Amalaki or amalakai is commonly known as Indian gooseberry and is found in all parts of India. A constituent of triphala, amalaki is rich in nutrients like vitamin C and is helpful in preventing a variety of diseases. It is a seasonal fruit, its medicinal value is not lost when taken fresh or cooked. It is effective against different allergies, anemia, common cold, flu, diabetes, digestive problems, liver diseases, contipation, etc.

It is helpful in purifying blood, and helps growth of new tissue. It is also used for healthy hair, nail, teeth and bones. It also enhances natural immune system of human body.

Amalaki is also called amla, amala, amla fruit, Indian gooseberry, nellika or nellikai (Malayalam), etc.

Emblica officinalis is in the plant family Euphorbiaceae.

Anachuvady (Elephantopus scaber) is a small perennial herb found in tropical conditions, almost throughout the world.

Anachuvady literally means something with the foot of an elephant. The plant appears to have only a bunch of leaves radiating from a point on ground. The plant will also produce two or three bunches of flowers. The leaves are 4-6 inch long and 1-2 inch wide. The base and roots are used in different Ayurveda medicines.

Anachuvadi is used in the treatment of small pox, bronchitis, diarrhea and is used as a brain tonic. The extracts from this plant have analgesic, diuretic and astringent properties. Anachuvadi is also anti bacterial.

Elephantopus scaber belongs to the family Asteraceae.

Bakul or Bakula (mimusops elengi) is an Ayurvedic herb used mainly for treating dental disorders. Bakul leaves when boiled in water makes an excellent mouthwash, capable of preventing bad breath. It also helps to keep the gums and tooth-roots healthy. It also has antiseptic and curative properties and is good for wounds and cuts.

Mimusops elengi is in the plant family Supotaceae.

Custard apple (also called sugar apple, sweet sop) tree has different medicinal properties. The bark forms a part of decoction that is used to stop diarrhea. Its root is also used in the treatment of dysentery. The leaves also have medicinal property and are used to clear urinary defects.

Custard apple seed has insecticidal properties. It can destroy lice on the head.

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) is an Ayurvedic herb (tree), which protects heart, and strengthens heart muscles. Different components present in the bark of arjuna tree prevents heart attack from occurring. It puts cholesterol levels under control.

Arjuna also protects liver, reduces blood pressure and lowers heart rate. Different studies conducted in different parts of India confirmed the effectiveness of Arjuna bark in lowering blood-cholesterol level by as much as 64%. This directly effects to regular blood pressure and heart rate. It also avoids the chances of hypertension.

The use of arjuna for conditions similar to heart diseases is predominant in India. Ayurvedic texts from BC 600 have directions in this regard, although heart diseases were not identified as such those days.

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is a popular medicinal plant in India, known for its vitalizing properties. It gives vitality and vigor. It is also the plant that gives stamina and endurance. Ashwantha is also used in the treatment of rheumatism, Leprosy, arthritis, etc. Recent studies have found that ashwagandha is useful in the treatment of anxiety, neurological disorders, ParkinsonÂ’s disease, etc. It is also used as an adaptogen.

Clinical trials also proved the efficiency of aswagandha in increasing red blood cell count and haemoglobin, improved sexual performance, in men aged 50 and above.

The term Aswagandha literally means ‘smell of a horse’. Aswagandha doesn’t have the real smell of a horse or horse sweat, but it is believed that this herb has the capability to give the power of a horse to humans, especially when tasks that requires physical exertion. It is more often related to increased libido because of its capability to give vigor and stamina.

Aswangandha come in the family Solanaceae and its botanical name is Withania Somnifera. It is known by the names Indian ginseng, withania, Indian winter cherry, amukuram (Malayalam) etc.

Asparagus is regarded as a high latitude plant, usually found in The Himalayas at an elevation of 8,000 feet. It is also found in other parts of northern India and in the Western Ghats of South India. In fact asparagus grows throughout Kerala.

The plant is known by its spiny leaves and spines in its soft stem that is neither a climber nor a runner. Root is the main usable part. It is used for a variety of conditions like digestive problems, constipation, nervous disorders, tuberculosis, and respiratory problems like bronchitis. It also has cooling properties and soothing effects on nervous system. It is also a compound for medicines prescribed for general weakness.

Asparagus, Asparagus racemosus are known by the popular names Asparagus and Satavari (in Kerala).

Babul Chal (Babul Chall – Acacia Arabica) is an Ayurvedic herb with several medicinal properties. The bark of the tree forms a condiment of different decoctions. It is an anti-carcinogenic. It is an astringent, laxative, and is used in treating vomiting, certain heart diseases, itching, piles, dysentery, bronchitis, etc.

Acacia Arabica is in the plant family Amaranthaceae.

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) has long been used in treating diabetes. New researches have also found the effectiveness of bitter gourd (also called bitter melon) in the treatment of psoriasis. Present researches explore whether it is beneficial in treating HIV. No concrete evidence is available till now in this direction.

Bitter gourd is used as a vegetable in India, other Asian countries, South Africa and South America. Just as the name suggests, it is too bitter for the tongue to handle. There are different preparations that diminish the bitter taste, the main technique among them is cooking in coconut oil and adding a lot of mashed coconut and onion.

Fruit is the main medicinal part. Other parts like leaves, vine and seeds are also used in specific occasions.

Black pepper (piper nigrum) used as a spice is also an Ayurvedic herb. The main usable part is its fruits. Grounded black pepper forms an important constituent of many home remedies and Ayurvedic medicines. Its aroma is also used to treat conditions like acute fever, unconsciousness, etc.

It forms a constituent of Ayurvedic medicinal coffee, home remedy for cough, cold and nausea, etc.

Piper nigrum is known by different names in different parts of India. Kurumulaku is the Malayalam name. Krishna, vellaja etc are other names of the herb.

Brahmi is long identified as a brain tonic that benefits young students and people with cognitive and comprehension difficulties. References to brahmi as an Ayurvedic medicine can be found in scripts that are 3000 years old. It is a nerve tonic, and revitalize nerves and brain cells. Students are often given brahmi because of its effectiveness in improving memory, concentration, comprehension, intelligence and better capabilities to balance stress.

Researches of late suggest brahmi enhances immune system, and prolongs aging process. its effectiveness in treat AlzheimerÂ’s disease is presently under review. It is found that the working of brahmi based medicines are exactly in the same way as that of western medicines used for the treatment of memory loss, AlzheimerÂ’s diseases etc.

Apart from its obvious benefits on nervous system and brain, brahmi also has positive effects when used in the treatment of rheumatism, increased blood sugar levels, skin diseases, blood circulation problems, etc.

It also has effects on extra vitality. Brahmi is also thought of as promoting hair and nail growth. Skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, boils etc are treated with brahmi.