Medicinal Plants

Medicinal Plants [ Ginger & Neem ]

Meghala

Ginger Ginger’s botanical name means ‘shaped like a horn’ referring to the appearance of its rhizomes. Ginger plants can grow to about 1 m tall. The upright shoots sprout from the rhizome at the base of the plant. Ginger is not just an important spice. Ginger is also used in traditional South Asia medicine. It is used to treat many illnesses in Asia and in the West, particularly nausea and travelsickness.

Did you know you can grow a ginger plant from the fresh rhizomes available in the shops?

Ginger Names • Ginger (English) • Srngaveram (Sanskrit) • Adrak (Hindi, Urdu) •

Sont (Hindi, dried ground ginger)

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Botanical name: Zingiber officinale

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Family: Zingiberaceae, the ginger family

Ginger comes from the fleshy rhizomes. Although growing underground, these are not roots, but a special kind of swollen stem.

Rhizomes - knobbly and fleshy, covered in ring-like scars. This is the important part for food and medicine. Although the rhizomes grow underground, they are swollen stems, not roots. This is why fresh ginger is often referred to as 'stem ginger'.

Medicinal use Ginger has been attributed with a number of health and fitness promoting properties. Today the rhizomes are commonly used in Asian medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, sore throats, to improve circulation and reduce fat deposits in the arteries. Many of its actions are due to the presence of compounds in the rhizomes called oleoresins, especially those known as gingerols and shogoals. The compounds work on the muscles of the gut to improve digestion. a) Ginger is often taken as a digestive aid and a cure for nausea, vomiting and dizziness b)

They also help to lower blood cholesterol, treat migraines, minimize the risk of thrombosis as well as help prevent cancer.

c) Ginger prevents the onset of diabetes. d) It has been found to possess smooth and relaxing effect on the body, resulting in a better stress fighting capacity. e)

Protect your body from radiation, possibly in conjunction with its antioxidant capabilities.

f)

Ginger is believed to aid in the circulatory system and it has been used by many who take ginger for this very purpose.

g) Ginger seems to improve the body’s ability to sweat, help circulation and help us get rid of cold symptoms and the flu. h) To get relief from Asthma, mix a teaspoon of fresh ginger juice mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste acts as a excellent expectorant in the treatment of asthma. i) Ayurvedic practitioners, use ginger rhizomes as a cure for cholera, anorexia and 'inflamed liver'.

The characteristic odor and flavor of ginger is caused by a mixture of zingerone, shogaols andgingerols, volatile oils that compose one to three percent of the weight of fresh ginger.

j) Menstruation disorders: Pound a piece of fresh ginger and boil with a cup of water and add a little honey to taste. Drink it hot two or three times a day for a month. The pain-

relieving and anti-cramping compounds in ginger effectively help relieve painful cramps (dysmenorrhoea). k)

In reproductive age (amenorrhoea), this concoction can also help induce menstruation

l) Fresh rhizomes are said to help to reduce inflammation in conditions like osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis. m) Finally,

antioxidant properties are likely to contribute to slowing down aging, as well as its ability to fight cancer.

n) The plant's fresh juice is applied to the skin to treat burns, while the essential oil may be used for pain relief.

Neem Neem is a native tree of India, found in every part’s in India especially in semi-arid conditions. The Neem Tree is an incredible plant that has been declared the "Tree of the 21st century" by the United Nations. In India, it is variously known as "Divine Tree", "Life giving tree", "Nature"s Drugstore", "Village Pharmacy" and "Panacea for all diseases". It is one of the major components in Ayurvedic medicine, which has been practiced in India since many centuries. The neem is an ancient Indian cure-all due to its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antihistamine and antiseptic properties. The neem leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, bark and fruits are utilized to treat inflammation, infections, skin diseases and for dental care. Botanical name: Latin name: English name : Sanskrit: Hindi:

Azadirachta indica Melia azaderach Margosa tree Nimbah Neem

Neem is bitter in taste. It is is light, cooling and constrictive.Environmentally, Organic Neem has a reputation as a natural air purifier, exhaling out oxygen and keeping the oxygen level in the atmosphere balanced. So it is called the wonder tree in India.

Chemical Compounds in Neem The chemical compounds that have been identified and scientists feel that there are many more compounds yet to be identified in neem. Other then sodium, potassium, salts, it contains chloriphyle, calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflasium, nicocin, vitamin C, carotene, and oxalic acid. The chemicals classified are: Nimbin : anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-histamine, anti-fungal Nimbidin : anti-bacterial, anti-ulcer, analgesic, antiarrhythmic, anti-fungal Ninbidol : anti-tubercular, anti-protozoan, anti-pyretic Gedunin : vasodilator, anti-malarial, anti-fungal Sodium nimbinate : diuretic, spermicide, anti-arthritic Quercetin : anti-protozoal Salannin : insect repellent Azadirachtin : insect repellent, anti-feedant, anti-hormonal The highest concentrations of the active ingredients are found in the seed and oil, however the active ingredients are also found in lesser amounts in the bark and the leaves. Part Leaf Bark Flow er Fruit Twig Gum

Medicinal Use Leprosy, skin problems, skin ulcers, intestine worms, anorexia, eye problems, epistaxis, biliousness Analgesic, curative of fever Elimination of intestine worms, phlegm, bile suppression, Diabetes, eye problem, piles, intestine worms, urinary disorder, wounds, leprosy, epistaxis Asthma, cough, piles, intestine worms, obstinate urinary disorder, phantom tumor, spermatorrhoea Scabies, wounds, ulcer, skin diseases

See Intestine worms and leprosy d Oil Intestine worms, skin diseases and leprosy Roo Refrigerant, diutretic t

Modern Research a)

Neem's Effects against Bacteria: There have been a number of clinical studies showing that Neem has significant effects on several bacterial strains.

b)

Neem's Effects against Viruses: There are certain compounds in Neem that demonstrate a unique ability to surround viruses, which prevents them from causing infection

c)

Neem's Effects against Fungi: India's tropical climate especially in the coastal regions creates the kind of humid hot house atmosphere that funguses thrive in. Traditionally, in Ayurveda, Neem seed oil, aqueous extracts of Neem leaf, Neem leaf powder, the smoke from burning dried Neem leaves, and Neem leaf pastes have been used for the prevention and treatment of fungal conditions in India.

d)

Neem's Effects against Parasites: Ayurveda has recommended the use of Neem to rid the body of all forms of parasites.

e)

Neem's Effect against Skin diseases : Eczema,Acne,Skin problems

f)

Neem's effectiveness against Periodontal Disease: Throughout India village people use Neem twigs and leaves to brush their teeth, and keep their gums free of disease and infection even though they have limited access to modern dental care.

g)

Neem’s effects on the immune system: According to the ancient healing system of Ayurveda the bark of the Neem tree will strengthen an individuals resistance to disease

h)Treatment for several diseases: i)

Heart Disease: Including high blood pressure, blood clots, cholesterol, and Arrhythmia/rapid heart beat. Blood Disorders: Including poor circulation, blood poisoning, and kidney problems. Digestive Disorders: Including heartburn/indigestion, peptic/duodenal ulcers, gastritis, and hemorrhoids. Nervous Disorders: Including anxiety, epilepsy, and hives. Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, herpes, candidacies, and urinary tract infections. As far as AIDS is concerned the immunomodulatory properties of Neem appear to enhance cell-mediated immune response in people who are HIV positive but who do not have full blown AIDS. Jaundice and Hepatitis: Drink the diluted juice of the tender neem leaves with a tea spoon of honey to flush out toxins in liver disorders. Neem is anti-pruritic, thermogenic, tonic, stomachic and abdominal movement controller. 2 teaspoon of Neem leaves juice with honey is indicated to accelerate the process of cure. Birth Control: Works for Men & Women. Respiratory disorder: Decoction of Neem bark is used as

anti-tussive in dry cough. Dried Neem leaves powder given daily in 1 gm dose twice a day with honey suppresses cough. Neem oil 5-10 drops given with 2 tablespoon of sugar once a day for 15 days helps in tropical Eosinophilia. The expectorant, depurative and antiseptic properties of Neem attribute to cure cough. Diabetes: Neem being biter, stomachic, anti-pruritic, and revitalize works wonders in this disease. One table spoon of Neem leaves juice approximately 5 ml taken early in the morning on empty stomach for 3 months is helpful in diabetes. 10 Neem leaves chewed or powder taken daily in the morning also controls diabetes. Cancer: Neem being depurative purifies the blood and being an astringent decreases the body heat. Chewing of 10 to 20 Neem leaves early morning with warm water is helpful. Leprosy and Leucoderma: 10 drops of Neem oil mixed with 1 teaspoon sugar twice a day acts as a supportive part of treatment. The anti-leprotic action of Neem works. Allergy: 8 to 10 fresh Neem leaves are to be eaten early morning on an empty stomach. This helps in purifying blood and controls the allergic condition. It is used also in Tuberculosis, Bronchitis, Conjunctivitis, Allergies, Bad Breath, Hangover, Stress, Insomnia, Smoking, and on and on. Treatment for AIDS: The National Institutes of Health reported positive results from a 1993 study using neem to kill the AIDS virus in a lab. The suggested pathway is via neem’s immune modulating polysaccharide compounds that may cause increased antibody production. Further research is underway.

j)

Diabetes: Neem has been shown to reduce insulin in the blood. The Indian Government allows the sale of neem for this purpose. Dosage as small as one tablespoon a day can reduce insulin levels by 50%