COMMON MEDICINAL PLANTS
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Apart from its religious significance it is of great medicinal significance, and is a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. Marked by its strong aroma and a stringent taste, tusli is a kind of "the elixir of life" as it promotes longevity. The plant's extracts can be used to prevent and cure many illnesses and common ailments like common cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning and malaria. Essential oil extracted from karpoora tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes though of late it is used in the manufacture of herbal toiletry.
According to Jeevan Kulkarni, author of Historical Truths & Untruths Exposed, when Hindu women worship tulsi, they in effect pray for "less and less carbonic acid and more and more oxygen - a perfect object lesson in sanitation, art and religion". The tulsi plant is even known to purify or de- pollute the atmosphere and also works as a repellent to mosquitoes, flies and other harmful insects. Tulsi used to be a universal remedy in cases of malarial fever.
Since times immemorial, medicinal plants have occupied a place of prime importance. They continue to be important to people who do not have access to modern medicines. Even modern pharmaceuticals rely heavily on the same active principles.
Medicinal plants and herbs contain substances known to modern and ancient civilizations for their healing properties. Until the development of Chemistry and, particularly, the synthesis of organic compounds in the 19th century, medicinal plants and herbs where the sole source of active principles capable of curing man's ailments.
Scientists believe that if taken in the appropriate dose and form, medicinal
plants can be as effective as pharmaceutical drugs. Usual forms of medicinal
remedies are Infusions, Decoctions, Tinctures, Infused Oils, Essential Oils,
Ointments, and Creams. Certain fruits, seeds, leaves, roots or stems consumed
as such are also beneficial to the system. They contain medicinal properties
that heal a variety of ailments and conditions. Some of the common plants,
with their properties are given below.
Garlic
Botanically recognized as Allium sativum, Garlic is used to flavour food. Usually, its bulb is used in cooking, however some people use its leaves as well. Garlic consists of volatile oil, which has sulphur-containing compounds, and other useful compounds. It also contains enzymes including allinase, B vitamins, and minerals flavonoids.
Actions: garlic is anti-microbial, diaphoretic, cholagogue, hypotensive, and anti-spasmodic. Garlic is among the few herbs that have a universal usage and recognition. Its daily usage aids and supports the body in ways that no other herb does. It is one of the most effective anti-microbial plants available, acting on bacteria, viruses and alimentary parasites. The volatile oil is an effective agent and as it is largely excreted via the lungs, it is used in infections of this system such as chronic bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, recurrent colds and influenza. It may be helpful in the treatment of whooping cough and as part of a broader approach to bronchitic asthma. In general it may be used as a preventative for most infectious conditions, digestive as well as respiratory. For the digestive tract it has been found that Garlic will support the development of the natural bacterial flora whilst killing pathogenic organisms. In addition to these amazing properties, Garlic has an international reputation for lowering both blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels and generally improving the health of the cardio-vascular system. Experiments have indicated that the essential oil of Garlic possessed a distinct hypolipidemic, or fat reducing, action in both healthy people and patients with coronary heart disease.
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Ginger
Zingiber officinale or Ginger is a plant of which, the rootstock is most used. Pharmacologically important constituents include Volatile oil, containing mainly zingiberene and bisabolene, and a mixture of phenolic compounds.
Actions: Stimulant, carminative, anti-spasmodic, rubefacient, diaphoretic, emmenagogue.
Ginger may be used as a stimulant of the peripheral circulation in cases of bad circulation, chilblains and cramps. In feverish conditions, Ginger acts as a useful diaphoretic, promoting perspiration. As a gargle it may be effective in the relief of sore throats. Externally it is the base of many fibrositis and muscle sprain treatments. Ginger has been used world-wide as an aromatic carminative and pungent appetite stimulant.
In India, and in other countries with hot and humid climates, ginger is eaten daily and is a well-known remedy for digestion problems. Its wide-spread use is not only be due to flavor, but to the anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effects, necessary for preservation of food, essential in such climates.
(Grandma's remedy: Pour a cup of boiling water onto l teaspoonful of the fresh root and let it infuse for 5 minutes. Drink whenever needed. Decoction: if you are using the dried root in powdered or finely chopped form, make a decoction by putting l l/2 teaspoonfuls to a cup of water. Bring it to the boil and simmer for 5-l0 minutes. This can be drunk whenever needed. )
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Mustard
Brassica alba and Brassica nigra of the botanical family Cruciferae are well known by the names Black Mustard and White Mustard. Their seeds are the parts used.
Mustard contains Glucosinolates and Black Mustard contains sinigrin, which on hydrolysis by the enzyme myrosin produces allyisothiocyanate, and for White Mustard sinalbin, which produces p-hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate. Mustard also contains sinapine, sinapic acid, fixed oil, protein, mucilageetc.
Actions: Mustard is a Rubefacient, irritant, stimulant, diuretic, emetic. This well known spice has its main use in medicine 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. Its stimulating, diaphoretic action can be utilized in the way that Cayenne and Ginger are. For feverishness, colds, and influenza, Mustard may be taken as a tea or ground and sprinkled into a bath. The stimulation of circulation will aid chilblains as well as the conditions already mentioned. An infusion or poultice of Mustard will aid in cases of bronchitis.
GrandMa's remedy: Mustard is most commonly used as a poultice which can be made by mixing l00 grams (4 ounces) of freshly ground mustard seeds with warm water (at about 45 degrees C) to form a thick paste. This is spread on a piece of cloth the size of the body area that is to be covered. To stop the paste sticking to the skin, lay a dampened gauze on the skin. Apply the cloth and remove after l minute. The skin may be reddened by this treatment, which can be eased by applying olive oil afterward. Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l teaspoonful of mustard flour and leave to infuse for 5 minutes. This may be drunk three times a day. Foot bath: make an infusion using l tablespoon of bruised seeds to l litre (2 pints) of boiling water.
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Coriander
Coriandrum sativum of family Umbelliferae goes back a long way. Coriander use has a medicinal plant has been reported since 1500 B.C. both as a spice and as a medicine. It aids digestion, reduces flatulence and improves appetite. It helps relieving spasms within the gut and counters the effects of nervous tension. Coriander is also chewed to sweeten the breath. It is applied externally as a lotion for rheumatic pain. Coriander essential oil is used in the manufacture of perfumes and cosmetics.
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MAIN PROPERTIES: Digestive, antispasmodic, anti-rheumatic.
Lemon
Citrus limon (Rutaceae)
A native from Asia, probably from India, it is now widely cultivated in Italy, California and Australia. It is one of the most important and versatile natural medicines for home use. A familiar food as well as a remedy, it has a high vitamin C content that helps improve resistance to infection, making it valuable for colds and flu. It is taken as a preventative for many conditions, including stomach infections, circulatory problems and arteriosclerosis. Lemon juice and oil are effective in killing germs. It decreases inflammation and improves digestion.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Antiseptic, anti-rheumatic, antibacterial, antioxidant, reduces fever.
Tulsi
The 'tulsi' plant or Indian basil (Ocimum Sanctum)is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition. The name 'tulsi' connotes "the incomparable one". Tulsi is a venerated plant and Hindus worship it in the morning and evening. Tulsi grows wild in the tropics and warm regions. Dark or Shyama tulsi and light or Rama tulsi are the two main varieties of basil, the former possessing greater medicinal value. Of the many varieties, the Krishna or Shyama tulsi is commonly used for worship.
Prof Shrinivas Tilak, who teaches Religion at Concordia University, Montreal has made this historical citation: In a letter written to The Times, London, dated May 2, 1903 Dr George Birdwood, Professor of Anatomy, Grant Medical College, Bombay said, "When the Victoria Gardens were established in Bombay, the men employed on those works were pestered by mosquitoes. At the recommendation of the Hindu managers, the whole boundary of the gardens was planted with holy basil, on which the plague of mosquitos was at once abated, and fever altogether disappeared from among the resident gardners."
