Medicinal plants:ayurvedic herbs and flowers of India

Cotton rose  or Sthal Padma in Indian languages is also known as the Confederate rose, Changeable Rose, Chinese Rose or the cotton rose mallow.   In Hindi it is called Sthalkamal . It is called Sthalpadma in Bengali, Semburutti in Tamil, Neladavare in Kannada, Chinappratti in Malayalam, and Gul - e - ajaib in Urdu. In Oriya we call it Sthalapadma too. Its botanical name is Hibiscus mutabilis. These flowers are seen during autumn. These are 4 to 6 inches in diameter depends on its variety of single or double. Mostly, these flowers are white in the morning but turn pink then to deep pink afterward. Funnily enough, the species name mutabilis means, changeable. Cotton Rose is a large shrub which grows to 15 ft high with about a 10 ft spread. It sheds its leaves in winter soon after flowering, a round, hairy capsule forms which dries and releases seeds. The flower really looks like lotus on the land as its name signifies. But in English it is called Cotton rose and the leaves, st

Night blooming jasmine is called Rat ki rani in Hindi, Thabal lei in Manipuri, Hasna hana in Bengali, Raatrani in both Marathi and Konkani. In Oriya we call it Hena . Its Botanical name is Cestrum nocturnum . This is an evergreen, sprawling shrub which can grow up to 12 to 13 feet tall. It has glossy, smooth leaves and vine-like stems. It blooms in cycles throughout warm weather. Its flowers, small and white, open up only at night, and only for a few weeks – at the beginning and the end of summer. The Greenish-creamy white tubular flowers rise from above leaves along the stem, followed by shiny white, fleshy berries which are poisonous. The flowers smell very sweet and when they bloom they bloom in clusters, and their delightful and sweet fragrance is released only at night. The fragrance of this flower is so heady and intoxicating that once you have smelled it, you will never forget it. 

China Rose or Chinese hibiscus is called Gurhal in Hindi, Juba kusum in Manipuri, Athonba in Kannada, Dasavala in Malayalam, Chemparati or Cembarutti in Tamil, Jaswand in Marathi, Dosni Phool in Konkani. In Oriya we call it Mandaar . Its Botanical name is Hibiscus rosa-sinesis. Hibiscus is a large genus containing over 200 species, including landscape shrubs and a variety of it is used as a vegetable and another type is used for paper making. It has very attractive foliage, good longevity, easy-to-grow and easy-to-maintain kind of plant. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis grows as an evergreen herbaceous plant. It is a native to tropical and sub-tropical regions; this plant is extensively cultivated as an ornamental plant. It bears large flowers on the bushy hedges. These enormous flowers are usually dark red in color and are not usually fragrant. It is found in different regions of the Asian continent. Humming birds are a regular sight in the hibiscus gardens. The plant has various medici

Mexcian prickly poppy is called Satyanashi in Hindi, Kudiyotti in Tamil, Ponnummattu in Malayalam, Barashil-Kantal in Bengali, Firangi dhotra in Marathi, Datturigidda in Kannada, Brahmadandi in Telugu and Kshirini in Sanskrit. In my mother tongue i.e. in Oriya we call it Agaraa . Its botanical name is Argemone Mexicana . Prickly Poppy is known to us as Argemone. Argemone is a prickly plant as it shows up one single flower on the top surrounded with pricks and prickly leaves. It grows without plantations and is a short herbaceous plant. It is a prickly herb with yellow juice and bright yellow flowers, The Sanskrit name swarnakshiri is given because of the yellow juice. In almost every part of India it is found as a wasteland weed. The height of this plant varies between 0.3 to 0.12 meters, Flowers are terminal, yellow and of 2.5–5.0 cm diameter. Fruits are capsule Flowering time is all round the year in Indian climate. The plant is toxic to animals and cattle avoid grazing this

Tuberose(mexican tuberose) is called  Rajanigandha in Hindi,  Kundalei angouba in Manipuri,  Gul shabbo in Urdu  Gulcheri in Marathi, sukandaraji in Kannada,  Nelasampengi   in Telugu and  Nila Sampangi in Tamil. in Oriya we call  it Rajanigandha too.Its Botanical name is  Polianthes tuberosa.      Rajanigandha means "The Fragrance of the Night". It is really a very fragrant flower. Tuberoses are a popular flower in floral arrangements and is very popularly used in marriage ceremonies, as floral ornament for the bride's chignon. Its scent is used to produce perfumes. They are however quite easy to grow.The flowers are pure white. Tuberoses thrive in airy and sunny place and bloom in late summer. They are excellent in the garden or in pots. Their tall stems (2-3 ft.) have grass-like foliage make them ideal for interplanting.  

Butterfly Pea is one of the most common Indian flowers found everywhere in India. It is called  Aparajita   in Hindi, Bengali and Manipuri,   Kannikkodi   in Tamil, Sangu pushpam   in Malayalam, Girikannike , kanti   soppu   and   kirgunna  in Kannada,  Shankha Pushpa   in Marathi and Konkani. In Sanskrit it has several names like Gokarnika, Ardrakarni, Girikarnika, Supuspi , Mohanasini,   Sweta   etc. We call it   Aparajita   in Oriya.Its Botanical Name is  Clitoria ternatea Linn . Aparajita grows throughout India. It is a beautiful-looking plant, hence cultivated in gardens. This flower has three colour variations i.e. white, violet and blue flowers. It is a perennial twining herb having 7 leaflets, which are elliptic and obtuse; the pods are 5-7 cm long, flat with 6 to 10 seed, in each pod. The flowers resemble in shape to cow’s ear, hence the synonym- gokarnika . Its medicinal property is great in Ayurveda. It alleviates toxins (visa) and pain. It is a valuable medicine for skin

Rosa ,Gul, Gulbahar, ,Aygul, ,Gulab , are some other names of the Rose plant, and we call it Golap in Oriya. Indian Roses have a wide range of variation which includes white rose, pink rose, maroon rose, red rose, yellow rose and orange rose. It has thorn on its stems. The cane has leaves and bud eyes. The leaves are -15 cm long. The leaflets usually have the serrated margins and few small prickles on the underside   of the stem. Most of the roses are deciduous. It has several medicinal uses  also. Gulkand made by the mixture of Rose petals and white sugar in equal proportion acts as the tonic and laxative. Rose petals are used to make skin healthy and glowing. It cures dry and patchy skin. Its herbal tea is used in the treatment of cold and cough.   and jellies. Rose plants are generally used for beautifying the gardens and walkways. Rose petals are used in cooking, which increases its flavour and make it even more delicious. Relaxing therapies with rose smells are used in ca

This flower is also called   Mogra , Arabian Jasmine, Kundumalligai , Mallika are some of the other names used for the Jasmine. In my mother tongue i.e. in Oriya we call it Malli .     Mogra is an evergreen shrub. It grows to the height of 8- 10 feet. The flower is about one inch. It has oval green rich leaves, which have five to nine leaflets. Jasmine flowers are white in colour. Its stems are slender, trailing. The flower blooms in night and it has a very unique and sweet fragrance. Mogra buds

Genda, Gols bloom, Gold bloom, Holligold, Marybud, and Pot Marigold are names used for Marigold. In Oriya we call it Gendoo . In Hindi it is called Genda phool.      It flowers from July to September. It has a very strong scent. The lower leaves are broad and spatula shaped. Upper leaves may be oblong, are smooth at the edges, and are arranged alternately along the stem. Seeds are crescent to horseshoe shaped with the rough exterior. Its branching stem grows to the height of 30- 60 cm.   In my area i.e. in Orissa it starts blooming in late September and keeps flowering till end of winter. It’s specially used in a festival called ‘ Prathamastami’ in which the eldest child is made to wear new dress and this flower also. It’s the special flower for that day.   Marigold is used for stomach upset, ulcers, menstrual period problems, eye infections, inflammations, and for wound healing. It is antiseptic. If the juice of Marigold flower or leaves is rubbed on the affected part, it bring