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Lemon Verbena (Nimbuka)

Lemon Verbena Scientific Name

Aloysia citrodora

Lemon Verbena Other Names

English: Lemon-scented verbena
French: Verveine citronnelle, Verveine odorante
German: Zitronenverbene
Spanish: Cedron, Hierbaluisa
Sanskrit: Nimbuka

What is Lemon Verbena?

Lemon Verbena can be seen in nature as a white flower. It is commonly used in cooking especially in jams, beverages and other such food items. Lemon Verbena is mostly used by deriving essential oil from the plant; however, the herb is known to have numerous health advantages. It is known to have antispasmodic properties and is used for digestive disorders such as gas or diarrhea, multiple sclerosis (MS), muscle damage caused by exercise, insomnia, and other conditions.

Common forms of Lemon Verbena

Leaves, Oil

Lemon Verbena is commonly used for:

  • Losing weight
  • Strengthening Muscles
  • Reducing inflammation
  • Maintaining a strong immune system
  • Curing digestive issues
  • Reducing levels of stress and anxiety
  • Reducing symptoms of a fever
  • Boosting Immunity
  • Aiding Digestion

Lemon Verbena Dosage

Leaves Tea: Use ½ -1 teaspoon of dried leaves per person, per cup of boiling water.

Lemon Verbena Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Lemon Verbena can cause skin irritation (dermatitis) in some people. Contact with lemon verbena may cause red, itchy skin rash in some people.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take lemon verbena.
Children: Not known.
Warning:
Large amounts of lemon verbena may irritate the kidneys and make kidney disease worse. Avoid using large amounts if you have kidney problems.

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Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon Balm Scientific Name

Melissa officinalis

Lemon Balm Other Names

English: Balm
French: Baume, Citronnelle, Mélisse, Herbe citron
German: Melisse, Zitronenmelisse, Herztrost
Spanish: Melissa, Cedronella, Citronella, Erba limona

What is Lemon Balm?

Lemon Balm is a lemon-scented traditionally used to relieve stress, enhance mood, and reduce anxiety. Due to the citrus from the lemon, it acts as a great skin cleanser in cleaning out excess oil, dirt, and pores. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that soothe acne, heals sunburns, and treats inflamed skin. It also helps in eliminating both blackheads and whiteheads from the skin.

Common forms of Lemon Balm

Fruit, Tea, Oil, Leaf paste

Lemon Balm is commonly used for:

  • Combating Acne
  • Dealing with the symptoms of Obesity
  • Cooling a fever
  • Dealing with Skin Conditions
  • Treating depression
  • Relieving headache
  • Relieving pain from digestive disorders
  • Reducing the pain from soreness
  • Dealing with Vomit
  • Aiding muscle Pain
  • Unclogging stubborn Pores

Lemon Balm Dosage

Leaves Tea: 2-4g or as prescribed.
Tincture: 2-6mL orally three times daily or as prescribed.

Lemon Balm Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Skin irritation, Vomiting, Nausea, Dizziness, Anxiety, Hypersensitivity
Not so common side-effects: Not Known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take Lemon Balm.
Children: Not Known.
Warning:
Lemon balm may cause severe drowsiness if combined with medications during and after surgery. Stop using lemon balm at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery. Additionally, avoid lemon balm if you have thyroid disease. It may reduce thyroid hormone levels, change thyroid function, and interfere with thyroid hormone-replacement therapy.

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Sitafal (Custard Apple)

Sitafal Scientific Name

Annona squamosa

Sitafal Other Names

English: Custard Apple, Sugar apple, Sweet sop
Hindi: Sharifa, Seetaphal
Sanskrit: Sitaaphala
Tamil: Seetapazham, Cintamaram

What is Sitafal?

Sitafal, more commonly known as Custard Apple, is a popular fruit that manages a variety of diseases. It is rich in fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Furthermore, Sitafal helps to relieve constipation by promoting bowel movements because of its laxative properties. Due to the antioxidants found in Sitafal leaves, it also helps to manage diabetes and might help enhance insulin production. Furthermore, it helps with high blood pressure due to the potassium and magnesium that promote the dilation of blood vessels that improves blood flow. It may help prevent wrinkles, acne and maintain a healthy glowing skin.

Common forms of Sitafal

Seeds, leaves, shoots, and flowers

Sitafal is commonly used for:

  • Reducing morning sickness
  • Healthy weight-gain
  • Regulating blood pressure
  • Relieving constipation
  • Reducing stress
  • Boosting fetal development in pregnant ladies
  • Cleansing toxins from the body
  • Relieving dental problems
  • Preventing miscarriage

Sitafal Dosage

Powder: ¼-½ teaspoons twice a day.
Root decoction: 40-50 ml
Fruit pulp: 40-50g

Sitafal Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Not known.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mother: Sitafal seeds should be avoided during pregnancy as it has toxic effects.
Children: Not known.
Warning:
Avoid consuming Sitafal seeds as they may be toxic.

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Atibla or Atibala (Country Mallow)

Atibala Scientific Name

Abutilon indicum

Atibala Other Names

English: Country mallow, Indian Mallow
Hindi: Kanghi, Kakahi, Jhili, Atibala, Tara Kanchi, Itawari
Arabian: Masthul Gola
Farsi: Darakhtashaan
Sanskrit : Rishyaprokta, Kankatika, Balika, Rishagandha, Bhuribala

What is Atibala?

Atibla also known as Atibala literally means “great strength”. It is an is an ayurvedic herb that has body strengthening properties. The plant possesses anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, diuretic, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-malarial, wound healing, and anti-diarrheal properties. The roots, flowers, leaves, bark, stems, and seeds are used in Ayurvedic medicines.

Common forms of Atibala

Root, Bark, Leaves, Flower, Stem, Seed, Powder

Atibala is commonly used for:

  • Treating male sexual dysfunction
  • Aiding malnutrition
  • Reducing the pain from Osteoarthritis
  • Treating Ulcers
  • Aiding urinary tract infections
  • Healing wounds
  • Reducing wrinkles
  • Treating toothaches
  • Aiding piles
  • Fighting dysentry
  • Treating fever
  • Relieving allergy
  • Treating Leprosy

Atibala Dosage

Powder: ¼ to ½ teaspoon a day or as per your requirement.

Atibala Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Not Known.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Due to a lack of research, consult a physician before taking Atibala during pregnancy or lactation.
Children: Not known.
Warning:
Due to a lack of research, patients with heart disease and diabetes should consult a physician before taking Atibala.

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Sweet Flag (Vacha)

Sweet Flag Scientific Name

Acorus calamus Linn

Sweet Flag Other Names

English: Sweet Flag, Calamus, Rat root, German ginger, Myrtle grass
Hindi: Bach, Ghorbach, Safed bach
Sanskrit: Golomi, Ugragandha, Shadgrantha, Lomasha, Jatila, Hemavati

What is Sweet Flag?

Sweet Flag is known to stimulate intelligence and expression. In Ayurveda, Sweet Flag is known as a rejuvenating herb because of its positive effect on the nervous system. It is bitter in taste and is used in the dried form. It is slightly tonic and carminative, and goes well with other tonics and stimulants when taken simultaneously. It may be used in cases of flatulent colic, atonic dyspepsia, and feebleness of the digestive organs. As recommended by Ayurved, it works to support cinchona and quinine during times of internal pain.

Common forms of Sweet Flag

Powder, Oil, Capsule

Sweet Flag is commonly used for:

  • Stimulating appetite
  • Eliminating stomach ulcers
  • Reducing flatulence (gas formation)
  • Decreasing diarrhea
  • Controlling bacterial and fungal skin infections
  • Aiding arthritis
  • Reducing obesity
  • Increasing memory and intelligence
  • Tinnitus

Sweet Flag Dosage

Powder: For internal use 1-2 pinch a day and for external use 1/2-1 teaspoon or as per your requirement.
Oil: 2-3 drops or as per your requirement.

Sweet Flag Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects:
Headache (common in people with Pitta Constitution or having Pitta disease), Nausea, Vomiting (occurs only with higher dosage i.e. more than 1 gram), Low blood pressure (uncommon with Calamus root powder, but common with Calamus oil), Bradycardia – slow heartbeat
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Avoid Sweet Flag during pregnancy as it is likely to promote menstruation or bleeding from the uterine wall.
Children: Not known.

Warning:

  1. Apply Sweet Flag to a small area first to test for possible allergic reactions. Or use it only under doctor’s supervision if you are allergic to Sweet Flag or its constituents. If your skin is hypersensitive, you can apply Sweet Flag root paste mixed with honey or milk.
  2. Sweet Flag can act on the central nervous system and can cause too much sleepiness when combined with other medications used during or after the surgery. Therefore, it is advisable to stop taking Sweet Flag at least 2 weeks before the scheduled surgery.
  3. Antacids are used to decrease acid in the stomach whereas Sweet Flag might increase acid in the stomach. 
  4. Sweet Flag might decrease the effectiveness of antacids. It is thus advisable to avoid Sweet Flag with antacid.
  5. Sweet Flag might increase the side effects of antidepressants; therefore, avoid taking antidepressants.
  6. Sweet Flag may lower blood pressure. So it is generally advisable to monitor your blood pressure regularly while taking Sweet Flag along with other anti-hypertensive drugs.
  7. Sweet Flag may be used with caution in cancer patients or patients taking antineoplastic agents.
  8. Sweet Flag might increase the risk of constipation from calcium channel blockers.
  9. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) have prohibited the use of certain species of Sweet Flag as it is reported to contain cancer-causing chemicals

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Tailed Pepper (Kababcheeni)

Tailed pepper Scientific Name

Piper cubeba

Tailed pepper Other Names

English: Tail Pepper, Cubeb, Java Pepper
Hindi: Kababcheeni, Sheetalcheeni
Sanskrit: Cavya

What is Tailed pepper?

Tailed pepper is known for its immense therapeutic properties and has many Ayurvedic applications. It is a woody climber and the unripe fruit is found to have bioactive components used for medicinal purposes. It is mainly used in the treatment of respiratory disorders like cough, asthma, chronic bronchitis. It is used as a substitute for Musk. Additionally, Tailed Pepper has anesthetic (pain0insentivity), anti-anthelmintic (parasite-destroying), antiemetic (suppresses nausea), anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, cardiotonic (promoting cardiac health), carminative (relieves flatulence), diuretic (increases frequency of urination), emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation), expectorant (facilitates phlegm production), rejuvenating, stomachic (promotes healthy appetite) and thermogenic (heat-producing) properties.

Common forms of Tailed pepper

Seed, Powder, Oil

Tailed pepper is commonly used for:

  • Treating inflammatory diseases and Urinary Tract Infections
  • Curing chronic bronchitis and other respiratory conditions including Asthma
  • Curing dysentery and reducing flatulence
  • Managing stress and anxiety

Tailed pepper Dosage

Powder: 1/2-1 tsp or as prescribed.
Oil: 2-5 drops or as prescribed.

Tailed pepper Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Excess intake especially in concentrated forms like oil can cause severe stomach upsets, headaches, and skin rashes. Avoid intake if you have GI inflammation.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Not known. Avoid use, as Tailed pepper can cause menstruation.
Children: Not known.
Warning:
Tailed pepper might reduce the effectiveness and antacids and worsen acidity. It may also have adverse effects on the kidney and should be avoided in case of kidney disease. It is also found to inhibit proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers and therapeutic amounts should be taken only under medical supervision.

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