Tamil Name: வேங்கை Indian Kino Tree, which is known by different names in different regions of India, has a number of therapeutic uses. A poultice made from the bark and leaves of the tree possesses astringent properties, which is useful in treating skin conditions. Indian Kino Tree also has potent anti-hyperlipdemic properties and helps in reducing total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and serum triglyceride levels in the body.
Tamil Name: ஆகாய தாமரை Ayurvedic Uses: Antitubercular, emollient, diuretic, Whole plant and root—diuretic, used for dysuria. Leaf—antitussive, demulcent, antidysenteric, externally applied to haemorrhoids, ulcers, skin diseases. Ash—applied to ringworm of the scalp.
Tamil Name: அன்னை நெருஞ்சில் Pedalium murex has been traditionally employed as aphrodisiac but very few scientific data is available on the aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties of this medicinal plant. Therefore, Balamurugan and associates [3] aimed to evaluate aphrodisiac activity of Pedalium murex root extract to promote sperm count, motility, and testosterone in animals with testicular injury. Pedalium murex extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) exhibited an increase in mating and mounting behaviour, body weight, sperm motility, pregnancy percentage and also showed increased levels of testosterone and luminal spermatozoa in treated animals compared to control group.
Tamil Name: ஆமணக்கு Castor leaves are used externally by nursing mothers to increase the flow of milk. Castor Oil is a natural emollient and can be applied to the skin and hair as a softener. Juice from the leaves of the Castor plant is used against rheumatism, headache, dropsy (edema), abscesses, ringworms, and warts. Castor Oil is used for temporary constipation, but is not effective for chronic constipation. It has also been used for colic and acute diarrhea due to slow digestion. Castor Oil can support labor and delivery. Externally Castor Oil is used to treat ringworm and itch. Castor oil is commonly used for the preparation of hair-oils, hair fixers and aromatic perfumes. It is used as an ingredient in hair lotions and tonics in concentrations of 0.5-20 per cent. Leaves applied to the head to relieve headache and as a poultice for boils. Oil used externally for dermatitis and eye ailments.
Tamil Name: பொன் கொரண்டி Salacia is an herb that is native to India and Sri Lanka. The root and stem are used to make medicine. Salacia has a long history of use as a treatment for diabetes in Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine. Mugs made from salacia wood are used by people with diabetes to drink water. In addition to treating diabetes, salacia is used for treating gonorrhea, asthma, itchiness, joint pain (rheumatism), obesity, thirst, and menstrual problems.
Tamil Name: பூந்தி Soapnut is used for curing eczema, treating psoriasis and removing freckles. It serves as an excellent hair tonic and thus, is a popular ingredient in the preparation of Ayurvedic shampoos and cleansers. The herb is also used for removing lice from the scalp, since they have gentle insecticidal properties. The crushed seeds are widely used for making soaps and shampoos. They are antibacterial, antifungul, stomachic and spermicidal. Regularly washing your skin with soapnuts prevents many skin diseases and makes skin gentle. The seeds are used in the treatment of hemicrania (migraine). A thick watery solution of soapnut is used for the relief of hysteria and epilepsy. Soapnuts are popular alternative to the laundry detergent among those trying to live in an environment-friendly style. The fruit has emetic, tonic, astringent and anti-helmintic properties that are used for treating asthma. The roots and bark are considered as a mild expectorant and demulcent.
