values.

Chest diseases:

Garlic has proved effective in certain diseases of the chest. It reduces foetidity or stinking of the breath in pulmonary gangrene. Garlic is also useful in the treatment of tuberculosis. In Ayurveda a decoction of garlic boiled in milk is considered a wonderful drug for tuberculosis. One gram of garlic , 250ml of milk and a liter of water are boiled together till it reduces to one fourth of the decoction. It should be taken thrice a day .Taken in sufficient quantities ,it is marvelous remedy for pneumonia.

Asthma:

Three cloves of garlic boiled in milk can be used every night with excellent results in asthma. A pod of garlic is peeled ,crushed and boiled in 120ml pure malt vinegar .It is strained after cooling and an equal quantity of honey is mixed and preserve in a clean bottle. One or two teaspoon of this syrup can be taken with fenugreek decoction in the evening and before retiring. This has been found effective in reducing the severity of asthmatic attacks.

Digestive disorders:

Garlic is one of the most important herbs for the digestive systems. , It stimulates peristaltis or movement of the intestines and the secretion of the digestive juices.

High Blood Pressure:

Garlic is one of the most effective remedies for lowering blood pressure ,Pressure and tension are reduced because it has the power to ease the spasm of the small arteries. It also modifies the pulse and modifies the heart rhythm.

Rheumatism:

In Russia garlic is used extensively in the treatment of rheumatism and associated diseases .Even in Britain ,garlic is recommended for Rheumatic afflictions.

Heart attack:

Following a recent study a West German doctor claims that garlic may prevent heart attack. Garlic helps to break up cholesterol in the blood vessels, thereby preventing any hardening of arteries which leads to high blood pressure and heart attack If a patient takes garlic after a heart attack, the cholesterol level comes down .Though the earlier damage may not be repaired ,the chances of new attacks are reduced.

Blood Disorders:

The herb is regarded as a rejuvenator. It has been found to help remove toxins revitalise the blood, stimulate circulation and promote intestinal flora, or colony of bacteria that prevent infection by harmful bacteria.

Skin Disorder:

Garlic has been used successfully for a variety of skin disorders. Pimples disappear without a scar when rubbed with raw garlic several times a day. Even very persistance forms of acne in some adults, have been healed with garlic. Garlic rubbed over ringworm, gives quick relief. The area is burnt by the strong garlic and later the skin peels off and the ring worm is cured.

Other uses:

Garlic has a pronounced aphrodisiac effect. It is a tonic for the loss of sexual power from any causes. It also treats sexual debility and impotency caused by overindulgence in sex and nervous exhaustion from dissipating habit .It is said to be especially useful to old men with nervous tension and falling libido.

Garlic is the most widely used of the cultivated alliums after onions. It is used both as a food and seasoning in the preparation of soups, sauces and pickles. In spain and italy it is used with almost every food.

Gurmar

Gurmar Gymnema sylvestre

Other Names: Gurmarbooti, gurmar, periploca of the woods, meshasringi, Gymnema

Description:

Parts Used: leaves

Gymnema sylvestre is a woody climbing plant that grows in the tropical forests of central and southern India. The leaves are used in herbal medicine preparations. G. sylvestre is known as "periploca of the woods" in English and mesbasringi (meaning "ram's horn") in Sanskrit. The leaves, when chewed, interfere with the ability to taste sweetness, which explains the Hindi name gurmar-"destroyer of sugar."

Healing power and curative properties:

Gurmar is an herb that slows the absorption of sugar into the blood stream and slows the conversion of sugar into fat. Gurmar fits well into a weight management program because it complements exercise and dietary reform by curbing sugar appetite.

Diabetes:

Gurmar stimulates insulin secretion and has blood sugar reducing properties. It blocks sweet taste receptors when applied to tongue in diabetes to remove glycosuria.

A blood sugar balancing herb that slows the absorption of sugars into the blood stream and slows the conversion of sugar to fat.

Gurmar is a blood sugar balancing herb that slows the absorption of sugars into the blood stream and slows the conversion of sugar to fat. Avoiding sugar is almost impossible, but we can offset its power by understanding what it does and then eating less of it. Sugar, either on food or hidden in food and drink, is metabolized into fat. By regular exercise, we can further interrupt the sugar-to- fat route and burn some of it off.

Reduce Weight :

Gurmar fits well into a weight-management program because it complements exercise and dietary reform by promoting healthy blood glucose balance

Other uses :

Suppresses the intestinal absorption of saccharine, which prevents blood sugar fluctuations. Corrects metabolic activities of liver, kidney and muscles.

The leaves are also noted for lowering serum cholesterol and triglycerides. While studies have shown that a water-soluble acidic fraction of the leaves provides hypoglycemic actions, the specific constituent responsible for this action has not been clearly identified. Some researchers have suggested gymnemic acid as one possible candidate. However, further research is needed to clearly determine which constituent is responsible for this effect. Gurmarin, another constituent of the leaves, and gymnemic acid have been shown to block the ability in humans to taste sweets.

Guggulu

Guggulu Commiphora mukul

Parts used: Gum resin, steam, leaf

Historical aspects: Guggulu, the resin from Commiphora mukul has been mentioned in the atharva veda and in early medical texts of a charaka, sushruta samhita and nighantus. Its original properties have been described as medoghna,mehaghna.

Habitat:
The mukul myrrh (Commiphora mukul) tree is a small, thorny plant distributed throughout India. Guggul and gum guggulu are the names given to a yellowish resin produced by the stem of the plant. This resin has been used historically and is also the source of modern extracts of guggul

Pharmacognoy: The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics have been described in considerable detail.

Indication:

• Rheumatic disorders
• Hypercholesterolaemia
• Promotes comfortable movement of the joints and muscles
• Rejuvenates the muscular-skeletal system
• Maintains healthy metabolism and removes toxins from the system

Ayurvedic Energetic:

· Rasa (taste): bitter, astringent, sweet, pungent

· Guna (constitutions): Balancing for all doshas, especially pitta

· Virya (action): heating

· Vipaka (post-digestive effect): neutral

Herbal Actions:

Analgesic, antipyretic, alterative, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent, decongestant, demulcent, depurative, remunerative, stimulant, tonic

Traditional Uses :

Arthritis	Gout	Sciatica
Boils	Hemorrhoids	Sprains
Bursitis	Muscle aches/cramps	Stiffness
Carpal tunnel syndrome	Myositis	Strained muscles
Dysmenorrhea	Neuralgia	Swollen joints
Fever	Repetitive motion injury	Tendonitis
Fibromyalgia	Rheumatism

caution: Use with care during pregnancy

Dosage: Daily recommendations for the purified Guggulu extract are typically based on the amount of guggulsterones in the extract. a common intake of guggulsterones is 25 mg three times per day. Most extracts contain 2.5–5% guggulsterones and can be taken daily for 12 to 24 weeks.

Ghrita kumari

Ghrita kumari
(Botanical Name - Aloe vera)

Origin of Herbs:

Aloe Vera is the one of the few natural substances that has been scientifically documented to work. Scientific research has been conducted on aloe Vera since 1935.There are more over 240 different types of aloe Vera growing mainly in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, and America etc.

The original commercial use of aloe plant was in production of latex substance called Aloin, a yellow sap used for many years as a laxative ingredient. Aloe Vera gel has gained respect as a useful commodity that is used as a base for nutritional drinks, as a moisturizer, a healing agent in cosmetic and OTC drug. Every cosmetic counter carries shampoos and skin cream contains aloe vera, Aloe’s values lies in its ability to regenerate damaged tissues, which it dies with dramatic swiftness. Modern medicine has found new uses for aloe Vera like the fresh juice is employed as a salve for the treatment of radiation burn. The fresh juice also gives instant relief for minor burns and wounds.

The sticky fresh juice of aloe leaves serves as an emollient skin softening ingredients in many skin lotions and creams.

Healing options:

The leaves of the plant possess many medicinal properties. They are useful in restoring the disordered processes or bleeding. They also promote and regulate the menstrual periods.


Liver Disorders :

The herb stimulates the liver and is useful in liver and spleen disorders. It can be used in jaundice and enlargement of liver. The pulp of one leaf should be administered with black salt and ginger every morning for 10 days in the treatment of such disorders.

Cold :

The drug is valuable in colds and coughs. The juice of the roasted leaf should be taken with honey for treatment.

Rheumatism:

Indian aloe is useful in lumbago, sciatica and rheumatism

Indigestion:

The herb is useful in stomach disorders. The leaves strengthen the functioning of stomach and promote its action

Skin Diseases :

The use of the herb in treating inflamed and painful parts of the body is common in Indian medicine. The fresh juice from its leaves should be applied externally.

Ayurvedic supplements that contains Aloe Vera :

Kumariasava
Sundarikalpforte
Rajapravartani Bati

Eranda

Eranda (Caster Seed / Ricinus communis Linn)

Description:

It is a tall shrub, sometimes becoming treelike. Leaves very large, broad, roundest in outline but partly divided into 7 (sometimes 9) lobes, margins toothed. Flowers large, in big terminal bunches. Fruit a prickly capsule, rather marked into six parts. Seeds oblong, seed coat crustaceous. One form of this plants is almost perennial with woody stems and large red seeds. This is said to yield an oil suitable only for illumination and lubrication. The other form which is grown as an annual crop, has gray and brown mottled seeds, these yields oil suitable for medicinal uses. there is still another form with purple bronze leaves, it is grown only for ornaments.

The castor is a small annual plant. It ranges from 1 to 7 meters in height. It has well-developed roots, with green and reddish stems. Which become hollow with age the fruit is a spherical capsule with small gray seeds with brown spots. Castor seeds were an important item of ancient Egypt. The oil was and is still, used extensively in local medicines mainly as a laxative, but also to soften dry and coarse skin. The Chinese have used the oil for medicinal purpose for centuries. The castor plant appears to have originated in eastern Africa, especially around Ethiopia. It now grows throughout the warm-temperate and tropical regions and flourishes under a variety of climatic conditions. It can be grown almost anywhere and this is one of castor’s greatest virtues.

Healing power and curative properties:
Castor is used very effectively in treatment of rheumatic and skin disorders. It is a harmless purgative.

Rheumatism : Castor seeds poultice can be applied on gouty & rheumatic swellings with beneficial results. A decoction of the roots of castor plant with potash carbonate is very helpful in treating lumbago & rheumatism.

Skin disorders : A poultice of castor leaves is useful as an external application to boils & swellings. Castor leaves coated with coconut oil, then heated & applied over guinea-worm sores to extract the worms.

Dandruff : Castor oil if used regularly as hair oil, helps to cure dandruff & helps the growth of hair.

Constipation : Administration of castor oil as a purgative is very simple. About 30 to 60 gms of pure odorless castor oil is given orally with 250 to 350 gms of Luke worm milk. It acts just after an hour. Those who find it unpalatable can take it with ginger or gripe water. This reduces its unpleasantness, while destroying mucous & promoting healthy appetite. Castor oil is a simple, harmless purgative and can be safely used round the year without any rigid consideration & limitation of weather & the physiological nature of the patient.

Breast milk secretion : Castor oil massaged over the breasts of lactating mothers (after childbirth), increasing the flow of milk, by stimulating mammary glands. Castor leaves can also be used to foment the breast, for the same patient.

Other uses :
Castor oil massaged over the body, before bath, keeps the skin healthy & imparts sound sleep. Such oil over may be taken once in a week. Applying castor oil over hand & feet before going to sleep keeps them soft. Applying similarly over eyebrows & eye lashes keep them well groomed. A word of caution, large doses of castor oil as purgative during early months of pregnancy may cause abortion.

Clove

Clove / Eugenia Aromatica

Origin of Herbs:
Clove is the dried unopened flower bud obtained from a handsome, middle sized, and evergreen tree. The tree has a straight trunk and grows up to a height of 10 to 12 meters. The clove has been used in India and china, for over 2,000 years as a spice to check both tooth decay and counter halitosis that is bad breath. In percia and china, it was considered to have aphrodisiac properties. The clove tree is a native of the Molucca islands. The clove buds, stem and leaves, on steam distillation yield a substantial amount of essential oil. The clove bud oil derived from the dried buds by steaming distillation contains free eugenol, eugenol acetate and caryophyllene.

Healing options:
Cloves have many medicinal virtues. They are stimulant. They are useful in counteracting spasmodic disorders and in relieving flatulence. They help stimulate sluggish circulation and thereby promote digestion and metabolism .In the Indian system of medicine cloves are used in various conditions either in the form of powder or a decoction made of it. Clove oil applied outwardly, has stimulating effects on the skin, producing heat and redness.

Digestive disorder: Clove promotes enzymatic flow and boost digestive functioning. They are used in various forms of gastric irritability and dyspepsia. Licking the powder of fried clove mixed with honey is effective in controlling vomiting. The anesthetic action of clove numbs the gullet and stomach and stops vomiting.

Cholera:
Cloves are very useful for treating cholera. About 4 grams of cloves are boiled in 3 liters of water until half the water has evaporated. This water, taken in draughts, will check severe symptoms of the disease.

Coughs:
Chewing a clove with a crystal of common salt eases expectoration, relieves the irritation in the throat and stops cough in the pharyngitis that is, inflammation of the pharynx. Chewing a burnt clove is also an effective medicine for coughs caused by congested throat and pharyngitis.

Asthma:
Clove is an effective remedy for asthma. A teaspoon of decoction prepared by boiling 6 cloves in 30 ml of water can be taken with honey thrice daily as an expectorant.

Teeth disorder :
The use of a clove in toothache decreases pain. It also helps to decrease infection due to decayed tooth, also relieves toothache.

Muscular cramp :
Muscular cramps are often relieved when the oil of clove is applied as a poultice near the affected portion.

Headaches:
A paste of clove and salt crystals in milk is a common household remedy for headaches. Salt as a hygroscopic agent, absorbs fluid and decreases tension.

Other uses:
Clove are used as table spice and mixed with Chilies, Cinnamon, turmeric and other spices in the preparation of curry powder. Clove oil is used in the manufacture of perfumes, soaps, and bath salts and as a flavorings agent in medicine and dentistry.

Ashoka Saraca indica

Ashoka Saraca indica


Origin of Herbs:

Ashoka is a small, spreading, evergreen tree, with smooth brownish bark and compound leaves forming a dense crown. It has bright orange flowers in small dense branches and flat fruits with several smooth gray seeds. This tree has to be distinguished from the Indian fir or mast tree, botanically known as polyalthia longifolia. Ashoka is one of the sacred trees of the Hindus.

The dried bark of the tree constitutes the drug. The bark contains tannins and catechol. The powder of the bark contains silica, sodium, potassiom, phosphate, magnesium, iron, calcium, strontium and aluminium. A crystalline glycosidal substance has been isolated from the bark with galactose as the constituent sugar.

Healing options:

Both the dried flowers of Ashoka and the bark have been used in Ayurveda for many centuries. The bark is prescribed in Ayurvedic medicine for arresting bleeding or secretion and as a uterine sedative. It is said to have a stimulating effect on the endometrium that is, the mucuous membrance lining the uterus and on the ovarian tissues.


Irregular Menstrual Disorders :

The bark of the tree is effective for excessive blood loss during menstruation due to the presence of uterine fibroids, leucorrhoea and other causes. It can be used as a substitute for ergot, a kind of dried fungus used in medicine in the treatment of uterine hamorrhages. It is taken as a decoction.

About 90 grams of the bark is boiled in 30 ml of milk and 360 ml of water till the total quantity is reduced to about 90 grams. This is divided in 2 or 3 doses to be given in a day. The treatment should commence from the fourth day of the menstruation and continue till the bleeding is checked. Fresh decoction is to be made every day.


Piles :

The bark is also effective for internal piles. A decoction prepared in the same manner as in case of uterine disorders is taken in this condition.

Dysentery:

The decoction is also useful in dysentery. A fluid extract of the flowers can be taken with beneficial results in haemorrhagic dysentery. This extract is prepared by grinding the flowers with water. It is taken is doses of 15 to 60 drops.

Other Diseases :

The dried flowers of Ashoka tree are useful in diabetes. The bark of the tree is also useful in treating scorpion-sting.

Origin of Herbs:

Ashoka is a small, spreading, evergreen tree, with smooth brownish bark and compound leaves forming a dense crown. It has bright orange flowers in small dense branches and flat fruits with several smooth gray seeds. This tree has to be distinguished from the Indian fir or mast tree, botanically known as polyalthia longifolia. Ashoka is one of the sacred trees of the Hindus.

The dried bark of the tree constitutes the drug. The bark contains tannins and catechol. The powder of the bark contains silica, sodium, potassiom, phosphate, magnesium, iron, calcium, strontium and aluminium. A crystalline glycosidal substance has been isolated from the bark with galactose as the constituent sugar.

Healing options:

Both the dried flowers of Ashoka and the bark have been used in Ayurveda for many centuries. The bark is prescribed in Ayurvedic medicine for arresting bleeding or secretion and as a uterine sedative. It is said to have a stimulating effect on the endometrium that is, the mucuous membrance lining the uterus and on the ovarian tissues.


Uterine Disorders :

The bark of the tree is effective for excessive blood loss during menstruation due to the presence of uterine fibroids, leucorrhoea and other causes. It can be used as a substitute for ergot, a kind of dried fungus used in medicine in the treatment of uterine hamorrhages. It is taken as a decoction.

About 90 grams of the bark is boiled in 30 ml of milk and 360 ml of water till the total quantity is reduced to about 90 grams. This is divided in 2 or 3 doses to be given in a day. The treatment should commence from the fourth day of the menstruation and continue till the bleeding is checked. Fresh decoction is to be made every day.


Piles :

The bark is also effective for internal piles. A decoction prepared in the same manner as in case of uterine disorders is taken in this condition.