Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

Garlic  A rich source of anticancer compound ajoene, antioxidants, antimicrobials and a very safe biopesticide.  Garlic (Allium sativum), our common spice, is rich in protein (6%) and carbohydrates (29%) and contain appreciable amounts of copper.  The bulbs yield 0.06-0.1% essential oil containing allyl propyl disulphide and diallyl sulphide.  The antiseptic principle of garlic is a sulphoxide, allicin, which on distillation is converted to diallyl sulphide, diallyl trisulphide, and allyl propyl disulphide.  Garlic contains 13 antibacterial compounds.  The medicinal properties of Garlic are as follows. 1. Anticancer compound  “Ajoene”, formed in garlic preparations, is an efficient anti-leukaemia agent for acute myeloid leukaemia.  It is shown effective in inhibiting tumour cell growth by targeting the microtubule cytoskeleton of such cells and by other mechanisms.  Ajoene decreases basal cell carcinoma tumor size by inducing apoptosis-...

Brassicaceae- A family of Super Antioxidants. This family forms the climax group of the line specializing in glucosinolates (sulphur containing glucosides) and is a successful family with 3250 species belonging to 365 genera.  Distinguishing characters  Pungent herbs due to glucosinolates, erucic acid (a C22 fatty acid), 4 sepals and 4 petals in two opposite decussate pairs. Petals clawed, diagonally disposed forming a cross (hence the old name Cruciferae), stamens 6, tetradynamous, Gynoecium bicarpellary, unilocular, with two parietal placenta, ovary divided by a thin replum (unvasculated partition) connecting the two parietal placenta.  Fruit is a siliqua, valves falling away exposing the replum bearing the ovules.  Useful plants A. Oils 1. Brassica (Latin name of Cabbage- 35spp.), yields a number of species yielding edible oil. B. juncea L., B. nigra Koch. & B. napus yield edible oil – rape seed oil from seeds.All these oils contain a typical C22 uns...

Oldenlandia and Vernonia can protect from Mucormicosis and Aspergillosis. These days the common saprophytic fungi like Mucor, Rhizopus ,Candida and Aspergillus , which are very common in the atmosphere, are playing havoc by creating deadly diseases Mucormicosis (Black fungus) and Aspergillosis (white fungus). But 2 very common plants Parpataka (Oldenlandia corymbosa) and Sahadevi (Vernonia cinerea), seen in our vicinity, can be used to strengthen our nasal membranes, throat, sinuses and lungs and prevent these diseases.  These two plants are conventionally used to combat “all types of fevers”(Sivarajan and Balachandran, 1994).  1. Oldenladia corymbosa/ Hedyotis corymbosa This plant occurs as a weed everywhere.  It contains at least 8 iridoids such as geniposide, 6 alpha – hydroxygeniposide , scandoside methyl ester etc., rutin and (+)- lyoniresinol-3-alpha -o-beta glucopyranoside; steroids like ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and gamma sitosterol and 2 alkaloids ...

Apocynaceae  a family with both Cardiac glycosides and complex Indole alkaloids. Cardiac glycosides are triterpenoid glycosides similar to saponins in forming emulsions in water and a definite effect on the heart mostly promoting heart beats.  And thus all thse palnts are used as cardiotonics.  The indole alkaloids.  The alkaloids here are special indole alkaloids combined with a monoterpene and thus are known as terpenoid alkaloids also.  Both these groups of compounds are seen in related Asclepiadaceae and Rubiaceae. A. Medicinal plants 1. Catharanthus roseus (Vinca rosea) Baramasi, Vinca, Periwinkle) More than 110 indole alkaloids have been reported from the plant.  But the more important are the 20 indole-indoline dimeric alkaloids such as vinblastine (vincaleukoblastine, VLB), vincristine (leurocristine, vincaleurocristine, VCR) are mainly present in aerial parts.  Other diimeric alkaloids present are vincarodine, vincoline, leurocolombine, vinam...

Alternanthera sessilis  Common name:  Stalkless Joyweed,  Sessile Joyweed,  Dwarf copperleaf,  Joyweed , Garundi  Amaranthaceae,  leaves are eaten as fresh green leafy vegetable in many countries of South Asia.  Leaves and roots of this plant are widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat eye and intestinal diseases as well.  In Chennai, Alternanthera sessilis is available round the year as a leafy vegetable in vegetable market.  While in North – India this leafy vegetable is usually available during summer season only.  Surendra Parihar