Plants In Complimentary & Indigenous Traditional Systems of

Medicine
1.1. Introduction
Medicinal plants have been playing significant role in the
treatment of various ailments in Indian subcontinent. The
important traditional methods are Ayurvedic, homeopathy, Unani
systems of medicines. More frequently traditional drugs are used
to cure the following ailments:
Disorders
Cough &

Plants used
Leaves of Angelica, Garlic, Tulsi, Eucalyptus sp. dried

Cold
GI

stigma of Saffron, Ginger

Plantago husk, Senna leaves, honey (constipation) ,

Disorders

bark of Cascara, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Chirata

Urinary

(stomachic)
Kalmegh, Picrorhiza, Jar-amla (Cholagogue disorders);

disorders
Anti-

Arjuna, Punarnava (Diuretic ailments)

Rasna (Rheumatism), Gugul resin (anti-arthritic)

arthritic
agents
Sedative &

Aswagandha, Belladona, Datura, Cannabis,

Traqulizers
Cardiac

Hyoscyamus, Wild Cherry bark (Mild sedative)

Sarpagandha (hypotensive), Strophanthus

Others

(Cardiotonic)
Chenopodium oil (Anthelmintic) Vasaka (Antiasthmatic), Turmeric, Punarnava, Aswagandha (Antiinflammatory)

1.2 .

Individual Plants

Plant

Biological
Source

Punarnav
a

Boerhaavia
diffusa

Vasaka

Adhatoda
vaska

Anantam
ul

Hemidesmus
indicus

Arjun

Tarminalia
arjuna

Leaves
& bark

Chirata

Gentiana
chirayita

Picrorhiga

Picrirhiga
kurroa

Entire
dried
plant
Dried
rizomes

Kalomegh Andrographis
paniculata

Plant
part in
use
Root

Important
content

Use

Alkaloids,
Xanthenes,
Ursolic acid

Dried /
fresh
leaves
Root

Vasicine,
Vasicinone
(alkaloid)
Essential Oil,
Saponin,
Resin,
Tannins,
Sterols and
glucosides.
Tannins, sitosterols,
saponin
Gentiopicrin
(bitter
glycoside)
Picrorhigin
(Glucoside)

Diuretic, useful in
nephritic syndrome,
chronic oedema &
liver diseases
Cough & cold, chronic
bronchitis & asthma,
expectorant
Tonic, diuretic,
demulcent,
diaphoretic,
carminative

Leaves
or
entire
aerial
part
Dried
fruit

Amla
(Triphala)

Phylanthus
emblica

Asoka

Saraca indica

Dried
bark

Bahera

Terminalia
belerica

Dried
ripe

Kalmeghin
(bitter
crystalline
diterpin
lactone)
Vit C (20
times more
than in
orange)
Tannins,
catechol,
streols
20% tannins,
phyllembin,

As cardio tonic in
angina pain, diuretic in
palpitations
Bitter tonic, febrifuge,
stomachic & laxative
Bitter tonic, cathartic,
stomachic used in
dyspepsia, antiperiodic & colagogue
Febrifuge, astringent,
anthelmintic. Useful in
cholera, piles,
gonorrhea, dyspepsia
and general weakness
Cooling, refrigerant,
diuretic & laxative
Astringent used in
uterine affections,
dyspepsia, dysentery,
colic, piles, ulcer.
Bitter tonic,
astringent, laxative,

fruit

mannitol

Haritaki

Terminalia
Chebula.

Fruit

Triterpenes &
conjugated
coumarins

Plant

Biological
Source

Important
content

Tulsi

Ocimum
sanctum

Plant
part in
use
Leaves

Neem

Azadiachta
indica

Leaves
& seed
oil

Betel nut

Areka catechu

Seed

Nimbin, ,
nimbinene,
nimbandiol
(indole
alkaloids)
acrecoline
and other
alkaloids

Garlic

Alium stivum

Bulb

Designated
allicin

Spirulina

Spirulina
maxima

Protein & Vit

B12

Ginseng

Panax
quinquefolius

Bluegreen
algae
Root

Aloe

Aloe
barbadensis

Dried
latex
juice of
leaves

Eugenol
(essential
oil), carvacrol

Complex
mixture of
triterpenoid
saponins
Barbaloin
(anthraquinin
e glycosides

antipyretic used in
dysentery, piles,
leprosy
Carminative, appetite
stimulant used in
leprosy, anemia, piles,
intermittent fever,
heart disease, diarrhea
Use
Expectorant,
diaphoretic,
antiperiodic, antiseptic
& spasmolydic
Stimulant, antiseptic
used in rheumatism &
skin diseases
emmenagogue,
digestive aid, mitotic,
nervine, cardiotonic,
and astringent.
Used in hypertension,
stimulating bile
production, common
cold, acceleration in
wound healing
Weight loss
Aphrodisiac

Benzoin tincture,
cathertic