Tamil Name: ஆடாதொடை Adhatoda vasica Nees (Acanthaceace) is a well known medicinal plant from which certain alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, sterols and their glycoside derivatives have been isolated. Its diverse medicinal activities include cardiovascu-lar protection, abortifacient, antitubercular, antimutagenic, antiulcer, antiasthmatic activities, hepatoprotective, antibacte-rial and antitussive activities. It is commonly used in indigenous and traditional folk medicine system in South-East-Asia.
Tamil Name: கண்பீலை Aerva lanata serves the purpose of anthelmintic and medication that soothes inflamed or injured skin. It is also in use for the treatment of lithiasis, cough, sore throat, indigestion, wounds and as a specific for diabetes. For any irritation and problematic skin this plant is used widely in Rajasthan. The people of Bihar use the plant as a treatment of diarrhoea, cholera and dysentery. The decoction of the plant is used as a diuretic.
Tamil Name: கற்றாழை Aloe vera is a succulent and mucilaginous plant that can grow up to 40 inches in height. Without a stem, its green leaves resemble blades or a sword coming out from a central point. These thick and heavy leaves contain the precious healing gel that provides the medicinal uses of aloe vera. The leaves are notched with small white points. Their orange flowers bloom in the summertime. The medicinal uses of aloe vera are amazing, as the benefits of aloe vera remedies are truly significant. Aloe vera is well-loved by many, and a famed household plant. This plant is incredibly diverse in its uses.
Tamil Name: நில வேம்பு Andrographis is a plant that is native to South Asian countries such as India and Sri Lanka. The leaf and underground stem are used to make medicine. Andrographis is frequently used for preventing and treating the common cold and flu (influenza). Some people claim andrographis stopped the 1919 flu epidemic in India, although this has not been proven. Andrographis is also used for a wide assortment of other conditions. It is used for digestive complaints including diarrhea, constipation, intestinal gas, colic, and stomach pain; for liver conditions including an enlarged liver, jaundice, and liver damage due to medications; for infections including leprosy, pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, syphilis, malaria, cholera, leptospirosis, rabies, sinusitis, and HIV/AIDS; and for skin conditions including wounds, ulcers and itchiness. Some people use andrographis for sore throat, coughs, swollen tonsils, bronchitis, and allergies. It is also used for “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), and prevention of heart disease and diabetes. Other uses include treatment of snake and insect bites, loss of appetite, kidney problems (pyelonephritis), hemorrhoids, and an inherited condition called familial Mediterranean fever. Andrographis is also used as an astringent, bacteria killing agent, painkiller, fever reducer, and treatment for worms.
Tamil Name: சீதாகாய் There are medicinal application of the custard apple tree. The bark and leaves contain annonaine, an alkaloid. A bark decoction is used to stop diarrhea, while the root is used in the treatment of dysentery. A decoction of the leaves is used as a cold remedy and to clarify urine. Annona squamosa Linn., family Annonaceae, is said to show varied medicinal effects, including insecticide, antiovulatory and abortifacient.The fruits of Annona are Haematinic, cooling, sedative, stimulant, expectorant, maturant, tonic. They are useful in anemia, burning sensation. The seeds are abortifacient and insecticidal and are useful in destroying lice in the hair. Leaves are used to overcome hysteria and fainting spells. Fruit is used in making of ice creams & milk beverages.
Tamil Name: நாய்கடுகு This plant is very popular among those seeking a "legal high" and the mildly narcotic seeds are often mixed with tobacco or other herbs in smoking mixtures. However, most content themselves to growing the plant for its attractive flowers in native habitat gardens. Like other members of the poppy family, the prickly poppy has a long history as a traditional medicine. The use of the oil of the seeds, the leaves, and the petals of this species has been quite prominent among native peoples of all tropical countries where the plant grows. Among the ancient Greeks the juice was supposed curative of cataract. In Mexico the latex juice of the plant was mixed with water for skin diseases, and the flowers used for chest complaints and as a narcotic. As a whole the plant has been conceded to be anodyne, detersive, resolutive, hpnotic, diuretic, diaphoretic, ophthalmic, and a hydragogue cathartic, appearing to unite the properties of Opium, Gamboge,and Celedine.
