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
Ayurveda name
Scientific name
: sour lime
: Ambul Dodam
: 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
Ayurveda name
Scientific name
: pellitory
: akkrapatta
: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
Ayurvedic name
Scientific name
: zedoary rhizome
: haranakaha
: 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
Ayurvedic name
Scientific name
: aspargous rhizome
: hathavariya ala
: 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
Ayurvedic name
Scientific name
: blue water lily
: manel ala
: 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
Ayurvedic name
Scientific name
: citronella
:pangiri
: 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.
