Kurumthotty

Kurumthotty

CommonNames : Bala, Indian Ephedra, Mallow plant

                        

                   Sida cordifolia, commonly known as bala, is a plant in the family Malvaceae. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine. It has been investigated as an anti-inflammatory, for treating cancer, and for encouraging liver re-growth. It acts as a stimulant within the central nervous system. It is also used as a fat-burning supplement. The whole plant contains large quantities of active alkaloids (alkaloidephedrine) and hence has been used as a rejuvenating herb, an aphrodisiac, a wonderful and efficacious in curing those diseases when they are due to inflammation of the nerves. It grows well through the plains of India, especially, in damp climates.We crushed it and mix with water to make paste and applied on head as herbal shampoo.

                         It is used in Ayurvedic medicine (Sanskrit:-BALA). It is used in neurological ailments,especially in Stroke rehabilitation. Known as "malva branca", it is a plant used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation of the oral mucosa, blenorrhea, asthmatic bronchitis and nasal congestion stomatitis, of asthma and nasal congestion and in many parts of Africa for various ailments, particularly for respiratory problems. It has been investigated as an anti-inflammatory, for preventing cell proliferation, and for encouraging liver re-growth. Due to its ephedrine content, it possesses psychostimulant properties, affecting the central nervous system and also the heart.

A 50% ethanolic extract of Sida cordifolia tested on rats showed potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity comparable with the standard drug deprenyl.The plant has demonstrated anti-pyretic and anti-ulcerogenic properties.The aqueous extract of Sida cordifolia stimulates liver regeneration in rats.

Nutmeg (Jathikka)

NUTMEG

                  Nutmeg tree is any of several species of trees in genus Myristica. It is important for two spices derived from the fruit: nutmeg and mace. The common or fragrant nutmeg, Myristica fragrans, native to the Banda Islands of Indonesia, is also grown in Penang Island in Malaysia and the Caribbean, especially in Grenada. It also grows in Kerala, a state in southern India. Nutmeg and mace have similar sensory qualities, with nutmeg having a slightly sweeter and mace a more delicate flavour. Mace is often preferred in light dishes for the bright orange, saffron-like hue it imparts. Nutmeg is used for flavouring many dishes, usually in ground or grated form, and is best grated fresh in a nutmeg grater.

            Nutmeg is a small package with several big benefits. It’s used for prevention and healing of many known conditions. Here are some most common uses of nutmeg:

Ø  Medically, nutmeg has strong antibacterial properties. It is effective in killing a number of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth.

Ø  Like cloves, nutmeg contains eugenol, a compound that may benefit the heart.

Ø  Myristicin found in nutmeg has been shown to inhibit an enzyme in the brain that contributes to Alzheimer’s disease and is used to improve memory.

Ø  It is used in small dosages to reduce flatulence [excessive stomach or intestinal gas], aid digestion and improve appetite.

Ø  In Arab countries, nutmeg is valued as an aphrodisiac [substance believed to increase sexual desire].

Ø  Nutmeg can help to combat asthma.

Ø  It is also used to relax muscles.

Ø  Nutmeg contains 10 per cent essential oil which is a colourless or light yellow liquid. The oil is obtained by the steam distillation of ground nutmeg. Besides being used in toothpastes, cough syrups, perfumes and cosmetic industry, externally nutmeg oil is mixed with almond oil and is used to relieve rheumatic pain.

Ø  Nutmeg oil is used to treat toothaches. Drops of essential oil are put on cotton swab and applied to the gums around an aching tooth, sometimes also used to control bad breath.

Ø  Drops of nutmeg oil can also be mixed with honey to treat nausea, gastroenteritis, chronic diarrhoea and indigestion.

Ø  In homoeopathy, nutmeg is used to treat anxiety and depression.

Ø  In Chinese medicine, it is used to treat impotence and liver disease.

Vinca Flower (Shavamnari poo)

Vinca Flower (Shavamnari poo)

Vinca Rose is a charming, evergreen shrub, bearing pink or white slaver form flower. It is a native plant of southeastern and eastern Madagascar. After the invasion of European colonist the plant achieved world recognition because of its ornamental property. It can also grow in the tropical and subtropical regions. Vinca Rose has waxed, glossy covering leaves, which is oval or oblong in shape and oppositely arranged in pairs, with a pale midrib and a short petiole. The flowers usually have five petals like loves. It grows very well in infertile and well drained soil but has the chances of dying if the soil is too fertile or healthy. Occasional pinching of the bud is necessary for full growth and branching. It doesn’t need dead heading as the flower drops off after it completes blooming. It is very helpful for the treatment of Leukemia occurring in children. It is prone to the infection of Phytoplasmas which reduces the growth of the leaf.Vinca plants have slender trailing stems 1–2 m (3–6 feet) long but not growing more than 20–70 cm (8-30 inches) above ground; the stems frequently take root where they touch the ground, enabling the plant to spread widely. The leaves are opposite, simple broad lance late to ovate, 1–9 cm  long and 0.5–6 cm broad; they are evergreen in four species, but deciduous in the herbaceous  which dies back to the root system in winter. The flowers, produced through most of the year, are salver form simple, 2.5–7 cm broad, with five usually violet petals joined together at the base to form a tube. The fruit consists of a pair of divergent follicles; a dry fruit which is dehiscent along one rupture site in order to release seeds.

Vinca rose belongs to family Apocynaceae. It s medicinal uses have been discovered in the recent times. The common names of the herb are Periwinkle, Sadabahar, Madagascar Periwinkle and Rosy Periwinkle. The herb mostly grows in waste lands and sandy places. Roots and leaves are used in medicines. The herb has various medicinal importance. It contains various alkaloids which are sedative, hypertensive, tranquilizer and anti-cancerous.

Medicinal Uses of Vinca rose

The herb has following medicinal properties:

• Anti-carcinogenic – The herb has two anti-carcinogenic compounds such as vincristine and vinblastine which have been found to be effective in the cure of various types of cancers.

• Anti-diabetic – The herb is also effective in the treatment of diabetes as it has the property to lower the blood sugar.

• Hypotensive – Vinca lowers the blood pressure in high blood pressure patients.

• Sedative – The herb has calming properties and also relieves from the depression like symptoms.

• Tranquilizer – Vinca relieves anxiety, thus it has tranquilizing properties.

 Caution for Vinca rose

• The herb should not be administered self.

• Pregnant women should avoid taking this herb.