Achyranthes aspera

Botanical classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Family : Amaranthaceae
Genus : Achyranthes
Species : Achyranthes aspera
Scientific Name : Achyranthes aspera

Common name:
English : Prickly chaff-flower plant
Hindi : chirchidi
Kannada : Uttarani
Malayalam : Katalati Vankatalati Valiyakatalati
Sanskrit : Apamargh
Tamil : Katalati Nayuruvi
Telugu : Apamargamu


Parts
The whole plantis used especially the roots and seeds.


Herb Description :

An erect, much branched suffruticose or diffuse shrub upto one metre in height with quadrangular striate pubescent branches, thickened just above the nodes; leaves simple, opposite, exstipulate, velvety tomentose, orbicular, obovate or elliptic, 10 cm long and 7.5 cm broad: flowers bracteateland bracteolate, greenish, deflexed, in slender spikes often 45 cm long; fruits easily disarticulating oblong urticle: seeds single, inverse.

Chemical Constituents :

Seeds contain saponin A & B. Unripe fruit, saponin C & D. Eedysterone (polypodineA) from roots and two oleanolic acid based sapoins from fruits and ecdysone from roots.

Pharmacology :
Tablet made from herb paste with fruits of Piper longum reported to cure effects of bite of mad dog. Alckaloids and aquas extracts are antibiotic in nature and fights against micrococcus pyogenes, micrococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Achyranthine-alkaloids identified as betaine helps in lowering Blood Pressure, depresses heart rate, causes vasodilation, increases respiration and is slightly antipyretic (lowers the temperture), it is spasmodic on rectus muscle thus helps in resolving the pain in abdomen. It also acts as diuretic agent thus is effectve in urine related disorder. It is a strong purgative and is given in chronic constipation.

Toxicology :
It has no toxic effect on human body if taken in limited amount. If taken in excess it may cause nausea, vomiting, extremes of diarrhea, convulsions, spasms in abdomen and dehydration.

Common Uses

Aspera Herb – decoction made from whole plant is useful in pneumonia, cough and kidney stone. It is also useful in diabetes. Also useful in hemorrheoids. It is also effective in menstrual disorders

Aspera Powder – it is used as diuretic and is very helpful in urinary tract infections. It is also effective in skin disorders. It is also given in abdominal pains. It is also used in treatingthe disgestive disorders. It is also effective in treayting the heart related disorders and increased blood pressure.

Aspera Juice - it is widely given in cases of eczema and leprosy. It is also useful in cataracts and tetanus. Apamarg is used in wounds, insect bites and used in ear and eye trouble.

Aspera Paste – it is applied to remove opacity of comea, and to wounds as haemostatic. It is used in abdominal tumour. It is also used in mouth sores, toothache and syphilitic sores. Seed- paste applied to insect-bite. Paste from leaves, Seed and twigs are used in bronchitis. Various parts used in atrophy, cachexy, rheum, scabies, syphilis, labour complaints and blindness to cattle.

Crocus sativus

Botanical classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Family : Iridaceae
Genus : Crocus
Species : Crocus sativus
Scientific Name : Crocus sativus

History :

Cultivation and harvesting of crocus was first documented in the Mediterranean, notably on the island of Crete. Frescos are extant at the Knossos site on Crete[3] as well as from a comparably aged site on Santorini.The first crocus seen in the Netherlands, where Crocus species are not native, were from corms brought back from Constantinople by the Holy Roman Emperor's ambassador to the Sublime Porte, Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, in the 1560s. A few corms were forwarded to Carolus Clusius at the botanical garden in Leiden. By 1620, the approximate date of Ambrosius Bosschaert's painting (illustration, below), new garden varieties had been developed, such as the cream-colored crocus feathered with bronze at the base of the bouquet, similar to varieties still in the market. Bosschaert, working from a preparatory drawing to paint his composed piece, which spans the whole of Spring, exaggerated the crocus so that it passes for a tulip, but its narrow, grasslike leaves give it away.

Chemical con­stituents

Carot­enoids (α- and β-carotene, lycopin and zea­xanthin), its staining capability is mostly caused by crocetine esters; crocetin is a dicarboxylic acid with a carotenoid-like C18 backbone which is formed from carotenoid precursors (diterpene carotenoid). Crocin, a diester of crocin with gentobiose, is the single most important saffron pigment. In the essential oil (max. 1%), several terpene aldehydes and ketones are found. The most abundant constituent is safranal, 2,6,6-trimethyl 1,3-cyclo­hexadiene-1-carbaldehyde (50% and more), 2-hydroxy 4,4,6-trimethyl 2,5-cyclo­hexadien-1-one. Further­more, terpene,pinene, cineol, safranal (4-hydroxy 2,4,4-trimethyl 1-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde ). On de-glucosylation, picrocrocin yields safranal.

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Botanical classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Family : Fabaceae
Genus : Glycyrrhiza
Species : Glycyrrhiza glabra
Scientific Name : Glycyrrhiza glabra

Vernacular Names : Liquorice( India), Lacrisse, sweet licorice, licorice root


History :

It was one of the most widely known medicines in ancient history, and records of its use include Assyrian tablets of around 2000 BC and Chinese herbals of the same period. Theophrastos of Lesbos, writing in the fourth century BC wrote that 'it has the property of quenching thirst if one holds it in the mouth'. Dioscorides gave the plant its botanical name (Greek glukos = sweet, riza = root). Its 13th century English name was Lycorys, a corruption of glycyrrhiza.. Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). The roots are unearthed in the autumn of the fourth season. It is grown in India, Spain, Iran, Russia, China & Italy.


Chemical constituents
The herb contains glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, flavonoids, asparagine, iso-flavonoids,and chalcones.


Pharmacology

Licorice contains the glycoside, glycyrrhizin which has a similar structure and activity as the adrenal steroids. Licorice has an anti-inflammatory activity similar to cortisone and has been found useful for arthritis and allergies. In addition licorice has been used for mild Addison’s disease and other adrenal insufficiencies, such as hypoglycemia. Licorice also acts like the hormone, ACTH, causing sodium retention, potassium depletion, and water retention.
Excess consumption of licorice can lead to the classic symptoms of hypertension, with edema, increased blood pressure, potassium loss, and muscular weakness. The Deglycyrrhizinated form is most often used to avoid the hypertensive side effects of the glycyrrhetinic acid in whole Licorice. Licorice and DGL have a mild laxative effect and can protect the intestinal lining by increasing the production of mucus, thus alleviating heartburn and ulcers. Licorice and DGL also have a demulcent action and have been used for coughs and other bronchial complaints.


Uses :

Glycyrrhiza is widely used in bronchial problems such as catarrh, bronchitis, cold, flu and coughs. It reduces irritation of the throat and yet has an expectorant action. It produces its demulcent and expectorant effects. It is used in relieving stress. It is a potent healing agent for tuberculosis, where its effects have been compared to hydrocortisone. Glycyrrhiza is also effective in helping to reduce fevers (glycyrretinic acid has an effect like aspirin), and it may have an antibacterial action as well. Its use in the treatment of chronic inflammations such as arthritis and rheumatic diseases, Anti-inflammatory, chronic skin conditions, and autoimmune diseases in general.

Rauwolfia serpentina

Botanical classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Family : Apocynaceae
Genus : Rauwolfia
Species : Rauwolfia serpentina
Scientific Name : Rauwolfia serpentina


History
The use of rauwolfia is recorded in Hindu texts dating from around 500 B.C. In the West, it was unknown until 1943, when an Indian doctor wrote an article about the plant, emphasizing the efficiency of its sedative effects in treating high blood pressure. In the United States, reserpine had a rapid success in replacing the use of electric shock therapy and lobotomy for mental disorders


Chemical constituents
Rauvolfia serpentina, commonly known as or Indian Snakeroot or Sarpagandha, contains a number of bioactive chemicals, including ajmaline, aricine, corynanthine, deserpidine, lankanescine, rauwolscine, rescinnamine, reserpine, reserpiline, isoreserpine, isoreserpiline, serpentinine, and yohimbine


Medicinal uses

Reserpine is an alkaloid first isolated from R. serpentina and was widely used as an antihypertensive drug.[citation needed] It had drastic psychological side effects and has been replaced as a first-line antihypertensive drug by other compounds that lack such adverse effects, although combination drugs that include it are still available in some countries as second-line antihypertensive drugs.[citation needed]
Other plants of this genus are also used medicinally, both in conventional western medicine and in Ayurveda, Unani, and folk medicine. Alkaloids in the plants reduce blood pressure, depress activity of the central nervous system and act as hypnotics.


side effect
Rauwolfia serpentina, also known as "rauvolfia," "Indian snakeroot" and "serpentwood," is a woody evergreen sub-shrub, originally from India, Indochina, Borneo, Sri Lanka and Sumatra. Its roots, which have a bitter taste, contain reserpine, an alkaloid substance with a powerful sedative effect that has various medicinal uses. Some herbalists, though, discourage the use of rauwolfia because of the numerous adverse reactions it may cause.


Drug Interactions
Significant increase in blood pressure might occur when the drug is taken along with cough and flu medicine or appetite suppressants. Alcohol should not be consumed in association with reserpine because it can cause severe impairment of reactions. Anti-psychotics and barbiturates increase the drug's effects. If taken in combination with digitalis glycosides, it can cause slow heart rate. The drug effects are reduced and other undesired muscle movement effects may occur when it is taken in association with levodopa (medication for Parkinson's disease).

Precautions
Women who are pregnant, may be pregnant, or plan pregnancy in the near future should not ingest Rauvolfia plants or preparations made from them.[citation needed] They may also be harmful for people with any chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach or duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (reflux esophagitis), ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and diverticulosis.[citation needed] No "safe" dosage has been established

Plantago ovata

Botanical classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Family : Plantaginaceae
Genus : Plantago
Species : Plantago ovata
Scientific Name : Plantago ovata

Common Names: Desert Indianwheat, Desert Plantain, Blonde Psyllium, Indian Plantago, Isabgol

General Information :

The flowers are on short, rounded, terminal flower spikes. The individual flowers have 4 round-ovate lobes and 4 stamens. The leaves are green, basal, and narrowly linear in shape. The plants are covered in fuzzy, white hair at right angles to the stems and leaves. Habitat Desert, Upland. This plant grows in dry, sunny, open areas.

Uses of Plantago ovata

High cholesterol : Psyllium is well studied as a lipid-lowering agent with generally modest reductions seen in blood levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein ("bad cholesterol"). Effects have been observed following eight weeks of regular use. Psyllium does not appear to have significant effects on high-density lipoprotein ("good cholesterol") or triglyceride levels. Because only small reductions have been observed, people with high cholesterol should discuss the use of more potent agents with their healthcare provider. Effects have been observed in adults and children, although long-term safety in children is not established.

Constipation : Psyllium has long been used as a chief ingredient in "bulk laxatives." Generally, an increase in stool weight, an increase in bowel movements per day, and a decrease in total gut transit time has been observed in most studies.

Diarrhea : Psyllium has been studied for the treatment of diarrhea, particularly in patients undergoing tube feeding. It has also been studied in addition to orlistat therapy in hopes of decreasing gastrointestinal effects (diarrhea and oily discharge) of this weight loss agent. An effective stool bulking effect has generally been found in scientific studies.
Anal fissures (tears or cracks in the anus) : Psyllium may help to prevent or relieve anal fissures, which can result from constipation, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, or irritable bowel syndrome. However, further research is necessary before psyllium can be recommended.

Colon cancer : According to early research, diets that include psyllium may reduce the risk for colon cancer. More studies are needed to determine whether psyllium can help prevent colon cancer.

Colonoscopy preparation : Patients with new onset constipation or presumed hemorrhoid bleeding frequently require the use of both fiber supplements and diagnostic colonoscopy. Researchers have concluded that in non-constipated patients, psyllium-based fiber supplementation should not be initiated in the few days prior to endoscopy using a polyethylene glycol preparation. Instructions given by the appropriate healthcare professional and pharmacist should be followed when preparing for colonoscopy

Fat excretion in stool :Early research shows that dietary psyllium and chitosan supplementation may help to increase the excretion of fat in the stool.

Gas (flatulence) : Early research suggests that diets high in fiber (such as psyllium) will increase gas production, yet promote gas retention. The effect of psyllium on gas needs to be explored further.

Hemorrhoids : Psyllium may reduce the symptoms of hemorrhoids, which can result from constipation. Further research is needed to determine whether psyllium can help relieve or prevent the symptoms of hemorrhoids.

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) : Several studies have examined the administration of psyllium with meals or just prior to meals in order to measure effects on blood sugar levels. Better evidence is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Induction of labor/abortion (cervical dilator) : An early study examined whether a preparation made from psyllium could help dilate the cervix when labor or abortion is induced. Further research is needed to determine whether psyllium can help to open the cervix.

Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) : There is limited and unclear evidence regarding the use of psyllium in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Irritable bowel syndrome : Psyllium preparations have been studied for more than 20 years in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Results of these trials have been conflicting. In some cases, insoluble fiber may worsen the clinical outcome.

Obesity : The reviewed evidence seems to show that psyllium may improve blood sugar and lipid levels, which can be related to obesity in some children. However, further studies are needed to clarify its effects and the mechanisms involved. Body weight reduction has not been proven to be associated with psyllium use in adults.

Cynodon dactylon

Botanical classification

Kingdom : Plantae
Family : Poaceae
Genus : Cynodon
Species : C. dactylon
Scientific Name : Cynodon dactylon





General Information

Durva grows wild, throughout India and is commonly cultivated as lawns, for decorative purpose. It is a perennial creeping grass, rooting at every node, forming matted tufts. The leaves, variable in length from 1-10 cm , 0.5-1 cm broad, tapering towards the apex. The flowers green or brinjal-coloured, in terminal spikes, 2 to 8 in number. The fruit grains are tiny and grayish in colour.

The Sanskrit word durva literally means that which is cut or eaten by the animals. It is the most sacred plant of India next to tulasi. The plants sacred to Sankara, Ganesa and Visnu are vilva, durva and tulasi, which alleviate vata, pitta and kapha dosas, respectively. Hindus worship the God Ganesa with the leaves durva religiously. This plant has been recognixed for its cooling, haemostatic, diuretic, depurative and tonic properties since ancient times, cited in Dhanvantari, Kaiyadeva and Raja Nighantus. Ayurvedic texts mention two types of durva viz. white and green . Whereas, Nighantus mention the third type, ganda durva, which is entirely a different plant. It is categorized as samsamana – pacifies pitta

Chemical Constituents :

The plant contains crude proteins, carbohydrates and mineral constituents, oxides of magnesium, phosphorous, calcium , sodium and potassium. The whole plant affords sitosterol and carotene. Other compounds like vitamin C, cartone, palmitic acid, triterpenoides, alkaloids ergonovine and ergonovinine etc. are reported. The alcoholic extract of the whole plant shows antiviral activity against vaccinia virus.

Properties

Durva is astringent and sweet in taste , sweet in the post digestive effect and has cold potency . It alleviates kapha and pitta dosas. It possesses light and oily attributes. It is used in skin diseases, blood disorders, thirst and burning sensation in the body.

Uses

The whole plant of durva is used for medicinal purpose, externally as well as internally. Durva being haemostatic, refrigerant, healer and beneficial for skin complexion, it is extremely beneficial, externally in wounds, haemorrhages, burning sensation and dispigmentations of the skin. The paste of leaves or their medicated oil is applied in traumatic wounds and piles, with great benefit. In catarrhal conditions of the eyes, the fresh fuice of the plants is instilled into eyes. The same fuice, effectively controls the nasal bleeding , when used as nasal drops. The paste of the plant is applied on forehead in headache due to vitiation of pitta dosa. The burning sensation in the skin disorders like urticaria, erysipelas is effectively relieved with the application of its paste.

Internally durva is used in various diseases. The plant is beneficial in the treatment of epilepsy and hysteria and in conditions associated with pain, due to vitation of vata dosa. As a potent styptic, it effectively arrests the bleeding in dysentery, piles, haematuria, epistaxis, menorrhagia, diarrhea, raktapitta etc. It checks the uterine bleeding, strengthens the uterus, averts the abortion and augments the foetal growth. The plant juice given along with rice water and rock candy, curbs the vomiting. Duva is useful as a general tonic as well as an aphrodisiac. Maharsi Caraka has mentioned the white variety of durva to be extremely beneficial as galactogogue. Susruta has cited both, the white and black varieties of durva, to augment the complexion of the skin. Durva also works well as anti-toxin (visaghna).

Botanical classification

Kingdom : Plantae
Family : Gentianaceae
Genus : Swertia
Species : S. chirata
Scientific Name : Swertia chirata

General Information

The herb grows wild in the temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan and Khasi range, between 1200 -3000 metres altitude. It is also cultivated in Kashmir, Meghalaya, Khasi hills and Madhya Pradesh. The plant is an erect annual, herb, growing 0.5 – 1.5 meters in height. The branching leaves are opposite, lanceotate and acute. The flowers are very small, numerous and greenish yellow in color. The fruits are minute capsules, 6 mm in diameter, with unctuous many angled seeds inside.

Chemical Constituents

Swertinin, swertianin, swerchirin, decussating, isobellidifolin, friedelin and sitosterol isolated. Nine tetraoxy genated xanthones isolated from roots and aerial parts Gentianine, gentiocrucine and eniflavine isolated. Arghinine, leucine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, aspartic acid and glutamic acid isolated. Isolation and structure determination of a new dimeric xanthone chiratanin; a new triterpene – swertanone isolated from aerial parts and its crystal structure elucidated.

Properties

Kiratatikta is bitter in taste, pungent in the post digestive effect and has cold potency. It alleviates kapha and pitta doshas. It is a bitter tonic, anthelmintic and antipyretic in properties. It possesses light (laghu) and mild laxative attributes. It works well in fevers, raktapitta, asthma, cough, intestinal worms, skin diseases, edema and burning sensations of the body etc.

Uses

The whole plant is used for medicinal purpose. Externally, it is beneficial for cleansing the wounds, with the help of its decoction. Occasionally, the bath of its decoction is given in the cases of skin rash. The skin diseases with oozing, burning sensation and itching respond well to it. Internally, it is commonly used for fevers – acute, chronic as well as recurrent. In these, it imparts its benefits as it is very cooling, bitter and the destroyer of ama. It can be effectively used in epidemics of malaria as a preventive medicine. As a bitter tonic, it is recommended in convalescence, to regain the energy. The decoction of kiratatikta, nadihingu and sunthi is an excellent combination for fevers. Mahasudarsana curna is one of the popular preparations used for the same.

It improves and tones up the digestive system as a whole. The decoction or powder is beneficial to augment the appetite, relieve the constipation and the sensation of excessive thirst. It stimulates the liver and endows anthelmintic activity. Kiratatikta as a blood purifier, wards off the edema. The decoction of kiratatikta and bhrngaraja when given with honey, curbs hyperacidity. In rheumatic diseases, syphilis and chronic fever, it is given along with camphor and shilajit. The powder of kiratatikta or its decoction when given with honey effectively controls vomiting in pregnancy.