Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

Fruits of Carissa carandas, commonly known as Karonda (Apocynaceae) are available with vegetable vendors during this season for edible uses and we have purchased these for making ‘KarondaPickle’. Fruit Very sour but it is sourishsweet when fully ripe. It can be eaten raw or stewed with sugar.  In India it is mainly used as pickles, however, it can also be made into jam and jellies. Furthermore, the fruit is also used to make beverages, curries and tarts. Karonda fruit are also used in Ayurveda to treat indigestion, fresh and infected wounds, skin diseases, urinary disorders etc.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Sacred_trees Ficus racemose Syn. F. glomerata (Common names: cluster figs, gular figs, Indian figs, Atti, Buah Loa, Lo fruits etc.) - Moraceae,  an excellent source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract and are high in calcium to strengthen bones. In Ayurveda, Cluster figs are used as an anti-inflammatory, cleansing, and blood purifying ingredient. Cluster figs are best suited for both raw or cooked applications, including stir-frying, boiling, and roasting. The fruits can be consumed fresh can also be pickled. When the fruits are mature, their sweet flesh can be simmered into jams, jellies etc. Cluster fig trees are known as Udumbara in Sanskrit and are sacred trees intertwined with many legends and stories. The tree is associated with the guru Dattatreya, a deity believed to embody Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. Dattatreya is also known as one of the lords of yoga, and many different sectors worship the deity in the present-day. Throughout India, Udumbara ...

Seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica (Syn. Centratherum anthelminticum) – Asteraceae.  Seeds are available commercially and called Kalijiri. Kalijiri is a vital source of various compounds and is used extensively in the management of cough, fever and diarrhoea. In Ayurveda, Kalijiri seeds play a critical role in managing ulcers, skin disease and leucoderma.The seeds are also used for asthma, kidney troubles and inflammation. Oil (obtained from seeds) is used extensively in Homeopathy and Unani system of medicine. Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Trifolium pratense (Red clover) – Fabaceae, extensively grown as pasture improvement and forage for livestock and poultry.  The flowers have a wide variety of uses in herbal medicine. The native range of this species is Macaronesia, NW. Africa, Europe to Mongolia and Himalaya and grows primarily in the temperate biome. It is used as animal food, a medicine and invertebrate food, has environmental uses and social uses.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Rungia pectinata Syn. R.parviflora ( Mushroom Plant) – Acanthaceae,  a small annual herb native to Southeast Asia and can be found growing in a variety of habitats as a weed. It is an important traditional Chinese herbal medicine.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Vicia sativa (known as the common vetch, garden vetch, tare or simply vetch) – Fabaceae,  a common winter weed in north India. It is also cultivated in limited regions due to anti-nutritional compounds in the seed although it is grown in dryland agricultural zones in Australia, China and Ethiopia due to its drought tolerance and very low nutrient requirements compared to other legumes. In these agricultural zones common vetch is grown as a green manure, livestock fodder or rotation crop. Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides Syn.: Senecio confusus, Senecio chenopodioides (Common name: Mexican Flame Vine, Orange Glow Vine) - Asteraceae,  a woody tropical vine with the enchanting summertime habit of covering itself in brilliant daisy-like flowers. The bright orange blossoms change to almost red as the flower age. The scientific name of this plant Senecio confusus translates to "confused old man" referring, probably, to this vine's rampant habit of growth. If not provided support, Mexican flame vine grows this way and that in a confusion of stems that piles up to eventually form a sprawling shrub.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Solanum torvum (Common names: Turkey Berry, susumber, Bhurat, Bhankatiya etc.) - Solanaceae ,  is found throughout the world’s tropical regions, although it is native to Central America. Whole plant is used as sedative, diuretic and stomachic. Fruit decoction is used to cure cough; useful in liver and spleen enlargement. Pounded roots are applied in cracks in the feet.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Vallaris solanacea (Bread flower) - Apocynaceae,  a native to India, the smell is close to kewda, used to flavour rice in south East Asian countries.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Datura metel (Common names: Devil's Trumpet, Horn of plenty, downy thorn apple, Safed dhatura etc.) - Solanaceae,  an herbaceous perennial with a sprawling, mounded habit, has spectacular double / triple-flowers that are white in color with purplish tinge. Plants from the Datura genus have a long history of use throughout both the Old and New Worlds. In India, the species is considered a holy plant called dutra or dhatura. The Daturas have been used for their narcotic properties in the wines and palm beers of Africa and are still used today in Morocco.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Polygonum plebeium Syn.: Polygonum plebejum (Common name: Small Knotweed, chimati saag, Lal buti) - Polygonaceae,  a prostrate, densely branched, annual herb. The species also found in the Himalayas.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Medicinal_Plants Fumaria indica Syn.: F. parviflora var. indica, F. vaillantii var. indica (Indian Fumitory, Pit-papra, Papara) - Papaveraceae,  a delicate much-branched annual herb with clusters of tiny pale-pinkish flowers. Indian Fumitory is also found in Himalayas. The plant is sold under the name pitpapra in Ayurvedic bazaars. It is also used in the Unani system of medicine and incorporated into trifala shahtara. Indian Fumitory is used in aches and pains, diarrhoea, fever, influenza and liver complaints. The herb mixed with honey may be taken internally to prevent vomiting. It is used as a blood purifier for skin diseases and applied externally in leucoderma and as a fomentation for swollen joints. The dried plant is also used as an anthelmintic, diuretic and diaphoretic and, in combination with black pepper, for jaundice.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricult...

Oxalis debilis Syn.: O. corymbosa, O. grandifolia, O. umbrosa (Common name: Large-Flowered Pink Sorrel, lilac oxalis, pink wood sorrel) – Oxalidaceae,  a bulbous plant native to south America, naturalized in parts of India - most likely a garden escape.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012

Medicinal_plants Cullen corylifolium, syn. Psoralea corylifolia (Common names: Purple Fleabane, Babchi, Bavchi, Bakuchi) – Fabaceae,  an important medicinal plant used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine. Seeds are used in the treatment of leprosy, leucoderma, psoriasis and other skin diseases. Seed oil is recommended for application over scalp to treat dandruff.  Reference  Surendra Parihar Ex.Professor and Head. Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,  New Delhi,  India 110012