7 Medicinal plants and their uses
Updated: May 10
Nature has enthroned us with countless wonderful plants. The more you get acquainted with them, the more they will amaze you. Not only fruits, flowers, leaves, vegetables, and oxygen but they are a treasure of ayurvedic medicines also.
Ayurveda includes certain medicinal plants and herbs, which can effectively treat or cure many health problems and prove to be good for our overall health. These plants have long been a part of Indian tradition and have been used for various medicinal purposes since ancient times.
Let us know which are the 7 such medicinal plants, which you can plant in your home and they can get rid of many diseases.
1. Tusli (Holy Basil)
Tulsi is a holy plant blessed with lots of medicinal peculiarities, almost found in each and every home. Tulsi has remedial characteristics for many ailments and aches. Basil is a supernatural mouth freshener.
Medicinal benefits of Tulsi
Cough, cold, sore throat, headache, a stifling nose, psychological stress, and many other upsets can be treated by drinking the decoction of the leaves of this mystical plant.
These leaves can be added to the tea or can be consumed in the form of fluids.
How to make a decoction of Tulsi?
Take some leaves and 1 litre of water in a pan.
Let it boil till the quantity of water reduces to half.
Sieve it and drink it empty stomach.
2. Giloy
Giloy has been used as a medicine in Ayurveda for centuries and provided considerable aid in Covid - 19 pandemic. It is also called Amrita and has the supernatural power to cure all three ailments - Vaat, Pitt, and Kapha.
Giloy needs support to grow and it wraps along different trees while growing. In this process, it acquires some of the beneficial traits of supporting plants also. That's why Giloy climbed on the Neem tree is considered the best.
Medicinal benefits of Giloy
Fever, Jaundice, Acidity, Indigestion, Asthma, cough, and many cases of flu can be mended by Giloy.
Though all the parts of this plant like the leaves, the bark, the stick, and the roots can be used for medicinal purposes, the sticks have gained more popularity above all.
How to use Giloy as a medicine?
Take a stick about an inch ( be it soft or hard), cut it, and crush it well.
Boil it in a half litre of water till the water reduces to half the quantity.
Sip it with sugar candy (mishri) after the temperature comes down to a drinkable state.
3. Aloe vera
Aloe vera stores water in its fleshy leaves which is why it can sustain itself even in very dry conditions. Due to its countless benefits, it is used in almost every household. This succulent has many cosmetical benefits. Many big brands are making money from this plant by making cosmetic and beauty products from it.
Medicinal benefits of Aloe vera
If we talk about the medicinal properties of aloe vera, then it has antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and many other such properties.
Along with this, essential nutrients like vitamin A and folic acid are also found in them.
It adds a natural glow and shines to skin and hair respectively.
Aloe vera gel can be applied directly to the body for moisturization.
Aloe vera has cooling effects.
To overcome sun tanning and summer heat strokes, this gel can be applied directly to the body.
Aloe Vera acts as an ointment for burnt skin. This gel helps in curing burnt areas without leaving any marks or scars.
Aloe vera purifies the blood and many people drink it on a daily basis.
4. Curry Leaf
It is also called Meetha Neem or Dr. Sensitive. Curry leaves have many healthful properties, which help in treating many health ailments. Nowadays, dried curry leaves are available in the market, and are mainly used as spices used in the kitchen.
Medicinal benefits of Curry leaves
Many medicinal properties are found in curry leaves.
Consuming curry leaves is beneficial in diseases related to the liver and heart.
Reduces the risk of anemia and controls blood sugar levels in the body.
Curry leaves are beneficial in getting rid of skin diseases and spots and pimples.
Consuming curry leaves will also be beneficial to reduce the risk of liver-related diseases.
The antioxidants found in curry leaves work to keep the heart healthy. Along with reducing bad cholesterol, it also works to increase the level of good cholesterol.
Curry leaves can be consumed to remove the problem of sinus infection, cough, and cold. Vitamin A and C are found in high levels in it.
Following the routine of eating 6-8 leaves daily on an empty stomach is a proposed solution for all the mentioned problems.
5. Patharchatta (kalanchoe Pinnata) Plant
Pattharchatta is an Ayurvedic plant that has many medicinal properties.
It is used to treat many health-related problems at home. The healing properties present in Patharchatta help in treating many diseases.
Medicinal benefits of Patharchatta
The major health benefits derived from the use of this potent and evergreen plant include the following –
If you have a stone problem, then Pattharchitta is a panacea for your health.
The juice obtained from Patharchatta leaves contains special elements, which help in controlling blood pressure levels.
Special types of compounds are found in stonecrop leaves, which accelerate the healing process of wounds.
Along with this, the anti-inflammatory properties present in it also reduce the symptoms like swelling, redness, and irritation.
How to use Patharchatta as a medicine?
Take 2-3 leaves, grind them and mix them with honey.
Consume it on an empty stomach with lukewarm water on a daily basis to treat kidney stones.
It also gives relief from stomach aches
Note:
This plant can be planted very easily with the cutting of a single leaf also.
6. Parijat (Harshringar or Sheuli)
The parijat plant is also known as Harsingar, which is full of medicinal properties that can effectively treat many diseases.
Very fragrant, small petaled and white-colored Harsingar flowers bloom only at night, hence they are also called Night Blooming Jasmine or Queen of the Night. Parijat, rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, is helpful in fighting many diseases.
Medicinal benefits of Parijat
Medicinal properties are present in the leaves, flowers, and bark of this plant.
It is very effective for arthritis patients.
Its leaves can be used to treat colds and flu as well as to kill stomach worms.
It is helpful in healing any kind of wound.
It is very beneficial for diabetes.
It also gives benefits for eye diseases.
It is also used to cure fever.
Ringworm can also be benefited from the properties of Parijat.
Pile disease is cured by taking one seed of this every day.
Its flowers are also considered best for the heart. Heart disease can be avoided by consuming the juice of its flowers.
How to engross Parijat for the treatment?
Take 6-7 leaves of parijat. Wash them with water.
Boil them in half-liter of water till the quantity of water reduces to one-fourth quantity.
Sieve it and drink the water with sugar candy.
How to apply it on the wounds?
Sometimes wounds take time to heal. To heal them at a faster pace, apply the paste of parijat leaves to them. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties which is why it would not allow the wound to spread.
7. Bael Plant
Bael is an important medicinal plant. Many of its benefits are mentioned in Ayurveda. Its fruit is very hard but the inside is soft, and pulpy, and contains seeds.
Bael is used in making many types of medicines, as well as it is also used prominently in many delicious dishes. Protein, beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin C are found in abundance in Bael.
Medicinal benefits of Bael plant
Bael fruit can be used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Bael juice is used to purify the blood.
It also increases the working capacity of the kidney.
The liver functions well by eating Bael fruit because it destroys all the impurities of the body.
In the problem of cholera, bel juice and Belpatra powder should be taken with water, which gives relief.
How to consume Bael?
Eat the leaves with salt to cure all the above-mentioned ailments.
To prevent heat stroke, it is advised to drink Bael juice, because Bael juice provides cooling and when you go out of the house, drink Bael juice so that your body remains cool and you do not feel heat stroke.
Extracting the juice of the bael leaf and consuming it with black pepper provides relief from jaundice and chronic constipation.
Note:
Bael plant is generally found in the ground but it can be grown in a 12-14 inch pot also.
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Different types of medicinal trees and plants have been used since ancient times for the treatment of human diseases. Trees and plants are the boons given by nature, which play their special role in the human life cycle.
There are uncountable plants with enormous medical benefits but these 7 plants should be there at each and every home to get instant relief from so many health bugs.
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Thanks
Happy Gardening!