Calotropis gigantea (Blue variety)

Botanical name : Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R.Br. (Blue variety)
Family : Asclepiadeceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Arka, Sooryahvaya,Vasuka, Ksheeraparni, Alarka, Asphoda,

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha, Teekshna, Sara
Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Blue Madar
Hindi : Akavana, Aka, Mandara
Malayalam : Neela Erukku

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Perennial shrub, growing up to 2.5 meters with branches and sub branches. Leaves are simple, opposite and sub-sessile, ovate, and cordate at base. Plant contains latex almost in all parts. Flowers beautiful, lilac, in umbellate lateral cymes. Fruits are fleshy follicles, green; seeds attached with abundant white coma.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES :
Plant pacifies vitiated tridoshas, skin diseases, joint inflammations, snake poison, asthma and chest infections and rabies. It is a strong purgative drug.
USEFUL PART : Root, Latex, Flower and Leaves

Calotropis gigantea (White variety)

Botanical name : Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R.Br. (White variety)
Family : Asclepiadeceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Svetarka

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha, Teekshna, Sara
Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : White Madar
Hindi : Gauri akavana, Aka, Mandara
Malayalam : Vella Erukku

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Perennial shrub, growing up to 2.5 meters with branches and sub branches. Plant is slow growing compared to the blue variety. Leaves are simple, opposite and sub-sessile, ovate, and cordate at base. Plant contains latex almost in all parts. Flowers beautiful, white in color, in umbellate lateral cymes. Fruits are fleshy follicles, green; seeds attached with abundant white coma.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES :
Plant pacifies vitiated tridoshas, skin diseases, joint inflammations, snake poison, asthma and chest infections and rabies. The white variety madar is especially used for all types of poisoning. It is a strong purgative drug.
USEFUL PART : Root, Latex, Flower and Leaves

Camellia sinensis

Botanical name : Camellia sinensis (Linn.) O. Kuntze
Family : Theaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Syamaparni, Caha

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Tea plant
Hindi : Cay
Malayalam : Teyila

PLANT DESCRIPTION
An evergreen shrub or tree grows up to 15 meters in height. (60-150 cm in heitht owing to pruning during cultivation). Leaves are simple alternate, ovate-lanceolate, with serrate margins, usually glabrous, leathery. Flowers are white, fragrant, solitary or 2-4 together, fruits are capsule, slightly depressed, 3 cornered and 3 seeded.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, fatigue, gas trouble, urinary retention, nervine tension, migraine, piles, inflammations, fever and fatigue.
Useful part : Leaves.

Cassia fistula

Botanical name : Cassia fistula Linn.
Family : Caesalpiniaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Aragvadha, Kritamala, Rajavriksha, Chaturangulam, Deerkhaphala

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Madhura
Guna : Guru, Mrudu, Snigdha
Virya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Indian laburnum, Purging fistula
Hindi : Amaltas, Girimala
Malayalam : Konna, Kanikonna

Distribution – Throughout India in deciduous forests

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A medium sized deciduous tree grows up to 20 meters in height. Bark rough grayish; leaves pinnately compound, leaflets 4-8 pairs, ovate, acute, bright green above and silvery pubescent beneath; flowers bright yellow in lax pendulous recemes; fruits long cylindrical pods seeds broadly ovate, horizontally arranged in the sweetish pulp.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, constipation, burning sensation, leucorrhea, skin disease, fever, cough, bronchitis, inflammations and rheumatism.
Useful part : Whole plant.

Cassia senna

Botanical name: Cassia senna Linn
Family : Caesalpiniaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Svarnaparti, Hemapatri, Kalyani, Malaharini, Sonamukhi, Rechani

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta, Madhura
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha, Sara
Virya : Ushna
Prabhava : Rechana

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Indian senna,
Hindi : Sanay, Sana ka pat.
Malayalam : Sunnamukki.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A small shrub grows up to 70 cm height with erect or spreading branches. Leaves are paripinnate, leaflets are 5-8, ovate, lanceolate and glabrous. Flowers are recemes, yellow, arises from axils. Fruits are flat legumes, greenish brown or dark brown up to 7 cm long. Seeds are 5-7 per pods, dark brown and smooth.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
The plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, constipation, jaundice, dyspepsia, helminthiasis, cough, and bronchitis.
Useful part : Leaves.

Catharanthus roseus

Botanical name : Catharanthus roseus (Linn.) G.Don
Family : Apocynaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Nityakalyani.

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Periwinkle
Hindi : Sdabahar
Malayalam : Nithyakalyani, Shavakkottappacha, Ushamalari

PLANT DESCRIPTION
An erect annual herb grows up to a height of 1meter. Leaves deep green oblong or obovate, flowers in cymose, axillary clusters, deep rose or white in color, fruits cylindrical follicle.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, kapha, diabetes, hypertension, leukemia and malignancy, the root is stomachic and tonic.
Useful part : Whole plant

Centella asiatica

Botanical name : Centella asiatica Linn.
Family : Apiaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Mandookaparni, Manduki.

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Kashaya, Madhura
Guna : Lakhu, Sara
Virya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Indian pennywort
Hindi : Brahmamandooki, Bemgsag
Malayalam : Muthil, Kudangal

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A creeping perennial with rooted nodes; leaves simple, having long petioles, reniform or cordate in shape; flowers pink, small and sessile; fruits laterally compressed.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, insomnia, epilepsy, asthma, bronchitis, abdominal disorders, mental retardation, insanity and fever.
Useful part : The whole plant

Cissus Quadrangularis

Botanical Name : Cissus Quadrangularis Linn.
Family : Vitaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Asthisrinkhala, Vajravalli, Dharavalli, Chaturdhara, Vajralatha.

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Madhura, Kashaya
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha, Sara
Virya : Ushna
Vipaka : Katu.

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Edible stemmed vine, Bone setter
Hindi : Hadjod, Hadjora
Malayalam : Changalamparanda

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A tendril climber with stout fleshy quadrangular stem. Tendrils are opposite to leaves, long and simple. Leaves are alternate, simple, reniform and sometimes toothed. Flowers are short greenish in shortly peduncled cyme. Fruits are ovoid red berry. Sometimes Arial root arises from the nodes grow downwards and strike the soil and act as normal roots.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, piles, osteoporosis, anorexia and fracture.
Useful part : Plant as a whole

Clerodendrum serratum

Botanical name : Clerodendrum serratum (Linn.) Moon
Family : Verbenaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Brahmanayashtika, Kharashakha, Padma, Kasajith, Barbura

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasam : Tikta, Katu
Gunam : Lakhu, Rooksha
Viryam : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English :
Hindi : Bharangi
Malayalam : Cheruthekku

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A slightly woody shrub with bluntly quadrangular stems and branches, leaves usually three at a node, sometimes opposite oblong or elliptic, serrate; flowers blue, many in long cylindrical thyrsus; fruits 4 lobed purple durpe, somewhat succulent with one pyrene in each lobe.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, inflammations, anorexia, dyspepsia, flatulence, helminthiasis, cough, asthma, bronchitis, hiccough, chronic skin diseses, leucoderma, leprosy and fevers. The leaves can be used or external application in headache.
Useful part : Root and Leaves.

Clerodendrum viscosum

Botanical name : Clerodendrum viscosum (Linn.)
Family : Verbenaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Brahmanayashtika, Kharashakha, Padma, Kasajith, Barbura

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasam : Tikta, Katu
Gunam : Lakhu, Rooksha
Viryam : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English :
Hindi : Bharangi
Malayalam : Cheruthekku

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A slightly woody shrub with bluntly quadrangular stems and branches, leaves usually three at a node, sometimes opposite oblong or elliptic, serrate; flowers blue, many in long cylindrical thyrsus; fruits 4 lobed purple durpe, somewhat succulent with one pyrene in each lobe.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, inflammations, anorexia, dyspepsia, flatulence, helminthiasis, cough, asthma, bronchitis, hiccough, chronic skin diseses, leucoderma, leprosy and fevers. The leaves can be used or external application in headache.
Useful part : Root and Leaves.

Clitoria ternatea (Blue variety)

Botanical name : Clitoria ternatea Linn (Blue variety)
Family : Fabaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Sankapushpam, Aparajita, Girikarnika.

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Ushna
Prabhava: Medhya

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Blue Clitoria flower
Hindi : Aparajit
Malayalam : Neela Samkupushpam, Aral, Malayamukki.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A good looking perennial herb twinner. Leaves compound, imparipinnate, leaflets 5 – 7, sub coriaceous, elliptic-oblong, obtuse, flowers blue, solitary, axillary or in facicles, fruits nearly straight flattened pods. Seeds 6-10 smooth yellowish brown.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, migraine, skin diseases, bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, ascites, ulcers and fever, jaundice and skin diseases. Seeds are used in abdominal cramps. Promote intellect.
Useful part : Root, leaves, seeds

Clitoria ternatea

Botanical name : Clitoria ternatea Linn (White variety)
Family : Fabaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Sankapushpam, Aparajita, Girikarnika.

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tiktam
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Ushna
Prabhava : Medhya

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : White Clitoria flower
Hindi : Aparajit
Malayalam : Vella Samkupushpam, Aral, Malayamukki.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A good looking perennial herb twinner. Leaves compound, imparipinnate, leaflets 5 – 7, sub coriaceous, elliptic-oblong, obtuse, flowers white, solitary, axillary or in facicles, fruits nearly straight flattened pods. Seeds 6-10 smooth yellowish brown.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, migraine, skin diseases, bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, ascites, ulcers and fever, jaundice and skin diseases. Seeds are used in abdominal cramps. Promote intellect.
Useful part : Root, leaves, seeds

Coccinia grandis

Botanical name : Coccinia grandis (Linn.) Voigt
Family : Cucurbitaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Bimbi, Bimbika

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Kashaya, Madhura, Tikta
Guna : Guru
Virya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Ivy gourd
Hindi : Bimb, Kanturi
Malayalam : Kova, Koval

Distribution – Throughout India cultivated as well as growing wild.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A perennial tendril climber leaves deltoid or sub rotund, palmately lobed; flowers white and unisexual; fruits ovoid or oblong berries, bright scarlet red when ripe. Seeds ovoid, compressed and grey colored.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, constipation, burning sensation, leucorrhea, skin disease, fever, asthma, cough and jaundice.
Useful part : Root, Fruit, Leaves.

Coffea Arabica

Botanical name : Coffea Arabica Linn.
Family : Rubiaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Rajapeelu

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Coffee tree. Arabian coffee
Hindi : Caphi, Pilu
Malayalam : Kappi

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A glabrous large shrub with spreading branches. Leaves simple, opposite, stipulate, shiny, oblong, acuminate, flowers white, numerous, fragrant, found in leaf axils. Fruits are fleshy berries, purple when ripe, seeds concave, grooved vertically.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, migraine, fever gout, diarrhea, asthma, cough, and hysteria. It is a stimulant of nervous system.
Useful part : Seeds.

Coix lacryma-jobi

Botanical name : Coix lacryma-jobi Linn.
Family : Poaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Gavedhuka

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Madhura
Guna : Guru, Snigda
Virya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Job’s tears
Hindi : Gurlu, Samkru
Malayalam : Kattugotambu, Kakkappalunku.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
An erect perennial grass, grows up to 1.5 m in height. Leaves are linear-lenceolate, narrowed up from a broad cordate base, stout midrib, flowers found in recemes dropping from long peduncle carrying both male and female flowers. Fruits are ellipsoid of globose, smooth hard tear shaped grains.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, menstrual disorders; seeds are good remedy for urinary retention, and as a general tonic.
Useful part : Root, Seeds.

Commiphora mukul

Botanical name : Commiphora mukul (Hook.ex.Stocks) Engl.
Family : Burseraceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Guggulu, Mahishaksha, Palankasha, Devadhupa

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Katu, Madhura
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha, Teekshna
Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Indian bdellium tree
Hindi : Gugal, Guggul
Malayalam : Gulgulu

Distribution – In rocky areas of Mysore, Bellari and Baluchistan.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A moderate sized thorny tree with ash colored rough bark. Leaves alternate, obovate, serrate in the upper part; flowers small, brownish red, fruits ovoid drupes, become red when ripe. Guggul is the resinous extract of the plant. It is epeque, brown in color.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, arthritis, sciatica, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, skin diseases, cough, asthma, epilepsy, fever, ulcer, diabetes and hypercholestremia.
Useful part : Resinous gum.

Crataeva magna

Botanical name : Crataeva magna (Lour.) DC.
Family : Capparaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Varuna, Pasugandha, Asmarighna, Tikta

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Madhura, Kashaya
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Three-leaved caper
Hindi : Barun,Barna
Malayalam : Neermathalam,Neerval

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A deciduous tree grows up to 7-9 m. height, leaves compound, 3-foliate, leaflets ovate, 5-13 cm long, flowers large, greenish white, polygamous, in dense terminal corymbs, stamens are longer than the petals, fruits fleshy, ovoid berry, seeds are embedded in pulp

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, renal and vesical caliculi, asthma and bronchitis.
Useful part : Leaves, Bark

Crotalaria retusa

Botanical name : Crotalaria retusa Linn.
Family : Fabaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Sanapushpi, Sanaghantika, Kinihi

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Crotalaria
Hindi : Khunkhuniyan
Malayalam : Kilukiluppa, Tantalakkotti, Cana

PLANT DESCRIPTION
An erect undershrub grows up to 125 cm in height, with numerous branches. Leaves are oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, usually glabrous above and silky pubescent beneath. Flowers yellow, numerous, found in erect terminal recemes. Fruits are stalked pods, with 10-15 seeds per pods.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, cough, dyspepsia, fever, cardiac disorders, stomatitis, diarrhea, scabies and impetigo. Seeds powdered and with milk is useful for increasing body strength, also useful in skin disease.
Useful part : Whole plant.

Cyathula prostrata

Botanical name : Cyathula prostrata Blume.
Family : Amaranthaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Rakthapamarga, Mayoora, Sikhari, Markatapippali

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Katu
Guna : Teekshna, Sara
Virya : Ushna
Vipaka : Katu

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Small prickly chaff – flower plant
Hindi : Lal Chirchira
Malayalam : Cherukataladi

PLANT DESCRIPTION
An annual herb usually found in moist localities. The ascending branch ends in inflorescence. Stems and branches are greenish red. Leaves are simple, opposite, exstipulate and short petioled. Flowers reddish violet in terminal spikes, Fruit ovoid membranous utricles enclosed in the perinath. Seeds are oblong and single.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, diseases of urinary system and uterine disorders. It has constipating property.
Useful part : Roots and seeds

Cyclea peltata

Botanical name : Cyclea peltata (Lam.)Hook.f.&Thoms.
Family : Menispermaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Padha, Ambashtaki, Varatikta, Padhika

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Snigda
Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Pata root
Hindi : Path, Pathi
Malayalam : Padakkizangu, Patavally

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A slender twinning shrub with slender stems and branches. Leaves are simple alternate, petioles are long lamina peltate glabrous above and pale below. Flowers are small, greenish in axillary panicles. Fruits are ovoid drupes, endocarp horse shoe shaped and seeds are curved. Tuberous roots are cylindrical, irregularly curved, with grayish brown surfaces and white starchy cortex.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, cough, bronchitis, dyspepsia, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, painful swelling, skin diseases, fever, hemorrhoids, and cardiac disease. Leaves are cooling and ophthalmic and are used in dandruff, burning sensation of the eye and in fever. It is used to apply on head instead of shampoo.
Useful part : Leaves, Root