Indian Herbs and their medicinal benefits

1. Holy Basil (तुळस,तुलसी)

Properties- Antiviral, Antifungal, Blood Purifier

Uses-

To cure wet cough- chew 5 to 6 Basil leaves and 2 to 3 Black time to time.
To increase appetite and to decrease gases . To improve digestion drink leaf juice.
To purify blood- Drink leaf juice to improve blood circulation and strength the heart.
To cure malaria bronchitis- Fresh juice and leaves along with pepper seeds.
To cure skin diseases like ring worm, skin allergies, insect bites etc. Apply fresh leaf extract.
Dried powder is used as snuff in cold or in stuffy nose.
To relieve pain- the paste of entire plant is applied over swellings.
The paste of fresh tender leaves, when applied over face as mask regularly clears black spots, pimples, reshes etc.

2. Neem

Properties- Antiseptic, Anthelminthic Astringent

Uses-

The fruit pulp (5 gm. on empty stomach consume lukewarm water daily) kills worms in the digestive system.
Chewing fresh leaves (5-10) everyday purifies blood.
Juice of fresh leaves helps to cure various diseases of digestive system such as vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea etc.
Indigestion- 5gm. of Neem flowers should be soaked in glass of water overnight and consume.
Seed oil is used as external stimulant in leprosy eczema and other skin diseases.
Paste of leaves is used to heal small/minor wounds.
Abases wounds etc. are cured by leaf paste.
Leaves are boiled in water and used in chicken pox.
Leaf infusion is used to cure itching of the skin.
Neem oil is used to massage the joints n rheumatic pains.
Paste of seeds is applied on head to get rid of from hair lice.
Leaves are burned in the sieving to kill mosquitoes and other pesters.
Leaf paste is also used to clear dental infections.

3. Turmeric

Properties- Stimulant, Carminative, Antiseptic, Blood purifier, Wound healing agent, Bleaching agent

Uses-

To relieve flatulence and loss of appetite 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder is taken 3 times daily.
In diabetes- 1/2 tsp. juice and amla powder is taken daily.
To cure cough cold and other chest congestion- Turmeric powder is taken in hot milk.
In dry cough- Turmeric powder is mixed with honey and taken regularly.
Turmeric powder is sprinkled on the wounds and ulcers for speedy healing.
For pain- hot paste with lime juice and salt is applied.
In small cuts and wounds- powder is used to stop bleeding and as antibacterial agent.
In painful piles- onion juice, warm linseed oil and turmeric powder mixture is applied.
Turmeric powder is an excellent bleaching agent- so when applied on face (in face pack/face mask etc.) given fair complexion.

4. Asafetida

Properties- Moderate stimulant, Disinfectant, Anti-spasmodic, Expectorant

Uses-

An enema (3 gms. of asafetida in 100 ml of water) cures intestinal worms.
To cure all digestive disorders- asafetida is fried in ghee and eaten.
Take 5gms. of asafetida fried in ghee for urinary retention and pan in the bladder region.

5. Mustard

Properties- Carminative, anti microbial

Uses-

1/2 gms. mustard powder, honey and ghee- eat slowly for hiccup.
To increase appetite-1/2gm. mustard powder, 1gm sugar, ghee- eat 1/2 an hour before meals.
For stomach ache- 1/2 gm. powder with old jaggery.
To cure flatulence- milk cream and mustard powder.
To kill germs in wounds- mix mustard powder, honey and ghee well and apply on wounds. Germs are killed immediately.
To cure sty- eat mustard powder and ghee.

6. Coriandar

Properties- Aromatic, Stimulant Carminative, Antspasmodic

Uses-

Paste of coriander leaves is applied on swelling or on forehead for headache.
In mouth ulcers and throat infections- juice of coriander is held in mouth.
Decoction of seeds is used to wash eyes in conjunctivitis.
Seeds are boiled in water and this water quenches thirst immediately.
Seeds are chewed to correct foul breath.
In bleeding from nose- 1-2 drops of leaves of coriander juice is dropped in nose.
Coriander seeds water increases urination.

7. Cumin

Properties- Aromatic, Carminative, Astringent

Uses-

The cumin paste is applied on face to improve complexion.
In skin healing and allergic rashes- cumin boiled water is poured over affected area.
White cumin seeds are given after child birth to increase mil secreation (10-30 gms. wth gaggery everyday.)
Cumin is fried and powdered and taken with honey (5 gms. twice a day) to cure loss ao appetite, vomiting, indigestion and flatulence.
To cure excessive white discharge, same powder can be taken.

8. Fenugreek

Properties- Carminative, promotes hair growth

Uses-

Paste of seeds is mixed with curd and applied on scalp.
In pain, swelling and abcesses, paste of seeds is warmed and applied.
Seed powder is used to cure loss of appetite, colic, diarrhea etc.
Seeds roasted in ghee are powdered and used to make porridge to increase milk flow in nursing mothers
To control diabetes- seeds are soaked in water and eaten raw next day. Remaining water should be used for drinking.
To consume obesity- soaked seeds should be taken regularly.

9. Ginger

Properties- Carminative, Appetizer, Stimulate blood circulation, increase perspiration and menstruation bleeding, counter-irritant

Uses-

To cure loss of appetite-11/2 tbs. ginger powder boiled in water for 10-15 minutes and consume it 3 times a day or 1/2 tbs. powder mixed in 1/2 tbs. honey to be taken 1 hour before lunch and dinner.
For flatulence and colic pain- eat small piece of ginger just before meal.
In sore throat infection gargle with ginger water 1tbs. fresh root boiled in 1 glass of water.
In painful and swollen joints- 5gms. Dry ginger powder with castor oil to be taken 2 times a day.
Warm paste can be applied in painful joints.
For headache- Paste is applied on forehead with care (as it is hot in nature).
For cold- Boil ginger in water and used it to prepare tea.
To purify blood and to increase blood circulation- juice should be taken regularly.

10. Garlic

Properties- Stimulant, Carminative, Tonic relieves paralysis, Sciatica, Gout

Uses-

Paste of Garlic is applied for facial palsy, paralysis, swelling with pain.
For worms infections- its paste is applied in infected area as it is antimicrobial.
It reduces blood pressure cholesterol.
Paste is applied as anti irradiant on insect bite.
Juice of garlic along with gingerly oil is used as ear drops to cure earaches.
Juice is used to prevent recurrence of cold.

11. Black Pepper

Properties- Carminative, Stimulant, Count irritant

Uses-

Paste of seeds (either directly or with any oil) is applied in oozing and itching skin.
Paste is applied on painful and swollen area.
Decoction is used in dental problems and in throat infection as gargle.
Pepper powder mixed with ghee is applied on allergic rashes.
In all digestive disorder- 5gms of powder is consumed with a cup of buttermilk.
Decoction is taken to cure cough, common cold and dysphoea (breathing difficulty.)
Paste is applied with care on eyes to cure sty.

12. Clove

Properties- Carminative, Stimulants, Antispasmodic

Uses-

Paste is applied on forehead to cure headache and cold.
In dental cavities and toothache oil of clove is applied by dipping cotton in oil and then putting it on teeth.
Oil of clove is massaged to sciatica, rheumatoid arthritis or any joint pain.
Decoction of clove is useful in various illnesses such as- Hyper acidity, Vomiting, Flatulence, Cough, Thirst, Burning urination and Colic pan.
Cough and Asthma can be cured by taking decoction regularly. It also removes bad breathe.

13. Sesame Seeds-

Properties- Emollient, Laxative

Uses-

Sesame oil is used for dressing wounds.
Oil promotes hair growth and blackens the hair.
In cracked feet- oil should be massaged after cleaning feet daily at night.
To cure constipation- 4-5 tsp sesame seeds and drink warm water before going to bed’
Above remedy cures even bleeding piles- 20gms of sesame powdered and 20gms of fresh butter in warm water eat once n morning.
To increase urination- Crush sesame and warm it and apply externally on belly below naval.
For excess hunger- drink 4-5 drops of sesame oil morning and evening.
Drinking sesame oil can cure stomachache due to ulcers.
To cure obesity- drink 10gms of sesame oil morning and evening.

14. Poppy Seeds-

Properties- Narcotic, Sedative, Nutritive, Astringent, Avoid in large doses for longer duration and in pregnant ladies

Uses-

In all swelling and painful conditions the poppy seed paste is applied.
For eyes or years inflammation paste is applied around ears and Eyes.
In sciatica, abdominal pain etc. 3grams of poppy seeds are powdered with ghee and eaten two to three times a day.
Same medicine can be taken for insomnia.
20 to 25 ml poppy seeds decoctions twice a day is useful for all nervous disorders.

15. Glycyrrhizin (Gyesthamadh)-

Properties- Nutritive, Stimulant, Bleaching agent

Uses-

It improves the sound- mix powdered glycyrrhizin with powdered pepper 4:1 thoroughly, make small pills and consume daily.
Apply paste on face – improves complexion.
Decoction is used to wash hair to prevent premature greying and hair fall.
Decoction with honey – cures cough.
Powder + Honey – stops hiccups.
For Mouth ulcers – use decoction for gargling.
For wounds – boil powder in less water + ghee and apply on wounds.

16. Onion-

Properties- Stimulant, Expectorant, Diuretic

Uses-

To strengthen the weak body – early morning bake 1 small onion on coal and eat.
To cure indigestion – mix 2tsp of onion juice and 2tsp of ginger juice and consume frequently.
In insomnia – onion and sweet fresh curd consume at night everyday.
Onion should be hold near the nose of unconscious man to bring him to consciousness state.
In epileptic attack same treatment should be given.
For nose bleeding – smell onion during Summer Heat.

18. Pomegranate-

Properties- Astringent, Blood purifier

Uses-

To cure hyperacidity and low appetite – dried and powdered pomegranate is taken 2 or 3 times a day.
In children diarrhea buds are eaten with goat’s milk.
Fresh juice of fruit along with peel is taken as blood purifier.
Fresh fruit juice is useful in urinary disorders.
In nose bleeding – juice of fruit peel should be put in nose (2-4 drops).

19. Banana-

Properties- Coolant, Laxative

Uses-

Tender leaves with oil to be applied to soothe blisters and inflammation of skin.
Fruit pulp works excellent as a face mask on face.
Juice of roots with borax is used to wash wounds and ulcers.
In constipation – eat banana on empty stomach early morning.
In hyperacidity, heart burns – stalk and leaves ash is taken (5gms) twice a day in anemic condition.
Root powder is taken (5gms) twice the day in anemic conditions.
In an accidental swallowing of small things like pin, coin, button etc. eat 4-5 bananas immediately.
Urine retention is cured by – 1 ripe banana + 1 tsp Amla juice + 1 tbsp sugar.
To cure excess thirst – eat one banana.
To get rid of painful piles – eat a banana after meal.

20. Coconut-

Properties- Nutritious, Coolant, Astringent, Stimulant, Promotes hair growth

Uses-

To lighten scars and smoothen burning sensation in chicken pox Measles wash with tender coconut water.
Oil from burnet kennel is applied on leprosy and other skin diseases.
Coconut oil is excellent hair growth promotes and rejuvenator.
Coconut oil is useful for burning and dryness of skin.
Tender coconut water is an excellent diuretic.
In hyperacidity – tender fruit pulp smoothens gastric membrane.
Dry coconut is useful in male sterility.
When body is feeling numbness and coldness after perspiration – eat 1gm dry coconut + 1gm garlic + 1gm ajwain.
Drink coconut water everyday to kill intestinal germs.
To cure loss of appetite – make paste of kernels and honey and eat for continuous 7 days.