Akarakarabha

Name: AKARAKARABHA

Description: 

Botanical name : Anacyclus pyrethrum DC.Family : Asteraceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Agragrahi, Akarakarabha

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Tikta, KashayaGuna : Guru, RookshaVirya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : PellitoryHindi : AkarakaraMalayalam : Akkikaruka, Akrav. Distribution – Indigenous to Africa. 

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

A perennial plant with numerous branches. Leaves simple, alternate, stalked, and acuminate. Flowers ray, white colored with purple color beneath. Fresh root when tasted produces pungent sensation and induces salivation.  

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated vata, paralysis, nervous weakness, dental pain, tonsillitis, headache, epilepsy, indigestion, diarrhea, sexual weakness, impotency and erectile dysfunction. Useful part : Roots 

Ajaparna

Name: AJAPARNA

Description: 

Botanical name : Eupatorium triplinerve Vahl. (Eupatorium ayapana Vent)Family : Asteraceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Ayaparna, Ajaparna

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya Guna : Lakhu, SnigdhaVirya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Ayapana teaHindi : Ayapan Malayalam : Ayyappana, Ayyambana, VishapachaDistribution – A native of Brazil; migrated to India; found in moist localities.  

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

An erect annual herb, grows up to 90 cm in height. Leaves simple, opposite, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, subsessile; flowers light blue, tubular coryms; fruits 5 sided truncated.  

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, dyspepsia, hemorrhage, hemoptysis, menorrhagia, wounds, edema, ulcers, stomatitis, cardiac debility, skin diseases, poison bites, cough, asthma, bronchitis and general debility. Useful part : Whole plant

Ahiphena

Name: AHIPHENA

Description: 

Botanical name : Papaver somniferum Linn.Family : Papaveraceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Ahiphena, Khasatila, Subhrapushpa, Aphena

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya Guna : Sookshma, Rooksha, Vyavayi Virya : UshnaVipaka : KatuPrabhava : Madakari

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Opium poppyHindi : Kaskas, AphimMalayalam : Avin, Karuppu, KasakasaDistribution – Cultivated in Rajasthan, Utter predesh and Madhya Pradesh states in India, and in Afghanistan and some parts of Europe.  

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

An erect annual herb, grows up to 60 cm in height. Leaves are solitary, alternate, lobed or toothed irregularly; flowers large bright red or white; fruits large globular capsules. Seeds white or dark brown.  

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, pain, diarrhea, colic, muscle spasm, insomnia, insanity, premature ejaculation, in controlled dose. In excess dose it acts as a narcotic. Useful part : Fruits, seeds, petals, fruit extracts.  

Agnimukha

Name: AGNIMUKHA

Description: 

Botanical name : Rhizophora mangleFamily : Rhizoporaceae 

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Agnimukha, Agnisikha 

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha Virya : Seeta 

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Mangrove Hindi : BinaMalayalam : Kandal, Chuvanna kandal Distribution – Growing naturally along the sea shores and river banks in western costal areas of India. 

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

A large shrub or small tree with numerous supporting stilt roots, and breathing roots. Leaves simple, opposite, ovate-lanceolate, glabrous and acute. Flowers terminal in umbels. Fruits capsules, contain single seed, sprouts even before it fall off from the tree. 

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, inflammation, diarrhea, dysentery, menorrhagia, leucorrhea, wounds, boils, and viral infections. Plant has aphrodisiac property. Useful part : Leaves, Bark.

Atibala

Name: ATIBALA

Description: 

Botanical name : Abutilon indicum Sw.Family : Malvaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Atibala, Balika, Vatyapushpy, Bhuribala

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Tikta, MadhuraGuna : Snigda, Grahi Virya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Country mallowHindi : Kabi, Kakahi, Chambi Malayalam : Velluram, Oorakam

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

Medium sized many branched perennial shrub grows up to 2 meters in height. Plant covered with minute hairs. Leaves are alternate, cordate and acute. Leaves vary in size. Flowers are yellowish, with 5 petals, solitary found in leaf axils. Fruits contain 15-20 chambers, arranged spirally, containing seeds. Seeds are blackish brown. 

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies tridoshas, especially vata, and pitta, poison, hyperdipsia, vomiting, Leukorrhoea and Menorrhagia.  Useful part : Leaves, Root, Fruits

Asvatha

Name: ASVATHA

Description: 

Botanical name : Ficus religiosa LinnFamily : Moraceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Avatha, Pippala, Kshiravriksha, Chalapatra, Bodhidruma

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

Rasa : Kashaya, MadhuraGuna : Guru, RookshaVirya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGE

English : Peepal tree, Sacred fig. Hindi : Peepal, PeeparMalayalam : Arayal

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

Large spreading deciduous tree. Leaves are alternate, cordate, shiny, long petioled, with linear lanceolate tail. The receptacles occurring in pairs, axillary, depressed globose, purplish when ripe. 

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant pacifies vitiated pitat, kapha, skin diseases, inflammation, poison, neuralgia, constipation and gynecological diseasesUseful parts : Bark, Leaves, Tender shoot, Fruits, Seeds, Latex.

Asvagandha

Name: ASVAGANDHA

Description: 

Botanical name : Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal.Family : Solanaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Asvagandha, Varahakarni,Vajigandha, Varahika, Varahakarni

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta Guna : Lakhu, Snigda Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Winter cherryHindi : Asgandh, PunirMalayalam : Amukkuram 

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

An erect branching shrub grows up to 150 cm in height. Leaves are ovate and alternate, up to 10 cm long. Flowers are greenish or greenish yellow arises from leaf axils. Fruits are globose berries, become reddish orange when mature and closed by the persistent calyx. Roots are fleshy, cylindrical and tapering towards the end with whitish grey color and pure white inside. 

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated vata, nerve weakness, impotency, oligospermia and arthritis. The roots are aphrodisiac and stimulant, widely used in rejuvenative ayurvedic formulae. Plant has immuno-stimulant action Useful part : Root and Leaves.

Asthisrinkhala

Name: ASTHISRINKHALA

Description: 

Botanical Name : Cissus Quadrangualaris Linn.Family : Vitaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Asthisrinkhala, Vajravalli, Dharavalli, Chaturdhara, Vajralatha. 

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

Rasa : Tikta, Madhura, KashayaGuna : Lakhu, Rooksha, SaraVirya : UshnaVipaka : Katu.

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Edible stemmed vine, Bone setterHindi : Hadjod, HadjoraMalayalam : 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.

Asoka

Name: ASOKA

Description: 

Botanical name : Saraca asoka (Roxb.) de WildeFamily : Caesalpiniaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Asoka, Gatasoka

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta, MadhuraGuna : Guru, Snigda Virya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Asoka treeHindi : AsokMalayalam : Asokam

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

A medium sized evergreen tree grows up to 10 meters in height. Leaves are pinnate, about 40 cm long having 2-3 pairs of lanceolate leaflets. Flowers are beautiful, orange colored in dense corymbs flowers are fragrant. Fruits are flat pods. 4-8 seeds per pods, ellipsoid and compressed. Bark is dark brown with warty surfaces.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, menorrhogia, leucorrhoea, stomach pain, diabetes and bleeding through anus.  Useful part : Bark, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds

Arka (neela)

Name: ARKA (NEELA)

Description: 

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

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Arka, Sooryahvaya,Vasuka, Ksheeraparni, Alarka, Asphoda, 

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

Rasa : Katu, TiktaGuna : Lakhu, Rooksha, Teekshna, SaraVirya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Blue MadarHindi : Akavana, Aka, MandaraMalayalam : 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

Arjuna

Name: ARJUNA

Description: 

Botanical Name : Terminalia arjuna (Roxb) W&AFamily : Combreteaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Arjuna, Kukubha, Partha, Viravriksha, Nadisarja, 

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Kashaya, TiktaGuna : Lakhu, RookshaVirya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Arjun terminalia, White murdaHindi : Arjuna, KahuMalayalam : Neermaruthu

DESCRIPTION

Moderate sized deciduous tree grows up to 20 meters in height. It Shedds its skin in time to time and after shedding the wood is white. Leaves simple, subopposite oblong, crenulate and coriaceous. Flowers white, seen in panicles of spikes. Fruits ovoid of oblong, with 5-7 wings. Flowering season starts form April-May months.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, skin diseases, poison, fever, wound and promote the re-union of fractured bone.  Useful part : Bark

Ardraka

Name: ARDRAKA

Description: 

Botanical name : Zingiber officinale Rosc.Family : Zingiberaceae 

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Ardraka, Shundi, Shrngavera, Mahoushadhi

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : KatuGuna : Guru, Rooksha, Virya : UshnaVipaka : Madhura

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Ginger Hindi : AdarakMalayalam : Inchi

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

A slender, perennial, rhizomatous herb. Leaves linear, sessile and glabrous. Flowers are yellowish green seen in cylindric spikes, covered with glabrous scarious bracts. Fruits are oblong capsules. Rhizomes are white to yellowish in color, irregularly branched, growing tips are covered over by few scales.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, body pain, dropsy, asthma, cough, colic, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and inflammations and abdominal discomforts. Dry ginger is appetizer, laxative, expectorant, and carminative.  Useful part : Rhyzomes.

Aragvadha

Name: ARAGVADHA

Description: 

Botanical name : Cassia fistula Linn.Family : Caesalpiniaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Aragvadha, Kritamala, Rajavriksha, Chaturangulam, Deerkhaphala

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Tikta, Madhura Guna : Guru, Mrudu, SnigdhaVirya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Indian laburnum, Purging fistulaHindi : Amaltas, GirimalaMalayalam : 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. 

Ajamoda

Name: AJAMODA

Description: 

Botanical Name : Trachispermum roxburghianum (DC.) CraibFamily : Apiaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Agnika, Ajamodakam, Deepyaka, Kharasva, Yavanika, 

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

Rasa : Katu, TiktaGuna : Lakhu, Rooksha, TeekshnaVirya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Bishop’s weed Hindi : AjovanMalayalam : Ayamodakam

PLANT DESCRIPTION  

Annual shrub, grows up to 100 cm, plant wholly covered with microscopic hairs. Leaves compound, with several segments. Inflorescence compound umbel, up to 120 flowers. Fruits covered with microscopic hairs. Seeds are small, with a peculiar fragrance. 

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated kapha and vata. Increase pitta and digestive fire. Seeds have antiseptic diuretic and anti inflammatory properties, cure digestive problems and cardio-myopathy. Useful part : Seeds

Apamarga (sveta)

Name: APAMARGA (SVETA)

Description: 

Botanical name : Achyranthes aspera Linn.Family : Amaranthaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Apamargah, Mayoorah,Markatapippalee, Durgrahah

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES –

Of fruitRasa : MadhuraGuna : Rooksha, SaraVirya : SeetaOf rootRasa : Tikta, KatuGuna : Teekshna, Sara Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Prickly chaff-flower plantHindi : CircitaMalayalam : Vankadaladi

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

A shrub that grows up to one meter height; leaves simple, opposite, obovate or elliptic; flowers bracteate and bracteolate, greenish, in spikes; fruits oblong urticle; seeds single, inverse.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, asthma, bronchitis, flatulence, painful inflammations, vomiting, skin diseases, renal and vesical calculi.Useful part : The whole plant

Apamarga

Name: APAMARGA (RAKTA) 

Description: 

Botanical name : Cyathula prostrata Blume.Family : Amaranthaceae 

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Rakthapamarga, Mayoora, Sikhari, Markatapippali

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Tikta, KatuGuna : Teekshna, Sara Virya : UshnaVipaka : Katu

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Small prickly chaff – flower plant Hindi : Lal ChirchiraMalayalam : 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

Ankola

Name: ANKOLA

Description: 

Botanical name : Alangium salvifolium Wang.Family : Alangiaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Ankolah, Kolakah, Rechi, Deerghakeelakah

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Kashaya, Katu, Tikta,  Guna : Lakhu, Snigda, Teekshna, SaraVirya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Sage-leaved alangium Hindi : Angol,Dhera, Malayalam : Ankolam,Velithondi 

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

A small, thorny deciduous tree/ shrub which grows up to a height of 5-10 meters. Bark yellowish, leaves alternate, elliptical and usually unequal at the base; flowers-yellowish white, fragrant, in axillary fascicles,fruits 1-2 seeded,1cm in length,1-2 seeded berries crowned by the calyx lobes.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated pitta. It is anti-hypertensive, antidote for several poisons especially for rabies. Roots are useful for external application in case of rheumatism and inflammation. Fruits are used in treatment of hemorrhages.Useful part : Seeds, Leaves, Root

Amrita

Name: AMRITA

Description: 

Botanical name : Tinospora cordifolia (Wild.) Mires ex Hook.f. & ThomsFamily : Menispermaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Guduchi, Amrita, Chinnaruha

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya, Madhura Guna : Lakhu, Snigda Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Gulancha tinospora, Tinospora Hindi : Giloy, Gulancha, AmrtaMalayalam : Chittamritu, Amrit

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

A spreading perennial deciduous twinner with succulent stems and easily pealing off papery bark. Leaves simple, alternate, cordate, entire, glabrous, with 7-9 nerves. Flowers yellow in recemes, arising from nodes on the old wood. Male flowers usually are in clusters and female solitary. Fruits are drupes, red when ripe. Mucilaginous greenish crust is covered with grey colored coat studded with tubercles.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, burning sensation, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, cardiac debility, skin disease, anemia, cough, jaundice, oligospermia and urinary system diseases. Useful part : Stem

Amlavalli

Name: AMLAVALLI

Description: 

Botanical name : Nergamia alata (Wight & Arn)Family : Meliaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Triparni, Amlavally

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Tikta, MadhuraGuna : GuruVirya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Goanese ipecacuanha Hindi : TinparniMalayalam : Nilanarakam, MalayamukkiDistribution – Throughout India in waste lands 

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

A small under shrub grows up to 30 cm in height. Roots are aromatic; leaves trifoliate, alternate with winged petioles, leaflets small, ovate; flowers white, solitary; fruits ovoid globose, 3 valved capsules; seeds curved and both ends truncated. 

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, migraine, cough, asthma, bronchitis, splenomegaly, pruritus, dysentery, dyspepsia, anemia and chronic fevers. Plant has anti malarial property. Useful part : Whole plant. 

Alpam

Name: ALPAM

Description: 

Botanical name : Apama siliquosaFamily : Aristolochiaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Kodassari, Alpam

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya  Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha, TeekshnaVirya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English :  Hindi :  Malayalam : Alpam 

PLANT DESCRIPTION 

The plant is found mostly in hilly part of Western Ghats. An erect perennial shrub grows up to 3 meters in height. Leaves alternate oavte-lanceolate, about 15 cm long. Upper surface rough. Flowers are small whitish, found in axilla of leaf. Fruits are pods, with 3-4 seeds within. 

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 

Plant pacifies vitiated tridoshas and a good remedy for stomach ache and poison bites. The unripe fruit when chewed cures acute stomach pain. Useful part : Seeds, leaves