Piper betle

Botanical classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Family : piperacea
Genus : Piper
Species : P. betle
Scientific Name : Piper betle

Vernacular names

The betel leaf is known as Paan in Assamese/Urdu/Hindi/Odia/Bengali and Taambuul and Nagavalli in Sanskrit. Some of the names in the regions in which it is consumed are: Vetrilai Tamil,Tamalapaku Telugu, Vidyache pan Marathi, veeleyada yele Kannada, Vettila Malayalam, Plū Mon, Malus Tetum, Maluu Khmer, Plue Thai, Malus Tetum, Bulath Sinhalese, Malu Tokodede, Bileiy Divehi, bulung samat Kapampangan

Plant part used
Leaves .


General Information :

It is generally found in hot and moist climatic condition. In India it is found in Bihar, Bengal, Orrisa, south India and Karnataka. It is also seen in Sri Lanka.
The Betel (Piper betle) is the leaf of a vine belonging to the Piperaceae family, which includes pepper and Kava. It is valued both as a mild stimulant and for its medicinal properties.
The betel plant is an evergreen and perennial creeper, with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white catkin. The Betel plant originated from South and South East Asia (India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka).

There are various types of leaves, the most popular being : Calcutta, Banarasi, Magahi, etc. In Bangladesh Dinajpur, Rangpur, Chittagong, Faridpur, Jessore, Narayanganj, Barisal and Sylhet are the areas producing the most betel. The harvested leaves are used both for domestic consumption and for export to Middle East, to European countries, USA, UK, Pakistan, and Myanmar. Paan is one of the major economic sources of rural Bangladesh. The best Betel leaf is the "Magadhi" variety (literally from the Magadha region) grown near Patna in Bihar, India. In Kerala, the famous variety of betel leaf is from Venmony near Chengannur and it is called "Venmony Vettila". Betel leaf cultivated in Tirur in Kerala, Hinjilicut in Odisha are of fine quality. Betel leaves exported from Tirur are famous in Pakistan as "Tirur Pan".

Chemical Constituents

Leaves contain protein 3.1 %, carbohydrate 6.9 %, minerals 2.3 %, and tannins 2 %. It contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine and potassium is also present. Vitamin B, vitamin c and vitamin A. leaves contains bitter compounds that are about 0.7 to 2.6 %. It also contains an aromatic compound and stable oils like phenol and terpene. Besides this it contains eugenol, chavibetol and hydroxychavicol.

Pharmacology

It is vata and kapha suppressant. It is an effective anti wormal agent because of its pungent taste. It is an excellent anti infectious agent again because of its pungent taste. It helps in normalizing the digestive tract hence is very effective in maintaining the digestive system because of its light properties. It provides strength to the heart and tones up the cardiovascular system. It also helps in expelling out the mucus form the respiratory tract because of its hot potency. It is also a good aphrodisiac agent.

Uses

1. Paste-it is used for gargles on the throat and diphtheria. It is also used to apply on the throat related problems, breast inflammation, back pain etc. it is also used to apply on the penis in case of erectile dysfunction.
1. Powder –it is used in mouth disorders, indigestion and reduced peristaltic movements. It is also helpful in throat related problems and respiratory problems. It also provides strength to the body and loss strengthens the cardiovascular system. It works as an aphrodisiac agent and help in maintaining body temperature.

Others are
1. Throat related problems
2. Diphtheria
3. Lymphadenopathy
4. Back pain
5. Impotency
6. Erectile dysfunction
7. Indigestion
8. Loss of appetite
9. Constipation
10. Heart related problems
11. Rhinitis
12. Asthma
13. Cough
14. Fever
15. General body weakness

Andrographis paniculata

Botanical classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Family : Acanthaceae
Genus : Andrographis
Species : A. paniculata
Scientific Name : Andrographis paniculata

Vernacular names

Assamese Chiorta, Arabic Quasabhuva, Marathi Oli-kiryata, English Green chirayta, creat, king of bitters, andrographis, India echinacea, Gujarati Kariyatu

Herb Description

Andrographis is an herbal medicine derived from the Andrographis Paniculata shrub grown the moist, shady areas of India, China and throughout Southeast Asia. It is commonly referred to as 'Indian Echinacea' and is a popular Ayervedic and Chinese household remedy for the common cold, digestive issues, upper respiratory tract infections, flu and other sicknesses typified by fever. Although its use dates back easily a thousand years in these ancient medical traditions, there is a more recent historical reference to its potency. In the Indian flu epidemic of 1919, the herb Andrographis is credited with the reversal of its onslaught. More recently, it popularity has spread to Scandinavia, where its dosages have been standardized and it has been widely recommended by doctors for two decades as a common remedy in treating these same winter ailments.


Pharmacology

Andrographolide isolated from Andrographis paniculata induces cell cycle Flavonoids and andrographolides from Andrographis paniculata. Two flavonoids, identified as 5,7, tetramethoxyflavanone and 5-hydroxy-7, trimethoxyflavone, as well as several other flavonoids, andrographolide diterpenoids, and polyphenols, were obtained from the phytochemical investigation of the whole plant of Andrographis paniculata, a well known medicinal plant.Anti-malarial activity of some xanthones isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata.

Four xanthones were isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata. In vitro study revealed that compound 1,2-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-xanthone possessed substantial anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum Anticancer and immunostimulatory compounds from Andrographis paniculata.

Uses of Andrographis paniculata

As research increases, so is our understanding of Andrographis' many activities and indications are that it may even play a role in cardiovascular and cancer treatments.
Potential benefit of andrographis paniculata supplements

*For colds and flu

Long known in traditional Asian medicine as an immune system booster, Andrographis paniculata has demonstrated significant activity in fighting common cold, flu, and upper respiratory infections. Two randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group clinical trials were performed to investigate the effect of a standardized extract (SHA-10) of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination (Kan jang) in the treatment of uncomplicated upper-respiratory tract infections. In both studies, throat symptoms were found to show the most significant improvement.

Anti-inflammatory

Andrographis paniculata contains many flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Andrographolide, an active component of andrographis paniculata, inhibits inflammatory responses by rat neutrophils.
Anti-inflammatory Activity of New Compounds from Andrographis paniculata by NF-kappaB Transactivation Inhibition.

Anti-tumor
Andrographis paniculata has anti-carcinogenicity properties.


Diabetes
The ethanolic extract of andrographis possesses antidiabetic property. Its antidiabetic effect may be attributed at least in part to increased glucose metabolism.


Immune system

Most flavonoids have anti-microbial activity and have a positive effect on the immune system. Andrographis has demonstrated significant activity in fighting common cold, flu, and upper respiratory infections.

Mind

Andrographis extract exhibited a significant alteration in behavior pattern and a reduction in spontaneous motility in animals. The extract also produced a prolongation of the pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and lowered the body temperature in different experimental animal models.

Anti-oxidant and liver protection

Andrographis paniculata treatment prevents BHC induced increase in the activities of enzymes y-Glutamyl transpeptidase, glutathione-S-transferase and lipid peroxidation. The activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and the levels of glutathione were decreased following BHC effect. Administration of andrographis showed protective effects in the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase as well the level of glutathione. The activity of lipid peroxidase was also decreased. The result indicate antioxidant and hepatoprotective action of andrographis.


Rheumatoid arthritis

Efficacy of an Andrographis paniculata composition for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial.

summary

Andrographis paniculata has been evaluated in the laboratory and has shown potential in a number of conditions, however, since human research is lacking, the potential andrographis health benefits and androgrpahis side effects are, at this time, not fully known. If you do plan to take an andrographis supplement, take at least 2 days off a week and one week off a month. It is also not clear how andrographis herb would interact with other herbs that influence the immune system such as Astragalus root herb, echinacea herb, Goldenseal herb, and others.

How it works :

Andrographis paniculata extract is traditionally used as a medicine to treat different diseases in India, China and Southeast Asia. In the present study, we evaluated the anticancer and immunomodulatory activity of the methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata in human cancer and immune cells. The methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata was fractionated into dichloromethane, petroleum ether and aqueous extracts and screened for bioactivity. Our results indicate that the dichloromethane fraction of the methanolic extract retains the active compounds contributing for both the anticancer and immunostimulatory activity. Dichloromethane fraction significantly inhibits the proliferation of HT-29 (colon cancer) cells and augments the proliferation human peripheral blood lymphocytes at low concentrations. On further fractionation of the dichloromethane extract we could isolate three diterpene compounds. Andrographolide showed anticancer activity on diverse cancer cells representing different types of human cancers.
Acute respiratory infections represent a significant cause of over-prescription of antibiotics and are one of the major reasons for absence from work. The leaves of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall ex Nees (Acanthaceae) are used as a medicinal herb in the treatment of infectious diseases. Systematic literature searches were conducted in six computerised databases and the reference lists of all papers located were checked for further relevant publications. Information was also requested from manufacturers, the spontaneous reporting schemes of the World Health Organisation and national drug safety bodies. No language restrictions were imposed. Seven double-blind, controlled trials (n = 896) met the inclusion criteria for evaluation of efficacy. All trials scored at least three, out of a maximum of five, for methodological quality on the Jadad scale. Collectively, the data suggest that Andrographis is superior to placebo in alleviating the subjective symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. There is also preliminary evidence of a preventative effect. Adverse events reported following administration of Andrographis were generally mild and infrequent. There were few spontaneous reports of adverse events. Andrographis may be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection; more research is warranted.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, pilot clinical trial of ImmunoGuard--a standardized fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata Nees, with Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim, Schizandra chinensis Bail. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extracts in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever.
Double blind, randomized, placebo controlled pilot study of ImmunoGuard--a standardized fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Schizandra chinensis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra special extracts standardized for the content of Andrographolide (4 mg/tablet), Eleuteroside E, Schisandrins and Glycyrrhizin, was carried out in two parallel groups of patients. Both the clinical and laboratory results of the present phase II (pilot) clinical study suggest that ImmunoGuard with andrographis s a safe and efficacious herbal drug for the management of patients with FMF.

Antimicrobial activity of Andrographis paniculata.The antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract, andrographolides and arabinogalactan proteins from Andrographis paniculata were evaluated. The aqueous extract showed significant antimicrobial activity, which may be due to the combined effect of the isolated arabinogalactan proteins and andrographolides.

Clinical Applications

Andrographis and its various components have demonstrated a variety of effects in the body. Aspects stimulate the general immune activities, others inhibit the body's inflammatory mechanism and still others demonstrate not only anti-microbial abilities, but also are instrumental in killing certain tumor cells. Studies have also indicated that the active chemical, Andrographolide, helps to stop the clumping of blood platelets which is the clotting process that can lead to heart attacks.


Side Effects & Safety

Andrographis Paniculata has been widely tested and is considered safe with few if any minor side effects at commonly prescribed levels. In clinical trials with children between 4 and 11 Andrographis was effective and safe. Side effects occurred in HIV trials at a dose of 10 mg of andrographolides per kg of body weight or roughly 12 time the recommended dosage.



Precautions

Pregnant women or those trying to conceive should avoid Andrographis animal studies have shown the possibility of contraceptive effects at high dosages. Safety during lactation is not known. Andrographis may increase glucose metabolisation which could unduly enhance blood sugar lowering medication.

Description
Andrographis paniculata
It grows erect to a height of 30–110 cm in moist shady places with glabrous leaves and white flowers with rose-purple spots on the petals. Stem dark green, 0.3 - 1.0 m in height, 2 – 6 mm in diameter, quadrangular with longitudinal furrows and wings on the angles of the younger parts, slightly enlarged at the nodes; leaves glabrous, up to 8.0 cm long and 2.5 cm broad, lanceolate, pinnate; flowers small, in lax spreading axillary and terminal racemes or panicles; capsules linear-oblong, acute at both ends, 1.9 cm x 0.3 cm; seeds numerous, sub quadrate, yellowish brown.

Medicinal use
Andrographis paniculata can cause severe allergic reactions. Commercial products containing this as a herbal remedy have been recalled in Australia as a result.
Since ancient times, A. paniculata is used in traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic systems of medicine as well as in tribal medicine in India and some other countries for multiple clinical applications. The therapeutic value of Kalmegh is due to its mechanism of action which is perhaps by enzyme induction. The plant extract exhibits antityphoid and antifungal activities. Kalmegh is also reported[citation needed] to possess antihepatotoxic, antibiotic, antimalarial, antihepatitic, antithrombogenic, antiinflammatory, anti-snake venom, and antipyretic properties to mention a few, besides its general use as an immunostimulant agent. A recent study conducted at Bastyr University, confirms the anti-HIV activity of andrographolide.[citation needed]
Andrographolide, the chief constituent extracted from the leaves of the plant, is a bitter water-soluble lactone exhibiting protective effects in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Its LD50 in male mice was 11.46gm/kg, ip. This bitter principle was isolated in pure form by Gorter (1911). Such other activities as liver protection under various experimental conditions of treatment with galactosamine, paracetamol etc. are also attributed to Andrographolide. The hepatoprotective action of andrographolide is related to activity of certain metabolic enzymes.[citation needed]
Andrographis paniculata plant extract is known to possess a variety of pharmacological activities. Andrographolide, the major constituent of the extract, is implicated in its pharmacological activity. A study has been conducted on the cellular processes and targets modulated by andrographolide treatment in human cancer and immune cells. Andrographolide treatment inhibited the in vitro proliferation of different tumor cell lines, representing various types of cancers. The compound exerts direct anticancer activity on cancer cells by cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase through induction of cell cycle inhibitory protein p27 and decreased expression of cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4)[citation needed]. Immunostimulatory activity of andrographolide is evidenced by increased proliferation of lymphocytes and production of interleukin 2. Andrographolide also enhanced the tumor necrosis factor α production and CD marker expression, resulting in increased cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes against cancer cells, which may contribute for its indirect anticancer activity. The in vivo anticancer activity of the compound is further substantiated against B16F0 melanoma syngenic and HT 29 xenograft models. These results suggest that andrographolide is an interesting pharmacophore with anticancer and immunomodulatory activities and hence has the potential for being developed as a cancer therapeutic agent. [citation needed]
In one Chilean study, the herb had a significant drying effect on the nasal secretions of cold sufferers who took 1,200 milligrams of andrographis extract daily for five days.[2][unreliable source?]
The herb is the well-known drug Kalmegh 'green chiretta', and forms the principal ingredient of a household medicine ('alui'), used as a bitter tonic and febrifuge.[citation needed]
The Tamils have been using Nilavempu - as it is called in Tamil - for centuries. In Siddha medicine, Andrographis Paniculata is used widely to treat fevers like chikenguinea, swine-flu, typhoid etc.[3][unreliable source?]
Phytochemistry
Andrographolide is the major constituent extracted from the leaves of the plant which is a bicyclic diterpenoid lactone. Some known constituents are:
• "14-Deoxy-11-dehydroandrographolide, Plant
• 14-Deoxy-11-oxoandrographolide, Plant
• 5-Hydroxy-7,8,2',3'-Tetramethoxyflavone, Plant
• 5-Hydroxy-7,8,2'-Trimethoxyflavone, Tissue Culture
• Andrographine, Root
• Andrographolide, Plant
• Neoandrographolide, Plant
• Panicoline, Root
• Paniculide-A, Plant
• Paniculide-B, Plant
• Paniculide-C, Plant"[4]
Andrographis paniculata

Bionomial Name : Papaver somniferum
Common Name :"gasagasa" in Tamil, "khuskhus" in Hindi,
"gasagasalu" in Telugu, "gasagasa" in Kannada, and "posto dana" in Bengali
Family : Papaveraceae
Kingdom : Plantae


Varieties


Flower


Bud and leaves
Papaver somniferum has many sub-species or varieties and cultivars. Colors of the flower vary widely, as do other physical characteristics such as number and shape of petals, number of flowers and fruits, number of seeds, color of seeds, production of opium, etc.
Papaver somniferum Paeoniflorum Group (sometimes called Papaver paeoniflorum) is a sub-type of opium poppy whose flowers are highly double, and are grown in many colors. Papaver somniferum Laciniatum Group (sometimes called Papaver laciniatum) is a sub-type of opium poppy whose flowers are highly double and deeply lobed, to the point of looking like a ruffly pompon.
A few of the varieties, notably the Norman and Przemko varieties, have low morphine content (less than one percent), much higher concentrations of other alkaloids. Most varieties, however, including those most popular for ornamental use or seed production, have a higher morphine content, with the average content being 10%.[1][2]
[edit] Legality
Opium poppy cultivation in the United Kingdom does not need a licence, however, a license is required for those wishing to extract opium for medicinal products.[4]
Poppies as medicine


Capsule of Papaver somniferum showing latex (opium) exuding from incision
Australia, Turkey and India are the major producers of poppy for medicinal purposes and poppy-based drugs, such as morphine or codeine.[9] The USA has a policy of sourcing 80% of its narcotic raw materials from the traditional producers, India and Turkey.[10]
General Information of Poppy seeds
Poppy seeds are commonly used in both North and South Indian Cusine. They are called "gasagasa" in Tamil, "khuskhus" in Hindi, "gasagasalu" in Telugu, "gasagasa" in Kannada, and "posto dana" in Bengali. Poppy seeds can be dry roasted and ground to be used in wet curry (curry paste) or dry curry. They have a creamy and nut like flavor, and when used with ground coconut, the seeds provide a unique and flavour-rich curry base. The opium poppy is the source of two food ingredients: poppy seed and poppyseed oil. The seeds contain very low levels of opiates,[1] and the oil extracted from them contains even less. Both the oil and the seed residue also have commercial uses.

History
Use of the opium poppy predates written history. Images of opium poppies have been found in ancient Sumerian artifacts (ca. 4000 BC). The opium poppy was also known to the ancient Greeks, from whom it gained its modern name of opium. Remains have been discovered at sites such as Kalapodi and Kastanas.


A red opium poppy flower used for ornamental purposes
Once known as the "common garden poppy", live plants and seeds of the opium poppy are widely sold by seed companies and nurseries in most of the western world, including the United States
Many countries grow the plants; some of which rely heavily on the commercial production of the drug as a major source of income. As an additional source of profit, the same seeds are sold in the culinary trade shortly thereafter, making cultivation of the plant a significant source of income. This international trade in seeds of Papaver somniferum was addressed by a UN resolution "to fight the international trade in illicit opium poppy seeds" on July 28, 1998.
Opium was used for treating asthma, stomach illnesses, and bad eyesight. The Opium Wars between China and the British Empire took place in the late 1830s when the Chinese attempted to stop the sale of opium by Britain, in China.

Botanical Name : Terminalia chebula

Common Name :
Harithaki (Sanskrit and Bengali), Harad (Hindi),
Karkchettu (Telugu), Kadukkaya (Tamil),
Harade (Marathi and Gujarati).

Family : Combretaceae
Kingdom: Plantae

Action :

Terminalia chebula is mild laxative, stomachic, tonic, alterative, adaptogen, hepatoprotective, febrifuge, antispasmodic, expectorant, anti-asthmatic, antiviral and hypoglycaemic. It is useful in ophthalmia, hemorrhoids, dental caries, bleeding gums, ulcerated oral cavity and in many other diseases. Its paste with water is found to be anti-inflammatory, analgesic and having purifiying and healing capacity for wounds. Its decoction as a lotion is surgical dressing for healing the wound earlier.
Equal parts of three myrobalans and catechu are made in a paste with clarified butter or some bland oil work as an ointment in chronic ulcerations, ulcerated wounds and other skin diseases with discharge. These ointments could be a substitute for Gall ointments used in Britain.

These are used for astringent purpose in hemorrhoids as well. Its decoction is used as gargle in oral ulcers, sore throat. Its powder is a good astringent dentrifice in loose gums, bleeding and ulceration in gums.

Chemical Composition :

Fruits are mainly contain astringent substances - tannic acid, Chebulinic acid, gallic acid etc. Resin and a purgative principle of the nature of anthraquinone and sennoside are also present.

Uses :

Terminalia Chebula is used for
- Abdominal Disorders:

- It is good to increase the appetite, as digestive aid, Liver stimulant, as stomachic, as gastrointestinal prokinetic agent, and mild laxative.

- Haritaki has proven gastrokinetic effect i.e. it helps in moving the contents of stomach earlier. So it can be used after surgeries and as adjuvant with other drugs that interfere with gastric motility as antihistaminics, atropine like drugs.

- Base on its comprehensive properties, it promotes appetite and helps in digestion.

- It stimulates the liver and protects it further by expelling the waste excretory products from the intestines.

- The powder of Haritaki has been used in chronic diarrhea, sprue with good results. It should be used as hot infusion in these disorders. It is indicated in Protracted diarrhea with hematochezia and prolapse of rectum.

- For persons with excessive gas in intestine, flatulence, it is a good herb that can be taken daily. it will relieve these conditions smoothly.

- One compound Chebulagic acid from Haritaki has shown antispasmodic action like that of Papaverine.

- Being a mild laxative, it is a mild herbal colon cleanse. With its other properties, it provides some help in conditions with Liver and Spleen enlargement and in Ascites. It is not a strong purgative like other herbs as Senna. It does the cleansing action very smoothly. Further it can be taken for a long time without any ill effects.

- It is a good nervine. It is used in nervous weakness, nervous irritability. It promotes the receiving power of the five senses.

- It is adjuvant in hemorrhages due to its astringent nature. It helps in edema and various inflammations.

- It is good for Chronic cough, coryza, sorethroat and asthma. It is used with other herbs in many holistic herbal formulations in Ayurveda.

- Being anti-inflammatory, and astringent, it is useful in urethral discharges like spermatorrhea, vaginal discharges like leucorrhea. It can be given as adjuvant in atonic conditions of Uterus.
- It is helpful in Renal calculi, dysurea, and retention of urine.

- It is useful in skin disorders with discharges like allergies, urticaria and other erythematous disorders.

- It is given as adjuvant herb in Chronic fever. On long term use it is helpful in gaining weight in the emaciated persons and in losing weight in obese persons.


Clinical Observation :

- Haritaki can serve to act as an effective alternative to modern prokinetic drugs like metaclopramide.
- anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties
- Some preliminary evidence of its capability to be useful in HSV Herpes simplex virus.
- Some anti-tumor activity and effect in inhibiting the HIV virus.
- Anthraquinone and Sennoside like purgative activity. Ability to evacuate the bowel.
- Wide antibacterial and antifungal activity, esp. against E. coli.

Emblica officinalis

Botanical Name: Phyllanthus emblica
Synonyms : Emblica officinalis
Common Name: Amlaki
Plant Family: Phyllanthaceae
Kingdom : Plantae

General Information
Amla is one of the most celebrated herbs in the Indian traditional medicine system, Ayurveda. Amla's traditional uses include as a laxative, eye wash, appetite stimulant, restorative tonic, and to treat anorexia, indigestion, diarrhea, anemia, and jaundice. Amla is becoming increasingly well known for its unusually high levels of Vitamin C, which is resistant to storage and heat damage due to cooking.

History
It is found natively in India. Indian gooseberry has been used as valuable ingredient of various medicines in India and abroad.

Different Name
The Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica, syn. Emblica officinalis) is a deciduous tree of the Euphorbiaceae family. It is known for its edible fruit of the same name.
Amlaki’s Indian name is – Indian Goosebery
Amlaki’s Guzrai name is – Aamla
Amlaki’s Marathi name is – Aavalaa
Amlaki’s Hindi name is – Amla
Amlaki’s Malayalam name is – Nellikkai
Amlaki’s Nepali name is - Amala

Uses of Parts
In traditional Indian medicine dried and fresh fruits of the plant are used. All parts of the plant are used in various herbal preparations (Ayurvedic /Unani Medicine ) including the fruit, seed, leaves, root, bark and flowers.

Culinary use
Particularly in South India, the fruit is pickeld with salt, oil, and spices. Amla is eaten raw or cooked into various dishes. In Andrha prodes tender varieties of amla are used to prepare dal (a lentil preparation), also amle ka murabbah a sweet dish indigenous to the northern part of India (where in the berries are soaked in sugar syrup for a long time till they are imparted the sweet flavor) is traditionally consumed after meals.

Religious use
Amla is regarded as a sacred tree attributed to Lakshmi in Hinduism

Other uses
Popularly used in inks, shampoos and hair oils, the high tannin content of Indian gooseberry fruit serves as a mordant for fixing dyes in fabrics. Amla shampoos and hair oil are traditionally believed to nourish the hair and scalp and prevent premature grey hair.

Chemical composition
Amla is highly nutritious and is an important dietary source of Vitamin C, minerals and amino acids. The edible fruit tissue contains protein concentration 3-fold and ascorbic acid concentration 160-fold compared to that of the apple. The fruit also contains considerably higher concentration of most minerals and amino acids than apples. Glutamic acid, proline, aspartic acid, alanine, and lysine are 29.6%, 14.6%, 8.1%, 5.4% and 5.3% respectively of the total amino acids. The pulpy portion of fruit, dried and freed from the nuts contains: gallic acid 1.32%, tannin, sugar 36.10%; gum 13.75%; albumin 13.08%; crude cellulose 17.08%; mineral matter 4.12% and moisture 3.83%. Amla fruit ash contains chromium, 2.5 ppm; zinc 4 ppm; and copper, 3 ppm.

Pharmacology

Emblica officinalis is effective in the treatment of amlapitta [peptic ulcer] and in dyspepsia. The fruits exhibit hypolipiadaemic and antiatherosclerotic effects in rabbits & rats. The fruit extract has antimutagenic activity on certain directly acting mutagens in some strains of Salmonella typhimurium.The extract of amla also has antimicrobial properties. Amlaki is an antioxidant with free radical scavenging properties which may be due to the presence of high levels of super oxide dismutase.

Important Medicinal Uses

Indian Gooseberry or Amla is used for

1. all Pitta diseases,
2. all obstinate urinary conditions,
3. anemia,
4. biliousness,
5. bleeding,
6. colitis,
7. constipation,
8. onvalescence from fever,
9. cough,
10. diabetes,
11. gastritis,
12. gout,
13. hepatitis,
14. hemorrhoids,
15. liver weakness,
16. to relieve stress ,
17. osteoporosis,
18. palpitation,
19. spleen weakness,
20. tissue deficiency,
21. vertigo rebuilds blood,
22. bones,
23. cells, and tissues.

It increases red blood cell count and regulates blood sugar; heart tonic, cleanses mouth, stops gum bleeding, stops stomach and colon inflammation; cleanses intestines, strengthens teeth, aids eyesight, worms, acidity, eye and lung inflammations, ulcerations, G.I. disorders, painful urination, and internal bleeding.

Ref : Emblica officinalis Encyclopedia

Azadirachta indica

Botanical Name: Azadirachta indica
Synonyms : Melia azadirachta L, Antelaea azadirachta L
Common Name: Neem
Plant Family: Meliaceae
Kingdom : Plantae

Neem’s General Information
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Pakistan, growing in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Other vernacular names include Neem (Hindi, Urdu and Bengali), Nimm (Punjabi), Arya Veppu (Malayalam), Azad Dirakht (Persian), Nimba (Sanskrit and Marathi), DogonYaro (in some Nigerian languages), Margosa, Neeb (Arabic), Nimtree, Vepu, Vempu, Vepa (Telugu), Bevu (Kannada), Kohomba (Sinhala), Vembu (Tamil), Tamar (Burmese), Paraiso (Spanish), and Indian Lilac (English). In East Africa it is also known as Muarubaini (Swahili), which means the tree of the 40, as it is said to treat 40 different diseases.

Medicinal Pats of Uses

seeds, leaves, flowers and bark

Chemical compounds
The late the then British-India (and later Pakistani) scientist Salimuzzaman Siddiqui was the first scientist to bring the plant to the attention of phytopharmacologists.[citation needed] In 1942, while working at the Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratory at Delhi University, India, he extracted three bitter compounds from neem oil, which he named nimbin, nimbinin, and nimbidin respectively. The seeds contain a complex secondary metabolite azadirachtin.

Uses
In India, the tree is variously known as "Sacred Tree," "Heal All," "Nature's Drugstore," "Village Pharmacy" and "Panacea for all diseases." Products made from neem tree have been used in India for over two millennia for their medicinal properties: Neem products have been observed to be anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, contraceptive and sedative. Neem products are also used in selectively controlling pests in plants. It is considered a major component in Ayurvedic medicine and is particularly prescribed for skin disease.
All parts of the tree have medicinal properties (seeds, leaves, flowers and bark) and are used for preparing many different medical preparations.
Part of the Neem tree can be used as a spermicide.
Neem oil is used for preparing cosmetics (soap, shampoo, balms and creams, for example Margo soap), and is useful for skin care such as acne treatment, and keeping skin elasticity. Neem oil has been found to be an effective mosquito repellent.
Neem derivatives neutralise nearly 500 pests worldwide, including insects, mites, ticks, and nematodes, by affecting their behaviour and physiology. Neem does not normally kill pests right away, rather it repels them and affects their growth. As neem products are cheap and non-toxic to higher animals and most beneficial insects, they are well-suited for pest control in rural areas.
Besides its use in traditional Indian medicine, the neem tree is of great importance for its anti-desertification properties and possibly as a good carbon dioxide sink.
Practitioners of traditional Indian medicine recommend that patients suffering from chicken pox sleep on neem leaves.
Neem gum is used as a bulking agent and for the preparation of special purpose food (for diabetics).
Aqueous extracts of Neem leaves have demonstrated significant antidiabetic potential. Traditionally, slender neem branches were chewed in order to clean one's teeth. Neem twigs are still collected and sold in markets for this use, and in India one often sees youngsters in the streets chewing on neem twigs.
A decoction prepared from Neem roots is ingested to relieve fever in traditional Indian medicine.
Neem leaf paste is applied to the skin to treat acne, and in a similar vein is used for measles and chicken pox sufferers.
Neem blossoms are used in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to prepare Ugadi pachhadi. "Bevina hoovina gojju" (a type of curry prepared with neem blossoms) is common in Karnataka throughout the year. Dried blossoms are used when fresh blossoms are not available. In Tamilnadu, a rasam (veppam poo rasam) made with neem blossoms is a culinary speciality.
A mixture of Neem flowers and bella (jaggery or unrefined brown sugar) is prepared and offered to friends and relatives, symbolic of sweet and bitter events in the upcoming new year.
Extract of neem leaves is thought to be helpful as malaria prophylaxis despite the fact that no comprehensive clinical studies are yet available. In several cases, private initiatives in Senegal were successful in preventing malaria. However, major NGOs such as USAID are not supposed to use neem tree extracts unless the medical benefit has been proved with clinical studies.

Uses Neem in pest
Neem is deemed very effective in the treatment of scabies, although only preliminary scientific proof, which still has to be corroborated, exists,[citation needed] and is recommended for those who are sensitive to permethrin, a known insecticide which might be an irritant. Also, the scabies mite has yet to become resistant to neem, so in persistent cases neem has been shown to be very effective. There is also anecdotal evidence of its effectiveness in treating infestations of head lice in humans. A tea made of boiled neem leaves, sometimes combined with other herbs such as ginger, can be ingested to fight intestinal worms.
The oil is also used in sprays against fleas for cats and dogs.

Ref : Encyclopedia of Azadirachta indica