| Herbal
plants and medicinal properties |
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SAGE
Botanical Name:- Salvia officinalis
Indian name :- Salvia
Sage is an evergreen woody-stemmed shrub grows up to 6 cms.
high. The flowers are purplish blue. The dried herb is grey
tinged with green. It has strong spicy aroma and has a slightly
bitter taste. It has a centuries-old reputation of exerting
a beneficial influence on the brain, nerve, eyes and glands.
Sage was originated in the Mediterranean countries.
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Properties :- Sage has a great role in the history of botanic
medicine. The Chinese adage 'sage for old age ' sums up its
healthful qualities. Sage is very useful in failing memory.
This herb acts on the brain thereby eliminating metal tension
and improving concentration. Tea from sage leaves is beneficial
in coping with stress. The herb is useful in preventing grey
hair if blended in hair tonics. It is also useful for its healing
action on the throat and mouth.
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SANDALWOOD
Botanical Name:- Santalum album
Indian name :- Chandan
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| Sandalwood
is a medium-sized evergreen tree with almost drooping
branches, dark rough bark and fragrant mature wood. The
trade name of sandalwood is based on its Indian name.
Sandalwood is a native of India. It is cultivated in Karnataka,
Coorg, Coimbatore and the southern parts of Tamilnadu.
It also grows wild. Sandalwood occupies a very important
place in Hindu religious rituals. Sandalwood yields an
essential oil which contains santaloe. |
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Properties :- Sandalwood is bitter, sedative , cooling and cardiac
tonic. It is useful in arresting secretion or bleeding and in
promoting the flow of urine. Sandalwood oil is stimulant and
antiseptic. Sandalwood is valuable in gastric irritability.
Sandalwood is also beneficial to the treatment of dysentery.
Sandalwood paste is popular household remedy for prickly heat.
Another use of the wood is a cooling dressing in inflammatory
skin diseases. Sandalwood paste applied on the temple relieves
headache and brings down the temperature and fever.
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SAFFRON
Botanical Name:- Crocus sativus
Indian name :- Kesar
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| Saffron
is a plant resembling onion with 45cms. high. Commercial saffron
consist of the dried stigma and tops of the styles of the flowers.
It is one of the world's costliest herbs. Saffron is more popular
in the Tibbi than in the Ayurvedic medicine. Saffron contains
an essential oil which consist of terpenes, alcohols and esters. |
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Properties
:- Saffron is mostly used in indigenous medicine across
India. It enjoys a large reputation as a drug which strengthen
the functioning of the stomach and promotes its action.
Saffron is beneficial in the treatment of several digestive
disorders. The herb is useful in promoting and regulating
menstrual periods. It soothes lumbar pains which accompany
menstruation. Saffron is useful in treating skin disorders.
A paste of the herb can be used as a dressing for bruises
and superficial sores. |
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SNAKE
GOURD
Botanical Name:- Trichosanthes anguina
Indian name :- Chachinga
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| Snake
gourd is a climbing herb with tendrils divided into three parts.
It has white male and female flowers and cylindrical, slender,
tapering fruits with waxy surface. Its fruits are orange in
colour when ripe, and pulpy red at maturity. An analysis of
Snake gourd shows it to consist of substantial amount of protein,
fat, fibre and carbohydrates. |
| Properties
:- Snake gourd is useful in restoring the disordered processes
of nutrition. It creates a cooling effect in the body. Its leaves
are used in indigenous medicine in India. The juice of the fresh
leaves is useful in heart disorders like palpitation and pain
in the heart on physical exertion. Infusion of the leaves is
beneficial in the treatment of jaundice. Other uses of this
herb is beneficial to the treatment of fevers, alopecia and
heart disorders. |
