*Published in Deccan Herald
supplementary: “Living” on 16/2/2013.
Introduction:
In
India, drugs of herbal origin have been used in traditional systems of
medicines such as Unani and Ayurveda, since ancient times. India
has been known to be rich repository of medicines. Rigveda (5000 BC) has recorded 67 medicinal plants, Yajurveda 81 species, Atharvaveda (4500-2500 BC) 290
species, Charak Samhita (700
BC) and Sushrut Samhita (200
BC) had described properties and uses of 1100 and 1270 species respectively, in
compounding of drugs, these are still used in the classical formulations, in
the Ayurvedic system of medicine.
Charaka, born c. 300 BC,
was one of the principal contributors to the ancient art and science of Ayurveda, a system of medicine and lifestyle
developed in Ancient India. He is
sometimes referred to as the Father of Indian Medicine.
Sushruta was an ancient Indian surgeon (who possibly was born in 7th century BC) and is the author of the book Sushruta Samhita, in which he
describes over 120 surgical instruments, 300 surgical procedures and classifies
human surgery in 8 categories.
In
the Sushruta School, the first person to expound Āyurvedic knowledge was
Dhanvantari who then taught it to Divodasa who, in turn, taught it to Sushruta,
Aupadhenava, Aurabhra, Paushakalāvata, Gopurarakshita, and Bhoja.
Many herbs and spices are used in Indian cooking, such as
onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, clove, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, coriander,
fenugreek, fennel, ajowan (ajwain), anise, amchur, bay leaf, hing (asafoetida)
etc. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Haridra
(Curcuma longa), Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina), and Ghritkumari (Aloe
barbadensis) are used for diet or as medicines.
In
spite of the overwhelming influences and our dependence on modern medicine and
tremendous advances in synthetic drugs, large population of the world still prefers
drugs from plants.
These
drugs are derived either from the whole plant or from different organs, like
leaves, stem, bark, root, flower, seed, etc. Some drugs are prepared from
excretory plant product such as gum, resins and latex.
This history about medicinal plants speaks
about the deep passion for an exhaustive knowledge that has existed in this
land from time immemorial.
Mentioned below are a few medicinal
plants that are used in ayurveda, which are also called as Navagraha plants.
1. ACACIA CATECHU
Medicinal uses
More specifically, the extract, called catechu is used to treat sore throats and diarrhoea. Useful in passive diarrhoea either alone, or in
combination with cinnamon or apium; the
concentrated aqueous extract, known as khayer gum or cutch is astringent.
Food- The tree's seeds are a good source of protein.
2. CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA
Medicinal
uses :
- For
poisonous snake bites, 2 to 4 leaves of this plant are chewed well by the
patient. Also fresh root of this plant are crushed well and applied well
by rubbing firmly over the bitten area.
- The
leaf juice 5ml with equal quantity of honey is given for frequently occurring
fever or periodic fever.
- For
aphthous ulcers the latex of this plant is mixed with honey and applied
over the affected area.
- The
leaves are used as a very effective remedy as kizhi or ottradam
(fomentation) for vatha diseases.
- The
leaf juice along with honey is given internally for intestinal worms.
- The
leaves are dried well and powdered and externally applied for un-healing
ulcers.
- The
flowers of this plant (one or two part), pepper (one part), clove or
athimathuram (1/2 part) is ground well and given in the dose of pepper
size for bronchial asthma.
- The
latex is externally applied over rat bite, swellings, gonococci arthritis,
and other rheumatic complaints.
- The
latex is externally applied over dental problems.
- The
Arakkashara thylam prepared from the latex is a best medicine or any vatha
complaints.
3. FICUS GLOMERATA
Medicinal uses
One such
plant is Ficus glomerata which has been used in traditional system of medicine
for treating liver diseases, diarrhea, piles, asthma, leprosy and other
ailments.
The fruits of Ficus glomerata, locally known as Gular have been used since olden times in the
thnomedicine for many varied medicinal purposes including as a remedy of
diabetes mellitus. In addition, this plant is considered to posses tonic,
expectorant, emollient, stomachic and carminative properties.
4. FICUS RELIGIOSA
Medicinal uses
Ficus religiosa is used in traditional medicine for about 50 types of disorders including asthma, diabetes, diarrhea, epilepsy, gastric problems, and inflammatory disorders, infectious and sexual disorders.
5. BUTEA MONOSPERMA
Medicinal Uses:
It
is used for timber, resin, fodder, medicine, and dye. Gum from the tree, called kamarkas in Hindi, is used in certain food
dishes. The gum is also known as Bengal Kino and is considered valuable by
druggists because of its astringent qualities and by leather workers because of
its tannin.[3] The
wood is dirty white and soft and, being durable under water, is used for
well-curbs and water scoops. Good charcoal can be made from it. The leaves are
usually very leathery and not eaten by cattle. The flowers are used to prepare
traditional Holi colour.
This plant kills Mosquitoes. The Mosquitoes are attracted by the smell and color of the
flower.
6. ACHYRANTHES ASPERA
Medicinal uses
1. A medicine from heaven is how the Vedas describe
this herb, and it has certainly found wide use in Ayurvedic medicine. The Sanskrit name, Apamarga, means
“keeps the doshas away”. The three doshas in Ayurveda, vata, pitta and kapha,
are often understood to signify the body types that can occur in different
people.
2. Apamarga is seen as an herbal remedy that will
act to restore any form of imbalance in the body.
3. In both Africa and India, Achyranthes Aspera has been used as a
contraceptive. Studies have confirmed that it has spermicidal activity and that
it can prevent the fertilized egg from implanting itself into the wall of the
uterus.
4. Ayurveda practitioners use Apamarga to treat a very wide range of
diseases. Externally, the crushed leaves can be used on wounds to stop
bleeding, reduce swelling, and stop pain and to disinfect the wound. Scientific
studies have shown it to be anti-inflammatory, thus explaining why Apamarga
reduces pain and swelling.
5. Crushed leaves of Apamarga are also used to treat scorpion stings
and snake bites. Skin diseases and itching are treated by bathing the affected
parts in a decoction from the plant. Apamarga oil is used to treat ear ache,
tinnitus and deafness.
6. Internal use includes using the seeds to treat headache and
migraine. Apamarga has mucolytic properties and so is used to treat bronchitis
and asthma. It is used for cystitis, nephritis and to treat kidney stones. It
is also considered to be helpful in many different gastrointestinal disorders.
7.
It is interesting to note
that scientific studies have shown Apamarga reduces blood glucose levels and
stimulates the production of thyroid hormones in animal models.
7. ACACIA FERRUGINEA
Medicinal and Functional uses
Alcohol: The bark is steeped in jaggery and then distilled,
yielding intoxicating liquor
Medicine: A bark decoction, in conjunction with ginger is
frequently used as an astringent for the teeth
8. CYNODON DACTYLON
Use in Alternative Medicine
Cynodon
dactylon has
been studied at the [University of Allahabad] in India, and is
reported to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, and has been suggested
for treatment of urinary tract infections, prostatitis, syphilis,
and dysentery.
Additional
research is being conducted on C. dactylon involving its glycemic potential,
which is involved in the treatment of diabetes.
In laboratory rats treated with the ethanolic
extract of defatted C.
dactylon, hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic results were observed on the blood glucose levels of the tested population. Cynodon dactylon to become an alternative to current
diabetes medications. Used in traditional cultures for toothache &
amibiasis (dysentry).This is also know as Bermudagrass is one of the most sun
loving warm season lawn and pasture grasses.
9.ERAGROSTIS CYNOSUROS
Medicinal
use:
The roots are cooling, diuretic, emollient, astringent and
galactogogue. Useful in asthma, jaundice, hyperpiesia and homeopathy. The culms
are diuretic, stimulant, acrid and aphrodisiac and useful in dysentery, menorrhagia,
jaundice, asthma, stranguary, uropathy and skin eruptions.
Conclusion:
By keeping this brief information in mind, we
need to preserve our traditional values of these readily available and
affordable medicines. In specific teachers further may gather local knowledge
to be dissipated among their pupils and make them aware of the benefits
available within arms distance and perpetuate the dissipation of medicinal
knowledge down the line.
