Herbal healers III

Bimbi

Scientific name : Coccinia indica
Family : Cucurbitaceae
Vernacular name

1. Assam : Kawabhaturi
   
2. Bengli : Bimbu, Telakucha
3. English : Ivy-Gourd
4. Gujarati : Kadavighilodi, Ghilodi
5. Hindi : Kundaruki-Bel
6. Kannad : Tonde-Balli
7. Malayalam : Kova, Nallakova
8. Marati : Tondale
9. Oriya : Pitakundii, Kainchikakudi
10. Punjabi : Kanduri
11. Tamil : Kovai
12. Telugu : Donda Tiga
13. Urdu : Kunduru

Medicinal Uses

1. Fever: The leaf paste of bimbi is applied externally over the body in order to induce perspiration in fever.
2. Scabies: Fistful of leaves are soaked in 100 ml of coconut oil and placed in the sun for three days. This oil is applied over fungal infections in order to get the relief in itching and scabies.
3. Mouth Ulcers: Raw tender fruits chewing regularly is beneficial to heal mouth ulcers.
4. Prameha (Diabetes): 15 ml of bimbi root juice twice a day before food is useful to control sugar levels in diabetes. It can also be administered as a adjuvant for medicines of diabetes.
5. Worm Infestation: Intake of 10 ml of Bimbi Juice early morning on empty stomach for one week relieves intestinal worms.
6. Bed Wetting: Internal administration of 3-5 gms of bimbi root paste daily is useful to control bed wetting in young children.

Brahmi

Scientific name : Bacopa monnier
Family : Scrophulariaceae
Vernacular name

1. Assamese : Brahmi
   
2. English : Thyme Leaved Gratiola
3. Gujrati : Neerbrahmi, Bamanevari
4. Hindi : Manduka Parni
5. Kannada : Nirubrahmi, Valabrahmi, Ondelaga, Mandukaparni
6. Malayalam : Bhahmi
7. Marathi : Jalnam, Brahmi, Birami
8. Oriya : Brahmi
9. Punjabi : Brahmibuti
10. Tamil : Nirabrahmi, Brahmi vazhukkai
11. Telugu : Sambarenu, Sambrani
12. Urdu : Brahmi

Medicinal Uses

1. Insomnia: Take 3 gm of Brahmi powder with 100ml of cowʼs milk at bed time. It cures sleeplessness.
2. Memory Boster: Take 1 part of dry Brahmi, 1 part almonds as well as 1/4th part of black pepper. Grind all of them in water and prepare tablets of 3 gm each. Give 1 tablet twice daily with milk. It increases the memory power and intellect.
3. Acne: Mash few leaves of Brahmi along with lemon juice and turmeric powder. Make the paste and apply on face, once per week. It erases all of the scars and acne.
4. Anxiety: Grind 3 gm Brahmi along with few black pepper in water. Strain the solution and provide this to the patient 3-4 times a day. It cures long-term headache and also decreases anxiety.
5. Hair fall: Brahmi oil massaged on the scalp promotes hair growth and also good for the brain, the nervous system, and also the mind.

Changeri

Scientific name : Oxalis corniculata
Family : Oxalidaceae
Vernacular name

1. Assamese : Chengeritenga
   
2. Bengali : Amrul
3. English : Indian Sorrel
4. Gujarati : Ambolee, Changeri, Teen Panaki, Rukhadi
5. Hindi : Tinpatiya, Changeri, Ambilosa
6. Kannada : Pullamouradi, Sivargee, Purachi Soppu
7. Malayalam : Pulliparel
8. Marati : Ambutee, Ambatee, Ambti, Bhui Sarpati
9. Punjabi : Khatkal, Khattibootee, Khatmittha
10. Tamil : Puliyarai
11. Telugu : Pulichinta
12. Urdu : Changeri, Teen Patiya

Medicinal Uses

1. Diarrhoea: 15-25ml of leaves juice of changeri is administered twice daily bloody diarrhoea, prolapse of rectum etc. It can also be administered along with butter milk for better results.
2. Painful swelling: Luke warm leaves paste of changeri used as an external application in the painful swelling or any inflammation. This will provide a cooling effect to these areas and reduce the symptoms.
3. Fever: 10gms of changeri whole plant paste boiled in 100ml of water till it reduced to 25ml. The decoction is taken internally twice daily in case of fever.
4. Warts: Equal quantity of changeri leaves juice and onion juice is mixed and applied in the areas of wart and molluscum contagiosum. The daily use of this will show good results.
5. Headache: Fine leaves paste of changeri is applied externally over forehead is useful in headache.
6. Hyperemesis gravidarum: External application of chutney prepared from the changeri leaves, ground coconut, salt and lemon juice can give relief this condition.

Chitraka

Scientific name : Plumbago zeylanica
Family : Plumbaginaceae
Vernacular name

1. Assamese : Agiyachit, Agnachit
   
2. Bengali : Chita
3. English : Lead war
4. Gujrati : Chitrakmula
5. Hindi : Chira, Chitra
6. Kannada : Chitramula, Vahni, Bilichitramoola
7. Kashmiri : Chitra, Shatranja
8. Malayalam : Vellakeduveli, Thumpokkoduveli
9. Marathi : Chitraka
10. Oriya : Chitamula, Chitoparu
11. Punjabi : Chitra
12. Tamil : Chitramoolam, Kodiveli
13. Telugu : Chitramulam
14. Urdu : Sheetraj Hindi, Cheetah

Medicinal Uses

1. Piles: Chitraka root powder is taken in dose of 2 gms with butter milk thrice a day.
2. Lymphadenitis: A paste of Chitraka roots and gingelly oil is used as an external application for pile mass, cervical lymphadinitis, and inguinal lymphadinitis.
3. Scabies: Chitraka mula tailam is helpful external remedy in skin infections like scabies, carbuncles, and ulcers.
4. Indigestion: 2gms of Chitramoola with 2 gms of dry ginger should be taken twice daily with butter milk in case of indigestion.
5. Obesity: Administration of 3gms of Chitraka root powder with honey and keeping on wholesome diet for 3 months is useful in reducing Obesity.
6. Diarrhoea: Intake of 2 gms of Chitraka powder and 2gms of pippali powder with Buttermilk beneficial in Diarrhoea.

Dadima

Scientific name : Punica granatum
Family : Lythraceae
Vernacular name

1. Bengali : Ddima
   
2. English : Pomegranate
3. Gujrati : Dadama
4. Hindi : Anar
5. Kannada : Dalimba
6. Malayalam : Matalam
7. Marathi : Dadimba
8. Punjabi : Anar
9. Tamil : Madalai, Maadalai. Madalam
10. Telugu : Danimma
11. Urdu : Anar, Rumman

Medicinal Uses

1. Intrinsic Hemorrhage: Two teaspoonful of dadima flowers mixed with goatʼs milk and sugar twice daily is beneficial.
2. Piles: Dry the peel of a sweet pomegranate and make a fine powder. Take five grams of this powder twice a day regularly with butter milk in order to get the relief from piles.
3. Acne: Water boiled with pomegranate fruit peels should be used to wash the face for Acne. Powdered pomegranate skin should be combined with rose water or lemon juice and applied like a face pack for calming pimples, boils, acne as well as for eliminating white heads and black heads.
4. Increase sperm count: Drink 1 glass of pomegranate juice daily to increase the sperm count and motility .
5. Diarrhea: 3 gms of fruit peel powder along with butter milk with one teaspoonful cumin seeds powder twice a day is beneficial in diarrhea especially Irritable bowel syndrome.
6. Intestinal worms: Eat 150 gms of pomegranate seeds on an empty stomach every morning.

Dhanyaka

Scientific name : Coriandrum sativum
Family : Apiaceae
Vernacular name

1. Assamese : Dhaniya
   
2. Bengali : Dhane, Dhania
3. English : Coriander fruit
4. Gujrati : Dhana
5. Hindi : Dhaniya
6. Kannada : Havija, Kothambari bija
7. Kashmiri : Dhaniwal, Dhanawal
8. Malayalam : Malli, Kothampatayari
9. Marathi : Dhane, Kothimbir
10. Oriya : Dhania
11. Punjabi : Dhania
12. Tamil : Kottamatli virai, Dhaniya
13. Telugu : Dhaniyalu
14. Urdu : Kishneez

Medicinal Uses

1. Baldness: Regular application of fresh pulp of Coriander(Dhaniya) on bald areas regularly can cure the problem of baldness.
2. Indigestion: Equal quantity of Coriander seeds, Black pepper, Cumin powder and rock Salt (as per taste) powders are mixed well. This can consume along with rice helps in stimulating appetite and easy digestion.
3. Mouth ulcers: Paste of Coriander leaves apply on to mouth ulcer for 2 to 3 times a day, will get relief from mouth ulcers.
4. Menstrual cramps: 20gms of Coriander seeds boiled in 100ml of water and reduced to 1/4th and administered twice daily is beneficial in menstrual cramps.
5. Thirst: Mix 10gms of Coriander powder in hot water. Cool and have this drink to satisfy excessive thirst.
6. Fever: Mix 20gms of coriander seeds powder in 100ml of Hot water. Consume this water along with sugar twice daily. It is useful to pacify the fever.

Dronapushpi

Scientific name : Leucas cephalotes
Family : Lamiaceae
Vernacular name

1. Assamese : Dronaphool
   
2. Bengali : Bholghasiya
3. English : Spider wort
4. Gujrati : Kubo
5. Hindi : Guma
6. Kannada : Tumbe
7. Malayalam : Tumba
8. Marathi : Tumba
9. Oriya : Gaisha
10. Punjabi : Gomobati, Gumma, Mal-bheda
11. Tamil : Tumbai
12. Telugu : Tummi

Medicinal Uses

1. Nasal congestion: The whole plant of dronapushpi is crushed and boiled in water. The steam is used for inhalation in nasal congestion, cough, cold, fever and headache etc.
2. Sinusitis: 3-5 drops of dronapushpi flowers juice is used as nasal drops in order to get the relief from sinusitis.
3. Eye fatigue: The flowers of dronapushpi are soaked in breast milk and then applied over closed eyes is beneficial in eye fatigue.
4. Headache: The oil prepared from dronapushpi flowers should be applied externally in headache, sinusitis etc.
5. Intestinal worms: In children, 5-10 ml juice extracted from the flowers of dronapushpi and the paste of dronapushpi leaves are given internally 1-2gms once a day for 10-15 days.
6. Scorpion bite: The constant rubbing of dronapushpi leaves paste over bitten skin region can provide relief from pain and burning wasp bite, scorpion bite other insect bites.

Dugdhika

Scientific name : Euphorbia hirta
Family : Euphorbiaceae
Vernacular name

1. Bengali : Barakherui
   
2. English : Asthma weed
3. Gujarati : Dudhelo, Dudeli, Dudhi
4. Hindi : Dudhi, Badi dudhdi
5. Malayalam : Nelapalai
6. Marati : Mothi dudhi, Naayato, Dudhi, Dudali, Mothi naayati
7. Oriya : Dudili, Dudoli
8. Punjabi : Dudhi
9. Tamil : Ammanpatchaiarisi
10. Telugu : Reddivarinanubalu, Nanubalu

Medicinal Uses

1. Wound: Paste of Dugdhika leaves and tulasi should be applied externally to cure swellings and ulcers.
2. Warts: The milky extract of dugdhika is applied regularly to cure warts.
3. Leucorrhoea: The paste of the leaves 5- 10 gms is given orally along with butter milk twice daily is useful in leucorrhoea.
4. Laxative: The leaves can be prepared as chutney and taken along with food. This acts as a Laxative and Coolant.
5. Dengue fever: 10gms of leaves paste of dugdhika boiled in 100 ml of water till it reduced to 25 ml. This Decoction is taken twice daily is very effective herb to increase platelets and cure dengue fever.
6. Lactation: Administration of 10gms of leaves paste of dugdhika early in the morning regularly promotes the milk production in lactating mothers.

Durva

Scientific name : Cynodon dactylon
Family : Poaceae
Vernacular name

1. Bengli : Durva
   
2. English : Creeping Cynodon, Conch Grass
3. Gujarati : Khadodhro, Lilidhro, Dhro
4. Hindi : Doob
5. Kannada : Garike Hullu
6. Malayalam : Koruka Pullu
7. Marati : Doorva, Hariyalee, Harlee
8. Punjabi : Dubada
9. Tamil : Aruvam Pullu
10. Telugu : Garika, Pacchgaddi
11. Urdu : Doob Ghas, Doob

Medicinal Uses

1. Obesity: A fistful of whole plant of Durva washed thoroughly and is crushed and fresh juice is obtained. This is administered internally in the dose of 5-10 ml two to three times a day.
2. Headache: 10 gms of Durva grass powder boiled in 200ml of water till it reduced to ¼ th . Drinking this filtered decoction along with half a teaspoon of sugar or jaggery twice a day relieves headache, debility and lethargy.
3. Dandruff: 25 gram of durva grass paste in 100 ml sesame oil cooked till the moisture evaporated. This is filtered and stored. This oil is very much useful in itching skin lesions, dandruff, eczema etc
4. Acid peptic disorders: 10 ml of fresh Juice of Durva with one cup of milk is administered once or twice a day before food is beneficial in gastritis, hyperacidity, gastric ulcer and heart burn.
5. Nasal bleeding: Administration of 2-5 drops fresh juice of durva grass and ghee to each nostril is useful to stop nasal bleeding.
6. Piles: 10 gms of Durva grass paste is boiled in 100ml of water till it reduced to 50ml and consumed twice daily to cure piles.
7. As Blood Purifier: The decoction prepared from one fistful of durva grass, 3 betel leaves and 3gms of black pepper is an excellent blood purifier.

Edagaja

Scientific name : Cassia alata
Family : Caesalpiniaceae
Vernacular name

1. English : Candle bush, Ringworm shrub
   
2. Hindi : Dadmurdan , Prapunnad
3. Tamil : Seemaiagathi
4. Malayalam : Simayakatti , Malamtakara, Aanattakara
5. Kannada : Sime Agase
6. Marathi : Shimai Agase
7. Telugu : Avicicettu, Metta-tamara, Siima Avise
8. Urdu : Ergaj

Medicinal Uses

1. Fungal infection: External application of the paste of edagaja leaves over the affected areas is very effective in reducing Ringworm infections.
2. Foot crack: Edagaja leaves paste prepared by adding coconut oil or sesame oil applied externally over affected area is very good remedy to heel foot cracks.
3. Dandruff: The leaves of edagaja ground with lemon juice and applied externally as a paste over scalp for 30 min. After that wash the hair with mild herbal shampoo to cure dandruff.
4. Wound: The paste of edagaja leaves and bark external application heals the wounds very effectively.
5. Constipation: 3- 5gms of edagaja flowers powder taken with honey in early morning. It works as a good laxative.
6. Aphthous Ulcer: Gargling with leaves decoction of edagaja (A fist full of leave boiled in 100ml of water till it reduced to 25 ml) relieves pain due to aphthous ulcer.