AYUSH recommended herbal home garden-Part 3

COVID- 19 pandemic and coming up of its second wave in different countries again proves that home is the safest place to survive. During this tough time when we need to spend maximum time at our home, we often try to do some innovative things to break the monotony of our daily living. Many of us have a passion for home gardening. But time crunch often restricts us from living with our passion. Nature gives us enough time during this pandemic to uplift this passion and make our home more pleasant and calm.

Presently, we have to be very wise in every step to live better and prevent diseases. This blog writing in NitaNaturale aims to guide readers on which plants they can choose for their home garden to make it an herbal home garden. Following are some AYUSH recommended herbal plants that are available and easy to grow without giving much effort.

Indian borage (Mexican mint)

The botanical name of Indian borage is Plectranthus amboinicus. This plant belongs to the mint family, but it is different from the common mint plant (Mentha cultivar). This plant has wide use in Indian medicine and culinary purposes. The oregano-like aroma of Indian borage leaves adds flavor to different dishes and can mask the stink of seafood and meat preparations. Adding Indian borage plant leaves in food preparation may prevent bacterial growth because of its antibacterial property. Therefore, this plant can use as a natural food preservative. [1] Indian borage is a fast-growing plant, suitable to grow in pots and spread out fast from stem cutting. The decoction of these plant leaves can treat various illnesses.

These plant leaves are an abundant source of calcium and potassium. The presence of these minerals improves bone strength and regulates some vital organs functioning like the heart, kidney, nerves, and muscles. [2]
Indian borage contains a significant amount of iron and has therapeutic benefits against iron deficiency anemia. [2]
Indian borage is used in Indian folk medicine to treat chronic coughs, sore throat, bronchitis, and asthma. Carvacrol and Thymol are two essential oil components present in the juice of Indian borage leaves are excellent expectorant and relief many respiratory disease condition like catarrhal infections, asthma, etc. [3]
The leaves of this plant are a popular home remedy to treat indigestion, dyspepsia due to their carminative property. Experts often recommend probiotics with Indian borage leaves to treat diarrhea. [3]
Indian borage plant leaves are advantageous for diabetic patients. Some of the phytochemicals present in this herb have a blood sugar lowering effect. Along with this, a paste of leaves and roots of this plant can enhance the wound healing process by increasing contraction of the wound, collagen deposition, and reducing the wound epithelialization period. Indian borage plant paste accelerates the wound healing process and reduces the risk of complications associated with the delayed wound healing process in diabetic patients.
Indian borage leave juice has a remedial effect on skin allergy, skin ulceration, and dandruff. It also acts as venom antidotes against insect bites. [3]
Using Indian borage plant preparation with mouthwash can avoid bacterial growth in the oral cavity. Not only Indian borage leaves, but the stem of this plant contains multiple essential phytochemicals which have different therapeutic benefits. Neutraceuticals researchers expect that this plant has the potentiality to be used as a functional food ingredient. [4] Herbal researchers also describe that this medicinal plant has no side effects. [5]

Indian gooseberry (Amla)

Introducing amla to diet is a cost-effective strategy to manage our common health issues. The phytochemicals present in amla inhibit platelet aggregation that can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. [6] Moreover, a human trial result reported that intake of amla could significantly reduce high blood cholesterol and triglycerides and associated lipoproteins and rectify dyslipidemia. [7] Thus, regular consumption of amla preparation helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. [7] A clinical trial updated under ClinicalTrials.gov determines the efficacy of amla extract against hypercholesterolemia. [8]

Diabetic patients have a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases because generated oxidative stress damages endothelial functioning. The anti-thrombotic and anti-oxidative effects of amla can control vascular injuries in diabetic patients. [6]
Amla is an abundant source of vitamin C. Intake of amla delays aging and age-related diseases such as kidney problem, compromised immune functioning, etc. [6]
Buildup of oxidative stress damages DNA. Consequently, faulty cellular mutation leads to illness. Regular intake of amla helps tissues to absorb its phytochemicals like ellagitannins and polyphenols. Thus body acquires enhanced antioxidant protection against oxidation-induced DNA damage and mutation. [6]
The phytochemical composition of amla has a potent antioxidant property along with an anti-proliferative effect against cancer cells. Amla extract can soak up free radicals and imparts a cancer-preventative property. Researchers expect that amla could be a promising nutraceutical supplement to prevent and treat human cancer. [9]

Indian Pennywort (Gotu Kola)

Gotu kola is a perennial herbaceous creeper. Its fan-shaped green leaves with white or light purple-to-pink or white flowers and small oval-shaped fruits titivate your home garden. Along with the beautification of your home garden, you can use the whole plant for different medicinal purposes. Some common uses of this plant are blood purification, memory power enhancement, treatment for hypertension, and promote longevity. Almost every traditional medicinal system acknowledges this plant as herbal medicine.

In Ayurveda, Gotu kola is a herbal remedy for a brain and nervous system revitalizer. In the Eastern medicinal system, this herb is recommended to treat depression and emotional disorders. During the middle of the twentieth century, an alcohol extract of Gotu kola was a herbal remedy for leprosy under the western medicinal system. [10]
Some clinical studies recommended Gotu kola has neuroprotective benefits. [11] It acts as an anti-depressant, anti-anxiolytic and anti-epileptic benefits. [10] The neuroprotective effect of Gotu kola acts by following the different mechanisms of action. This herb inhibits enzyme activity, prevents amyloid plaque formation in Alzheimer’s disease, protects dopamine neurotoxicity in Parkinson’s disease, and reduces oxidative stress. [12] Experts expected that the antioxidant property of this herb effective against neurotoxicity and gives protection from Alzheimer’s disease. [10]
Gotu kola also boosts attention and concentration by increasing mental alertness. Gotu kola can also use for anger management. [13] Intake of Gotu kola helps to delay aging and provides therapeutic benefits to age-related diseases like microangiopathy, venous insufficiency, atherosclerosis, and delayed wound healing, etc. [11]
The anti-inflammatory action of Gotu kola acts against arthritis and also protects joint destruction. [10] Research studies have found that madecassoside present in Gotu kola could improve osteoporosis by inhibiting the osteoclasts absorption and reducing osteoclast formation. [14]
Herbal researchers have not found any adverse effects while using this plant as an herbal remedy for above mentioned therapeutic application. [13]
Asiatic acid and madecassoside are two phytochemicals present in Gotu kola. They serve as blood sugar level regulator, ameliorate insulin resistance, prevent weight gain and improve inflammation, and oxidative stress. All these health benefits are effective against the most common endocrine diseases like diabetes and obesity. [14]
Gotu kola contains asiatic acid and asiaticoside phytochemicals. Both of these phytochemicals have an anti-inflammatory property and may effective for respiratory diseases. [14]
The topical application of Gotu kola on the skin shows that the phytochemicals present in this herb have a low transdermal absorption rate. But this herb can be an effective beauty maintenance remedy for promoting wound healing, reducing skin-inflammatory conditions, and providing beneficial effects on vitiligo and baldness. [14]

Lemon grass

Lemongrass is famous for its aromatic flavor. The typical essential oil mainly present in its shoot exerts the lemony aroma. Lemongrass flourishes in the tropical region with sunny, warm, humid climatic conditions. A wide range of soil varieties from rich loam to poor laterite is suitable to grow this plant. But lemongrass has a different variety. Soil needs to choose accordingly. It is always better to take advice from a gardener for a better result.

The purpose of adding lemongrass in different food preparations is to add aromatic flavor to the dish. But you may not know that this herbal ingredient helps in food preservation. Lemongrass oil has strong antifungal and antibacterial properties. Both of these medicinal properties make lemongrass a food preservative. [15, 16] A group of herbal researchers also reported that lemongrass essential oil could effectively treat skin-inflammatory conditions like acne and fungal skin infections, though further human trial requires for confirmation. [17]
A dentistry research group reported that lemongrass extract is an effective treatment for Porphyromonas gingivalis (a gum inflammatory disease causing bacteria). Conventionally many dentistry products contain lemongrass extract because of the oral therapeutic benefit of this plant.

Lemongrass tea is an easy way to incorporate this herb into your daily diet. You can also prepare lemongrass oil by adding freshly collected lemongrass from your home garden. Then wash and dry them thoroughly. Remove the upper harder layer of the shoot and crush them. Then add the crushed lemongrass shoot into olive oil. Keep the bottle in a sunny place for 48 hours. Then strain the oil and repeat the process with the same oil for a strong aroma.

Malabar nut (basak / Vasa)

Malabar nut or Adhatoda vasica (botanical name) is a widely applied herb in Ayurveda and Unani medicinal systems. Leaves root and stem of this plant contain different phytochemicals that have a therapeutic role. Growing this plant is a little laborious job as the seed germination rate is poor. [18] You can try the stem-cutting process also to grow this plant in your home garden. But adding this plant to your home garden can add value to your home herbal garden.

Vasicine is one of the phytochemicals of Basak plants have antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer property. The leaves of this plant contain a maximum amount of vasicine. The presence of vasicine makes Malabar nut leaves a bronchodilator, respiratory stimulant, and uterine stimulant. [19]
The presence of multiple phytochemicals in the Malabar nut acts as a cardiac stimulant that prevents cardiac depressants. This herb also restricts intestinal shrinkage. Herbal experts suggest that Malabar nut effective adjuvant remedy against tuberculosis. The bitter taste of this plant is helping to manage diabetes by inhibiting sucrose activity. [20] Some of the traditional uses of Malabar nut plants are as follows:
The decoction of root and bark with a dose of 30 grams twice or thrice a day for three days can treat cold, cough, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. [21]
A teaspoon of fresh leaves juice of Malabar nut plant trice a day gives the successful result to treat acute stages of bronchitis. This treatment breaks the sticky and thick sputum and liquefies the sputum. Thus, the phlegm expels out from the respiratory tract. [21]
Smoking of dried leaves of this plant helps to relieve asthma. [21]
Gulkand, an Ayurveda preparation made up of vasaka flowers is recommended for tuberculosis treatment. [21]
Take 2 to 4 grams of vasaka leaves and prepare juice to treat diarrhea and dysentery. [21]
Application of vasaka leaves poultice on fresh wounds, rheumatic joints, and inflammatory swellings gives a relieving effect. [21]
Warm vasaka leaves decoction helps to treat skin diseases like scabies. [21]

Crush some fresh Vasaka flower petals and add to a china clay pot with some water and sugar crystals. Keep the clay pot in the sun and drink the preparation every morning and evening with stirring. In this simple way, you can incorporate this herb into your regular diet.

References

AYUSH recommended herbal home garden-Part 3

Indian borage (Mexican mint)

Indian gooseberry (Amla)

Indian Pennywort (Gotu Kola)

Lemon grass

Malabar nut (basak / Vasa)

Next Post

Does AYUSH 64, an established anti-malarial poly-herbal formulation effective against COVID-19?

Post a comment Click here to cancel reply

AYUSH recommended herbal home garden-Part 3

Indian borage (Mexican mint)

Indian gooseberry (Amla)

Indian Pennywort (Gotu Kola)

Lemon grass

Malabar nut (basak / Vasa)

Next Post

Does AYUSH 64, an established anti-malarial poly-herbal formulation effective against COVID-19?

Recent Posts

Does AYUSH 64, an established anti-malarial poly-herbal formulation effective against COVID-19?

AYUSH recommended herbal home garden-Part 2

Post a comment Click here to cancel reply