Botanical Name - Pterocarpus santalinus Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Bark General Information - Pterocarpus santalinus Linn.f., commonly known as Red sanders, belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to India and considered globally endangered, with illegal harvest being a key threat. The plant is renowned for its characteristic timber of exquisite color, beauty, and superlative technical qualities. The red wood yields a natural dye santalin, which is used in coloring pharmaceutical preparations and foodstuffs. In the traditional system of medicine, the decoction prepared from the heartwood is attributed various medicinal properties. It has been used in inducing vomiting and treating eye diseases, mental aberrations, and ulcers. The heartwood of Red sanders is known to have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, tonic, hemorrhage, dysentery, aphrodisiac, and diaphoretic activities. It has also been used as a cooling agent. Ethanol extract of stem bark was reported to possess anti-hyperglycaemic activity. The wood in combination with other drugs is also prescribed for snake bites and scorpion stings. hytochemicals- Phytochemical investigations of aqueous and ethanol extracts of stem bark revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, saponins, glycosides, flavonoides, triterpenoides, sterols, and tannins. The heart wood contains isoflavone glucosides and two anti-tumour lignans, viz., savinin and calocedrin.
Botanical Name - Pterocarpus santalinus Category - Aromatic/Medicinal orm - Dry Part Used - Heartwood General Information - Pterocarpus santalinus Linn.f., commonly known as Red sanders, belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to India and considered globally endangered, with illegal harvest being a key threat. The plant is renowned for its characteristic timber of exquisite color, beauty, and superlative technical qualities. The red wood yields a natural dye santalin, which is used in coloring pharmaceutical preparations and foodstuffs. In the traditional system of medicine, the decoction prepared from the heartwood is attributed various medicinal properties. It has been used in inducing vomiting and treating eye diseases, mental aberrations, and ulcers. The heartwood of Red sanders is known to have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, tonic, hemorrhage, dysentery, aphrodisiac, and diaphoretic activities. It has also been used as a cooling agent. Ethanol extract of stem bark was reported to possess anti-hyperglycaemic activity. The wood in combination with other drugs is also prescribed for snake bites and scorpion stings. Phytochemicals - Phytochemical investigations of aqueous and ethanol extracts of stem bark revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, saponins, glycosides, flavonoides, triterpenoides, sterols, and tannins. The heart wood contains isoflavone glucosides and two anti-tumour lignans, viz., savinin and calocedrin.
Botanical Name - Punica granatum Category - Medicinal Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Root, Bark, Fruits, Rind of the fruit, Flowers General Information -Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belongs to the Punicacea family. It is one of the important and commercial horticultural fruits which is generally very well adapted to the Mediterranean climate. It has been cultivated extensively in Iran, India and some parts in the U.S.A (California), China, Japan and Russia. Pomegranate fruits are consumed fresh or processed as juice, jellies syrup for industrial production. Different parts of its tree (leaves, fruits and bark skin) have been used traditionally for their medicinal properties and for other purposes such as in tanning. Phytochemicals - It is proved to have high antioxidant activity and good potency for cancer cprevention. The edible part of the fruit contains considerable amounts of acids, sugars, vitamins, polysaccharides, polyphenols and important minerals.
Botanical Name - Pterocarpus santalinus Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Heartwood General Information - Pterocarpus santalinus Linn.f., commonly known as Red sanders, belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to India and considered globally endangered, with illegal harvest being a key threat. The plant is renowned for its characteristic timber of exquisite color, beauty, and superlative technical qualities. The red wood yields a natural dye santalin, which is used in coloring pharmaceutical preparations and foodstuffs. In the traditional system of medicine, the decoction prepared from the heartwood is attributed various medicinal properties. It has been used in inducing vomiting and treating eye diseases, mental aberrations, and ulcers. The heartwood of Red sanders is known to have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, tonic, hemorrhage, dysentery, aphrodisiac, and diaphoretic activities. It has also been used as a cooling agent. Ethanol extract of stem bark was reported to possess anti-hyperglycaemic activity. The wood in combination with other drugs is also prescribed for snake bites and scorpion stings. Phytochemicals - Phytochemical investigations of aqueous and ethanol extracts of stem bark revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, saponins, glycosides, flavonoides, triterpenoides, sterols, and tannins. The heart wood contains isoflavone glucosides and two anti-tumour lignans, viz., savinin and calocedrin.
Botanical Name - Punica granatum Category - Medicinal Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Root, Bark, Fruits, Rind of the fruit, Flowers General Information - Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belongs to the Punicacea family. It is one of the important and commercial horticultural fruits which is generally very well adapted to the Mediterranean climate. It has been cultivated extensively in Iran, India and some parts in the U.S.A (California), China, Japan and Russia. Pomegranate fruits are consumed fresh or processed as juice, jellies syrup for industrial production. Different parts of its tree (leaves, fruits and bark skin) have been used traditionally for their medicinal properties and for other purposes such as in tanning. Phytochemicals - It is proved to have high antioxidant activity and good potency for cancer cprevention. The edible part of the fruit contains considerable amounts of acids, sugars, vitamins, polysaccharides, polyphenols and important minerals.
Botanical Name - Rock Salt(Sendha Namak) Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Salt General Information - Rock salt is a form of coarsely ground sodium chloride. Sodium chloride, or salt, is employed in many industries, as well as used in cooking. It helps set dyes in fabrics and is used in the process of producing detergent and soap as well as being used as grit on roads. Rock salt has a crystalline structure, is used as a desiccant and can also be used as an extinguishing agent. Phytochemicals - Rock salt is a sedimentary rock, which is classified as an evaporate. Naturally occurring rock salt is formed from the evaporation of inland seas. The rock salt contains the minerals found in that particular body of water; mostly sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sulfate. These are the major elements found in rock salt. All of these substances are highly soluble in water. Shale is also a sedimentary rock: however, it is classified as a clastic rock layer. Clastic sedimentary rocks are composed predominantly of broken pieces of older weathered and eroded rocks and are classified based on grain size, clastic and cementing material (matrix) composition, and texture. Shale is a fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock composed of mud that is a mix of flakes of clay minerals and tiny fragments (silt-sized particles) of other minerals, especially quartz and calcite. Many of the minerals that make up shale are insoluble in water. Marcellus Shale is black shale, which is dark, thinly laminated carbonaceous shale, exceptionally rich in organic matter and sulfide and often containing unusual concentrations of certain trace elements such as uranium, vanadium, copper, and nickel.
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 â??dew of the sea.â?? 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 - Santalum album Category - Aromatic Form - Dry Part Used - Heartwood General Information -"Sandalwood (Santalum album) Sandalwood is a precious plant grown in India that yields fragrant sandalwood oil, which was among the first few items traded to Middle East and other countries. Sandalwood oil is an excellent base and fixative for other high-grade perfumes and, by itself, is an excellent, mild, long-lasting, and sweet perfume. There are several hundred products that use sandalwood and its oil. Sandalwood has antipyretic, antiseptic, antiscabetic, and diuretic properties. It is also effective in treatment of bronchitis, cystitis, dysuria, and diseases of the urinary tract." Phytochemicals - The main ingredient of sandalwood oil is santalol that has many therapeutic properties. Sandalwood oil has been used in Indian Ayurvedic system for centuries. It is renowned for its sublime, aphrodisiac, diuretic, and urinary antiseptic properties. It has been found to help remove negative programming from the cells and increases oxygen around the pituitary and pineal glands. Santalol and santalol and santenone are main constituents of the sandalwood oil.
Botanical Name - Sesamum indicum Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is herbaceous annual plant belonging to the Pedaliaceae family. Sesame seed is also known as benniseed (Africa), benne (Southern United States), gingelly (India), gengelin (Brazil), sim-sim, semsem (Hebrew) and tila (Sanskrit). It is one of the worldâ??s important and oldest oilseed crops and has been used extensively for thousands of years as a seed of worldwide significance for edible oil, paste, cake, confectionary purposes and flour due to its highly stable oil contents, nutritious protein (rich in methionine, tryptophan and valine) and savory nutty roasted flavor. Phytochemicals- S. indicum contained significant amounts of flavonoids while the seeds possessed the highest flavonoids levels. Flavonoids belong to a group of polyphenolics compounds. Polyphenols are plant compounds with a high level of antioxidant activity. This activity is due to their ability to ad-sorb, neutralize and quench free radicals. The high content of flavonoids in this plant (4.98-16.12%) might be responsible for its usefulness as a food and herbal drug. Phenols are known as important plant constituents that protect plants from oxidant damage due to their hydroxyl group. The levels of phenol contents in all the parts of S. indicum (0.13-0.016%) were very low.
Botanical Name - Sesamum indicum Category - Super Food Form - Dry Part Used - Seed General Information - Sesamum indicum L., commonly known internationally as sesame, is one of the oldest oilseed crops. Worldwide, it is used for its nutritional, medicinal, and industrial purposes. It is called â??sesameâ?? internationally, while it is called benni seed in West Africa; simsim in East Africa and Till in India. Sesame is the seed of Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae). The seeds are yellowish white, brown, or gray to black, flat pyriform (2.5 - 3.5 mm by 1.2 - 2 mm by 1 mm), and finely punctate, with four delicate, longitudinal ridges at the edges of the flat faces.
Botanical Name - Vitex negundo Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Whole Plant General Information - Vitex negundo Linn., belonging to family Verbenaceae (which comprises 75 genera and nearly 2500 spe-cies), commonly known as Five leaved chaste tree (Eng), Nirgandi (Hindi), Nirgundi (San-skrit), is a deciduous shrub, occur in tropical to temperate region. The leaves have five leaflets in a palmately arrangement, which are lanceolate, 4 - 10 cm long, hairy beneathand pointed at both ends. The bluish purple flowers are numerous. The fruit is succulent, black and rounded when ripehaving about 4 mm in diameter. Vitex negundo (Linn.) is one of the common plants used in traditional medicine and reported to have variety of pharmacological activities. Although, all parts of V. negundo are used as medicine in theindigenous system of medicine, the leaves are the most potent for medicinal use. The decoction of leaves is used fortreatment of inflammation, eye-disease, toothache, leucoderma,enlargement of the spleen, ulcers, cancers, catarrhal fever,rheumatoid arthritis, gonorrhea, sinuses, scrofulous sores,bronchitis and as tonics, vermifuge, lactagogue, emmenag-ogue, antibacterial, antipyretic, antihistaminic, analgesic, in-secticidal, ovicidal, feeding deterrence, growth inhibition and morphogenetic agents. Phytochemicals - V. negundo have several types of compounds,such as volatile oils, lignans, flavonoids, iridoids, terpenes (triterpenes, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes), andsteroids.
Botanical Name - Trigonella foenum-graecum Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) belongs to the family fabaceae. Fenugreek is used both as a herb (the leaves) and as a spice (the seed). It is cultivated world wide as semi-arid crop. In Sudan the seeds have many uses especially in folk medicine. Whole seeds are swallowed as antiacid and against dysentery and stomach disturbances. Also a special porridage (madidat-hilba) is made from wheat flour to which whole or ground fenugreek seeds are added for fattening women. It is also used by lactating women in a form of thin porridge. Seeds of fenugreek spice have medicinal properties such as hypocholesterolemic, lactation aid, antibacterial, gastric stimulant, for anorexia, antidiabetic agent, galactogogue, hepatoprotective effect and anticancer. Phytochemicals- Fenugreek contains a number of chemical constituents including steroidal sapogenins. Diosgenin component has been found in the oily embryo of fenugreek. There are two furastanol glycosides, F-ring opened precursors of diosgenin that have been reported in fenugreek also as hederagin glycosides. Alkaloids such as trigocoumarin, nicotinic acid, trimethyl coumarin and trigonelline are present in stem.
Botanical Name - Tribulus terrestris Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Fruit General Information - Tribulus terrestris (family Zygophyllaceae), commonly known as Gokshur or Gokharu or puncture vine, has been used for a long time in both the Indian and Chinese systems of medicine for treatment of various kinds of diseases. It has diuretic, aphrodisiac, antiurolithic, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, absorption enhancing, hypolipidemic, cardiotonic, central nervous system, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, anticancer, antibacterial, anthelmintic, larvicidal, and anticariogenic activities. Phytochemicals - Tribulus terrestris's various parts contain a variety of chemical constituents which are medicinally important, such as flavonoids, flavonol glycosides, steroidal saponins, and alkaloids.
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 bishopâ??s weed. Phytochemicals - Trachyspermum ammi (L.)commonly known as ajwain or caraway is native to Egypt and widely grown all over Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The seeds of T. ammi (L.) are widely used in India and eastern Asia, both in diet and in traditional medicine. They contain fiber (11.9%), carbohydrates (38.6%), tannins, glycosides, moisture (8.9%), protein (15.4%), fat (18.1%), saponins, flavone, and mineral matter (7.1%). Essential oil prepared from seeds contains thymol (50 - 60%), -terpinene, and p-cymene, along with and pinenes, -thujen, myrcene, 1,8-cineole, and carvacrol.
Botanical Name - Aconitum heterophyllum Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Roots and Seeds General Information - Aconitum Heterophyllum (A. Heterophyllum) is an indigenous medicinal plant of India and belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. A. Heterophyllum is known to possess a number of therapeutic effects. For very ancient times, this plant has been used in some formulations in the traditional healing system of India, i.e., Ayurveda. It is reported to have use in treating patients with urinary infections, diarrhea, and inflammation. Phytochemicals - Aconitum Heterophyllum having Chemical constituents like 12-secohetisan-2-ol, N-succinoylanthranilate, Atesinol 6-benzoylheterastine, N-diethyl-N-formyllaconitine, Methyl aconitine. Aconitine, Anthorine
Botanical Name - Acorus calamus Category - Medicinal Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Tuberous rhizomes General Information - Acorus calamus, a semiaquatic herb with creeping rhizomes, shows diverse pharmacological properties including antibacterial, insecticidal, antiulcerative, etc. It is a very potent adaptogenic drug. Phytochemicals- bioactive compounds present in Acorus calamus are flavonoid, monoterpene, quinone, sesquiterpene, and phenylpropanoid
Botanical Name - Allium cepa Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Bulb General Information - The onion (Allium cepa L., from Latin cepa "onion"), also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is a vegetable that is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. Its close relatives include the garlic, scallion, shallot, leek, chive and Chinese onion. Onions are cultivated and used around the world. As a food item, they are usually served cooked, as a vegetable or part of a prepared savoury dish, but can also be eaten raw or used to make pickles or chutneys. They are pungent when chopped and contain certain chemical substances which irritate the eyes. Phytochemicals- "Considerable differences exist between onion varieties in phytochemical content, particularly for polyphenols, with shallots having the highest level, six times the amount found in Vidalia onions. Yellow onions have the highest total flavonoid content, an amount 11 times higher than in white onions. Red onions have considerable content of anthocyanin pigments, with at least 25 different compounds identified representing 10% of total flavonoid content. Onion polyphenols are under basic research to determine their possible biological properties in humans. Some people suffer from allergic reactions after handling onions. Symptoms can include contact dermatitis, intense itching, rhinoconjunctivitis, blurred vision, bronchial asthma, sweating, and anaphylaxis. Allergic reactions may not occur when eating cooked onions, possibly due to the denaturing of the proteins from cooking."
Botanical Name - Aloe barbadensis Category - Medicinal Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - The Aloe vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties. The name Aloe vera derives from the Arabic word Alloeh meaning shining bitter substance, while vera in Latin means true. 2000 years ago, the Greek scientists regarded Aloe vera as the universal panacea. The Egyptians called Aloe the plant of immortality. Today, the Aloe vera plant has been used for various purposes in dermatology. The botanical name of Aloe vera is Aloe barbadensis miller. It belongs to Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) family, and is a shrubby or arborescent, perennial, xerophytic, succulent, pea- green color plant. It grows mainly in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe and America. In India, it is found in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Phytochemicals- Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids. The plant has triangular, fleshy leaves with serrated edges, yellow tubular flowers and fruits that contain numerous seeds. Each leaf is composed of three layers: 1) An inner clear gel that contains 99% water and rest is made of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins. 2) The middle layer of latex which is the bitter yellow sap and contains anthraquinones and glycosides. 3) The outer thick layer of 15 - 20 cells called as rind which has protective function and synthesizes carbohydrates and proteins.
Acacia Arabica is one of the species that has been effectively utilized in folk medicine. The bark, root, gum, leaves and flowers have found use for skin diseases, diarrhea, dysentery, cough, diabetes, eczema, wound healing, burning sensation and as an astringent, demulcent, anti-asthmatic. The tender twinges are used as toothbrushes.