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 ...