Names of Medicinal Crop/Plants

    Name of the Medicinal Crop 

1 Aloe vera ( Ghritkumari) 

2.Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) 

3 Bixa orellana (Sindhoora)  

4 Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) 

5 Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) 

6.Bacopa monneri (Brahmi) 

7.Cymbopogon nardus (Citronella Oil) 

8 Plectranthus barbatus (Pashana bhedi) 

9 Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh) 

 10 Abelmoschus moschatus (Kasturi benda) 

11 Mucuna pruriens (Doolagondi) 

12 Hemidesmus indicus (Nannari) 

13 Piper longum (Pippalli)

14 Rauvolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha) 

15 Senna alexandrina (Sonamukhi) 

16 Acorus calamus (Vach) 

17 Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) 

18 Tinospora cordifolia (Tippateega) 

19 Moringa oleifera (Munaga) 

 20 Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon grass) 

21 Cymbopogon martinii (Palmarosa) 

22 Chrysopogon zizanioides 

Kalihari (Gloriosa superba.)  

 

  

  

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) 

 Mandookparni (Centella asiatica) 

11. Bael (Aegle marmelos) 

12. Neem (Azadichta indica)  

13. Rakta chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus)  

14. Chandan (Santalum album) 

15. Arujuna (Terminalia arjuna)  

16. Behera (Terminalia bellarica)  

17. Harad (Terminalia chebula)  

18. Ghritkumari (Aloe vera)  

19. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) 

 20. Patherchur (Coleus barbatus) 

 21. Konch (Mucuna prurita)

Citrus Medica Linn. ( in Sanskrit language : Mathulunga, Beejapura)

 

Citron fruit looks like a big lemon, with very thick skin with very less inner pulp content. Its fruit peel, seed, pulp etc., are used in Ayurvedic treatment. 

It is widely used for treating abdominal colic, digestive disorders, piles etc. It is called Madiphala, Matulunga, Beejapura etc.

In  Ayurveda it is considered as widely used in the treatment. It is used in several Gastrointestinal disorders like gastric ulcers, abdominal colic, digestive disturbance, piles, mal-absorption, IBS etc.

The fruit is rich in vitamin C and hence it boosts the immune system. It plays a key role in formation of collagen, thereby improving skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles. Hence it helps in maintaining the health and luster of the skin.

The fruits are rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron and carotene contents and hence helpful to restore the health of the bone, blood and muscle tissues. Also it will safeguard the organs.

Citrus medica Linn. belonging to the Rutaceae family, has been used for centuries in medicine for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antihyper glycemic properties

The phytochemicals identified in C. medica can be classified into nutrient compounds, such as vitamins, essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids, and minerals, and non-nutritive compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, and coumarins.

The peel is richer in water-soluble vitamins than in pulp, especially in terms of vitamins B6, B1, and B2, 

In addition to vitamin C, Citrus medica is also rich in Vitamin B, minerals (mainly present in the fruit peel and pulp), and non-essential amino acids

Antioxidants are compounds that are able to neutralize free radicals, which can damage the body’s cells. The C. medica has significant antioxidant properties due to the presence of an excellent antioxidant, ascorbic acid, in addition to known phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids, and heteropolysaccharides, which contribute to antioxidant capacity in citrus fruits. 

Bacteria may develop resistance to conventional drugs; therefore, there is an increasing need to find new antimicrobial agents. Medicinal plants are rich sources of bioactive compounds which also display antimicrobial activities. Among the many biological properties of C. medica, its antimicrobial properties are undoubtedly the most heavily investigated, probably due to the strong presence of phytochemicals, such as citral, linalool, and limonene which are endowed with antimicrobial effects.

The citron C. medica is rich in flavonoids, such as hesperidin, naringin, and apigenin, which possess strong anti-inflammatory activities.

C. medica can be considered an excellent candidate for treating various pathologies, mainly related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and microbial infection.

Silver cockscombs:

 

Silver cockscombs are erect , branching plants.

They are beautiful plants with soft, dense feathery spikes, produced in profusion.

Wonderful straw-like flower when dried. It offers fresh shape and colour to cut flower. 

The flowers and seed are astringent, haemostatic, ophthalmic, parasiticide and poultine.

They are used in the treatment of bloody stool, haemorrhoid bleeding, uterine bleeding, leucorrhoea dysentery and diarrhoea.

As a parasiticide it is very effective against Trichomonas.

The seed is hypotensive .

The seed is widely used in India for the treatment of diabetes millitus. 

Cockscomb (Celosia cristata Linn.)

  Cockscomb  : 

It is a nutritious leafy green vegetable, as it is high in nutrients such as beta-carotene and folic acids, and have vitamin E, calcium and iron.

It is frequently used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for treating eye diseases and ulcers.

Celosia cristata Linn. inflorescences,  is a culturally significant plant of Kashmir valley, India

The flower contain variety of vitamins (A, B-complex, C and E) with Vitamin E (tocopherol) showing the highest concentration. 

Among minerals, potassium was found to be present in significant amounts, the amino acid and fatty acid profile of the flower.

The valley of Kashmir that lies in the northern part of India has a rich diversity of medicinal flowers, plants, and herbs. There is a documented evidence of 1,748 medicinal plant species from the region 

The plant, Celosia cristata, commonly known as cock's comb flower, is one of the valued medicinal plants of the Kashmir valley

Locally known as “Mawal”, C. cristata is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family Amaranthaceae (Caryophyllales). It is grown as an ornamental plant in most of the parts of the world because of the attractive and vibrant colored inflorescences

C. cristata flowers (CCF): The dried inflorescences, seeds, and leaves are reportedly used in African, Indian (Ayurvedic and Yunani) and Chinese traditional medicinal systems to cure various ailments

For use in ethnomedicine different parts of C. cristata are used by traditional healers. The dried red flowers are effective against hematuria, abdominal pains, leucorrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, hemoptysis, hemorrhoid bleeding and osteoporosis

Apart from its use in folklore medicine, scientific investigations have reported its hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antimelanocyte, antinoceceptive, anti-oxidant, anti-aging and adipogenesis reduction activities

The coloring property of C. cristata flower is due to the presence of betalains, which are water soluble pigments found in plants belonging to the family Amaranthaceae 

Some Popular and Botanical Names of Crops:

 

Some Popular and Botanical Names of Crops

Arhar (Redgram) Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. 

Bajra (Pearlmillet) Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke 

Barley Hordeum vulgare L.

 Bengalgarm (Gram; Chickpea) Cicer arietinum L. 

Blackgram (Urd) Vigna mungs (L.) Hepper 

Blue panic Panicum antidotale 

Castor Ricinus communis L. 

Chilli Capsicum frustescens L. 

Clusterbean (Guar) Cyamopsis tetragonolobus (L.) Taub 

Coriander Coriandrum sativum L. 

Cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp 

Fingermillet (Ragi) Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn 

Foxtail millet (Setaria, Italian millet) Setaria italica Beauv 

Gingelly (Sesamum, Sesame, Til) Sesamum indicum L. Sesamum orientale L. 

Gram (Bengalgram) Cicer arietinum L.

 Greengram (Moong) Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek 

Groundnut (Peanut) Arachis hopogaea L. 

Guar (Cluster bean) Cyamopsis tetragonolobus (L.) Tabu 

Horsegram Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc 

Hybrid Napier (Pennisetum purpureum x P. typhoides) F1 

Indian bean (Lablab) Lablab purpureus (L) Sweet 

Indian rape (Toria) Brassica campestris L. 

Indian squash melon (Tinda) Citrulus fistulosus 

Italian millet (Foxtail millet, Setaria) Setaria italica Beauv 

Jowar (Sorghum) Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench 

Jute Corchorus capsularis L. 

Kabuli gram Cicer arietinum L. Lentil (Masoor) Lens culinaris Medic 

Maize Zea mays L. 

Mesta (Rozella) Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. 

Moth (dew gram) Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal 

Mustard (Raya) Brassica juncea Coss

Napier Grass Pennisetum purpureum 

Niger Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass

 Rice (Paddy) Oryza sativa L. 

Peanut (Groundnut) Arachis hypogaea L. 

Pearlmillet (Bajra) Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke 

Peas Pisum Sativum L. 

Pigeonpea (Arhar, Redgram, Tur) Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. 

Potato Solanum tuberosum L.

 Proso millet Panicum miliaceum L. 

Ragi Eleusine coracane (L.) Gaertn 

Rajgira (Amaramthus) Amaramthus viridae L. 

Rapeseed (Sarson) Brasica campestris L. var. Sarson Prain

Raya (Mustard) Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss 

Redgram (Pigeonpea, Arhar, Tur) Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp 

Rice (Paddy) Oryza sativa L. 

Rozella (Mesta) Hibiscus sabdariffa L. 

Safflower Carthamus tinctorius L. 

Sarson (Rapeseed) Brassica campestris L. var. Sarson Prain

Setaria (Foxtail millet, Italian millet) Setaria italica Beauv 

Siratro Macroptilium purpureum L. 

Sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Soyabean or Soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr 

Sunflower Helianthus annuus L. 

Sweet Potato Ipomea batatas (L.) Lam 

Taramira (Rocket salad) Eruca sativa Mill 

Til (Gingelly, Sesamum, Sesame) Sesamum indicum L. Sesamum orientale L. 

Tinda (Indian Squash Melon) Citrulus fistulosus 

. Toria (Indian rape) Brassica campestris var toria Duthie & Fuller 

Tur (Redgram, Pigeonpea, Arhar) Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. 

Triticale Triticale officinale 

Urd (Blackgram) Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper

Niger seeds (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.)

 

Niger seeds (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) : -

 Niger seed can be utilized to treat the rheumatoid by use of oil on the parts where the agony is available by intermittently utilization of the Niger seed oil, the danger of the request issue can be kept away from. 

In Bundelkhand region, India people uses of Niger seed used a thick paste of the stem together with leaf was applied at joint for treatment of rheumatism inflammatory disease. 

Boiling of seed leaves are used, sprouted seeds were mixed with garlic and are used to treat cough frequency of double in a day or thrice during a day for cough. 

Microbial infection, burns, cough, contraceptive, inflammatory disease and syphilis by the various petitioners selected in different dose and period at the side of specific ways of preparation . 

Guizotia is incredibly helpful within the treatment of sure reasonably diseases and numerous ex and in situ conservation methods at the side of cultivation of species could also be adopted to prevent the species from extinction.

Nutritional profile: - 

Niger seed is a fortune trove of supplements containing 483 calories, oil (30% - 40%), protein (10-25%), solvent sugars (12-18%), crude fiber (10-20%), moisture (10-11%) and ashes (4%).

 Concentrates announced about the vitamin and mineral substance of Niger seed as 0.43 mg/100 g thiamine, 0.22– 0.55 mg/100 g riboflavin, 3.66 mg/100g niacin 50– 587 mg/100 g calcium, and 180– 800 mg/100 g phosphorus. 

The seed contains around 40% oil with unsaturated fat structure of 75-80% linoleic corrosive, 7-8% palmitic and stearic acids, and 5-8% oleic corrosive . The Indian kinds contain 25% oleic and 55% linoleic acids 

What is Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Dictionary) ?

 What is Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Dictionary) ?

Ans: 

Bhavaprakasha Nighantu is said to be placed between 15-17th century. 

Some of its manuscripts available in Jammu Kashmir Library belongs to 1665AD. 

The work was done by Acharya Bhavamishra. 

The Bhavaprakasha Nighantu is on of the Laghutrayi. 

The book is divided into three sections Viz; Purvakhanda, Madhyama Khanda, Uttara Khanda.

 The text includes total 24 Vargas. 

25th one is miscellaneous section. In this the Medicinal flowers section is fourth one.

Ayurveda explains the longevity of life along with spiritual aspects. 

In day today life use of flowers were mentioned elaborately.

 For example the Dronapushpi flowers are used for Abhisheka. 

The Dhatura flower is offered to Lord Shiva, Tulasi for Lord Vishnu, Kamala for Lord Bramha, Lord Buddha, The Langali flower is for Lord Ganesha and the list goes on. 

Since ancient times flowers were using as decorative and spiritual aspects as well as in treatment aspects. 

The therapeutic properties of medicinal flowers were seen in our classical texts. The separate section is being mentioned called Pushpa Varga. 

These medicinal flowers are marketed by pharmaceutical companies for making perfumes, colouring agents, and for medicinal purpose.

 The essential oils are prepared from the dried flowers as the essential oils are more potent. The medicinal flowers possess anti viral, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, mood stabilizing agents.