Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

One of the most impressive tropical vines is the Bread Flower plant (Vallaris glabra) with its dainty, white, cup-shaped blossoms.  The evergreen, woody climber, grows up to 2-3 m tall. Its light green, glossy, opposite leaves are elliptic or ovate with wavy leaf margin and acute apex with a distinct drip tip. Flower clusters are produced at the tips of branches. The edges of the slightly overlapping flower petals are curled to give a pointed look in the middle. The fragrance of the flower is somewhat like that of pandan leaves and burnt rice and could not be of a universal liking. This scent gets intense in the evening. The flowers mature into an oblong, beaked fruit which splits into two dry, dehiscent fruits known as follicles. It is known as the Kesidang flower in Malaysia, where it is believed to be a symbol of the grace, charm and beauty of the Malay culture and was selected as the state flower of the state of Mal...

Can you think of a plant that's synonymous to Panacea, well this one seems so. Curing fevers (cholera, jaundice) like an antipyretic, setting digestive disorders right, healing wounds, bites and bruises like an antiseptic, treating arthritis, rheumatism, diabetes and boosting immunity in general. This plant has got it all. Its a medicine mall! Tinospora crispa commonly known as Petawali, Makabuhai or Liane quinine is a woody, climbing liana native to South Asia. It's closely related species Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy/ Guduchi) is widely cultivated by Ayurveda practitioners for its wide range of medicinal applications. Both species have immense medicinal value and are used as a general tonic and immunity booster. The plant's stem is flexible when young turning woody when old, with numerous warty protuberances known as tubercles, that get increasingly closely spaced and prominent as the stem ages. Leaves are heart shaped, borne alternately along stem. Propagated by stem cutt...

A member of the lime family, Bael or Stone Apple tree (Aegle marmelos) also known by the names Bengal quince, golden apple, Japanese bitter orange and wood apple. is a medicinally treasured tree. Its fruits, leaves and root are known to possess curative properties.  The tree is considered sacred by Hindus, who associate it with Lord Shiva and consider the leaflets of the trifoliate leaves to be symbolic of his trident or three eyes. No worship of Shiva is considered complete without offering the Bael-leaves. The tree is a medium sized, deciduous tree, up to 15 m tall with a light brown or greyish bark that may be flaky in older specimens. The branches are slender and drooping and sparsely armed with long straight spines.   The injured bark or branches exude a clear, gummy sap that hangs down in long strands, becoming gradually solid. It is sweet at first taste and then irritating to the throat. The aromatic lea...

While preparing 'mukhwas' ( a homemade fennel based mouth-freshner) today, I thought of sharing these pictures of a fennel plant taken earlier this year. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a flowering plant species in the carrot family, Apiaceae. It is a hardy, perennial, highly aromatic and flavorful herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves.   The plant derives its name from the latin word fenum meaning hay, in reference to its appearance. The aromatic nature of the herb is due to the presence of many aromatic volatile oils in it, that make it a prized spice in the culinary world. The growth form of the plant is erect, with herbaceous light greyish-green, hollow stems about 2.5 metres tall. The leaves grow up to 40 centimetres long; they are finely dissected, with the ultimate segments almost threadlike. (Its leaves are similar to those of Dill plant, but thinner.) The flowers are produced in terminal inflorescences that are c...

Catharanthus roseus (earlier known as Vinca rosea) commonly known as the Madagascar Periwinkle or Rose Periwinkle is a hardy, perennial flowering shrub native to Madagascar. Genus Catharanthus is from the Greek word "katharos" which means "pure (perfect) flower". Species roseus means "rose-like" This plant is capable of growing in soils poor in nutrients and also survive drought like conditions. It is a preferred low maintenance ornamental plant for its long flowering season that lasts throughout the year. The plant is grown both for its ornamental and medicinal value. It is known to be used in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. Bruised or cut stems secrete milky-white sap that is toxic. The plant has many medicinal uses despite its toxicity. The plant if consumed as such, can be highly toxic, but the extracts from this plant are known to increase insulin production and control diabetes and hypertension. The extracts are also useful in ...

 Plantain family, Plantaginaceae.It is a large, diverse family of flowering plants in the order Lamiales that includes common flowers such as snapdragon and foxglove. The most popular medicinally used plants from this family are the Plantago ovata, the seed husk of which is a popular laxative known by the name of Isabgol in Ayurveda and Bacopa monieri or Water Hyssop used as a nervine tonic and brain refresher, commonly known as Brahmi in Ayurveda. 🌷Members range  from annual herbs to shrubs. Some are aquatic (like Bacopa sp.) 🌷Leaves are simple, without stipules, with smooth or lobed/dentate margins. They are arranged alternately, rarely opposite, and usually as a basal rosette. 🌷The inflorescence is usually a spike or sometimes a raceme or solitary flowers may be simply produced in axils of leaves.  🌷Individual flowers are bisexual but may be unisexual in some species, radially or bilaterally symmetrical w...

Costus is a genus of spiral gingers growing typically in tropical regions. Many species of Costus can be found in Singapore. Costus speciosus, C. spicatus, C. barbatus, C. paradisica and C. igneus to name a few. They have many common names varying from region to region. (In India the species Costus speciosus or crepe ginger is called as Ketaki in Hindi and Kemukha in Sanskrit) Costus igneus now renamed Chamaecostus cuspidatus is known as the Insulin Plant for its remarkable anti-diabetic properties. A perennial shrub with brilliant red coloured flowers cultivated in gardens as ornamental plant and also found growing in fallow lands. It is primarily used by Ayurveda in the treatment of disturbances in lipid metabolism like obesity, hyperlipidaemia. It is also considered useful in the management of diabetes and is often referred to as the insulin plant.  The leaf of the plant helps in producing insulin. They cont...

Eclipta alba or false daisy (white) is well known in Ayurveda by the name Bhringraj. It is a creeping herb that grows up to 3 m. It has a long stalk and white coloured flowers which are solitary, winged and about 6 to 8 mm in diameter. The leaves are sessile, lance-shaped and arranged in the opposite orientation.The herb mostly grows in the moist regions of India, China, Nepal, Thailand, and Brazil. This immensely beneficial herb popular for its hair and skin vitalising properties is also a great appetizer and stimulates digestive fire. Its oil prevents hair fall and premature greying of hair. It is also known to improve eyesight and treats eye problems. It is immensely helpful in purification of blood and has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that it's oil is used for pain relief in headaches and leaf poultice is used to treat boils and other skin eruptions. Also helpful in treatment of respiratory, heart problems (potent leaf extract with honey in...

Greater Galangal,  a cousin of our spicy friend Ginger. It looks like ginger but doesn't taste or feel like it. Also known as the Thai ginger or Blue Ginger. Alpinia galanga a native of South East Asia is a herbaceous perennial with strikingly long lanceolate leaves, that are about 10 cm wide and 50 cm long.  The fleshy yellowish white flowers are borne in a raceme inflorescence and are edible. The leaves and flowers are cooked as a vegetable in Asian cuisine. The edible fruits are globular green capsules that turn orange red and then black as they mature. The rhizome of Greater Galangal resembles the common young ginger but is much paler, smoother and harder than it. It cannot be grated like ginger and needs to be sliced. It is used as a spice with digestive benefits, to flavour many Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian dishes. It has a sharp, citrusy flavour unlike ginger that is pungently spicy. It is also us...

EDIBLES OF APOCYNACEAE - CARISSA Apocynaceae family offers a great ambience with its ornamental climbers and flowers, but has little to offer on the edible platter, as most of its plant members exude toxic latex, and have leaves, flowers and fruits that are inedible and toxic to humans. In this pretty toxic family, one genera, Carissa, is kind enough to produce edible fruits for humans. However the fruits may be consumed raw only when fully ripe, and soft to touch. The unripe fruits of some species may be rich in latex and can be toxic.  Plants from the genus Carissa are salt tolerant, woody shrubs or small trees with spines on stems. They have simple, glossy, dark green leaves and strongly fragrant, tubular white flowers with 5 petals. The fruits are showy berries that mature to pinkish red and then deep purple in case of Carissa carandas (karonda) and deep crimson in case of Carissa macrocarpa (natal plum). The fruit tastes sour when it matures to the pinkish-red color but souris...

Indian Gooseberry or Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) is an important medicinal plant widely used in Ayurveda as a potent Rasayan.(a substance that improves vigor and longevity- literally means pathway to rasa or essence). Also known as Melaka tree, from which the state of Malacca in Malaysia gets its name.  According to legend, Malacca was founded by a Sumatran prince, Parameswara, the 5th and last monarch of the kingdom of Singapura. Driven from his throne by the raiding Javanese, he escaped from Singapore by moving north. Tired, he rested under a Melaka tree. And while resting, he saw an inspiring scene of courage - a tiny mousedeer (instead of running away from his dogs, challengedthem). Regaining his courage, Parameswara decided to stop running. He stayed put and named the place after the tree he rested under.  The amla tree is considered to be the sacred dwelling of the god Vishnu. In other Hindu myths, amla is said to have originated from drops of amrit which spilled onto ...

Malabar spinach (Basella alba) is a beautiful climbing vine that can reach a height of over 10 meters, Malabar spinach is grown in gardens as leafy vegetable and as an ornamental plant. It is native to India and Southeast Asia growing well in warm, tropical weather. The stem is succulent and green or red, depending on the variety of the plant. Leaves are dark green or red, glossy, heart-shaped, about 8-12 cms long with a mucilaginous texture. They are succulent and fleshy, arranged alternately along the stem. Malabar spinach flowers are white or pink, in small spikes with thick clusters of rounded flowers. Once pollinated, the flowers produce fruits that are initially green, later turning purple and then black. The fruits contain small, black seeds. Malabar spinach leaves are used in cuisines in various ways, sometimes as a replacement for Ladies finger because of their slimy texture. These leaves have a peppery taste and are...