MEDICINAL PLANTS

Tulsi ( Ocimum Sanctum )

The plant Tulsi or Holy Basil (Botanical name Ocimum sanctum ) belongs to family
Lamiaceae. It is a tropical plant which grows as weed and also cultivated. Tulsi is
worshipped by Hindus and is an important symbol of Hindu religion. It is a very common
sight to find Tulsi Vrindavan ( A special structure where tulsi is grown) in houses of
Hindus.

The tulsi shrub is an erect plant which grows to a height of 50 to 60 cm tall. It has hairy
stems, opposite ovate leaves and purple flowers. Leaves have strong scent. There are two
types of tulsi

Krishna tulsi – Has purple leaves

Shri tulsi – Has Green leaves

Texts of ayurveda describe the properties of tulsi as follows. It is light to digest and dries
tissue secretions. Tulsi tastes hot and bitter. It can penetrate deep tissues and has anti
helmenthic properties. Due to these properties it normalizes kapha and vata. Leaves,
flowers, seeds and roots of Tulsi are used in ayurvedic preparations.

Medicinal Properties of Tulsi:

 Tulsi has anti inflammatory properties as it reduces vata . Hence its external application
on swollen parts helps to diminish swelling and pain.

 Tulsi helps in many skin disorders. It is effective in skin rashes, insect bites and itching.
Leaves of this plant are effectively used in ring worm infections and lucoderma.

 Fresh juice of Tulsi leaves is used in nasya karma. This method helps to relieve
headache and diseases of head and neck. Tulsi leaves act as nervine tonic and help to
sharpen memory.

 Paste and Juice of Tulsi leaves help to reduce acne, pimples and scars.

 According ayurveda, preparations of Tulsi are beneficial in indigestion, intestinal

parasites and constipation.

 Crushed leaves of tulsi are very effective in fever, cough, bronchitis and other diseases
of lungs. It helps in expectoration of excess mucous secretion.

 Tulsi acts as a cardiac tonic and purifies blood.

 Seeds of tulsi are effective in premature ejaculation .It also increases quantity of semen.
  Consuming 10 – 12 leaves of Tulsi per day helps to reduce stress
Hibiscus Rosa- Sinensis:

A well known member of the family Malvaceae, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis grows as an evergreen
herbaceous plant. A native to tropical and sub-tropical regions, this plant is extensively
cultivated as an ornamental plant. It bears large flowers on the bushy hedges. This enormous
flowers are usually dark red in color and are not usually fragrant. The huge size and the reddish
color and hues attract humming birds and the gardens growing these flowers are regularly visited
by the humming birds. Vigour, attractive foliage, strong root system, longevity, easy to maintain,
good flowering characteristics, etc. are some of the characteristics which are needed to be kept in
mind while cross breeding the hibiscus plant.

Medicinal Properties of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

 The leaf juice is diluted with water and given for leucorrhoea.The leaves can be
crushed and prepared as kudineer and given for the same.

 The roots of this plant along with leaves of adathodai is taken and prepared as
decoction and given in dose of 25 to 30 ml for chronic cough.

 The flowers can be prepared as decoction and given in dose of 30 to 40 ml for

urinary diseases. It also provides coolness to the body and hence given for psychiatric
ailments also.

 The flowers is made into decoction and mixed with milk, jaggery and omam and
given in the dose of 30-40 ml for leucorrhoea.

 The petals of the flowers, one part and six parts of water is mixed and heated in
little flame and made into 1/4th part. Then jaggery is added to it and prepared into syrup
consistency called manapagu. This is given in the dose of 5-6 grams for urinary diseases,
leucorrhoea and increased heat conditions of the body and psychiatric ailments.

 The juice of the petals along with coconut oil is taken and heated in little flame till
the water content of the mixture disappears. This oil is then stored in an air tight container
or bottle and used for head bath. This gives coolness to the entire body and a very effective
remedy for hair fall.

 The leaves are crushed well and squeezed to extract the mucilaginous content. This
is used for head bath and known as thali tradtionally. This is good for psychiatric ailments
also.

 Hibiscus relieves stomach problems, sweetens breath and soothes

nerves.
  Daily uptake of Hibiscus tea is useful for reducing high blood
pressure.

Neem (Azadirachta indica )

The neem plant is a fast growing and long living tree, native to Burma in India. From there
the neem tree has spread and is now grown all over the world. In India the neem medicinal
plant is highly regarded because of its many uses and benefits.

Medicinal properties of Neem:

Neem is used for multi purpose remedies. This includes sprains, flu, skin diseases, heart
diseases, fever, indigestion, viral infection, etc. Some serious health concerns like cancer,
kidney diseases, sexually transmitted diseases are also treated by neem.

Treatment for several diseases:

 Heart Disease: Including high blood pressure, blood clots, cholesterol, and
Arrhythmia/rapid heart beat.

 Blood Disorders: Including poor circulation, blood poisoning, and kidney

problems.

 Digestive Disorders: Including heartburn/indigestion, peptic/duodenal ulcers,

gastritis, and hemorrhoids.

 Nervous Disorders: Including anxiety, epilepsy, and hives.

 Jaundice and Hepatitis: Drink the diluted juice of the tender neem leaves with a
tea spoon of honey to flush out toxins in liver disorders. Neem is anti-pruritic, thermogenic,
tonic, stomachic and abdominal movement controller. 2 teaspoon of Neem leaves juice
with honey is indicated to accelerate the process of cure.

 Diabetes: Neem being biter, stomachic, anti-pruritic, and revitalize works

wonders in this disease. One table spoon of Neem leaves juice approximately 5 ml taken
early in the morning on empty stomach for 3 months is helpful in diabetes. 10 Neem leaves
chewed or powder taken daily in the morning also controls diabetes.

 Cancer: Neem being depurative purifies the blood and being an astringent
decreases the body heat. Chewing of 10 to 20 Neem leaves early morning with warm water
is helpful.
  Leprosy and Leucoderma: 10 drops of Neem oil mixed with 1 teaspoon sugar
twice a day acts as a supportive part of treatment. The anti-leprotic action of Neem works.

 Allergy: 8 to 10 fresh Neem leaves are to be eaten early morning on an empty

stomach. This helps in purifying blood and controls the allergic condition.
It is used also in Tuberculosis, Bronchitis, Conjunctivitis, Allergies, Bad Breath, Hangover,
Stress, Insomnia, Smoking, and on and on.

Part Part Medicinal Use

Leaf Leprosy, skin problems, skin ulcers, intestine worms, anorexia, eye
problems, epistaxis, biliousness
Bark Analgesic, curative of fever
Flower Elimination of intestine worms, phlegm, bile suppression,

Fruit Diabetes, eye problem, piles, intestine worms, urinary disorder,

wounds, leprosy, epistaxis

Twig Asthma, cough, piles, intestine worms, obstinate urinary disorder,

phantom tumor, spermatorrhoea
Gum Scabies, wounds, ulcer, skin diseases

Seed Intestine worms and leprosy

Oil Intestine worms, skin diseases and leprosy

Root Refrigerant, diutretic