~ Herbs ~

[MysteRy]

Buckwheat

Botanical Name(s): Fagopyrum Esculentum
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Fagopyrum
Species: F. esculentum
Popular Name(s): Buckwheat
Parts Used: Buckwheat, Bucwheat Hulls
Habitat: Native to Central and Northern Asia

Description
The name 'buckwheat' or "beech wheat" comes from the triangular seeds of the herb, which resemble the much larger seeds of the beechnut from the beech tree. Buckwheat is a short season crop that does well in poor acidic soils, but the soil must be well drained. Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen, will greatly reduce yields. In hot climates, it can be grown only by sowing late, so that it will bloom in cooler weather. Buckwheat is sometimes used as a green manure, as a plant for erosion control, or as wildlife cover and feed.

Plant Chemicals
Salicylaldehyde (2-hydroxybenzaldehyde) is a characteristic component of buckwheat aroma. 2, 5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, phenylacetaldehyde, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, hexanal and (E)-2-nonenal, decanal are other compounds that account for the aroma of the herb. Starch, proteins, minerals, and antioxidants are the other compounds find in it.

Uses & Benefits of Buckwheat

Medicinal Uses
Buckwheat, best taken as tea or tablet, is used for a wide range of circulatory problems. Its most important quality, in terms of pain relief, is that the material conforms to the exact contours of the head and neck, providing a compliant passive support. The plant contains rutin, a medicinal chemical that serves to strengthen the capillary walls and reduce hemorrhaging instances in people suffering from high blood pressure. The chemical also increases microcirculation in patients of chronic venous insufficiency. D-chiro-inositol, contained in buckwheat, is also supposed to be beneficial in type-2 diabetes. A protein found in the plant binds the cholesterol tightly. The protein is being studied for its effects on reducing plasma cholesterol in people who suffer from its excess.

Culinary Uses
Buckwheat seed is also used for making flour. It is similar to the sunflower seed, with a single seed inside a solid outer hull. The starchy endosperm is used to make flour. The seed coat is green or tan in color, which accounts for the dark color of buckwheat flour. This black wheat is used to make a variety of dishes in various countries of Western Asia and Eastern Europe.

Filing Upholstery
Buckwheat hull is used to fill a range of upholstered goods, such as pillows and zafu. The hull is durable, and as compared to the synthetic drills, it reflects less heat. In fact, buckwheat hull has, sometimes, been marketed as an alternative natural fill in pillows, for those who suffer from allergies.

Producing Beer
Buckwheat has been used as a gluten-free substitute grain in beer. It can be used in the same way as barley, to produce malt that can form the basis of a beer-brewing mash, which doesn’t contain gliadin or hordein. The beer made from buckwheat is suitable for coeliacs or others, who are sensitive to certain glycoproteins.

[MysteRy]

Calamus

Botanical Name(s): Acorus Calamus
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Acorales
Family: Acoraceae
Genus: Acorus
Species: A. calamus
Popular Name(s): Sweet flag, Sweet Root, Bach
Parts Used: Dried Rhizome
Habitat: North Temperate and subtropical regions up to 2200m altitudes in Himalayas

Description
Calamus is found all over the world. It is a semi-aquatic perennial, which is cultivated in damp marshy places in India and Burma. The plant is big in size, with leaves in the shape of sword and yellow-green in color. Calamus is quite common in Manipur and the Naga Hills of India and is found on the edges of lakes and streams. The root of the plant has anodyne, aphrodisiac, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hallucinogenic, hypotensive, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, mildly tonic and vermifuge properties.

Uses & Benefits of Calamus
Calamus is a greatly valued herb in Ayurveda, as its stimulating aroma rejuvenates the brain and the nervous system. It is also effective against digestive disorders.
The root of the plant is internally used to treat bronchitis, sinusitis etc. It has the wonderful power of stimulating and normalizing the appetite. In small doses, it also serves to reduce stomach acidity. Larger doses increase stomach secretions.
The plant is externally used to treat skin eruptions, rheumatic pains and neuralgia.
It is also believed to remedy arthritis, cancer, convulsions, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, epilepsy etc.
Chewing the root of calamus helps fight tobacco addiction. It kills the taste for tobacco over time.
The root is also used to make a type of tea. Warm calamus tea works to soothe sore throat, when drunk warm or gargled with.
A homeopathic remedy is made from the roots of the plant, which is used to treat flatulence, dyspepsia, anorexia and disorders of the gall bladder.
It serves as a nauseant, stomachic, anthelmentic, stimulants, emetic, expectorant, carminative, antispasmodic and nervine sedative.
Due to its aroma, calamus is also used to make essential oil. The calamus essential oil is much valued in the perfume industry.
The herb was added to wine in Europe. The root of the plant is also one of the possible ingredients of absinthe.
The northern Native Americans use the herb for medical purposes as well as a stimulant. The root is believed to be used as entheogen among them. However, higher doses can be hallucinogenic.
Steaming the root of calamus throughout the home is believed by many to cure certain types of sickness.
Teton-Dakota warriors used to chew the roots of this herb to make a paste, which they rubbed on their faces. They believed it would prevent excitement and fear, while facing an enemy.

Caution
Large doses of the distilled essential oil made from calamus can cause mild hallucinations.

[MysteRy]

Cardamom

Botanical Name(s): Elettaria Cardamomum
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Elettaria Maton
Species: Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton
Popular Name(s): Cardamon, Malabar Cardamom, Elachi
Parts Used: Seed
Habitat: Commonly found in South India

Description
Cardamom is an evergreen, perennial ginger-like plant, with thick rhizomes and erect stems, bearing pointed leaves. White flowers with a pink to violet striped lip are born in a loose spike in summers, followed by pale green to beige, 3-celled capsules or pods, containing 15-20 aromatic seeds. The small, brown-black sticky seeds are contained in three double rows, with about six seeds in each row. The seeds are pungent, warm and aromatic. Elettaria and Amomum are the two main genera of the ginger family that are named as forms of cardamom. Elettaria is commonly called cardamom, green cardamom, or true cardamom, whereas Amomum is commonly known as black cardamom, brown cardamom, Kravan, Java cardamom, Bengal cardamom, Siamese cardamom, white or red cardamom.

Plant Chemicals
a-pinene, b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, a-phellandrene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, y-terpinene, p-cymene, terpinolene, linalool, linalyl acetate, terpinen-4-oil, a-terpineol, a-terpineol acetate, citronellol, nerol, geraniol, methyl eugenol and trans-nerolidol.

Uses & Benefits of Cardamom
Cardamom is used internally for indigestion, nausea, vomiting and pulmonary disease with copious phlegm.
It can be used with a laxative to prevent stomach pain, griping, as well as flatulence.
Cardamom seeds are chewed to sweeten the breath and to detoxify caffeine, in people taking excessive amounts of coffee. They are also used as a spice in cooking and as a flavoring in other medicines.
The oil made from cardamom seeds is very good for digestive system. It functions as a laxative and soothes colic, wind, dyspepsia and nausea.  It also works to warm the stomach and helps with heart burn.
In South Asia, green cardamom is extensively used to treat infections in teeth and gums. It is also used to prevent throat troubles, congestion of the lungs, pulmonary tuberculosis and inflammation of eyelids.
Cardamom is also brought in used to kidney stones and gall stones.
The culinary uses of cardamom are enormous, notably in India. In a variety of dishes, the seeds are bruised and fried before the main ingredients. In Scandinavia, cardamom is often used in baking dishes.
Cardamom species, in a different genus Amomum, are used to make traditional Indian medicines.
Among the other species and varieties of cardamom, Amomum villosum is used in making some traditional Chinese medicine, which can treat stomachaches, constipation, dysentery, and other digestion problems.
‘Tskao’, a variety of cardamom cultivated in Yunnan and China, is used for both medicinal purposes and a spice.

Caution
Pregnant women as well as those who are breastfeeding need to exercise caution while consuming cardamom.
In case you plan to give cardamom to children, it is advisable to consult a health care provider beforehand.
Always buy cardamom oil from reputed pharmacies only. Otherwise, you can end up with a fake version of the same.

[MysteRy]

Papaya

Botanical Name(s): Carica Papaya
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Violales
Family: Caricaceae
Genus: Carica L.
Species: Carica papaya
Popular Name(s): Paw Paw, Kates, Papaw
Parts Used: Leaves, Fruits, Roots
Habitat: Throughout India

Description
Papaya is a small, unbranched tree, with a single stem growing to 5-10 m tall, with the spirally arranged leaves. The lower trunk is conspicuously scarred with the leaf. The leaves are large, 50-70 cm diameter and deeply palmate lobed, with seven lobes. The fruit of the plant is cultivated by tropical people, as a breakfast fruit. The plant is native to the tropics of the Americas. In Mexico, it was cultivated many centuries before the emergence of the Mesoamerican classic cultures. In India, papaya is cultivated throughout the country and is known for its medicinal properties.

Plant Chemicals
The fruit calories, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, ash, Ca, P, Fe, Na, K, beta-carotene equivalent, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid. The leaves calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, ash, Ca, P, Fe, Na, K, beta-carotene equivalent, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid, as well vitamin E. Leaves contain the glycoside, carposide, and the alkaloid, carpaine. Fresh leaf latex contains water, caoutchouc-like substances, pectinous matter and salts, malic acid, papain, fat, and resin. The seeds are reported to contain protein, fatty oil, carbohydrate, crude fiber, ash, volatile oil, a glycoside, caricin, and the enzyme, myrosin. The fatty oil of the seeds contains saturated acids (palmitic, stearic, and arachidic) and unsaturated acids (oleic and linoleic).

Uses & Benefits of Papaya
Papaya contains many biologically active compounds. Two important compounds are chymopapain and papain, which are supposed to aid in digestion. The level of the compounds varies in the fruit, latex, leaves and roots.
It has been used for treating digestive problems and intestinal worms. The softening qualities of papain have been taken advantage of, in the treatment of warts, corns, sinuses, and chronic forms of scaly eczema, cutaneous tubercles, and other hardness of the skin, produced by irritation. Papain also is used to treat arthritis.
The sinapisms prepared from the root of the plant are believed to be beneficial in treating the tumors of uterus.
In the Asian countries, the latex of the plant is smeared at the mouth of the uterus, while the root infusion is used for syphilis in Africa.
The latex is also used in curing psoriasis and ringworm in Cuba. It is also used as a local antiseptic in many parts of the world. 
The leaves of papaya tree are used for treating nervous pains and elephantoid growths. The infusion of its roots is said to reduce urine concretions.
Dietary papaya reduces urine acidity in humans. The flowers from the plant are used in treating jaundice.
Papaya latex, also used as dyspepsia cure, is applied to burns and scalds externally.

Caution
Internally, papaya latex can cause severe gastritis. Some individuals are also allergic to its pollen, fruits and the latex.
The acrid fresh latex can become the cause of severe conjunctivitis and vesication.

[MysteRy]

Indian Senna

Botanical Name(s): Cassia Augustifolia
Family Name: Caesalpinaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Tribe: Cassieae
Genus: Cassia
Species: Angustifolia
Popular Name(s): Tinnervelly Senna, Cassia Senna, Locust Plant, Rajavriksha, Fan xia ye
Parts Used: Pods, stems, leaves
Habitat: Cultivated in dry lands of Southern & Western India, and indigenous to Arabia.

Description
A small erect shrub, Indian senna attains a height of about 2 to 3 feet. Its stem is pale green, smooth and erect. The spread out branches possess around 4 to 5 pairs of leaves. These leaves are pale yellowish-green in color, elongated spear shaped with pointed apex, about 1 to 2-inch in length and about 0.2 to 0.3-inch in breadth. The plantar surface is shiny green and dorsal surface is yellowish green. The plant has small yellow flowers. The brown pod contains 5 to 7 seeds that are dark brown in color.

Indian senna is native to India, Arab and tropical African countries. It is cultivated in India, Pakistan, Egypt and Sudan. In India, it is found throughout the year in South, mainly the districts of Tinnevelly, Madurai, Tiruchirapally and Mysore. It is commonly known as Indian Senna in English, Sanaya and Hindisana in Hindi, Swarn Patri in Sanskrit, Nat ki Sana and Sonamukhi in Gujarati, Nilavaka and Chinnukki in Malayalam, Nelavrika and Sonamukhi in Kannada and Nilapponnai in Tamil.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- flavenol (isorhamnetin, kaempfeol), anrathquinone (rhein, emodin), sennoside A, sennoside B, menitol, sodium potassium tartarte, salisilic acid, crisophenic acid, volatile oils, resins, calcium oxalate.

Uses & Benefits of Indian Senna
Indian senna decreases pita and allows free movement of vata in the body.
The herb stimulates liver for proper secretion of enzymes in the body.
It helps in lowering bowels and increasing the peristaltic movement of the intestines.
Indian senna purifies blood and restores the metabolic imbalance lost due to indigestion.
The powder made from crushing leaves and fruit is helpful in treating constipation and indigestion.
It is useful in relieving people from the condition of osteoarthritis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
The herb is used as an expectorant, wound dresser, antidysentric, carminative and laxative.
Indian senna is handy in treating loss of appetite, hepatomegaly, spleenomegaly, malaria, skin diseases, jaundice and anemia.
The herb has purgative, anthchiintic, antipyretic, cathartic, laxative, vermifuge and diuretic properties.

Caution
The laxatives that contain high dose of Indian senna can result in abdominal cramping and diarrhea.
When Indian senna is consumed in high doses, the anthraquinones present in it may change the urine color to red, pink or brown.
Prolonged use of Indian senna leaves can reduce the potassium levels in the body that can lead to muscle weakness and dangerous changes in heart rhythm.
The leaves, when taken for a long period of time, can result in aching joints, weakened bones or muscles, weight loss and decreased appetite.
Consuming the herb on a regular basis can cause clubbing at the ends of the fingers.

[MysteRy]

Indian Laburnum

Botanical Name(s): Cassia Fistula
Family Name: Caesulpinaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Tribe: Cassieae
Sub-tribe: Cassiinae
Genus: Cassia
Species: C. fistula
Popular Name(s): Indian Laburnum, Purging Fistula, Golden Shower, Amaltas, Canafistula, Gurmala, Baton Casse, Chacara, Samyaka, Klober
Parts Used: Fruits, leaves, bark
Habitat: Grows in valleys up to 1200 m in the Himalayas.

Description
Also known as the ‘Golden Tree’, Indian laburnum is a medium-sized tree that grows to a height of about 10 to 20 meters. The tropical ornamental tree has hard reddish and heavy wood. Its long and deciduous leaves have pinnate leaflets, with 3 to 8 pairs in each leaf. The flowers are bright and yellow, 20 to 40 cm in length, with five petals of equal shape and size. The fruit is long, while the legumes are around 30-60 cm long and 1.5-2.5 cm broad. It has a pungent odor and several seeds that are poisonous.

Commonly known as the ‘Golden Shower tree’, Indian laburnum is the national tree of Thailand. It is also the state flower of Kerala, a state in South India. It is spread all across Southern Asia, right from southern areas Pakistan to Myanmar and through India to Sri Lanka. The tree is known as bendra lathi or dhanbaher in Hindi, amaltas in Urdu, bahava in Marathi, aragvadha or chaturangula in Sanskrit and konrai in Tamil.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- anthraquinones, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, carbohydrates, fistulic acid, rhein, rheinglucoside, galactomannan, sennosides A and B, tannin, phlobaphenes, oxyanthraquinone substances, emodin, chrysophanic acid, fistuacacidin, barbaloin, lupeol, beta-sitosterol, hexacosanol.

Uses & Benefits of Indian Laburnum
The roots of Indian laburnumare useful in treating skin diseases, alleviating burning sensations and curing syphilis.
The bark is rich in tannin and thus, used in ailments like boils, leprosy, ringworm affection, colic, dyspepsia, constipation, diabetes, strangury and cardiac problems.
The leaves are helpful in treating skin diseases, burning sensation, dry cough and bronchitis.
The fruits of Indian laburnumare handy in curing flatulence, colic, dysentery, inflammations and intermittent fever.
Since its flowers have cooling, purgative and emollient properties, they are used in vitiated conditions of pitta, leprosy and skin diseases.
Indian laburnumis employed as a remedy for tumors of the abdomen, glands, liver, stomach and throat.
The herb proves useful for treating cancer, convulsions, delirium, diarrhea, dysuria, epilepsy, gravel, hematuria and pimples.
The fruits are employed in treatment of cardiac disorders, strangury, opthalmopathy and general debility.
Indian laburnumhas anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, laxative, mild estrogenic, anti-tumorous, cholesterol lowering, pain relieving and fever reducing actions.

Caution
The leaves and bark of Indian laburnum can cause vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and cramps, when consumed in large doses.

[MysteRy]

Cassia Tora

Botanical Name(s): Cassia Tora
Family Name: Caesulpinaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Tribe: Cassieae
Sub-tribe: Cassiinae
Genus: Cassia
Species: S. tora
Popular Name(s): Foetid Cassia, Tora, Sickle Senna, Wild Senna, Sickle Pod, Coffee Pod, Tovara, Chakvad, Ringworm Plant
Parts Used: Leaves, seeds, roots
Habitat: Grows in warm moist soil throughout tropical parts of India.

Description
An annual foetid herb, with a height of 30 to 90 cm, Cassia Tora is mainly found in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, in India. It has pinnate leaves, which are about 10 cm long. Each leaf has three pairs of leaflets that are opposite, ovate, oblong and oblique at the base. The yellow-colored flowers are bearded in the axel of the leaves. The flowers comprises of five petals, each about half inch in diameter.

The seeds of Cassia Tora are rhombohedral and brown in color, about 30 to 50 in number. The plant bears flowers in the rainy season and fruits in the winter. The cassia tora is also known as Charota an Chakvad in Hindi, Chakunda in Bengali & Oriya, Kawaria in Gujarati, Chakramandrakam in Malayalam, Takala in Marathi, Chakramarda & Dadmari in Sanskrit, Tagarai in Tamil and Chinnakasinda in Telugu.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- rhein, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, 7% resins, cathatrine, calcium, iron, phosphorus, 1,3,5-trihydroxy-6-7-dimethoxy-2-methylanthroquinone, beta-sitosterol, naptho-alpha-pyrone-toralactune, chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, rubrofusarin, cchrysophonic acid-9-anthrone, tricontan-1-0l, stigmasterol, b-sitosteral-b-D-glucoside, freindlen, palmitic, stearic, succinic and d-tartaric acids uridine, quercitrin, isoquercitrin.

Uses & Benefits of Cassia Tora
Cassia Tora is used as a coffee substitute and has a maturing and anodyne action.
It is very useful in treating skin diseases like ringworm and itching or body scratch and psoriasis.
The alcoholic or vinegar maceration of pounded fresh leaves is used externally to treat eczema and dermatomycosis.
Decoction of the fruit of Cassia Tora is used in the treatment of fever.
Since the herb acts as a kapha and vata dosha suppressant, it acts as a nerve tonic.
It is consumed in worm infestation and cures the infection occurring in the body.
Cassia Tora acts as a liver stimulant, mild laxative and heart tonic.
The herb helps the body in maintaining the normal level of cholesterol.
Its paste is used for treating skin ailments and also for getting rid of chronic diseases.
Cassia Tora proves worthwhile in treating piles and hemorrhoids as well as relieving the pain caused on excretion.
Its powder proves useful in combating indigestion, toning up heart muscles and purifying blood.
The juice extracted from its leaves is used in case of skin ailments, rashes and allergies. It is also used as an antidote in case of various poisonings.
The leaves ad seeds of Cassia Tora are useful in leprosy, flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, constipation, cough, bronchitis and cardiac disorders.

[MysteRy]

Castor

Botanical Name(s): Ricinus Communis
Family Name: Eeuphorbiaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass:
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily: Acalyphoideae
Tribe: Acalypheae
Sub-tribe: Ricininae
Genus: Ricinus
Species: R. communis
Popular Name(s): Palma Christi, Ricin, Wonder Tree, Krapata, Djarak, Reer, Arandi, Mexico Seed, Vatari, Eranda, Rendi, Bofareira.
Parts Used: Leaves, seeds, roots, oil, fruit   
Habitat: Common in distributed areas and wastelands.

Description
An herbaceous annual plant, castor grows to a height of 3 to 10 feet. The long-stalked glossy leaves are 15 to 45 cm in length with 5-12 deep lobes. The leaf color can vary from dark green with a reddish tinge to dark reddish purple and bronze. The stout stem and spiny seed pods may vary in pigmentation. The male flowers are yellowish-green in color, having prominent creamy stamens, while the female flowers bear prominent red stigmas at the tips of the spikes. The sorryering perennial shrub is known to grow very fast.

The spiny greenish capsule fruit of castor is capsule-shaped and contains large, oval, shiny, bean-like highly poisonous seeds. Though castor is native to south-eastern Mediterranean Basin, Eastern Africa and India, it is spread widely throughout the tropical regions. Castor is known as arandi in Hindi, divel in Gujarati, errand in Marathi, aavadam in Telugu, aamanakku in Tamil and aralenne in Kannada.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- fatty oil (42-55%), proteins (20-25%), lectins (0.1-0.7%), ricin D (RCA-60: severely toxic, RCA-120: less toxic), pyridine alkaloids, ricinoleic acid (12-hydroxy-oleic acid 85-90%), tocopherols (Vitamin E).

Uses & Benefits of Castor
Castor plant is extensively used as a decorative plant in parks and other public places.
It is a harmless purgative and very effective in treating rheumatic and skin disorders.
A decoction of the roots of this plant is used in the treatment of lumbago and sciatica.
Castor leaves are used as an external application to boils and swellings.
The leaves, when heated in coconut oil, can be applied on guinea-worm sores, to extract the worms.
The castor seeds are used in making jewelry, particularly necklaces and bracelets.
A poultice of the seeds is applied to the scrofulous sores and boils that result from tuberculosis of lymph nodes.
Castor oil is massaged over the breasts of women, after childbirth, to increase the milk flow, since it stimulates the mammary glands.
The leaves of the plant are also used to foment the breasts.
Regular use of castor oil promotes hair growth and cures dandruff.
Take 30 to 60 grams of castor oil orally with 250 to 375 grams of lukewarm milk to cure constipation. It starts acting after an hour.
Chewing one castor seed daily, for a period of seven days after menstruation, makes a woman sterile.
Massage castor oil into your body before bathing, once in a week, to keep the skin healthy and have a sound sleep.
Apply castor oil on hands and feet, before going to bed, to keep them soft.
In Brazil, castor oil is used for producing bio-diesel in poor rural areas.
Applying the castor oil over the eyebrows and eyelashes keeps them well groomed.

Caution
Castor oil should also not be consumed in cases of abdominal pain or intestinal infections, like appendicitis, enteritis or inflammation of the small intestine and peritonitis.
People suffering from kidney infection should avoid castor oil, as it serves as a purgative.
Castor oil, when taken in large doses, can lead to abortion in early months of pregnancy.

[MysteRy]

Cedarwood

Botanical Name(s): Cedrus Deodara
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Cedrus Trew
Species: Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don f.
Popular Name(s): Deodar, Himalayan Cedar
Parts Used: Rhizomes
Habitat: Grows wild in damp deciduous forests

Description
Cedarwood is a plant that is up to 50 m high and up to 3 m in diameter. It has the shape of a pyramid and is crown conical when young, with leader and branches drooping at the end. On the other hand, the older trees are more rounded. The branches are horizontally arranged, while the ends of the shoots are pendulous. The needles are blue-green, about 30 in a cluster, 3-5 cm long, and acuminate. Flowers appear in September and October. These plants need plenty of room to spread. Large specimens of this plant have trunks, almost 3 feet in diameter and spread across 50 feet. In India, the plant is mostly found in the western Himalayan belt, at an altitude of 3500 to 12000 feet. Its range extends to the Hindukush area, where it grows extensively.

Uses & Benefits of Cedarwood
The bark of cedarwood proves to be a good remedy in remittent and intermittent fevers, diarrhea and dysentery. The powder is used in the treatment of ulcers.
The inner wood of the plant is aromatic and is thus, used to make incense. The inner wood is also distilled to make essential oils.
The essential oil obtained from this plant is used as insect repellant on the feet of horses, cattle and camels, as insects avoid venturing close to it.
Cedarwood possesses anti-fugal properties and has shown limited potential in controlling fungal deterioration of species, during storage.
The outer bark and stem of the tree are used for making astringent.
The biomedical actions of the plant are believed to be carminative and antispasmodic. It creates sweating and urination.
The Ayurvedic functions of the plant promote digestive function, remove toxins from the bowel, alleviate coughing, and cure skin disorders, such as eczema and psoriasis.
As it possesses aromatic properties, cedar oil is often used in aromatherapy. It has a characteristic woody whiff, which can change slightly in the course of drying out.
The resins of the herb are used as anti-obesity agent. They are also effectual in clearing the respiratory tract and reducing cough and cold.
Cedarwood (deodar) is also used as a building material, as it is durable and rot-resistant. It has fine close grain, which can sustain high polish.
Historically, cedarwood was used in construction of temples and landscape around temples. The famous houseboats of Kashmir and India are also made of deodar. During the colonial era, it was extensively used for construction of barracks, public buildings bridges, canals & railway cars.

Caution
The essential oil from cedarwood should be used with extreme care and avoided during pregnancy, as is the case with almost all essential oils.

[MysteRy]

Gotu Kola

Botanical Name(s): Centella Asiatica
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Apiales
Family: Appiaceae
Genus: Centella L.
Species: Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.
Popular Name(s): Indian Pennywort, Artayniya-e Hindi, Jal Brahmi, Brahmi, Brahma-manduki
Parts Used: Whole Plant
Habitat: Grown in waterlogged places throughout India

Description
Gotu kola is a perennial plant native to India and other tropical countries. Its appearance changes, depending on growing conditions. In shallow water, the plant puts forth floating roots and the leaves rest on top of the water. In dry locations, it puts out numerous small roots and the leaves are small and thin. The stems of the plant are slender, with creeping stolons, interconnecting one plant to the other. The rootstock consists of rhizomes, which grow vertically downwards. The rhizomes have a cream color and are covered with root hair. The flowers of the plant range from pinkish to red in color.

Plant Chemicals
Indocentelloside, brahmoside, brahminoside, asiaticoside, thankuniside and isothankuniside are the glycosides found in the plant. The corresponding triterpene acids obtained on hydrolysis of these glycosides are indocentoic, brahmic, asiatic, thankunic and isothankunic. These acids, except the thankunic and isothankunic, are also present in free form in the plant, apart from isobrahmic and betulic acids. The presence of mesoinositol, ‘centellose’ (a new oligosaccharide), kaempferol, quercetin and stigmasterol, have also been reported. The main active ingredients found are Bacoside A and B.

Uses & Benefits of Gotu Kola
Gotu kola is used in treatment of leprosy and known to ameliorate the symptoms of the disease and improve general health of the patient. There are several studies that have established the healing properties of the herb, explaining its traditional use in treating leprosy.
This herb is a mild adaptogen. It is also mildly anti-bacterial, anit-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic, anxiolytic, a cerebral tonic, a stimulant that helps in circulation, a diuretic, nervine and Vulnerary.
When eaten in raw form, as a salad leaf, it helps maintain youthfulness. A decoction of juice from the leaves is believed to relive hypertension.
Open sores can be effectively treated by a poultice of the leaves of Gotu kola.
The herb works as a brain tonic and stimulates hair growth. It also revitalizes the brain and the nervous system, besides increasing attention span and concentration. 
It possesses anti-oxidant properties, works for venous insufficiency and is also used in Thailand for detoxifying opium.
When the root of the herb is ingested with milk and liquorices, it is very effective in arresting dysentery.
The leaves of gotu kola can be used to treat all types of fevers. Pepper, ocimum sanctum and the leaves of the plant are to be grinded and consumed twice a day, for the purpose.
In India, the herb is extensively used for its therapeutic properties for improving memory.

Caution
Excess doses of gotu kola might cause headaches and transient unconsciousness. So, it is advisable not to drive or operate machinery, after consuming it.

[MysteRy]

Chicory

Binomial Name(s): Cichorium Intybus
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Cichorieae
Genus: Cichorium
Species: C.intybus
Popular Name(s): Endive, Succory
Parts Used: Chicory flowers
Habitat: Cultivated throughout India

Description
Chicory is a bushy perennial herb with blue or lavender flowers. The roots are baked, ground, and used as a coffee substitute and additive in the plant's Mediterranean region of origin. It is grown in complete darkness, to keep new leaves tender and pale. The plant species is native to Europe, from where it was transported to other parts of the world, and grows in abundance there. Today, the herb is found growing wild in the fields of North America and also in the temperate zones of the world. Fully grown chicory herb reach up to a height of about 3 to more than 5 feet. Commercially, the plant is widely cultivated in parts of Europe, as the roasted root of the herb serves as an additive in coffee.

Plant Chemicals
11 to 15% inulin (a polysaccharide), 10 to 22% fructose, lactucin, lactucopicrin, some tannin, a fatty and a volatile oil, trace amounts of certain other compounds. The polysaccharide, inulin, undergoes chemical conversions to form a compound called oxymethylfurfurol.

Uses & Benefits of Chicory
Bruised leaves of chicory are often used for the treatment of inflammations and can be applied over swellings. They are also used for the treatment of headaches and provide relief from arthritic pains and swellings.
Regular and frequent use of chicory roots, in the form of liver tonic, is found to be beneficial for women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It helps by maintaining a balance in the hormone level of the body and alleviating the symptoms associated with the condition.
Consumption of the herb, as a “bitter” salad consisting of sorrel, chicory and dandelion, helps to improve the liver functions and is believed to discourage the growth of Candida.
One of the major functions of chicory is to increase the body’s ability to absorb calcium. This mineral is very essential to maintain strong teeth and healthy skeletal system.
Two fibers, raftilin inulin and raftilose oligofructose, present in the herb are fermented by the bacteria in the large intestine, increasing the body’s ability to absorb calcium and certain other minerals.
Therapeutically, the herb is very important for the proper functioning of the urinary system, as it helps to detoxify and cleanse the urinary tract.
Certain herbal remedies containing chicory are also available for treating disorders like gout and rheumatic pains.
The herb is also used as a mild laxative agent and helps to treat children affected by constipation and other digestive conditions.
Supplements of chicory, when taken in the diet, also aid in the proper metabolism of cholesterol in the body.
Apart from the effects mentioned above, the herb is also taken internally, for loss of appetite, jaundice, gallstones, gout, and rheumatism.

Caution
Although there are no serious side effects associated with the consumption of chicory, occasional cases of food allergy have been reported.
In the rare occasion of any skin irritation, it is best to consult a physician or a doctor.

[MysteRy]

Quinine

Binomial Name(s): Cinchona Officinalis
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Cinchona
Species: C. officinalis
Popular Name(s): Peruvian Bark, Quinine Bark.
Parts Used: Quinine Isolated From Bark.
Habitat: Cultivated in Nilgiri Hills

Description
Quinine is a genus of tropical evergreen trees and shrubs, with rather large laurel-like, entire, opposite leaves, and white or pink fragrant flowers arranged in clusters. Though its common name is quinine, not all species of Cinchona can be used to produce quinine; in fact, many contain virtually no quinine at all. This herb is native to Amazon Rainforest vegetation and is renowned for its innumerous health and therapeutic benefits. It is particularly found in the eastern slopes of the Amazon area of the Andes. Apart from this, quinine is also found in the northern zone of the Andes, towards the eastern slopes of the central and western ranges. Because of its usefulness in the curing diseases and ailments, the herb is now cultivated in many tropical areas, for commercial purpose.

Plant Chemicals:
Aricine, caffeic acid, cinchofulvic acid, cincholic acid, cinchonain, cinchonidine, cinchonine, cinchophyllamine, cinchotannic acid, cinchotine, conquinamine, cuscamidine, cuscamine, cusconidine, cusconine, epicatechin, javanine, paricine, proanthocyanidins, quinacimine, quinamine, quinic acid, quinicine, quinine, quininidine, quinovic acid, quinovin, and sucirubine

Uses & Benefits of Quinine
Quinine is an anti-fever agent and is used for the prevention and cure of malaria.
Its bark is an important constituent in herbal medicines and is used as a tonic and a digestive stimulant for the cure of conditions like indigestion, gastro-intestinal disorders and also as an appetite stimulant.
Certain forms of folk medicine in the southern zone of America use the herb for curing different types of cancer, like breast cancer, liver cancer, mesenteric cancer and cancer of the spleen and other glands. Besides this, they also use it for the treatment of common cold, amoebic infections, dysentery, dyspepsia, diarrhea, fever, lumbago, malaria, pneumonia, sciatica, varicose veins, hangovers and even typhoid.
In the European herbal medicine systems, quinine bark is used as an antispasmodic, antimalarial, antiprotozoal, a bitter tonic and as a fever reducer. It is also used for treating irregular heartbeats, anemia, leg cramps and also as a bactericidal and an anesthetic in some conditions.
Many people use quinine as a good throat astringent and its powdered form is often used in tooth powders, because of its astringency.
In general, the herb can classified as an excellent analgesic, anesthetic, antiarrhythmic, antibacterial, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, bactericide, cytotoxic, febrifuge, fungicide, insecticide, nervine, stomachic and a tonic.

Caution
The quinine bark contains certain naturally occurring substances called quinine alkaloids, the consumption of which may lead to numerous side effects. In fact, drugs containing quinine are strictly prescription drugs and should be sold only under the recommendation of a health practitioner.
Always look for the warning signs and contraindications, while using higher levels of quinine alkaloids.

[MysteRy]

Cinnamon

Botanical Name(s): Cinnamomum verum
Family Name: Lauraceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Laurales
Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Cinnamomum
Species: C. verum
Popular Name(s): Tvak, Dalchini, Daruchini Karuva, Vazhana, Tamalapatra.
Parts Used: Bark   
Habitat: Indigenous to India and Sri Lanka.

Description
Cinnamon is the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree. The cinnamon trees are about 10 to 15 meters high. The light brown, papery bark and leathery leaves are ovate-oblong in shape, with a length of 7 to 18 cm. The green flowers are arranged in panicles and have a distinct odor. The tree bears purple berries with a single seed. Cinnamon has a fragrant perfume and a sweet and aromatic taste. The tree is native to Sri Lanka, but grows plentifully in Malabar, Cochin-China, Sumatra, Eastern Islands, Brazil, Mauritius, India and Jamaica. The spice is known as dal-chini, darchini or dhall cheene in Hindi and karuvappadai in Tamil.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- cinnamaldehyde (65-80%), lesser percentages of other phenols and terpenes, eugenol, trans-cinnamic acid, hydroxycinnamaldehyde, o-methoxycinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl alcohol and its acetate, limonene, alpha-terpineol, tannins, mucilage, oligomeric procyanidins, gum, mannitol, trace amounts of coumarin.

Uses & Benefits of Cinnamon
Since it is delicate in flavor, cinnamon is used in dessert dishes.
It is widely used in cakes and other baked recipe, along with milk and rice puddings, chocolate dishes and fruit desserts, especially apples and pears.
The spice is used in Indian curries and forms a part of the garam masala.
Cinnamon is also used to spice mulled wines, creams and syrups.
Consuming half teaspoon of the spice each day helps in reducing blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels by as much as 20%.
It is used to treat nausea, flatulence and diarrhea.
Chewing and swallowing a small pinch of powdered cinnamon is helpful in treating cough accompanied by spitting of whitish phlegm. The remedy is also helpful to people having cold feet and hands at night.
The spice is significant in treating loss of appetite and indigestion.
It is used in flatulent dyspepsia, dyspepsia with nausea, intestinal colic and digestive atony associated with cold and debilitated conditions.
Cinnamon helps in relieving vomiting, due to its mild astringency.
The spice has the ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.
It reduces the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on blood.
Smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.
People suffering from arthritis should be given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder, mixed with one tablespoon of honey every morning, before breakfast. It relieves the pain and the patient becomes capable of walking without pain within one month.
The spice is commonly used in Middle Eastern and North African dishes for flavoring lamb tagines or stuffed aubergines.
In Mexico, cinnamon is often drunk with coffee and chocolate and brewed as a tea.

Caution
Cinnamon should not be consumed by women who are still breastfeeding their child.
The spice is known to cause unwanted effects in sensitive individuals.
It can prove to be toxic, if taken in large doses.

[MysteRy]

Zedoary

Botanical Name(s): Curcuma Zedoaria
Family Name: Zingiberaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Curcuma
Species: C. zedoaria
Popular Name(s): White Turmeric, Kachur
Parts Used: Rhizomes
Habitat: Weed found all over India.

Description
Zedoary, also known as white turmeric, is a rhizome with a thin brown skin and a bright orange, hard interior. Its smell is similar to that of turmeric and mango. The perennial herb has a warm-spicy, woody and camphoraceous cineolic odor and bears yellow shiny flowers, with red and green bracts. The ovate leaves possess purple-colored spots and are 1 to 2 feet long, narrowing at the base. The fruits are triangular and ovate in shape while the seeds are oval or spear shaped.

Zedoary plant is native to India and Indonesia. However, it is widely used as a spice in the West today. It is also found in sub-tropical regions of eastern Nepal. Because of its mango-like fragrance, zedoary is called amb halad in many Indian languages (amb means mango). Some other common names are kachur in Hindi, karchur in Sanskrit, shatkachuro in Gujarati and Meitei Yaingang in Manipuri. Though zedoary is cultivated throughout India, it is mainly found in eastern Himalayan region and Karnataka.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- germacrone-4, 1,8-cineole, 5-epoxide, germacrone, furanodienone, curzerenone, zederone, dehydrocurdione, curcumenol, isocurcumenol, curcumenone, curmanolide A, curmanolide B.

Uses & Benefits of Zedoary
Since zedoary is anti-inflammatory, its paste is used on inflammation, wounds, skin ailments and pain.
The herb serves as a body stimulant and purifies blood.
It is very effective in treating respiratory disorders, tones up uterus and works as an aphrodisiac agent.
Zedoary improves digestion, improves liver condition and normalizes body temperature.
The herb, when taken in powdered form, helps in regularizing menstruation.
In the juice form, it is used to treat urine-related disorders and urinary tract infections.
Zedoary is used as a gastro-intestinal stimulant in flatulent colic and prevents stress ulceration as well.
It helps in curing dyspepsia, colic, vomiting and cough.
The herb proves useful in case of abdominal cramps, amenorrhea-abdominal pain and rheumatic pain. It is also used in anti-periodic pills.
Zedoary is used as anti-venom for the Indian Cobra.
It is used in the manufacture of liquors, stomach essences, bitters, perfumes and cosmetics.
In India, the herb is either cooked fresh or used in preparing pickles. In Indonesia, it is ground to paste and used in curries.

[MysteRy]

Cydonia Oblonga

Botanical Name(s): Cydonia Oblonga
Family Name: Rosaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Maloideae, Spiraeoideae
Genus: Cydonia
Species: C. oblonga
Popular Name(s): Quince Seeds, Cydonian Apple, Elephant Apple, Maja Pahit, Pineapple Quince, Vilvam, Quitte, Bedana, Coing
Parts Used: Seeds
Habitat: Native to southwest and Central Asia.

Description
A small deciduous tree, Cydonia Oblonga, also known as quince, is often related to apples and bears and has a pome fruit just like them. The temperate tree is 5 to 8 meters tall and 4 to 6 meters wide. The fruit is green, with dense grey-white pubescence when immature and turns to bright golden yellow on maturity. The strongly-perfumed fruit is pear-shaped and 7 to 12 cm in length and 6 to 9 cm in breadth. The simple alternately arranged leaves are 6 to 11 cm in length, with an entire margin and fine white hair. The flowers are white or pink, with five petals in each flower and are produced in the spring. The quince is native to Persia, but was also cultivated in Greece and Turkey. Today, the herb is cultivated throughout the world. Turkey produces a quarter of the world’s total production of quinoa and thus, ranks first.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- oxalic acid, citric acid (13.6%), malic acid, quinic acid (72.2%), shikimic acid, fumaric acid, ascorbic acid, 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acis, polymeric procyanidins.

Uses & Benefits of Cydonia Oblonga
Cydonia Oblonga is used to prepare a variety of recipes. It is used to make jam, jelly and quince pudding.
The fruit can be eaten in the raw as well as cooked form.
If the fruit smells very strong, it can added in small quantities to apple pies and jams to enhance their flavor.
The popular jam called marmalade is made using quince and its name has been derived from ‘marmelo’, the Portuguese word for the fruit.
Cydonia Oblonga is also used in making a type of wine.
In the Balkans, the fruit is used to prepare brandy.
The dried pits of quince are used in treating sore throat and relieving cough. 
A teaspoon of quince jam, when dissolved in a cup of boiling water, helps in relieving intestinal discomfort.
It is used for treating digestive disorders and gastrointestinal inflammation.
Cydonia Oblonga is used as an infusion to treat diarrhea and hemorrhage of the bowel.
In the form of a topical lotion, quince is used to soothe eyes.
It is also used as a compress or poultice for injuries, inflammation of the joints, injuries of the nipples and gashed or deeply cut fingers.
In Iran, quince seeds are used as a remedy for pneumonia and lung disease.
Quince is eaten in sandwiches, with cheese (traditionally manchego cheese) or fresh curd.
In Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela, a dish known as dulce de membrillo is prepared by cooking the quince into a reddish jello-like block or firm reddish paste.
In Syria, a dish called kibbeh safarjalieh is prepared by cooking quince in pomegranate paste with shank meat and kibbeh (a Middle Eastern meat pie with burghul and mince meat).
The seeds of Cydonia Oblonga are used in the cosmetic industry and for medicinal cosmetics.

Caution
Prolonged use or large internal doses of Cydonia Oblonga might lead to gastric irritation.
Never ever bit into a quince, its taste might put you off the fruit completely.