|
|
|
Ayurvedic Herbs / Thai Herbs - Medicinal Plants - A
|
|
|
Ayurvedic
Medicine |
|
Basics
|
|
There are numerous medicinal plants in current use in Thailand.
Ayurvedic medicine and Thai traditional
medicine, each finding many uses and deserving to be exhibited to the
enthusiasts who wish to know about the characteristics of its stem, flower,
fruit together with the research work undertaken, it is impossible to
exhibit all, or even the majority, of them. For this reason some common
medicinal plants which received research attention both locally and
internationally have been selected. In addition, some which
have so far attracted little attention from
researchers have also been included owing to their recognition in
Ayurvedic Medicine and traditional medicine in Thailand
as well as some Asian countries.
The information
has been
searched from the literature, selected and edited in order to be presented in
this site, which will familiarize the reader with general characters of such plants. No botanical details are given
owing to the nature of this
work and also to limited space. Sketches of the plants, however, are
given to enable the reader to recognize them. It should be noted that
all Thai, Sanskrit, Latin and English common names of the plants
appearing in this site are transliterated into English with the sound in
mind, and not according to the official rules. In addition, owing to
the limited space the traditional
usage of each plant is meant to be representative, and by no means comprehensive.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is prepared by treating biotite (mica) with
the juices of a number of reconstituent plants that make it a
powerful cellular regenerator. It is a nervine tonic and is also
widely used in respiratory tract infections, and anemia. It
contains iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium and aluminum in
traces. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It
is an erect, annual or biennial, hirsute herb. The fatty oil of
the seeds contain phospholipids-a-cephalin, and
phosphatidylserine. The seeds are antiseptic, stomachic, tonic,
carminative and aphrodisiac.
It is used in the treatment of male sexual
disorders and venereal diseases. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
softly tomentose herb or shrub, with yellow or orange-yellow
flowers.
The plant is reported to contain fructose,
galactose, glucose, glutamic acid, aspartic acid and
galacturonic acid. The drug is used as a febrifuge, has
antihelmentic, and anti-inflammatory properties, and is useful
in urinary and uterine discharges, piles and lumbago. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
moderate sized tree with feathery crown, pinnate leaves and a
pair of recurved prickles at the base of the rachis. Catechin
and catechutannic acid are the major active constituents in the
wood extract. Taxifolin, another constituent has antibacterial,
anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Traditionally, it is used for the treatment of cough and sore
throat.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
moderate-sized, almost evergreen tree with a short trunk, a
spreading crown and feathery foliage.
The bark from the branches yield 7-12 per cent
tannin and is used for asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, dysentery,
diarrhea and skin diseases.
The stem is used as a toothbrush and
the gum for burns. The leaves are useful for eye complaints,
headache, throat infection, urinary problems and gonorrhea.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A common, prickly, scandent shrub. The pods yield
saponins (20.8%) which have been reported to contain acacinin-C,
-D and -E and a homologous series of oligosaccharides. An
ointment prepared from the ground pods is good for skin
diseases. A decoction of the pods relieves biliousness and acts
as a purgative. It is used to remove dandruff and has a
detangling effect on the hair, which helps in increasing the
hair volume.
The pods, known as Shikai or Shikakai, are
extensively used as a detergent, and the dry ones are powdered
and perfumed, and sold in the market as soap nut powder. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Achillea
millefolium
is a perennial herb that contains the alkaloid achilline, and
also yields an essential oil, Espirt d' Iva. The herb possesses
diaphoretic, vulnerary, styphic, astringent, emmenogogue,
stimulant, tonic and anti-hemorrhoidal properties.
It is useful in influenza and heavy chest colds
and also as a blood-purifier. It has carminative, digestive,
astringent and anti-spasmodic properties. It is used in the
treatment of flatulence, colic and
heartburn. A decoction of the
herb is said to give significant relief in chronic colic. It is
also used in various hepatic disorders.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An
erect or procumbent, annual or perennial herb, often with a
woody base.
The whole plant contains the alkaloids
achyranthine and betaine. The plant is much valued in indigenous
medicine. It is reported to be pungent, astringent, pectoral and
diuretic. It is used as an emmenagogue, and in piles and skin
eruptions. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
biennial herb, with a tuberous and paired root.
The roots contain five diterpene alkaloids, viz.
palmatisine, vakognavine, vakatisine, vakatisinine and vakati.
The root is intensely bitter and is used in combination with
long pepper for pain in bowels, diarrhea, and vomiting.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acorus
calamus
is a semi-aquatic herb with creeping rhizomes.
The dried rhizomes constitute the drug Calamus of
commerce. The rhizomes, roots and leaves yield a light brownish
yellow volatile oil called calamus oil. The important
constituents of Indian calamus oil are asarone and its b-isomer.
The rhizomes are considered to possess sedative
and analgesic properties. They are used for the treatment of
epilepsy, chronic diarrhea and dysentery, bronchial catarrh,
fever, glandular and abdominal tumors, kidney and liver
complaints, rheumatism and eczema.
It has been used in indigenous systems of
medicine (eg. Ayurveda) to improve memory retention and recall.
A combination of B. monnieri and A. calamus significantly
increases memory and controls hyperactivity in children. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adhatoda
zeylanica
is an evergreen, gregarious, stiff perennial shrub.
Its principal constituents are the several
alkaloids which are present in the drug and its chief principal
is a quinazoline alkaloid, vasicine. The leaves are rich in
Vitamin C and carotene and yield an essential oil. The shrub is
the source of the drug, vasaka, well known in indigenous systems
of medicine for its beneficial effects, particularly in
bronchitis. The leaves, flowers, fruits and roots are
extensively used for treating cold, cough, whooping-cough,
chronic bronchitis and asthma. It acts as a
sedative-expectorant, antispasmodic and antihelmentic. The
leaf-juice is stated to cure diarrhea, dysentery and glandular
tumor, and, is given as an emmenagogue. The powder is reported
to be used as a poultice on rheumatic joints, as a
counter-irritant on inflammatory swellings, on fresh wounds,
urticaria and in neuralgia.
It has strong coagulant action which is very
useful to minimize blood loss and also possesses uterine
stimulant activity and acts as uterotonic. It also useful for
the control of postpartum hemorrhage. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aegle
marmelos
is a moderate-sized, slender, aromatic tree, with straight,
sharp spines in the branches.
It is a fruit used in diarrhea, dysentery and
cholera due to its digestive and carminative properties. Both
ripe and unripe fruit are regarded as an astringent. It helps in
the healing of ulcerated intestinal surfaces. It possesses
antiviral, antihelmentic, and anti-inflammatory properties and
has appreciable activity against Vibrio cholera and Salmonella.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A cardiac tonic – it allays palpitation of the
heart. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
volatile oil contains allicin (diallyl thiosulphinate), an
active odorous principle in Garlic.
The extracts of Allium sativum bulb and compound
preparation possess pharmacodynamic properties. The extract of
garlic was found to have a significant protective action against
a fat induced increase in serum cholesterol and plasma
fibrinogen and in fibrinolytic activity. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aloe
barbadensis
is a coarse-looking perennial plant with a short stem, erect,
with crowded leaves that has spiny teeth on the margins.
It contains enzymes, polysaccharides and
nutrients which exhibit antibacterial and antifungal action. It
also has a natural sunscreen effect that moisturizes the skin.
Its principal constituents are the leaves that contain barbaloin,
chrysophanol glycoside and the aglycone, aloe-emodin. The leaf
juice forms the main source of the drug. Aloes have long been in
use for a host of diseases, particularly those connected with
the digestive system; they have also been used for wounds,
burns, dermatitis, cutaneous leishmaniasis and other skin
troubles. It is used in eye troubles, spleen and liver ailments.
Kumari is also known to relieve dysmenorrhea in
young women by expelling uterine debris.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alpinia galanga
has anti-inflammatory properties and is useful in rheumatism and
rheumatoid arthritis.
It contains enzymes, polysaccharides and
nutrients, which exhibit antibacterial effect and acts against
streptococci, staphylococci and coliform bacteria.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It
is an annual or perennial prostrate herb, found throughout
hotter parts of India. It is rich in b-Carotene. It shows
antibacterial and anti-fungal activities.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
tall, perennial herb, with leafy stems.
The seeds contain the glycosides, petunidin
3,5-diglucoside and leucocyanidin-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, and a
new aurone glycoside, subulin. The seeds on steam distillation
yield a dark brown, mobile essential oil (2.5%) having the
characteristic odor of cineol.
Medicinally, the seeds are credited with
stimulant, stomachic, alexipharmic and astringent properties,
and are prescribed for the treatment of indigestion, vomiting,
biliousness, abdominal pains and rectal diseases. The oil from
the seeds is aromatic, stimulant, anti-inflammatory and it is
highly active against growth of keratinophilic fungi.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
perennial, procumbent herb, the roots of which are used in
medicine.
They contain anacyclin, pellitorine, enetriyne
alcohol, hydrocarolin, inulin, traces of volatile oil and
-sesamin. The roots possess stimulant and rubifacient
properties. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It
is an erect herb with quadrangular (young) stem, opposite,
decussate leaves and white flowers in axillary or terminal
panicles or racemes. Andrographolide is one of the active
constituents isolated from the plant. It is a bitter tonic and
febrifuge. A decoction of the plant is a blood-purifier. It is
used as a cure for torpid liver, and jaundice. It also has hepatoprotective activity.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An
annual, glabrous, aromatic herb.
The dried ripe fruits yield, on distillation, an
essential oil. The major constituent of the oil is carvone. It
also contains apiol and dill apioll. They are used in medicine
mainly as an aromatic carminative, antipyretic and
antihelmentic. The oil from the seeds is a well-known remedy for
flatulence in children and enters into the preparation of gripe
water. The seeds are used as stomachic and the aqueous extract
of the seeds showed abortifacient activity in rats.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It
is an annual or biennial herb, native of Europe, now naturalized
in northern parts of India and largely cultivated in Punjab.
It has antispasmodic, digestive and carminative
properties. It is useful in indigestion, abdominal discomfort,
colic and hepatobiliary disorders.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
tree with annulate stem surmounted by a crown of pinnate leaves.
Arecanut contains several alkaloids belonging to
the pyridine group. The most important of them physiologically
is arecoline The polyphenols of ripe arecanut contain
predominantly polymerized leucocyanidins besides as well as
small amounts of (+)-cetechin, leucopelargonidin and
leucocyanidin. The polyphenolic substances of arecanuts,
generally termed tannins, are responsible for the physiological
action. The non-alkaloid fractions of arecanuts are reported to
possess anti-microbial properties. The powdered nuts are
prescribed in diarrhea and urinary disorders.
In Sri Lanka, the unripe nuts are credited with
laxative properties, but they are said to affect the eyesight.
Arecanuts are considered useful as an external application on
ulcers, and in skin disorders. They are antihelmentic, and are
used in Veterinary medicine as a vermifuge. A paste of the dry
arecanut powder is used as a dentifrice. The dried nuts are said
to sweeten the breath, strengthen the gums, and produce a
stimulant and exhilarant effect on the system. Arecanut chewed
is reportedly a good source of fluoride. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
woody climber with a stout stem and rose purple flowers.
The root is bitter, aphrodisiac, diuretic, and is
used in gonorrhea, rheumatism and diseases of the nervous
system. It is also used as a tonic. The plant is used along with
other ingredients to cure sexual disorders in males. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nala, is a tall perennial grass that can grow up
to 20 feet high. The root is diaphoretic, diuretic, and
galactagogue. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
sub-erect, prickly shrub with white tuberous roots.
The roots are prescribed for diarrhea and
dysentery. The saponin mixture from the dried roots yield
glycosides, O-[ß-D-2-tetracosylxylophyranosyl]-stigmasterol, and
3-ß-O-[ß-D-Glycopyranosyl (12)-a-L-arabinopyranosyl]
stigmasterol.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
much-branched, spinous under-shrub, with tuberous, short
rootstock bearing numerous fusiform, succulent, tuberous roots.
The plant contains triterpene saponins - Shatavarin I - IV,
which are phytoestrogen compounds.
The plant is used as a demulcent, diuretic,
aphrodisiac, and galactagogue. The root extracts exhibit
antiallergic activity. Along with the leaves of Gymnema
sylvestre, they are given to diabetic patients. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Azadirachta
indica
is a large, evergreen tree. Its principal constituents are
nimbin, nimbinin and nimbidin. All parts of the plant yield b-sitosterol.
Neem extracts possess anti-diabetic,
antibacterial and anti-viral properties. The tree stem, root and
bark possess astringent, tonic and anti-periodic properties. The
bark is beneficial in malarial fever and useful in cutaneous
diseases.
It is used for external applications in skin
diseases. It possesses anti-dandruff, antibacterial, anti viral
and fungicidal properties.
|
|
 |

|
|
 |
Integrated Medicine
combines Western
medicine with Complementary and Alternative medicine
and mind-body-spirit approaches to health and
healing.
Live Blood Analysis
Two drops
of blood under a specialized high powered ultra-dark
field microscope, reveals anomalies in the blood.
The
unique tool for prevention.
Ozone-Oxygen-Therapy
is recognized by most as
the most powerful and versatile therapy known in
alternative health because it plays a vital role in
maintaining the well-being of the body.
Check
it out why.
Contact the Doctor

contact the doctor
Disclaimer
This information is
provided for general medical education purposes only and
is not meant to substitute for the independent medical
judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic and
treatment options of a specific patient's medical
condition.
In no event will The DrEddyClinic.com be liable for any
decision made or action taken in reliance upon the
information provided through this web site.
|
|
|
DrEddyClinic.com
Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand
Phone.
+66-53-436284
Fax. +66-53-436284
Mobile. 098505066
email
contact
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|