Herbal healers V

Indravaruni

Scientific name : Citrullus colocynthis
Family : Cucurbitaceae
Vernacular name

1. Bengali : Rakhal Sasa Mul
2. English : Colocynth, Bitter apple
3. Gujrati : Indravaran, Indrayan, Indramanoa, Indarvaranova
4. Hindi : Indrayan
5. Kannada : Havumekke, Havumakke, Indravaruni, Tuntikai, Kadukavadi
6. Malayalam : Valiyakattuvell, Valiya Pekkumatti, Cheeiyakattuvellari
7. Marathi : Endrayana, Indravarana
8. Oriya : Gothakakucti, Indrayanalata, Garukhiya
9. Punjabi : Kaudatumma, Tumbi
10. Tamil : Paikamatti, Paythumatti, Varithummati, Aruthununatti
11. Telugu : Chedu Puchcha
12. Urdu : Hanzal, Indrayan

Medicinal Uses

1. Premature graying of hair: 50 gram of dried seeds paste of Indravaruni cooked in 400 ml of sesame oil until it becomes moisture free. Regular application of this oil over the scalp is found to be effective in preventing premature greying of hair.
2. Constipation: 1-3gms of Indravaruni root powder taken orally with warm water daily night before going to bed relieves constipation, abdominal distension, menstrual pain etc.
3. Food poisoning: In case of food poisoning 2-3 gram of Indravaruni seeds powder is administered twice or thrice in a day. This helps to induce vomiting and hence the probable danger is checked. Fishermen use this kind of practice abundantly as they are repeatedly poisoned by poisonous fish intake.
4. Foot ulcers: One fist full of dried seeds of Indravaruni boiled in 500ml of water and till it reduced to 1/4th. This decoction is used to soak the foot for 15-30minutes, in case of foot ulcers and cracks caused during rainy seasons.
5. Scrotal Enlargement: 3grams of Indravaruni root powder mixed with castor oil and is taken along with Cowʼs milk twice daily is beneficial in scrotal enlargement.

Isvari

Scientific name : Aristolochia indica
Family : Aristolochiaceae
Vernacular name

1. Assamese : Jarvande
2. Bengali : Isheri
3. English : Indian Birthwort, Serpent Root
4. Gujarati : Ruhimool, Iswarimool
5. Hindi : Ishwari
6. Kannada : Ishwari Beru, Toppalu
7. Malayalam : Karaleyan
8. Marati : Sapsan
9. Oriya : Gopikaron
10. Tamil : Perumarundu, Ichchuramule
11. Telugu : Iswari, Nallaiswari
12. Urdu : Zarawand Hindi

Medicinal Uses

1. Insects bite: Isvari leaves paste applied or rubbed well over the bitten area. Also 10-20 ml of leaf juice is given with pepper powder internally for 6-7 times daily for insects bite and also in poisonous bites of snakes. The leaf juice is the best medicine for all sort of toxic bites.
2. Fever: The juice of the whole plant of Isvari in the dose of 5-10 ml given thrice a day is useful in fever and diarrhoea etc.
3. Joint pains: The whole plant paste of Isvari, mildly heated with castor oil and applied locally is beneficial in joint pains.
4. Bronchial asthma: The root powder of Isvari is given in dose of 3 grams with honey in cases of toxicities, bronchial asthma, cough and fever.
5. Anaemia: Administration of 5gms of Isvari leaves powder along with water twice daily is beneficial in anaemia.
6. Headache: The paste of Isvari leaves and turmeric is applied on forehead twice daily is beneficial.

Jalapippali

Scientific name : Phyla nodiflora
Family : Verbenaceae
Vernacular name

1. Bengali : Bukkana, Kaanchadaa
2. English : Purple Lippia
3. Gujrati : Rataveliyo
4. Hindi : Jalpipali, Panisigaa, Bhuiokaraa
5. Kannada : Nelahippali
6. Malayalam : Nirtippali, Podutalai (Siddha)
7. Marathi : Jalpippali, Ratavel
8. Tamil : Potuttali
9. Telugu : Bokkena

Medicinal Uses

1. Leucorrhoea: The leaves of jalapippali powder along with cumin seeds in equal quantity, is mixed well and given in the dose of 5 to 10 grams twice daily is beneficial in Leucorrhoea.
2. Piles: Administration of the chutney prepared with leaves of jalapippali is effective in curing piles.
3. Wound: External application of leaves paste is helpful in the ripening of pustules and also useful in healing the wounds. Since it has anti bacterial properties, it treats the infections well.
4. Dandruff: The leaves of jalapippali paste applied on the scalp is useful in case of dandruff. A Siddha preparation called Poduthalai tailam is very effective in dandruff.
5. Urinary calculi: Infusion of leaves and tender stalk (Soak 10 gm of Jalapippali in 50ml of hot water for 3-4 hours) used in cold with fever; also as diuretic and for Lithiasis.

Jambu

Scientific name : Syzygium cuminii
Family : Myrtaceae
Vernacular name

1. Bengali : Badjam, Kalajam
2. English : Jambul tree
3. Gujrati : Gambu, Jamun
4. Hindi : Jamuna
5. Kannada : Nerale Beeja, Jambu Nerale
6. Malayalam : Njaval
7. Marathi : Jambul
8. Oriya : Jam Kol, Jamu Kol
9. Punjabi : Jaamun
10. Tamil : Naval
11. Telugu : Alla Nereduchettu, Neredu chettu
12. Urdu : Jamun

Medicinal Uses

1. Diabetes: 10 gm of Jambu seeds powder boiled in 100 ml of water till it reduced to 1/4th. Take this decoction on empty stomach early morning reduces blood sugar levels.
2. Boils: Apply the paste of Jamun seeds powder mixed with a little sesame oil on the Boils.
3. Bedwetting: Consume 5gms of Jamun seeds powder with water 2 times a day for 15 days to 1 month in children.
4. Hoarseness of voice: To maintain good voice and relieve from hoarseness, boil the Jamun seeds and gargle with that water frequently.
5. Acne: Mix Jamun seed powder with some cowʼs milk and apply on the pimples while going to bed at night. Wash in the morning and continue this for few days for good results.
6. Joint pains: External application warm paste prepared from jamun bark powder mixed with sufficient water by rubbing followed by heating is useful to relieve the joint pains.
7. Piles: Regular intake of Jamun fruits for 2 to 3 months will help healing bleeding piles.

Japa

Scientific name :Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Family : Malvaceae
Vernacular name

1. English : Chinese hibiscus, Chinese rose, Rose of China, Shoe Flower
2. Hindi : Jasut, Jasun, Gudhal, Gurhal
3. Bengali : Joba, Javaphul, Jaba
4. Gujarati : Jasuva, Jasus
5. Kannada : Daasavala, Kempu daasavala, Kempu pundrike
6. Malayalam : Ayamparathi, Chembarathi
7. Telugu : Mandaram
8. Tamil : Sembarattai, Semparuthi
9. Oriya : Mondaro
10. Assam : Joba
11. Punjabi : Jasun
12. Unani : Gul-e-Gurhal

Medicinal Uses

1. Leucorrhoea: 3-5 flowers of japa paste boiled in 100ml of milk till it reduced to 50ml added with little jaggery and 3 grams of yavani (Trachyspermum ammi) should be given in leucorrhoea daily once.
2. Insomnia: The petals of the flowers of japa one part and six parts of water is mixed and heated on little flame and reduced to 1/4th part. Then jaggery is added to it and prepared into syrup. This is given in the dose of 10 ml for urinary diseases, Insomnia and psychiatric ailments.
3. Hair fall: The juice of japa petals boiled in coconut oil till the water content of the mixture disappears. Application of this oil on head gives coolness to the entire body and a very effective remedy for hair fall.
4. Dandruff: The leaves are crushed well and squeezed to extract the mucilaginous content. This should be applied on head before 2 hours of head bath. It relieves dandruff and promotes hair growth.
5. Boils: The leaves and young flower buds paste of japa is used as a poultice on boils.
6. Cough: Drinking twice daily Hibiscus tea (1-2 Flowers boiled in 50ml of water 5 to 10 min) is rich in antioxidants, can protect liver, relieves cough and reduce fever too.

Jatiphala

Scientific name :Myristica fragrans
Family : Myristicaceae
Vernacular name

1. Assamese : Jaiphal, Kanivish
2. Bengali : Jaiphala, Jaitri
3. English : Nutmeg
4. Gujrati : Jaiphala, Jayfar
5. Hindi : Jaiphal
6. Kannada : Jadikai, Jaykai, Jaidikai
7. Kashmiri : Jafal
8. Malayalam : Jatika
9. Marathi : Jaiphal
10. Oriya : Jaiphal
11. Punjabi : Jaiphal
12. Tamil : Sathikkai, Jathikkai, Jatikkai, Jadhikai, Jadhikkai
13. Telugu : Jajikaya
14. Urdu : Jauzbuwa, Jaiphal

Medicinal Uses

1. Flatulence: 2 grams of Jatiphala (Nutmeg) powder should be given with honey twice or thrice a day before food to treat flatulence etc abdominal disorders.
2. Diarrhoea: Administration of 2 gram of Jatiphala powder with butter milk twice daily helps to treat Diarrhoea.
3. Insomnia: 2 gram of Jatiphala powder can be given with milk at bed time in case of insomnia.
4. Headache: The paste of nutmeg (Jatiphala) can be applied thickly over forehead during head ache.
5. Rhinitis: For Chronic cold and rhinitis in children , powder of nutmeg mixed with mustard oil can be applied at the middle of the head regularly
6. Indigestion: The powder prepared from equal quantity of Jatiphala shunthi and jirika, administered in a dos of 5 gms before food twice daily is highly beneficial in indigestion, flatulence and abdominal discomfort.
7. Acne: Equal quantity of Nutmeg and cinnamon powder mixed with honey and applied over the face daily in the morning and keep it for approximately 10-15 minutes. Then rinse with cold water. It will help in relieving acne as well as reducing scars.

Jiraka

Scientific name :Cuminum cyminum
Family : Apiaceae
Vernacular name

1. Assamese : Jira
2. Bengali : Jira, Sadajira
3. English : Cumin seed. Cumin
4. Gujrati : Jirautmi, Jirn, Jiraugi, Jeeru, Jirun
5. Hindi : Jira, Safed jira
6. Kannada : Jirage, Bilejirege
7. Kashmiri : Safed Zoor
8. Malayalam : Jeerakam
9. Marathi : Pandhare jire
10. Oriya : Dhalajeera, Dalajira, Jira
11. Punjabi : Safed Jira, Chitta Jira
12. Tamil : Sheeragam, Chirakam, Jeerakam
13. Telugu : Jilakarra
14. Urdu : Zirah, Zirasafed

Medicinal Uses

1. Memory enhancement: This spice is known to be the brain food and it enhances memory. Take 3 grams of powdered black cumin seeds mixed with a little honey and lick it every morning for a few weeks. This will improve memory.
2. Diabetes: Take one teaspoonful powdered cumin seeds with one glass of water twice a day to control sugar levels in diabetes patients.
3. Piles: Add one teaspoonful of roasted cumin (jeera) powder to a glass of buttermilk and have it twice daily for a few weeks
4. Diarrhoea: Roast one tsp of cumin seeds and powder them. Add a pinch each of dry ginger powder (Sunthi), cinnamon powder and black pepper. Mix in 1 cup of butter milk. Drink twice or thrice a day.
5. Flatulence: Administration of the decoction of crushed cumin seeds, black pepper and dry ginger twice a day for several days is beneficial.
6. Lactation: To increase lactation, mix 1 teaspoonful of cumin and sugar. Drink with warm milk daily in evening.
7. Intermittent fever: Intake of 3gms of Krishna jeera, 1gm of Marica( Black pepper) with equal jaggery twice daily is useful in Vishama jwara.

Kadali

Scientific name :Musa paradisiaca
Family : Musaceae
Vernacular name

1. Assam : Kal, Talha
2. Bengali : Kela, Kala, Kanch Kala, Kodali
3. English : Banana tree, Plantain tree
4. Gujarati : Kela
5. Hindi : Kela
6. Kannada : Bale gadde
7. Malayam : Vazha
8. Marati : Kela
9. Oriaya : Kadali, Kadila
10. Punjabi : Kela
11. Tamil : Vazhai
12. Telugu : Arati gadda
13. Urdu : Kela

Medicinal Uses

1. Peripheral Neuropathy: The crushed flowers of kadali (banana) tree fried with castor oil slightly and be used for fomentation or as a bandage on the extremities for burning sensation.
2. Constipation: Ripened banana as a fruit is a good Laxative, Nutritive and Diuretic.
3. Indigestion: It is good to eat food in Plantain leaf as it helps to treat Indigestion and body heat.
4. Traumatic swellings: The roots of Plantain tree is crushed well and the paste used for bandaging over traumatic swellings.
5. Urinary Calculi: Regular intake of 20ml of Plantain stem juice twice daily for 3 months is beneficial to eliminate Urinary calculi.
6. Fungal infection (Sidhma): Paste of 2 gms of Banana leaf alkali (Burned leave ash) mixed with 2 gms of turmeric powder applied over the affected skin is beneficial in Fungal infection.

Kalamegha

Scientific name :Andrographis paniculata
Family : Acanthaceae
Vernacular name

1. English : The creat, king of bitters
2. Hindi : Kalamegha, Kalpanath
3. Bengali : Kalamegh
4. Gujarathi : Kariyathu, Litu Kariyat
5. Kannada : Nelabevu
6. Marathi : Kiriath
7. Malayalam : Nelavepu, Nelavemu, Nilavaepu
8. Tamil : Nelavemu, Nilavembu
9. Telugu : Nelavemu
10. Urdu : Bhooinimo

Medicinal Uses

1. Eczema: 50 gram total plant paste mixed in 200 ml of sesame oil. This mixture is cooked until, it is free of moisture. This oil apply over the skin lesions especially in eczema. it is also effective in dandruff and seborrhic dermatitis.
2. Vishama jwara: Equal quantity of Kalamegha plant powder, Shunthi, black pepper powders are mixed well. Taking this mixture 3-5gms will hot water three to four times a day, pacifies recurrent fevers.
3. Intestinal worms: 3gms of the leaves paste of kalamegha consumed early morning on empty stomach for a week, is very beneficial in intestinal worms especially in pin worms. it is also found to be effective in recurrent spasmodic pains and menstrual pain.
4. Skin diseases: Equal amount of neem and triphala powders are mixed well. Administration of the decoction (5gms of this mixture boiled in 100ml of water till it reduced to 1/4th), is used both for internal and external purpose. Externally it is used to wash the wounds in case of chronic skin diseases and in ulcers. Internal administration twice daily is effective in diabetes, itching skin diseases and even in several eye disorders.
5. Liver disorders: Intake of 10 ml fresh juice of kalamegha with honey twice or thrice daily is very good for liver as Andrographis protects the liver against toxins.

Kamala

Scientific name :Nelumbo nucifera,
Family : Nelumbonaceae
Vernacular name

1. Assamese : Podum
2. Bengali : Padma Phool, Salaphool
3. English : Lotus
4. Gujrati : Kamal,
5. Hindi : Kamal, Kanwal
6. Kannada : Kamal, Tavare, Naidile, Tavaregedd
7. Malayalam : Tamara, Venthamara, Chenthamara, Senthamara
8. Marathi : Komala
9. Oriya : Padma
10. Punjabi : Kanwal, Pamposh
11. Tamil : Tamarai, Thamaraipoo, Aravindan, Paduman, Kamalam, Sarojam
12. Telugu : Kaluva, Tamarapuvow
13. Urdu : Kamal

Medicinal Uses

1. Burning micturation: 3gms Lotus flower paste or rhizome paste along with milk can be given internally twice daily for burning micturation.
2. Snake bites: For toxic snake bites, one Lotus flower can be ground well and given along with water internally at regular intervals.
3. Diarrhoea: 5ml of lotus flower juice can be administered twice daily for diarrhoea. It is also good for Heart .
4. Bleeding piles: 3gms of lotus flower/rhizome powder mixed in one cup of milk can be given twice daily for bleeding piles, bloody diarrhoea and cough etc.
5. Hypertention: Venthamarai poo choornam a Siddha Medicine is very effective for Management of Hypertension and given in the dose of 2‒ 3 grams with milk before food twice a day.
6. Hyper pigmentation: Fine paste of lotus flower should be applied on the face once daily. This enhances the complexion and luster of the face, relieves the black spots and freckles.

Source: Ayurveda offering Herbal healing