Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica Roxb), Indian Rubber Tree  Did you know that Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica Roxb) or the Indian Rubber Tree or Assam rubber, though not commercially viable now, is still trained as a living suspension bridge to ford streams in Meghalaya, India? The Rubber Plant with botanical name Ficus elastica Roxb , known as Indian Rubber Tree or Assam Rubber, is native of South east Asia India in particular, where it grows as a large tree (30 to 50 m high) in the virgin forest (a forest in its natural state). It is now widely spread in the Eastern Himalayas, foothills from Nepal eastwards through Sikkim, Bhutan, ArunachaL Padesh, Assam and Khasi Hills (Meghalaya), upto 1200 m, formerly tapped in the wild for its rubber. It was planted commerically in the 19th century as source of rubber, but was supplanted soon after the domestication of Para Rubber tree, :Havea brasilensis". Now, the Rubber Plant is one of most familiar of tropical house-...

Vengai maram or tree or Honne mara (Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb)  Did you know that the Vengai maram or tree or Honne mara (Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb) is native to India under which marriages were performed during the flowering season when brides would adorn themselves with garlands of Vengai flowers? The Vengai maram or tree or Honne mara, with the scintific name Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb in the family Fabaceae / Leguminosae - Pea family, grown thoughout the tropical zones of India in the hilly regions, particularly common in Southern and Central India, is a medium to large size tree, affording excellent shade and timber. It is widely used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Pterocarpus marsupium or Vengai tree is well-known as Malabar kino, Indian Kino, East Indian kino, Indian kino, and Vijaysar. Its vernacular names in India are: Vijaysar, Asanah, Andhukapushpa, Jivakah, Mahasarjakah, pitasalakah, priyakah in Sanskrit; Vijaysara in Hindi; Vengai in Tami...

Taraxacum sp.(Dandelion) Taraxacum officinale is the most common species. We may be most familiar with dandelion as a stubborn weed that never seems to leave our lawn or garden. However, in traditional herbal medicine practices, dandelions are revered for their wide array of medicinal properties. For centuries, they’ve been used to treat a myriad of physical ailments, including cancer, acne, liver disease and digestive disorders. Here are some of the potential health benefits of dandelions, and what science has to say about them. From root to flower, dandelions are highly nutritious plants, loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and serve as an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate and small amounts of other B vitamins . Dandelion greens provide a substantial amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium . The root of the dandelion is rich in the carbohydrate...

Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch Family: Poaceae Common name: Cogon grass Habit : Herb Habitat: Grasslands, roadsides and hardwood forests Medicinal uses: ☘️Decoction of this grass is used to treat urinary tract infections, fever and thirst.  ☘️Root is used as tonic.  ☘️It is also used to treat nose bleeds, oedema and jaundice.  Subhadarshini Satapathy (Biodiversity and Conservation Lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Cuttack, Odisha)

Chloris barbata Sw.  Family - Poaceae Common name - Swollen finger grass Habit - Herb Habitat - Dry regions, wasteland and roadside Medicinal uses-  🌼Plant is used to treat rheumatism.  🌼Plant juice is used to treat skin disorder.  🌼Leaf juice is used to treat fever and diabetes.  Subhadarshini Satapathy (Biodiversity and Conservation Lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Cuttack, Odisha)