*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 :

1. 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.
2. The leaf juice 5ml with equal quantity of honey is given for frequently occurring fever or periodic fever.
3. For aphthous ulcers the latex of this plant is mixed with honey and applied over the affected area.
4. The leaves are used as a very effective remedy as kizhi or ottradam (fomentation) for vatha diseases.
5. The leaf juice along with honey is given internally for intestinal worms.
6. The leaves are dried well and powdered and externally applied for un-healing ulcers.
7. 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.
8. The latex is externally applied over rat bite, swellings, gonococci arthritis, and other rheumatic complaints.
9. The latex is externally applied over dental problems.
10. 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

The Ficus religiosa tree is considered sacred by the followers of, Jainism and Buddhism.

 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.