20 Indian Herbs Unveiled: Exploring Their Remarkable Medicinal Benefits

Holy Basil: The Stress-Busting Herb for Mind and Body

Holy Basil: The Stress-Busting Herb for Mind and Body
Holy Basil

Holy Basil Properties- Antiviral, Antifungal, Blood Purifier

Uses and Benefits of Holy Basil

  • 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, rashes etc.

Neem: Nature’s Pharmacy for Skin and Hair

Neem properties- Antiseptic, Anthelminthic Astringent

Uses and Benefits of Neem

  • 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- 5 gm. 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.

Turmeric: The Golden Spice for Health and Healing

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

Uses and Benefits of Turmeric

  • 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.

Asafetida

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

Uses and Benefits of Asafetida

  • An enema (3 gm. 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.

Mustard

Mustard Properties- Carminative, anti microbial

Uses and Benefits of Mustard

  • 1/2 gm. mustard powder, honey and ghee- eat slowly for hiccup.
  • To increase appetite-1/2 gm. 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.

Coriander

Coriander Properties- Aromatic, Stimulant Carminative, Antispasmodic

Uses and Benefits of Coriander

  • 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.

Cumin

Cumin Properties- Aromatic, Carminative, Astringent

Uses and Benefits of Cumin

  • 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.

Fenugreek: The Herb with Multiple Health Benefits

Fenugreek Properties- Carminative, promotes hair growth

Uses and Benefits of Fenugreek

  • Paste of seeds is mixed with curd and applied on scalp.
  • In pain, swelling and abscesses, 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.

Ginger: More than Just a Spice – Its Medicinal Marvels

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

Uses and Benefits of Ginger

  • 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.

Garlic

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

Uses and Benefits of Garlic

  • 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.

Black Pepper

Black Pepper Properties- Carminative, Stimulant, Count irritant

Uses and Benefits of Black Pepper

  • 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.

Clove

Clove Properties- Carminative, Stimulants, Antispasmodic

Uses and Benefits of Clove

  • 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.

Sesame Seeds

Sesame Seeds Properties- Emollient, Laxative

Uses and Benefits of Sesame Seeds

  • 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.

Poppy Seeds

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

Uses and Benefits of Poppy Seeds

  • 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.

Glycyrrhizin (Gyesthamadh)

Glycyrrhizin Properties- Nutritive, Stimulant, Bleaching agent

Uses and Benefits of Glycyrrhizin/Gyesthamadh

  • 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.

Onion

Onion Properties- Stimulant, Expectorant, Diuretic

Uses and Benefits of Onion

  • 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.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate Properties- Astringent, Blood purifier

Uses and Benefits of Pomegranate

  • 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).

Banana

Banana Properties- Coolant, Laxative

Uses and Benefits of Banana

  • 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.

Coconut

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

Uses and Benefits of Coconut

  • 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.