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Monday, October 28, 2013

Garlic - Sudu loonu සුදු ළුනු.

Name of Medicinal plant :- Allium Sativum L
Family :- Alliaceae
Other Names:-

  • English - Garlic 
  • Sinhala - Sudu loonu/ Helbiju / Helloonu
  • Tamil - Vellapudu
  • Sans. - Lashuna
Synonyms - Helaloonu/ Lashuna/ Rasona / Milecchakanda/ Yavaneshta/ Ugraganda / Shethamardaka / Yavaneshta / Mahakanda / Buthagna
Morphology :- Short flat bulbous herb giving off slender below thin, scales, which are enlarged & dilated below oblong ovoid sessile bulb flowering stem. flowers purplish red regular  bisexual very long stalked projecting beyond the bulbils
types-Rasona,maharasona,lashuna,mahakandha
Chemical constituent - sulpher,allin,allicin,charbohydrate,fructose,thioglycosid,calcium
 

Friday, October 25, 2013

Alpinia calcarata -(Araththa) -අරත්ත.

Name of the plant :- Alpinia calcarata
Other names
  • Sinhala - Araththa /අරත්ත
  • Tamil - Arathtal
  • Sans. - Kulinjana.
Synonyms - Rasna / Ugraganda / Raktapushpi/ Nakulika / Sughandamula.
Morphology :- Arial part is 1m height, petiole less, 30 - 45 cm long leaves , Both side of leaves are smooth , Specials are white color & have pupal & red lines on it, Bilabial flower, Frut is ovel shape, Orange - Red colour
Types :- Maha araththa/ Heen Araththa/ Cheena Araththa/ Java Araththa
Properties -

  • Rosa - Katu
  • Guna - Lagu/ Ruksha / Tikshana
  • Virya - Ushna
  • Vipaka - Katu
Effect on dosha- Kaphagna/Pacify Kapha & vata.
Pharmacological action :- Lekhana/ Nadicuttejaka/ Recana / Deepana/ Anuloomana/ Hrda avasadaka/ Vajikarna / Shitha prashamana / Shula hara.
Therapeutic action :- Sandi shula / Amavata / Swara beda / Athisweda/ Aruchi

Java galangal - Iguru piyali - ඉගුරු පියලි

Name of the medicinal plant : Kempfria galanga L
Other name :- 
  • English - Java galangal
  • Sinhala - Iguru piyali ( ඉගුරු පියලි) / Gandagatiya (ගන්ධගතිය)
  • Tamil - Kachcholakilangu
  • Sans. - Candramula
Synonyms :- Suganda Vaca/ Gandamulika / Gandanisa / Gandaplashi/ Gandapalashu
Morphology:- Biennial with & succulent tuberous root , have plesant smell, Leaves few up to 10 x 15 cm , green inflorescence sessile, Sheathing leaves/ White colour flowers,have violet band.


Types - Smell have only tubers and Smell have tuber & leaves.
Chemical constituents - n-pentadecane/ ethyl cinnamate/ camphence/ borneol/ Ethyl propenoate
Properties:- 
  • Rasa - Katu / Thikta / Kashaya
  • Guna - Lagu / Tikshana
  • Veerya - Ushna.
  • Vipaka - Katu
Effect on dosha :- Pacify Vatha & Kapha.
Pharmacological action :- Shotahara / Vedanasthapana / Danthya/ Keshya / Raktasodaka / Jwaragna
Therapeutic action :- Udarashoola/ Agnimandaya/ Vamana/ Aruchi / Muka rooga / Dantasula / Shiro roga/ Charma roga / Jwara / Kasaha/ Swana / Hikka / Prathishya
Part of use :- Dried slices of rhizome.



Turmeric - Kaha - කහ

Name of medicinal plant : Curcuma longa L
Other names :- 
  • English - Tumeric
  • Tamil - Manjal(மஞ்சள்)/ மஞ்சள் செடி
  • Sinhala - Kaha (කහ)/ඇත් කහ/අමු කහ
  • Sans - Haridra
Synonyms :- Haridra/ Rajani / Kancani / Krumigni.
Morlhology :- Rhizome arage within, Leaf tuft to 1m, lamina green, lanceolate. Corolla white , Labellum with central yellow band.
Types : Turmeric is three type according to Ayurveda.
 >  Haridra , Karpura Haridra and Amragandha Haridra 
 practically found two types 
>Ath kaha and Haran Kaha
Chemical constituent :- Essential oils from rhizome / alpha-tumerone / major compound/ Beta-tumerone/tripenole.
Properties :- 
  • Rosa - Katu / Tikta 
  • Guna - Lagu / Ruksha
  • Veerya - Ushna
  • Vipaka - Katu
Effect on Dosha - Pacific vata & kapha
Pharmacologinal action :- Rucivardaka/ Anulomana/ Swasakasa hara/Shodaka / Shotahara / Medagna / Krimigna / Kaphahara / Amapacaka / Raktha Vardhaka.
Therapeutic action - Twakdosha / Meha / Madhumeha / Shotha/ Ractha dosha / Vrna / Pacaha / Aruci / Kamala /Swasa / Kasa
Part of used :- Rhizome/Flower/ Pseudo stem.


Sunday, October 13, 2013

Zingiber officinale - Inguru - ඉඟුරු

Botanical Name - Zingiber officinale.
Family         - Zingiberaceae
English Name   - Ginger
Sanskrit Names -Dry ginger-Shunti, Vishva, Nagara, Vishvabheshaja, Vishvaushadha,Mahaushadha.  
                         Citraka, Kola, Srungavera, Bheshaja, Ushnaka.Fresh ginger-Ardraka, Srungavera, Ardrika
Singhalese Name-Inguru
Morphology-Leafy stem 2m ,leaves sessile,acuminate,narrow,flowers are dull yellow,anther crest dark purpale,have rhizomes.
Chemical - Camphen/ Zingiber officinella/ beta myrcene.
Types -Wild ginger /Affrican ginger / Calicot ginger / Japanes ginger / Cakutta ginger
Parts used     - Rhizome (fresh or dry)
Propaties:
             Rasa      Katu
             Guna      Laghu, snigdha
             Veerya    Ushna
             Vipaka    Madhura        
Effect on dosha-Alleviate Kapha & Vata
Pharmacological action -Promote appetite & digestion, Aphrodisiac ,Anulomana,vrushya.
Therapeutic action- Vomiting, Asthma, Cough, Heart diseases, swelling due to Filariasis (Sleepada shopha), Flatulance, abdominal pains, swollen joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis.                                                            
External,
•Powdered ginger & oil is use for massage to reduce Chills.
•Dry ginger powder is rubbed on the skin in excessive swelling & in hypothermia.
Internal,
 Digestive disorders (Ajeerna)-Fresh ginger with Saindawa (rock salt)
 Hiccoughs – Nasal douche by fresh ginger juice & sugar
 Diarrhea –Juice of fresh ginger & Iriveriya (Plectranthus zeylanicus) with honey.
 Asthma-Fresh ginger juice with gaggery.
Prepared drugs
Sunti churna
Ardraka leha
Suntyadi kvata
        Nagarapanaya

Barleria prionitis - Katukaradu - කටුකරඬු

Botanical name  -Barleria prionitis
Family          -Acantheceae
Sanskrit names  - Sairyaka, Svetapushpa, Saireya, Katasarica, Sahacara, Bhindi.                            
Singhalese name- - Katu karadu
Morphology - Shrub with sharp spine,1.75m in high,much branched,leaves ovate to obovate,
             flowers large ,solitary,bright orange or yellow colour,seeds 2 oval shape.
Chemicals - Iridoid glycosides/ Barlarian verbascosine/ Flavone
Types – 1. Whitish yellow
        2. Whitish red
        3. Blue
Parts used   - roots & whole plant
Properties -    
Rasa         Madhura, slightly Amla
Guna         Laghu, Tikta
Veerya       Ushna            
Vipaka       Katu
Effect on dosha / Karma - Alleviates Kapha & Vata.
Pharmacological action - Shothahara,kushta vardaka, agni deepaka,raktashodaka
Therapeutic action -
•Leaves are applied for healing of ulcers, urticaria, boils & lymphadenitis.
•A preparation of oil made from this plant is used in graying of hair & ulcers.
•Toothaches – juice of leaves is applied.
•Children’s cold & fever –juice of leaves is given with honey.
•Decoction of the leaves is used as antipyretic.
•Spermatorrhoea – juice of the leaves of white verity mixed with Vanopsika Viola odorata is used.
Prepared drugs -Koranda taila, Mahakoranda taila, Maha bala koranda taila,


Solanum melongena - Elabatu - එල බටු

Botanical Name  – Solanum melongena
Family          - Solanaceae
English Name    - Egg plant
Sanskrit Names  - Vartaki, Kshudrabhantaki, Mahati, Vruhati, Kuli, Hinguli, Rashtri, Sinhi, Mahoti, Dushpradhrshini                    
Singhalese Name - Ela batu
Morphology      - Herb 40-60cm high,woody at the base,much branched and spreding, leaves ovate in out line,
                  flowers solitary or few ,ovary glabrous,yelowish rounded fruit,or purple colour.
Chemical        - Amino acid / valin / Glucose / farnesol / Lenoleic acid / Palmatic acid etc
Types           - Batu / Ella Batu
Parts used      - root, fruit, seeds
Properties:
Rasa        Katu, Tikta
Guna        Laghu, Ruksha, tikshna
Veerya      Ushna
Vipaka      Katu
Effect on dosha Karma - Alleviate Vata & Kapha
Pharmacological action - Constipative (grahi), cardiac tonic, promote digestion.
Therapeutic action   – bad tast of mouth (muka vairasya), anorexia, skin disorders (kushta), fever, asthma,
                        Pains, cough, indigestion
External
•Indralupta – locally applied the juice of fruit with honey.
•Impotency – powdered seeds are applied on the genitalia.
•In unconsciousness – powder of seeds are administered nasally.
Internal
•Vomiting – juice of the fruits + cow’s ghee + honey is given.
•Cough, asthma – decoction of roots is given with honey & powdered pippali
Prepared drugs:
Dasamularista
Bruhati syrup

Solanum virginianum - Katuwalbatu - කටුවැල් බටු

Botanical Name   - Solanum virginianum
Family           - Solanaceae
English Name     - Wild eggplant
Sanskrit Names   - Kantakari, Dusparsa, Kshudra, Vyaghri, Nidigdhika, Kantakini, Dhavani,
Singhalese Name  - Katuvalbatu
Morphology       - A very prickly small shrub,20-40cm high,leaves deeply pinnate,have prickles, few flowered, corolla violet ,fruits spherical,yellow,glabrous.
Chemicals        - Glycobases/ Solamargin/ glycoalkaloid/ Linoleic acid/ Farnesol/ glycosides.
Parts used       - whole plant
Properties:
Rasa            Tikta, Katu
Guna            Laghu, Ruksha
Veerya          Ushna
Vipaka          Katu
Effect on dosha /Karma - Alleviate Kapha & Vata
Pharmocological action - Vedana nashaka,Grahi,Deepana,pachana,Nutritive tonic, promote appetite & digestion.
Therapeutic action - cough, asthma, fever, chronic rhinitis (peenasa), pain of the flank ,
Parasitic infections, cardiac diseases.                                        
External
•Dental caries, dental pain
Internal
•Chronic cough in children – powdered steamed of flowers are given to lick with honey.
•Asthma – pasted roots are given to lick.
•Cough – green gram soup is made by using decoction of Kantakari.
Prepared drugs -
Dasamularista
Kantakari syrup
Kantakaryavaleha
        kantakari kalka
        Panca tikta gritha




Clitoria terneata - Katarodu - කටරොඩු

Botanical name  -Clitoria terneata
Family          -Fabaceae
English name    -Winged leaved clitoria
Sanskrit names  -Asphota, Girikarni, Vishnu priya,
Singhalese name -Katarolu / Katarodu.
Morphology - vines about 2m long,leaves pinnate,flowers inverted,white,purple,blue color flowers,ovary pubesent, seed ovoid oblong.
Chemicales - beta sitosterol,kaempferol,rutinosides,hexacosanol etc
Types – depending on the color of flowers
1.White
2.Blue                
Parts used   -Root, Leaves, and seeds.
Properties:    
Rasa        Tikta ,Katu ,Keshena
Guna        Ruksha, Laghu,
Veerya      Sheeta                
Vipaka      Katu        
Effect on dosha / Karma:Alleviate Tri- dosha.
Pharmacological action - generating intelligence cleans the throat. Promote eyesight. Promote intellect & memory .
Therapeutic action –skin diseases, urinary disorders, Ama dosha, edema, wounds, poisoning
                    Otitis with lymphadenitis – crushed leaves mixed with Saindava is applied locally.
                    Tonsillitis –seeds ground in honey are used
                    Headache, migraine – nasal insufflations of root powder is done.
           Cervical lymphadenitis – root powder is given orally.
           The juice of roots along with milk is an expectorant.
prepared drugs - tora wathura thaila,siddhartaka grithaya.






Saturday, October 12, 2013

Plumbago indica - Nitol - නිටොල්


Botanical Name   - Plumbago indica / Plumbago rosea  (red flower)
Botanical Name   - Plumbago zeylanica             (white flower)
Family                 - Plumbaginaceae
English Name     - Lead wart
Sanskrit Names   - Citraka, Pitha, Vyala, Usna,
Singhalese Name  - Nitol (Rath/Ela)
Parts used       - Root bark
Properties:
                   Rasa       Katu, Tikta
                   Guna       Tikshna, Laghu, Ruksha
                   Veerya     Ushna
                   Vipaka     Katu
Physical description: smooth & perennial plant, Simple leaves, oval shape,
                      10 cm long. Flowers are bisexual purple or pink color
                       5 sepals.Fruit is 2 cm long.
Climate zone:   South Asia is the native land.
                        Sri Lanka India are cultivate this plant
Lighting:      Shelter
Soil types:   Inorganic, moisture soil is good. Special wet zone is good.
Watering:    Normal
How to propagate (i.e. leaf cutting, root cutting, etc.):
Stem cutting are use to propagate 10 cm long stem cutting are used. 1 or 3 nods should be in each cutting.
Soil : Sand : composed
1 : 1 : 1
Materials Used: Propergation media (1:1:1=Sand: Soil: Compost)
Scoop
Mother plant
Cutter
Water
Bags
Procedure for propagation:
•Select suitable mother plant
•Select proper well grown branch
•Cut a stem about 10cm long
•Put it in to a water
•1-3 bud should be in this stem
•Planting the plant in propagation media
•Keep them in cool dry place
•After 2 weeks plant can move in to the field
•In the field 30x30x30cm holes are need 120x90cm distance should be in each and every plant

Terminalia belerica - Bulu -බුළු

Botanical Name-Terminalia belerica
Family-Combretaceae
English Name-Belaric myrobalan
Tamil Name-Akkam
Sanskrit Name-Bibheetaka, Karshaphala, Aksha, Kalidruma, Bhootawasa,                   
                           Wasantha, Bhootavruksha
Singhalese Name-Bulu
Parts used-Fruit (except covering of seed)
Properties-
              Rasa       Kashaya
              Guna      Ruksha, Laghu,
              Veerya   Ushna
              Vipaka   Madhura.       
Morphology-large deciduous tree ,8-20m high,brown bark,simple alternate oval shape leaves,glabrous and shine leaves,regular ,greenish yellow,bisexual flowers,5 sepals ,inferior ovary,indehesant ,drupe,brownish yellow fruit.  
Types -black & white color berry
Chemicals-Oxalic acid/garlic acid/ lignans
Effect on Dosha -Pacify thri dosha
Pharmacological action -deepana /anulomana/pacana/krimigna /grahi/ vishagna /jwaragna/vajikarana
Therapeutic action -kasa/ Ashmari/Nethra roga/ kasa/krimi roga 
Prepared drugs -Tripala oil/Thripala churna /Thripala kwata /Vibhithaki ashwaganda yogaya



Terminalia chebula -Aralu-අරළු

Name of the plant :Terminalia chebula
Other names         :Sinhala -Aralu
                             Tamil-Amagola
                              Sanskrit-harithaki
                              English-Chebulic Myrobaln
Synonyms            :Abaya/ Harithaki/ Pathya/ Wayastha/ Jiwani/ Haimawathi/ Bishagwara/ Jaayaa
morphology          :A moderate size tree with very thick gray brown bark.simple alternate leaves.small                                        regular ,bisexual ,greenish white flowers,ovaries are inferior,fruits are drupe and yellowish                              green ,seeds are solitary.
Types                   :There are 7 types according to Ayurveda,
                             Vijaya/Rohini/Puthana/Amrutha/Abaya/Jiwanthi/Chethaki
Chemical              :garlic acid/ Chebulic acid/ Mirobalanin/ Tannin
Properties             :Rasa-katu/amla/kashaya
                             Guna-lagu/ ruksha
                             Vipaka-madura
                             Verya-ushna
                             Prabawa-threedosha hara
Used part             :Shell of a fruit
Effect on dosha     :Thridosha hara
Pharmacological action:deepana/ Pacana/ Anuloomana/vrnashodana
Therapeutic action;constipation/ arshas/ eyedisease/improve complexion
Prepared drugs      :Thripala oil/ Thripala decoction/ Thirapala capsules /Thripala curna


Friday, October 11, 2013

Santalum album - Suduhandun සුදු හඳුන්

Botanical name- Santalum album 
Family -Santalaceae.
English name-Sandalwood
Sanskrit names -Sitabhra, Himavaluka, Ghanasara, Hima & the names given to moon.
Singhalese name- Sudu hadun
Morphology –Small tree, 6-10m hight, smooth bark & gray colour, leaves are  Simple, 1.2cm long, oval shape or lanciolate bisexual flowers, small, purpal red color, fruit is oval shape and when ripe it become   Black colour, flowering from March to May.
Parts used   - Heat wood, oil
 Properties:    
Rasa - Madhura, Tikta,
Guna - Ruksha, Laghu,
Veerya - Sheeta                  
Vipaka - Katu          
Effect on dosha :Kapha pitta shamaka(pacify kapha &pitta)
Chemical constituents –sesquiterene alcohol/ Santalols/ Betulic acid
Pharmacological action-Hridaya,Raktasodaka,antipoisones,Diuretic,
            Skin disease,Jwaragna,Krimigna,Dhaha Prashamana,
Therapeutic action- Hikka / Vamana/Daha/Hrida roga /Jwara





Asparagus racemosus- Hathawariya හාතවාරිය

Name of the Medicinal Plant:- Asparagus recemosus.
Family - Asparagaceae
Other Names
  • English - Wikl asparagus
  • Tamil - Sangavari
  • Sanskrit - Shathawari
  • Sinhala - Hin-Hathawariya, Hathawariya
Synonyms - Shathamooli/ Madura/ Mahashitha/ Supathra/ Sukshma Pathra
Types - Maha Hathawariya/ Heen Hathawatiya
Morphology - Much branched shrub. 2m long when well grow. Root is a rhizome that contain scalis. Both end of rhizomes are thin. middle part of rhizome is thick. Roots are 10-15cm long, one shrub contain 20 - 30 roots. Leaves become spikes. acute apex, flowers are rasimose, solitary flowers.Flowers are pinkis white. Fruits are oval shape green color. seeds- contain 1 - 3 seeds in one fruit.
Chemical -

  • Plant - Saponins.
  • Flowers - quercetin / rution / hyperoside.
  • Fruit - Glyoo sides, rutin
  • Leaf - diosgenin
Hathawariya Leaves 
Parts of used - Roots/Leaves/Stems.
Prepared drugs - Shathawari grta/Shathawari modaka/Vishnu Oil/Prametha Oil/ Maha narayana Oil/Siddarthaka oil.






Hathawariya video

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Adhatoda Vasica - Pawatta පාවට්ටා

Name of the medicinal plant :- Adhathoda Vasica

Other names :- Vaida mata / Vaji dantha / Vrusha

Synonyms :-
  •  Sinhala - Agaladhara, Pawatta, Vanepala
  • Tamil - Adathodai, Pawattai
  • English- Malabar nut
  • Sanskrit - Vasa, Bishagmatha
Morphology -
Shrub of about 4m high. Stem thickened sub-quadrangular, exerted. leaves are oval & elliptic, acute base tapering in to petiole.

Types :- White & Red Adathodha

Chemical constituents
  • Arial parts- Triterpendoid / 3a-hydroxy-D-friedooleans - 5 -ene / Epitraxerol / Peganidine.
  • Leaves -4 quinalzoline alkaloids/ anisotine/ 3-hydroxyanisotine/ vasicolinone/ Vasicoline/ vasicine/ vasicine/ vasicinone/ betain.
  • Roots - Vasicinol/ 6-hydroxypeganin/Vasicinine/ triirtacontation/alkaloid-9-acetamido-3/ dihydropyrido-(3-4b) - indole
  • Young Plant - Peganine anisotion/ Vasicoline/ Adhatodine/ Vgicolonone.
  • Leaves - 4 quinazoline alkaloids/ Vasicin/ Vasicinine/ tritriacotabe/ alpha amyrin/ Beta- sitsosterol/ glucoside/ luteoline/ quercetine. 
Properties :-
  • Rasa - Tikta/ Kasaya
  • Guna - Lagu /Ruksha
  • Vipaka - Katu
  • Veerya - Sheeta
Effect on Disha - Pacify Kapha &  Pitta
Parts of used
  • Leaves 
  • Bark 
  • Roots
  • Flowers
  • Petoes.


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Munronia pinnata (wall) Binkohomba බිං කොහොඹ

Name of Plant: Munronia pinnata (wall) ( Binkohomba )

Physical description:   No branched
                                     5- 15 cm in high, strong shrub. Have hairs on leaves. Oval shape,
                                     Simple leaves, simple leaves. White color flower, bisexual
                                     Flower, fruit has 5 parts.
                                     Smooth seeds brown color
                                     Flowering in July, August & April months.
Climate zone:              Sri Lanka, South & Northwest India, china, Vietnam, Thailand                                               
 Lighting:                     Rainforest& sveltely places are good
Soil types:                    Normal            
 Watering   :                 do not use more
How to propagate (i.e. leaf cutting, root cutting, etc.):   seeds are used to propagation. 
Propagation: Using direct plant &also the seeds.

Materials Used: Propagation media (1:1:1=Sand: Soil: Compost)

                           Plants

                           Pots

                          Water

                          Scoop

                          Piece of stones

Procedure for propagation:
·         Take the pots &put stones piece to the bottom of the pot
·         Put some soil mixture and plant
·         Fill the surface area using media
How to propagate from seeds
·         When the plant fully grows there can see flowers and fruit
·         Seeds can collected by covering fruit by bag
·         These sddes should propergate in a highly sterieled soild by burning
·         Befor put seeds in to seed bed they should be in water atleast 24h
·         These seeds should protect from insects ,so the bed should cover by net
·         In 14 days seed gives plants
·         These plant can transplant to the pots or bags when the plants having 3 leaves
·         30x30x30cm distance should be in each and every plant




Rotheca serrata - Kenheda කෙන්හිඳ.


Name of Plant : Rotheca serrata (Kenheda)
                           Physical          
Description :    Shrub with a stem 1.3-2.6m high;   slightly branched bluntly bark yellow.   
Smooth. Simple opposite large 10-20cm long leaves, flowers are regular,Bisexual   cymes 5sepals, bluish-purple color, hairy at base. Depressed, somewhat succulent, flowers from June to September.

Climate zone: Occurs in India, Cylone, Burma, Malay, Peninsula, Java
Lighting   :  Normal   
Soil types :  Normal to moist
Watering   : Normal
How to propagate 
 (i.e. leaf cutting, root cutting, etc.):
By using stems cutting.
Propagation     : Stem cutting 
Materials Used: Propergation media (1:1:1=Sand: Soil                   : Compost
                             Scoop
                             Mother plant
                             Cutter
                             Water
                              Bags

 Procedure for propagation:

·         Select suitable mother plant
·         Select proper well grown branch
·         Cut a stem about 10cm long
·         Put it in to a water
·         1-3 bud should be in this stem
·         Planting the plant in propagation media
·         Keep them in cool dry place
·         After 2 weeks plant can move in to the field