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Preface
This book contains a list of a few magical plants and herbs which provide
wonderful benefits to human beings.
The herbs are called magical because they can cure a number of diseases and
help in improving our health.
This book has been compiled in order to assist you in understanding the
benefits and qualities of common plants around us.
These plants and herbs have different origins but are found at a number of
locations around India.
If interested, you could also try to grow them in your own garden.
This book has been created by the students of Tarapore School as part of a
project under the British Council International School Award.
We hope you find our initiative beneficial. Live healthy!
Indonesia
Peppermint
Botanical Name: Mentha and Piperita.
Dried peppermint typically has 0.3–0.4% of volatile oil
containing menthol (7–48%), menthone (20–46%), methyl
acetate (3–10%), menthofuran (1–17%) and 1, 8-cineol (3–6%).
Peppermint is thought to relieve pain and discomfort from gas
and bloating. Peppermint tea is a very common home remedy
and can also be tried for its refreshing taste.
Long pepper
Botanical name: Piper longer.
Long Pepper contains Piperine 3%, Piperine 3%, Rutin 4% &
Rutin 6%. The Pippali or Long Pepper is a very diverse essential
in the world of Ayurvedic medicine. The name itself means “to
drink and digest” revealing one of its main benefits of increasing
the digestion and burning toxins. The fruit of the plant, which are
spiky, are mostly used for all medicinal purpose.
Chili pepper
Botanical name: Capsicum annum.
The common of chemical compounds in Chilli pepper are NVanillyl-8-methyl-6-(E)-noneamide, or Capsaicin for short.
Between them they typically make up 80-90% of the total
capsaicinoid concentration, the rest being made up by such
compounds. The capsaicin, which gives them strong spicy
pungent character and has anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic,
analgesic and anti-diabetic properties
Jamu
Lemon balm
Also known as Djamu, Jamu is a blood cleaner, health tonic and
is said to aid in slimming. Excellent source of enzymes and
curcumin. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-septic and
assists in reducing cholesterol. Jamu can be drunk as syrup often,
and as much as you like because unlike western medicines, it is
completely safe and it’s near impossible to overdose on. For
general health and well being a single glass serve a day is
sufficient.
Botanical name: Gloriosa superb.
Lemon balm contains chemicals that seem to have a sedative,
calming effect. It might also reduce the growth of some viruses.
Lemon Balm is often combined with plants such as Valerian,
Passion flower, Lavender for relaxation, insomnia, nervous
balance, Ashwagandha, Griffonia simplicifolia for insomnia,
nightmares, stress, nervous balance, Ginseng and Rhodiola for
concentration, stress, nervous balance, and is very good in
combination with Liquorice.
Malaysia
Pudina
Basil
Lavender
Pudina is known for chemical components like menthol,
menthone, cineole, methyl acetate, methofuran, isomenthone,
limonene, b-pinene, a-pinene, germacrene-d, trans-sabinene
hydrate and pulegone s-mentha. Spicy taste and invigorating
scent, mint is often an ingredient in gum, candy or tea, but
people also eat it fresh. Fresh mint leaves add flavor and
nutrition to many different recipes, and chewing on whole
leaves may have certain health benefits and ward off some
medical conditions.
Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum.
The chemical composition of the plant consists of antioxidants
and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from aerial parts
of basil. The plant can be used to cure arthritis and it is also
good to reduce inflammation and swelling. Besides that it is
also a major ingredient in pesto sauce and many other cuisines.
Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia.
The primary components of lavender oil are linalool and linalyl
acetate. Other components include α-pinene, limonene, 1,8cineole,
cis-trans-ocimene,
3-octanone,
camphor,
caryophyllene, terpinen-4-ol and lavendulyl acetate. It is
commonly used in products to help wash and purify the skin.
The essential oil of lavender may be useful for
treating anxiety, insomnia, depression, and restlessness.
Rosemary
Lemongrass
Botanical name: Rosmarinus officinalis.
Alpha-pinene or Rosemary is found in many species of
coniferous trees, notably the pine tree, as well as being one of
the major compounds in rosemary. Apart from etherical oil the
plant contains flavonoids like luteolin, genkwanin, diosmetin
and their cardiac glycosides and tannin (8%). As a natural
antibacterial agent, rosemary works as a wonderful breath
freshener that also improves your oral health.
Also known as Cymbopogon citratus, the Lemongrass contains
z-citral, borneol, estragole, methyleugenol, geranyl acetate,
geraniol, beta-myrcene, limonene, piperitone, citronellal,
carene-2, alpha-terpineole, and pinene. Lemongrass is an herb
which belongs to the grass family of Poaceae. It is well known
and utilized for its distinct lemon flavor and citrusy aroma.
lemongrass is a good source of vitamins A and C, folate, folic
acid, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus,
calcium and manganese The leaves, stems and bulb of
lemongrass are used in various treatments.
Africa
Ashwagandha
Acacia karroo
Amla
Botanical name: Withania somnifera or Rennet.
The chemical constituents of Ashwagandha include alkaloids
like isopelletierine, anaferine, cuseohygrine, anahygrine, etc.,
steroidal lactones and saponins. Sitoindosides and acylsterylglucosides in Ashwagandha are anti-stress agents. Also known
as Indian Ginseng, its benefits include its ability to fight against
cancer and diabetes, as well as reduce inflammation, arthritis,
asthma, hypertension, stress, and rheumatism.
Also known as Sweet thorn. It contains the determination of
nutritional composition such as DM, Crude protein, Crude
fiber, ether extract and tannin levels in the leaves. The gum,
bark and leaves have been used as a soothing agent and
astringent for colds, conjunctivitis and hemorrhage.
Amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry is one fruit that packs
many health benefits. Rich in vitamin C, it contains antioxidants, fiber and minerals like calcium and phosphorus,
which help to build immunity and increase metabolism. It also
helps to fight against heart diseases, improves eyesight, purifies
blood, strengthens bones, reduces the risk of cancer, protects
liver.
Wild ginger
Turmeric
Botanical name: Asarum.
The main ingredient in wild ginger is aristolochic acid. Most of
the observable effects can be attributed to this compound. Main
constituents are sesquiterpenoids, (−)-zingiberene as the main
component including the anti-coagulant drug, warfarin and
the cardiovascular drug, nifedipine The wild ginger is used as a
stimulant for appetite. It was also used in relieving the
symptoms of gout. The plant was also used against snakebites,
coughs, colds, headache, menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea,
fevers and hysteria. Other health problems that can be remedied
by the wild ginger are dropsy, typhus, alcoholism, and ague.
Botanical name: Curcuma longa.
Turmeric contains a mixture of phenolic compounds called
curcumin, and a volatile oil with turmerone and zingiberene;
cineole and other monoterpenes; starch; protein; and high
amounts of vitamin A and other vitamins. the bright yellow of
the spice rainbow, is a powerful medicine that has long been
used in the Chinese and Indian systems of medicine as an antiinflammatory agent to treat a wide variety of conditions,
including flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, bloody
urine, hemorrhage and toothache
India
Tulsi
Botanical name: Ocimum sanctum.
Tulsi contains Antimicrobial, mosquito repellent, anti-diarrheal, antioxidant, anti-cataract and anti-inflammatory. Tulsi has been found to
protect organs and tissues against chemical stress and physical. Used as
a Primary plant in Ayurveda. Tulsi has also been shown to counter
metabolic, blood pressure and lipid levels, and psychological stress
through positive effects on memory and cognitive function and through
its anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties
Neem
Wild Turmeric
Botanical name: Azadirachta indic.
Ayurveda was the first to bring anthelmintic, antifungal, antibacterial
and antiviral constituents of the Neem tree to the attention of natural
product chemists. Neem leaves are dried in India and placed in
cupboards to prevent insects eating the clothes and also while storing
rice in tins. Neem leaves are dried and burnt in the tropical regions to
keep away mosquitoes. The flowers are also used in many Indian
festivals like Ugadi. As an ayurvedic herb, Neem is also used in baths.
Neem is a key ingredient in non-pesticidal management, providing a
natural alternative to synthetic pesticides.
Botanical name: Curcuma aromatic.
Turmeric has hundreds of molecular constituents, each with a variety of
biological activities. For instance, there are at least 20 molecules that are
antibiotic, 14 are known cancer preventives, 12 that are anti-tumor, 12
are anti-inflammatory and there are at least 10 different anti-oxidants.
It’s good for the skin and is used in various beauty products. It is proven
to increase life span, kill lung cancer cells. It is also beneficial for
arthritis and diabetes.
Lady finger
Botanical name: Hibiscus esculentus linn.
The immature pods of it are used as emollient, demulcent and diuretic
for catarrhal infections, ardour urine, dysuria, dysentery and the seeds
are used as anti-pasmodic. Ripe fruit contains quercitin, hyperin
hyposides, hydrolysate in precipitated mucilage, proanthocyanidins, Dglucose and galacturonic acids. It is good for weight loss, digestion,
control blood sugar level, immunity, and anaemia.
Curry tree
Botanical name: Murraya koenigii.
The leaves of Curry tree are also used as an herb in Ayurvedic medicine.
Some of the primary alkaloids found in the curry tree leaves, stems, and
seeds are as follows: Mahanimbine, girinimbine koenimbine,
isomahanine, mahanine, Undecalactone, 2-methoxy-3-methyl-carbazole.
They are believed to possess anti-diabetic properties. finds use and
application in soap making ingredient, body lotions, diffusers, potpourri,
scent, air fresheners, body fragrance, perfume, bath and massage oils,
aromatherapy, towel scenting, spas and health clinics, incense, facial
steams, hair treatments and so on.