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Kasthuri Manjal

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      This Turmeric variety is not used for cooking, it is used for external applications. It is easy to find out Real and Fake Kasturi manjal (curcuma aromatics). The real one: Cream color inside rhizomes (please refer pictures), smell like kasthuri (musk ), No burning sensation while applying to the face. The fake one: Yellow color rhizomes, smells like turmeric, burning sensation while apply to the skin. Some traders are selling this fake one under the label of kasthuri manjal.

·         Curcuma aromatica (common name: wild turmeric) is a member of the Curcuma genus belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. Botanically close to Curcuma australasica, wild turmeric has been widely used as a cosmetic herbal in South Asia and nearby regions. Each turmeric have their own uses and health benefits but when it comes to external applications, wild turmeric is the king.

·         The main difference between kasthuri manjal from other variety of turmerics is it does not stain the skin like the regular turmeric, and is very fragrant than the normal turmeric.

·         Kasthuri Manjal is a plant adapted for tropical climate. Fertile loamy soil having good drainage is ideal for the crop. Laterite soil with heavy organic manure application is also well suited. It has been widely used for commercial cultivation by the farmers as well as for Kitchen gardeners, it is easy to grow in plant containers and grow bags. If you want to get the most out of your plants please follow growing instructions provided on the packet.

·         Common name in English: wild turmeric, aromatic turmeric. Bengali: শটী (Shati), Hindi: जंगली हल्दी jangli haldi, Manipuri: লম যাঈঙাঙ lam yaingang, Gujarati: zedoari, Tamil: கஸ்தூரி மஞ்சள் kasturimanjal, Malayalam: കസ്തൂരി മഞ്ഞൾ / കാട്ടുമഞ്ഞൾ kasthoori manjal, dantmanjal, Marathi: Ran Halad रान हळद, Telugu: కస్తూరి పసుపు kasthuri pasupa, Kannada: ಕಸ್ತೂರಿ ಅರಿಶಿಣ kasthuri arishina.

Pathimugam

    Pathimugam Herbal Tree Wood Benefits: Drinking Water

Pathimugam is the popular herbal tree in Kerala where its benefits are used extensively. They use the bark of tree in hot water and get its benefits. Kerala is known for the Ayurvedic herbal medicines and they use this in their daily lives. We can see the Ayurvedic water that is slight pinkish in color in all places including homes and hotels across the state.

They use the bark of the medicinal tree Pathimugam that is also known as East Indian red wood. People usually drink this herbal water and it is one of the main reasons for their healthy living.

The wood of the tree is hard with thorns and white when it is cut out fresh but it becomes red when it is exposed to air. It is added to the boiling water and filtered. This wood purifies the water and it prevents disease that spread through water. This herbal has the several other benefits that can cure disease like kidney             disorder, piles, cholesterol, skin diseases, purifying blood,                     diabetics and even cures certain types of cancer.

The wood is used as the natural colouring agent for commercial purpose in textiles, ink, paints, food and snacks. It has the bright future that can lead to the paper, leather and textile industry as eco-friendly. The demand for this tree may increase when people turn to healthy living without chemicals.

The bark and pod of the tree contains red dye which is used in coloring cakes, liquors and fabrics.

Pathimugan tree needs less amount of water and therefore can be grown in dry land. Though the tree grows in any type of soil it is best grown in the regions where red soil is available in vast. It provides plenty of oxygen for the surroundings and it is best suitable for the people undergoing treatments.

Stevia

Stevia (Steviarebaudiana) is a small herb that was discovered in 1887 in the highlands of Paraguay. For years, cultivated and used by local Indian tribes as a sweetener and treatment plant. It is an innovative and alternative crop - food full of sugar substitute because it is sweeter and with no calories.

It is a natural source of valuable chemicals such as chlorophyll (natural pigment) isostevioli, plant sterols, gibberellin, GA (fytoormoni) kaisteviosidi (natural sweetener) which is grown mainly Stevia today.

It is between 150 and 300 times sweeter than sugar, so sweet with artificial sweeteners, but with almost zero calorie content. The biggest users of stevioside is food, drinks, confectionery and pharmaceutical industries, since the substance sugar substitute for diabetics.

Stevia has additional properties such as antihypertensive, antibacterial, antioxidant and is preventive caries control blood sugar, cordial, healing, caring skin

Ayyappana

 
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Ayapana
Botanical name: Eupatorium ayapana vent
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Sanskrit: Ayaparna, Ajaparna
English: Ayapana tea
Hindi: Ayapan
Malayalam: Ayyappana
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Ayyappana helps in stoping all external 

bleeding.

Ayapana triplinervis (aya-pana, Water Hemp) is a tropical American shrub in the Asteraceae family. This plant has long slender leaves which are often used to make a stimulating medicine. It contains Herniarin, a methoxy analog of umbelliferone, while its essential oil containsthymohydroquinone dimethyl ether.
The flowers are pale pink and the thin, hairless stem is reddish in colour

: Vatamkolli

Botanical name: Justicia gendarussa Burm.f
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Sanskrit: Vataghni
English: Black Vasa, Black malabar nut
Hindi: Nilinirgundi, Udisambhalu
Malayalam: Vatamkolli, Vatham kolli

     
The whole plant of Vatamkolli is used headache cough,                   bronchitis, migrain, fever and fractured bone. 

Vatamkolli is an erect, branched, smooth under shrub 0.8-1.5 m tall. The leaves are lance-shaped, 7-14 cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide, and pointed at the ends. The rather small flowers are borne in 4-12 cm long spikes, at the end of branches or in leaf axils. The teeth of the sepals cup are smooth, linear, and about 3 mm long. The flowers are about 1.5 cm long, white or pink, with purple spots. The capsule is club-shaped, about 12 mm long, and smooth.

 Vatamkolli is an erect, branched, smooth under shrub 0.8-1.5 m tall. The leaves are lance-shaped, 7-14 cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide, and pointed at the ends. The rather small flowers are borne in 4-12 cm long spikes, at the end of branches or in leaf axils. The teeth of the sepals cup are smooth, linear, and about 3 mm long. The flowers are about 1.5 cm long, white or pink, with purple spots. The capsule is club-shaped, about 12 mm long, and smooth.

The whole plant of Vatamkolli is used headache cough, bronchitis, migrain, fever and fractured bone.

KAAYAM

This spice is used as a digestive aid, in food as a condiment, and in pickling. It typically works as a flavour enhancer and, used along with turmeric, is a standard component of Indian cuisine, particularly in lentil curries such as dal, sambhar as well as in numerous vegetable dishes. It is sometimes used to harmonize sweet, sour, salty, and spicy components in food. Asafoetida, onion, and garlic are forbidden in yogic texts, and places them alongside meat and alcohol in terms of producing tamas or lethargy. The spice is added to the food at the time of tempering. Sometimes dried and ground asafoetida (in very mild quantity) can be mixed with salt and eaten with raw salad.

In its pure form, its odour is so strong, the pungent smell will contaminate other spices stored nearby if it is not stored in an airtight container; many commercial preparations of asafoetida use the resin ground up and mixed with a larger volume of wheat flour.^{[citation needed]} The mixture is sold in sealed plastic containers. However, its odour and flavour become much milder and much less pungent upon heating in oil or ghee. Sometimes, it is fried along with sautéed onion and garlic.

Asafoetida is considered a digestive in that it reduces flatulence.^[6] It is, however, one of the five pungent vegetables generally avoided by Buddhist vegetarians.

insulin plant

as it helps to reduce your blood sugar level effectively in short period.

An insulin plant is a nature's gift for the people who are suffering from Diabetes. A leaf–a-day, keeps diabetes away is the famous saying about this plant. The leaves of this plant are used in treating diabetes ,Diabetes is a disease of metabolism, where body is not able to synthesis sufficient insulin or the blood cells stop responding to the insulin produced in the body. The leaves of insulin plant contain mostly of Corosolic Acid which is beneficial in controlling diabetic.

The corosolic acid present in the green leaves induces the insulin production and thus controls hyperglycemia in the blood

                             This leaf is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women

•                                          Please consult your doctor before use.

vallippala

Used for the treatment ofBronchitis. It is a single medicine remedy for Bronchitis (asthma).
Simple usage : Eat 3/4 fresh leaves in early morning with a little bit of cumin seeds for seven days.

Vallippala is a small, slender, much branched, velvety, twining or climbing herb with yellowish sap. It is mostly found in the sub-himalayan tract from kerala. Uttarakhand to Meghalaya and in the central and peninsular India. Rootstock is 2.5-5 cm, thick. Leaves, 6-11 cm long, 3.8-6 cm wide, are ovate-oblong to elliptic-oblong, with a narrow tip, heart-shaped at base, thick, velvety beneath when young, smooth above. Leaf stalks are up to 1.2 cm long. Flowers are small, 1-1.5 cm across, in 2 to 3-flowered fascicles in cymes in leaf axils. Sepal up is divided nearly to the base, densely hairy outside. Sepals are lance-shaped. Flowers are greenish- yellow or greenish-purple, with oblong pointy petals. Fruit is a follicle, up to 7 x 1 cm, ovoid-lanceshaped. Flowering: August-December.

The roots and leaves of plant of Vallippala is used to vata, kapha, asthma, bronchitis, dysentery, diarrhea, wounds, leukemia and leafes for viper bite.

Neela amari (Indigofera tinctora)

 

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·         Neela amari (Indigofera tinctora) or neelamari is a perennial woody shrub that reaches the height of up 35 inches.

·         It is used in the cure for nervous disorders, epilepsy, and used as an ointment for piles. Decoctions prepared from the root of the plant are used for urinary problems.

·         Indigofera tinctora belongs to the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae).

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  Species of Indigofera are mostly shrubs, though some are small trees or annual or perennial herbs. Most have pinnate leaves. Racemes of flowers grow in the leaf axils. Most species have flowers in hues of red, but there are a few white- and yellow-flowered species. The fruit is a legume pod of varying size and shape.

·         Indigofera is a varied genus that has shown unique characteristics that make it an interesting candidate as a potential perennial crop. Specifically, there is diverse variation among species with a number of unique characteristics. Some examples of this diversity include differences in pericarp thickness, fruit type, and flowering morphology. The unique characteristics it has displayed include potential for mixed smallholder systems with a least one other species and a resilience that allows for constant nitrogen update despite varying conditions.

·         Indigofera is a diverse genus that also shows some unique characteristics in its flowering morphology. For example, one unique characteristic of Indigofera is that it demonstrates an open carpel not seen among many species. In addition, it appears that the organ primordial is often formed at deeper layers than other eudicots  This variety in flowering morphology including unique characteristics such as an open carpel could have significant implications on its role in an actual perennial polyculture. For example, different flowering morphologies could be artificially selected for in varying directions in order to better fit in different environmental conditions and with different populations of other plants.

·         The types of fruit produced by different species of Indigofera can also be divided into broad categories that again show great variation. The three basic types of fruit categories can be separated by their curvature including straight, slightly curved, and falcate. In addition, several of the species including Indigofera microcarpa, Indigofera suffruticosa, and Indigofera enneaphylla have shown delayed dehiscent fruits  This variety of fruit could again allow for artificial selection that would allow the most abundant and nutritious fruit types and shapes to be selected for.

·         Another way to categorize Indigofera is by its pericarp thickness. The pericarp can be categorized as type I, type II, and type III with type I having the thinnest pericarp and fewest layers of schlerenchymatous layers and type III having the thickest pericarp and most layers of schlerenchymatous layers. Despite, the previous examples of delayed dehiscent fruits most fruits of this genus show normal explosive dehiscence to disperse seeds    Similar to fruit shape, a variety of fruit sizes allows for traits to be selected for that would allow for the thickest and most bountiful fruits especially when paired with fruit shape.

Shatavari

  

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Shatavari, or Asparagus racemosus, has been used for centuries in Ayurveda to support the reproductive system, particularly for females, and as a support for the digestive system, especially in cases of excess pitta. Translated as “having one hundred roots” and also referred to as meaning “having one hundred husbands”  Shatavari’s name gives reference to its traditional use as a rejuvenative tonic for the female reproductive system. This support is not only for the young woman, but also for women in their middle and elder years, to help them gracefully transition through the natural phases of life, including menopause.³

 Benefits of Shatavari

The nourishing properties of Shatavari are used traditionally to support a number of systems and functions in the body 

·         A healthy female reproductive system        

         healthy levels of breast milk production 

·         Supports already balanced female hormones 

·         Supportive of male reproductive system as well                                    

·         Soothing effect on the digestive tract 

·         Healthy peristalsis of bowels

·         Moisturizing support of the respiratory tract

·         Promotes healthy energy levels and strength

·         Supports the immune system

·         Natural antioxidant properties

Brahmi [ Bacopa monnieri ]

  

Bacopa monnieri[ is a perennial, creeping herb native to the wetlands of southern and Eastern India, Australia, Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America.

Scientific name: Bacopa monnieri

Conservation status: Least Concern (Population stable)

Rank: Species

Higher classification: Water hyssop

Did you know: Many researchers believe that Brahmi extracts may be effective for protecting newborn brains against hypoglycemia-induced brain damage.

Brahmi is a popular ayurvedic herb that has been revered in India for over 3,000 years. Traditionally, it was used as a brain tonic to support memory, learning, and concentration. The herb is a powerful rejuvenator that assists with mental activity, brain functioning and overcoming feelings of nervousness or restlessness. In ancient ayurvedic literature, Brahmi was used by scholars and students to help with memorizing lengthy Vedic texts. Due to its calming and nurturing properties, Brahmi is also very useful for highly stressful work or study environments.

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Kumizh [ Gmelina arborea ]

  Gmelina arborea is a fast-growing tree, which grows on different localities and prefers moist fertile valleys with 750–4500 mm rainfall. It does not thrive on ill-drained soils and remains stunted on dry, sandy or poor soils; drought also reduces it to a shrubby form.

The Gmelina arborea tree attains moderate to large height up to 30 m with girth of 1.2 to 4 a chlorophyll layer just under the outer bark, pale yellow white inside.

Gmelina arborea wood is pale yellow to cream-coloured or pinkish-buff when fresh, turning yellowish brown on exposure and is soft to moderately hard, light to moderately heavy, lustrous when fresh, usually straight to irregular or rarely wavy grained and medium course textured. Flowering takes place during February to April when the tree is more or less leafless whereas fruiting starts from May onwards up to June. The fruit is up to 2.5 cm long, smooth, dark green, turning yellow when ripe and has a fruity smell.

This tree is commonly planted as a garden and an avenue tree; growing in villages along agricultural land and on village community lands and wastelands. It is light demander, tolerant of excessive drought, but moderately frost hardy. It has good capacity to recover from frost injury. Gamhar trees coppices very well with vigorous growth. Saplings and young plants need protection from deer and cattle.

Geographical distribution

In India, Gmelina arborea occurs extensively from the Ravi eastwards in the sub-Himalayan tracts, common throughout Assam and adjoining areas of northern West Bengal, also in southern Bihar and Odisha, sporadically found in western and southern India and planted elsewhere on a large scale. Gamhar most commonly occurs in West Bengal forests in mixed forests.

Utilization of the species

Gmelina arborea timber is reasonably strong for its weight. It is used in constructions, furniture, carriages, sports, musical instruments and artificial limbs. Once seasoned, it is a very steady timber and moderately resistant to decay and ranges from very resistant to moderately resistant to termites

.Its timber is highly esteemed for door and window panels, joinery and furniture especially for drawers, wardrobes, cupboards, kitchen and camp furniture, and musical instruments because of its lightweight, stability and durability. It is also used for bentwood articles. In boat building it is used for decking and for oars. Gmelina arborea is a popular timber for picture and slate frames, turnery articles and various types of brush backs, brush handles and toys also for handles of chisels, files, saws, screw drivers, sickles etc. The wood is also used for manufacturing tea chests and general purpose plywood, blackboards, frame core and cross bands of flushdoor shutters. In the instrument industry gambhar timber is widely employed for the manufacture of drawing boards, plane tables, instrument boxes, thermometer scales and cheaper grade metric scales. It is also used in artificial limbs, carriages and bobbins. It is an approved timber for handles of tennis rackets, frames and reinforcements of carom boards and packing cases and crates. Gamhar is used in papermaking and matchwood industry too.

The Lion Throne, the most important, and last surviving, of the eight royal thrones of Myanmar, now in the National Museum in Yangon, is carved from Gmelina arborea wood.

Gmelina arborea leaves are considered good for cattle (crude protein – 11.9%) and are also used as a feed to eri-silkworm.

'Kumizh tree' when burnt yields the whitest possible ash;mention is made by certain 'rock art enthusiasts' that this ash is one of ingredient in the semi solid white ochre used to draw the very ancient 'cave paintings' as old as 3,000 to 5,000 years or more; found in the dense forests of Tamil Nadu.

Gmelina arborea wood

Medicinal uses

The root and bark of Gmelina arborea are claimed to be stomachic, galactagogue laxative and anthelmintic; improve appetite, useful in hallucination, piles, abdominal pains, burning sensations, fevers, 'tridosha' and urinary discharge. Leaf paste is applied to relieve headache and juice is used as wash for ulcers.

Flowers are sweet, cooling, bitter, acrid and astringent. They are useful in leprosy and blood diseases.

In Ayurveda, it has been observed that gamhar fruit is acrid, sour, bitter, sweet, cooling, diuretic tonic, aphrodisiac, alternative astringent to the bowels, promote growth of hairs, useful in 'vata', thirst, anaemia, leprosy, ulcers and vaginal discharge.

The plant is recommended in combination with other drugs for the treatment of snakebite and scorpion sting. In snakebite a decoction of the root and bark is given internally.