Gymnema sylvestre

 Scientists have developed a phytopharmaceutical derived from the medicinal plant Gymnema sylvestre for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

 The therapy also shows potential for managing other chronic wounds and inflammatory skin disorders.

Gymnemic acids have antidiabetic, antisweetener and anti-inflammatory activities. The antidiabetic array of molecules has been identified as a group of closely related gymnemic acids after it was successfully isolated and purified from the leaves of G. sylvestre

G. sylvestre leaves have been found to cause hypoglycemia in laboratory tests and have found a use in herbal medicine to help treat adult onset diabetes mellitus. When Gymnema leaf extract is administered to a diabetic patient, there is stimulation of the pancreas by virtue of which there is an increase in insulin release 

Gymnema leaf extract, notably the peptide ‘Gurmarin’, has been found to interfere with the ability of the taste buds on the tongue to taste sweet and bitter. Gymnemic acid has a similar effect. It is believed that by inhibiting the sweet taste sensation, people taking it will limit their intake of sweet foods, and this activity may be partially responsible for its hypoglycemic effec

Bifidobacterium bacteria :

 

Please Note: It is just for information :   

Bifidobacterium bacteria convert dietary carbohydrates into short-chain fatty acids.

 In infants, the enzyme lactase converts lactose in milk to glucose and galactose. However, in adults, bacteria like Bifidobacterium take over and help ferment lactose.

Bifidobacterium bacteria are known to improve gut health and are a major component of commercial probiotics.

Bifidobacteria are members of the intestinal microbiota of mammals and other animals, and some strains are able to exert health-promoting effects. The genus Bifidobacterium belongs to the Actinobacteria phylum.

Bifidobacteria are among the dominant bacterial populations in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of humans.

Recently, it is found that traditional and home made  food prepared from milk, curd,   fish, fruits, and/or greens and stems, fermented food items  etc., improve such healthy bacteria.  

Nutmeg ( Jajikaya)

 

Nutmeg ( Jajiokaya) 

Botanical Name: Myristica fragrans Houtt

Family: Myristicaceae

Benefits of Nutmeg (Jaiphal)

• Regulate blood pressure
• Heal pain and inflammation
• Improve digestion
• Prevents bad breath
• Boost memory power
• Control blood sugar

Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris)

 

The source plant of Gokshura is T. terrestris Linn. of Zygophyllaceae family.

Gokshura ( (Tribulus terrestris))

Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) has been widely used in Ayurveda for its diuretic and reproductive health–supporting properties.

it may help manage urinary tract concerns, such as kidney stones. It has traditionally been used to support both male and female fertility.

Gokshura's benefits include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that help relieve inflammation and oxidative stress.

 It is also beneficial for the muscles required for strength, stamina, and vitality in general, making it a popular supplement choice among athletes. 

Other than that, the adaptogenic properties of Gokshura also improve the body’s ability to withstand stress.

Besides the reproductive and physical health aspects, Gokshura can potentially manage inflammatory joint concerns. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects that relieve joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation due to rheumatism and arthritis. 

Rodiyola

 

 Rhodiola is a plant called Rhodiola rosea. The root of rhodiola is used to make dietary supplements, such as tablets or capsules. People take rhodiola for many reasons

is a plant called Rhodiola rosea. Dietary supplements that contain rhodiola are made from the root (rhizome) of the plant. Since rhodiola grows in colder regions and at high altitudes, it is sometimes called arctic root or Siberian rhodiola.

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.)

 

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) is a grain legume crop that is crucial for food and nutrition security in the subtropicalregions of Asia and Africa

Pigeonpea is one of India's most important pulse crops and a major source of dietary protein. It plays a vital role in ensuring the country's food and nutritional security.

Pigeonpea is an important source of proteins, carbohydrates, B-group vitamins, and certain minerals. India contributes over 90% of the pigeonpea production in the world where it is mostly consumed as dehusked splits or dhal. In African countries and Latin America, it is mainly consumed as canned peas.

Pigeon pea is one of the most multipurpose grain legumes in the tropical and subtropical world. It is highly resilient to climate change due to drought tolerance. It ranks sixth following common beans, chickpeas, field peas, cowpeas, and lentils globally. 

Pigeon pea is an excellent source of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and minerals. 

Furthermore, pigeon pea is endowed with valuable water-soluble vitamins such as thiamin, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, and niacin. 

With low levels of saturated fat and sodium and being cholesterol free, pigeon peas emerge as a nutritious dietary choice. 

Pigeon peas are rich sources of bioactive compounds with various potential health properties, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and antidiabetic effects.

 Pigeon peas can be consumed in diverse forms, including whole seeds, split seeds (known as dhal), vegetables using green seeds, and fresh pods.

Legumes like pigeon peas in diets offers all essential amino acids, vitamin B, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), carotenoids, magnesium, and iron.

Apart from this high nutritional value, pigeon pea is used as a traditional medicine in India, China, the Philippines, and some other nations.. It is used for curing measles, smallpox, chicken pox, sickle cell anemia, fever, dysentery, hepatitis, and malaria . \

Pigeon pea has a good number of health-promoting bioactive compounds, like phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and phytic acid. These compounds have countless useful properties like anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and antidiabetic effects

Pigeon pea holds promise as a significant source of water-soluble vitamins such as thiamin, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, and niacin

Notably, it is abundant in vitamin A and contains higher levels of vitamin C compared to ordinary peas and beans 

Additionally, they collaborate with enzymes involved in metabolic pathways, facilitating the production of essential nutrients such as energy, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats

vitamins contribute to the maintenance of nervous system functions

Pigeon pea serves as a notable source of essential minerals including potassium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, and phosphorus 

Additionally, pigeon peas contain zinc, which is essential for maintaining the body's immune system 

Calcium, another vital mineral present in pigeon peas, enhances bone strength, supports dental health, aids muscle function, regulates blood clotting, facilitates nerve transmission and promotes the activity of digestive enzymes

Bioactive compounds, which are usually found in small quantities compared to macronutrients, play a crucial role in various food items

 In pigeon pea, the main bioactive compounds identified so far are broadly classified into the flavonoids, phenolics, and stilbenes groups 

The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of ethanol leaves extract revealed seven flavonoids including pinostrobin, orientin, naringenin, apigenin, apigenin-6,8-di-C-α-L-arabinopyranoside and pinostrobin chalcone, and two stilbenes, namely, pinostrobin, orientin, naringenin, apigenin, and pinostrobin chalcone 

The proximate compositions such

as moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash and dietary fiber

of pigeon pea is shown in Table 1 (Oke 2014., Eltayeb et al.

2010., Olalekan and Bosede 2010., Adamu and Oyetunde

2013., Kunyanga et al. 2013). The pigeon pea seed is made

up of 85% cotyledon, 14% seed coat, and about 1% embryo.

It is a rich source of protein, carbohydrates, minerals and

vitamins. It’s protein content ranges between 20-22% CHO

between 51.4 – 58.8%, Crude fibre between 1.2 – 8.1% and

lipid between 0.6 – 3.8% (Faris 1990).

Carbohydrates: The starch and non-

The proximate compositions such

as moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash and dietary fiber

of pigeon pea is shown in Table 1 (Oke 2014., Eltayeb et al.

2010., Olalekan and Bosede 2010., Adamu and Oyetunde

2013., Kunyanga et al. 2013). The pigeon pea seed is made

up of 85% cotyledon, 14% seed coat, and about 1% embryo.

It is a rich source of protein, carbohydrates, minerals and

vitamins. It’s protein content ranges between 20-22% CHO

between 51.4 – 58.8%, Crude fibre between 1.2 – 8.1% and

lipid between 0.6 – 3.8% (Faris 1990).

Carbohydrates: The starch and non-

Bay Leaf / Teejpatta (Laurus nobilis))

 

Bay leaf has a sharp and bitter taste.

 The difference in fragrance and aroma is due to the presence of essential oils in leaves and other parts of the plant.

 It has flavonoids, tannins, eugenol, citric acid, carbohydrate, steroids, alkaloids, triterpenoids, and essential oils. 

Antioxidant properties were discovered in the extract of bay leaf to have phenolic compounds. Each of these chemical constituents varies depending on the type of species.

In Urdu, it is known as teejh pat.In India, specifically in Hindi, it is called teejpatta.

Bay leaf  also known as a good and main source of vitamin A and many minerals. 

One ounce of bay leaf gives :-

1)54 calories, 

2)1–1.2 g protein, 

3)12–13 g carbohydrates, 

4)a trace of fat, 

5)1–1.5 mg of iron (Fe), 

6)51–53 mg of calcium (Ca),

7) 2000–3000 IU of vitamin A, 

8)14–15 mg of vitamin C, and

9) a small amount of potassium. 

 In bay leaf, compounds like eugenol (11%–12%), methyl eugenol (9%–12%), and elemicin (1%–12%) are significant for the spicy aroma of bay leaves, and for determining effective quality of bay leaf, these are used as significant influencers 

1)Poultice of bay leaves is used for the treatment of rheumatism and neuralgia

2)Traditionally, it has been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems such as impaired digestion, flatulence, eructation, and epigastric bloating and used as diuretic and has many analgesic effects

3)Traditionally, it has been used as herbal medicine against number of diseases such as rheumatism, sprains, indigestion, earaches, and to enhance perspiration

Lavender Oil and honey collected by bees from Lavender flowers

 

Lavender oil, obtained from the flowers of Lavandula angustifolia (Family: Lamiaceae) by steam distillation, is chiefly composed of linalyl acetate (3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3yl acetate), linalool (3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol), lavandulol, 1,8-cineole, lavandulyl acetate, and camphor. Whole lavender oil and its major components linalool and linalyl acetate are used in aromatherapy. The major components of lavender oil were identified as 51% linalyl acetate and 35% linalool measured by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-linked Fourier Transform Infrared analysis.

Lavender oil is used for aromatherapy . 

Lavender has been suggested as an excellent natural remedy to treat insomnia and improve the sleep quality

Lavender honey contains tyrosine, a precursor to dopamine and norepinephrine, which promotes relaxation and mood balance. Regular intake before bed can ease anxiety and support deeper sleep cycles without drowsy side effects.

Lavender Tea:
Lavender tea can be made at home by following these easy steps:-
Tips for making Lavender tea at home.
1. Boil 200-250ml water in a teapot.
2. Add a few lavender flowers to it.
3. Let the flowers steep in the water for about 5 minutes. You can steep them longer (as per your requirement).
4. Remove the flowers from the tea by filtering or straining the liquid into a cup.
5. You can enjoy lavender tea once or twice a day to get rid of the symptoms of menstrual pain.

Note: It is advisable to avoid the excessive consumption of Lavender tea as it might cause certain side effects like nausea and vomiting

Crowfoot Grass :

 

Crowfoot Grass : 

Crowfoot grass scientific name is Dactyloctenium aegyptium. Is a densely bunched grass belonging to the Poaceae family. It is a nutritional-rich grain, used traditionally as a famine food in Africa and given to women suffering from bellyache after childbirth.

The whole plant of crowfoot may treat gastrointestinal disorders, kidney diseases, ulcers, backache, and smallpox. It also has potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and antimicrobial activity

The leaves of this grass are crushed and chewed raw or paste in water is applied topically . In some African tribes, seed extraction and decoctions are used orally after childbirth to relieve bellyache. Crowfoot can be used as a detoxifier and anti-allergic. It also treats jaundice, immune deficiency, wounds, fever, and biliary and urinary disease

Desmodium gangeticum (Shalparni)

   

 Shalparni is bitter as well as sweet in taste. 

Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum DC.) is mentioned in Ayurveda belongs to Fabaceae family and is one of the most frequently used herb in Ayurveda. 

 Root system of Shalaparni consists of poorly developed tap root. T.S. of mature root shows cork, 3-7 layers of thin-walled, tangentially elongated cells, having a few prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate; cork cambium single layered. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrate, protein, saponin, alkaloid, glycosoid and reducing sugar. 

Moisture content in root of Shalaparni was found to be 6.17%. Total Ash value was 5.16% and Acid insoluble value was 0.8%. Extractive value was 2.00% and 6.04% of alcoholic and aqueous extract respectively.

The root of this plant is one of the constituents of the famous Ayurvedic preparation called Dasmoola (Dasmoolarista is a tonic ) 

Shalparnia helps to manage fever due to its antipyretic property. 

It is also useful for respiratory problems like bronchitis as it helps to relax the respiratory passages and decreases inflammation due to its bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory properties. This allows free flow of air to respiratory passages and eases breathing.

According to Ayurveda, Shalparni is beneficial for male sexual health as it helps to manage problems like premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction due to its Vrishya (aphrodisiac) property.

Taking Shalparni powder along with water regularly helps in improving male sexual health.

Shalparni helps to manage piles by reducing inflammation at the anal site due to its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.

 Taking Shalparni powder along with water manages piles due to its Pitta balancing and Shothhar (anti-inflammatory) properties.

Shalparni is also beneficial in wound healing as it prevents infections and reduces inflammation due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Applying Shalparni leaf paste on the scalp reduces dandruff as well as hairfall due to its antifungal properties. 

As per Ayurveda, applying Shalparni leaf powder along with rose water on the forehead is a remedy for managing headache.

Chimpanzees in Nigeria have also been known to swallow leaves of the plant Desmodium gangeticum (called ‘shalaparni’ in India) to get rid of parasites that bother the animal’s skin

Shalaparni, through its active compound Gangetin, demonstrated potential as a dual-acting therapeutic agent for RA and depression by targeting shared inflammatory pathways. .

Medicinal Plants :

 

Medicinal Plants:- 

 Mulethi, 

Shatavari 

Kalihari, 

Shwet Musali, 

Guggulu, 

Manjishtha, 

Kutki, '

Atees, 

Jatamansi, 

Ashwagandha, 

Brahmi, 

Tulsi, 

Vidarikand,

 Pippali, 

Chirata, 

Pushkarmool

Pandanus / Kevda / Screw tree

 

Kevda plant well known for the fragrant kewra essence, used in sweets, traditional medicine and also in temples has survived in the Indian subcontinent for at least 24 million years and is a living survivor from India's ancient tropical forests.

Pandanus is mainly restricted to tropical and subtropical regions. However, fossil evidence from Europe and North America, dating back 85–66 million years, indicates that its ancestors once had a much wider distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. As global climates cooled after about 34 million years ago, these plants gradually disappeared from many regions and became restricted to the tropics.

Kevda or Ketaki is used to make perfumes and its flowers are famous in India for its fragrance. It was considered to be one of the finest scents India offered by the Moghul emperors.

A perfumed oil and fragrant attar are both extracted from the flower and used as medicines as well as scents. Its oil is used to treat headaches, earaches and rheumatic pains.

Kewra water is an extract that is distilled from pandanus flowers. It is a transparent liquid, almost similar to rose water. Although pandanus trees grow almost everywhere in tropical Asia, kewra water is still mainly a Northern Indian flavouring that is not used anywhere else. 

In Western cooking, kewra water makes a fine alternative to the flower essences like rose or orange essence. It can be substituted with kewra essence, which is more concentrated.

Guggul (Commiphora wightii)

 

   \
Guggul (Commiphora wightii)

Guggul (Commiphora wightii) is an important plant due to its renowned medicinal properties

The plant's resin, known as gum guggul, is rich in bioactive compounds like guggulsterones, which are recognized for their antiinflammatory, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects.

Research has shown that guggul possesses cholesterol-reducing properties due to compounds like guggulsterone. This bioactive compound aids in cholesterol metabolism by regulating bile acid synthesis and transport

The resin's chemical composition includes minerals, gum, terpenes, sterols, essential oils, and other bioactive compounds

Leguminous crops: Chickpea, Groundnut, Soya bean and lentils such as pigeon pea (tur)

 

Leguminous crops, including chickpea (chana), groundnut, soya bean and lentils such as pigeon pea (tur), have a unique biological capacity to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for nitrogen fertiliser and, in turn, N2O emissions. 

A meta-analysis published  in 2023 shows that legumes fix about 70 kg of nitrogen per ha, equivalent to 152 kg of urea. 

This natural fertilisation supports sustainable plant growth and soil fertility, while improving the availability of other macronutrients. 

The study says soils under legume crops show more than 11 per cent higher NPK (nitrogen, phophorous and potassium) availability and 16-17 per cent greater carbon seque stration than cereal monocultures. 

Legumes also require 25 per cent less irrigation water than non-legume crops. 

Sal or Shorea robusta

 

Shorea robusta is an evergreen tree with an elongated crown when young, becoming more rounded as the tree ages. It can grow up to 50 metres tall in fertile soils, but is more likely to be 20 - 25 metres tall in poorer soils. The straight, cylindrical bole can be unbranched for up to 25 metres and up to 200cm in diameter

Sal is a very important multi-purpose tree. It is one of the main commercial timbers of India, being harvested from the wild for local use and export. It also yields a resin that is traded and an oil that is used locally as well as being exported in large quantities. It addition, it supplies tannins, an edible seed and medicines for local use. The leaves are used commercially for making plates and containers

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The sal tree is often the dominant species in the forests of the sub-Himalayan tract, but overutilization of it for fuel, timber, fodder etc is becoming a cause for conservation concern in some areas

The seeds are a source of 'sal butter', an oil that is used in cooking like ghee and as a substitute for cocoa butter in making chocolate

The resin is valued for its use in the treatment of dysentery, gonorrhoea, boils and toothaches

The leaf juice is used in the treatment of dysentery

 The leaves are warmed and used as a poultice on areas of the body that are swollen

 They have a quick effect[. They are also applied to the stomach of children with dysentery

The oil from the seed is used to treat skin diseases

When tapped, the tree exudes large quantities of a whitish, aromatic, transparent resin known as 'lal dhuna'. It is used to caulk boats and ships and as incense. In some places in the Upper Tista forests of the Darjeeling District, large
pieces, often 450 - 600 cubic centimetres in size, are found in the ground at the foot of the trees[

The leaves are widely used for making plates, cups and for wrapping

An oil obtained from the seed is used for illumination

The bark is a source of tannins

The heartwood is a dark, reddish brown; the thin band of sapwood whitish. The grain is strongly spiralled and rather coarsely structured. The wood is hard, heavy, very durable and highly resistant to termite attack. Seasoning can present problems. The wood is easy to saw, but because of its high resin content, it is difficult to plane and turn; it has a tendency to split when nails are driven into it. This important Indian hardwood is especially well suited for constructing structures subject to heavy stress in houses etc, it is also used in hydraulic engineering, ships and railway cars, poles, railway ties and posts, simple interior finishing such as window frames and floors, and many other applications[

. For making household or agricultural implements, the coppice shoots are used

The wood is an important local source of fue

Litchi fruit

 

  Litchi fruit is having excellent quality

  It is a rich source of Vitamin C along with B complex vitamin. About 100 g of fresh lychee (roughly a small handful) provides around 70 mg of vitamin C, supporting immune function and collagen formation

 Minerals and plant compounds: It contains potassium and polyphenols (antioxidants such as epicatechin).

The Geographical Indication (GI) status has strengthened the identity and market recognition of Tezpur Litchi, enhancing its appeal among international buyers and creating new opportunities for premium agricultural exports from Assam.

As a traditional Chinese medicine, litchi has been used for centuries to treat stomach ulcers, diabetes, cough, diarrhea, and dyspepsia, as well as to kill intestinal worms.

Both in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that whole litchi fruits exhibit antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, and antiobesity activities and show anticancer, antiatherosclerotic, hypotensive, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory activities.

 The health benefits of litchi have been attributed to its wide range of nutritional components, among which polysaccharides and polyphenols have been proven to possess various beneficial properties. 

The diversity and composition of litchi polysaccharides and polyphenols have vital influences on their biological activities

Caution:

Unripe lychee contains the chemicals Hypoglycin A, which causes severe vomiting, and methylene cyclopropyl-glycine (MCPG) which causes a sharp drop in sugar levels in blood

Hypoglycin A is an amino acid that is naturally found in the unripened lychee, while methylene cyclopropyl-glycine MCPG is a poisonous compound present in the seeds of lychee.

Malabar Tamarind (Garcinia Cambogia )

 

Garcinia cambogia is an expensive spice used for dried sun rind, in particular for fish curries, often used for flavors.

The plant is widely used by tribal people as a meal or dietary supplement, as well as in the treatment of different diseases such as stomach issues, skin diseases, and weight reduction treatments. 

The peel of the fruit contains high amounts of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is the active ingredient believed to be responsible for most of its weight loss benefits.

Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA), appears to block an enzyme called citrate lyase, which your body uses to make fat.

Note:- The majority of research agrees that taking Garcinia cambogia in the recommended quantities, which is up to 2,800 mg of HCA per day, is safe for healthy persons

 What Garcinia cambogia fruit  contains ? 

 The rind contains:

1) protein (1%), 

2)tannins (1.7%), 

3)total sugar (4.1%), 

4)pectins (0.9%) and 

5)fat (1.4%), 

6)moisture (80.0 g/100 g), 

All of the above have  shown to have important therapeutic properties

It was reported that Garcinia leaves contained 75% moisture, 2.3% protein, 0.5% fat, 1.24% fire, 17.2% carbohydrate, 14% iron, 25% calcium and 10% ascorbic acid, and 10% oxalic acid. 

The seeds are very rich in triglycerides stearic, oleic and stearic. 

The plant also has lactone and citric hydroxycitric acid but in small amounts