A Guide to Common Medicinal Plants in Asia
Medicinal plants can be defined as plants that have therapeutic properties or exert beneficial pharmacological effects on the human or animal body.
These plants cure some common diseases. These are considered home remedies in many countries. Medicinal plants have been the basis for the treatment of various diseases in traditional African medicine, as well as the basis for other treatments from different cultures around the world.
Here we will discuss about some medicinal plants that have been used to treat various diseases in Asia.
1. Ginger (Ada)
Adark, Shurth
Family
Zingiberaceae
Botanical source
Ginger consists of the dried Southern Asia and in many Tropical countries like Jamaica, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria.
Chemical Constituents
1 The ginger rhizome contains 5 to 8% gingerol. It also contains 0.25 to 3.0% volatile oil, camphene and phellandrene. It also contains 50% of starch. A small amount of sugar.
Uses
1. Ginger brings relief to digestions troubled by motion sickness.
2. Morning sickness.
3. It is used as a stimulant, carminative, stomachic.
4. It is also used as a condiment.
2. Malabar Nut (Basak)
Synonyms
Basak pata, Malabar Nut.
Family
Acantaceae
Botanical source
Basak contains dried leaves of Adhatoda vasica.
Geographical source
The plant is found throughout the plants of India, Sub Himalayan tracts up to 1300 meter, Sri Lanka, Burma and Malaya.
Chemical Constituents
Basak leaves contains Quinazoline alkaloids like vasicin, vasicoline, vasicinol peganine, 3-hydroxyanisotine, anisotine have been isolated from the leaves. It also contains volatile oil, fat, resin, mucilage, adhatodic acid etc.
Uses
1. Vasaka is used to treat cold, cough, whooping-cough, chronic bronchitis and asthma.
2. As sedative, expectorant, antiplasmodic and as anthelmintic.
3. The leaf juice cures dysentry and glandular tumor.
4. The powder is used as poultice or rheumatic joints.
5. It is used in Malaria.
6. Alcoholic extract of the leaves particularly used for hypotensive and cardiac depressant.
3. Turmeric (Halud)
Synonyms
Haldi, Turmeric.
Family
Zingiberaceae.
Geographical source
Turmeric is obtained from India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh.
Chemical Constituents
1. Turmeric contains about 6% of volatile oil.
2. 5% of a crystalline yellow substance, curcumin
3. It also contains resin, sugars, and starch.
Uses
1. Turmeric is effective in the treatment of digestive and liver problems.
2. It helps to lower cholesterol levels.
3. Turmeric juice is used internally as blood purifier.
4. It’s rhizome paste is applied externally for brightening skin.
5. It is a good colouring agent.
6. Turmeric commonly used as a condiment.
4. Arjuna myrobalan (Arjun)
Synonyms
Arjuna myrobalan (English), Arjun (Bengali).
Family
Combrecacea.
Botanical source
Arjun bark is the dried bark of Termina Arjuna.
Geographical source
Arjun plant is found all over the tropical countries like Bangladesh and India.
Chemical Constituents
The bark of Arjun contains tannins, saponins, sterols, calcium, salts, arjunin, a-sapogenin, a-flavone, terpene acids, essential oil, sugars and arjunalic acid.
Uses
Arjun bark is used as;
1. Tonic, astringent in heart diseases.
2. Relief in hypertension.
3. Diuretic for sores.
5. Asparagus Racemosus (Satamoli)
Synonyms
Shatavari, Satavar, Asparagus.
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical source
The drug is derived from dried tuberous roots of Asparagus recemosus.
Geographical source
The plant is a climber found all over India, especially in Northern region.
Chemical Constituents
The active constituents are steroidal saponins, Shatavarin I-Iv (0.1-0.2%). The aglycone unit is sarsapogenin. In Shatavarin-I three glucose and rhamnose molecules are attached whereas Shatavarin-Iv.
Uses
1. Roots are refrigerant, aphrodiscae, antiseptic, alternative.
2. Shatamoli has antioxytocic property.
3. Asparagus is also used in diabetes, jaundice and other urinary disorders.
4. It is thought to be effective in preventing the formation of kidney stones.
6. Holy basil (Tulsi)
Synonyms
Babui tulshi, Sweet basil.
Family
Labiatae
Botanical source
Tulsi is the dried leaves of Ocimum sanctum Linn and the other namr is Ocimum basilicum.
Geographical source
Tulshi grows wild in Chittagong hill tracts and Cox’s Bazar. This plant is grown in India especially in Hindu houses and temples for worship.
Chemical Constituents
Tulshi leaves contains (0.7%) of volatile oil. The prominent constituents of essential oil are (71%), methyleugenol (20%), carvacrol (3%), and caryophyllene (1.7%).
Uses
1. The plants are used in expectorant, diaphoretic, antiperiodic, antiseptic.
2. Leaves are also used in treatment of bronchitis, cough, lever and gastric disorders.
3. The plant is also used in snake bites and scorpion sting.
7. Indian Acalypha (Muktajhuri)
Synonyms
Acolypha, Indian Acalpha.
Family
Euphobicea
Botanical source
Muktajhuri is the dried leaves of Acalpha Indica.
Geographical source
The plant is cultivated in India, South East Asia and Oceania. It is also found in African region.
Chemical Constituents
Muktajhuri contains-
1. acalyphine and triacetoneamine.
2. cyanogenic glucosides and alkaloids.
Uses
1. Muktajhuri is expectorant, emetic, diuretic.
2. It is used in asthma and bronchitis.
8.Azadirachta Indica (Neem)
Synonyms
Neem gach, Indian Lilac, Nimba (sans)
Family
Meliaceae.
Botanical source
Neem is the fresh or dry leaves and seed oil of Azadirachta indica.
Geographical source
The plant is cultivated in South East Asia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaya.
Chemical Constituents
1. The leaves contain nimbin, nimbinene, nimbandiol, β-sistosterol, ascorbic acid, nonacosane, and amino acids.
2. The fruit contains gedinin, azadirone, and nimbiol.
3. The seed contains 7-descetyl-7-benzoylgedunin.
Uses
1. Neem oil is stimulant, antiseptic and used in ulcers, skin diseases like scabies.
2. It is also used in the manufacture of olic acid and stearic acid.
3. Seeds are used as remedies for scorpion-sting, snake bite ase antifungal agents.
9. Black cumin (Kalojeera)
Synonyms
Black cumin (English), kalojeera (Bengali)
Family
Ranunculacea
Botanical source
Kalojeera consists of the dried or fresh seeds of Nigella sativa.
Geographical source
Kalojeera is commonly available in market. The plant is occasionally cultivated in tropical countries.
Chemical Constituents
Seeds contain.
1. 40% fixed oil.
2. Fatty acids like linoeic, oleic, staric and palmitic acids.
3. Proteins and amino acids such as glutanic acid, crystine and methonine.
Uses
Kalojeera is used in-
1. Stimulant, carminative, diuretic, stomachic and galactagogue.
2. It also possess antimicrobial, anticancer and cardiovascular activities.
3. Treatment of fever, pain of the body, asthma, chronic headache.
10. Coccinia grandis (Telakuch)
Synonyms
Kundri, Baby watermelon, Ivy Gourd.
Family
Cucurmitaceae.
Botanical source
Telakuch is the dried leaves of Coccinia cordifolia.
Geographical source
Telakuch flower is cultivated in, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Australia, India and Indonesia.
Chemical Constituents
Telakuch roots contain;
1. Resins, starch, glucose, alkaloids.
2. Also contain ash that constitute about 16%.
3. Gum, fatty acids, carbonic acids and minerals like- calcium,iron and phosphorus.
Uses
Telakuch is used to-
1. Treat anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, appetite stimulant.
2. Cardiovascular diseases ( heart disease), cold, laxative, expectorant ( thin mucus) and wound healing.
3. Asthma, diabetes, gonorrhea.
11. Star Fruit (Kamranga)
Synonyms
Chamorro, Star fruit, Kamrak.
Family
Oxalydacea.
Botanical source
Kamranga is the species of woody plant and dried leaves of Averrhoa carambola Linn.
Geographical source
Kamranga is indigenous to;
1. Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka.
2. Cultivated in – Brazil, Israel, Taiwan, China, Australia and other areas of the world.
3. Amino acids, citric acid, garlic acid in gallotannin and L-ascorbic acid.
Chemical Constituents
Kamranga fruits contains;
1. 93.9% moisture, 0.5% protein, 0.2% fat, 4.8% carbohydrate.
2. B- & a- carotene, poly galacturonase & copper, potassium & pantothenic acid.
Uses
Kamranga is used to;
1. Treat cough, fever, sore throat, ulcers, eczema.
2. Also used in infections, insomnia, liver cancer.
3. Anti-microbial & antioxydant activity.
12. Gall nut (Hartaki)
Synonyms
Haritaki, Black myrobalan, Gall nut.
Family
Combretaceae.
Botanical source
Haritaki consists of dried nature fruits (known as Harde) or small fruits (known as Himaj) of the tree Terminalia chebula Retz.
Geographical source
The plant is found abundantly in North India from kangra and kumaon to Bengal and many other tropical countries; Madhya pradesh, Maharastra, Gujarat.
Chemical Constituents
Haritaki contains;
1. In higher forests of the Bombay ghats, Satpuras, Belgaum & Kanara.
2. Hydrolysable tannins (30-40%)
3. Fixed oil containing esters of Palmitic, oleic & linoleic acids.
4. Astringent compound chebulinic acid, ellagic acid, gallic acid & resin.
Uses
Haritaki is used as
1. Astringent, laxative & alternative.
2. Externally as chronic ulcers & wound.
3. To treat bleeding, stomach disorders.
13. Potato bush (Chitki)
Synonyms
Panseuli, pankushi, potato bush, Black honey, Sour grapes.
Family
Euphorbiaceae.
Botanical Source
Chitki is the dried leaves & barks of Phyllanthus reticulatus.
Geographical source
Chitki is cultivated into many Tropical countries. Such as-
1. India, Cuba, Jamaica & Barbados.
2. Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru.
Chemical Constituents
Leaves and bark contains
1. Gum, tannic acid.
Roots contain
1. Friedelin, betulin, octacosanol, glochidonol & β-sitosterol.
Uses
Chitki leaves are used
1. As a diuretic & cooling medicine.
2. In diarrhea of infants.
3. Fruits are astringent to the bowels, treat inflammation.
4. Treating malaria, dysentry.
14. Black pepper (Marich)
Synonyms
Chilli, Red peppers, Green peppers, Bell peppers.
Family
Caricaceae.
Botanical source
Capsicum consists of the dried, ripe fruits of Capsicum frutescence.
Geographical source
Capsicum cultivated in tropical regions of India, Japan, Southern Europe, Mexico & Sri Lanka.
Chemical Constituents
It also contains 1.5% of Capsicum contains fixed oils (0.1-1%), oleo- resin, carotenoids, capsacutin & ascorbic acid (0.2%). of volatile oil, liquid alkaloid, carotene & a red colouring matter, capsanthin.
Uses
Marich leaves are used
1. As a stimulant & counter-irritant.
2. Externally in the form of ointment & plaster.
3. Internally used as a pungent stomachic carminative & stimulant.
4. In the treatment of flatulence & dyspepsia.
15. Bryophyllum pinnatum (Patharkuchi)
Synonyms
Koppat, Miracle leaf, Cathedral bells.
Family
Crassulaceae.
Botanical source
Patharkuchi is the dried leaves & barks of Kalanchoe pinnanta (Lam).
Geographical source
Patharkuchi has become naturalized in tropical & subtropical area, including-
1. Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, Hawaii.
2. Parts of Asia, Colombia, Melanesia.
Chemical Constituents
Patharkuchi leaves contains-
1. Bryophillin A which showed strong anti tumore promoting activity in vitro.
2. Bryophillin B showed insecticidal properties.
3. Ascorbic acid, Riboflavin, Thiamine & Zinc.
4. Bufadienolide compounds isolated from Bryophyllun pinnatum.
Uses
Patharkuchi is used to-
1. Treat inflammation, Arthritis, Hypertension.
2. Kidney stones, Diuretic, Wound healing.
16. Onion (Piyaz)
Synonyms
Bulb onion, Bulbus alii cepae, Pyaz.
Family
Liliaceae.
Botanical source
Piyaz is the flowering plant & are motocots of Allium cepa.
Geographical source
Piyaz is cultivated in-
1. Bangladesh, India, Australia, Nigeria.
Indigenous to –
1. Brisbane.
Chemical Constituents
Piyaz contains-
1. Quercetin, fructose, glucoside.
2. Isorhamnetin – 4 – glucoside, Thiosulfonates.
Uses
Piyaz is used to-
1. Treat hair fall, flavouring agent.
2. Insect bite, flatulence.
17. Carissa carand (Karamcha)
Synonyms
Karamchari India, Indian beech, Karanj.
Family
Leguminosae.
Botanical source
Karamcha is the dried leaves & fruits of Pongamia pinnata.
Geographical source
Karamcha is cultivated in many tropical countries –
1. Hawaii, India, Sena, Maharastra.
2. China, Japan, Australia.
Chemical Constituents
Karamcha contains-
1. Fatty acids, galactosides, stigma sterol.
2. Oleic acid (44.24%), Stearic acid (29.64%) & Palmitic acid (18.58%).
3. Hiragonic & Octadecatrienoic acid (0.81%).
Uses
Karamcha is used to –
1. Treat gonorrhea.
2. Bleeding piles and whooping cough.
3. Lamp oil, in leather tanning & soap making.
4. Also used as a fish poison.
18. Garlic (Rashun)
Synonyms
Lehsun, Rasun, Belluli, Vallaippundu, Garlic.
Family
Liliaceae.
Botanical source
Lehsun consists of the fresh compound bulb of Allium sativam Linn.
Geographical source
Garlic is cultivated in-
1. India, Russia, USA
2. Italy, Southern Europe.
Chemical Constituents:
1. Essential oil:
a) Alliin, a sulphur containing amino acid.
b) Allicin, allyl sulphide.
c) Polysulphide responsible for the unpleasant smell of the oil.
2. Amino Acid: Leucine, methionine, S-methyl cysteine, S-allyl cysteine
3. Allyl propyl disulphide.
4. Vitamins A,B,C and D.
5. Fatty acid, Mucilage, and albumin
6. Minerals: Calcium, iron, and zinc.
Uses
1. Analgesic.
2. Stimulant.
3. Anticonvulsant.
4. Antibacterial.
5. Diuretic.
6. Tonic.
7. Carminative, gastric stimulant and aids indigestion and absorption of food.
8. Used in the treatment of malignant tumors.
9. Tuberculosis and whooping cough.
10. Aphrodisiacs.
11. Piles and duodenal ulcer.
12. Treatment of epilepsy.
As our lifestyle becomes more tech-dependent, we are moving away from nature. Although we are part of nature, we cannot escape from it. As herbs are natural products, they have no side effects, are relatively safe, are environmentally friendly, and are locally available. Traditionally, there are many herbs used for diseases associated with different seasons. To save lives, we need to promote them.