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

Nigella sativa

Botanical Name: Nigella sativa
English Name : Black Cumin Oil
Common Name: kalo jira, kalo jeera, kali jeera,
Plant Family: Ranunculaceae
Kingdom : Plantae

History of Medicine
Nigella sativa has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, both as a herb and pressed into oil, in Asia, Middle East, and Africa. It has been traditionally used for a variety of conditions and treatments related to respiratory health, stomach and intestinal health, kidney and liver function, circulatory and immune system support, as analgesic, antiinflammatory, antiallergic, antioxidants, anticancer, antiviral and for general well-being.
Parts use : Seed

UsesNigella sativa seed are use to various different issues. Such as:
Acne, Increase intake of Zinc, Asthma and Cough, Colds and Flu, Nervous Tension, Healthy Complexion, Backache, arthritis, bruises & rheumatism, High blood pressure, Stomach complain, Diarrhoea, Hair Loss, Headache, Earach, Intestinal parasites, Colic (babies), Sinusitis, Skin fungus.
Scientific research gets its that Black cumin oil contains nigellone, which protects guinea pigs from histamine-induced bronchial spasms (perhaps explaining its use to relieve the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, and coughing).
The presence of an anti-tumor sterol, beta-sitosterol, lends credence to its traditional use to treat abscesses and tumors of the abdomen, eyes, and liver.
Nigella sativa oil has been reported to be effective in treating opioid dependence.
Nigella sativa also has been reported to reduce calculi formation in rats' kidneys.
Thymoquinone and pancreatic cancer treatment
Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have found that thymoquinone, an extract of Nigella sativa seed oil, blocked pancreatic cancer cell growth and killed the cells by enhancing the process of programmed cell death, (apoptosis). While the studies are in the early stages, the findings suggest that thymoquinone could eventually have some use as a preventative strategy in patients who have gone through surgery and chemotherapy or in individuals who are at a high risk of developing cancer.
References
- New International Encyclopedia
- Wikipedia of Nigella sativa.

Botanical Name: Adhatoda vasica, Justicia adhatoda
Common Name : Adatodai, Arusa, Adulsa, Bakas, Malabar Nut Tree
Plant Family: Acanthaceae
Kingdom : Plantae

History: Adhatoda consists of the fresh or dried leaves of Adhatoda Vasica. Adhatoda leaves have been used extensively in Ayurvedic Medicine for over 2000 years primarily for respiratory disorders. Adhatoda Vasica was traditionally used by midwives at the time of delivery because of its uterotnoic activity. Due to its anti-implantation activity, adhatoda should not be used while pregnant.
Uses of Parts: Leaves, roots, flowers and stem bark
Adhatoda vasica is commonly used for:

• bleeding due to idiopathic (unknown) thrombocytopenic (blood does not have enough platelets) purpura (excessive bruising)
• moderate hypotensive activity (lowers blood pressure)
• pulmonary diseases
• assists uterine involution (rolling or turning inward)
• menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding)
• postpartum (after childbirth) hemorrhage
• uterine stimulant activity
• dyspepsia
• local bleeding due to peptic ulcer and/or piles (hemorrhoids)
• acute and chronic bronchitis often combined with the herbs Licorice and Marshmallow for soothing the respiratory tract
• allergic asthma, often combined with the herbs Albizia, Baical Skullcap, Eyebright and Tylophora
• antihistamine effects (the leaves may be dried and smoked to relieve asthma)
• broncho-dilation effects
• emphysema
• obstructive airway disease (chronic) often combined with the herbs Polygala, Grindelia, Euphorbia and Elecampane
• phthisis (wasting of the body as in tuberculosis)
• relieves cough and breathlessness
  Other Conditions
• bleeding gums (applied locally)
• diphtheria
• gives relief in pyorrhoea, a gum disease (applied locally)
• intermittent fever
• Tuberculosis (all strains of inhibited by the essential oil)
• typhus fever
  

Precautions
Caution:
Contraindicated in pregnancy except at during the birthing process . Adhatoda vasica is reported to have oxytocic (stimulates contractions of the uterus) and abortifacient (substance that induces abortion) effects.
Large doses cause
diarrhea , irritation of the alimentary canal , vomiting .
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Adhatoda without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider .



Chemical Composition
Several alkaloids are present in the leaves and the chief principle is a quinazoline alkaloid, vasicine; the yield of the alkaloid from different samples in India ranged from 0.541 to 1.105 per cent on dry basis. Vasicine is accompanied by l- vasicinone., deoxyvasicine and maiontone, Some minor alkaloids viz. Vasicol, adhatodinine and vasicinol also present.

Pharmacological Action
Antiasthmatic,
Antispasmodic (respiratory tract),
Bronchodilator,
Expectorant (relaxing),
Oxytocic.
The pharmacological activities of vasicine and vasicinone are well known. The /-forms of vasicine and vasicinone are more active than their racemic forms. Recent investigations on vasicine showed bronchodilatory activity (comparable to theophylline) both in vitro and in vivo. Vasicinone showed bronchodilatory activity in vitro but bronchoconstrictory activity in vivo; it is probably biotransformed in vivo, causing bronchoconstriction. Both the alkaloids in combination (1:1) showed pronounced bronchodilatory activity in vivo and in vitro. Vasicine also exhibited strong respiratory stimulant activity, moderate hypotensive activity and cardiac-depressant effect; vasicinone was devoid of these activities. The cardiac-depressant effect was significantly reduced when a mixture of vasicine and vasicinone was used. Vasicinone (dl-form) showed no effect on the isolated heart, but probably the l-form is a weak cardiac stimulant. Clinical trials of a commercial drug containing vasicinone and vasicinone have not revealed any side effects while treating bronchial asthma. The drug is known to possess abortifacient activity and hence should not be used during pregnancy.

Aloe vera

Botanical Name : Aloe vera
Kingdom - Plantae
Order - Asparagales
Family - Asphodelaceae
Genus - Aloe
Species - Aloe vera

Different Name as per Country :
In India, Aloe vera is known as Ghrtakumari.
In Pakistan, Aloe vera is known as Quargandal.
In South America, Aloe vera is known as Sabila.
In Thailand, Aloe vera is known as Crocodile Tail.
In Kerala, Aloe vera is known as Kattar vazha.

Historical uses :
Aloin was the common ingredient in OTC laxative products in the United States prior to 2003, when the FDA ruled that aloin was a class III ingredient, therefore banning its use. It should be noted that processed aloe that contains aloin is used primarily as a laxative, whereas processed Aloe vera juice that does not contain significant amounts of aloin is used as a digestive healer. Manufacturers commonly remove aloin in processing due to the FDA ruling.
Culinary uses :
Aloe is also used as a foodstuff. Some molecular gastronomists have begun to take advantage of its gelling properties. Perhaps most notably among these is Chef Quique Dacosta's "Oysters Guggenheim," created at El Poblet in Spain.
Biologically active compounds
Aloe vera leaves contain a range of biologically active compounds. The best studied being acetylated mannans, polymannans, C-glycosides, anthrones and anthroquinones and various lectins.

Medicinal uses
Scientific evidence for the cosmetic and therapeutic effectiveness of Aloe vera is limited and when present is typically contradictory. Despite this, the cosmetic and alternative medicine industries regularly make claims regarding the soothing, moisturising and healing properties of Aloe vera, especially via Internet advertising. Aloe vera gel is used as an ingredient in commercially available lotion, yogurt, beverages and some desserts. Aloe vera juice is used for consumption and relief of digestive issues such as heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome. It is common practice for cosmetic companies to add sap or other derivatives from Aloe vera to products such as makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, incense, razors and shampoos. Other uses for extracts of Aloe vera include the dilution of semen for the artificial fertilization of sheep, use as fresh food preservative, and use in water conservation in small farms.
A more recent review (2007) concludes that the cumulative evidence supports the use of Aloe vera for the healing of first to second degree burns. In addition to topical use in wound or burn healing, internal intake of Aloe vera has been linked with improved blood glucose levels in diabetics, and with lower blood lipids in hyperlipidaemic patients, but also with acute hepatitis (liver disease). In other diseases, preliminary studies have suggested oral Aloe vera gel may reduce symptoms and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis. Compounds extracted from Aloe vera have been used as an immune stimulant that aids in fighting cancers in cats and dogs; however, this treatment has not been scientifically tested in humans. The injection of Aloe vera extracts to treat cancer has resulted in the deaths of several patients.
Topical application of Aloe vera may be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis. However, it is not effective for the prevention of radiation-induced injuries. Although anecdotally useful, it has not been proven to offer protection from sunburn or suntan. In a double-blind clinical trial the group using an Aloe vera containing dentifrice and the group using a fluoridated dentifrice both demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of gingivitis and plaque.
Aloe vera extracts have antibacterial and antifungal activities. Aloe vera extracts have been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi that cause tinea, however, evidence for control beneath human skin remains to be established. For its anti-fungal properties, Aloe vera is used as a fish tank water conditioner. For bacteria, inner-leaf gel from Aloe vera was shown to inhibit growth of Streptococcus and Shigella species in vitro. In contrast, Aloe vera extracts failed to show antibiotic properties against Xanthomonas species.