Aavla | Amalika | Emblica officinalis

Aavla(Amalika)

classification of Emblica officinalis

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Flowering plant

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Tribe: Phyllantheae

Subtribe: Flueggeinae

Genus: Phyllanthus

Species: P. emblica officinalis

Common name: Emblic myrobalan

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Nature of Emblica officinalis

This is a medium-sized deciduous tree, with pimiately compound leaves. it bears a small pale greenish yellow globose shaped fruit, marked with six lobes.

Distribution: Occurs throughout india in plains as well as in coastal districts.

Special characteristics of Emblica officinalis : Its globose fruit, which is larger when cultivated.

Medicinal uses of Emblica officinalis
fruits are s rich source of Vitamin C. it is an effective liver tonic and a mild laxative. it also helps in improving the appetite and digestion. it is one of the main ingredients of "Chavanprash".
The fruit is a great source of Vitamin C and used in ayurvedic preparations.



Status: A commonly occurring plant of deciduous forests.

Punarnava | Boerhaavia diffusa | Common hog-weed

Scientific name: Boerhaavia diffusa

Common name: Common hog-weed, Punarnava(Punarnava).

Family: Nyctaginaceae

nature of Boerhaavia diffusa: a herb sperading on ground and partly erect. nodes swoeen, with ovate leaves on both sides. flowers very small and pink coloured, growing in clusters.



characteristics of Boerhaavia diffusa

Entire plant has pink colourations on stem.

Medicinal uses of Boerhaavia diffusa Leaves and roots have medicinal properties.
the drug contains alkaloid "punarnavin"
.it is diuretic and used in the treatment of drohapsy and jaundice.
An ayurvedic preparation "punarnavasava" obtained from this plan.



status of Boerhaavia diffusa: fairly common.

Asparagus racemosus

classification of Asparagus racemosus

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Asparagales

Family: Asparagaceae

Genus: Asparagus

Species: A. racemosu
Nature of Asparagus racemosus

It is a shurb.
leaves are small, linear with small stout spnious spur at the base. fruits are globose,3-5mmin diameter and turn bright red when ripe .

characteristics of Asparagus racemosus : This and oters species are used as ornamental plant.

Medicinal uses of Asparagus racemosus : Roots act as diuretic and increas appetite.
the mixture of long pepper, honey and root extract of this plant works as tonic.
It is extensively used in ayurvedic preparation e.g."shatavari kalp".
Cultivated/collected: Collected from wild and also cultivated.

Status of Asparagus racemosus : Fairly common in wild and gardens.

Flame of the forest | Butea monosperma | Palash

classification of Butea monosperma

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Butea

Species: B. monosperma

Common name: Palas (Palash), Flame of the forest.



Nature of Palash

It is a medium sized deciduous tree with big, smooth and trifoliate leaves.
Flowers are bright orange-red in colour and are in clusters. fruit is a thin and compressed pod.



characteristics of Palash

Its beautiful orange coloured flowers brings colour to forest and hence the name flame of the forest.

Medicianl uses of Palash: Flowers of this plant are diuretic. gum of the tree is known as "bengal kino" and contains tannin, used in the treatment of diarrhea. seeds are used anthelmintic, in the treatment of worms.
Gum "bengal" and flowers yield yellow dye.
provides excellent habitat for lac insect.
leaves used for making platesand bowls.



Status of Palash: Very common.

Neerbranhi | Somyalata | Bacopa monnieri

clasification of Bacopa monnieri

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Lamiales

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Genus: Bacopa

Species: B. monnieri

Common name: Thyme leaves gratiola, Neerbranhi (Somyalata).

Nature
It is a herb with succulent stem and leaves, spreading on moist ground.
The flowers are very small, solitary and bluein colour.
this plant is mostly found near water bodies.


characteristics Bacopa monnieri: It is a Moderately succulent plant.
Medicinal uses of Bacopa monnieri

every parts of the plant is used medicinally. it is a tonic for nevers and prescribed in mental diseases. the leaf juice is given to infants in bronchitis.
plant countains an alkaloid "bramhin", which is a cardiac tonic.

position: Common on moist locations.

Kateshever | Red silk cotton | Bombax ceiba | Shalmali

classification of Bombax ceiba

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Genus: Bombax

Species: B. ceiba

Common name: Red silk cotton,Kateshever (Shalmali) .


Nature

it is a tree with its entire bark surface covered with spines.
leaves aremostly palmately compound.
flowers are large, leathery and dark red in colour.

characteristics of Red silk cotton

Beautiful large red flowers and stem armed with strong spines. the fruits contain white silky fibres.

Medicianl uses of Red silk cotton: Its spines are used as antifugal.
gum is known as "mocharus".

Fruits yield slick cotton, used in stuffing mattresses and pillows.


position: Common in drier as well as coastal parts.

Neem | Azadirachta indica

Scientific classification of Azadirachta indica

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Sapindalez

Family: Meliaceae

Genus: Azadirachta

Family: Meliaceae

Common name: Neem, kaduneem, mahaneem.

Nature
It is a tree with straight trunk and compound leaves, with serrated margin.
flower are small and white in colour . fruits are small and elongated and mostly turn yellow when ripe.
Distribution

cultivated as roadside tree near habitations.

characteristics of Azadirachta indica

Beautiful canopy of the tree and its leaves.
Medicinal uses of Azadirachta indica

This tree is known as Amrut Vruksha as all its parts are used medicinally. leaves and bark are useful in the treatment of skin problems. oil cake from seeds and gum are also useful. in the medicinal purpose.


position

Fairly common tree throughout the plains in india.

Bilva | Bel | Aegle marmelos |

Scientific clasification of Aegle marmelos

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Sapindales

Family: Rutaceae

Subfamily: Aurantioideae

Tribe: Clauseneae

Genus: Aegle

Species: A. marmelos

Common name: Bilva

Habit

It is a tree with strong axillary thorns and trifoliat leaves. fruits are round in shape , woody with orang-coloured sweet aromatic pulp.

Distribution

Throughout india on plains and perfers dry climate.
characteristic of Aegle marmelos

Trioliat leaves used for worshipping'lord shiva'. fruits are edible.

Medicnal uses of Aegle marmelos

Leaves and fruits are used in medicine. fruits cotain mucilage and pectin; and are used in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery. its pulp gives cooling effect, hence used for preparing "sharbat". unripe fruits used for improving appetite. Fruit pulp used in ayurvedic medicine.

position: Fairly common in in dry parts of india.

Kumari | Korphad | Aleo barbadensis

Korphad(Kumari)

Scientific name: Aleo barbadensis

Family: Liliaceae

Common name: Aloe

Habit
A shurb with thick succulent leaves, which contain lot of juicy and bitter pulp. theleaves are long and pale green in coiour, with horny prickles on the margin. flowers are borne on a scape about 60-90cms. longs.

Distribution
plant is distributed throughout india in dry climate. thrives weel in sandy saline soil, near coasts.

characteristics of Aleo barbadensis
Leaves thick with pulp. leaf border with spines.

Medicinal uses of Aleo barbadensis
Juice of leaves along with turmeric used in the treatment of spleen problem. leaves also used in cosmeticsas moisturizer.
A popular plant these days, for its cosmetic value. a drug called "kumari asav" is prepared from the leaves of this plant, used in curing cough, specially in children.

position: Not a common plant in wild.

Punarnava | Boerhavia diffusa

classification of Boerhavia diffusa

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Nyctaginaceae

Genus: Boerhavia

common name is ghetului, punarnava.

useful part of Boerhavia diffusa;-its seeds, root and leaves are useful.

medicinal uses of Boerhavia diffusa ;-it is useful in inoedema, cardica disorders, liver and spleen diseases.