Feronia lemonia-Divul-දිවුල් - மரம் ஆப்பிள் - wood apple

Botanical name  -Feronia lemonia
Family                 -Rutaceae
English name      -Wood apple / Elephant apple
Tamil name   - மரம் ஆப்பிள்
Sanskrit names   -Kapittha, Dadhittha, Pushpa phala, Kapipriya, Dadhiphala, Dantasata,  
Singhala name- Divul
Morphology-a small tree with neumerous branches,smooth whitish bark,regular flowers,superior ovary,oblong seeds
Chemical constituent-Citric acid,volatile oils
Parts used   - Leaves, Bark, Fruits & gums.
Properties:    
Rasa          Kashaya, Amla
Guna         Laghu
Veerya                  
Vipaka      Amla
Attributes / Karma:
Tender fruits – constipative. (Lekhana)
Ripe fruits – Guru. Alleviate Vata, Kapha. Constipative. Heard to digest. Cures thirst, Hiccough, Hoarseness of voice.                                                                                
Medicinal uses
Rat poisoning – porridge is made with juice of leaves & bark is given.
Piles & dysentery – juice of tender fruit + tender Bilva fruit is given along with honey.
Hiccough – juice of fruits given with honey & powdered Pippali.
Diarrhea – gum is given with honey.
Prepared drugs
Kapitthadi peya
Kapitthashtaka churna
 Sarvavishadi oil

Citrus aurantium-Embuldodam-ඇඹුල්දොඩමි

Botanical name   -Citrus aurantium
Family                 -Rutaceae
English name      - seville orange
Sanskrit names   - Jambira, Dantasatha, Jambha, Rambhira, Jambhala,                                                       Singhala name- Ebul dodam
Morphology-small tree 10m high,leaves acute apex ovate shape,petiole 2-3cm ,juice very sour,flowers large white colour,seed oval shape neumerous.
Chemical constituent-neroli bigarade,
Parts used   - fruits, leaves, roots.
Properties:    
Rasa          Amla
Guna         Guru
Veerya       Ushna          
Vipaka       Amla                
Attributes / Karma:
Alleviates Kapha, Vata
Cures – Vibanda, Pain, Cough, (Kaphotklesha) vitiated Kapha, vomiting, thirst, Ama dosha, (Mukha vairasya) bad taste of the mouth, heart diseases, anorexia, (Krimi) parasitic infestation.                                  Medicinal uses
Stomachache with indigestion – juice of the fruit is given with ginger juice & honey.
Prepared drugs
Jambira kalka
Jambira lavana vati
Madhu sukti

Cynodon dactylon-Ithana-ඊතණ

Botanical name  -Cynodon dactylon
Family                 -Poaceae
English name      -Conch grass
Sanskrit names  - Blue- Nila durva, Ruha, Ananta, Bhargavi, Sataparvika, Sahasravirya,
                                         Sashpa, Satavalli
Singhalese name- Itana

Verities:    1. White – use as a medicine mainly.
                2. Blue
                3. Ganda Durva
Parts used   - Whole plant
Morphology-Perenial grass,slender stem,15-30cm long leaves.
Properties:      
Rasa          Madhura, Kashaya, Tikta
Guna         Laghu
Veerya      Sheeta              
Vipaka      Madhura
         
Attributes / Karma:
Alleviates Tri- dosha but mainly Kapha & Pitta.
White - (Ojo vardaka) improves the immunity. Cures – wounds, erysiphilus, blood disorders, excessive thirst, burning sensation.
Blue – Cures – blood disorders, erysiphilus, excessive thirst, skin diseases.
Ganda – Constipative. Cures – burning sensation, excessive thirst, skin disease, blood disorders, fever        
Uses
Discharging eye diseases – juice is applied around the eye.
Autorrhea – juice is used for nasya.
Bleeding disorders – decoction is used.

Prepared drugs
Durvadi ghrita, Durvadi oil, Durvadi kalka.

Vetiveria zizanioides-Savandara-සැවැන්දරා

Botanical name  -Vetiveria zizanioides
Family                 -Poaceae
English name      - khus khus grass or vetiveria
Sanskrit names  -Usira, Nalada, Amrunala, Sevya, Samagandhika
Singhalese name- Sevendara
Morphology-shrub,fibrous root system,roots consist essential oils,60-90cm high,sheething leaves,spike,
Chemical constituents-vetivone,vetivanic acid,essential oil   
Parts used   - root
Properties:      
Rasa        Madhura, Tikta,
Guna       Ruksha, Laghu,
Veerya    Sheeta                
Vipaka    Katu
Attributes / Karma:
Alleviate Kapha & Pitta. Digestive. Constipative.
Cures –fever, vomiting, intoxication, excessive thirst, blood diseases, poisoning, erysiphilus (visarpa), burning sensation, disurea, wounds                                        
Medicinal uses:
A thin layer of Usira is cool, refrigerant, deodorant & reduces perspiration.
Amoebic dysentery – fruit of Bilva & Usira is given.
Burning sensation & disurea- sherbet of Usira is given
Preparations-
Usirasava
Shadanga pana
Usiradi taila

Piper chavya-siviya-සිවිය

Botanical name   -Piper chavya
Family                 -Piperaceae
Sanskrit names   - Cavya, Cavika, Ūshna  
Singhalese name- Siviya
Morphology-climber,12-20cm long leaves,oval shape leaves,acute apex,bisexual flowers,spike inflorences
Parts used   - Roots
Properties:      
Rasa          Katu
Guna         Laghu
Veerya      Ushna            
Vipaka      Katu                
Attributes / Karma:
Alleviates Vata, Kapha.
Containing equal qualities of Pippali mula (Pipper longum)
 Cures disorders of stomach & piles.
Medicinal uses
Root is used for asthma, bronchitis, Fever, piles & pain in the abdomen.
Some times used as a substitute for roots of  piper longum.
Prepared drugs
Cavikasava
        Pancha koola

Ficus religiosum-Boo-බෝ

 Botanical name  -Ficus religiosum
Family                 -Moraceae
English name      -Sacred fig
Sanskrit names   -Bodhidru, Pippala, Asvattha, Calapatra, Gajasana,
Singhalese name- - Bo / Aesatu
Morphology-large,glabrous,spreding branches tree,simple,entire ,alternate leaves,apex is lenear lanceolate,unisexual flowers,4types of flowers,overy superior,seeds pendulous
Parts used   - leaves, bark & fruits
Properties:    
Rasa          Kashaya
Guna         Guru, ruksha
Veerya      Sheeta            
Vipaka      Katu
Attributes / Karma:
Alleviates Kapha & Pitta. Hared to digest, improves the complexion,
Cures – wounds, blood disorders, (Yoni dosha) vaginal diseases,                                                                                                                    
Medicinal uses
Complexion enhancer – paste of areal roots is applied locally.
Wounds – the powder of bark is sprinkled on the wounds.
Latex is useful in reducing pain & swelling.
Diabetes – fruits & bark are used.
Gout, blood disorders, bleeding disorders – decoction of the bark + honey is used.
Constipation - powdered dry fruits are given.
Fruits, roots, bark &areal roots processed in milk + sugar +honey is prescribed as an aphrodisiac.
Stomachache & constipation – ripe fruits are used.
Prepared drugs-pancha valkala,kashaya ,decoctions

Ficus bengalensis-Nuga-නුග

Botanical name  -Ficus bengalensis
Family               -Moraceae
English name      -Banyan tree
Sanskrit names   -Vata, Raktaphala, Srungi, Nyagrodha, Skandhaja, Dhrava, Ksheri,
                            Vaisravanavasa, bahupada, Vanaspati
Singhalese name - Nuga
Morphology-Very large evergreen tree,23-34m tall,huge spreding limbs,simple,alternate ,10-20cm long leaves,unisexual flowers,fruit with fleshy perycap,dark red
chemical constituent-tannic acid,albinoic acid,
Parts used   - Tender leaves, bark, aerial roots & latex
Properties:      
Rasa          Kashaya
Guna         Guru, ruksha
Veerya      Sheeta              
Vipaka      Katu

Attributes / Karma:
Alleviates Kapha & Pitta. (Grahi) constipative, improves the complexion,
Cures – wounds, (Visarpa) erysiphilus, burning sensation, (Yoni dosha)vaginal diseases.                               Medicinal uses
Latex of Vata is applied on wounds, creaked soles, synovitis, arthritis, lymphadenitis, otorrhoea, toothache, conjunctivitis & piles.
Areal roots in the form of paste are used to treat sagging breasts, skin diseases & skin ulcers.
Synovitis & other inflammatory conditions – leaves are tide locally over inflamed parts.
Leucorrhea – decoction of the bark is used for vaginal douching.
Diarrhea, amoebic dysentery, bacillary dysentery – the latex is given orally.
Latex is given with sugar as a remedy for premature ejaculation.
Tender leaves of Vata are used for (Garbhastapana) anti abortifacient.
Bleeding disorders (Rakta pitta) –pasted leaves are given with honey.
Prepared drugs-
Nyagrodhadi churna, Nyagrodhadi ghrita

Ficus glomerata-Attikka-අටිටික්කා

Botanical name  -Ficus glomerata
Family                 -Moraceae
English name      -Cluster fig, Country fig
Sanskrit names   -Udumbara, Jantuphala, Yachanga, Hemadugdhaka  
Singhalese name- - Attikka
Parts used   - bark, fruit, roots & latex
Morphology-tree 30m high,bark pinkish brown ,pale green leaves and lanceolate,overy dark red,sollitary flowers,seed 1mm in size
Types-nadee udumbara,kola udumbara
Chemical constituent-tanin,calcium,lignin,zinc
Properties:      
Rasa          Kashaya, Madhura
Guna         Guru, ruksha
Veerya      Sheeta              
Vipaka      Katu

Attributes / Karma:
Alleviates Kapha & Pitta. Improves the complexion, cleanse & heels the wounds (Vruna sodhana ropana), cures blood diseases.                                                                                                                  
Medicinal uses
To reduce edema - Latex is used as liniment.
Stomatitis – a thick decoction of bark is applied locally.
Pharyngitis & stomatitis – extract of bark is used as mouth wash & gargling.
Dysentery & Diarrhea associated with bleeding – decoction of bark is given or raw fruits are given as cooked vegetables.
Infantile diarrhea & teething problems - Latex is given with sugar
Bhashmaka roga (excessive hunger) – powder of bark is given with human milk & water.
Hiccough – fruit juice is given.
Jaundice – half a leaf is given with betel leaves.
Sperm debility – latex along with sugar or sugar preparations.
Diabetes – juice of fruits or roots is given.
Preparation-
Udumbara syrup
        Udumbara kwata
        Udumbara thaila

Tinospora cordifolia-Rasakinda-රසකිද

Botanical name  -Tinospora cordifolia
Family                 -Menispermaceae
English name      -Hert shape leaves mooseed
Sanskrit names  -Guduci, Maduparni, Amruta, Amrutavalli, Chinna, Chinnaruha,  
                              Chinnodbhava, Vatsadani, Jivanti, Tantrika, Soma, Somavalli, Kundali,          
                              Cakralakshanika, Dhira, Visalya, Rasayani, Candrahasi, Vayastha,
                              Mandali, Devanirmita
Singhalese name-Rasakinda
Verities: 1. Guduci
                2. Kanda guduci    
Parts used   - Bark
Properties:      
Rasa        Tikta, Katu, Kashaya
Guna       Lagu, Snigdha
Veerya    Ushna                
Vipaka    Madhura          
Attributes / Karma:
Alleviate Tri-dosha specially Pitta. (Balya) strengthening. Promote appetite.
Cures –Ama dosha, Excessive thirst, burning sensation, diabetes, cough, Pandu, (kamala) Jaundice, skin diseases, (vata rakta) Rheumatoid arthritis, fever, parasitic infection, asthma, piles, disurea, Heart diseases,     Chemical constituents-Isocolombin/Palmatine/Alkaloid/Cordifol              
Medicinal uses:
Guduci oil is used for massage in dermatoses in Gout.
For rejuvenating – Guduci satva with ghee & honey.
Skin diseases – decoction of Guduci & Amalaki is used.
Frequent fever due to debility – Decoction of Guduci is given two times a day.
Used part-Leaves/stem/root
Preparation-
Amurta arishta
Amurtadi grita
Guduci taila

Citrus acida-lime-දෙහි

Botanical name-Citrus acid
Other names-

• Sinhala-දෙහි
• Tamil-Amru,Arunam
• English-lime
• Sanskrit-Jambira,Amlasara

Synomnyms-licucha,nimbu,deesi,jambira,nimbuka,
morphology-small tree,5-7.5 large leaves,oval shape leaves,apex of leaves are acute,petiole has wings,white colour flowers,fruit is yellowish green,oval shape ,juice is soue,seeds are oval shape and white flowers,
Types-According to the shape and size there are sinhala dehi,rata dehi,kudaludehi,wal dehi,oddi dehi,and naran dehi.
chemical constitute -flavanoid,Ergosterol,terpins,geraniol
Properties-

• Rasa-amla
• Guna-lagu
• Veerya-ushna
• Vipaka-madura

effect on dosha-Kapha vata shamaka,pitta shamaka,pitta sharaka,kapha nissaraka,
Pharmacological action-krimigna,agnideepaka,deepana,pachana,vamananashaka,hridaya,anuloomana,chakshushaya,
Therapeutic action- sithada roga,udara rooga,thrushna,vamana,aruchi,ajirana,atheesara,
Prepared drugs-dasadunkalka,ra basna, lichuka thaila,jambira thaila,dalu anupana,panca valkala

Piper longum-Tippili-තිප්පිලි

Botanical Name-Piper longum
Family              -Piperaceae
English Name  -Long pepper
Sanskrit Names- Pippali, Magadhi, Krushna, Vaidehi, Chapala, Kana, Upakulya, Ushna,
                           Shaundi, Kola, Thikshnathandula
Singhalese Name-Tippili
Parts used-Fruit
Properties
            Rasa        Katu
           Guna        Laghu, Snigdha, Tikshna
           Veerya     Anushnasheeta (not warm, cooling)
           Vipaka     Madura
Attributes/Karma
         Dry pippali-Alliviate Vata & Kapha
         Fresh pippali-Alliviate Pitta
         Appetite stimulant, mild laxative, analgesic, rejuvenating
         Cures- Vomiting, Asthma, Cough, Heart diseases, Edema, Flatulence
                     Fever, Skin diseases (kusta), Diabetes (meha), Hemorrhoids, Spleenic
                     Disorders (pleeha)
 use:
•Pippali with honey-cures Asthma, Cough, Fever
•One part of pippali with two parts of jaggery-cures chronic fever (jeerna jvara), cough, digestive disorders, Anorexia, Asthma, Heart diseases, Anemia, Parasitic  infection (krimi)
•For Rasayana effect (Rejuvenating)-pippali with honey given for a fixed period of time by increasing one each day, when it come to stage of feel gastric burning & etc:then it tail off.Roots of Pipper longum
Attributes/Karma:
Aggravate pitta Promote appetite & digestion, mild laxative.
Cures-Gastric disorders
Prepration
Pippalyadyasava
Pippali khanda
Pippalyadi lauha

Gossypium herbaceum-Kapu කපු

Botanical name  -Gossypium herbaceum
Family                 -Malvaceae
English name      -Cotton wool tree
Sanskrit names  - Karpasi, Tundiker, Samudranta

Singhalese name- Kapu
Parts used   -Leaves, bark, Root bark & seeds.
Properties:    
Rasa          Madhura, Kashaya
Guna         Laghu, Snigdha
Veerya      Slightly Ushna                
Vipaka      Madhura          
Attributes / Karma:
Alleviate Vata. Aggravates Kapha& Pitta.
Leaves – (Rakta vardaka) improves blood. Diuretic.
Cures – (Karna pidaka) abscess of ear, (Karna nada) tinnitus, (Karna puya) purulent discharge from ear.
Seeds – Galactogogue, Aprodiciac,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            uses:
• Decoction of leaves & roots are used for hip bath in uterine disorders.
• External application has analgesic & wound healing property.
• Decoction or powder of roots is given in amenorrhea & dysmenorrhea.
• It is used in post partum period to contract uterus.
• Seed pulp is a good laxative.
Preparation
Karpasadi taila

Piper nigrum-Gammiris ගම්මිරිස්

Botanical Name  -Piper nigrum
Family                -Piperaceae
English Name    -Black pepper
Sanskrit Name   -Maricha, wellaja, Krushna, Ushna
Singhalese Name-Gammiris
Parts used-Fruit, leaf (for external use)
Properties:
         Rasa       Katu
         Guna      Laghu, Tikshna
         Veerya   Ushna
         Vipaka   Katu
Types-kalu gammiris(Blac pepper)
   
Attributes/Karma
       Alleviate Kapha & Vata, aggravate Pitta.
       Cures-Asthma, Parasitic infections (Krimi)
       Promoter of eyesight (chaksusya)
       Aphrodisiac (vrushya), appetite stimulant, cures cough
uses:
•Toothache- brushed with pepper powder.Use decoction of Pepper, dried ginger, & Long pepper for gargles
•Night blindness-past of pepper & Cured is applied under eye (Anjana)
•Leucoderma/skin diseases (kusta) - local application of powdered pepper & Sesame oil are done.
•Vataja peenasa- Mixture of pepper & Cured is used.
•Diarrhea (pravahika)-powdered pepper with honey is used.
Preparation
  Maricadi churna
       Maricchadi lepa
       Ajamodadi churna
     

Cinnamomum zeylonica -Kurudu කුරුදු

Botanical Name: Cinnamomum zeylonica 
Family: Lauraceae
English Name: Cinnamon
Sanskrit Name: Tvak, Varanga, Sainhala, Katuprni, Coca
Singhalese name: Kurundu
Parts used: bark of the tree
                  Leaves
Properties:
Rasa       Katu, Tikta, Madura
Guna   Laghu, Ruksha Tikshne
Veerya Ushna
Vipaka   Katu
Attributes/Karma:
 Alleviates Kapha & Vata.
Promote digestion.
Cures - heart diseases, (vasti) bladder disorders, (krimi) parasitic infections, (pinasa), (kasa) coughing, and wounds of the lungs.
     
 uses:
• Headaches-mixture of cinnamon oil & other oil is applied on forehead.
• Leucoderma-cinnamon oil is used as an external application.
• Flatulence (admana)-Cinnamon oil with sugar is used.
• TB/ Chronic cough-Cinnamon oil is applied on chest.
• Dental caries-Place cotton wool soaked one or two drops of cinnamon oil.

Alyssicarpus vaginalis-Aswanna- අස්වැන්න

Botanical Name  - Alyssicarpus vaginalis
Family         - Fabaceae
Tamil Name -Pullaridi
Sanskrit Names   - Saliparni, Sthira, Saumya, Triparni, Jivari, Guha, Vidarigandha,
                             Dirghangi, Dirghapatra, Ansumati,
Singhalese Name – Asvanna
Parts used          - whole plant specially root.
Morphology-perenial herb,leaves unifoliate,corolla redish,seeds 1.3-1.6mm long
Properties:
Rasa         Madhura, Tikta
Guna         Guru, Snigdha
Veerya       Ushna
Vipaka       Madhura
Attributes / Karma:Alleviate Tri-dosha
                             Aphrodisiac, rejuvenating, antidote
Cures – vomiting, fever, asthma, diarrhea, TB, ulcers of the lung, cough, parasitic infection                             Chemical constitiuents:Cu/Mn/Si/Ca/galactose
 uses:
Vata disorders of heart / palpitation- Saliparni boiled in milk is used.
Haemoptysis – decoction of Saliparni is given
For nourishment of fetal – milk boiled with the roots of Saliparni is given.    
Preparation:
Dasamularishta/shaliparnadi kwata/Siddarta taila/ Mahanarayana taila/Aswanna moolasara ausada