Kokum (Garcinia indica) is an evergreen tree indigenous to India and found in Western Ghats from Konkan southwards and in Goa. It is cultivated in southern districts of Maharashtra and on lower slopes of Nilgiris. Kokum tree is also found in Assam and West Bengal. Kokum has culinary, medicinal and industrial uses. The dried rind of fruit is used as condiment for making curry. A drink prepared from fruits is taken in summer to relieve sunstroke. In traditional medicine system Kokum is indicated in treatment of gas, heat stroke, diarrhoea, dysentery, skin diseases and infections.

By Ramnath Bhat from PUNE, India (Garcinia indica) [CC BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

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Latin name - Garcinia indica Choisy. Synonym - G. purpurea Roxb

Family-Guttiferae; Clusiaceae

Vernacular name

English - Kokum Butter tree, Mangosteen Oil, Malabar Tamarind tree, Indian butter tree, Red mango Sanskrit - Vrikshaamla, Tintidika, Chukra, Amlavrkshak, Kokum, Amsula Siddha - Murgal Folk - Kokum Marathi - Kokam, Amsul dried fruit Malayalam - Punampuli Goa - Brindao (fruit-pulp), Amsel (bark)

Part used: Fruits, seeds, seed-oil, bark, leaves

Kokum fruit

Kokum fruit is dark purple in colour and weigh about 15-20 grams. The fruit contains substantial amount of malic acid but very less citric acid. Malic acid is acidic, reddish coloured and gives the pungent sour taste to fruits. The pulp of fruit is used to make Sherbet/sweet drink. Dried kokum fruit is known as amsul/aamsol and added as condiment in curries.

Seed's kernel are processed to obtain an edible fat, Kokum butter/kokum oil/kokum ka tel. Kokum butter is used as substitute for cocoa butter in chocolates. It is also used in treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery.

Medicinal uses of Kokum

In Ayurveda Kokum fruit is used in treatment of variety of ailments. It is an appetizer and tonic for liver and heart. The fruit infusion is used for treating skin diseases, like allergies, chaffed skin, rashes, burns and scalds. It is also given in heat stroke, dysentery, diarrhoea, piles and heart diseases.

Kokum fruits are used for weight management. They help to reduce weight. Presence of Hydroxycitric acid in fruits makes it effective in weight-loss. This acid increases serotonin availability in body, reduces weight and increases oxidation of fat.

A polyisoprenylated benzophenone in fruit rind has antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-ulcer properties.

For purgative purpose a powder is prepared by mixing fried Hing/asafoetida, Kokum fruit, fruits of bishop’s weed (Ptychotis ajowan), rock salt, and fennel/Saunf. All are taken in equal parts. A dose of 2 to 6 g of the powder with 5 ml of fresh lemon juice twice/day cleans excess pitta and cleanses small intestine and colon.

Kokum fruits are cooling in nature. A sherbet (known as Amrit kokum) prepared from the pulp is rich in antioxidants and quenches thirst. The fruits alone are useful in gas, fluid retention, alcoholism, weakness of digestive system, excessive thirst and oral diseases.

Kokum fruit is also used in dried form to make dishes sour.

Kokum fruit seeds contain an edible butter which is known as Kokum butter. Kokum butter is applied topically on ulceration, skin diseases, cracked lips, and dryness. In mucous diarrhoea or dysentery, kokam butter is given in dose of ten grams with a glass of milk, thrice a day. It can also be used as substitute for animal fat.

Mango-ginger looks exactly like common ginger but it has flavour of raw mango. It is the rhizome of plant Curcuma amada and belongs to family Zingiberaceae, genus Curcuma. In Genus Curcuma, there are more than eighty species of rhizomatous herbs. Indian Arrowroot (starch used), Wild turmeric, turmeric, Karchura are some of the medicinal plants belonging to genus curcuma.

By vicharam (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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In India, Mango-ginger is mainly cultivated in Gujarat, wild in parts of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Vernacular name

• Sanskrit : Amradrakam, Amragandha-haridra, Karpura Haridra
• Bengali : Aamaa Aadaa
• English : Mango-ginger
• Gujrati : Aambaa haldhar
• Hindi : Aamaa-haldi, Amiyaa haldi
• Kannada : Ambarasini, Huli Arsin
• Malayalam : Mangayinji
• Marathi : Aambe halad, Ambaa halad
• Punjabi : Ambiya haladi
• Tamil : Mankayyinji
• Telugu : Mamidi Allamu
• Unani: Aamba Haldi, Daarchob

Constituent of Mango-ginger

Curcumin, Volatile oil (α-pinene, δ-camphor),α-curcumene, 1-β curcumene, phytosterolphytosterol. Essential oil exhibits antimicrobial, antifungal and anthelmintic activity.

Ayurvedic Properties and Action on body

In Ayurveda, Mango-ginger is used in treatment of skin itching, wounds, cough, respiratory illness, hiccups, fever, inflammations, ear pain and in vitiation of all tri-dosha.

Rasa (Taste): Tikta/Bitter, Madhura/Sweet

Guna (Characteristics): Laghu/Light

Virya (Potency): Sheet/ Cool

Vipaka (Post Digestive Effect): Katu/Pungent

Action: Improves digestion and appetite, Kapha-har, Pitta-har, increase virility; aphrodisiac

Medicinal uses of Mango-ginger/Aamba Haldi/Mangaiinji

Mango-ginger is known as Amra Haridra or Karpura Haridra, in Ayurveda. It is used as spice and also for pickling. Similar to other members of genus curcuma, it has also many therapeutic properties and is especially useful in digestive complaints. Its use gives relief in abdominal gas. It promotes appetite and improves digestive strength.

Similar to ginger it is expectorant and gives relief in cold and cough. Its use is also recommended in liver inflammation, joint pain, rheumatism and inflammation due to injuries. The rhizomes are made into paste and applied on sprains, bruise, and skin diseases.

In arthritis, Mango-ginger is used along with Moringa (Moringa oleifera). For this purpose, 200g bark of Moringa is ground and boiled with water. Due to evaporation of water a paste is prepared which is collected and mixed with 100g Mango-ginger and 100g Maricha powder/ black pepper powder. This paste is applied on the joints.

In scientific study, mango ginger exhibits decrease in liver total lipids and serum triglycerides.

For medicinal purpose, the dried rhizomes powder should be taken in dose of 3-5 grams or 10-20 ml of fresh juice.

Nisosiradi Thailam is a polyherbal Ayurvedic medicated oil. The principle ingredients in this oil are Nisha/turmeric and Usheer/Vetiveria zizanioides. Nisosiradi oil is applied externally on carbuncles and abscesses (swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus.). Carbuncles are contagious red, swollen, and painful cluster of boils that are connected to each other under the skin. Carbuncle can spread from one body part to other or from one person to other by skin contact.

Here is given more about Nisosiradi Thailam such as indication/therapeutic uses, composition and direction for use.

Key Ingredients of Nisosiradi Thailam

Kalka (paste) dravya- Eladi gana dravya (group of medicinal herbs) each 6 grams

Sneha dravya (oil) - Tila/sesame oil 768 ml

Drava dravya (decoction) - Haldi/turmeric, Usheer, Bala

Nisosiradi Thailam is prepare with kalka, sneha and drava drayva.

Uses of Nisosiradi Thailam

This medicated oil is applied externally on severe abscess or multiple boil in the skin. It is useful in diabetic carbuncles, abscesses. It helps in faster healing of boils.

How to use Nisosiradi Thailam

This is for external use ONLY. Apply on affected areas.

Astapatra Tailam is a poly-herbal Ayurvedic medicated oil. This oil or taila is prepared from eight leaves and hence called Astha (eight) + patra (leaves). It is used in treatment of diseases of head. The base oil can be tila like sesame oil or coconut oil. When coconut oil is base oil then it is known Astapatra Kera Taila.

Here is given more about Astapatra Tailam such as indication/therapeutic uses, Key Ingredients and how to use.

Key Ingredients of Astapatra Tailam

The complete list of ingredient for making Astapatra oil is as follows:-

Sneha dravya (oil): Tila/Sesame oil Or Kera tailam/Coconut oil 1 part

Drava Dravya (decoction): Leaves of Bliva/Bael, Vishatinduka/ Strychnos nux vomica dal, Bhringraj, Shakravallari/Indravaruni, Giloy, Nagavalli/Paan, Patola, Amalaki/Amla 1 part

Milk 2 parts

Uses of Astapatra Tailam

This oil is indicated in siroroga (head diseases) such as headaches.

How to use Astapatra Tailam

This is for external use ONLY. Apply on head and massage gently.

Varanadi Kashayam is polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation referenced from Ashtanga Hridya. This medicine is prescribed in obesity, all type of kapha-meda diseases, chronic headaches etc. It has anti-obesity action on body. The key ingredient of medicine is Varuna (Crataeva nurvala). Varuna has purgative (Bhedi), digestive stimulant (deepan) and vata/wind, kapha/mucous reducing properties. In Varanadi Kashayam, Varuna is used in combination of many other herbs. This formulation improves digestive strength and is good for liver. It gives good result in indigestion, acute and chronic digestive ailments.

Varanadi Kashayam is available in tablet and liquid form. Tablets are concentrated decoction for easy administration. It is preferable to take this medicine before meals. But if it does not suit body empty stomach, you may take it after meals.

Here is given more about Varanadi Kashayam such as indication/therapeutic uses, composition and dosage.

Key Ingredients of Varanadi Kashayam

Each in equal amount Varana, Saireyaka Barleria prionitis, Sahachara Barleria cristata, Satavari, Chitrak, Murva Marsdenia tenacissima, Bilwa moola, Vrusharika, Brihati, Bhadrika, Karanja, Chirivilwa, Agnimantha, Abhaya, Shigru, Prisniparni, Bhallathaka

Uses of Varanadi Kashayam

Varanadi Kashayam is indicated in obesity, liver diseases, rheumatism, chronic headaches, abdominal lump, tumour, internal abscess etc.

Dosage of Varanadi Kashayam

The recommended dosage of Varanadi Kashayam is 2-3 (each tab equals to decoction of 5 ml) tablets or 10-15 ml with 30-45 ml water, twice a day. Or take as directed by physician.

Varanadi Kashayam is manufactured by Arya Vaidya Pharmacy AVP, Arya Vaidya Sala Kottakkal, Kairali Ayurvedic Group and many other South Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacies.

Garlic is used all over world as a condiment and home medicine for centuries. Garlic offers innumerable health benefits as it is good for cardiovascular health, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar level, and is useful in several other ailments. Garlic has got its medicinal properties due to presence of at least thirty-three sulfur compounds, several enzymes, seventeen amino acids, and minerals. Sulfur compounds give garlic its pungent taste and specific odour. It is also very effective in hair loss. Oil prepared from Garlic has antiseptic, antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-parasitic activities. It can be safely applied to body areas affected with ring worm. This oil can be applied topically to skin diseases that are caused due to bacteria, fungal or yeast.

"Allium sativum. Restra de allos de Oroso- Galiza"by Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez (Lmbuga) - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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Botanical name:Allium sativum

Family:Alliaceae

Vernacular names

• Sanskrit:Rasona, Yavaneshta
• Trade names:Rasun, Lashun
• Assamese:Maharu, Naharu
• Bengali:Lasuna, Roshum
• English:Garlic
• Gujarati:Lasan, Lassun, Lashan
• Hindi:Lahasun
• Kannada:Bulluci
• Malayalam:Vellulli, Nelluthulli, Belulli, Velluli
• Oria:Rasuna
• Marathi:Lasun, Lusoon, Lasun
• Punjabi:Lassan
• Tam.:Vellaipoondu
• Telugu:Vellulli, Tellapya, Tellagadda
• Kashmir:Ruhan
• Urdu:Lahsan, Seer

French:Ail;Italian:Aglio;German:Knoblauch;Hebrew:Shoomin;Greek:Skordon;Russian:Chesnok;Persian:Seer

Part Used:Bulb and oil

Works on:all body tissues

Origin and Distribution:Believed to have originated in Central Asia;Used in ancient India, China, Egypt, Greece and Rome;Cultivated throughout India;also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and almost in all tropical countries.

Plant description

Hardy perennial bulbous scapigerous herb;stem flat, dry, lower portion of the plant forms bulb which consists of several smaller bulbs called cloves, surrounded by a thin white or pinkish sheath;leaves flat, narrow green;heads bear small white flowers and bulbils.

Flowering and fruiting:Winter

Soil required for cultivation:Rich, well-drained, moderately clayey loam, requires a cool, moist period during growth and a relatively dry period during maturing of the crop;4-5 months required to mature and harvesting during February to April.

Constituents Of Garlic

Volatile Oil containing Allyl Disulphide and Diallyl Disulphide. It also contains Allin, Allicin, Mucilage and Albumin.

Ayurvedic Properties and Action on body

Garlic is known as Rasona in Sanskrit which means the one which lacks only one taste.

Rasa (Taste):Katu (pungent), Madhura/Sweet

Guna (Characteristics):Guru/Heavy, picchila/oily, Snigdha/Unctuous, Tikshna/Sharp, Sara

Virya (Potency):Ushna/Hot

Vipaka (Post Digestive Effect):Katu/Pungent

Action on body:Improves strength, good for eyes, improves digestive strength, good for heart, reduces mucous, good for brain, reduces vata/wind, removes blood toxins, tonic

Effects on Tridoshas (Humor):Reduces vata/wind, kapha/mucous and increases pitta/bile

Important Ayurvedic Formulations - Lasunadi Vati, Lasunadi Ghrita And Vaca Lasunadi Taila

Therapeutic Uses - Jirna Jvara (chronic fever), Krimiroga (parasitic infestation), Gulma, Kushtha (skin disease), Arsa piles, Kasa cough, Svasa respiratory ailmesnt, Pinasa, Shula, Karnashula pain in ears, Vatavyadi diseases of joints eg gout, arthritis, Hikka hiccups, Medoroga obesity, Yoni Vyapata, Visucika dysentery, Pliha Vriddhi spleen enlargement, Kshaya, Vishama Jvara malarial, dengue fever, Apasmara Unmada, Sasa, shotha, Hridroga heart diseases, Vatasula, Trikas hula, Vrana Krimi

Dosage of garlic paste:3 grams

Medicinal uses Of Garlic/Lahsun/Rasona

Garlic is used both internally and externally. Oral intake of garlic has good effect on whole body. The clove of garlic has alterative (restores health), antibiotic, anti-fungal, aphrodisiac, carminative (prevents and expels gas), diaphoretic (sweat causing), diuretic (stimulating urine), expectorant, hypoglycemic (sugar lowering), hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) properties. Garlic cloves exhibits activity against many types of bacterial diseases. Its oral intake prevents blood platelet aggregation. It is beneficial to eat garlic in many diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arterosclerosis (deposition of fatty material on their inner walls), asthma, cold, cough, loose motions, diabetes and parasitic infestation.

Garlic is also used externally. It can be prepared as a bolus to treat yeast infection or an enema to treat dysentery. Uncut clove can be used as a suppository to treat haemorrhoids. Garlic cloves boiled in sesame oil are used as ear drops for treating ear pain. This medicated oil is also used as wash to treat gangrenous wounds and snakebite.

Garlic powder is prepared from dried cloves. The process is, cloves are dehydrated to remove the moisture and powdered. The powder has the same chemical composition and pharmacological activity except it does not have the allicin, the pungent principle.

Eating raw garlic causes garlic breath. In such case chewing some cardamom/ealichi or fennel/saunf is helpful. You may also try one drop of pure peppermint oil in a cup of water.

Garlic has good effect on cardiovascular health. Rasona ksheer pak or Lahsun Ksheer Pak is used traditionally for heart diseases.

Nowadays, garlic capsules are available that can be taken in dose of 2-3 capsules.

A powder prepared from garlic, hing, cumin/jeerak, rock salt, sendha salt, shunti, pippali, and maricha/black pepper in equal proportions, is given in doses of about twenty grains, every morning with a decoction of the root of the castor oil plant, in facial paralysis, hemiplegia, sciatica, paraplegia, and convulsive affections.

• In Sandhivata or osteoarthritis, three gram paste of garlic twice a day should be taken with sesame oil.
• Inn ear-ache and pus in ear, about three garlic cloves are boiled in three table spoons of til oil cooled and three drops are put in the ear.
• In cold, cough, excess mucous three cloves are boiled in cup of water. This is taken twice a day. Simply chewing few garlic cloves is also helpful.
• For asthma three cloves of garlic boiled in milk, can be used every night.
• In weak digestion a paste of about five garlic cloves, 2 green chillies and little salt is fried in 3 teaspoon of til oil and is taken for seven days.
• Crushed garlic cloves infused in water or milk is useful in all types of digestive disorders.
• Use of garlic is beneficial in colitis, dysentery and many other intestinal upsets.
• In mild diarrhoea and dysentery, one garlic capsule taken three times a day cures the condition.
• In syphilitic skin diseases, garlic paste is rubbed externally.
• In cold sore, skin diseases, chopped garlic cloves are put in vegetable oil/olive oil for few days. This is applied externally on sores for 2-3 times a day.
• In wounds, abscesses, boils, infected wounds, externally use garlic paste.

Garlic is a rejuvenator. It removes toxins, revitalise the blood, stimulate blood circulation, improves digestion, removes mucous, and is good for whole body. It should be eaten daily. You may chop the cloves and mix them in food. You may also make a tasty chutney of garlic cloves with mint/coriander leaves or simply chop 3 cloves and take with water.

Side-effects, contraindication and interaction

When taken in excess amount, longer duration garlic may produce some side-effects. It can irritate stomach and kidneys. It may cause a burning sensation in the mouth or stomach, heartburn, gas, nausea, vomiting and body odour.

• Garlic is a blood thinner and it slows blood clotting. Precaution should be taken while taking blood thinning medicines.
• It should not be taken in large amounts during pregnancy and breastfeeding as it may cause digestive distress.
• In some sensitive people, even small amount of garlic can cause allergic reaction or upset stomach.
• Garlic can irritate the gastrointestinal tract. It should be used cautiously in stomach or digestion problems.
• Garlic reduces blood pressure. So people with low blood pressure should use it cautiously.
• Topical application on skin, might cause damage to the skin, similar to a burn.

Crinum latifolium is grown as ornamental plant due to its flowers and beautiful appearance. This plant is used for medicinal purpose across many countries. In Asia there are about seventeen species of Crinum. It is distrusted in tropical areas and found in Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia. Malaysia, Tropical Asia, Africa, Vietnam, China and India. In Northern region of India, it is known as Sudarshan or Sukhdarshan. This plant flowers and fruiting occurs in months of June to August.

By Dinesh Valke from Thane, India[CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Botanical name:Crinum latifolium L. SYNONYM- C. defixum;C. asiaticum;C. bracteatum;C. toxicarium

Family:Amaryllidaceae

Vernacular names

Sanskrit:Madhuparnika, Vrishakarni Bengali:Sukhdarshan Tamil:Vishamungil Trade name:Wide-leaved crinum. Siddha:Vishamoongil

English:Poison bulb.

Plant description

A stout herb of 40-60cm in height, with bulb-form trunk (like big onion) of diameter 10cm or more;leaves around root and have linear form of 60-90cm in length, 5-

11cm in width, with parallel veins and slightly waved margins;leaf blade wide;Bundle of flowers rise from one main pedicle and form a halo of 30-60cm in length;white fragrant 10-20-flowered umbels;flower has form of funnel, with 6 stamen and 1 stigma.

Chemical composition of Plant

Various parts of plant contains following:

Glucans, organic acids, saponin, aminoacids, alkaloids.

Glucans:glucan A and B.

Aminoacids:phenylalanine, L-leucin, DL-valin, L-arginin monohydrochloride.

Alkaloids:latisolin, latisodin, Ambellin, 11-0-acetylambellin, 11-0 acetyl 1, 2-ß epoxyambellin, crinafolin, crinafolidin, lycorin, epilycorin, epipancrassidin, 9-0-demethylhomolycorin, lycorin-1, 0-glucosid, pratorin (hippadin), pratorinin, pratorimin, pratosin, beladin, latindin, latifin

Traditional Medicinal uses

Sudarshan(Crinum latifolium) is a medicinal herb that is used from time immemorial. The leaves of plant are non-toxic and has anti-inflammatory (swelling reducing), analgesic (pain relieving), antitumor, immune stimulating, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal effects, uterine fibroids, detoxification and tissue regeneration activities. The bulb is said to be poisonous.

For medicinal purpose the bulb and leaves are used.

• The paste of leaves or bulb are applied externally for medicinal purpose.
• The leaf juice is used in earache. The leaves are heated and then ground to extract juice. Four drops of this juice is used as ear drop.
• For swelling, pain, sprain, inflammation of joints and inflamed toes, fingers the heated leaves are tied at affected body part.
• Roasted bulbs are applied for discharge of pus.
• Crushed and roasted bulbs are used as rubefacient in rheumatism.
• In Ayurvedic medicine the plant extract is used in the treatment of allergic conditions. It proved effective probably due to the presence of glucan A and phophatidyllycorine.
• The leaves juice is applied topically on skin diseases and on piles to reduce pain and swelling.
• Poultice of heated, pounded, fresh bulb is used to relieve pain in bones and rheumatism.

Saffron is obtained from dried style and stigma of reddish-orange flowers of a plant. Kesar or Saffron is the most expensive spice of world as stigmas of about 60, 000 hand collected flowers provide only half- kilograms of it. Saffron is used as coloring and flavoring ingredient in the preparation of various dishes. It is also used as traditional medicine for many diseases and in cosmetics. Saffron has a distinct aromatic odour and a bitter, pungent taste. Medicinally it is stimulant (stimulates levels of physiological or nervous activity), aphrodisiac, improves digestion and appetite. It increases blood flow in pelvic region on oral intake. Its over-doses is a narcotic poison. Saffron is always used in small doses. It is a popular remedy for promoting menstruation.

By Safa Daneshvar (Own work)[CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Scientific classification

• Kingdom:Plantae
• Division:Magnoliophyta
• Class:Liliopsida
• Order:Asparagales
• Family:Iridaceae
• Genus:Crocus
• Species:C. sativus

Vernacular Names

SANSKRIT:Bhavarakta, Saurab, Mangalya, Kumkum ENGLISH:Saffron, Crocus PERSIAN:Zafrahn;Zipharana;GUJARATI:Keshar, Kesar KANNADA:Kunkuma, Kesari, MALAYALAM:Kunkuma Puvu MARATHI:Keshar PUNJABI:Kesar, Keshar TAMIL:Kungumapuvu TELUGU:Kunkuma Puvvu URDU:Zafran

Parts Used:Dried stigmas and tops of the styles of Crocus sativus flowers.

Habitat:Saffron is Cultivated in Kashmir, Kishtwar (Jammu) and in Nepal. Commercially, it is grown in Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and China.

Energetics:Pungent, bitter, Hot in potency

Plant description

Perennial tuber plant;Leaves radical,  linear,  dark green above,  pale green below,  enclosed in a membranous sheath;large Apurple or lilac colored flowers;Corolla in two segments, between which the long styles hang out;Stigmas three, large, nearly an inch long, rolled at the edges, bright orange bitter and warming taste.

Constituents of Saffron

Saffron contains three crystalline colouring matters ?-crocetin, ?-crocetin and ?-crocetin. It also contains essential oil a number of carotenoid pigments. The essential oil obtained from stigmas contains thirty-four or more components, viz. terpenes, terpene alcohols, and esters.

Medicinal Uses of Saffron

Saffron is used as condiment and colouring ingredient in several dishes. It is also used as a medicinal herb in fevers, enlargement of the liver, cough and asthma, anaemia, seminal debility rheumatism and neuralgia. Saffron is nervine tonic, sedative, antispasmodic expectorant, stomachic, diaphoretic and emmenagogue. In low doses Saffron stimulates gastric secretion and thus improves digestion. In large dose it increases flow of blood in pelvic region, stimulate uterine smooth muscles and can cause abortion.

1. Saffron oral use gives relief in respiratory ailments. In cough and cold a pinch of Saffron is taken with a glass of milk.
2. In painful urination and other urinary disorder the decoction of Saffron or infused tea should be taken.
3. In irritation in eyes, crushed saffron should be mixed with honey and this should be applied in eyes.
4. In looseness of bowels saffron is given children with ghee. It can also be given with half a teaspoon of lemon juice.
5. For pneumonia in kids, few threads of saffron are added to 10-15 ml juice of bitter gourd leaves and given twice a day.
6. Saffron is added to meals for regulating the menstrual cycle. It also gives relief in painful menstruation, PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and promotes fertility.
7. For sexual weakness, about 250 mg of saffron is taken with milk twice a day for one week.
8. Saffron improves digestion and appetite.
9. To get relief from dry cough one should drink one hot glass of milk added with turmeric, and few strands of saffron.
10. Saffron in paste form is applied topically for head-ache.
11. Its external application is also useful in sores, bruises and skin diseases. It is applied on face for improving complexion and treating hyper-pigmented spots.
12. It is also used for patchy loss of hair. For this purpose a paste of liquorice (mulethi) made by grinding the pieces in milk with a pinch of saffron is applied over the bald patches in the night before going to bed.
13. A famous Ayurvedic preparation containing Kesar or saffron is kumkumadi tailam. This medicated saffron/kumkum oil is applied on pimples marks, dark spots, dark circles, wrinkles etc.

The recommended doses of Saffron below one gram. Toxic dose is 1.5g–5 g.

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Saffron)

Saffron use in large dose is contraindicated in pregnancy. It may cause contraction of uterus and abortion. Severe side effects may result from ingesting 5 g saffron. No side-effect when used in proper doses.

Mesua is a beautiful evergreen large medicinal tree that is used in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani system of medicine for treatment of variety of diseases. It is grown as ornamental tree in parks and on roadsides. It is known as Nagakesara (Ayurveda), Sirunagappo (Siddha) and Naarmushk (Unani). Mesua is found in tropical regions of Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and India. This tree is also known as Iron wood tree because of its heavy and very hard wood which is used for making heavy constructions, flooring and furniture. Mesua seed kernels contain reddish or dark brown oil. This oil tastes bitter and is not suitable for cooking. The stamens of flower are known as kesar. For medicinal purpose mainly the flowers and stamens are used.

General Information

• Latin name- Mesua ferrea Linn. Synonym- M. nagassarium (Burm. f.) Kosterm.
• Family- Clusiaceae
• Vernacular Names
• SANSKRIT:Kesara, Nagapushpa, Naga, Hema, Gajakesara
• ASSAMESE:Negeshvar, Nahar
• BENGALI:Nageshvara, Nagesar
• ENGLISH:Cobras Saffron, Ceylon ironwod, Indian rose chestnut, Iron wood tree
• GUJRATI:Nagkesara, Sachunagkeshara, Nagchampa, Pilunagkesar, Tamranagkesar
• HINDI:Nagkesara, Pila Nagkesara, Nageswar
• KANNADA:Nagsampige, Nagakesari
• MALAYALAM:Nangaa, Nauga, Peri, Veluthapala, Nagppu, Nagappovu
• MARATHI:Nagkesara
• ORIYA:Nageswar
• PUNJABI:Nageswar
• TAMIL:Naugu, Naugaliral, Nagachampakam, Sirunagappu
• TELUGU:Nagachampakamu
• URDU:Narmushk, Nagkesar
• PHILIPPINES:kaliuas
• MALAYSIA:lengapus, penaga, penaga lilin

Medicinal parts:Bark, Leaf, Flower, Stamen

Mesua Tree description

Medium to large evergreen tree with short trunk;dark-red heartwood;Leaves are coriaceous and lanceolate;upper side shining and lower covered wits;a white waxy powder;Flowers fragrant white, large and solitary or in clusters;fruits ovoid with persistent calyx;Seeds 1-4, shining, dark brown with oily and fleshy cotyledons;Mesua flowers in February-April and fruiting occurs in September-October.

Distribution in India

Nagkesar is found in the mountains of Eastern Himalayas, East Bengal, Assam, Eastern and Western Ghats.

Ayurvedic Properties of Mesua ferrea (Nagkesar) Stamen

• Mesua ferrea (Nagkesar) is used in Ayurveda for time immemorial. The dried stamens are used in bleeding disorders, gout and diseases of urinary bladder. The dried stamens are referred as Kesar.
• Rasa (Taste):Tikta/Bitter, Katu (pungent) kashaya/Astringent
• Guna (Characteristics):Laghu/Light, Ruksha/Dry
• Virya (Potency):Ushna/Hot
• Vipaka (Post Digestive Effects):Katu/Pungent
• Constituents of Stamen- Essential oil and Oleo-resin.
• Ayurvedic medicines containing Mesua/Nagkesara:Brahma Rasayana, Chyanprash, Chandanbalakshadi Taila, Kumariasava, Nagkesaradi churna
• The dosage of Mesua ferrea (Nagkesar) Stamen/Kesar:1-3 g. of the drug in powder form.

Medicinal uses of Nagkesar

Various parts of Mesua tree are used for treating variety of ailments. Its flowers has astringent/constricts tissues, anti-inflammatory and digestion improving properties. The flowers are beneficial in cough, bleeding piles and in abnormal bleeding from the womb. The oil obtained from flower's stamen has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. The flower buds are antidysenteric and used to treat the same.

Every medicinal plant exhibits different therapeutic value due to presence of different phytochemicals. In Mesua tree, various parts of tree show haemostatic property which means it acts as agent to arrest bleeding. Due to this property it is used in treatment of bleeding piles and abnormal bleeding from uterus.

In Bihar, for cleaning uterus after delivery, Nagkesar powder is mixed with Methi seeds, Vijaysar seeds and tejpatta. This is given two times a day with rice water or cow's milk for five days. Tribal of Tripura, take a spoonful of its flower paste mixed with honey twice daily in bleeding piles till the piles is cured.

Nagkesar shows abortifacient activity and must not be used in pregnancy.

Bleeding piles

The dried flowers are ground to make very fine powder. This is given in dose of 1/4 teaspoon with one cup hot water.

Topical application in bleeding piles, burning of the feet

The dried flower powder is mixed with ghee and applied at affected body part.

Cold

In cold the leaves are heated and applied on chest area.

In severe cold, the leaves poultice is applied on head.

Gastric troubles

Ripe and unripe fruits are given for gastric troubles.

Scabies, wounds, skin diseases

The oil obtained from seeds are used externally on affected areas.

Rheumatism

The seed oil is applied on affected joints.

Other Uses of Mesua

Mesua tree is a non-toxic plant. Its ripe fruits, flowers and leaves are edible. In Thailand, the flowers are eaten.

Mesua heartwood is very strong and used for constructing columns, beams, flooring and furniture. The seeds are edible and can be used as feed for poultry and animals. The seeds are good source of energy and protein. The flowers are used for stuffing pillows, dyeing purpose and in many cosmetic products.

Chenopodium album is known by many common names such as White goosefoot, pigweed, lambsquaters and Bathua (Hindi), Chandan betu (Bengali), Parupukkirai (Tamil), Pappukura (Telugu) and Katu ayamoddakam (Malyalam). This leafy vegetable is actually a weed that grows in waste places and with other cultivated crops. It occurs throughout the tropical regions of world. Human are consuming its leaves and seeds for time immemorial. In several countries this plant is cultivated for its seeds. There are many medicinal uses of goosefoot and used as home remedies.

In India the leaves are consumed as leafy vegetable and cooked like any other Saag, curd bathua raita and Bathua paratha. The leaves are boiled and eaten. The raita and Paratha of Bathua leaves are also tasty preparation. The dried leaves of goosefoot are ground to make powder that can be added to regular flour. In one cup regular flour you can add one-fourth goosefoot powder. Bathua seeds are edible. They are very nutritious and contain whole set of essential amino acids.

Scientific classification

KINGDOM - Plantae – plantes, Planta, Vegetal, plants DIVISION- Tracheophyta – vascular plants Infradivision- Angiosperm – flowering plants, angiospermsCLASS- Magnoliopsida ORDER- Caryophyllales FAMILY- Amaranthaceae – pigweed, amaranthes GENUS- Chenopodium L. – goosefoot SPECIES - Chenopodium album L. – common lambsquarters, lambsquarters goosefoot, white goosefoot, lambsquarters

Bathua or Goosefoot Seeds

Bathua seeds are ground to make flour that is used to prepare bread. The seeds are also cooked as rice and can be eaten with Dal. Nutritionally Bathua seeds are superior to wheat, rice, corn, millet and Buckwheat. The seeds are also prepared as soup, porridge, cakes, fermented beverage (known as Soora in Shimla), alcoholic drink (Ghanti) etc. The seeds are given to animals and poultry as supplements.

Seeds are also used medicinally for improving appetite, or treating parasitic infestation, as aphrodisiac, laxative and for improving general health.

Nutritional Value of leaves & Seeds

In per hundred grams of edible Bathua leaves there is about:Water 84 grams, energy 44 kcal, carbohydrate 7g, fat 0.8 g, protein 4.3 g, fibre 2.1 g, iron 4g, Calcium 280 mg, Phosphorous 81 mg, Vitamin A 11, 300 IU, thiamine 0.15 mg, Riboflavin 0.4 mg, niacin 1.3 mg and Vitamin C 90 mg.

In per hundred grams seeds of cultivated variety there is about:Energy 400 kcal, Protein 16 g, fat 7 g, carbohydrate 66 g.

Health Benefits of Bathua or Goosefoot

Goosefoot or Bathua leaves and seeds are very nutritious. They are non-toxic and consumed all across the world for centuries. Like any other leafy vegetable they offer innumerable health benefits.

10 important health benefits are given below.

1. Bathua leaves are very good source of high quality protein, nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins, particularly vitamin c and vitamin A. Its vitamin A content is comparable to carrots. About 2 cups of leaves provides 14, 000-16, 000 units of vitamin A (daily requirement is about 5000 units) and 60-130 mg of vitamin C (daily requirement is 70mg)
2. The leaves are rich in fibre and have laxative properties which cures constipation. Due to this property Bathua is also useful in piles.
3. Bathua seeds are rich in amino acids. Amino acids are the basic building blocks of the body and performs several important function in body.
4. Bathua leaves are good source of potassium, iron, calcium, and zinc.
5. Bathua is good for heart. It is considered heart tonic.
6. Bathua leaves are good for liver, spleen and gall bladder. You may drink 10 ml juice of leaves for keeping digestive system healthy.
7. The juice of Bathua leaves purifies blood.
8. Bathua improves haemoglobin level.
9. Bathua leaves juice is a traditional medicine for intestinal parasites. For this purpose 10-15 ml juice of leaves is added with pinch of rock salt and is taken three times a day after meals.
10. Bathua improves appetite. You may use leaves as Salad with tomato, lemon juice and pinch of salt.

Side-effects, interactions and Precautions

Bathua leaves contain significant amount of oxalic acids. Oxalates are in highest in leaves followed by flowers and stem. Oxalic acid has tendency to bind with calcium and this reduces availability of calcium.

1. The seeds of plant are abortifacient. They can cause abortion. So do not eat in pregnancy.
2. The plant has anti-fertility effect.

Dronapushpi is Sanskrit name of plant Leucas cephalotes. It is a medicinal herb that grows as a weed in India and many South East Asian countries. The folk use of this herb is for treating scorpion stings, snake bite, cough, fever etc. The whole plant has fever educing and insecticidal properties. The leaves are applied externally on snake bites and scorpion stings. To know more about this medicinal herb, read on.

"Leucas aspera at Gandipet, Hyderabad, AP W2 IMG 9054"by J.M.Garg - Own work. Licensed under GFDL via Wikimedia Commons -

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Taxonomical classification of Leucas cephalotes/Dronapusphi

• Kingdom:Plantae, Plant
• Subkingdom:Tracheobionta, Vascular plant
• Super division:Spermatophyta, Seed plant
• Division:Angiosperma
• Class:Dicotyledonae
• Sub-class:Gamopetalae
• Series:Bicarpellatae
• Order:Tubiflorae
• Family:Labiatae
• Genus:Leucas
• Species:Leucas cephalotes

Related species that is known as Dronapushpi:Leucas aspera

Vernacular names of Leucas cephalotes/Dronapusphi

• Sanskrit:Dronapushpi, Chitrapathrika, Chitrakshup
• Hindi:Goma madhupati
• Punjabi:Guldor
• Bengali:Darunaphula, Hulkasha
• Gujarati:KulnnphulSindhi:Kubo
• Maharashtra:Bahuphul
• Marathi:Tumba
• Telugu:Thummichittu
• Tamil:Thumbai

Common Indian names:Goma, Thummichittu, Paada-malar, Thumbai, Thumbe (Trade name)

Part used:leaves, flowers

Plant description

annual, branched, erect plant reaches up to a height of 15-60 cm;Leaves sub-sessile, linear, obtuse, pubescent up to 8.0 cm long and 1.25 cm broad, with entire or crenate margin;petiole 2.5-6 mm long;Flowers white, sessile small, in dense terminal or axillary whorls;bracts 6 mm long, linear, acute, bristle-tipped, ciliate with long slender hairs;

Distribution of Dronapushpi/Goma/Thumbai

Leucas cephalotes/Dronapusphi is found throughout India and in the plains of Bangladesh, South East Asian countries, Mauritius, java and Philippines.

Constituents of whole plant

The whole plant contains Alkaloid, Glycoside, ? -Sitosterol and Flavonoid.

Dosage:Whole plant freh juice —5 -10 ml juice;1–3g powder for decoction.

Traditional medicinal uses

Dronapushpi is a weed that grows on wastelands. Medicinally, it has antimicrobial, insecticidal, fever reducing, larvicidal and inflammation reducing properties. It is useful in skin diseases. In malarial fever, the leaves juice is given. In some part of country, the decoction of whole plant is used for curing fever. The juice removes toxins from body. The leaves juice is applied externally for skin diseases and swelling. In cod and cough, the leaves juice is recommended.

Scorpion sting

In scorpion sting the plant is used internally as well externally. The leaves juice (few drops) is mixed with honey and taken orally.

Topically, the leaves juice is applied on place of sting.

Snake bite

The folk remedy is to put few drops of whole plant in nostrils.

Skin diseases, removing blood toxins

Skin diseases mainly occur due to toxins in blood. Dronapushpi plant has ability to flush the toxins from body.

In skin diseases, whole plant of Dronapushpi is used. The plant is dried. Five grams of dried powder is taken with three grams Neem/Margosa leaves in 2 glass water. This is boiled till volume reduce to one fourth. Then it filtered and taken two times a day.

Abnormally heavy bleeding at menstruation

The leaves of plant are taken a handful. These are washed and then ground to make fine paste. This paste is mixed with lemon juice and sesame oil/til oil (edible). The preparation is eaten empty stomach every morning for a week.

Asthma, cold, cough

The leaves juice of plant is taken in dose of 1-3 teaspoons.

Excessive thirst

The flowers (2 tablespoon) are boiled in water (150 ml) till volume reduces to half. This is filtered and taken thrice a day.

Cough, leucorrhoea

The leaves of plant are cooked and eaten with rice.

Skin diseases (itching, patchy skin, psoriasis, scabies etc.)

The paste of leaves is applied externally at the affected body areas.

Cough, congestion, blockage of nose, headache due to cough, Sinusitis, Migraine, Phlegm

The juice of leaves is put in nostrils as drops. For this purpose, the leaves juice is extracted and mixed with two times water. Then the diluted juice is put in nostrils (4 dops) for 3-4 days.

The flowers are heated in til/sesame oil and applied on head.

Fever (acute, chronic), Allergy

The decoction of plant (2-3 grams in boiled in two glass water till water reduces to one fourth) is used

This medicinal herb should be used in recommended doses only. It is hot in potency and heats up body. Avoid its use in excess. The leaves juice can be diluted for putting in nose of oral use.

Thuthuvalai or Climbing Brinjal is a medicinal plant commonly available in Southern India. This plant belong to family Solanaceae. Solanaceae is Potato or Nightshade family and some important members of this family are Eggplant, Tomato, Capsicum, Datura, Tobacco, Brihati, Kantakari etc. Scientific name of clmbing brinjal is Solanum trilobatum and it is used traditionally for curing numerous diseases such as asthma, cough, and tuberculosis. For medicinal purpose whole plant is used.

"Solanum trilobatum flowers" by AntanO - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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General Information

Latin name: Solanum trilobatum Linn.

Family: Solanaceae

Vernacular names

SANSKRIT : Alarka, Vallikantakaarika, Kantakaari-lata

ENGLISH : Climbing Brinjal

HINDI : Kantakaari-lataa

MALAYALAM : Padarchunda, Parachunda, Tootuvila

MARATHI : mothiringnee, thoodalam.

TAMIL : Tuduvalai, Nittidam, Sandunayattan, Surai, Thuthuvalai

TELUGU : Alarkapatramu, kondavuchinta, mullamustil

KANNADA : Kakamunji, Ambusondeballi.

ORIYA : Bryhoti

Plant description

Perennial bright green prickly diffuse plant, reaches up to 2–3 m height; Leaves deltoid or triangular, irregularly lobed; Flowers purplish-blue, in cymes; Fruits or berries globose, red.

Distribution: Throughout India, growing wild, open areas, waste lands.

Folk Medicinal Uses

Climbing brinjal is a thorny creeper commonly found in in Deccan Peninsula. It’s some common names are Alarka (Sanskrit), Tutuvalam (Malayalam), Alarkapatramu (Telugu) and Tuduvalai (Tamil). Various parts of plant such as roots, berries and flowers are used for treating respiratory ailments. The decoction of berries and flowers is folk remedy for cough and chronic bronchitis. The leaves are given to increase fertility in males by treating watery semen and spermatorrhoea. In Siddha, medicated ghee of leaves is medicine for tuberculosis and lung congestion. The leaves and fruits of plant contains many phytochemicals such as steroidal alkaloid and solasodine etc. due to which plant exhibits antimitotic, anti-tumour, antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Improving strength

The unripe fruits are prepared as curry or roasted in sesame oil and taken orally along with food.

Itching, cough

The leaf juice is taken orally to treat cough and itching.

Cough

For cough, whole plant of Solanum trilobatum is used. Fresh plant is washed and ground to form a paste. This paste is taken orally in dose of 1 teaspoon with one cup hot milk.

Excessive cough, tuberculosis, congestion of lungs

Take about 1/8 cup leaves and one cup Gau-ghrita/cow's ghee. Boil the leaves in ghee till all water evaporates and only ghee remains. This is medicated ghee of Solanum trilobatum leaves. This ghee should be taken every day.

Hearing problems

• The leaves juice is put in ears as ear drop.
• Spermatorrhoea, Physical weakness
• Spermatorrhoea means abnormally frequent and involuntary non orgasmic emission of semen.
• This home remedy requires decoction of flowers of Solanum trilobatum. Few flowers are boiled in 2 glasses of water till the volume is reduced to 1 glass. This filtered and taken.

Spermatorrhoca, watery semen

The flowers of Solanum trilobatum (2 teaspoon) are fried in ghee and taken with yoghurt.

Dineshavalyadi Taila is poly-herbal Ayurvedic medicated oil. This oil or taila is useful in treatment of wounds. When coconut oil is used as base oil, it is called Dineshavalyadi Kera Tailam.

The main ingredient of this oil is Ventilago madraspatana or Dinesavalli. This tree is found in Southern India and Maharashtra. The other Ayurvedic names of this tree are Tamravalli, Kaivartika, and Vamataruni. The bark of tree is used in skin diseases.

Here is given more about Dineshavalyadi Thailam such as indication/therapeutic uses, Key Ingredients and how to use.

Key Ingredients of Dineshavalyadi Thailam

• Kalka dravya – Bark of Ventilago maderaspatana/Dinesavalli 8 tola
• Sneha dravya: Taila Coconut oil 1/2 Prasth
• Drava Dravya: Fresh juice of Dinesavalli and Boerhaavia diffusa/Punarnava 1 Prastha each

[1 Prastha= 64 Tola= 768 g; 1 Tola= 12 g]

Uses of Dineshavalyadi Thailam

This medicated oil is for Vrana-ropana or for wound healing.

How to use Dineshavalyadi Thailam

This is for external use ONLY. Apply on affected areas.

Bhallaataka or Bhallata is Ayurvedic name of medicinal tree Semecarpus anacardium. In India, it is found in Punjab, Assam, Khasi Hills,Madhya Pradesh and Peninsular India. It is a moderate-sized deciduous tree that grow in dry or moist deciduous forests. This tree is beneficial in treating rheumatoid arthritis, skin diseases, tumours and malignant growths. The other conditions in which it is useful is asthma, neuralgia, sciatica, gout, hemiplegia, and epilepsy.

By H. Zell (Own work) GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

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The kernel oil is used externally on gout, leucoderma, psoriasis and leprosy. Detoxified nut are used for medicinal purpose. The fruits from which nuts are obtained are collected when they resembles ripened Jamun fruits (Syzygium cumini). The fruit pericarp is used as substitute for marking ink, hence this tree is also known as Marking Nut.

General Information

• LATIN NAME: Semecarpus anacardium SYNONYMS: Anacardium orientale
• FAMILY: Anacardiaceae
• Vernacular names
• ENGLISH: Marking nut, Oriental cashee
• COMMON INDIAN NAMES: Bibbaa, Bhallaataka, Bhela, Bhilawa
• ANDHRA PRADESH: Nalla jeedi
• SANSKRIT: Bhallataka, Aruskara, Agnika, Agnimukha, Anala, Vatari, Mahatiksna, Sphotabijaka,
• UNANI: Baladur, Bhilayan, Bhilaavan
• SIDDHA/TAMIL: Shenkottei, Erimugi
• ASSAMESE : Bhelaguti
• BENGALI : Bhela
• GUJRATI : Bhilam
• HINDI : Bhilawa
• KANNADA : Bhallataka
• MALAYALAM : Chera
• MARATHI : Bibba
• ORIYA : Bhollataki, Bholai
• PUNJABI : Bhilawa
• TAMIL : Tatamkottai, Scramkotati
• TELUGU : Nallajidi, Nallajidiginga
• URDU : Baladur, Bhilavan

Parts used: Seeds, gum and oil

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF NUTS

Anacardic acid, cardol, catechol, anacardol and fixed oit, sernicarpoi, bhilawanol

Ayurvedic Properties and Action on body

Rasa (Taste): Kashaya/Astringent, Madhura/Sweet

Guna (Characteristics): Laghu/Light, Snigdha/Unctuous, Tikshna/Sharp

Virya (Potency): Ushna/Hot

Vipaka (Post Digestive Effect): Madhura/Sweet

Ayurvedic medicines containing Semecarpus anacardium as igredient: Sanjivani vati, Bhallatakadi Modaka

Dosage:

Detoxified fruit—1-2 g in milk confection.

Ayurvedic medicinal uses

Bhallataka is used in Ayurveda for centuries. It reduces vata/wind, kapha/mucous but increases pitta. It has varied uses in Ayurveda and useful in skin diseases, fever, piles, loose motions, epilepsy, neuralgia and ulcers. Pericarp oil promotes the flow of bile into the intestine. Seeds oil is used externally on rheumatism.

Bhallataka seeds are toxic. So in Ayurveda, they are used only after proper detoxification. For this purpose, the fruits (after removing the attachment of the thalamus) are soaked in go-mutra/cow's urine for seven days and thereafter in go-dugdha/cow's milk for 7 days. The seeds are then put into a bag containing coarse brick powder with which they are rubbed carefully to reduce the oil content. Then the fruits are washed with water and dried in air.

Side-effects & warning

• Bhallataka is used in Ayurveda after proper purification. The nuts should not be used as home-remedy.
• The seeds are hot in potency that gives heating effect to body. Therefore it should not be used in hot weather.
• It should not be used by kids and pregnant women.
• The nuts has anti-fertility effect.
• People with excess bile should not use it.

Khus grass is known by many names such as Khas Khas, Khus, Vetiver and Usheer/Usira (Ayurveda). In India, this grass is found throughout the plains, lower hills and on the riverbanks and in rich marshy soil. It is cultivated in the North Indian states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab and in the South Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Khus grass has variety of uses from household to therapeutic. In some parts of India, the roots are used make curtains or screens. During summer season, these curtains were hanged on doors, windows and drenched with water to get cool air. The dried stem of grass is used to make brooms. The dried plant is also used to make roofs of Kutcha houses. Khas essence is added for flavouring syrups, sherbets and summer drinks.

General Information

Mainly the roots are used for medicinal purposes. These roots are aromatic and has sedative effect on nervous system. The roots are used to treat intestinal parasites, fever, skin diseases and poisonous stings. Vetiver oil is obtained from roots of plant. It is used for flavouring Khus Sharbat and in making of cosmetics, perfumes, soaps etc.

Scientific name: Vetiveria zizanioides(Linn.) Nash Synonyms- Anatherum zizanioides (L.) Hitchc. & Chase, Andropogon muricatus Retz., Andropogonodoratus Steud., Andropogon squarrosus auct., Andropogon zizanioides (L.) Urb., Phalaris zizanioides L.

Family: Poaceae

Vernacular name

Hindi, Bengali: Khas, Khas-Khas, Khus-Khus, Khus

Gujarati: Valo

Marathi: Vala

Telugu: Kuruveeru, Vettiveellu, Vettiveerum

Kannada: Vattiveeru, Laamancha, Kaddu, Karidappasajje Hullu

Malyalam: Ramaccham, Vettiveru, Lamajja, Ramacham

Oriya: Ushira, Benachera

Punjabi : Panni, Khas

Tamil : Vetiver, Vilamichaver

Telugu : Vetivelu, Vettiveru

Urdu : Khas

Ayurvedic name: Ushira, Reshira, Sugandhimula

Habitat: river banks and in rich marshy soil.

Distribution: India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh; from Southwest Asia to tropical Africa.

Dose of roots as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India: 3-6 g. of the drug in powder form for infusion.

Ayurvedic Formulations containing Vetiver: Balarishtha, Arvindasava, Puga Khand, Sarivadyasava, Ushirasava, Yograj Guggulu etc.

Plant description

Dense perennial grass up to 2 m tall; Roots- fibrous aromatic rhizomes adventitious, Clusters of wiry roots up to 2 mm in diameter, minute, longitudinally grooved; colour varies from cream, grey or light yellow to brown; fracture, short and splintery; odour, strong aromatic; taste, slightly bitter.; leaves- narrow, erect, keeled with scabrid margins; inflorescence is a panicle, up to 15-45 cm long of numerous slender racemes in whorls on a central axis; spikelets are grey to purplish, 4-6 mm long, in pairs, one sessile the other pedicelled; 2-flowered; the lower floret is reduced to a lemma, upper bisexual in sessile, male in the pedicelled spikelet; glumes are armed with stout, tubercle-based spines, lemmas awnless, palea minute.Plant grows well in rich and well-drained sandy loamy soil.

Important Pharmalogical activities

Some important medicinal properties that should be known before using Vetiver are listed below:-

• Abortifacient or causes abortion/miscarriage
• Reduces fever, expels gas
• Increases flow of blood in pelvic region, increases menstrual flow
• Stimulates urine production and bresks stone
• Tonic

Medicinal Uses Of Khus/Vetiver

Vetiver of Khus grass roots have cooling, blood purifying, digestive, carminative, stomachic, constipating, haematinic, expectorant, ant-ispasmodic, anti-asthmatic, anti-gout, anthelmentic, anti-microbial and diuretic properties. Some of the traditional medicinal of vetiver plant are lited below:-

Khus grass roots are ground to make paste. This paste is applied externally on poisonous stings (like scorpion sting), snakebite, and burn injuries. The topical application of paste is also useful in sprain, joint pain, gout, headaches.

1. The root decoction has tonic properties and used to cure weakness. In high fever root decoction is given to reduce fever due to cooling nature of roots.
2. The decoction of stem is given in urinary tract infections.
3. The leaves juice gives relief in parasitic infestation on oral intake.
4. The root tea is useful remedy for tequila hangover.
5. In early stage of cataract, a medicated ghee, prepared from roots of Khas/vetiver is given twice a day in dose of 12-24 grams with turmeric.

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects of Vetiver/ Khus grass

Vetiver has abortifacient, emmenagogue, and uterotonic (induce contraction or greater tonicity of the uterus; Uterotonics are used both to induce labor, and to reduce postpartum haemorrhage) properties. So its use is contraindicated in pregnancy. It is not suitable for babies and children under twelve years.

Patalgaruni, Broom Creeper, Jal jamani are few common names of medicinal herb Cocculus hirsutus. This medicinal plant is used from time immemorial for treatment of various diseases across India, Africa and China. In various parts of India, tribal and rural population still use this herb for treatment of gynaecological problems, weakness and bleeding disorders. In Rajasthan cooked leaves are eaten to treat night blindness. For spermatogenesis, the leaves are soaked in water to prepare jelly which is eaten. In Kenya, the infusion of leaves is given to treat stomach ache. In Tanzania, the leaves decoction is indicated in female infertility.

Cocculus hirsutus is perennial, twinning shrub that belongs to family Menispermaceae, the plant family to which some very important medicinal plant such as Kakamari/ Kakkaikkollividai, Giloy/Guduchi, Pitasara/ Manjalkodi etc. belong. In India, this plant is found throughout tropical and sub-tropical parts. For medicinal purpose whole plant is used. The plant root causes sweat, loosen stools and increase bowel movements and restores normal health. The leaves juice is given to treat leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea, tiredness, fever and diseases that are caused due to excess heat inside body.

Taxonomic Classification

KINGDOM:Plantae

SUBKINGDOM:Tracheobionata

DIVISION:Magnoliophyta

SUBDIVISION:Spermatophyta

CLASS:Magnoliopsida

SUBCLASS:Magnolidae

ORDER:Ranunculales

FAMILY:Menispermaceae

GENUS:Cocculus

SPECIES:Cocculus hirsutus

Vernacular names

SANSKRIT:Patalgarudi, Dirghakanda, Dirghavalli, Dridhakanda, Garudi, Mahamula, Sauparni, Somavalli, Tiktanga, Vasandi, Vatsadani ENGLISH:Broom-Creeper, Ink-Berry, Monkey rope BENGALI:Huyer GUJARATI:Vevati HINDI:Jal-jamani, Jamti ki bel KANNADA:Soggadivalli, Dusari balli MARATHI:Vasan Vel ANDHRA Pradesh/Telugu:Dusara teega TAMIL:Kattukkodi GARHWAL:Pahari SIDDHA:Kattu kodi MARATHI:Parvel, Tana, Vasanvel Sind:Kursan, Zamir Urdu:Farid buti

Plant description

Perennial climber, reaches 2 to 3 m above ground;leaves 3 to 5 veined from the base, variable in shape;older leaves often distinctly 3 to 5 lobed, younger leaves oblong ovate;leaves have yellowish velvety hairs;Flowers unisexual in axillary clusters, sepals densely hairy;fruit ellipsoid, fleshy and purple blue on ripening.

Part used:Root, stem and leaf juice

Distribution:Throughout India in dry areas;also found in other countries of Indian subcontinent, Thailand, Myanmar, Southern China, Sudan, Ethiopia, Swaziland

Plant type:Climbing shrub

Medicinal uses

For medicinal purpose mainly the aqueous extract of leaves is used. The leaves contain high amount of mucilage consisting of polysaccharides and a gelatinous type of material which is not absorbed in the gastro intestinal tract and passes through the system undigested. When the leaves are soaked in water in fresh or dry form, they coagulates water to form jelly which has cooling effect on body. Due to this property, aqueous extract of leaves is indicated in treatment of diseases which are caused to excess body heat such as bleeding from nose, bleeding from uterus, leucorrhoea etc.

In Ayurveda, the plant is considered Tridoshashamak. The oral intake of plant kindles digestive fire, improves digestion and evacuation of bowels.

The plant roots have bitter and acrid taste. These have laxative, thermo genic, digestive, carminative (prevent and expel gas), aphrodisiac, expectorant tonic and fever reducing properties. The roots are indicated in deranged vata and kapha/mucous, skin diseases, indigestion, gas, colic, gout, spermatorrhoea, high blood pressure, weakness etc. The leaves are mucilaginous due to which water is required for their juice extraction. They have cooling effect on body and are useful in female disorders, general weakness, skin diseases etc.

Below is given few medicinal uses of medicinal plant Jal jamni/ Patalgarudi/Broom Creeper.

Tiredness, weakness

Eating raw fresh leaves gives relief in tiredness.

Leucorrhoea (Shwet Pradar), Menorrhagia and Metrorrhagia (Known as Rakta Pradara in Ayurveda), Urinary infections due to excess body heat

Leucorrhoea is gynaecological condition characterised by whitish or yellowish discharge of mucus from the vagina. Menorrhagia (meno:of menstruation + -rrhagia:excessive flow) is the term used for abnormally long and heavy flow of blood in monthly periods and Metrorrhagia (metro:womb + -rrhagia:excessive flow) is uterine bleeding at irregular intervals.

For treatment of these diseases take clean fresh leaves (5-10 gram) and ground them adding some water to extract juice. In this juice add Misri/sugar candy and black pepper powder. Add water to make it one cup and take two times a day. Take regularly for few days.

Treating Weakness, Using as a tonic

Take leaves (5-10 gram) and ground them to extract juice. Add some water and drink regularly for two weeks.

Increasing body weight gain, Improving body strength

Drinking leaves juice with water encourages weight gain and strength.

Burning urination, Shorter duration of menstruation, Irregularity of periods

Drinking juice of leaves is helpful in curing these diseases.

Spermatorrhoea

Prepare powder of dried leaves and branches. Take this powder in dose of 3 grams with misri.

Epistaxis or bleeding from nose (Nakseer)

Prepare powder of leaves and take in dose of 1-2 grams two times a day.

Eczema, Skin itching

The leaf juice is applied externally on affected body part.

Chronic wound, all types of wounds and boils

Apply fresh aqueous extract of leaves for quick healing.

Dewderm Moisturising Lotion is the moisturizer containing water, Jojoba oil, Aloe extract, Glycerine, Vitamin E and many other ingredients. This lotion is applied topically on skin for dry skin condition. The main cause of skin dryness is lack of water in skin and the application of this lotion supplies, binds and maintains the skin hydration.

Ingredient of Dewderm Moisturising Lotion

The list of ingredients as mentioned on package is Purified water, Propylene, Glycol, Mineral oil, Glycerine, Stearic acid, Sorbitol, Aloe Leaf Extract, Arachis Hypogaea oil, Jojoba oil, Sunflower oil, Silicone oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl, Alcohol, Tocopherol, PEG 100 Stearate, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Perfume hero, Perfume blue diamond, Perfume Gardenia, Di Sodium Edetate, Butylated Hydroxytolune, Propylparaben.

Uses of Dewderm Moisturising Lotion

Dewderm Moisturising Lotion nourishes and revitalizes dry skin. When applied on skin this lotion works as skin barrier and maintains skin hydration. It effectively treats scaling, flaking, cracking and redness of skin. This lotion contains purified water, Glycol, Glycerine, Aloe gel etc. that sooths the skin, delivers and bind water to skin, and also improves water retention capacity.

Dewderm Moisturising Lotion can be applied on face, hands, legs and other skin areas as needed. It can be safely applied to babies suffering from dry skin patches. Sufficient quantity of lotion should be rubbed on skin frequently for treating dry skin condition.

Dewderm Moisturising Lotion should be applied preferably after bath for better absorption.

Caution

1. This lotion is for External use only.
2. It is not recommended for oily skin.
3. In case of irritation, discontinue use.

Ayapan is an ornamental and medicinal plant native to South America. It is found in Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, India and many other tropical countries. It is a perennial plant belonging to plant family Asteraceae. Asteraceae or Compositae family is commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family and it is the second largest family in its division with about 1, 100 genera and over 20, 000 recognized species.

"Ayapanatriplinervis"by Cmarodon - Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

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Ayapan is known as Vishalyakarni in Sanskrit and is considered an herb that heals wounds and controls blood clotting. The leaves and stem of Ayapana are indicated in bleeding diarrhoea, bleeding piles, bleeding from stomach or bleeding from any part of the body.

Latin name:Eupatorium triplinerve Vahl;SYNONYM:Ayapana triplinervis (Vahl) and Eupatorium ayapana

Family:Asteraceae

Vernacular names

SANSKRIT:Vishalyakarni, Ayaparnah

ENGLISH:Ayapana tea

HINDI:Ayapan, Ayaparna

GUJARAT:Ayapan

MARATHI:Ayapan, Ayapani (Maharashtra)

BENGALI:Vishalyakarni, Ayapan, Ayapani

MALAYALAM:Aiyappana, Mrithasanjeevani

TAMIL:Ayappani

PLANT TYPE:Sub shrub

PROPAGATION:Seeds

MEDICINAL PART:Leaves, stem

IDENTIFICATION:Leaves are aromatic. Plant is an ornamental and grows up to height of 20-30 cm high. Leaves are 5-8 cm long. Many flowering heads, each 6 to 13 mm long and bear about twenty pink flowers, which are 6 to 7 mm long.

Medicinal uses of Ayapana (Eupatorium triplinerve)

Ayapana has antiseptic, expectorant, liver protecting, ulcer preventing, and wound healing properties. Its oral intake stops bleeding, detoxifies blood, cures fever, promotes sweating and thins the blood.

Purgation

Purgation or Virechan (Ayurveda) is an induced cleaning process using herbs. It is done to cleanse digestive system and typically recommended in Pitta/Bile and liver disorders. It is useful in piles, poisoning, skin diseases, nausea, vomiting, colitis, chronic fevers, enlarged abdomen and jaundice. Virechan helps body to get rid of ama/toxins and excess pitta. Excessive bile or pitta in body is responsible for many diseases such as skin diseases, pimples, rashes, vomiting, jaundice etc.

Virechan is not done in weak, old people, pregnant women, during menstruation, in uterus prolapse, weak digestion, Vata diseases, bleeding disorders etc.

Ayapanai has laxative and emetic properties due to which it can be used for virechan purpose. A decoction prepared using all five parts of plant viz. leaves, roots, flowers, fruits and stem when taken in large doses causes vomiting and loose motions.

Piles (bavasir)

The leaves of plant are ground and then squeezed to get the juice. This juice is taken in dose of 10-20 ml, 2-3 times a day for few days.

Fever due to cough or excess pitta/bile

Ayapanai has expectorant properties. In case of fever due to cough, prepare a decoction by boiling 10 gm leaves in 200 ml water. Drink this twice or thrice a day.

Malaria fever

Prepare decoction by boiling 20 g five parts of Ayapanai plant viz. leaves, roots, flowers, fruits and stem in 400 ml water till it reduces to one-fourth quantity. Drink 5-10 ml of this twice a day.

Wound, insect bite, bleeding

Apply paste of clean fresh leaves.

In case of deep wound, apply the leaves paste topically and drink 5-10 ml Ayapanai leaves juice 3-4 times a day.

Internal haemorrhages, snake bite and vomiting

Drink 5-10 ml Ayapanai leaves juice 3-4 times a day.

Gingivitis, mouth ulcers

Swish the leaves juice in mouth.

Warning/ Caution

• Contains natural coumarins (ayapanin and ayapin) which has blood-thinning or anticoagulant actions.
• Ayapana may interact with blood-thinning drugs.
• Ayapana is tonic and stimulant in small doses. Stimulants increases alertness, attention, energy, as well as elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration.
• In large doses it is laxative and causes loose motion and vomiting.

The aqueous extract of dried Ayapana leaves and shoots is cardiac stimulant which increases the force of the heartbeat but diminishes its frequency.

Sehund or Thuhar (Euphorbia neriifolia) is a prickly, large, branched, erect, succulent leafless shrub that occurs in dry, rocky and hilly areas of North, Central and South India. This plant is extensively grown as a hedge plant. It is a medicinal plant with strong purgative action. For medicinal purpose the latex of plant is used.

By Frank Vincentz (Own work)[GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia C

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The latex or milky juice is used for treating ear pain, skin diseases, warts, scabies etc. One of the very extensive medicinal use of this plant is for otalgia (pain in ear) and otitis (inflammation of the ear), for which juice extracted from the heated leaves is used as ear drop.

Latin name:Euphorbia neriifolia;SYNONYM E. ligularia

GENUS:Euphorbia FAMILY:Euphorbiaceae SUBFAMILY:Euphorbioideae TRIBE:Euphorbieae SUBTRIBE:Euphorbiinae

Vernacular names

HINDI- Sehund, Thuhar, Thohar SANSKRIT- Snuhi, Vajradruma, Snuk ENGLISH- Milk bush, Milk hedge

BENGALI:Manasasi

GUJRATI:Thor, Kantalo

HINDI:Thuhar, Sehunda

KANNADA:Muru Kanina Kalli

KASHMIRI:Kath

MALAYALAM:Kalli, Kaikalli

MARATHI:Nivadung

ORIYA:Thor, Kantalothor

PUNJABI:Thohar

TAMIL:Elaikalli, Perumbu Kalli

TELUGU:Kadajemudu

SIDDHA:Ielaikkali, Perumbukalli.

URDU:Zaqqum

PLANT APPEARANCE

Green and cylindrical stem;Spiral ridge portion;Sharp stipular thorns, with hollow space in centre containing white reticulate mass;plant is leafless for most part of the year, except during monsoon when fresh leaves appear;Inflorescence or the arrangement of flowers in a bunch on the plant is cyathium type (one female and several male flowers are found on a same bunch);Only terminal leaves present which are thick succulent, 6-12 inches long, ovular in shape.

PART USED:Stem juice, root

DISTRIBUTION:Throughout India

PLANT TYPE:Spiny Leafless shrubs

PLANT CONSTITUENTS:sugar, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and triterpenoidal saponin.

Ayurvedic Properties and Action on body

Sehund is used in Ayurveda for treating varieties of diseases. It is also used to prepare many Ayurvedic medicines such as Abhaya Lavan, Citrakadi Taila, Avittoladi Bhasma, Vajrakshara etc. For internal use, the milky juice is used in very small amount. External use on skin causes redness of skin due to increase in blood circulation.

Although topical use is safe but all care must be taken to avoid any contact with eye.

1. Rasa (Taste):Tikta/Bitter, Katu (pungent)
2. Guna (Characteristics):Guru/Heavy, Tikshna/Sharp
3. Virya (Potency):Ushna/Hot
4. Vipaka (Post Digestive Effect):Katu/Pungent
5. Action on body:Laxative, Strong purgative, remove Ama, Kapha and Vata

USES IN AYURVEDA

Swelling, Gulma, Skin diseases, abdominal diseases

RECOMMENDED DOSES:125 -250 mg of the drug in powder form.

Medicinal uses of Thuhar

For medicinal purpose the leaves, roots and milky juice obtained from plant is used. The latex or juice is purgative, bitter, acrid, pungent, abortifacient (causes abortion), promotes digestion, expectorant ( bring up mucus and other material from the lungs), febrifuge/reduce fever, carminative, stomachic and anthelmintic in action. Its topical application has rubefacient (increases blood circulation on topical application). The latex is applied externally to remove warts and eruptions on skin. The latex is very hot in potency. Its internal intake increases vata, pitta and kapha. It should be used under medical supervision only.

Ear ach

For pain in ear, the yellow leaves of Sehund is used. The leaf is heated and then latex is extracted which is used as ear drop (3 drops).

Swelling, Boils

The leaves of plant are heated and applied externally on affected areas.

Haemorrhoids and fistula-in-ano

The latex is mixed with haldi and applied externally on lesion OR the leaves are steamed, crushed and applied.

Psoriasis, eczema, skin diseases

For psoriasis, extract latex of plant. Take a thick bottom vessel and cook latex in one-fourth mustard oil (e.g. cook one litre latex in 250 ml oil) till all water is evaporated and only oil is left. This medicated oil is filtered and is applied externally on affected skin areas.

Cracks in soles

Latex is boiled in castor oil with salt. This medicated oil is applied on cracked heels.

Burns, wounds

The latex is applied at affected area.

Skin diseases, eczema, itching

In skin diseases, the latex (only 4 drops) is added to 1-2 spoon mustard oil. This oil is applied topically on affected skin areas.

Wart

The latex is applied directly on warts.

Obstinate constipation

The latex of plant is used as purgative. For chronic obstinate constipation, in which many other medicines are ineffective, the latex of Sehund is used. The folk remedy is to soak Choti Harad/haritaki in latex. When haritaki absorbs latex, it is rubbed on stone and taken internally.

This has strong purgative action. So use it cautiously.

Side effects/warning

The plant should be handled carefully.

1. The latex is very hot in potency and has strong purgative action.
2. Latex is very irritant and can damage eyes in case of direct contact.
3. Plant has abortifacient properties. It may cause abortion on internal use.
4. This medicinal herb must be used under the supervision of Ayurvedic practitioner.

Ankol tree is found throughout drier parts of India. It is a medicinal tree and its various parts are used in Ayurveda and Siddha system of medicine for treatment of diseases. In Ayurveda, Ankol is the single medicinal herb that is used in treatment of rabies. For this purpose the root bark is used both externally and internally. It is also used in treatment of snake bite. Ankol tree is also used for treatment of diarrhoea, abdominal pain, ascites, skin diseases and fever. The tree bark has laxative (loosen bowel), carminative (expels, cures flatulence) properties and is used in treatment of abdominal pain, constipation and flatulence. Ankol fruits are sour and sweet in taste. The fruit pulp is useful in controlling phlegm in the chest, relieving constipation and in excessive menstrual bleeding.

By Vinayaraj (Own work)[CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Botanical name - Alangium salvifolium SYNONYM:Alangium lamarckii Thw.;

Family:Alangiaceae

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom:Plantae
• Unranked:Angiosperms
• Unranked:Eudicots
• Unranked:Asterids
• Order:Cornales
• Family:Cornaceae (Alangiaceae)
• Genus:Alangium
• Species:salvifolium

Vernacular names

• Ayurvedic:Ankola, Ankota, Tamraphal, Guptasneha, Dirghakelak
• BENGALI:Akar-kanta
• HINDI:Gujarati;Ankol
• KANNADA:Ankolima, Arinjil
• MALAYALAM:Azhinni
• ORIYA:Ankula
• ANDHRA PRADESH:Uduga chettu
• TAMIL:Azhinjil, Alangi
• TRADE NAME:Sage leaves alangium

1. Type:Tree
2. Part used:Root bark, bark, fruits, seeds, oil
3. Propagation:by seeds
4. Recommended dose of rootbark powder is 1-2 grams only. It must be taken in recommended doses only.

Description

Leaves alternate, petiolate, oblong/elliptic-lanceolate, chartaceous, 3-5 nerved at base, glabrous above, margin entire;flowers white, scented, in axillary clusters, pubescent outside;calyx tube cupular;adnate to the ovary;petals 10, linearly oblong, reflexed;stamens 20;fruits ovoid, 2-2 5 cm long;

Ankol tree Habitat

The tree is distributed in dry regions, in the plains and lower hills in India. It is also distributed in Africa, Sri Lanka, Indochina and China.

Medicinal uses of Ankola

The various parts of tree exhibits medicinal properties and used as folk remedy for treatment of diseases. Leaves have blood pressure lowering effect. Fruits are sour, acidic, cooling and laxative in action. Tree bark is sometimes used to induce vomiting. Root bark of tree has astringent, blood pressure lowering and fever reducing properties. Root bark is an antidote for poisoning and applied externally in case of acute rheumatism, leprosy and inflammatory patches.

Snake bite, rabies

Traditional remedy is to give one glass decoction of stem bark, once a day.

Ascites

Ascites is accumulation of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs, causing abdominal swelling. It is caused due to high pressure in the blood vessels of the liver (portal hypertension) and low levels of a protein called albumin.

As a traditional remedy, the root powder of tree is given in dose of 1.5 to 3 grams.

Asthma

The roots of tree are ground with lemon juice and taken in dose of half teaspoon twice a day. This should be taken two hours before meal.

Painful urination

Take 5 grams root and prepare a decoction by boiling in 400 ml water till volume reduces to one fourth. Drink this two times a day.

Diarrhoea, Dysentery

1. For diarrhoea, the fruits are useful. Eat ten grams of fruit pulp with honey, three times a day.
2. Drink 3ml leaves juice with milk.
3. Take root bark powder (1-2 g) with buttermilk.

Gout

Externally apply poultice of Ankol leaves.

Dengue fever

Cook three grams root powder and two gram dry ginger powder in Chawal Ka Mand (cooked rice water) and take 2-3 times a day.

Skin diseases

Prepare paste of the root bark and apply externally.

Side-effects/Warning

The leaves contain alkaloids which weakens force of muscular contractions. When leaves were given in high doses to frog, the heart's contractions were weaken and heart rate was slowed.

1. The bark induces vomiting in large doses.
2. Root bark has purgative effect.
3. Always take in recommended doses.