Basic information about some medicinal plants

1. Medicinal Plants
Dr.K.S.Sontakke
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Botany
G.S.G.College, Umarkhed.

2. Ocimum sanctum Linn.
•Family: Lamiaceae
•Common Names: Tulas, Tulsi, Holy basil etc.
•Parts Used: Roots, Leaves, Seeds.
•Chemical Constituent: Eugenol, Toluene,
Camphene, Benzene, Geraneol etc.
Uses:
•It Is Used As Expectorant,
•It Has Analgesic Property,
•It Is Hepatoprotective In Nature
•It Strengthens Immune System
•It Is Used In Fever, Bronchitis, Arthritis
•It Is Used As An Antidote For Snake Bite and Insect
Bite etc.
Pharmacological Study:
Anticancer, Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Fertility, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Cardio Protective, Analgesic,
Antisplasmodic, Antioxidant,
Hepatoprotective, Antiallergic, Antipyretic, Antiviral, Antiulcer, Anti-Inflammatory, CNS
Depressant and Anti-Arthritis Activities.

3. Vitex negundo Linn.
• Family: Verbenaceae
• Common Names: Nirgundi, Chinese chaste etc.
• Parts Used: Roots, Bark, Leaves, Flowers, Fruits
• Chemical Constituent: Iridoids, Flavonoids,
Diterpenoids, Essential oils etc.
• Uses:
• It Cures Throat And Mouth Related Disorders.
• It Is Useful In Asthma And Enlargement Of Spleen
• It Is Used In Rheumatism And Arthritis
• It Cures Multiondular Tuberculosis.
• It Is Used In Scorpion Stings And Gastrointestinal
Disorders etc.
Pharmacological Study:
Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Hepatoprotective, Analgesic,
Antihistamine, Anti-Implantation and Antiasthmatic Effects.

4. Rauvolfia serpentina L. Benth.exKurz
• Family: Apocyanaceae
• Common Name:
English- Rauvolfia /Indiansnakeroot.
Hindi-Chandrabhaga, Chota-chand, Sarpagandha,.
Marathi-Harkaya, Harki,Sarpagandha.
• Parts Used: Roots
Chemical Constituent: Reserpine, Serpentine,Ajmaline
(Alkaloids) etc.
• Uses:
• 1) It is used as an effective Antihypertensive and
• it is WORLD'S FIRST ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUG.
• 2) It is useful in cardiovascular diseases
• 3)Schizophrenia
• 4) Sedative insomnia and insanity
• 5) Traumas and anxiety
• 6)Used to cure epilepsy etc.
Pharmacological Study: Antifungal, antiinflammatory,antioxidant, anticancerous, antidiuretic,
antifibrillar, antiarrhythmic,anticholinergic, antihypertensive, anticontractile,antidiuretic.

5. Catharanthus roseus Linn.
• Family: Apocyanaceae
• Common Name:
Sadafuli,SadabaharMadagascar periwinkle, Rose
periwinkle etc.
• Parts Used: Leaves, Flowers, Seeds.
• Chemical Constituent:Vinblastin, Vincrestine,
Vindesine, etc.
• Uses:
• It Is Used In Cancer Treatment
• It Shows Hypoglycemic Effect
• It Is Useful In Dysentery And Diarrhoea.
• Seeds Have Antioxidant Property.
• It Is Used Against Insect Bites.
• It Is Most Effective For Lung Cancer etc
Pharmacological Study:
Anti-cancer, Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Bacterial, Anti-oxidant, Anti-Ulcer and Anti-Diarrheal

6. Withania somnifera Linn.
• Family: Solanaceae
• Common Name:
Ashwagandha, Indian Ginseng, Winter Cherry.
• Parts Used: Leaves
• Chemical Constituent: Withaferin A, Ashwagandhine,
Somniferine Etc
• Uses:
• It Used For The Nervous Disorder
• It Has Antistress And Aphrodisiac Activity
• It Is Having Anti-Arthritic Properties
• It is used in High Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure, and
Cholesterol.etc.
Pharmacological Study: Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidative, Antimicrobial, Anti-Anxiety,
Aphrodisiac, Immunomodulation,
Anti-Diabettic, Anti-Ulcer, Anticancer, Central Nervous System Depressant And Hepatoprotective
Activities

7. Eucalyptus spp.
• Family: Myrtaceae
• Common Name:
Nilgiri, Gum trees.
• Parts Used: Leaves
• Chemical Constituent: Camphene, Caproic
Acid, P-Menthane,, Myrtenol Etc
• Uses:
• Colds And Respiratory Problems
• Insect Repellant
• Reduces Anxiety And Stress
• Boost Immunity
• It has anti-inflammatory activity etc.
Pharmacological Study: Cough Drops, Antiseptic, Rubefacient,
Stimulant, Anti-Inflammatory,
Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antiseptic And Astringent.

8. Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau &
R.R.Fern.
• Family: Liliaceae
• Common Names: Safed musli, Hazarmuli, Satmuli etc.
• Parts Used: Roots.
• Chemical Constituent: saponins, alkaloids etc.
• Uses:
• It Is Mainly Identified As ‘Herbal Viagra’.
• It Is Traditionally Used For Its Aphrodisial Properties
• It Is Used In Lack Of Libido, Male Impotency,
Oligospermia
• It Is Widely Used As A General Health Promotive Tonic
Etc
Pharmacological Study:
antiviral , anticancer , antioxidant, antidiabetic, antistress, aphrodisiac,
antimicrobial,
hypolipidemic, hypocholesteremic, anti-inflammatory,
immunomodulatory

9. Adhatoda vasica Linn.
• Family: Acanthaceae
• Common Names:Adhatoda, Malabar Nut, Adulsa, Vasaka etc
• Parts Used:Leaves, Flowers, Fruit and Root.
• Chemical Constituent:Vasicinolone,Vasicine and Vasicinoletc.
• Uses:
• It Is Effective In Treating Respiratory Disorders.
• It Has Antispasmodic Activity
• It Is Used As Expectorant
• It Is Used To Treat Asthama
• It Has Insecticisal Activity etc.
Pharmacological Study:
Antifungal, Antiviral, Hepatoprotective, Antibacterial, Anti-
Inflammatory,Antiulcer, Abortifacient,
Cardiovascular Protection, Hypoglycaemic, Antitubercular,
Antioxidant, Antimutagenic.

10. Emblica officinalis Linn.
• Family: Euphorbiaceae
• Common Names: Amla, Emblic, Indian Gooseberry, Amalaki.
• Parts Used: Fruits.
• Chemical Constituent: Vitamin C, Ellagic Acid, Quercetin, Emblicanin-
A etc.
• Uses:
• It Is Used In Herbal Formulation Triphla
• It Is Used In Cancer
• It Is Useful In Diabetis
• It Shows Great Antioxidant Activity
• It Is One Of The Best Remedies For Scurvy etc
Pharmacological Study:
Cancer, Diabetis, Liver Treatment, Heart Disease, Ulcer, Anemia,
Antioxidant,
Immunomodulatory, Antipyretic, Analgesic, Cytoprotective, Antitussive,
Gastroprotective,
Memory Enhancing, Ophthalmic Disorders, Lowering Cholesterol,
Neutralizing Snake Venom, Antimicrobial.

11. Azadirachta indica A.Juss.
• Botanical Name: Azadirachta indica A.Juss.
• Common/Vernacular: Margosa, azadirachta, bead tree, holy tree, Indian
lilac tree
• Family: Meliaceae
• Chemical Constituents:
Nimbin, nimbinene, nimbandiol, nimocinol, quercetin, and beta-sitosterol,
azadirachtin H and azadirachtin I .

12. Economic Importance and Medicinal Uses
• Anithelmintic,
• Anti-fungal,
• Anti-diabetic,
• Antibacterial,
• Antiviral,
• Contraceptive And Sedative
• Skin Diseases,
• Healthy Hair,
• Improve Liver Function,
• Detoxify The Blood, Pest And Disease Control, Fever Reduction,
Dental Treatments, Cough, Asthma, Ulcers, Piles, Intestinal Worms,
Urinary Diseases Etc.

13. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.
• Botanical Name: Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.
• Common/Vernacular: Koprphad
• Family: Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae)
• Chemical Constituents:
Vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins,
salicylic acids, vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, vitamin
B12, folic acid, Aloin and emodin.

14. Economic Importance and Medicinal Uses
• Prevents Signs Of Aging
• Moisturizes Skin
• Reduces Acne And Helps Lighten Blemishes(Dark spots)
• Helps With Sunburns
• Heals External Wounds And Insect Bites
• Reduces Stretch Marks
• Promotes Hair Growth
• Reduces Dandruff
• Maintains pH Balance Of The Scalp
• Conditions Hair
• Reduces Inflammation
• Reduces Cholesterol And Regulates Blood Sugar
• Maintains Oral Health
• Builds Immunity
• Lowers Risk Of Cancer
• Helps In Treating Hemorrhoids(Piles)

15. Thank You