Lets learn a medicinal plant a day

Karpooravalli

Coleus aromaticus

This is commonly called as Karpooravalli, It belongs to the family Lamiaceae

The leaves are used for the treatment of coughs, sore throats and nasal congestion.

It is used to cure fever.

Leaves can be put in hot water and if that vapour is inhaled sore throat and cold will be cured.

 

Ginger/Inji

Zingiber officinale

It is commonly called as Ginger/Inji; it belongs to the family Zingiberaceae

Ginger helps to clear sore throats.
It acts against colds and flu.
It is very effective as a cleansing agent through the bowels and kidneys and also through the skin.
Ginger has been used in traditional medicine for years to promote healthy digestion and fight inflammation.
Ginger is an antiseptic, a digestive, a stimulant, and a tonic. It is commonly used to treat motion sickness
For sore throat one can grind ginger and add water and drink it concentrated, within 2 days sore throat will be cleared.

 

Turmeric/Manjal

Curcuma longa

This is commonly called as Turmeric/Manjal. It belongs to the family Zingiberaceae.

It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.

Turmeric is considered as a digestive bitter and a carminative.

Inhaling the turmeric smoke can assist in coughs, asthma and congested nasal passages.

Apply a paste of turmeric on the skin before bed, and wash off after a few minutes. In the morning, remove any remaining yellow tinge with a paste of chickpea flour (besan) and oil.It will give a good complexion to the skin.Regular turmeric use is said to make the skin fair, soft and smooth.

It is an essential ingredient of the traditional bathing ritual of Indian marriages where it is applied along with sandal wood paste before the bath.

Turmeric paste to remove excess body hair.

To cure chickenpox turmeric is mixed with neem extract and applied on the spots.

 

Cumin/Jeeragam

Cuminum cyminum

This is commonly known as cumin/jeeragam, It belongs to the family Apiaceae,

Cumin is a spice with medicinal properties that helps in treating digestive disorder, such as indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, morning sickness.

Cumin help to relieve symptoms of the common cold due to it’s antiseptic properties.

Cumin seeds are a good source of iron and magnesium.

Cumin tea is used to distinguish false labour (due to gas) from real labour.

 

Perungayam/Hing

Ferula asafoetida

It is commonly called as Perungayam/Hing, it belongs to the family Apiaceae.

Asafoetida is antibacterial, anti-fungal and carminative
it is used to treat various respiratory disorders like asthma, bronchitis, coughs and others.
It is used to cure gastric problems.
It can be added in our daily menu, by having it in rasam.
It is also used to cure toothache.

 

Vetrilai/betel

Piper betle

This is commonly known as Vetrilai/betel, it belongs to the family Piperaceae.

The betel leaf has analgesic and cooling properties.

The leaf has good smell along with sharp taste and this improves taste and appetite.Betel leaves are used as a stimulant, an antiseptic and a breath-freshener.

It can be applied over the painful area to relieve intense headache.The juice of these leaves works as a powerful balm in treating the headaches. Apply the juice on forehead to treat all types of headaches.
when the leaf is chewed, the mild anti-infective content in the leaf, freshen breath, and cleanses the mouth.

Betel leaves possess good diuretic properties, it also acts as aphrodisiac.

Local application of the leaves is' effective in treating sore throat.

Do not chew the betel leaves with tobacco as it leads to cancer.

 

Curry leaves/ Karivepillai/ Curry patta

Murraya koenigii

This is commonly known as Curry leaves/ Karivepillai/ Curry patta, it belongs to the family Rutaceae.


The leaves of Murraya koenigii are used as a herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Their properties include much value as an antidiabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory.

The leaves, bark and the root of the curry plant are used in indigenous medicine as a tonic, stimulant and antiflatulent.

Curry leaves are also known to be good for hair, for keeping it healthy and long. They also contain iron.Curry leaves prevent premature graying of hair if taken in the form of powder or paste.
These leaves have the property to nourish the hair roots. New hair roots that grow are healthier with normal pigment.Curry leaves if applied with coconut oil to the hair helps in blackening

Curry leaves aids in digestion, prevents nausea and morning sickness.

 

Mustard/Kadugu

Brassica nigra

It is commonly called as Mustard/Kadugu, it belongs to the family Brassicaceae.

It is used as a stimulating external application. The rubefacient action causes a mild irritation to the skin, stimulating the circulation in that area and relieving muscular and skeletal pain.

It facilitates digestion by promoting the secretion of gastric juices if used in small quantities as a condiment.

Used to cure fever and cold.

 

Kadukkai/Haritaki

Terminalia chebula

This is conmonly called as Kadukkai/Haritaki, it belongs to the family Combretaceae.

It is called as haritaki because it carries away all diseases or it is sacred to Siva (Hara).

Its fruit is mild laxative, stomachic, tonic, alterative, adaptogen, hepatoprotective, febrifuge, antispasmodic, expectorant, anti-asthmatic, antiviral and hypoglycaemic.

It is useful in ophthalmia, dental caries, bleeding gums, ulcerated oral cavity and in many other diseases according to Ayurveda.

Triphala - a wel known medicine is the combination with equal quantities of three myrobalans - chebula, bellerica and emblica.

 

Kovakka /Ivy gourd

Coccinia grandis

This is commonly called as Kovakka /parval/ Ivy gourd, it belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae

The juice of the roots and leaves is used in the treatment of diabetes.
The leaves are used as a poultice in treating skin eruptions.
The plant is used as a laxative.
The fruits cures sores on tongue, eczema
Raw fruit used as vegetable.
Leaves causes cooling effect to eyes
In coimbatore irula tribes use to eat these leaves.
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