Kirati (ಕಿರಾತಿ) or Nelabevu

Kirati or Kiratha kaddi or Nelabevu (kala megh in Hindi) is a small herb usually grown in garden as decorative plants in the edges. Since long back only, we had this plant in our garden (at my native). It was told that the plant is useful for worms and Kashaya made of this plant was being used in our home. However detail use of other uses is very interesting. 

Being a potent Siddha and Ayurvedic herb, Nelabevu is widely used in almost all ayurvedic formulations that are directed towards shielding the immune system and getting rid of harmful toxins. Apart from alleviating different types of infectious fever, the bitter herb also provides a traditional remedy for improving physical debility or fatigue, promoting liver functions, enhancing appetite, boosting digestion, improving metabolism and stimulating kidney functions.

You can just appreciate the  useful property of this when you come to know that there are many herbal product of the plant  like juice, dry power, tablet and even capsules are available in the market.  Other surprising thing to me is the article in wikipedia. Here is the text from Wikipedia

"Amid flareup of COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in December 2020 in Thailand, the country’s health ministry had approved the usage of the plant extract for a pilot and alternative treatment program for early stages of the coronavirus infection to reduce the severity of the outbreak and cut treatment costs. The treatment was initially made available in five state-owned hospital on a voluntary basis for those in the age group of 18 to 60 years old with minor symptoms and should be within 72 hours of confirmed infections. The ministry cited that the plant extract can curb virus and reduce severity of inflammation, of which at the time, human trials showed patient conditions improved within three days of the treatment without side effects if the medicine is administered within the said confirmed infections hours.".

https://www.netmeds.com/ gives details of preparation methods of Kashayam and Churna. Also it gives the treatement of different diseases like Chikungunya, Dengue, Malaria, Influenza, Liver Problems. There are other uses of the herb including heart problems, respiratory problems, ulcers, immunity building, diabities, arthitis etc. 

Black pepper

 Black pepper 

Black pepper is very familiar as spice as well as  for medicinal use. Black Pepper is a main ingredient  in ayurvedic  Kashaya, ( a healthy  medicinal drink very famous in coastal karnataka and malanadu region). Pepper became an important article of overland trade between India and Europe and often served as a medium of exchange.

In malanadu region of Karnataka, pepper is grown as side crop in areca nut form. But it is also a commercial  crop there. Its a climber takes support  of trees. However  there is a other variety...which grows as Bush and can be grown in garden pots. 2 years ago I brought 2 bush pepper plants. They started giving  pepper enough for ourselves. But due to my carelessness we lost it. Both the plants were dried when I forgot to water them. Now my pots are waiting for some more Bush pepper  plants. 

Kaki soppu or Black nightshade

Kaake Soppu, also known as Ganike Soppu in Kannada, is a medicinal plant which is not familiar to many people. Scientific name for this plant is Solanum Nigrum (Black Nightshade). It is a familiar  plant for me since childhood due to its use to prepare chutney or tambli which is very useful medicine for mouth ulcer. Leaves of this plant are also used as a good remedy for cold, cough and stomach related problems. Kids love to eat the small, black colored fruits of this plant.

Sanskrit name  of this plant  is Kakamachi and also listed as medicinal plant is Ayurveda. 

Ganike/ kaake soppu and its fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals. It consists of calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin A, B and C.

Uses: Heart disease (with leg and foot swelling),skin diseases, fruit for edema hemorrhoids, gonorrhea, inflammatory swellings, enlarged spleen and liver, fevers, promotes perspiration, cough.External—painful, swollen testicles; poultice forrheumatic and gouty joints.

Lemon Grass Or Maggile Hullu.

 Lemon Grass Or Maggile Hullu.

When we are in Primary school, lemon grass was grown in our school garden. The medical property of lemon grass is not known those days. But we enjoyed the fragrance of it those days. After so many years, its uses drew my attention such that we planted lemon grass in our garden and also using its leaves in kashaya and herbal tea.

Sanskrit  name for Lemon grass is Bhutrin. Essential oil and herbs are used in many ways.

Uses: Bowel spasms, colic, diarrhea, dysmenorrhea (neuralgic), fever, gas, colds, G.I. spasms, intestinal mucus membrane tonic and stimulant; vomiting. Oil/external—bath, perfume, and hair  oils; with coconut for lumbago, rheumatism, neuralgia, sprains, pains, ringworm; excellent tea for Pitta and kidneys.   

Other uses:  In production of citronella oil, which is used in soaps, as an insect repellent (especially mosquitoes and houseflies) in insect sprays and candles, and in aromatherapy.

Bhringaraja

 Bhringaraja Or Kesharaja

Bhringaraja or Keshraja is a commonly found small herb in watery places through out India. In monsoon it is available easily.  Most of the people know this plant due to TV advertisement for Bhringaraja Hair oil. When i was talking about hair oils with my colleagues, one of them asked whether we get Bhringaraja in India. Surprised!!! why is the doubt? He told that in one of the TV advertisements, it has told that Bhringaraja brought from mountains of China is used in this Hair oil. Funny right? Then i told him we too prepared Bhringaraja Hair oil during lock-down last year.  

There was no absolute necessity to prepare the hair oil, it was readily available at medical stores.  I will explain the reason with one more example other than above. In one of the TV advertisement on face cream or face wash, they show the product contain multi-vitamins which is good for skin. But the way they visualize is interesting. They show some capsules named different vitamins entering skin. Is it not possible that the young generation think that the vitamin come through tablets and capsules? Same is with hair oil. My son surprisingly asked me, is it possible to prepare Hair oil.     

This is used in our home to prepare Tambli and hair oil since my childhood. I didn't knew Ayurvedic use of this plant in detail.  

Even though Bhringaraja is found in many places of our garden we were not using except monsoon. Reason is frequent use of pesticide in gardens. When we shifted to individual house, we started using it again. Use of pesticide is banned in our garden. Only thing is to tell gardener not to remove these medicinal plants.

   

Very detailed use of Bhringaraja is mentioned in "The Ayurveda encyclopedia" by Sri Swami Sadashiva Thirtha. 

Uses: This is the main herb for the hair and cirrhosis. It prevents aging, maintains and rejuvenates hair, teeth, bones, memory, sight, and hearing. It is a rejuvenative for Pitta, kidneys, and liver. As an oil, it removes graying, balding, makes the hair darker, and promotes deep sleep. Externally, it draws out poisons and reduces inflammations and swollen glands. It also improves complexion. The root powder is used for hepatitis, enlarged spleen, and skin disorders. Leaf juice boiled in coconut oil makes a hair oil to re-move gray hair and balding.

Nagaraja  Adiga, 

Kaiga.

Doddapatre

 Doddapatre or sambar balli (Kannada names) is having common English name Maxican mint or  Indian borage and scientific name Coleus amboinicus. It smells somewhat like mint and hence the name. This is common herb normally grown in backyard of many houses in our area. It is known to be a must plant if there is small kid at home. This is because of its use for cold and coughs. If you are suffering from a cold, a sore throat, congestion, a stuffy nose, or painful sinuses, you can chew on the leaves or brew tea from the leaves. For children leaf extract mixed with honey is given.

Doddapatre leaves are used to prepare Tambali, Chutney , rasam and Pakoda also. 

A member of the mint family Lamiaceae,[2] Coleus amboinicus grows up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall. Leaves are 5–7 cm (2.0–2.8 in) by 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in), fleshy, undivided (simple), broad, egg/oval-shaped with a tapering tip (ovate). The aroma of the leaves can be described as a pungent combination of the aromas of oregano, thyme, and turpentine; but still it is refreshing. Coleus amboinicus is a fast-growing plant commonly grown in gardens and indoors in pots. Propagation is by stem cuttings.

Apart from use for COLD and cough, following are the other uses:

1.       Skin Care

One of the most popular uses of Indian borage is as an effective skin treatment. From bug bites and stings to eczema and psoriasis, Indian borage possesses the anti-inflammatory compounds that can quickly reduce redness and swelling, while also eliminating itchiness and irritation.

2.       Essential oil extracted from Indian borage is having omega fatty acids like gamma-linolenic acid. This specific fatty acid has been linked to reducing arthritis by increasing joint regeneration.

3.       Contains Vitamin C and A. Good for immunity build up and improving the vision.

4.       Although one of the lesser-known benefits of Indian borage, some of the organic compounds and minerals are mildly sedative in nature. In folk medicine, it has been used as an herbal remedy, particularly in tea form – to those with high anxiety or chronic stress to induce relaxation, peace of mind, and healthy, restful sleep.

5.       Indian borage acts as a very effective diuretic, which means that it can rid the body of toxins by stimulating urination; this also reduces the amount of excess salt, fat, and water in the body, keeping the kidneys and lymphatic system functioning smoothly.

6.       Relieves from Fever: If you are suffering from a cold or flu, a common symptom is a fever. Indian borage is considered to be sudorific, meaning that it stimulates sweating, which also helps to clear out toxins through the skin and speed the recovery process. Moreover, borage is also used in Asia and South America to treat cholera and meningitis. It is also used to treat sensory disorders associated with the ears and eyes.

7.       Irritable Bowel Syndrome:  In folk medicine, Indian borage was commonly used to settle upset stomachs and relieve irritable bowel syndrome by regulating digestion and soothing stomach inflammation. Brewing tea from the leaves of Indian borage is still considered an effective way to take advantage of this health benefit.

Eshwari Plant - Indian birthwort

Eshwari Plant-Indian Birthwort

 Another important plant we were using during our childhood is Eshwari Plant. My Mom use to tell us to bring the roots of eshwari Plant. Oil prepared from this root is applied to wounds and boils, which are common those days. Eshwari root is having the property of anti bacterial and anti fungal such that it heals the wound  fast. This was the homemade alternate for antiseptic ointments of these days. 

With Scientific name  Aristolochia indica L, this plant is known by many names in Ayurveda, such as Ishwari, Nakuli, Iswarimoolam, Garudi, Sunanda, and Arkamula. 

Some information from Internet: 

• It is used in Ayurveda for the treatment of Visha (poison). The tribal people are using this plant from ancient times to treat cobra poison, and scorpion stings. The bruised roots are applied to bites of centipedes, and scorpion stings. 1.5 inch root is smashed, and placed under the tongue for the neutralization of snake venom.
• The powdered root with honey is given for dropsy, leukoderma, tonsillitis, and chronic dyspepsia.
• For fever, indigestion, and digestive disorders, one pinch of root powder is taken with warm water.
• The fresh leaves ground with water are applied in acute, and chronic rheumatism.
• For swelling, the seed paste is applied externally.
• For headaches, the paste of leaves is mixed with turmeric, and applied on forehead, twice a day.
• For leucoderma, skin diseases, wounds, and swelling the paste of leaves is applied topically on the affected areas.

Side-effects, and Warnings:

1. This plant is included in list of poisonous plants found in India.
2. In large doses the herb acts as a local irritant, and provokes nausea, griping pains in the bowels, pain in anus, and vomiting. In higher doses, it may prove lethal.

Source: https://www.easyayurveda.com/2017/03/29/ishwari-aristolochia-indica-indian-birthwort/ and others.

Eshwari Plant is host plant for southern birdwing and common rose butterflies. One Eshwari plant is grown just outside our compound and  i was egarly waited for birdwing to lay the egg on that. In this summar common rose laid eggs and there were a lot of caterpillars.  I was disappointed to for not sighting a single pupa from these caterpillar naturally. Hence I took care of one of the caterpillar and released beautiful butterfly emerged. Some Snaps are here.