Medicinal Plants And Their Uses

What is Medicinal plant ? Medicinal plants are plants that have a recognized medical use. Their use ranges the production of mainstream pharmaceutical products to herbal medicine preparations. Herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of medical treatment in human history and could be considered one of the forerunners of the modern pharmaceutical trade.

CLASSIFICATION Based on morphology of plant’s organ. Root Bark Stem Leaves Flower Fruit Seeds All Parts

Basil

1. Basil Blood purifier Preventive against malaria & dengue fever Chewing Tulsi leaves relieves cold & flu Chewing 12 leaves of basil, twice a day prevent stress. The leaves are a nerve tonic & also sharpen memory. Essential oil extracted from Karpoora tulasi is mostly used for medicinal purposes and in herbal cosmetics, and is widely used in skin preparations and infections.

Uses of Tulasi : decoction of the leaves + honey + ginger Traditionally, tulasi is taken in many forms: as herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf or mixed with ghee. decoction of the leaves + honey + ginger effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold juice of basil leaves + honey (if taken regularly for 6 months) expel renal stone via the urinary tract.

Neem

2. NEEM Neem inhibits allergic reactions when applied externally or eaten. Neem leaves have also been used to treat skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, etc. Oral doses of neem leaf extracts reduced insulin requirements by between 30% and 50% for diabetes. Neem extracts give significant protection from discomfort and speed the healing of gastric problems Neem quickly kills external parasites and a neem decoction is safer and just as effective as standard treatments for head lice and scabies.

Uses of Neem: dried Neem leaves can be placed in cupboards to prevent insects eating the clothes and also while storing rice in tins. Neem leaves are dried and burnt in the tropical regions to keep away mosquitoes. Neem products are believed by Ayurvedic practitioners to be, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial and antiviral. Neem oil is also used for healthy hair, to improve liver function, detoxify the blood. Neem extracts have also been used in cosmetics, repellants soaps and lubricants.

Aloe Vera

3.Aloe Vera Green leaves contain aloe gel and a sticky yellow residue called latex. Aloe vera is good for hydrating, rejuvenating and toning for the skin. Also used for burn and wound healing. Take orally to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for a healthy heart. Aloe vera is used on facial tissues where it is promoted as a moisturiser and anti-irritant to reduce chafing of the nose. Cosmetic companies commonly add sap or other derivatives from Aloe vera to products such as makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, incense, shaving cream, or shampoos. The species is used widely in the traditional herbal medicine of many countries.  

Clove

4.Clove: Other uses of Clove are to : Cloves are used in the cuisine of Asian, African, and the Near and Middle East, lending flavour to meats, curries, and marinades, as well as complement to fruit such as apples, pears, or rhubarb. Other uses of Clove are to : Temporarily treat a toothache.  Relieve upper respiratory infections.  Reduce inflammation.  Treat scrapes and bruises.  Improve digestion Boost insulin function in the body. Clove oil is used in preparation of some toothpastes, laxative pills, and Clovacaine solution, which is a local aesthetic used in oral ulceration and inflammation.

MINT

5.Peppermint peppermint leaf tea is used for relief of an upset stomach. mint oils can actually dissolve gallstones It is imperative to maintain a low-fat diet, lose weight, and exercise regularly to help the peppermint oil work best. used as an appetite stimulant For a refreshing and cleansing facial wash .

Mint is also used as flavoring agent.

BHRINGARAJ

6.Bhringaraj the main herb for the hair care and cirrhosis works to rejuvenate kidneys and liver. As oil, it treats graying and balding, makes the hair darker, and promotes deep sleep. It also improves complexion. the root powder is used for treating hepatitis, enlarged spleen and skin disorders anti-inflammatory properties, the herb is also used for treating hyperacidity.

TURMERIC

7.TURMERIC stimulate digestion boost liver function Curcumin a means of reducing breast cancer risk among women When paired with vitamin D, curcumin may help protect against Alzheimer's disease curcumin can protect against liver damage.

GINGER

8. GINGER stomach-soothing effects easing post-surgery nausea and vomiting Sipping ginger tea can help calm an upset stomach, as well as ease congestion when you've got a cold. ginger extract may slow the growth of colorectal and ovarian cancer cells, useful in treating chronic inflammation because it partially inhibits two important enzymes that play a role in inflammation gone away -- cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase (LOX).

AMLA

9. AMLA To stimulate appetite (Use pickles and preserves made from the green fruits) For hemorrhage, diarrhea and dysentery Seed fried in ghee and ground in conjee is applied as Lep to the forehead to stop bleeding from the nose. For hiccup and for painful respiration Use juice or extract of the fruit combined with honey and pipli Due to vitamin C and polyphenols, is a antioxidant. Benefits heart, eyes, and brain

LAVENDER

10.LAVENDER using unsweetened tea as a hair rinse to help reduce hair loss and dandruff using the dried flowers in sleep and dream pillows, in potpourris, sachets and tucked in drawers to freshen clothing and repel moths putting a few drops of oil into warm bath water for a refreshing and relaxing treat the stems with the leaves stripped can be burned like an incense stick and can also be used in crafts such as basket weaving and making lavender wands A rub down of lavender oil before retiring to bed has been used to relieve night-time leg muscles spasms. A few drops of oil rubbed into the skin has been used traditionally to ease neuralgic pain. The straw – stems of dried lavender – have been burned in bundles as a deodorant and disinfectant in sick rooms.

BRAHMI

11.BRAHMI Anxiety (studies suggest as effective as benzodiazepine drugs), neuroses, irritability and insomnia associated with stress Study, poor memory and concentration, work-related mental fatigue Poor brain function after head trauma Asthma and bronchial spasm and/or inflammation posses anticancer activity

Lemon grass

12.Lemon Grass Lemon grass oil is distilled from leaves of Lemon grass. The oil has strong lemon-like odour, due to high percentage (over 75%) of citral in the oil, which is used as a basic raw material for synthesis  of ß-ionones used for synthesis of a number of useful aromatic compounds and Vitamin - A. Lemon grass oil is thus used as a main substitute for ‘Cod liver oil’. Citral itself is used in perfumery for various grades of soaps, detergents, cosmetics, insect repellents, room freshners, ayurvedic preparations and flavour agent for soft drinks

HENA

13. Henna/Mehdi Henna is effectively used in the treatment of rheumatic and arthritic pains. The bark of the plant is quite effective in the treatment of dysentery. The bark is used in treating several liver disorders and jaundice. Paste of flower mixed with vinegar is quite reliving in case of headache. Henna leaf is very useful in promoting hair growth. A henna leaf boiled with mustard oil is applied in the hairs to stimulate the growth. Henna leaves are quite useful in the treatment of various skin disorders like skin burns, boils, eczema, scabies, fungal infections and vitiligo. Henna is also used for the treatment of inflammation, bruises and leprosy. The oil of the fruits is used traditionally to treat the disorders of liver and diaphragm. The leaves are known for the treatment of typhoid and hemorrhages. It is also useful in sore throat.

Eucalyptus

14.Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus oil : Honey: Eucalyptus oil is readily steam distilled from the leaves and can be used for cleaning and as an industrial solvent, as an antiseptic, for deodorising, and in very small quantities in food supplements, especially sweets, cough drops, toothpaste, decongestants and mosquito repellents. Honey: The nectar of some eucalypts produces high-quality monofloral honey.

Benefits They cost less – the rising cost of prescription drugs have led the people to look for alternatives. While medicinal herbs may not be as strong or as fast acting as conventional medicine, there is a growing body of scientific evidence that shows their efficacy and in what doses. They may have fewer side effects: while the side effects of any herbal medication depend on the drug in question, many have fewer side effects than conventional medicine. For example, St. John’s Wort, which is used for mild to moderate depression, has fewer side effects than most other prescriptive antidepressants. There is a choice on how to use them – medicinal herbs can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the kind of herb that is to be used. Some herbs can be mixed with food. Some can be made into tea, and there are some that are available in capsule or tablet form. They are good for more than one condition – most prescriptive drugs are designed for one specific health problem. By contrast, many herbal medicine act on several parts of the body at once. For example Ginko (Ginko biloba) is good for circulatory disorders, but it also helps enhance memory. 

FACTS With the growing interest in health and wellness, alternative medicines are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Increasing prices of prescription medicine, herbal medicines are often cheaper than their conventional medicine counterparts. In addition, a growing body of scientific research shows that herbal medicines can be highly effective for certain diseases and conditions. Moreover, as research in this area increases, the optimum doses for herbal medicines are known to ever greater accuracy.