Botanical Name - Beta vulgaris Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Tuberous rhizomes General Information - Beta vulgaris (beet) is a plant which is included in the subfamily Betoideae of the family Amaranthaceae. It is the economically most important crop of the large order Caryophyllales.[2] It has several cultivar groups: the sugar beet, of greatest importance to produce table sugar; the root vegetable known as the beetroot or garden beet; the leaf vegetable known as chard or spinach beet; and mangelwurzel, which is a fodder crop. Three subspecies are typically recognised. All cultivars fall into the subspecies Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris. The wild ancestor of the cultivated beets is the sea beet Phytochemicals - Red beetroot (Beta vulgaris), as a naturally occurring root vegetable and a rich source of phytochemicals and bioactive compounds, is known for its beneficial roles in the improvement of several clinical and pathologic outcome. Chronic and acute beetroot juice supplementation, as a cost-effective strategy, is proposed to hold promises in controlling diabetes and insulin hemostasis, blood pressure and vascular function, renal health and the possible effect on microbiome abundance. The secondary outcome and physiological response of microbiome abundance modulation included the non- significant fluctuation of systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Also, some studies have suggested a reno-protective property of beetroot juice that is associated with the reduction of mortality rate and favorable changes in kidneys functional parameters among patients with renal disorders.
Botanical Name - Eclipta alba/Eclipta prostrata Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Whole Plant General Information - Eclipta alba (L.) is an annual herbaceous plant, commonly known as false daisy. It is an erect or prostrate, much branched, roughly hairy, annual, rooting at the nodes; the leaves are opposite, sessile and lanceolate. Belonging to family Asteraceae. it is also known as Bhringaraj and Karisilakanni, which is found a common weed throughout India ascending up to 6000 ft. The genus name comes from the Greek word meaning "Deficient," with reference to the absence of the bristles and awns on the fruits. The specific Eclipta alba means white which refers to the color of the flowers. Main active principles consist of coumestans like wedelolactone, desmethylwedelolactone43, furanocoumarins, oleanane & taraxastane glycosides Phytochemicals - Eclipta alba (L.) contains wide range of active principles which includes coumestans, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, polyacetylenes, triterpenoids. The leaves contain stigmasterol, a-terthienylmethanol, wedelolactone, demethylwedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone-7-glucoside. The roots give hentriacontanol and heptacosanol. The roots contain polyacetylene substituted thiophenes.The aerial part is reported to contain a phytosterol, P-amyrin in the n-hexane extract and luteolin-7-glucoside, P-glucoside of phytosterol, a glucoside of a triterpenic acid and wedelolactone in polar solvent extract. The polypeptides isolated from the plant yield cystine, glutamic acid, phenyl alanine, tyrosine and methionine on hydrolysis.
Botanical Name - Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Flower General Information - Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, the probable origin of the plant was tropical Asia, It was cultivation in China, Japan and the Pacific islands for an equally long time, it was generally thought that it was originated in South China. The plant with deep-red flowers is believed to have an Asian origin, hence the name rosa-sinensis meaning 'rose of China. Now it is widely cultivated. In medicine, the red flowered variety was preferred. Roots and leaves, were anodyne and emmenagogue. They were used to regulate menstruation and stimulate blood circulation. Leaves were also used as abortifacient and to stimulate expulsion of placenta after childbirth. Flower were used for regulation of menstrual cycle, for liver disorders, high blood pressure as antitussive, in stomach pain, for eye problems, as abortifacient and as an aphrodisiac. Young leaves and flowers were used in headache. Decoction of leaves, root and fruits were helpful in treatments of arthritis, boils and coughs. Fruits were employed externally in cases of sprains, wounds and ulcers. The flowers have been reported in the ancient Indian medicinal literature with beneficial effects in heart diseases. They were refrigerant, emollient, demulcent, aphrodisiac and emmenagogue. Petals were used to stimulate thicker hair growth and to prevent premature graying, hair loss and scalp disorders. It considered as a natural emollient hair conditioner and was used in hair washes, treatments and vinegar rinses for the hair. Phytochemicals - Quantitative phytochemical evaluation of the flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis revealed that the amount of flavonoids was 0.171 mg/g, total phenolics 0.092 mg/g, tannins 0.073 mg/g, carbohydrates 0.356 mg/g, protein 0.247 mg/g, thiamine 0.072 mg/g, niacin 0.075 mg/g, ascorbic acid 0.0339 mg/g, riboflavin 0.087 mg/g, calcium 0.0127%, phosphorus 0.4113% and iron 0.771%. The flower extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Red) contained 0.678±0.14% phenols, 0.51±0.16 % alkaloids and 7.5±0.20 % tannins. While , the flower extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (White) contained 0.680±0.11% phenols, 0.50±0.18 % alkaloids and 8.9±0.21 % tannins, and the flower extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Yellow) contained 0.678±0.16% phenols, 0.48±0.16 % alkaloids and 8.5±0.20% tannins.
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)-�²-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,-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 - Mentha spicata Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves, Stem General Information - Mentha spicata, spearmint is a hybrid commercially cultivated aromatic plant, characterized by high amount essential oil, but it is still wild species. Leaf of wild growing flowering plants of Mentha spicata L. during flowering stage. The leaves of Mentha spicata were shade dried (15 days) at room temperature. Air-dried leaf of Mentha spicata were submitted to hydrodistillation. Phytochemicals- The most abundant compound in M. spicata essential oil is carvone that gives to essential oil distinctive smell. Both groupes of supstances possess powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The essential oil of M. spicata is used as a flavoring in the perfume production, food and pharmaceutical industry. In addition, essential oil of spearmint shows strong antifungal, fumigant and antioxidant activity
Botanical Name - Ocimum americanum Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum), Ocimum gratissimum (O. gratissimum) and Ocimum sanctum (O. sanctum), commonly known as holy basil, clove basil (wild basil/East India basil) and sweet basil, respectively, are frequently cultivated in several countries of East Asia, Europe, America and Australia for the production of essential oils. Ocimum americanum (O. americanum) formerly known as Ocimum canum (O. canum), includes wild species in India, but is cultivated in Indonesia for its essential oil for commercial purposes. Ocimum kilimandscharicum (O. kilimandscharicum), a variety species of O. basilicum, commonly called African blue basil is known for its camphor like scent of its essential oil. Similarly, Ocimum minimum and Ocimum citriodorum also include variety species of O. basilicum popular in Indonesia, Mexico and Africa for their naturally occurring essential oils as in perfumery and cosmetic applications. Likewise, Ocimum tenuiflorum (O. tenuiflorum) includes variety species of O. sanctum. Traditionally, these Ocimum species have been extensively utilized in food and perfumery industries. The aerial parts of the plants are considered as antispasmodic, stomachic and carminative in native medicine Phytochemicals - Ocimum plant part are complex mixtures of natural organic compounds which are predominantly composed of terpenic hydrocarbons (myrecene, pinene, terpinene, limonene, p-cymene, �?�±- and �?�²- phellandrene) and terpenoids (oxygen containing hydrocarbons) like acyclic monoterpene alcohols (geraniol, linalool), monocyclic alcohols (menthol, 4-carvomenthol, terpineol, carveol, borneol), aliphatic aldehydes (citral, citronellal, perillaldehyde), aromatic phenols (carvacrol, thymol, safrol, eugenol), bicyclic alcohol (verbenol), monocyclic ketones (menthone, pulegone, carvone), bicyclic monoterpenic ketones (thujone, verbenone, fenchone), acids (citronellic acid, cinnamic acid) and esters (linalyl acetate).
Botanical Name - Ocimum basilicum Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum), Ocimum gratissimum (O. gratissimum) and Ocimum sanctum (O. sanctum), commonly known as holy basil, clove basil (wild basil/East India basil) and sweet basil, respectively, are frequently cultivated in several countries of East Asia, Europe, America and Australia for the production of essential oils. Ocimum americanum (O. americanum) formerly known as Ocimum canum (O. canum), includes wild species in India, but is cultivated in Indonesia for its essential oil for commercial purposes. Ocimum kilimandscharicum (O. kilimandscharicum), a variety species of O. basilicum, commonly called African blue basil is known for its camphor like scent of its essential oil. Similarly, Ocimum minimum and Ocimum citriodorum also include variety species of O. basilicum popular in Indonesia, Mexico and Africa for their naturally occurring essential oils as in perfumery and cosmetic applications. Likewise, Ocimum tenuiflorum (O. tenuiflorum) includes variety species of O. sanctum. Traditionally, these Ocimum species have been extensively utilized in food and perfumery industries. The aerial parts of the plants are considered as antispasmodic, stomachic and carminative in native medicine Phytochemicals - Ocimum plant part are complex mixtures of natural organic compounds which are predominantly composed of terpenic hydrocarbons (myrecene, pinene, terpinene, limonene, p-cymene, and phellandrene) and terpenoids (oxygen containing hydrocarbons) like acyclic monoterpene alcohols (geraniol, linalool), monocyclic alcohols (menthol, 4-carvomenthol, terpineol, carveol, borneol), aliphatic aldehydes (citral, citronellal, perillaldehyde), aromatic phenols (carvacrol, thymol, safrol, eugenol), bicyclic alcohol (verbenol), monocyclic ketones (menthone, pulegone, carvone), bicyclic monoterpenic ketones (thujone, verbenone, fenchone), acids (citronellic acid, cinnamic acid) and esters (linalyl acetate).
Botanical Name - Picrorhiza kurroa Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Roots, Rhizomes General Information - Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. commonly known as Kutki, belongs to family Scrophulariaceae. It is found in the Himalayan regions of China, Pakistan, India, Bhutan and Nepal. It is considered as an important medicinal plant which is mostly used in the traditional medicinal system for asthama, jaundice, fever, malaria, snake bite and liver disorders Different pharmacological activities of P. kurroa include anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-mutagenic, cardio-protective, hepato-protective, anti-malarial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and nephro-protective activities were recorded from this plant. Phytochemicals - P. kurroa include anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-mutagenic, cardio-protective, hepato-protective, anti-malarial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and nephro-protective activities were recorded from this plant.
Botanical Name - Ocimum gratissimum Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum), Ocimum gratissimum (O. gratissimum) and Ocimum sanctum (O. sanctum), commonly known as holy basil, clove basil (wild basil/East India basil) and sweet basil, respectively, are frequently cultivated in several countries of East Asia, Europe, America and Australia for the production of essential oils. Ocimum americanum (O. americanum) formerly known as Ocimum canum (O. canum), includes wild species in India, but is cultivated in Indonesia for its essential oil for commercial purposes. Ocimum kilimandscharicum (O. kilimandscharicum), a variety species of O. basilicum, commonly called African blue basil is known for its camphor like scent of its essential oil. Similarly, Ocimum minimum and Ocimum citriodorum also include variety species of O. basilicum popular in Indonesia, Mexico and Africa for their naturally occurring essential oils as in perfumery and cosmetic applications. Likewise, Ocimum tenuiflorum (O. tenuiflorum) includes variety species of O. sanctum. Traditionally, these Ocimum species have been extensively utilized in food and perfumery industries. The aerial parts of the plants are considered as antispasmodic, stomachic and carminative in native medicine Phytochemicals - Ocimum plant part are complex mixtures of natural organic compounds which are predominantly composed of terpenic hydrocarbons (myrecene, pinene, terpinene, limonene, p-cymene, - and - phellandrene) and terpenoids (oxygen containing hydrocarbons) like acyclic monoterpene alcohols (geraniol, linalool), monocyclic alcohols (menthol, 4-carvomenthol, terpineol, carveol, borneol), aliphatic aldehydes (citral, citronellal, perillaldehyde), aromatic phenols (carvacrol, thymol, safrol, eugenol), bicyclic alcohol (verbenol), monocyclic ketones (menthone, pulegone, carvone), bicyclic monoterpenic ketones (thujone, verbenone, fenchone), acids (citronellic acid, cinnamic acid) and esters (linalyl acetate).
Botanical Name - Ocimum sanctum/Ocimum tenuiflorum Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum), Ocimum gratissimum (O. gratissimum) and Ocimum sanctum (O. sanctum), commonly known as holy basil, clove basil (wild basil/East India basil) and sweet basil, respectively, are frequently cultivated in several countries of East Asia, Europe, America and Australia for the production of essential oils. Ocimum americanum (O. americanum) formerly known as Ocimum canum (O. canum), includes wild species in India, but is cultivated in Indonesia for its essential oil for commercial purposes. Ocimum kilimandscharicum (O. kilimandscharicum), a variety species of O. basilicum, commonly called African blue basil is known for its camphor like scent of its essential oil. Similarly, Ocimum minimum and Ocimum citriodorum also include variety species of O. basilicum popular in Indonesia, Mexico and Africa for their naturally occurring essential oils as in perfumery and cosmetic applications. Likewise, Ocimum tenuiflorum (O. tenuiflorum) includes variety species of O. sanctum. Traditionally, these Ocimum species have been extensively utilized in food and perfumery industries. The aerial parts of the plants are considered as antispasmodic, stomachic and carminative in native medicine Phytochemicals - Ocimum plant part are complex mixtures of natural organic compounds which are predominantly composed of terpenic hydrocarbons (myrecene, pinene, terpinene, limonene, p-cymene, �±- and �²- phellandrene) and terpenoids (oxygen containing hydrocarbons) like acyclic monoterpene alcohols (geraniol, linalool), monocyclic alcohols (menthol, 4-carvomenthol, terpineol, carveol, borneol), aliphatic aldehydes (citral, citronellal, perillaldehyde), aromatic phenols (carvacrol, thymol, safrol, eugenol), bicyclic alcohol (verbenol), monocyclic ketones (menthone, pulegone, carvone), bicyclic monoterpenic ketones (thujone, verbenone, fenchone), acids (citronellic acid, cinnamic acid) and esters (linalyl acetate).
Botanical Name - Aquilaria agallocha Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Heart Wood General Information - "This plant is a large evergreen tree about 20 meters tall and 1.5-2.4 meters in girth with somewhat straight and fluted bole. Leaves are alternate 0.5-10 cm by 2-5 cm, oblong, lanceolate or elliptic, caudate, acuminate and glabrous with slender nerves. Venation is parallel and petiole is 0.3-0.5 cm long. It is commercially used as fragrant and in prepation of drugs. The tree contains plenty of oleoresin and has irregular dark patches. The wood burns with a bright flame giving off pleasant smell. " Phytochemicals - The chemical constitutes of agarwood originating from the genus Aquilaria, include 2-(2-phenylethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives, terpenoids, flavonoids etc., in which 2-(2-phenylethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives and sesquiterpenes are the two predominant constituents in agarwood.
Botanical Name - Balanites aegyptica/Balanites roxburghii Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves, Seed, Bark, Fruit General Information - Balanites aegyptiaca Del., also known as Desert date in English, a member of the family Zygophyllaceae, is one of the most common but neglected wild plant species of the dry land areas of Africa and South Asia. This tree is native to much of Africa and parts of the Middle East. In India, it is particularly found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Deccan. This is one of the most common trees in Senegal. It can be found in many kinds of habitat, tolerating a wide variety of soil types, from sand to heavy clay, and climatic moisture levels Phytochemicals - "Leaves It contains saponin, furanocoumarin, and flavonoid namely quercetin 3-glucoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside; 3-glucoside, 3-rutinoside, 3-7-diglucoside and 3-rhamnogalactoside of isorhamnetin.[40,41] Fruit Mesocarp of fruit contains 1.2 to 1.5% protein and 35 to 37% sugars, 15% organic acids, other constituents like 3-rutinoside and 3-rhamnogalactoside,[42] diosgenin;[43] Root It is reported to contain steroidal saponin about 1% glycosides and major sapogenin is yamogenin"
Botanical Name - Boerhaavia diffusa Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Roots General Information - Boerhaavia diffusa, commonly known as punarnava in Sanskrit, is a herbaceous plant of the family Nyctaginaceae. The whole plant or its specific parts (leaves, stem, and roots) are known to have medicinal properties and have a long history of use by indigenous and tribal people in India. The medicinal value of this plant in the treatment of a large number of human ailments is mentioned in Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita, and Sushrita Samhita. It has many ethnobotanical uses (the leaves are used as vegetable; the root juice is used to cure asthma, urinary disorders, leukorrhea, rheumatism, and encephalitis), and is medicinally used in the traditional, Ayurvedic system. Besides, the B. diffusa plant is reported to posses many pharmacological, clinical, and antimicrobial properties. Phytochemicals- Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that punarnava possesses punarnavoside, which exhibits a wide range of properties â?? diuretic; anti-inflammatory; antifibrinolytic; anticonvulsant; antibacterial; antistress agent; antihepatotoxic; anthelmintic febrifuge, antileprosy, anti-asthmatic, antiscabies, and anti-urethritis; and antinematodal activity. An aqueous extract of thinner roots of B. diffusa at a dose of 2 ml kg-1 exhibited marked protection of various enzymes such as serum glutanicoxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutanic-pyruvic transaminase, and bilirubin in serum against hepatic injury in rats.
Botanical Name - Catharanthus roseus Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves, Flower General Information - Catharanthus roseus is a tropical hardy plant grown as a pot ornamental plant for its rosy or white flowers. It is popularly known as Madagascar periwinkle. It is small in size perennial herbaceous evergreen plant that was native to the Madagascar island. The plant has very good tolerance against heat, grows one or two feet high, have glossy, dark green leaves (1-2 inches long) and flowers even in the hot weather. The blooms of the natural wild plants are pale pink with a purple "eye" in their centers, but horticulturists have developed varieties with colors ranging from white to pink to purple. The plant has immense medicinal importance for its alkaloids. All parts of the plant including leaf, root, shoot and stem contains more than 200 alkaloids, which are used for therapeutic purposes against several diseases. The most important alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine are derived from leaves and they exhibits anti-cancer and anti-diabetic property. Another alkaloid rubacine derived from roots is used as hypotensive and anti-arrhythmic agent. Phytochemicals - A wide range of alkaloids has been discovered from C. roseus. More than 130 alkaloids of the indole and the dihydro-indole groups have been isolated and characterized from different plant organs. Vinblastin is very important alkaloid extracted from leaf part of C. roseus.
Botanical Name - Cymbopogon martinii Category - Aromatic Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Cymbopogon martinii is a species of grass in the genus Cymbopogon (lemongrasses) native to India and Indochina, but widely cultivated in many places for its aromatic oil.[3][4] It is best known by the common name palmarosa (palm rose) as it smells sweet and rose-like. Other common names include Indian geranium, gingergrass, rosha, and rosha grass. Phytochemicals - The essential oil of this plant, which contains the chemical compound geraniol, is valued for its scent and for a number of traditional medicinal and household uses. Palmarosa oil has been shown to be an effective insect repellent when applied to stored grain and beans, an antihelmintic against nematodes, and an antifungal and mosquito repellent.
Botanical Name - Eucalyptus citriodora/Corymbia citriodora Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - "The name Eucalyptus was coined by L. Fleritier, a French B otanist in tlie year 1789. Eucalyptus is formed by eu means well and kalyptus meaning I cover ; thus referring to the lid of operculum which seals the flower till it blooms. Eucalyptus was first introduced to India in the Naiidi hills of Karnataka by Tippu Sultan between 1782 to 1790. Later in 1843 its plantation was extended to the Nilgiri hills in southern India. Nearly 170 species have been tried in India out of which only five species, viz. E. tereticornis, E. ccmaldensis, E. grandis, E. citriodom , and E. globulus have received wide acceptance, E, citriodom is among the economically important species of eucalyptus available worldwide. Its main utility is in the perfume industry due to it's highest citronellal content (>70 % ). The wood o f the plant is also an important timber and firewood. " Phytochemicals - "The essentia! oil o f Eucalyptus is obtained by hydrodistillation o f the fresh leaves. It is colourless or pale-yellow liquid. It has an arom atic and cam phoraceous odour: a pungent, cam phoraceous taste followed by a sensation o f cold. T he yield o f oil varies from species to species, place to place and w ith the season. Eucalyptus oil can be classified under three m ain categories depending on the principal constituents present, viz: - 1) Medicinal oils or Cineol containing oils. 2) Perfum ery oils or Citronellal containing oils. 3 ) industrial oils or Phellandrene containing oils. The leaves o f E.cilriodora yield an essential oil (0.5-2.0) containing citronellal (65-80% ), citronellol (15-20 % ) and esters (W ealth o f India, 1952). O ils poor in citronellal are reported to contain guaicol. The Kino obtained from E. cilriodora contains 4H.2 % tannin. The chem ical com position o f the essential oils obtained from the leaves o f 12 species o f eucalyptus including E. citiodora growing in Eithiopia were exam ined by capillaryGC and CjC-MS. The oil of Cilriodora was found to l->e rich in citronellal (73.3 %), and citronellol (16.2 %). "
Botanical Name - Eucalyptus citriodora/Corymbia citriodora Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - "The name Eucalyptus was coined by L. Fleritier, a French B otanist in tlie year 1789. Eucalyptus is formed by eu means well and kalyptus meaning/ cover ; thus referring to the lid of operculum which seals the flower till it blooms. Eucalyptus was first introduced to India in the Naiidi hills of Karnataka by Tippu Sultan between 1782 to 1790. Later in 1843 its plantation was extended to the Nilgiri hills in southern India. Nearly 170 species have been tried in India out of which only five species, viz. E. tereticornis, E. ccmaldensis, E. grandis, E. citriodom , and E. globulus have received wide acceptance, E, citriodom is among the economically important species of eucalyptus available worldwide. Its main utility is in the perfume industry due to it's highest citronellal content (>70 % ). The wood o f the plant is also an important timber and firewood. Phytochemicals - "The essentia! oil o f Eucalyptus is obtained by hydrodistillation o f the fresh leaves. It is colourless or pale-yellow liquid. It has an arom atic and cam phoraceous odour: a pungent, cam phoraceous taste followed by a sensation of cold. T he yield o f oil varies from species to species, place to place and w ith the season. Eucalyptus oil can be classified under three m ain categories depending on the principal constituents present, viz: - 1) Medicinal oils or Cineol containing oils. 2) Perfum ery oils or Citronellal containing oils. 3 ) industrial oils or Phellandrene containing oils. The leaves o f E.cilriodora yield an essential oil (0.5-2.0) containing citronellal (65-80% ), citronellol (15-20 % ) and esters (W ealth o f India, 1952). O ils poor in citronellal are reported to contain guaicol. The Kino obtained from E. cilriodora contains 4H.2 % tannin. The chem ical com position o f the essential oils obtained from the leaves o f 12 species of eucalyptus including E. citiodora growing in Eithiopia were exam ined by capillaryGC and CjC-MS. The oil o f Cilriodora was found to l->e rich in citronellal (73.3 %), and citronellol (16.2 %). "
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 - 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 - 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.
