Kalonji, black cumin, nigella or by its scientific name Nigella sativa

Kalonji, black cumin, nigella or by its scientific name Nigella sativa, this seed belongs to the buttercup family of flowering plants.

It produces a fruit with black seeds that are used as a spice full of flavors in many cuisines around the world.

Nigella Sativa is also known for its medicinal properties as they are very powerful.

How to consume the seeds:

They can be toasted, grounded or used whole to add flavor any types of dishes.

They work really well on avocado toast, in salads, eggs, bread and much more!

You can also just eat the seeds raw and even mix them with honey.

Another way to consume them is black seed oil.

You can add to your smoothie, drink, in your salad dressing. It is very easy to incorporate.

The oil can also be applied topically as a natural remedy in order to increase hair growth, reduce inflammation locally and treat different types of skin issues.

Remember, this should be part of a healthy diversified diet and lifestyle. Excessive consumption -like anything else- is not recommended.

Also note that Nutrition is only one of the components of the healing process when it comes to healing chronic illness, including Cancer.

Mind Body and Soul are interconnected and should all be adressed equally to promote healing and preventing relapse.

Combretum albidium , Odakodi , Venaankodi , ulavaimaram

Botanical name : 

  Combretum albidium 

Family : Combretaceae 

Siddha synonyms : Odakodi , Venaankodi , ulavaimaram 

Med uses : Leaves used to treat APD and stem juice given for Diarrhea (folklore usage is documented)

Scoparia dulcis , Kaatukothamalli , Sarkaraivembu

Botanical name : Scoparia dulcis

Family : Plantaginaceae

Siddha synonyms : Kaatukothamalli , Sarkaraivembu 

Medicinal action : Diuretic , antidiabetic 

Used part : whole plant

Medical uses : The plant juice acts as a potent diuretic and used to treat Renal calculi 

The leaves are used to reduce Blood sugar level in patients with Hyperglycaemia

Clitoria ternatea var alba , Vellai sangupoo , Vensangupushpam , Venkaakattan

Botanical name : Clitoria ternatea var alba 

Family : Fabaceae 

Siddha synonyms : Vellai sangupoo , Vensangupushpam , Venkaakattan 

Medication action : Purgative 

Used part : Seeds and Root 

Medicinal uses : 

Main use is it is used to treat Filariasis and reduce swelling over the lymph nodes 

And Acts as a strong purgative and so Used in constipation patients in Mild doses . Heavy dose not recommended 

Precaution : Avoid in Pregnancy and lactation

Blepharis maderaspatensis

Botanical name: Blepharis maderaspatensis  

 Family: Acanthaceae 

Siddha synonyms: Naethirampondu , Aruthalaiporuthi 

Medicinal action : Diuretic , Antidiarrheal 

Used part : Whole plant 

Medicinal uses : 

Traditionally used to Treat Migraine with the oil made with the Plant .Whole plant is used for treating diarrhea .

The whole Plant is ideal treatment for treating eye diseases

Hygrophila auriculata , Astercantha longifolia

Hygrophila auriculata , Astercantha longifolia 

Siddha Name : Neermulli 

Uses in Siddha medicine : Potent Diuretic and Aphrodisiac 

The whole plant, roots, seeds, and ashes of the plant are extensively used in traditional system of medicine for various ailments like rheumatism, inflammation, jaundice, hepatic obstruction, pain, urinary infections, oedema and gout. It is classified in ayurvedic system as seethaveeryam, mathuravipaka and used for the treatment of premeham (diabetes), athisaram (dysentry) etc (Nadkarni, 1978; Chopra et al., 1986).

Amaranthus graecizans

Amaranthus graecizans 

 Siddha Name : Sirukeerai  

Use : It has the potential to increase Sperm count

Portulaca pilosa

Portulaca pilosa

Family - Portulacaceae

Common name - Pink Purslane

Habit - Herb

Habitat - It found in the river beds

Medicinal uses 

It is used in Brazil as a traditional remedy to cause diuresis.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Cuttack Odisha, India

Date - 2 February 2024

Place - Mahanadi area, Cuttack, Odisha, India

Note - This particular herb is only seen in river beds and its main function is to bind to the soil & home

 for many insects.

Reference :- 

Sugimani Marandi

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, 

Cuttack, Odisha,India

Verbascum coromandelianum (Vahl)

Verbascum coromandelianum (Vahl) Hub.-Mor.

Family - Scrophulariaceae

Common name - Chinese Mullein

Habit - Herb

Habitat- Found in moist areas

Medicinal uses - The whole plant paste is applied externally to treat against skin infection.

Reference :- 

Sugimani Marandi

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, 

Cuttack, Odisha,India

Drosera burmannii

Drosera burmannii 

Family - Droseraceae

Common name - Burmanni's Sundew, Pokakhai

Habit - Herb

Habitat- It grows where soil quality is low.

Medicinal uses - The whole plant is used as cough.

Reference :- 

Sugimani Marandi

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, 

Cuttack, Odisha,India

Urtica dioica , Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) – Urticaceae, 

 an herbaceous perennial monoecious plant spread in temperate and sub-tropical zones. Nettle has a long medicinal history. In medieval Europe, it was used as a diuretic and to treat joint pain. In addition, it has been used for hundreds of years to treat anemia, eczema, arthritis, and gout. Other folk medicine applications are wound healing and treatment of scalp seborrhea. Modern clinical application of nettle is in the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), cardiovascular symptoms, diabetes, arthritis, and allergic rhinitis.

Reference 

Surendra Parihar

Ex.Professor and Head.

Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology.

Indian Agricultural Research Institute,

Pusa, 

New Delhi, 

India 110012

Celosia argentea Syn.: Celosia japonica, Celosia stricta, Celosia plumose , Silver Cockscomb, White Cockscomb, Flamingo Feathers, Wheat Celosia

Medicinal_Plants

Celosia argentea Syn.: Celosia japonica, Celosia stricta, Celosia plumose (Common name: Silver Cockscomb, White Cockscomb, Flamingo Feathers, Wheat Celosia) – Amaranthaceae,

 an erect branching plant with narrow-elliptic or lance-shaped leaves with hundreds of tiny flowers packed in dense spikes of silver-white flowers which usually stand above the foliage. This species also found in the Himalayas and Western Ghats and also used in folk medicine as the seeds are hypotensive and ophthalmic and used in the treatment of diarrhoea, bloodshot eyes, blurring of vision, cataracts and hypertension. The seeds are widely used in India for the treatment of diabetes mellitus). 

Reference 

Surendra Parihar

Ex.Professor and Head.

Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology.

Indian Agricultural Research Institute,

Pusa, 

New Delhi, 

India 110012

Scoparia dulcis , licorice weed, goatweed, scoparia-weed, and sweet-broom

Scoparia dulcis (commonly known as licorice weed, goatweed, scoparia-weed, and sweet-broom) – Plantiginaceae,

 a native to the Neotropics but can be found throughout the tropical and subtropical world. Considered a weed, it has been used in traditional medicine for various purposes. For instance, it has been used for diabetes in India and hypertension in Taiwan. In Siddha medicine, it is used for the treatment of kidney stones. Chemicals that have been isolated from Scoparia dulcis include scoparinol and epinephrine. 

Reference 

Surendra Parihar

Ex.Professor and Head.

Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology.

Indian Agricultural Research Institute,

Pusa, 

New Delhi, 

India 110012

Carissa carandas, commonly known as Karonda

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

Ficus racemose Syn. F. glomerata ,cluster figs, gular figs, Indian figs, Atti, Buah Loa, Lo fruits etc.

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 trees are often planted in temples dedicated to Dattatreya.

Reference 

Surendra Parihar

Ex.Professor and Head.

Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology.

Indian Agricultural Research Institute,

Pusa, 

New Delhi, 

India 110012

Vernonia anthelmintica

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

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 pectinate Syn. Parviflora Mushroom Plant

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

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 , Mexican Flame Vine, Orange Glow Vine

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