(Hebrew) Resembling a flickering candle; born during Hannukah Nerah, Neriya, Nerit
Habitat: Western Himalayas at 2,100-3,000 m.
Ayurvedic: Gangaa Tulasi.Folk: Kundiyaa, Chamariyaa.Action: Leaf—haemostatic. Essential oil—antibacterial, antifungal (in 1:1000 dilution).
The major components ofthe essential oil from leaves and flowering tops are alpha-terpinene, thujyl alcohol, ter- penyl acetate, nerol, phellandrene, ci- neol, neral, thujyl acetate, beta-thujone and artemisol.Related sp., known as Gangaa Tu- lasi, are Artemisia lacrorum Ledeb. and A. parviflora Wight.... artemisia vestitaHabitat: Cultivated all over India.
English: Lemon.Ayurvedic: Jambira, Jambh, Jambhir, Jaamphal, Nimbu, Nimbuka, Naaranga, Limpaka, Dantashatha, Airaavata, Neebu (bigger var.).Unani: Utraj.Siddha/Tamil: Periya elumuchhai.Action: Fruit—antiscorbutic, carminative, stomachic, antihistaminic, antibacterial. Used during coughs, colds, influenza and onset of fever (juice of roasted lemon), hiccoughs, biliousness. Fruit juice—used externally for ringworm (mixed with salt), erysipelas, also in the treatment of leprosy and white spots. Leaves and stems—antibacterial.
All parts of the plants of citrus sp. contain coumarins and psoralins. The fruits contain flavonoids and li- monoids. The flavonoids comprise three main groups—flavanones, fla- vones and 3-hydroxyflavylium (antho- cyanins); flavanones being predominantly followed by flavones and antho- cyanins. Bitter flavonoids do not occur in lemon and lime.Lemon juice is a richer source of antiscorbutic vitamin (contains 4050 mg/100 g of vitamin C) than lime, and a fair source of carotene and vitamin B1. Volatile oil (about 2.5% of the peel) consists of about 75% limonene, alpha-and beta-pinenes, alpha-ter- pinene and citral. The fruit juice also contains coumarins and bioflavonoids.The acid content of the fruit, once digested, provides an alkaline effect within the body and is found useful in conditions where acidity is a contributory factor (as in case of rheumatic conditions). The bioflavonoids strengthen the inner lining of blood vessels, especially veins and capillaries, and help counter varicose veins, arteriosclerosis, circulatory disorders and infections of liver, stomach and intestines.Major flavonoid glycosides, isolated from citrus peels and juices, include hesperidin (with properties of vitamin P). Rutin and other flavanones, isolated from citrus fruits, form the principal components of vitamin P. Flavanone glycosides contained in lemon and lime juices are eriocitrin 47 and 94; hesperidin 84 and 196 mg/l, respectively.The composition of cold pressed lime oil is quite similar to lemon oil, but citral content of lime oil is higher.Monoterpene alcohols and their esters, aldehydes—geraniol, geranial and neral, contribute to the characteristic aroma of lemon and lime.Dosage: Fruit—6-12 g (Juice—5- 10 ml). (API Vol. IV.)... citrus limonHabitat: Mainly in South India; cultivated to a small extent in warmer parts of India.
English: Ceylon Citronella Grass.Ayurvedic: Jambir-trn (var.).Siddha/Tamil: Kamachipillu.Action: Leaf—stomachic, carminative, spasmolytic, mild astringent. Essential oil—stimulant, carminative, diaphoretic, rubefacient, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, larvicidal.
Lemongrass and lemongrass oil preparations are used almost exclusively in combinations for disorders and discomforts of gastrointestinal tract, muscle pain and neuralgia, colds, various nervous disturbances and for conditions of exhaustion.Major constituents of the essential oil are: citronellal 31.6, neral 28.6, cit- ronellol 10.6, elemicine 7.3, geranyl acetate 4.6, elemol 3.7, limonene 3.2 and isopulegol 2.7%.Citronella oil is also used as an insect repellent.... cymbopogon nardusHabitat: Bihar and Orissa to Assam; Madhya Pradesh, Nilgiris and Anaimalais up to 900 m in wet places and river banks.
Folk: Basula (Madhya Pradesh), Naagaa-aiari (Orissa).Action: Leaves—stomachic and nervine. Essential oil—fungitoxic.
The essential oil from leaves contains citral, neral and geranial. Diterpenes, d- and l-limonene, l-piperitone, geranial. Diterpenes, d-and l-limonene, l- piperitone, lippone, a saturated ketone, d-alpha-pinene, dl-dihydrocarvone, citral and camphor have been identified in different samples.... lippia geminataHabitat: Temperate and alpine Himalaya, from Garhwal to Bhutan and in Darjeeling and Aka, Mishmi and Khasi hills at l,000-3,600 m.
Unani: Billilotan.Action: Carminative, diaphoretic, febrifuge in cases of catarrh and 406 Melissa officinalis Linn. influenza. The fruit is considered a brain tonic and useful in hypochondriac conditions.
The aerial parts of the plant yield 2% essential oil which is a good source of monoterpenic alcohols and aldehydes. It contains d-camphene 2.5, dl-alpha- pinene 2.3, 1-beta-pinene 2.13, delta- carene 2.05, d-limonene 12.95, azulene 1.26, linalool 13.36,1,8-cineole 9.33, cit- ronellal 4.0, citronellol 8.2, citral 13.0, geraniol 21.01, neptalactone 1.91, thymol 4.0 and citronellic acid 2.0%.The herb is used as a substitute for Melissa officinalis Linn.MJHabitat: Indigenous to the east Mediterranean region; introduced in India.
English: Mountain Balm, Sweet or Lemon Balm.Unani: Baadranjboyaa, Billilotan. (Nepeta cataria Linn. and Nepeta hindostana Haines are also known as Billilotan.)Action: Antidepressant, antispasmodic, antihistaminic, antiviral. Used in anxiety neurosis and nervous excitability, palpitation and headache. Also in hyperthyroidism.
Key application: In nervous sleeping disorders and functional gastrointestinal complaints. (German Commission E, ESCOP.) Externally for Herpes labialis (cold sores). (ESCOP.) As sedative and topi- cal antiviral. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)Only fresh (herb within 6 months after collection) is usable as a sedative, because of low volatile oil content and its high volatility.The volatile oil of the herb (0.100.2%) consists mainly of geranial and neral, with caryophyllene oxide and smaller quantities of terpenes; glycosides of the alcoholic or phenolic components of the volatile oil (including eugenol glucoside); caf- feic acid derivatives (rosmaric acid); flavonoids (including cymaroside, cos- mosiin, rhamnocitrin, isoquercitrin); triterpene acids (including ursolic acid).Hot water extracts exhibit antiviral properties, mainly due to rosmaric acid and other polyphenols. (A cream containing the extracts of Balm is used for the treatment of cutaneous lesions of Herpes simplex virus.) Aqueous extracts inhibit tumour cell dividing.Freeze-dried aqueous extracts inhibit many of the effects of exogenous and endogenous thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) on bovine thyroid gland by interfering with the binding of TSH to plasma membranes and by inhibiting the enzyme iodothyronine deiodinase in vitro.The anti-hormonal, mainly anti- thyroid effects of Balm are well documented. (Potter's New Cyclopedia, Sharon.M. Herr.)For mild to moderate Alzheimer disease, 60 drops per day of standardized Lemon Balm extract (1 : 11 45% alcohol) was prescribed daily. Results were encouraging. (J Neurol Neurosurg Memecylon edule Roxb. 407 Psychiatry, 74, 2003; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.) (For cholinergic activity, BMJ, 325, 2002, 1312-1233.)... melissa axillarisHabitat: Throughout the plains of India.
English: Caltrops (bigger var.).Ayurvedic: Brihatgokshura, Kshouraka, Trikantaka, Gokantaka, Swaadukantaka, Bhakshantaka.Unani: Khaar-e-khasak Kalaan, Gokharu Kalaan.Siddha/Tamil: Peru-neranji, Annai- neringi.Action: Fruit—used for spermatorrhoea, nocturnal emissions, menstrual irregularities, puerperal diseases, genitourinary disorders, difficult micturition, chronic cystitis, renal calculus. Root— antibilious.
The stem and fruits contain flavo- noids pedalitin and its glucoside (ped- aliin), diometin, dinatin and its derivatives. The fruits contain nonaco- sane, tritriacontane, triacontanoic acid, sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside, rubusic acid, luteolin as major constituents. Leaves and fruits yield phenolic acids which include caffeic, protocatechuic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids. Flowers gave dinatin, quercetin and quercetin- 7-glucoside.Aqueous extract of the fruit is reported to produce in vitro inhibitory effect on crystallization in urinary lithi- asis. The solubility of uric acid in aqueous extract is reported to be 45% more than in water alone.The plant extracts exhibit diuretic activity.Dosage: Fruit, root—3-5 g powder; 50-100 ml. decoction. (CCRAS.)... pedalium murexHabitat: Native to Southeast Asia; now cultivated mainly in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra.
English: Ginger.Ayurvedic: Fresh rhizome— Aardraka, Aadrikaa, Shrngibera, shrngavera, Katubhadra. Dried rhi- zome—Shunthi, Naagara, Naagaraa, Naagaraka, Aushadha, Mahaushad- ha, Vishvaa, Vishvabheshaja, Vishvaaushadha.Unani: Fresh rhizome—Zanjabeel- e-Ratab, Al-Zanjabeel. Dried rhizome—zanjabeel, Zanjabeel-e- yaabis.Siddha: Fresh rhizome—Inji, Allam, Lokottai. Dried rhizome— chukku, Sunthi.Action: Rhizome—antiemetic, antiflatulent, hypocholesterolaemic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, increases bioavailabil- ity of prescription drugs. Used for irritable bowel and diarrhoea, colds and influenza. Showed encouraging results in migraine and cluster headache (J Ethnophar- macol, 1990, 29, 267-273; Aust J Med Herbalism, 1995, 7/3, 6978; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.) The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends dried rhizomes in dyspepsia, loss of appetite, tympanitis, anaemia, rheumatism, cough and dyspnoea; fresh rhizomes in constipation, colic, oedema and throat infections.
Key application: For dyspepsia and prevention of motion sickness (German Commission E); vomiting of pregnancy, anorexia, bronchitis and rheumatic complaints (The British Herbal Compendium); as a post-operative antiemetic. (ESCOP).The rhizome contains an essential oil containing monoterpenes, mainly geranial and neral; and sesquiterpenes, mainly beta-sesquiphellandrene, beta- bisabolene, ar-curcumene and alpha- zingiberene; pungent principles, consisting of gingerols, shogaols and related phenolic ketone derivatives. Other constituents include diarylheptenones, diterpenes, gingesulphonic acid and monoacyldigalactosyl glycerols.Gingerol and shogaol have been shown to suppress gastric contractions. Both fresh and dried rhizomes suppress gastric secretion and reduce vomiting. Gingerol and shogaol have gained importance due to their sedative, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, hypotensive and hepatopro- tective activities.Cardiotonic effects of ginger has been attributed to 6-and 8-shagaols and gingerols. (Antithrombotic effects remain unconfirmed.) Antimigraine effect is due to ginger's ability to decrease platelet aggregation. It also acts as a potent inhibitor of prostaglandins which enhance release of substance P from trigeminal fibers. (PDR, 2004.)Indian ginger is considered only second to Jamaican in quality.There are three main types of Indian ginger—Cochin ginger (light brown or yellowish grey; Calicut ginger from Malabar (orange or reddish brown, resembling African ginger) and Kolkata ginger (greyish brown to greyish blue).... zingiber officinaleAction: febrifuge (mild), astringent, diuretic, anti-rheumatic. Fruits are a rich source of Vitamin C, and have a Vitamin P effect. Anti-inflammatory for rheumatic disorders and gout. Nerve tonic. Hypotensor. Mild antispasmodic. Cooling.
Uses: As a tea in early stages of fevers until deeper-acting and more specific treatment is prescribed. Capillary fragility. High blood pressure (fruit). Sore throat (tea used as a gargle). Irritable bowel. Renal calculi, oliguria, renal colic.
Combination: equal parts: with Agrimony and German Chamomile for diverticulosis.
Preparations: Leaves: 1oz to 1 pint boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. One-half-1 cup freely.
Fruits: Black currant syrup, BPC.
Note: Seeds are twice as rich in gamma linolenic acid than an equivalent amount in Evening Primrose oil. Assists production of prostaglandins that control blood pressure and regulate metabolism. ... black currant
FAMILY: Rutaceae
SYNONYMS: C. racemosa, C. maxima var. racemosa, shaddock (oil).
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A cultivated tree, often over 10 metres high with glossy leaves and large yellow fruits, believed to have derived from the shaddock (C. grandis).
DISTRIBUTION: Native to tropical Asia, and the West Indies; cultivated in California, Florida, Brazil and Israel. The oil is mainly produced in California.
OTHER SPECIES: C. paradisi is a recent hybrid of C. maxima and C. sinesis. There are many different cultivars; for example, ‘Duncan’ is standard in Florida.
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: It shares the nutritional qualities of other citrus species, being high in Vitamin C and a valuable protection against infectious illness.
ACTIONS: Antiseptic, antitoxic, astringent, bactericidal, diuretic, depurative, stimulant (lymphatic, digestive), tonic.
EXTRACTION: Essential oil by cold expression from the fresh peel. (Some oil is distilled from the peel and remains of the fruit after the juice has been utilized, but this is of inferior quality.)
CHARACTERISTICS: A yellow or greenish mobile liquid with a fresh, sweet citrus aroma. It blends well with lemon, palmarosa, bergamot, neroli, rosemary, cypress, lavender, geranium, cardomon and other spice oils.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Limonene (90 per cent), cadinene, paradisiol, neral, geraniol, citronellal, sinensal, as well as esters, coumarins and furocoumarins.
SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic. It has a short shelf life – it oxidizes quickly.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE
SKIN CARE: Acne, congested and oily skin, promotes hair growth, tones the skin and tissues.
Circulation Muscles And Joints: Cellulitis, exercise preparation, muscle fatigue, obesity, stiffness, water retention.
Immune System: Chills, colds, ’flu.
Nervous System: Depression, headaches, nervous exhaustion, performance stress.
OTHER USES: Employed as a fragrance component in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes. Extensively used in desserts, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.... grapefruit
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