Some Medicinal Plants In Nepal

Holi Basil (Tulsi)

v  Its Scientific name is Ocimum sanctum.

v  It is a multipurpose medicinal plant found everywhere in the world.

v  It produces more oxygen and is important from a religious point of view.

v  Tulsi is used as a spice in various dishes.

v  It is also used in tea.

v  All parts of the plant including the leaf, shoot, flower, roots and seeds are important.

v  These parts can be used as medicine.

v  Consuming it stimulates the appetite and promotes active and smooth digestion.

v  It is used for various purposes such as disinfection, purifying water and gargling.

v  Its leaves are boiled with water and consumed during throat pain or cold and infections.

Neem

v Its scientific name is Azadirachta indica.

v It is a tall tree.

v Its all parts like leaves, root, stem, flower and fruits are used for making variety of Ayurvedic medicine. 

v Its parts are extremely bitter in taste, and neem-juice is very useful in skin-related problems.

v It is also known to be natural purifier of blood, destroying and reducing bad cholesterol in the body and minimize high blood pressure.

v But excessive consumption may lead to extreme low blood pressure and complications.  

 

Heart-leaved moonseed (Gurjo)

v  Its scientific name is Tinospora cordifolia.

v  It is found in the most of the nurseries and forest of Nepal.

v  It is a climbing shrub.

v  It boosts the immunity of the body.

v Its optimum consumption does not have negative effect on the body, but its excessive consumption reduces the sugar level in the blood. 

Asiatic pennywort (Ghod tapre)

v  Its scientific name is Centella asiatica.

v  It is found in the tropical places.

v  This plant has a slightly aromatic smell and is a perennial plant that lives for more than two years.

v  It creeps along the ground.

v  Its consumption is beneficial because it is neuroprotective in function.

v  Its regular consumption enhances mental capacity and memory power.

v  Its consumption releases depression and anxiety.

v  From ancient time, this herb has been used as a medicine for the common cold.

v  Its fresh flower is crushed and made a paste to apply on burnt skin and wounds.

v  It is used to make cosmetics like skin care cream, skin toning etc.

Turmeric

v  Its scientific name is Curcuma longa.

v  This plant is also a perennial herb.

v  Its stem is modified into underground rhizome.

v  It contains an organic chemical called curcumin, which makes it yellow-colored.

v  It contains vitamin A, B, B2 and C abundantly.

v  It makes our diet spicy and attractive and also kills harmful microorganisms found in our food.

v  Consumption of turmeric enhances our body’s immunity.

v  Turmeric is beneficial to prevent respiratory diseases, heart related diseases etc.

v  It is used to make cosmetics and is also used to make dye for colouring various materials. 

 

Malaber nut (Asuro)

v  Its scientific name is Adhatoda vasica.

v  This plant is a medium sized shrub.

v  It is found in the range of Chure mountains and up to Mahabharata range.

v  This plant is full of medicinal properties. 

v  It consists of different chemicals which is used in the treatment of respiratory aliments.

v  Leaves are boiled with water and this water is used to gargle for the treatment of teeth and gum aliments.

v  Its flower is used as medicine in the burning sensation of the urinary tract.

v  Juice of its flower and leaf helps to clear mucus from lungs.

v  It is cut down to make manure in fields.  

Calamus (Bojho) 

Its scientific name is Acorus calamus.

v It is an erect herb with aromatic parts.

v It grows on swampy land and on the bank of ponds, ditches etc. without any care from human.

v It has root-like rhizome which is used as a medicine.

v It is beneficial for throat-related health disorders.

v It is used to relieve pain and to treat upset stomach.

v But its excessive use can cause nose bleed. 

Mugwort (Tite paati)

 

v Its scientific name is Artemisia vulgaris.

v It is found in the mid-hilly region of Nepal.

v This plant is used for the production of various types of cosmetics, perfumes and organic pesticides.

v This herb grows everywhere.  

Aloe vera (Ghiu kumari)

 

v  Its scientific name is Aloe vera.

v  Its leaves are thick, fleshy and serrated.

v  This plant stores food and water in its leaves and water accumulated in the leaf is gel-like.

v  In Ayurveda, ghiu kumari is also considered as ‘SANJIVANI’.

v  Vitamins A and C are found abundantly. 

v  Regular consumption of Aloe vera juice is beneficial for abdomen, bone joint and skin-related problems.

v  When the gel is applied to the skin, it provides relief from cracking of the skin and make it glow.

v  It does not allow pimples, dandruff etc. to occur in the skin. 

v  When applied to the burning area, the wound heals faster.   

Caterpillar fungus (Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba)

 

v Its scientific name is Cordyceps sinensis.

v It is found at the height of 3000-5000 m from sea level, in the snow-covered grassland.

v It is a long, white or brown colored fungus of about 5-8 cm and grows on a body of a caterpillar.

v It belongs to fungi group and reproduce by spores.

v In the winter, Yarsagumba seems like an insect in which the fungus is fully developed.

v This fungus has no root, leaf, flower and fruit.

v It is used for making medicine for Ayurveda. It is an energy booster when consumed with honey or milk.

v It is rare, and its collection, use, sales and export is prohibited by the government.