Palette of plant healers

This workshop on medicinal plants threw light on how one can take charge of basic cures, right at home

Inauguration of the workshop on medicinal plants at Green Path Organic State on World Environment Day, Bengaluru

Plants such as tulsi or hibiscus have been part of Indian gardens, even if the garden is relegated to a pot on the balcony, for centuries now. Just that over the decades, many other plants, which would have otherwise been staples have disappeared in urban homes and are gradually making a comeback.

Most such plants have potent medicinal value – doddapatre (Indian Borage/ ajwain leaf), adusoge (Adathoda vasica/Vasa/Malabar nut) or mehendi (henna/Lawsonia inermis), for example, which our grandmothers had efficiently worked into their families’ lifestyles. Some of these plants, including Aloe Vera, Bhoomi amla, Brahmi, Bhringaraja, Basale soppu, Hibiscus, Shatavari, Shankapushpi, Tulsi and Baje can be grown in pots at home while others such as Pomegranate, Moringa or the Ashoka mara need more space, as they grow into trees. Plants such as Bilva, for instance, are not easy to grow at home and can be procured in shops that sell native medicine or produce.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, The Green Path and Om Sri Sairam Deeksha Training Centre organised a workshop on the ‘role of medicinal plants in primary healthcare – home remedies’ at The Green Path Organic State premises in Malleswaram.

The workshop was conducted by Dr MJ Prabhu, an Ayurvedic doctor and medicinal plants consultant with the Karnataka State Medicinal Plants Authority as well as Dr Pushpa, Asian facilitator, FAO (on Traditional Herbal Food in Healing Systems). Guests at the event were Ashish Kumar Ballal, Former India hockey captain, Olympian and Arjuna awardee; EP Nivedita, Principal Accountant General (A & E), Karnataka; and Dr Latha TS, PRO, KSRTC and Chairperson, Public Relation Council of India, Bangalore.

“It is possible to handle certain recurring or bothersome medical conditions through medicinal plants, if one knows to use them,” said Dr Prabhu beginning his session. “There are remedies for a range of conditions from acidity to indigestion, gastro-intestinal issues, diabetes, jaundice, UTI, menstrual problems, or joint pains, in medicinal plants.”

Medicinal plants and their benefits according to Dr Prabhu

Amritaballi /Giloy /Tinospora cordifolia: While the leaves of this herbaceous vine are nutritious, the potency in this plant lies in its stem. The stem is ready to be used when mature and flaky. The mature stem can be cut into pieces and used to make a reduced concoction with water. It is useful in handling acidity and gastro-intestinal issues as well as skin diseases. It can be consumed with buttermilk in order to heal the early stages of piles. It is also a haemostatic and can be used to control excess bleeding during menstrual cycles. Its value is enhanced when combined with dry ginger powder, black pepper powder or long pepper.

Adusoge/Vasa /Adathoda vasica /Malabar nut:

The leaves of this plant are known to cure asthma. Powdered Adusoge leaves can be combined with dry ginger powder, haritaki powder, and honey for the same. Green tea, made from dry Adusoge leaves help heal thyroid as well as tonsillitis and related conditions. They can be used to make home-made cough syrups. An extract of steamed Adusoge leaves can be combined with sugar candy, for dry cough and honey, black pepper and ginger, for wet cough.

Madhunashini/Gurmar/Gymnema Sylvestre:

This climber is known to be a potent medicine for diabetes. The leaves of this plant (five to seven leaves) can be chewed and swallowed with a glass of water. Powdered leaves of Madhunashini can be mixed with warm water and consumed an hour before food to battle constipation. They help combat malnutrition and are known to improve intestinal absorption and handle indigestion.

Ashwagandha/Withania somnifera:

The roots of the Ashwagandha are known to have several benefits. A paste made from Ashwagandha leaves can be consumed with honey to aid weight-loss. The roots of the plant are known to have anti-aging properties and are known to induce sleep. Three to five grams of powdered Ashwagandha root combined with milk, when consumed at bedtime, can be beneficial for joint pains.

Alale Kayi/Haritaki/Terminalia chebula:

This plant, unlike the other plants mentioned above, is not meant to be a potted plant and can’t be typically grown in a home garden. However, the product is available in most native or indigenous medicine stores. It is one of the three constituents of Triphala. It is known to help heal gangrene as well as scars, when combined with ghee and honey. It is known to ease bowel movement while also arresting conditions such as IBS and amoebiasis. It is known to arrest bleeding gums when used as a tooth powder in combination with salt and clove powder. Gargling a concoction of Haritaki can heal tonsillitis and mouth ulcers.

For details on medicinal plant procurement or usage, call the Karnataka State Medicinal Plants Authority, 4th Floor, Vanavikas Building, Malleswaram at 23464089.