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.