Botanical name - Trichosanthes cucumerina
Family - cucurbitaceae

An annual climbing vegetable plant with tendrils. Decoction of Read More>>>

Rose

Botanical name - Rosa centifolia
Family - Rosaceae

An indigenous rose, deciduous shrub growing to 1.5m. The petals are preserved Read More>>>

Papaya

Botanical name - Carica papaya
Family - Caricaceae

A fruit tree growing up to 6m. Fresh leaves are a useful dressing for foul Read More>>>

Bitter Gourd

Botanical name - Momordica charantia
Family - Cucurbitaceae

An annual creeper. Leaf juice is applied for relief from burning of Read More>>>

Lodh tree or Lodhri

Botanical name - Symplocos cochinchinensis
Family - Symplocaceae

A medium tree growing up to 12m. The bark known as lotur bark Read More>>>

Portia Tree

Botanical name - Thespesa populnea
Family - Malvaceae

A medium sized tree of 10-15m height. The decoction of bark is given for Read More>>>

Ash coloured fleabane

Botanical name - Vernonia cinerea
Family - compositae

An annual growing to about 15cm. The fruit is astringent. The juice of the Read More>>>

Fennel

Botanical name - Foeniculum vulgare
Family - Umbelliferae

A small perennial spice plant. Seeds are given in burning sensation Read More>>>

Banyan Tree

Botanical name - Ficus benghalensis
Family - Moraceae

Large tree growing up to 30 m. Its bark latex is used locally for sores, Read More>>>

Thyme Leaved Gratiola

Botanical name - Bacopa monniera
Family - scrophulariaceae

A succulent creeping herb found in marshy areas. Leaf juice is applied Read More>>>

Indian Madder

Botanical name - Rubia cordifolia
Family - Rubiaceae

A spreading plant with wines. Paste made of root in honey is applied over Read More>>>

Mango Tree

Botanical name - Mangifera indica
Family - Anacardiaceae

A large evergreen fruit tree. Juice of the bark is applied for skin ailments. Read More>>>

Pomegranate

Botanical name - Punica granatum
Family - punicaceae

A small tree up to 5 m. Flower bud powder is used for checking nasal haemorrhage. Read More>>>

Nutgrass

Botanical name - Cyperus rotundus
Family - cyperaceae

A small plant of 30cm. Poultice of fresh roots is applied over sores, ulcers Read More>>>

Moringa, Drumstick Tree

Botanical name - Moringa oleifera
Family - Moringaceae

A tree of up to 10m height. Every part of the tree is said to have beneficial Read More>>>

Red Sandalwood

Botanical name - Pterocarpus santalinus
Family - Papilionaceae

A medium sized tree. A paste of its wood is a cooling application Read More>>>

Sweet Flagroot

Botanical name - Acorus calamus
Family - Araceae

A small shrub of about 3 feet height. Pulverized root is applied over foul ulcer. Read More>>>

Tamarind

Botanical name - Tamarindus indica
Family - Caesalpiniaceae

A big evergreen tree up to 35m. Poultice of fresh leaves is applied Read More>>>

Indian Jalap

Botanical name - Operculina turpethom
Family - Convolvulaceae

A long twiner with quadrangular stem. The variety with white tuberous Read More>>>

Wild Mustard

Botanical name - Cleome viscose
Family - Cleomaceae

An annual herbaceous weed. The fresh leaf juice is a counter irritant and Read More>>>

Spanish Jasmine

Botanical name - Jasminum gradiflorum
Family - Oleaceae

Shrub with a twining branches and fragrant flowers. Leaf juice is applied Read More>>>

Indian Cassia Ligna

Botanical name - Cinnamomum tamala
Family - Lauraceae

A medium sized tree with aromatic bark and leaves. Bark oil have antiseptic Read More>>>

Indian Oleander

Botanical name - Nerium oleander, N. indicum, N. odorium
Family - Apocynaceae

A small tree of about 3m height. Decoction of leaves Read More>>>

Foetid Cassia or Rubbish Cassia

Botanical name - Cassia tora
Family - Caesalpiniacea

An annual shrub. Leaf poultice is applied over boils, gout, and joint pain. Read More>>>

Sacred Ixora

Botanical name - Ixora coccinia
Family - Rubiaceae

A shrub that grows to about 2m. Fresh flowers is eaten in treatment of gynecological Read More>>>

Hibiscus

Botanical name - Hibiscus rosasinensis
Family name - Malvaceae

A small evergreen tree. Hibiscus is a sweet, astringent, cooling Read More>>>

Jeevak

Botanical name - Microstylis wallichii
Family - Orchideaceae

A terrestrial, robust herb, up to 25 cm high. Stem tending to be Read More>>>

Hitocratia

Botanical name - Salacia reticulata
Family - Hippocratiaceae

A small tree common in Western Ghats. The roots are bitter, acrid, Read More>>>

Indian Valerian

Botanical name - Valeriana Wallichi
Family: N.O. Valerianaceae

Indian Valerian is a perennial, herbaceous plant, indigenous to Read More>>>

Lotus

Botanical name - Nelumbo nucifera
Family - Nelumbonaceae

A floating water plant with underground rhizomes. For skin eruptions Read More>>>

Mesua

Botanical name - Mesua ferrea
Family - Guttiferae

It is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree up to 13 m tall, often buttressed Read More>>>

Vetiver

Botanical name - Vetiveria zizanoides
Family - Graminae

A tufted grass plant with long narrow leaves. Vetiver root is cooling, Read More>>>

Malabar Kino

Botanical name - Pterocarpus Marsupium
Family - Papilionaceae

A large deciduous tree up to 15-20m. The heart wood is astringent, Read More>>>

Clove

Botanical name - Syzygium aromaticum
Family - Myrtaceae

Evergreen trees growing up to 12m.  Cloves have analgesic qualities Read More>>>

Talishpatra or Himalayan silver fir

Botanical name - Abies webbiana
Family Name : Pinaceae

The leaves content an essential volatile oil. It helps in expectoration Read More>>>

Thumbe Plant

Botanical name - Leucas aspera
Family - Labiatae

It is a small annual weed growing up to 60 cm. After child delivery bathing Read More>>>

Tabernaemontana or East Indian rosebay

Botanical name - Tabernaemontana divaricata
Family - Apocinaceae

This is small tree of 2-3m height having white flowers. Leaf Read More>>>

Spearmint or Mint

Botanical name - Mentha arvensis
Family - Labiatae

It is a herbaceous perennial growing to 10–60 cm tall. The leaves are Read More>>>

Rice

Botanical name - Oryza Sativa
Family - Gramineae

Rice, a cereal is a typical base to bind herbal concoctions, and it is a primary Read More>>>

Cedar Tree

Botanical name - Aquilaria agallocha

A medium sized tree. The wood infected by certain fungi emits sweet odour. This wood is used as Read More>>>

Country Fig

Botanical name - Ficus glomarata
Family - Moraceae

A medium sized tree. The bark of this tree has the ability to cure skin diseases Read More>>>

Withania

Botanical name - Withania somnifera
Family - Solanacea

An erect branching plant of up to 5 feet. Fomentation of leaves applied Read More>>>

Arecanut

Botanical name - Areca catechu
Family - Palmae

A palm growing up to 30m. Hot leaf poultice is applied to loins in lumbago. The Read More>>>

Asoka Tree

Botanical name - Saraca indica
Family - Caesalpiniacea

An evergreen tree growing upto 9 m. The flowers of Asoka boiled in coconut Read More>>>

Prickly Leaved Elephant’s Foot

Botanical name - Elephantopus scaber
Family - Compositae

A small herb growing close to the ground. The leaf poultice is used as Read More>>>

Wave Leaved Jig

Botanical name - Ficus gibbosa
Family - Moraceae

A medium to large evergreen tree. Bark has ability to cure leprosy, Read More>>>

Pongam or Indian Beech

Botanical name - Pongamia pinnata
Family - Papilionacea

An evergreen tree growing up to 18m. Poultice of Pongamia seeds and oil Read More>>>

Thorn Apple

Botanical name - Datura straminium
Family - Solanacea

An annual shrub of about 1.5m heights. For rheumatic joints, ingrowing nails Read More>>>

Balloon Vine

Botanical name - Cardiospermum halicacabum
Family - Sapindaceae

A climber with tendrils. The leaf mixed in water is used as head Read More>>>

Sesame

Botanical name - Sesamum indicum
Family - Pedaliaceae

An annual growing up to 1.5m. For burn sesame oil and coconut oil mixed Read More>>>

Giant Milkweed

Botanical name - Calotropis gigantean
Family - Asclepidaceae

A shrub growing up to 2.5m. The extract of its bark is very effective Read More>>>

Five Leaved Chaste Tree

Botanical name - Vitex negundo
Family - Verbinacea

A small tree of about 3m. Leaves boiled in coconut oil prevent fungal infections Read More>>>

Monochoria or Beal tree

Botanical name - Monochoria hastata
Family - Pontederiacea

An annual herb growing up to 60cm. The leaf, stem and flower extract Read More>>>

Trailing Eclipta or Eclipta is an annual herb

Botanical name - Eclipta alba
Family - Compositae

An annual herb of about 60cm height. Eclipta is a well-known hair promoter used Read More>>>

Curry Leaf Tree

Botanical name - Murraya koenigii
Family - Rutacea

A small evergreen tree of about 6m. The hair oil prepared by boiling curry Read More>>>

Bermuda Grass

Botanical name - Cynodon dactylon
Family - Gramineae

A grass plant that grows close to the ground. The extract of Bermuda grass Read More>>>

Yellow Berried Nightshade

Botanical name - Solanum xanthocarpum
Family - Solanacea

A shrub growing up to 1m. Medicinal oil prepared by boiling the whole Read More>>>

Wild Turmeric

Botanical name - Curcuma aromatica
Family - Zingiberaceae

A herb growing up to 1m height with underground stem. The rhizome has Read More>>>

Yellow Myrobalan or Chebulic Myrobalan

Botanical name - Terminalia chebula
Family - Combretacea

A medium sized tree of 15-20m height. Poultice of fruit pod cures burn, Read More>>>

Jaramala, Phyllanthus

Botanical name - Phyllantus fraternus
Family - Euphorbiacea

A small weed plant of 30cm height. Juice of the plant is an efficacious Read More>>>

Cinnamon

Botanical name - Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Family - Lauraceae

Cinnamon is the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree.  Leaf Read More>>>

Saffron

Botanical name - Crocus sativus
Family - Iridaceae

A bulbous herb grown for aromatic stigmas. The saffron stigma taken in cow’s Read More>>>

Pepper

Botanical name - Piper nigrum
Family - Piperacea

A stout glabrous creeper. A paste of black pepper is a rubefacient and stimulant Read More>>>

Country Mallow, Bariara

Botanical name - Sida acuta
Family - Malvacea

An annual with branched, hairy, erect look growing up to 1.5m. Poultice of the leaves Read More>>>

Liquorice

Botanical name - Glycyrrhiza glabra
Family - Papilionacea

A perennial plant of about 6 feet height grown for the sweet taproot Read More>>>

Red Cotton Tree, Silk Cotton Tree

Botanical name - Bombax ceiba
Family - Bombacaceae

Silk cotton tree is a type of native cotton tree with large red flowers of Read More>>>

Date Palm

Botanical name - Phoenix dactylifera
Family - Palmae

A palm of about 15m height. Toddy tapped from this palm has soothing effect Read More>>>

Fenugreek

Botanical name - Trigonella foenumgraecum
Family - Papilionaceae

An erect scented annual of 1-2 feet. Poultice of herb is applied Read More>>>

Cardamom

Botanical name - Elettaria cardamom
Family - Zingiberacea

Stem up to 7 feet. Lower part covered with spongy sheaths. Aromatic Read More>>>

Betel

Botanical name - Piper betle
Family - Piperacea

A slender aromatic creeper. Oil coated hot leaves are applied over breasts and Read More>>>

Black Cumin

Botanical name - Nigella sativa
Family - Rananculaceae

A herb of about 2 feet height. Seed powder in sesame oil is an excellent Read More>>>

Ash Gourd

Botanical name - Benincasa hispida
Family - Cucurbitacea

A twiner with soft stem and tendrils. Fruit of ash gourd has the ability Read More>>>

Easter Tree

Botanical name - Holarrhena antidysentrica
Family - Apocynacea

A small deciduous tree of 10m height. The bark is prescribed in Read More>>>

Bael
Read More>>>

Coriander

Botanical name - Corriander sativum
Family - Umbeliferae

A smooth erect annual of about 18 inches height. Paste of the herb in Read More>>>

Costus

Botanical name - Saussurea lappa
Family - Compositae

It is a tall, robust perennial Herb. Root infusion is given to cure chronic Read More>>>

Golden Shower or Purging fistula

Botanical name - Cassia fistula
Family - Caesalpiniacea

A deciduous tree of 15 m height with beautiful yellow flowers. The decoction Read More>>>

Indian Bellelium

Botanical name - Commiphora mukul
Family - Burseraceae

A thorny plant of about 4-6 feet. The gum resin of this plant has antiseptic Read More>>>

Tinospora, Giloe

Botanical name - Tinospora cordifolia
Family - Menispermaceae

A long twiner with succulent stem. For burning sensation the extract Read More>>>

Soap Nut Acacia

Botanical name - Acacia sinuate
Family - Mimosacea

A medium sized tree. A paste of the fruit is used for reducing scrofulous swellings, Read More>>>

Green Gram

Botanical name - Vigna radiata
Family - Papilionacea

An annual leguminous plant of about 30cm height. Green gram powder is used Read More>>>

Nutmeg

Botanical name - Myristica fragrans
Family - Myristicaceae

An evergreen tree growing up to 20m. For chronic ulcers the nut of Read More>>>

Niruri

Botanical name - Phyllanthus reticulates
Family - Euphorbiaceae

A branched smooth annual up to 18 inches. Juice of the plant is Read More>>>

Indian Night Shade, Poison Berry

Botanical name - Solanum indicum
Family - Solanaceae

An erect leafy annual. Plant juice is given and applied locally in chronic Read More>>>

Thyme Leaved Gratiola, Brahmi

Botanical name - Bacopa monnieri
Family - Scrophulariacea

A succulent glabrous creeping herb. Useful in vitilated conditions of Read More>>>

Raisins

Botanical name - Vitis vinifera
Family - Vitaceae

A perennial wine. For vitiligo decoction made from dried grapes (draksharishtam) Read More>>>

Little Tree Plant, Sikerpud

Botanical name - Vitis vinifera
Family - Vitaceae

A perennial wine. For vitiligo decoction made from dried grapes (draksharishtam) Read More>>>

Red Pualele
Read More>>>

Indian Jujube

Botanical name - Ziziphus mauritiana
Family - Rhamnaceae

A small evergreen tree. Paste of tender twigs and leaves applied to carbuncles, Read More>>>

Wild Mustard

Botanical name - Cleome viscose
Family - Cleomaceae

An annual herbaceous weed of 1-3 feet height. Leaf juice used as dressing Read More>>>

Jasmine

Botanical name - Jasminum arborescence
Family - Oleaceae

An erect shrub. Poultice of dry leaves applied on indolent ulcers and Read More>>>

Yellow Barleria

Botanical name - Barleria micans

A prickly shrub. Leaf juice applied as dressing on feet to prevent cracking. With honey it is applied Read More>>>

Eve’s Apple

Botanical name - Tabernaemontana dichotona
Family - Apocynaceae

A large shrub or small tree grows up to 10 meters in height. Plant Read More>>>

Sour Cherry

Botanical name - Prunus cerasus
Family - Rosacea

A small tree with a broadly rounded crown. Frits contain high levels of anthocyanins Read More>>>

Lac

Botanical name - Coccus lacca
Family - Coccodae super

Lac is a resinous substance usually of reddish or dark brown in color with Read More>>>

White Mustard

Botanical name - Brassica alba
Family - Cruciferae

Annual growing to 0.6m. The seed is antibacterial, antifungal, appetizer, carminative, Read More>>>

Kans, Thatch Grass

Botanical name - Saccharum spontaneum
Family - Graminae

A stout, erect perennial, up to 6 m. high. Roots are sweet, astringent, Read More>>>

Barley

Botanical name - Hordeum vulgare
Family - Graminae

Annual growing to 1m by 0.2m. It is taken internally as a nutritious food or Read More>>>

Dill

Botanical name - Anethum graveolens
Family - Umbeliferae

An erect umbelliferous, hardy annual of the parsley family, growing Read More>>>

Tree Turmeric

Botanical name - Cosceinium fenestratum
Family - Menispermaceae

A woody climbing shrub with cylindrical stem, which is yellowish-brownish-red Read More>>>

Almond

Botanical name - Prunus dulcis
Family - Rosacea

A deciduous Tree growing to 6m. As well as being a tasty addition to the diet, Read More>>>

Garden Rue

Botanical name - Ruta graveolens
Family - Rutaceae

An evergreen Shrub growing to 0.5m. Rue has a long history of use as a domestic Read More>>>

Black Plum

Botanical name - Callicarpa macrophylla
Family - Verbinaceae

A deciduous shrub growing to 2.5m. The inner bark is pounded and Read More>>>

Common Water Lilly, Water Lilly

Botanical name - Nymphaea pubescens
Family - Nymphaeceae

An aquatic plant with underground rhizome. Rhizome has cooling and soothing Read More>>>

Smithia

Botanical name - Smithia conferata
Family - Papilionacea

A slender twinning perennial with villous stems and tuberous roots. Plant Read More>>>

Bannimbu

Botanical name - Glycosmis pentaphylla
Family - Rutaceae

A series of novel alkaloids with anti-tumor activity have been isolated Read More>>>

Indian Mustard

Botanical name - Brassica juncea
Family - Cruciferae

Perennial herb, usually grown as an annual or biennial, up to 1 m or taller. Read More>>>

Pavonia

Botanical name - Pavonia odorata
Family - Malvacea

An erect annual herb, 1 m tall, glandular-pubescent. Roots are cooling, demulcent, Read More>>>

Himalayan Wild Cherry

Botanical name - Prunus cerasoides
Family - Rosacea

A medium sized tree up to 30m. Fruit is an astringent. Bark juice used externally Read More>>>

Kusha Grass, Dab Grass, Sacrificial Grass

Botanical name - Desmostachya bipinnata
Family - Graminae

A tufted perennial grass with a thick scaly rootstock, which sends Read More>>>

Jute

Botanical name - Corchorus capsularis
Family - Acanthacea

Perennial growing to 3.5m. Appetizer, Cardiac, Carminative, Demulcent, Read More>>>

Primrose

Botanical name - Primula vulgaris
Family - Primulaceae

Medium sized flowering plant. This plant is thoroughly used in maintaining Read More>>>

Rosemary

Botanical name - Rosmarinus officinalis
Family - Plumbaginaceae

Evergreen shrub of mint family. The uses of Rosemary in Herbs Read More>>>

Chamomile

Botanical name - Chamaemelum nobile
Family - Asteraceae

A herb of asteraceae family. Basically, Chamomile is used in skin remedies, Read More>>>

Coconut

Botanical name - Cocos nucifera
Family- Arecacea

The coconut palm is grown throughout the tropical tree. Tender coconut water Read More>>>

Spice, Spices, Trade routes, India

Spices are aromatic substances of plant origin, used in small quantities as food additives or in drinks, for taste, smell, color, as Read More>>>

Cardamom, expensive spice, cultivated in South India

An expensive spice, cardamom in second only to saffron. Records have it that the ancient Egyptians chewed the cardamom seeds as a tooth Read More>>>

Pepper, most widely used spice in the World

Also known as 'Black Gold,' pepper is a highly popular spice Read More>>>

Clove, a spice also known as Karayampoo or grampoo in Kerala, India

The clove is a sharply pungent and strongly aromatic spice Read More>>>

Vanilla

A native of Atlantic Coast from Mexico to Brazil, Vanilla is a flavoring agent for ice creams, milk, various beverages, candies, and Read More>>>

Nutmeg and Mace

In the Thai language of Thailand this is called jathikkai, and in Kerala, India, it is known by the same name. But in other Read More>>>

Cinnamon, fragrant spice plant

Cinnamon, the spice is much in talk these days because Read More>>>