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Ayurvedic Herbs / Thai Herbs - Medicinal Plants - C
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Ayurvedic
Medicine |
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Basics
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There are numerous medicinal plants in current use in Thailand.
Ayurvedic medicine and Thai traditional
medicine, each finding many uses and deserving to be exhibited to the
enthusiasts who wish to know about the characteristics of its stem, flower,
fruit together with the research work undertaken, it is impossible to
exhibit all, or even the majority, of them. For this reason some common
medicinal plants which received research attention both locally and
internationally have been selected. In addition, some which
have so far attracted little attention from
researchers have also been included owing to their recognition in
Ayurvedic Medicine and traditional medicine in Thailand
as well as some Asian countries.
The information
has been
searched from the literature, selected and edited in order to be presented in
this site, which will familiarize the reader with general characters of such plants. No botanical details are given
owing to the nature of this
work and also to limited space. Sketches of the plants, however, are
given to enable the reader to recognize them. It should be noted that
all Thai, Sanskrit, Latin and English common names of the plants
appearing in this site are transliterated into English with the sound in
mind, and not according to the official rules. In addition, owing to
the limited space the traditional
usage of each plant is meant to be representative, and by no means comprehensive.
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A large, scandent, prickly shrub or climber.
The plant is used for curing senile pruritis with
excellent result. The drug is also reported to exhibit
anti-fatigue effect in rats. The roots have marked astringent
and antipyretic properties.
They yield bergenin (vakerin). |
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An aromatic, erect, annual herb, cultivated in
India.
The ligulate florets constitute the drug which is
reported to possess stimulant, bitter, tonic, sudorific,
febrifuge, carminative, anti-emetic and anthelmintic properties.
The flowers contain calenduline, and oleanolic acid glycoside
and sterol glycosides. They also contain a- and ß-amyrin,
taraxasterol, y - taraxasterol, lupeol, brein, faradiol,
arnidiol, erythrodiol, calenduladiol, coflodiol (ursadiol) and
manilladiol. |
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A small,
erect and compact shrub, covered with cottony tomentum.
The rootbark contains a- and ß-amyrin, ß-amyrin,
taraxasterol and its y-isomer, taraxasteryl isovalerate,
taraxasteryl acetate, gigantin, giganteol, isogiganteol, ß-sitosterol
and a wax.
In small doses, the rootbark is diaphoretic and
expectorant. It acts as a mild stimulant. |
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A prostrate shrub or climber armed with
divaricate, light yellow thorns.
The root bark contains stachydrine, rutic acid
and a volatile substance. It is bitter, aperient, diuretic and
expectorant. It is given in splenic, renal and hepatic
complaints. |
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A suffrutescent or herbaceous, short-lived
perennial.
The active principle in chili is a mixture of
allied components, capsaicin being the most important, major
component (46-77% of the total capsainoids). Chili is a powerful
irritant and rubefacient; when applied to the skin, it produces
warmth, redness, and burning without blistering.
In the form of ointment of plasters, it is used
externally for the treatment of rheumatism, lumbago and
neuralgia. Capsicum wool, prepared by dissolving the oleoresin
in ether and pouring it on absorbent cotton-wool, is useful in
rheumatoid affections. Chili, in small doses, is a powerful
stimulant and carminative. It stimulates the secretion of saliva
and gastric juice, and increases peristaltic movements and
motility of the stomach. It is an excellent remedy in atonic and
flatulent dyspepsia and dipsomania. |
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Latin Name:
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Carica papaya |
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English Name:
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Papaya |
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Sanskrit / Indian Names:
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Chirbhita,
Erandachirbhita |
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Carica
papaya
(Papaya) is a small tree with straight and soft stem with leaf
scars on it. The fruits are a good source of pection. It removes
freckles and smoothes the skin. |
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An annual or
biennial glabrous herb.
Carvone and limonene are the chief constituents
of the oil and its odor and flavor are mainly attributed to
them. Other constituents present in the oil are: a- and ß-pinenes
and p-cymene.
In medicine, they are used as a carminative, mild
stomachic, aromatic and diuretic. Both the seeds and the
essential oil (caraway oil) are classed as carminative in the
I.P. and prescribed in flatulent colic and stomach derangement.
In patients suffering from lumbago and
rheumatism, exposing the affected parts to the vapors from the
seeds gives relief from the disease. The alcoholic extract of
the fruits shows dose-dependent antispasmodic effect. Caraway
water finds use as a vehicle for pediatric medicines.
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An erect,
glabrous or minutely pubescent branched annual, with aromatic
fruits.
The characteristic odor and taste of the fruit is
due to the presence of an essential oil. The fruits are much
valued for its antispasmodic, stimulant, tonic and carminative
properties. It is administered in flatulence, atonic dyspepsia
and diarrhea, and often recommended for cholera. The oil from
the fruits is reported to possess hypotensive and cardiac
depressive activity. The drug also shows some anti-diuretic
effect.
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A shrub or a tree with a pale yellow bark.
The root and the root bark are extensively used
in the indigenous system of medicine as an anti diabetic due to
their hypoglycemic activity. The roots are especially
efficacious in milder chronic diabetic cases. The root contains
leucopelargonidin, arabinose, dulcitol. ß-sitosterol and another
sterol, and two resinous substances having hypoglycemic activity
have also been reported. |
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Cassia
fistula
is a deciduous tree with exfoliating bark.
The pulp contains sennosides A and B, Rhein and
its glucoside, barbaloin, aloin, formic acid, butyric acid,
their ethyl esters and oxalic acid. It is a safe purgative given
even to pregnant women. The pulp is also given for biliousness
and in disorders of the liver. It is applied in gout and
rheumatism. It is utilized in blood-poisoning, anthrax and
dysentery, also given in leprosy and diabetes and for the
removal of abdominal obstructions.
It is used in the treatment of varicose veins. It
helps in shrinking engorged veins and has a powerful
anti-inflammatory effect. |
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Cassia
occidentalis
is a diffuse undershrub.
The plant contains emodin, physcion, chrysophanol,
sitosterol and a xanthone-cassiolin. The seeds and leaves are
used externally in skin diseases. The roots are reported to be
diuretic, the seeds, roots and leaves are antibacterial. It is
used in the treatment of flatulence, indigestion and other
digestive disturbances in children.
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