2. Herbal plants are the most important
part of our life.
Any plant organ such as root, stem,
leaves, flower, fruit are used in some
medicinal, culinary, or fragrant properties.
A herb is a plant that is valued for
qualities such as medicinal properties,
flavor, scent, or the extracts .
3. Some Herbal Plants
English name : sour lime
Ayurveda name : Ambul Dodam
Scientific name : citrus aurantium
Curative Properties
The mature fruit is used with pepper and rock
salt as a throat swab on inflamed tonsils to draw
out phlegm. The juice mixed with sugar of
Barossa's flabelliferm and sugar cane juice is
given for chronic cough and asthma
4. English name : pellitory
Ayurveda name : akkrapatta
Scientific name :anacyeluspy rethrum
Curative Properties
A paste of the root is applied to boils, sores and framboesia,
with beneficial results. In Sri Lanka, it is used as an important
ingredient in decoctions given in typhoid fever, convulsions in
children, rheumatism, skin eruptions due to impurities in the
blood, bronchial diseases, sexual debility and also leucoderma.
5. English name : amukkara ala
Ayurveda name : amukkara ala
Scientific name : withania somnifera
Curative Properties
The powdered root is taken as an aphrodisiac
for consumption. A special preparation is made
along with other drugs for treating insanity,
apoplexy and nervous diseases. The plant has
milk coagulating properties and can be used
for cheese - making. It is also an insecticide.
6. English name : deodar bark
Ayurvedic name : devadara
Scientific name : cedrus deodara
Curative Properties
The bark is astringent and is used for fever,
diarrhoea and dysentery. The oil from this plant is
used for skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.
The stem acts as an aromatic stomachic and
carminative, stimulating the appetite and improving
the digestion and is useful in anorexia, acute and
chronic dyspesia and flatulence.
7. English name : elephant apple
Ayurvedic name : divulo pothu
Scientific name : feronia limonia
Curative Properties
The bark is prescribed for biliousness and all
parts of the plant are used to cure snakebites.
The ripe fruit is eaten with sugar or honey as a
custard.
8. English name : egg plant
Ayurvedic name : elabatu
Scientific name : solanum surattense
Curative Properties
This plant is employed for cough, asthma and
pains. The plant is credited with diuretic properties
and is used to cure dropsy. The root of this plant is
used for various lung ailments, diarrhoea, cough and
rheumatism. The fruit is cooked and eaten as a
vegetable.
9. English name : Indian coral tree
Ayurvedic name : erabadu mul
Scientific name : erithrina variegata
Curative Properties
The fresh bark and leaves are ground into a
paste with water and is applied on glandular
swellings and local inflammations of the skin.
Internally they act an as an expectorant and is
useful in chronic bronchitis and bronchial
asthma.
10. English name : Indian kino tree stem
Ayurvedic name : gammalu aratu
Scientific name : Pterocarpus marsupiun
Curative Properties
The bark of this plant is used as an astringent and for
toothaches. The water extract of the bark contains an
active principle, (-) epi -catechin which increases the
CAMP content of the islets which is associated with the
increased insulin release, conversion of pro insulin to
insulin and cathepsin B activity.
11. English name : zedoary rhizome
Ayurvedic name : haranakaha
Scientific name : Curcuma zedoaria
Curative Properties
This plant is applied externally on wounds,
ulcers, sprains and certain types of
dermatitis. The rhizome is supposed to
check leucorrhoel and gonorrhoeal
discharges and acts as a purifier of blood.
12. English name : aspargous rhizome
Ayurvedic name : hathavariya ala
Scientific name : Asparagous falcatus
Curative Properties
This plant has been used as a demulcent,
diuretic, aphrodisiac, and galactogouge.
13. English name : malabar cardamom
Ayurvedic name : heen ensal
Scientific name : Elettaria repens
Curative Properties
An aromatic carminative, stimulant
stomachic. The seed is diuretic and is used
to relieve the retention of urine.
14. English name : kaempferia
Ayurvedic name : inguru piyali
Scientific name :Kaempferia galanga
Curative Properties
This plant acts as a stimulant, carminative and
diuretic. A lotion prepared with the rhizome is
used to remove dandruff or scales from the
head.
15. English name : Indian sarsaparill
Ayurvedic name : Iramusu
Scientific name : Hemidesmus indicus
Curative Properties
The drug has long enjoyed a reputation as a
tonic, alterative, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic and
blood purifier. It is employed in nutritional disorders,
syphilis, chronic rheumatism, gravel and other urinary
diseases and skin affections. It is administered in the
form of a powder, infusion or decoction.
16. English name : black cumin seed
Ayurvedic name : kaluduru
Scientific name : carum carvi
Curative Properties
The fruit of this herb is a carminative and
stimulant.
17. English name : clove tree flower
Ayurvedic name : karabu neti
Scientific name : Eugenia caryophyllata
Curative Properties
This plant is regarded as a carminative,
stomachic and stimulant.
18. English name : prickly chaff tree
Ayurvedic name : karalheba
Scientific name : Achyranthes aspera
Curative Properties
The plant is much valued in indigenous
medicine. It is reported to be pungent,
astrigent, pectoral and diuretic. It is used as an
emmenagogue, in piles and skin eruptions.
19. English name : halarrhena seed
Ayurvedic name : kelinda sal
Scientific name : Holarrhena mitis
Curative Properties
The seeds are used as a blood purifier.
20. English name : kapeti
Ayurvedic name : kapetiya
Scientific name : Croton lacciferus
Curative Properties
It is used medicinally in the preparation of
medicinal oils and the pills of the plant are used
in the treatment of fever, cold, dysentery and
lung diseases including tuberculosis. The root is
used for the preparation of pills given for
chronic fevers.
21. English name : aloe
Ayurvedic name : komarika
Scientific name : Aloe vera
Curative Properties
This plant is used for constipation, dyspepsia,
cough, asthma, nervous diseases, glandular
enlargements of the spleen, piles, colic and various
types of dropsy. The fresh juice of the leaves is cathartic
and cooling. It is used for various eye diseases. The
dried juice is often applied with lime juice for reducing
swellings and promoting granulation in ulcers.
22. English name : cinnamon
Ayurvedic name :kurundu pothu
Scientific name : Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Curative Properties
The oil is a rubefacient and is a useful
application for acute and chronic rheumatism,
and is used for decoction and other medicinal
preparations. It is also used as a spice.
23. English name : blue water lily
Ayurvedic name : manel ala
Scientific name : Nymphaea stellata
Curative Properties
The stem of this herb is considered to be
an emollient and diuretic. It is taken for
diseases of the urinary tract. The starchy
rhizomes are roasted and eaten.
24. English name : Indian lotus flower stamens
Ayurvedic name : nelum renu
Scientific name : Nelumbo nucifera
Curative Properties
The stamens of the flowers are used for
bleeding piles and debility and weakness in
children as well as for skin diseases. The rhizome
is frequently used as a vegetable and the seeds
divested of their testa are roasted or ground
into flour and eaten.
25. English name : nilavariya
Ayurvedic name : nil avariya
Scientific name : Indigofera tinctoria
Curative Properties
An extract of the plant is used in epilepsy and
nervous disorders. The plant is also used in
bronchitis and as an ointment for sores, old
ulcers and haemorrhoids.
26. English name : Indian liquorice
Ayurvedic name : olinda
Scientific name : Abrus precatorious
Curative Properties
This plant is used to cure itching and sores
and wounds caused by dog, cat and rat
bites. It is also taken for leucoderma along
with other ingredients.
27. English name : Indian pellet shrub root
Ayurvedic name : pawatta mul
Scientific name : Pawatta indica
Curative Properties
The fresh roots, bark and leaves are bruised
and applied to wounds and given internally in
the form of a decoction. The juice of the leaves
are used for diarrhoea, dysentery, and cough.
28. English name : blak papper
Ayurvedic name : pepper
Scientific name : Piper nigrum
Curative Properties
This plant is stomachic and carminative. It induces
secretion of bile and has been used successfully to
stop vomiting caused by cholera. It is an antidote for
shellfish and mushroom poisoning. It is applied
externally as a rubefacient and counter-irritant. A
liniment prepared from the plant is useful for chronic
rheumatism.
29. English name : Indian pellet shrub root
Ayurvedic name : pawatta mul
Scientific name : Pawatta indica
Curative Properties
The fresh roots, bark and leaves are bruised
and applied to wounds and given internally in
the form of a decoction. The juice of the leaves
are used for diarrhoea, dysentery, and cough.
30. English name : tanners cassia flowers
Ayurvedic name : ranawara mal
Scientific name : cassia auriculata
Curative Properties
The root of this plant is used in a decoction for
fevers, diabetes, diseases of the urinary system
and constipation. The leaves have laxative
properties. The dried flower and flower buds are
used as substitute.
31. English name : camphor
Ayurvedic name : kapuru
Scientific name : Cinnamomum camphora
Curative Properties
Camphor has a wide range of medicinal
uses. It is applied externally to the skin. Camphor
acts as a rubefacient, counter-irritant and local
anodyne. It is also a mild antiseptic.
32. English name : citronella
Ayurvedic name :pangiri
Scientific name : Cymbopogon nardus
Curative Properties
This plant is applied externally to provide
relief from inflammation and toothaches. It
is also used to reduce redness of irritated
skin. It also acts as a mosquito repellent.
33. English name : Indian pennywort
Ayurvedic name : gotukola
Scientific name : Centella asiatica
Curative Properties
This herb is said to lower blood pressure and is
often referred to as a rejuvenating
medicament. It is believed to purify the blood
and cure indigestion, nervousness and
dysentery. The leaves are dried, powdered and
taken with milk to improve memory.
34. English name : acalypha indica
Ayurvedic name : kuppameniya
Scientific name : Acalpha indica
Curative Properties
The leaves possess laxative powers. A
fresh juice from the leaves is given for
asthma and bronchitis.
35. English name : fetid cassia
Ayurvedic name : pethi tora
Scientific name : Cassia tora
Curative Properties
The leaves are laxative and are useful in
habitual constipation and haemorrhoids. The
entire plant is used to prepare a decoction,
which is given as a vermifuge and purgative.
36. English name : withania somnifera
Ayurvedic name : ashwaganda
Scientific name : Withania somnifera
Curative Properties
The root of this plant is a tonic, alternative
aphrodisiac and used in consumption,
debility due to all age and rheumatism.
37. English name : Jasmine
Ayurvedic name : saman pichala
Scientific name : Jasminum grandiflorum
Curative Properties
The leaves are a remedy for skin diseases, mouth
ulcers and toothaches. The fresh juice of the leaves is
applied to soften corns. The flowers mascerated in
water and left overnight are used as an eyewash
and an infusion of the flowers is used for cosmetic
purposes. The flower buds are used to make
garlands.
38. English name : Jack fruit tree
Ayurvedic name : Koss
Scientific name : Artoarpus heterophyllus
Curative Properties
The tender leaves of the Jack tree when
minced fine and roasted with scraped coconut is a
specific for insomnia. The juice of the tender fruit is
mixed with coconut milk and jiggery to prepare a
miraculous antidote for narcotic poisoning. The
leaves are used in skin diseases and the root is used
to treat diarrhoea and fever.