| ENGLISH NAME |
AYURVEDA NAME |
SCIENTIFIC NAME |
CURATIVE PROPERTIES |
| Messenger of Spring |
Palol |
Stereospermum suaveolens |
A decoction of the roots is used in intermittent and puerperal fevers, inflammatory affections within the chest, affections of the brain and many other diseases. The bark is considered to possess diuretic and tonic properties. |
| Citronella |
Pangiri |
Cymbopogon nardus |
This plant is applied externally to provide relief from inflammation and toothaches. It is also used to reduce redness of irritated skin. It also acts as a mosquito repellent. |
| Himalayan Cherry |
Pathma Kashtha |
Prunus cerasoides |
The kernel of the fruit is used for treating stones in the bladder and kidneys. It is also prescribed along with other drugs as an antidote for snakebite poisoning. |
| Pathpadagam |
Pathpadagam |
Mollugo cerviana |
This herb is considered stomachic, aperient and antiseptic; flowers and tender shoots are diaphoretic and given in fevers. An infusion of the plant is given to promote lochial discharge. Oil in which the roots are boiled is used as an application for gout and rheumatism. |
| Indian Pellet Shrub Root |
Pawatta Mul |
Pavetta Indica |
The fresh roots, bark and leaves are bruised and applied to wounds and given internally in the form of a decoction. The juice of the leaves are used for diarrhoea, dysentery, and cough. |
| - |
Penela wel |
Cardiospermum microcarpum |
The leaf and root are used as a diaphoretic, diuretic and as a remedy for dropsy, orchitis, amenorrhoea, rheumatism, nervous complaints and lung diseases. It is used in the treatment of nervous diseases. |
| Black Pepper |
Pepper |
Piper nigrum |
This plant is stomachic and carminative. It induces secretion of bile and has been used successfully to stop vomiting caused by cholera. It is an antidote for shellfish and mushroom poisoning. It is applied externally as a rubefacient and counter-irritant. A liniment prepared from the plant is useful for chronic rheumatism. |
| Asafoetida Powder |
Perumkayam |
Ferula asafoetida |
This plant is effective for flatulence, colic and is used externally on ringworm. It is a powerful antispasmodic, expectorant, anthelmintic and a nervine stimulant. |
| Fetid Cassia |
Pethi tora |
Cassia tora |
The leaves are laxative and are useful in habitual constipation and haemorrhoids. The entire plant is used to prepare a decoction, which is given as a vermifuge and purgative. |
| Purple Tephrosia Root |
Pila Mul |
Tephrosia parpurea |
The root of this plant is used as a stomachic and carminative and is employed in the treatment of anorexia, atonic dyspepsia, flatulence and colic. It is also said to be a blood purifier and is employed as an anthelmintic in children. |
| Pine Tree |
Pines |
Pines species |
The pine plant is used externally to provide relief from rheumatic conditions, lumbago and arthritis. |
| Polpala |
Polpala |
Aerva lanata |
The roots are diuretic and demulcent. They are credited with tonic properties and given to pregnant women. The roots and flowers are used to cure headaches. The flowers are used for the removal of kidney stones and in gonorrhoea. |
| - |
Pupula |
Vernonia zeylancia |
This plant is used in fractures as it promotes the fusion of bones. The juice of the leaves is used for treatment of asthma. |
| Arecanut Palm |
Puwak |
Areca catechu |
The dried nut has stimulant, astringent and taenifuge properties. It is a powerful sialogogue and stimulates the secretion of sweat. The skin of the fruit is used as an anti-poisonous substance for insect bites. |