It is a decoction, which contains Rasna (Vanda roxburghii) as the main component. Maharasnadi quatha has analgesic, antiphlogistic and antipyretic properties and is used for the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis.

It is a multi-ingredient preparation, the main constituent of which is Commiphora wightii (Indian Bdellium, Guggul). It contains volatile oils that have astringent and antiseptic properties. It increases the leukocyte count, stimulates phagocytosis and is used in the treatment of rheumatism that has affected the joints and bones.

An erect, branched, woody biennial or perennial.

All parts of the plant are rich in mucilage. The petals are the source of the pigment malvin which is present in the malonated form, malvidin. The plant contains flavonols. However, they do not contain any detectable amounts of mutagenic flavonol aglycones. The herb possesses demulcent, cooling, antiseptic and emollient properties.

It is used in pulmonary and urinary affections and also in external applications for abscesses and inflammations. The flowers and immature fruits are used for whooping cough.

• Whooping cough

Makaradhwaj is a well-known inorganic preparation of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia. Chemically, it is red sulphide of mercury and gold in uncombined form. It is a sublimed product made from pure mercury, sulphur and gold.

Eight parts of mercury and one part of gold leaf are mixed together to form an amalgam. To this mixture 16 parts of sublimed sulphur are added and the resulting mixture is ground very thoroughly in a stone mortar for 24 hr. or more until the whole is converted to a lusterless, fine, impalpable powder of uniform consistence. This mixture is then placed in a narrow mouthed bottle and is gradually heated on a sand bath. On heating, the bottle is filled with reddish fumes of various hues. On cooling Makaradhvaja is found deposited in the inner surface of the neck of the bottle.

It is seldom used alone. In the majority of cases, it is mixed with various drugs called ‘anupana’ or adjuvants. In cases of indigestion and diarrhea, Makaradhvaja is mixed with powdered bael fruit (Aegle marmelos); in cases of fever and cough it is given with the juices of ginger, betel (Piper betel) and tulsi leaves (Ocimum tenuiflorum). Generally, honey is used in the absence of proper adjuvants. The medicine can be used both for adults and children, the dosage being regulated according to age. Makaradhvaja, when taken regularly, is believed in indigenous systems of medicine to be a wonderful tonic and is said to increase longevity in a patient.

• Diarrhea

• fever

• Indigestion

A valuable tonic in debilitating conditions and convalescent patients after acute illness, in failing circulation and cardiac asthenia; it increases the red blood corpuscles and improves general nutritional status. It is also used as a laxative with good results particularly in those cases when there are visceroptosis and atonic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. It is said to be of great value as an intestinal antiseptic and is supposed to relieve the gaseous distension of bowels due to fermentation. It is used widely as an alterative and an aphrodisiac.

It is prepared by purifying and calcinating iron rust. Mandura is specially useful in anemia, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, chlorosis, hepatic and splenic disorders. It is also used in diarrhea, chronic bowel complaints, dyspepsia, intestinal worms, nervous diseases, neuralgia of the 5th nerve due to debility, kidney diseases, albuminuria, etc. It is a powerful hematinic and tonic and is valuable in the treatment of hemolytic jaundice and microcytic anemia.

• Anemia
• Anemia, aplastic
• Anemia, general
• Anemia, iron deficiency
• Anemia, sickle cell
• Anemia, vitamin deficiency

• Diarrhea

• Jaundice

• Menorrhagia

A large evergreen tree, with a heavy, dome-shaped crown. The mango is the most popular fruit in India.

The unripe, fully developed mangoes of pickling varieties contain citric, malic, oxalic, succinic and two unidentified acids. The ripe fruits constitute a rich source of vitamin A; some varieties contain fairly good amounts of vitamin C also. ß-Carotene and xanthophyll are the principal pigments in ripe mango. The leaves contain the glucoside mangiferine. The bark of the mango tree contains tannin (16-20%). Mangiferine has been isolated from the bark.

The bark is astringent; it is used in diphtheria and rheumatism; it is believed to possess a tonic action on the mucous membrane. It is astringent, anthelmintic, useful in hemoptysis, hemorrhage, nasal catarrh, diarrhea, ulcers, diphtheria, rheumatism and for lumbrici. The leaves are given in the treatment of burns, scalds and diabetes. Mangiferin from the leaves has been reported to possess antiinflammatory, diuretic, chloretic and cardiotonic activities and displays a high antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria. It has been recommended as a drug in preventing dental plaques. Mangiferin shows antiviral effect against type I herpes simplex virus (HSV-I).

• Diarrhea

• Diphtheria

• Diabetes
• Diabetes, gestational
• Diabetic retinopathy

• Peripheral neuropathy

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Autonomic neuropathy

An evergreen tree of small or moderate size with pendulous branches.

Fresh leaves and terminal branchlets yield, on steam-distillation, a volatile oil, known in the trade as Oil of Cajuput (Oleum Cajuputi) and used in medicine. Besides cineole, the oil contains a-terpineol and its esters, l -a-pinene, l -limonene, dipentene, sesquiterpenes, azulene, sesquiterpene alcohols, valeraldehyde and benzaldehyde.

It has antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and anti-dandruff properties. The oil is used internally as an expectorant in chronic laryngitis and bronchitis, and as carminative; overdoses cause gastro-intestinal irritation. It acts as an anthelmintic, especially against roundworms. The oil relieves toothache if introduced into hollow carious teeth. It forms a constituent of ointments and liniments and is considered efficacious as a counter-irritant in chronic rheumatism. It is valued as a mosquito repellent and has the advantage over citronella oil in that it is less volatile.

• Bronchitis

• Dandruff

• laryngitis

It is generally recommended as a remedy for cold, cough, fever, sore throat, respiratory disorders, etc., by virtue of its bactericidal, antiseptic and expectorant properties.

• Cold

• fever

• Sore throat

A downy perennial herb with running rootstocks and rigid branching stem.

The herb yields on steam-distillation, a volatile oil, known in the trade as Japanese Mint Oil or Japanese Peppermint Oil; the leaves and flowering tops give the highest yield. The main constituent of the oil is menthol. The oil is useful in neuralgia when applied externally and a febrifuge in fevers. It is useful in treating pain and inflammation of muscles and joints due to its counter irritant actions.

• fever

A perennial, glabrous, strongly scented herb.

The herb is the source of true Peppermint Oil. The oil contains menthol (50-55%), menthyl acetate, menthone and small amounts of pinene, phellandrene, l-limonene, terpinene, cadinene, cineole, amyl alcohol, acetic acid, isovaleric acid, acetaldehyde, isovaleric aldehyde and a lactone.

The dried leaves and flowering tops of the plant are official in the U.S. Pharmacopeia under the name Peppermint. The herb is considered aromatic, stimulant, stomachic and carminative, and used for allaying nausea, flatulence and vomiting. Bruised leaves are employed as an external application for relieving local pains and headache. A hot infusion is taken to allay stomach ache and colicky diarrhea. Peppermint is used as an antispasmodic, diuretic, choleretic and carminative and as an expectorant in bronchitis. It is a component in several sedative preparations.

• Diarrhea

• Flatulence

• Headache

• Nausea

• vomiting

A glabrous, perennial herb with creeping rhizomes.

The fresh flowering herb on distillation yields 0.25-0.50% of volatile oil, known as Spearmint Oil. The characteristic constituent of the oil is l-carvone. The herb is considered stimulant, carminative and antispasmodic. A sweetened infusion of the herb is given as a remedy for infantile troubles, vomiting in pregnancy and hysteria. The leaves are used in fevers and bronchitis. The oil is a counter irritant.

• Bronchitis

• fever

• vomiting

Mesua ferrea is a medium-sized to large evergreen tree with solitary flower and numerous stamens.

It's principal constituent is the volatile oil from the flowers shows antibacterial, antifungal and anthelmintic activities. It exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and styptic activity.

A diffuse prickly undershrub the leaves of which are extremely sensitive to touch.

The plant contains tubulin and a new class of phytohormones called turgorines. The seeds of the plant contain a mucilage composed of d -xylose and d -glucuronic acid. A decoction of the root of the plant is considered useful in gravel and other urinary complaints. A paste of the leaves is applied to glandular swellings; the juice of leaves is used in dressings for sinus and also as an application for sores and piles.

Momordica charantia is a monoecious climber with slender stem and yellow flowers.

Its principal constituents are lectins, charantin and momordicine. The fruits have long been used in India as a folk remedy for diabetes mellitus. Lectins from the bitter gourd have shown significant antilipolytic and lipogenic activities.

• Diabetes