Ever heard of the magic velvet bean? Possessing the botanical name – Mucuna pruriens, Kaunch beej is often translated into ‘magic velvet bean.’ Kaunch beej is obtained from the Kapakacchu herb which is a tropical plant that majorly grows in Asia and Africa. Known by other names like Cowhage in English and Kevach in Hindi, Kaunch beej is an...
Katuki is a small hairy perennial herb with elongate, stout creeping rootstock and withered leaf base. The botanical name is Picrorhiza kurroa, and the Hindi name is kutaki, usually pronounced, kutki. The Sanskrit name 'Katuki' means 'That which envelops diseases'. It is usually found in the Himalayas and belongs to the family of Scrophulariaceae. Its leaves are 4 to...
Ayurveda places Harad at the highest pedestal which is why it is also called the ‘King of medicines.’ Ancient medicine systems claim that Harad holds the power to cure all diseases. Even the Tibetan medicine system reveres Harad in the same amount as Ayurveda does. Although the two systems classify the herb differently, the accepted number of varieties of...
Moringa Oleifera belongs to a drought-resistant family of tree known as Moringaceae. It is also known as Moringa or drumstick tree. It is a fast-growing tree generally found in tropical or subtropical regions of South Asia. India is the largest producer of moringa. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are a few other places where moringa is found and cultivated. It...
Hibiscus or Gudhal is a flowering plant commonly known as China rose. Hibiscus, also known as Japa in Ayurvedic texts, is less widely referred to as Rose Mallow. It is an evergreen plant which is approximately 150-270 cm in height. The leaves are alternate and have an ovular outline (also known as ovate to lanceolate) often having a toothed...
Nagfani (in Hindi) commonly known as Prickly Pear or Opuntia in English is a cactus plant belonging to Cactaceae family. The most commonly used species of Nagfani is the Indian fig opuntia or Opuntia ficus-indica (botanical name). The name Nagfani is because the pad of this cactus resembles the face of a serpent. The plant is called Nagfada in...
Ever heard of sage Agastya? He is one of the seven rishis (Saptarishi) mentioned in the Vedas. Commonly known as Vegetable Humming Bird in English, the Agastya (Sanskrit name) plant derives its name from rishi Agastya. One of the theories states that rishi Agastya, also considered as the father of the Siddha system of medicine held a deep love...
Gond Katira is a crystalline herb that is extracted from the sap of the Gond/Locoweed plant. This herb is obtained from the stems and roots of the plant and is then dried to form crystal-like balls. It acts as a natural gum for all intents and purposes. Note that this ingredient is tasteless and odourless, and swells up on...
Costus(Kuth in Hindi) is a tall perennial herb which is known for its medicinal properties. Its stems are up to 2 m tall, or more. The lower leaves are long-stalked, pinnate, roughly around 30-40 cm long, with a triangular terminal leaflet, up to 30 cm long. The upper leaves are smaller, up to 30 cm long, stem-clasping. The leaves...
Tinospora cordifolia (Botanical name), most commonly known as Guduchi in Sanskrit, Giloy in Hindi and Heart Leaved Moonseed in English finds mention in the very famous Indian epic ‘The Ramayana.’ Impressed with Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, Lord Indra sprinkled nectar from heaven to restore the lives of the dead monkey army. The drops that fell on earth took...