Botanical Name - Lavendula Category - Aromatic Form - Dry Part Used - FLower General Information - "Lavandula (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and is found in Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, and from Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India. Many members of the genus are cultivated extensively in temperate climates as ornamental plants for garden and landscape use, for use as culinary herbs, and also commercially for the extraction of essential oils. The most widely cultivated species, Lavandula angustifolia, is often referred to as lavender, and there is a color named for the shade of the flowers of this species. Despite its use over centuries in traditional medicine and cosmetics, there is no high-quality clinical evidence that lavender has any effects on diseases or improves health." Phytochemicals - Some 100 individual phytochemicals have been extracted from lavender oil, including major contents of linalyl acetate (30-55%), linalool (20-35%), tannins (5-10%), and caryophyllene (8%), with lesser amounts of sesquiterpenoids, perillyl alcohols, esters, oxides, ketones, cineole, camphor, beta-ocimene, limonene, caproic acid, and caryophyllene oxide. The relative amounts of these compounds vary considerably among lavender species.
Botanical Name - Mangifera indica Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Fruit General Information - Mangifera indica, commonly known as mango, is a species of flowering plant in the sumac and poison ivy family Anacardiaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent where it is indigenous. Hundreds of cultivated varieties have been introduced to other warm regions of the world. It is a large fruit-tree, capable of growing to a height and crown width of about 30 metres (100 ft) and trunk circumference of more than 3.7 metres (12 ft). The species domestication is attributed to India around 2000 BCE. Mango was brought to East Asia around 400â??500 BCE, in the 15th century to the Philippines, and in the 16th century to Africa and Brazil by Portuguese explorers. The species was assessed and first named in botanical nomenclature by Linnaeus in 1753. Mango is the national fruit of India, Pakistan and the Philippines and the national tree of Bangladesh. Phytochemicals- Mango fruit has a high nutritional value and health benefits due to important components. Mango components can be grouped into macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, lipids, fatty, and organic acids), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and phytochemicals (phenolic, polyphenol, pigments, and volatile constituents). Mango fruit also contains structural carbohydrates such as pectins and cellulose. The major amino acids include lysine, leucine, cysteine, valine, arginine, phenylalanine, and methionine. The lipid composition increases during ripening, particularly the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The most important pigments of mango fruit include chlorophylls (a and b) and carotenoids. The most important organic acids include malic and citric acids, and they confer the fruit acidity. The volatile constituents are a heterogeneous group with different chemical functions that contribute to the aromatic profile of the fruit. During development and maturity stages occur important biochemical, physiological, and structural changes affecting mainly the nutritional and phytochemical composition, producing softening, and modifying aroma, flavor, and antioxidant capacity. In addition, postharvest handling practices influence total content of carotenoids, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, antioxidant capacity, and organoleptic properties.
Botanical Name - Matricaria Chamomilla Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Flower General Information - Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is one of the important medicinal herb native to southern and eastern Europe. It is also grown in Germany, Hungary, France, Russia, Yugoslavia, and Brazil. It was introduced to India during the Mughal period, now it is grown in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir. The essential oil present in the flower heads contains azulene and is used in perfumery, cosmetic creams, hair preparations, skin lotions, tooth pastes, and also in fine liquors. The dry flowers of chamomile are also in great demand for use in herbal tea, baby massage oil, for promoting the gastric flow of secretion, and for the treatment of cough and cold. The use of herbal tea preparations eliminated colic in 57% infants. Because of its extensive pharmacological and pharmaceutical properties, the plant thus possesses great economic value and is in great demand in the European countries. Phytochemicals - German chamomile is a natural source of blue oil (essential oil). The flowers and flower heads are the main organs of the production of essential oil. It is remarkable that chamomile flower oil mainly consists of sesquiterpene derivatives (75- 90%) but only traces of monoterpenes. The oil contains up to 20% polyynes. The principal components of the essential oil extracted from the flowers are (E)-Ã?-farnesene (4.9- 8.1%), terpene alcohol (farnesol), chamazulene (2.3- 10.9%), -bisabolol (4.8 - 11.3%), and bisabolol oxides A (25.5 - 28.7%) and -bisabolol oxides B (12.2- 30.9%), which are known for their antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antiplogistic, and spasmolytic properties. Among the various major constituents, Ã?-bisabolol and chamazulene have been reported to be more useful than others. Chamazulene is an artifact formed from matricine, which is naturally present in the flowers during hydrodistillation or steam distillation. The color of the oil determines its quality. Blue color of the oil is due to sesquiterpene. The chamazulene content of the various chamomiles depends on the origin and age of the material. It decreases during the storage of the flowers.
Botanical Name - Moringa oleifera Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves, Pods General Information - Moringa oleifera is a perennial tree, still considered as among underutilized plant and falls under Moringa ceae family. The plant is also known as Drumstick, Sahjan or Sohanjana in India. All plant parts are having remarkable range of some functional and nutraceutical properties (Singh et al, 2012) make this plant diverse biomaterials for food and allied uses. The leaves, flowers and fruits of this plant are used in the preparation of several delicacies in Indian subcontinent. Associated with high nutritional value of its edible portions pave a way in making this plant more popular as an important food source in order to combat protein energy malnutrition problem prevailed in most of the under developed and developing countries of the world. Phytochemicals - All parts of the Moringa tree (leaves, seeds, roots and flowers) are suitable for human and animal consumption. The leaves, which are rich in protein, minerals, carotene and antioxidant compounds, are used not only for human and animal nutrition but also in traditional medicine. The seeds, instead, have attracted scientific interest as M. oleifera seed kernels contain a significant amount of oil (up to 40%) with a high-quality fatty acid composition (oleic acid > 70%) and, after refining, a notable resistance to oxidative degradation. The oil is known commercially as Ben oil or Behen oil. Its properties make it suitable for both human consumption and commercial purposes. Indeed, Moringa oil could be a good substitute for olive oil in the diet as well as for non-food applications, like biodiesel, cosmetics, and a lubricant for fine machinery. Moreover, after oil extraction, the seed cake can be used in waste water treatment as a natural coagulant or as an organic fertilizer to improve agricultural productivity.
Botanical Name - Mucuna prurita/Mucuna pruriens Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - The genus Mucuna, belonging to the Fabaceae family, sub family Papilionaceae, includes approximately 150 species of annual and perennial legumes. Among the various under-utilized wild legumes, the velvet bean Mucuna pruriens is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) is an established herbal drug used for the management of male infertility, nervous disorders, and also as an aphrodisiac. It has been shown that its seeds are potentially of substantial medicinal importance. The ancient Indian medical system, Ayurveda, traditionally used M. pruriens, even to treat such things as Parkinson's disease. M. pruriens has been shown to have anti-parkinson and neuroprotective effects, which may be related to its anti-oxidant activity. Phytochemicals - "Mucuna spp. have been reported to contain the toxic compounds L-dopa and hallucinogenic tryptamines, and anti-nutritional factors such as phenols and tannins . Due to the high concentrations of L-dopa (4 - 7%), velvet bean is a commercial source of this substance, used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The toxicity of unprocessed velvet bean may explain why the plant exhibits low susceptibility to insect pests. Velvet bean is well known for its nematicidic effects; it also reportedly possesses notable allelopathic activity, which may function to suppress competing plants. Despite its toxic properties, various species of Mucuna are grown as a minor food crop. Raw velvet bean seeds contain approximately 27% protein and are rich in minerals. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Mucuna was grown widely as a green vegetable in the foothills and lower hills of the eastern Himalayas and in Mauritius. Both the green pods and the mature beans were boiled and eaten. In Guatemala and Mexico, M. pruriens has for at least several decades been roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute; the seeds are widely known in the region as Nescafe in recognition of this use."
Botanical Name - Murraya koenigii Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng or its common name curry leaf tree is a small strong smelling perennial shrub commonly found in forests as undergrowth. It was originally cultivated in India for its aromatic leaves and for ornament is normally used for natural flavoring in curries and sauces. Originated in Tarai regions of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is now widely found in all parts of India and it adorns every house yard of southern India and also it is now cultivated and distributes throughout the world. Phytochemicals - This plant is known to be the richest source of carbazole alkaloids. It has been reported by authors that carbazole alkaloids present in M.koenigii (L.) Spreng and display various biological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-oxidative, anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory activities. The fresh leaves of Murraya koenigii contain 61.77- 66.2% of moisture, 2.1-12.5%of protein, 14.6-18.97% of total sugar, 9.7-13.06% of total ash, 1.35-1.82% of acid insoluble ash, 1.35-1.82% of alcohol soluble extractive and water extractive value ranges between 27.33-33.45%.
Botanical Name - Myristica fragrans Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae) commonly known as nutmeg is a well-knownaromatic evergreen tree found in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and South Africa. Nutmeg mace is well known all over the world as an important spice. Nutmeg has beenshown to possess analgesic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiinammatory as well as hepatoprotective activities. With regard to itsmedicinal and commercial value, the dried kernel (seed) and mace/aril are the most exploitedparts.
Botanical Name - Nigella Sativa Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Seeds of Nigella sativa (black cumin), a dicotyledonof the Ranunculaceae family, have been used for thousandsof years as a spice and food preservative. Black cumin is anannual herbaceous plant widely grown in the Mediterraneancountries, Middle East, Eastern Europe and Western Asia.The seeds have been added as a spice to a variety of Persianfoods such as bread, yogurt, pickles, sauces and salads. In the Middle East, NorthernAfrica and India, it has been used traditionally for centuriesfor the treatment of asthma, cough, bronchitis, headache,rheumatism, fever, influenza and eczema and for itsantihistaminic, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. Phytochemicals - The oil and the seed constituents, in particular thymoquinone (TQ), have shown potential medicinalproperties; they exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effectson several inflammation-based models including experi-mental encephalomyelitis, colitis, peritonitis, oedama,and arthritis through suppression of the inflammatory mediators prostaglandins and leukotriens. The oil and active ingredient of TQ showed beneficial immunomodulatory properties, augmenting the T cell andnatural killer cell-mediated immune responses. Most importantly, both the oil and its active ingredients expressed anti-microbial and anti-tumor properties toward different microbes and cancers. Coupling these beneficialeffects with its use in folk medicine, Nigella sativa seed isa promising source for active ingredients that would bewith potential therapeutic modalities in different clinicalsettings. More than 150 studies have been conducted andconfirmed the pharmacological effectiveness of igellasativa seed constituents. Though, Nigella sativa seed is acomplex substance of more than 100 compounds, some ofwhich have not yet been identified or studied.
Botanical Name - Pelargonium graveolens Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - "Commonly known as Geranium, Pelargonium graveolens, is an aromatic, perennial and flowering plant which belongs to Geraniaceae family in the order of Geraniales that contains about 230 genera and more than 2500 species4. Pelargonium species probably originates from South Africa and introduced to Europe in the 17th century and have since been hybridized all over the world5. Nowadays the major production of geranium takes place in China and Middle East especially in Egypt and Morocco6. Pelargonium genus has 750 species scattered widely around the world growing as annuals. P. graveolens has been known as â??Shamdani Atriâ?? in Iran. P. graveolens is a shrubby perennial plant growing to a height of 1 m if left unpruned. In the tropical areas it is grown as an annual. The leaves are lobed and contain essential oil. The plant has typical small, pink flowers. Leaves and stalks are the essential parts of this plant. The essential oil is extracted from fresh plant material mainly using steam distillation. P. graveolens essential oil is largely utilized in the perfumery, cosmetic and aromatherapy industries all over the world. It has since become indispensable aromatherapy oil. Geranium oil responds well to the balancing effects of constipation, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, anxiety, worry, high blood pressure, anger, frustration, emotional upsets, hypercholesterolemia, slow to lose weight and low metabolic forces. " Phytochemicals - "Many chemical constituents such as volatile substances, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, coumarins, cinnamic acids and tannins have been isolated from the plant. Citronellol (29.90%), trans-geraniol (18.03%), 10-epi-�³- eudesmol (8.27%), isomenthone (5.44%), linalool (5.13%), geranyl acetate (4.52%), �³- Cadinene (2.89%), geranyl butyrate (2.53%), geranyltiglate (2.50%) and gemacrene D (2.05%) were identified as the major constituents of the P. graveolens aerial parts essential oil. Phytochemical investigations in 1996 resulted in characterization of the indole alkaloids, elaeocarpidine, and its 20-H isomer epielaeocarpidine in the leaves of geranium. "
Botanical Name - Phyllanthus niruri/Phyllanthus amarus Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Phyllanthus species are being in constant used in traditional medications to cure an array of human diseases (constipation, inhalation related, arthritis, loss of appetite, injuries, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, running nose, common cold, malaria, blennorrhagia, colic, diabetes mellitus, dysentery, indigestion, fever, gout, gonorrheal diseases of males and females, skin itching, jaundice, hepatic disorders, leucorrhea, vaginitis, menstrual irregularities, obesity, stomach pains, and tumors), confectionaries, food industry, and in some pesticides. Phytochemicals - Phyllanthus species are rich in diversity of phytochemicals e.g., tannins, terpenes, alkaloids, glycosidic compounds, saponins, and flavones etc. More in depth studies are a direly needed to identify more compounds with specific cellular functions to treat various ailments.
Botanical Name - Piper nigrum Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Fruit General Information - Pepper (Piper nigrum) belongs to the family piperaceae and is known as the king of spices. It requires a specific temperature and rainfall for growth. The part used is small grapelike berries and dried parts and fruits of the perennial pepper plant. Capsicums, chili peppers, and paprika are also included in this category. The dissimilarity amongst them is not only due to their color, there are also wide differences in their botanic names and attributes. Contrary to other peppers, red pepper can be used fresh, ground, or in powdered form. The dried pepper is washed to eliminate stalks, peels, and stem heads. The white pepper is the product obtained from berries that are fully ripened. Phytochemicals- Piper nigrum (black pepper) is widely used in food industry due to its content of antioxidant and antimicrobial terpenoids (-pinene, pinene, 3-carene, limonene, terpinene-4-ol, p-cymene) and alkaloids (piperine and related compounds).
Botanical Name - Plectranthus Amboinicus Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour) Spreng belongs to family Lamiaceae, known as country borage in English. It is large succulent aromatic perennial herb, shrubby below, hispidly villous or tomentose. It is found throughout India, Ceylon and Moluccas. The leaves of the plant are bitter, acrid and were being widely used traditionally for various purposes. The plant has been worked out very well and isolated several chemical constituents and had shown various biological properties. Phytochemicals - CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS includes Butylaniside, -caryophyllene, carvacrol, 1-8-cineole, p-cymene, ethylsalicylate, eugenol, limonene, myrcene, and -pinenes, -selenene, -terpinene, terpinen-4-ol, thymol, verbenone (essential oil), apigenin, chrysoeriol, 5,4-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-flavone (cirsimaritin), eriodictyol, 6-methoxy-genkawanin, luteolin, quercetin, salvigenin, taxifolin, oxaloacetic acid, crategolic, euscaphic, 2 -3 -dihydro-olean-12-en-28-oic, pomolic, oleanolic, tormentic, 2 ,3 ,19 ,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic, ursolic acids, -sitosterol- -D-glucoside isolated from the leaves.
Botanical Name - Plectranthus Amboinicus Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour) Spreng belongs to family Lamiaceae, known as country borage in English. It is large succulent aromatic perennial herb, shrubby below, hispidly villous or tomentose. It is found throughout India, Ceylon and Moluccas. The leaves of the plant are bitter, acrid and were being widely used traditionally for various purposes. The plant has been worked out very well and isolated several chemical constituents and had shown various biological properties. Phytochemicals - CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS includes Butylaniside, -caryophyllene, carvacrol, 1-8-cineole, p-cymene, ethylsalicylate, eugenol, limonene, myrcene, and -pinenes, -selenene, -terpinene, terpinen-4-ol, thymol, verbenone (essential oil), apigenin, chrysoeriol, 5,4-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-flavone (cirsimaritin), eriodictyol, 6-methoxy-genkawanin, luteolin, quercetin, salvigenin, taxifolin, oxaloacetic acid, crategolic, euscaphic, 2 -3 -dihydro-olean-12-en-28-oic, pomolic, oleanolic, tormentic, 2 ,3 ,19 ,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic, ursolic acids, -sitosterol- -D-glucoside isolated from the leaves.
Botanical Name - Punica granatum Category - Super Food Form - Dry Part Used - Seed General Information - Punica granatum (Pomegranate) is a small tree which measures between five and eight meters tall and mainly found India, China, USA and throughout the Mediterranean region. The Pg can be also divided into several anatomical compartments including seed, juice, peel, leaf, flower, bark, and root with each possessing interesting pharmacological and toxicological activities.
Botanical Name - Rauwolfia serpentina Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves, Roots General Information - Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina), also spelled ravolphia, is a medicinal shrub in the milkweed family. Its root is ground into a powder and packaged in this form or sold in tablets or capsules. It is a compound commonly used in Asian medicine, including traditional Ayurveda medicine native to India. Phytochemicals - Its active components are alkaloids and about 50 have been identified, although the primary psychoactive components appear to be reserpine, rescinnamine, and deserpidine. The primary effect of these alkaloids is the blockage of vesicular storage of monoamines, ultimately leading to greater degradation of these neurotransmitters by the MAO enzyme and an overall decrease in neuronal activity in monoamine pathways. Thus, the overall effect is inhibitory and sedative.
Botanical Name - Rheum emodi Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Roots, Rhizomes General Information - Rheum emodi or Himalayan rhubarb is a perennial herb belongs to family Polygonaceae. It has been used in various traditional systems as laxative, tonic, diuretic and to treat fever, cough, indigestion, menstrual disorder since antiquity. This paper consists of literature of Rheum emodi regarding its ethno botany, folkloric uses, chemical properties and pharmacological studies. Phytochemicals - The most common constituents of Rheum emodi are anthraquinone (rhein, chrysophanol, aloe-emodin, emodin, physcion, and their glycosides) and stilbene (picetannol, resveratrol and their glycosides). Studies have shown that Rheum emodi possess anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, antidyslipidemic, ant platelet, ant diabetic, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, immunoenhancing and nephroprotective activities. These studies raised the therapeutic efficacy of rhubarb in diverse ailments.
Botanical Name - Rosa Damascena Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Petals General Information - Rosa damascena mill L, commonly known as Damask rose. It is one of the most important species of Rosaceae family. Rosaceae are well- known ornamental plants and have been referred to as the king of flowers. At present time, over 200 rose species and more than 18000 cultivars form of the plant have been identified. Apart from the use of R. damascena as ornamental plants in parks, gardens, and houses, they are principally cultivated for using in perfume, medicine and food industry. However, R. damascena is mainly known for its perfuming effects. The rose water were scattered at weddings to ensure a happy marriage and are symbol of love and purity and are also used to aid meditation and prayer. Phytochemicals- Several components were isolated from flowers, petals and hips (seed-pot) of R. damascena including terpenes, glycosides, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. This plant contains carboxylic acid, myrcene, vitamin C, kaempferol and quarcetin. Flowers also contain a bitter principle, tanning matter, fatty oil and organic acids.
Botanical Name - Rosmarinus officinalis Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Leaves, Flowers, Twings General Information - Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemery-family Lamiaceae) is one of the oldest Mediterranean shrubs with powerful pungent aroma and dark green elongated leaves and white or purple flowers. The rosemary herb was used as a food seasoning and natural medicine for over a million years. The name Rosmarinus derives from the Latin term that translates to dew of the sea. Rosemary is a symbol of remembrance, since ancient Greece and Rome. Greeks used the herb to help their memory, to expel negativity by placing the sacred herb under the pillow, and to prevent nightmares. Dioscorides, Theophanus and Conrad Gesner, and ancient healers recognized the beneficial effects of rosemary in dealing with brain, liver, heart, and eye problems. According to legend, when Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus were fleeing to Egypt, Mary laid her cloak on a rosemary bush, and since that time, rosemary bush was called the Rose of Mary in honor of the Virgin Mary. Phytochemicals- R. officinalis leaves added to vinegar (marinade) make a great flavoring component in preparation of meat, shellfish, and vegetables. Rosemary plant is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and folate, as well as such important minerals like Ca, Mg, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and copper. Carnosic acid and carnosol (rosemary polyphenol) pose chemopreventive, antioxidant, and anticancer activities against prostate, skin, breast, leukemia, lung, urinary bladder, and colon cancers through genes that encode antioxidant phase II enzymes. As anti-inflammatory, carnosol has ability to reduce leukotrienes, inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, antagonize the intracellular Ca2 + mobilization, and inhibit the secretion of leukocyte elastase. Triterpenoid compound ursolic acid has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and even antidepressant effects.
Botanical Name - Rubia cordifolia Category - Cosmetic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Stem, Roots General Information - ubia cordifolia (Indian Madder) is growing most often near streams and rivers along the upper Ghats in evergreen forests up to 3750m above sea level. It is a perennial, prickly or scabrous, climbing herb belongs to rubiaceae. Leaves variable, arranged four in a whorl, cordate-ovate to ovate-lanceolate, base slightly cordate, petioles are quadrangular, sometimes prickly on the angles, glabrous and shining. Stipules are absent. Stems is slender, rough, four angled with sharp recurved prickles on the ridges, which are often many yards long, becoming slightly woody at the base. Flowers are in cymes, greenish white. Fruits are didymous or globose, smooth, shining and purplish black when ripe. In ancient world, manjistha is reputed as an efficient blood purifier and hence is extensively used against blood, skin and urinary diseases. The root is sweet, bitter, acrid, astringent, thermogenic, antidysenteric, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, anodyne, anthelmintic, antiseptic, constipating, diuretic, galacto-purifier, febrifuge, rejuvenating and tonic. It is useful in vitiated conditions of kapha, the body fluid principles relates to mucus and pitta, an energy principle which uses bile to direct digestion. In modern pharmacopoeia, the plant has been used to treat variety of ailments. The root extract has wide range of pharmacological properties thus used against ailments such as arthralgia, arthritis, cephalalgia, cough, diabetes, discolouration of the skin, dysmenorrhoea, emmenagogue, general debility, hemorrhoids, hepatopathy, intermittent fevers, jaundice, leucorrhoea, neuralgia, pectoral diseases, pharyngitis, ophthalmopathy, otopathy, splenopathy, strangury, slow healing of broken bones, tubercular conditions of the skin and mucous tissue, tuberculosis and urethrorrhoea. Besides, the roots are used for laxative, analgesic, rheumatism, dropsy, paralysis and intestinal ulcers. The dried stem is used in blood, skin and urinogenital disorders, dysentery, piles, ulcers, inflammations, erysipelas, skin diseases and rheumatism. The roots were used in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian system of medicine) medicine as a coloring agent in medicated oils. Root derived powder has been used in many Asian countries as a natural dye, for imparting shades of red, scarlet, brown and mauve to cotton and other fabrics.
Botanical Name - Trachyspermum ammi Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L. Sprague) is an annual aromatic and herbaceous plant of the family Apiaceae. It is an erect annual herb with a striate stem and originated in the eastern regions of Persia and India. Its fruits are small, and grayish-brown in color. Ajwain has several other common names in English, including carom, Ethiopian cumin, wild parsley, and bishop;s weed.