A REVIEW ON SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS OF KERALA
Pandey Meenakshi*, Singh D.C., Kandpal Asheesh and Nautiyal Rakhi
ABSTRACT
Kerala forests are famous for having variety of medicinal plants, used in the preparation of ayurvedic medicines and also has been known for rich and exotic spices. Musiri, the ancient port of this state became the base of world spice trade, almost ages ago. Jawaharlal Nehru tropical botanic garden and research institute, Spice garden Munnar, Carmelgiri botanical garden, Vaidyaratnam P.S Varier’s Arya Vaidya Sala Kottakkal are some important places of the state to visit for the knowledge of medicinal herbs. Piper nigrum, Myristica fragrans, Elettaria cardamomum, Syzygium aromaticum, Saraca asoca are the valuable herbs having healing properties and also promote immunity against several diseases. Brhat Trayi extensively described Piper nigrum as appetizer, carminative and anti –microbial. Elettaria cardamomum is a well documented aromatic condament in Indian medicine and tradition. In Charak samita, in the context of timira treatment, ela powder is soaked in goat’s urine for 3 days and applied as collyrium. Clove oil is used for dental caries and gingivitis and also applied externally to relieve joint pains and headache. Jatiphala and Sunthi kalka is given orally in atisara treatment as mentioned by Siddha Bhesaja Mani- mala. In menorrhagia Chakradata recommends that the bark of Ashoka tree in the form of decoction be given twice daily. In this review we are going to discuss these medicinal plants of Kerala in all aspects.
Keywords: Spices, Piper nigrum, Myristica fragrans, Elettaria cardamomum, Syzygium aromaticum, Saraca asoca, carminative, menorrhagia.
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